listen to selections from all albums while you read

#10 TIE Rise Ye Sunken Ships by We Are Augustines

Yes, I know having a tie for 10th place means this is a top 11 list, not a top 10 list. oh well. We are Augustines are a couple guys who used to be in the band Pela. I really dig this album. check it out.

favorite track - Headlong into the Abyss

recommended if you like: We Were Promised Jetpacks, Pela

#10 TIE Never Trust a Happy Song by Grouplove

Grouplove is a great band. lots of energy in their live shows (I've only seen them on tv)

favorite track - Colours

recommended if you like: Young the Giant, Naked and Famous, The Joy Formidable

#9 Towards the Sun by Alexi Murdoch

Alexi Murdoch writes absolutely beautiful music. On the mellow side, this is a great album.

favorite track - Some Day Soon

recommended if you like Ryan Adams, Bon Iver, Ray LaMontagne

#8 The Big Roar by The Joy Formidable

I love this album. Was VERY excited to see them play at Lollapalooze, but was only going to be able to catch the second part of their set. However, when I got there, they had already left the stage. Who plays a festival and only plays a partial set? maybe they weren't feeling well. Anyway - this is a great album and I do hope to catch them live some day.

favorite track - Whirring

recommended if you like: Naked and Famous, Grouplove, Yuck

#7 Alpocolypse by Weird Al Yankovic

I've been a fan of Weird Al's ever since first hearing him on the Dr. Demento show on the radio in the 1970's as a kid. For some reason I never got around to seeing him perform live in concert until this year. If you are even moderately a fan of Weird Al - I HIGHLY recommend seeing him live. He is amazing. absolutely hilarious and entertaining, he puts on one of the best live shows! Also, this album is another great one!

favorite track - Polka Face

recommended if you like: They Might Be Giants, Barenaked Ladies

#6 Wasting Light by Foo Fighters

Got to see the Foo Fighters live in concert again this year. They never dissapoint. Dave Grohl is a great performer, funny and he and his band are always tight. They played the headlining position at Lollapalooza and it poured buckets during their set. I mean literally it was like someone was standing above us just pouring buckets of water. I've been dryer after taking a shower. But they played through the torrential downpour and never missed a beat or a chord. This is a nother great album by the Foo.

favorite track - These Days

recommended if you like: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Incubus, Wolfmother

#5 21 by Adele

Adele is fantastic. One of the things I really liked about listening to her music is my daughter is also a big fan and she would play her album constantly and sing her songs all around the house. If you haven't heard Adele check her out - or if you like what you've heard buy the album it's great!

favorite track - Lovesong (cure cover)

recommended if you like: Norah Jones, Florence and the Machine, Amy Winehouse

#4 Mountaintops by Mates of State

I love this husband/wife team. great tunes and amazing live when it is only the two of them.

favorite track - Palomino

recommended if you like: Rainer Maria, The New Pornographers, Los Campesinos!

#3 Volume One by the Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library

Michael J. Epstein is prolific. he's in at least 3 or 4 active bands at any given moment. I got to see the Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library perform as an opener to Neutral Uke Hotel last year (who he is also a member of). This may be one of my most listened to albums of the year. it is fantastic and i Highly recommend it.

favorite track -  Stranger

recommended if you like: Bright Eyes

#2 What Did You Expect From the Vaccines by the Vaccines

This album really kicked me in the ass. One of those albums I just love cranking really loud in the car and screaming my head off while driving. Got to see them live at Lollapalooza and they were awesome!

favorite track - wetsuit

recommended if you like:Arctic Monkeys, The Drums, The Horrors

#1 All At Once by The Airborne Toxic Event

I was very hopeful when this album was released. I LOVED their first album (it was my #1 of 2009, even though it was originally released earlier, it was re-released in 2009). after a first listen, i definitely liked it and through the year grew to absolutely love it - finding a new favorite song on the album every month or two. If yuou don't know them yet, you will. go get their albums and see them live if you can, they are fantastic!

favorite track - Half of Something Else

recommended if you like: Young the Giant, Grouplove, Naked and Famous