It’s time, ladies and gents, for my year-end top 10 list. If you missed the 2008 list, read it here.

This time of year it seems that EVERYONE is doing a top 10 albums of the year list. And sometimes I read the big publications’ lists and think, “How the hell did you include that album?!” This list was compiles entirely by yours truly. If you think some of these don’t belong, well, that’s where your wrong. These are MY top 10 albums of 2009, and hopefully you’ll enjoy many of them, too. (Song titles that are in bold are streaming after each entry.)

So when Santa drops off gift cards for iTunes/Amazon/eMusic in your stocking, these are some suggestions for spending that free cash on some music that I think is pretty dang good.

Let me know what you think of this list in the comments section. What are some of YOUR favorite albums that aren’t listed here?

10. Muse – The Resistance (Sep 15): This album was included in my recent Twenty-some Suggestions post, and is one of several from that mini-series that made the end-of-year list. Muse have been trying to take over America for since their 2004 album Absolution was released. Along with a solid tour schedule, and an amazing (if lip-synced) live show, this band has become a favorite to the Twilight set as they have appeared on both of the soundtracks for the Twilight Saga movies. It’s never a bad thing to be on the hottest soundtrack of the year, that’s for sure. But beyond that, they consistently make great music. The lead single from The Resistance, “The Uprising,” has been #1 on the Modern Rock charts for something like three months! This album may not be chock full of hit singles, but it is chock full of great songs (and even an orchestral suite!). In addition to the single, check out “Undisclosed Desires” and “I Belong To You (+Mon Coeur S’ouvre A Ta Voix)“.

9. The Dead Weather – Horehound (Jul 14): Not only did this band put out one of the best albums of 2009, but they put on one of the best shows of the year, too. Because they’re that good. If the fact that Jack White is in this band isn’t enough to get your interest piqued, then I’m not sure that a further description will help at all. Allison Mosshart (The Kills) uses her seductive vocals to drive this band to a deep dark place. A place where deals are made with the devil, where slinking, jumping bass lines are born, and where angst makes love to the blues. The group is rounded out by Jack Lawrence (The Raconteurs, The Greenhornes) and Dean Fertita (Queens of the Stone Age, The Raconteurs) and together they are like a rock n roll Voltron. Best tracks are “Hang You From the Heavens,” “I Cut Like a Buffalo” and “Treat Me Like Your Mother“.

8. Cage the Elephant – S/T (May 19): Though this band is from Bowling Green, Kentucky, they got their start in Europe, which comes as no surprise, really. The sound of their album is far more European than it is Southern. These guys are like the uncontrollable little brother of Kings Of Leon. After signing with EMI in 2007, the band moved to London and released their eponymous debut in June, 2008. It wasn’t until almost a year late that the album saw a proper release in the States. This band has been buzzing since early spring, when their single “Ain’t No Rest For the Wicked” was first released to radio. Since then they stole Coachella (in my opinion), managed to get themselves a bit of a hit on Modern Rock radio, and have been touring incessantly in an obvious attempt to take over the world. And it seems to be working. Be sure to give a listen to the aforementioned “Ain’t No Rest For the Wicked” along with “In One Ear” and “Free Love”.

7. White Rabbits – It’s Frightening (May 19): There’s no sophomore slump for White Rabbits. Their debut album, Fort Nightly, made my 2007 list (lost in the great Google debacle of 2008), and now they reprise their top 10 position with their new, rhythm heavy 2009 release. This is another band that made a great album and also put on one of the best shows of the year. I commonly describe this band as New York-meets-London and I feel it still fits. Listening to this album, one shouldn’t be surprised to find they’re from the City or from England. There don’t seem to be many bands that are rhythmically overloaded while also featuring a heavy helping of piano, but White Rabbits pulls off this strange dichotomy with near perfection. Be sure to give a listen to “Percussion Gun,” “Rudie Fails” and “Company I Keep”.

6. NOFX – Coaster (Apr 28): You know any album that starts with a sample from Glengarry Glen Ross is going to be a good one. NOFX definitely did not disappoint. With the band’s eleventh studio album they came back from a bit of a slump (neither The War On Errorism or Wolves In Wolves’ Clothing were very good). Once again they have songs that are both funny and poignant. With “My Orphan Year,” Fat Mike even gets sentimental (legitimately, it’s a song about losing both of his parents in the same year). Definitely give a listen to “My Orphan Year,” “The Quitter” and “I Am an Alcoholic”.

5. Passion Pit – Manners (May 19): I first heard of this band back in January when I saw the video for “Sleepyhead” on MTV’s Subterranean. I immediately downloaded their EP, Chunk Of Change, and thus began my love affair with Passion Pit. Their sound is indie-electronic, which is a genre that has really been taking over in New York of late. (Even thought the band is from Boston.) These songs are booty shakers, to be sure, but the depth of the lyrics may surprise some. Mike Angelakos has a great way with words. Listen first to “Sleepyhead,” “The Reeling” and “Little Secrets“.

4. Silversun Pickups – Swoon (Apr 14): Another band that is not feeling any sophomore slump is Silversun Pickups. Their followup to 2006′s Carnavas shows a measure of maturity while holding onto the core sound and feel of the band. Nikki Moninger’s bass lines are again featured as Brian Aubert’s airy vocals and often chugging guitars give a dirty side to the music. Silversun Pickups fulfill a lot of the promise that the grunge movement produced, but never truly grasped. With wispy melodies and a back beat that can’t be denied, the band continues to build on the foundation of Carnavas and show they are not just one hit wonders. Make sure to check out “There’s No Secrets This Year,” “Panic Switch” and “It’s Nice To Know You Work Alone”.

