Top 10

10. DEVENDRA BANHART
Cripple Crow
Part of the appeal of Cripple Crow is Devendra's ever fluctuating state of mind. Whether he prefers the headspace of a child (I feel Just like a child, Hows about tellin us a story), young hipster (Long Haired Child, Chinese Children), spanish boy (Luna de Margartia, Santa Maria de Feira), old wise grandpa (Heard somebody say, Queen Bee) or schizofrenic pedophile prostitute (Little Boys). When I put this album on I know I'm going to have a relaxing, fun and introspective experience. For people who like folk (like me) it's a must listen.

9. WHITE STRIPES
Get Behind Me Satan
Every time I put this record on I notice different themes coming through. A few of these include: anti-social behaviour, truth, loss, instinct and self realization. Hats off to Jack White for adding Marimbas into the equation. It seems Mr. White could add rock coolness to any instrument (I'm hoping for a bag pipe record next).

8. SUFJAN STEVENS
Illinois
With a slightly altered tracklist and a bit of editing this album would've been in my top 5. Not to say this album isn't great. Sufjan does remarkable things with his subject matter: Illinois. Melding intimate stories with history and geography is probably the most intellectual exercise in pop music this year. However, with Sufjan, the melding of intellectualism with emotion and enthusiasm seems completely natural. Musically my best description of this record would be to imagine if Elliot Smith became a key member in Polyphonic Spree. If you have no idea who these people are Illinois may be a beautiful surprise.

7. GORILLAZ
Demon Days
The gorillaz are a split personality band in more ways then one. Physically, the cartoon frontmen in their videos to me are completely different then their real-life counterparts. Secondly, just like most interesting music the songs always seem conflicted or walking a fine line between polar opposites. In the gorillaz case the band has always tried to promote this reckless, sci-fi horror side to the band. Damon Alburn (of Blur) being the chief songwriter does not usually operate on gimmics or consistancy. His songs end up in many flavours including downtempo, soft, angelic, disco punk, rap, funk and sometimes brooding ballads. Doesn't sound like cartoons to you, does it?

6. CARIBOU
The Milk Of Human Kindness
Ive been listening to Caribou since its first incarnation as Manitoba on his first record. Dan Snaith has slowly been converting his blippy Aphex twin/Boards of Canada type sound into a folky, psychedlic electronic buffet. As a personal note I try and imagine the theme of this record as a 60's love child growing a year older track by track.

5. MY MORNING JACKET
Z
I'm a big sucker for a "departure" album so this album had me at hello. It's not that MMJ totally changed their sound, it's just that they filtered different influences through it. They go from dub to coldplay to pixies to reggae to circus sways to pink floyd and back. As an added bonus Jim James reverb soaked voice sounds more suited to this production. A+

4. NEW PORNOGRAPHERS
Twin Cinema
This album is my first experience with the New Pornographers. I really have to hear their older music now. In general this album sounds like the work of many strong musicians. I read a review giving praise to Kurt Dahle for his contribution. I would definately agree that the percussion on this record makes an impact. In the same way Dave Grohl added a strong elementt to the last QOTSA record. As for the songs, the lyrics on this album are quite cinematic but with a poppy indie rock musical coating. Example: Track 4 "The Bleeding Heart Show"

3. WOLF PARADE
Apologies To Queen Mary
This album shot up this list in mid year to the 3 spot after hearing it for 2 days. I was hooked from the beginning. Hearing the passive/aggressive drums on the 1st track to the (sad/mad) synths sounds sliced in the middle of the album and finally to the driving voice behind the song "This hearts on fire" the concluding emotional outburst on the cd sucks me in every time. The Modest Mouse references you may read about aren't unjustified but they always forget to add David Bowie.

2. ANDREW BIRD
The Mysterious Production Of Eggs
I had the privledge of seeing Andrew Bird in Toronto this year and it was one of my top 3 shows attended. His violin, singing, whistling and guitar playing skills are superb. He also manages to juggle all these instruments at the same time with a sampler. "The mysterious production of eggs" is a great title to sum up this album. The music has a great replay value and usually gets better with time. His voice reminds me of a hybrid of Jeff Buckley and Jack Johnson (but with more intriguing lyrics). According to my ears the music has the beatles, beachboys, radiohead ballads and the two afforementioned vocalists as its music directors.

1. ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI
In Case We Die
Fans of the fiery furnaces, go team and the polyphonic spree have probably heard this record for themselves already. It sounds like the musical equivelent of watching saturday morning cartoons with an adult spin on all the zany action. The songs contain lyrics about cementaries, stalkers, machine guns and nightmares mixed with music from a mutated intellectual high school play. A very original and entertaining record.