Wow. So much amazing music from 2009 to sort though. After a few weeks of thoughtful deliberation and consideration, I've distilled my most significant musics of 2009 into an assortment of top picks lists. And there's so much more tremendous music not even mentioned here (like Bibio, The Growlers, 800 Beloved, Etienne Jaumet, etc). 2010, you have some big shoes to fill!

FIVE FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2009, in no particular order

Not only are these phenomenal works of art in their own right, but these are albums I carried with me throughout the year. They created the soundtrack for all the significant times and seasons throughout 2009. 

Here We Go Magic, Here We Go Magic 

The XX, XX

M. Ward, Hold Time

Dark Was the Night, Volumes I & II (Various Artists Compilation)

Metavari, Be One of Us and Hear No Noise

TEN FAVORITE SONGS OF 2009, in no particular

Even though not all of them are part of my top 5 favorite albums, these songs still played crucial roles on my summer road trips, weekend getaways, long days working on house projects and, of course, more than a few furious days at OLG. And yet, there are still so many more songs that didn't make it to the top ten.

Metavari, Shimmer Marina

Andrew Bird, Masterswarm

The XX, Infinity

Yo La Tengo, Gentle Hours

M. Ward, Jailbird

Here We Go Magic, I Just Want to See You Underwater

The Drums, Submarine

Julian Casablancas, Out of the Blue

Sufjan Stevens, You Are The Blood

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Young Adult Friction

FAVORITE SHOWS

I had a light year for concerts, but a few gems really stood out:

Here We Go Magic at Radio Radio in Indianapolis

Metavari's Be One of Us & Hear No Noise Album Release Show at Indiana Tech, Fort Wayne

Ben Folds with The Fort Wayne Philharmonic at The Embassy Theatre, Fort Wayne

HONORABLE MENTION

Here's a general list of other stuff that I really loved this year. If I was listing my top 15 or 25, these would absolutely be included.

Andrew Bird, Noble Beast, Useless Creatures

Julian Casablancas, Phrazes for the Young

The Drums, Summertime

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Tycho, Coastal Brake

MILD DISAPPOINTMENTS

Below you'll find a roster of some of my favorite bands. And, as you know, it's easy to be overly critical and have a lot of expectations for your favorites. So maybe I'm being a little harsh, but these album just fell flat for me. They lacked staying power. Each have some stellar songwriting, but nothing here really grabbed my heartstrings and pulled me back for more after the first few listens.

Yo La Tengo, Popular Songs

Kings of Convenience, Declaration of Dependence

Eels, Hombre Lobo

Neko Case, Middle Cyclone

Clem Snide, Hungry Bird