1.) Animal Collective- “Merriweather Post Pavilion”

The most engorging, involving album to come along in years, “Merriweather Post Pavilion” no doubt takes a listen or two to crack, but once you do it feels like you have fallen into a whole other world. You’re immersed into acidy washes and gorgeous distant pitters that open up into astonishingly catchy tracks in “My Girls” and “Summertime Clothes.”

2.) Grizzly Bear- “Veckatimest”

A truly majestic journey orchestrated by a rugged group of musical explorers. “Southern Point” is vivid enough feel like you are riding along an IMAX nature scene, while slow, deliberate ballads like “Cheerleader” and “Two Weeks” are soul-grippingly beautiful. Grizzly Bear makes their ambitions at perfection clear with “Veckatimest,” and they don’t land to far off.

3.) The Flaming Lips- “Embryonic”

Completely jarring and dysfunctional on first listen, layer by layer, “Embryonic” peels back to reveal something surprisingly cohesive. A copper bite (“Convinced of the Hex”) and ominous drone (“See The Leaves”) fill the first disc, but sweet melodies lie at the heart of “Worm Mountain” (with the help of MGMT) and “Silver Trembling Hands.”

4.) Dirty Projectors- “Bitte Orca”

There is no doubt that all of Dirty Projectors’ previous releases were interesting, but it had rarely approached on any sort of catchy, pop sound. With “Bitte Orca” however, the band approaches pop on their own terms with an arsenal of stripped down R&B melodies and sometimes simply gorgeous acoustic balladry (“Temecula Sunrise”).

5.) Yeah Yeah Yeahs- “It’s Blitz”

“It’s Blitz” is drastically different from the perilous sound of “Fever To Tell” or the earth noise of “Show Your Bones.” It favors dance hooks and synthesizers in “Zero” and “Heads Will Roll,” but Karen O shines brightly as ever under the glow of a newly found disco ball décor.

6.) Phoenix- “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix”

Though arguably a step back from “It’s Never Been Like That,” they have never done pop better (“Lisztomania,” “1901”) and rather subdued anthems like “Girlfriend” and “Fences” show a honed, wonderful range that hint at a true masterpiece in the works.

7.) Blue Roses- “Blue Roses”

Blue Roses’ debut came out of left field. With an obvious affinity for Kate Bush and Tori Amos, Blue Roses shrill voice is a downright chilly breeze that blows through glowing, sunny melodies where no one song is a letdown.

8.) Mos Def- “The Ecstatic”

I’ve been a huge fan of Mos Def for years now. With one of the smoothest voices and quickest working mind around, Mos Def has especially excelled in freestyles, but has been hampered by lazy beats in his recordings. “The Ecstatic” alleviates the problem and the shaky nature of “Quiet Dog” and scratchy “Auditorium” are standouts.

9.) Cut Off Your Hands- “You & I”

Little known to most, Cut Off Your Hands did wonders in crafting straightforward power-pop that was frantic, manic and sometimes unhinged. But COYH reigns in that energy for a dozen of stellar, interesting songs led by “Happy As Can Be” and “Expectations.”

10.) Passion Pit- “Manners”

2009 has been the sort of unofficial year of ‘indietronica,’ and dance act Passion Pit might have had the best go of it. “Manners” is brimming with potential singles, and sincerity (“Moth’s Wings”), fun-loving nature (“Little Secrets”) and maturity (“The Reeling”) bring “Manners” to the top of the dance-rock pack.

11.) The Pains of Being Pure at Heart- “The Pains of Being Pure at Heart”

Bringing the fuzzed-out, static-heavy sound prominent in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, “The Pains of Being Pure at Heart” is deceptively sweet and charming. “Young Adult Friction” and “Come Saturday” boast strong choruses and more endearing melodies.

12.) Still Life Still- “Girls Come Too”

Beautiful but caustic, little known Still Life Still’s sound will no doubt draw Broken Social Scene comparisons, and despite being slightly less gorgeous, a certain caustic nature makes for an exciting, exotic listen.

13.) The xx- “xx”

Wearing a love for minimalism on its sleeve, The xx rarely has more than three elements going at any one time, but a romantic, subtle delivery keeps the album from growing distant, and instead is the most intimate album of the year.

