20. Major Lazer - Gun's Don't Kill People - Lazers Do
Although leaning heavily on Dancehall there is a whole history of Jamaican music mixed into Diplo and Switch's debut album under the Major Lazer guise. The party (album) starts out with "Hold The Line" featuring Santigold and never slows down.
19. Baroness - Blue Record
Sometimes you just need to put on something heavy. When that time occurs you could do worst than reaching for this record.
18. Morrissey - Years Of Refusal
If Morrissey, now in his 50's is having to 'throw his arms around Paris because nobody wants his love' what chance do the rest of us have? Now an old pro "Moz" still writes songs like a jilted teenage boy and we wouldn't want it any other way.
17. Jarvis Cocker - Further Complications
It's interesting that after two decades as the lead singer of Pulp and releasing his debut solo album that Jarvis would abandon the "Brit Pop" blueprint he helped create. Instead he put out his most rockin' album ever. Recorded in Chicago with Steve Albini Further Complication as a solid garage rock album that allows Jarvis to partially reinvent himself.
16. Bat For Lashes - Two Suns
This album would make the list based on the stand out track "Daniel" alone but once you let the whole album seep into your brain there is a whole world that Natasha Khan has created for us to explore.
15. The Thermals - Now We Can See
This Kill Rock Stars Debut sees the band sighing a breath of relief after 8 years of the Bush administration and their civic duty to comment on it. This album saw the band pushing more into a power pop rather than pop punk sound that has a lighter and more fun feel.
14. Rural Alberta Advantage - Hometowns
This is pure indie goodness for those who like Neutral Milk Hotel, Pavement or Bright Eyes.
13. Raekwon - Only Built For Cuban Linx Pt. 2
This is one for those of us who miss the hip hop we had in the 90's. This record fits in with the best of the Wu albums and solo records.
12. Cymbal Eats Guitar - Why There Are Mountains
This one is great for the same reasons as #14, just great classic indie.
11. The Mountain Goats - The Life Of The World To Come
One this record John Darnielle slows things down and tells us some lessons the Bible taught him (sort of). Put on the headphones and listen to every word.
10. Girls - Album
The debut album by Girls is the sounds of a troubled person trying to work it all out. Indulging in drugs and alcohol and sex then waking up the next day to viscous hangover. Oh, to be young!
9. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
The band pulled back on the guitars and put vintage synthesisers in the for front yet it still sounded like them. Zero was one of the best songs of the year but the whole record is worth a listen.
8. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
This album defies any current trend in music be it Lo-Fi, glow-fi or anything else. It still became one of the biggest and best albums of the year based on great songs.
7. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
"My Girls" enough said!
6. Passion Pit - Manners
The debut album by Passion Pit might have been the funnest album of year.
5. Mos Def - The Ecstatic
Skilled MC stops acting and starts giving a shit about rhyming. The Stones Throw beats on this album are so good Mos has to come correct over them.
4. The Big Pink - A Brief History Of Love
This is big music made to be played loud to stadiums full of people. Enjoy them before the rest of the world jumps on the bandwagon.
3. Japondroids - Post Nothing
This duo does more with less. The eight songs on their debut is a sonic assault on your ears.
2. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
You couldn't get away from this album whether you were in a coffee shop, at the barber or just sitting through the commercials during the Daily Show. Good thing it's a great album. These savvy French blokes finally broke through on the back of their best album yet.
1. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - S/T
The debut album by these Manhattanites is pure pop goodness. Hearkening back to the days of C86, Sarah Records and early days of twee this album hits all the right spots.
Honorable Mentions
St. Vincent - Actor
Real Estate - S/T
The XX - S/T
Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
Cold Cave - Love Comes Close
Fuck Buttons - Tarot Sport
Neco Case - Middle Cyclone
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