A solid year for music -- seems like I always had something new to enjoy. Here are the ones that really stuck with me (in no particular order):
Office - A Night At The Ritz - Well crafted neo-new-wave which is catchy at first blush and rewards with each listen.
New Young Pony Club - Fantastic Playroom - A succinct summation of all that is good in the merging of dance grooves with post-punk.
Stars - In Our Bedroom After The War - Maintains their high standards of sophisticated indie pop.
The XYZ Affair - A Few More Published Studies - Fantastic power pop as re-imagined by emo kids who harmonize like the Futureheads and aren't afraid to throw in a bit of Queen-ish bombast for good measure.
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga - Lean and mean R&B and soul informed indie rock. Their best since Girls Can Tell.
The National - Boxer - If Alligator was their breakthrough, this is a full realization of their talents. The subtle yet powerful instrumental arrangements are a perfect match for rich, deep vocals and worldly-wise lyrics.
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible - "Antichrist Television Blues" is a biting critique, "Intervention" has a stunning power, "No Cars Go" simply soars and as a whole, the album meets the enormous expectations of following up an album as monumental as Funeral.
Lucky Soul - The Great Unwanted - Last year it was the Pipettes bringing the girl group sounds up to date, this year it's Lucky Soul's light and breezy take on 50s/60s R&B that best puts a new spin on a classic genre. Ace tunes galore!
Interpol - Our Love To Admire - Jumping to a major label hasn't changed them much. This the logical continuation of their musical maturation and, like their previous work, a smooth, enjoyable cocktail of dark post-punk.
Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City - It's not quite as good as their first album overall. But the best moments match their jaw-dropping debut, and even the weaker moments have redeeming qualities. I hope they ignore the critics and continue to follow their muse wherever it may take them.
Honorable Mention (a.k.a. the next ten):
Zeph & Azeem - Rise Up
Rupesh Cartel - The Disco And The What Not
Band of Horses - Cease To Begin
Cut City - Exit Decades
Editors - An End Has A Start
Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends
M.I.A. - Kala
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Pharoahe Monch - Desire
Hard-Fi - Once Upon A Time In The West