3. Death Cab For Cutie – The Open Door EP (Mar 31): A year after the band released their sixth studio album, DCFC decided to give us some leftovers. Following in the footsteps of Coldplay, DCFC gave us an EP of songs from their latest album that didn’t make the cut. I don’t really understand how some of these were left off Narrow Stairs, but this EP shines due to their late release. Opener “Little Bribes” may just be the most upbeat song the band has ever released. And Gibbard proves his lyrical prowess in “A Diamond and a Tether”. Definitely give this one a full listen, it’s only five songs (including a demo of Narrow Stairs song “Talking Bird”). Best tracks are “Little Bribes,” “A Diamond and a Tether” and “My Mirror Speaks” (where the title of the EP comes from).

2. Them Crooked Vultures – S/T (Nov 17): All that needs to be said is that this band is a true super group. Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Josh Homme (Queens Of the Stone Age) and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) comprise the corps of the group. I can’t imagine needing any more than that to check this band out, but just in case… The album is effing epic! It’s heavy rock without being metal, it grooves with a sultriness that isn’t seen in a lot of rock music today, and thumps better than anything available today. Be sure to give a listen to “New Fang,” “Scumbag Blues” and “Warsaw or the First Breath You Take After You Give Up“.

1. Florence + The Machine – Lungs (Oct 20): This album was released in Florence Welch’s native UK back in June, I got my hands on it in September and immediately fell in love. Both with Welch and her music. I make no secret of my love for redheads, and Welch is the fiery kind that makes me melt. Her angelic voice, and layered music meld together in such a pleasantly melodic, yet plentifully rhythmic, way as to make one’s ears beg for more. Welch and company have taken the UK by storm, with the album peaking at #2 there. Many of her lyrics focus on death, violence and love with the three coming together triumphantly on “Kiss With a Fist,” a song that somehow manages to make domestic violence sound serene. Be sure to give a listen to “Dog Days Are Over,” “Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)” and “Drumming“.

Honorable Mentions

These albums didn’t make the top 10, but they’re still awesome.

Pearl Jam – Backspacer (Sep 20): I have a love/hate relationship with Pearl Jam. I love their first three albums, was kind of meh on No Code, then loved Yield, and hated their next two before kind of digging their self-titled 2006 album. Now I’m very much back in love with Seattle’s only lasting 90s band. Backspacer is a rompous eleven track, thirty-seven minute album that picks up about where the band left off with Yield before intentionally sabotaging themselves by releasing two pretty crappy albums. “The Fixer” seems to be a narrative of the band and their recent internal (and external) issues. “Just Breathe” is obviously influenced by lead man Eddie Vedder’s recent solo album (the soundtrack for Into The Wild). Other stand out include “Supersonic” and “The End”.

Rodrigo Y Gabriela – 11:11 (Sep 8): This Mexican duo of former metal band members continue to produce amazing acoustic music, with a rock n roll lean. This album includes songs dedicated to Jimi Hendrix (“Buster Voodoo”), Carlos Santana (“Hanuman”), Pink Floyd (“11:11“) and others. The band had a couple of guests on this album, but continue to make music almost exclusively on their guitars. Those drums you think you hear? Banging on guitars. Yep. It’s like that.

Foo Fighters – Greatest Hits (Nov 3): Every greatest hits is going to be missing something, and this one is no exception. But focusing on what is included is the important thing, and this is a very good representation of the last 15 years of Foo Fighters. The biggest ones are here; “Everlong,” “Learn To Fly” and “Big Me” are here and the band included two new songs in Tom Petty-esque “Wheels” and a lyrical strong, but some how not that good “Word Forward”. If you’re looking for a road map to Foo Fighters, this is a good place to start.

Dead Man’s Bones – S/T (Oct 6): Ryan Gosling is a great actor. He has made some really great, award-nominated movies: “The Notebook,” “Half Nelson” and “Lars and the Real Girl” are all amazing. Now, like many actors before him, he is transitioning into music. And unlike many actors previously, he has released a really great album. Gosling and long-time friend Zach Shields, along with several collaborations with the Silverlake Conservatory Children’s Choir that adds an interesting spookiness to the songs. The sound is very blues driven, indie rock with an airy feeling that opens up the music sonically. Check out “My Body’s a Zombie For You,” “Pa Pa Power” and “In the Room Where You Sleep”.

Hockey – Mind Chaos (Oct 6): This Portland, Oregon, foursome makes some great electro-indie rock. A little less dancey than Passion Pit, but with a lot more attitude. Opening track, and first single, “Too Fake” it at once a hipster theme song while also poking a fun at the effort that so many of them put in to fitting in and being cool. “I do anything that I’m told to/I even mean it, if I’m supposed to” leads toward a chorus that includes lines like “I’m just too fake for the world” and “I’ve got too much soul for you/I don’t like it but it’s true”. The band may have too much soul for the world, but they are willing to share their surplus with the rest of us. Get your piece while the getting’s good. Be sure to give a listen to “Too Fake,” “Song Away” and “3am Spanish”.

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Tags: album review, audio, best of, cage the elephant, dave grohl, dead man's bones, death cab for cutie, florence + the machine, foo fighters, hockey, hockey band, jack white, john paul jones, josh homme, led zeppelin, list, muse, nofx, passion pit, pearl jam, queens of the stone age, rodrigo y gabriela, ryan gosling, silversun pickups, the dead weather, them crooked vultures, white rabbits

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