14.) Girls- “Album”

Brutal honesty and effortless relatability set this garage pop jaunt apart from the norm. It’s rare and basic to the core, but the grainy style only makes it feel all that much warmer, especially in the sunny stroll of “Hellhole Ratrace” and slow skip of “Laura”

15.) The Boom Bang- “Pizzapocalypse”

The Boom Bang might be local, but that doesn’t discredit what they did with “Pizzapocalypse,” a brief album that is full of pent up energy delivered with a snarl. Yet you can manage to find melodies below the muck in songs like “Kristin” and “Swamp City.”

16.) Jay-Z- “Blueprint 3”

People were quick to jump on Jay-Z about “Blueprint 3” not being up to the standard of the original “Blueprint” or “The Black Album,” but comparing it to modern competition he excelled. Jay opened opportunities for up-and-comers to guest (especially succeeding with “Empire State of Mind” and “What We Talkin’ Bout”) and “Blueprint 3” was all the better for it.

17.) Arctic Monkeys- “Humbug”

Josh Homme, meet Arctic Monkeys. Listeners, meet stoner rock. It’s a stark difference from the polite rebellion of “Whatever People Say…” and “Favourite Worst Nightmare,” but the thickness of “Crying Lighting” and wit of “Cornerstone” left Arctic Monkeys with another winner on their hands.

18.) Telekinesis- “Telekinesis!”

It’s strikingly simple, unoriginal power pop, and what brings “Telekinesis!” above the grey is beyond me, but quaint hooks in “Coast of Carolina” and explosion of “Foreign Room” do just that and more.

19.) Discovery- “LP”

Combining Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot apparently equals Usher singing over Cut Copy hooks. “Orange Shirt,” “Osaka Loop Line” and “So Insane” do a wonderful job at marking a new approach to R&B and are quite catchy in the process.

20.) Stardeath and White Dwarfs- “The Birth”

Wayne Coyne’s nephew’s group shows to be capable of crafting peculiar, but gorgeous melodies nearly as well The Lips themselves. Favoring a freaky jazz overbite, the bass grooves with shimmering soul nearly drowned by everything enveloping it. Luscious anthems like “Keep Score” and “Country Ballad” might suit them best though.

21.) Brand New- “Daisy”

First listen is bizarre, second only slightly less so, but the third finally reveals a rather genius, genre-defying sound that is tied together with an unrelenting sense of despair. It races between rocking in the corner with “Vices” to fist-pumping in “Sink” and deep thinking with “At The Bottom.”

22.) Dead Weather- “Horehound”

Blues-rock supergroup that sounds only slightly less impressive than it looked on paper with Jack White and Alison Mosshart (The Kills) on board. It screams everything rock n’ roll, can only be heard in black and white, and isn’t afraid to boogie a bit in shoe cutting hooks like those in “I Cut Like A Buffalo.”

23.) Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band- “Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band”

With an elementary, lo-fi approach that becomes a force to be reckoned with in no time, simplicity brings you to a lull before rip-roaring riffs and hollers tear you into a panic, as you can see in the zaggy “Masquerade” and rather ominous deconstruction of “Albatross Albatross Albatross.”

24.) Dizzee Rascal- “Tongue ‘n’ Cheek”

With an impeccable taste for ‘90s house grooves gritted with British grime sensibilities, Dizzee Rascal crafts song after song that will leave you with no other option but to hop onto the dance floor. Danger still lurks with snarling jams like “Road Rage” and “Bonkers.”

25.) Wavves- “Wavves”

Probably the most promising glimpse at an upcoming rock star, Nathan Williams proves to be well-worth the hype when you hear the sludgy, but catchy sound of “No Hope Kids” and “So Bored.”

26.) Bat for Lashes- “Two Suns”

Proving that Animal Collective aren’t the only ones that can balance trippy and poppy, “Two Suns” is another strong outing from Bat For Lashes, buoyed by the effervescent while chilly mood of “Daniel.”

27.) Kid Cudi- “Man On the Moon”

A fittingly spacey blend of futuristic hip-hop that’s certainly raw at times, but a promisingly glimpse at a new direction and integral explorer of uncharted realms with three killer singles (“Make Her Say,” Day ‘n’ Nite,” “Pursuit of Happiness”) fueling the mission.

28.) Noisettes- “Wild Young Hearts”

Less jagged than its predecessor, sights have been set on radio wave domination, and Lady Gaga-esque dance hooks seem like supremacy is imminent.

29.) Jacob Abello- “Nothing But Gold”

No release felt more studied and focused than “Nothing But Gold,” a gorgeous experiment in blending folk, pop and indie practicalities that feels realized in “We’re So Young” and “Party Girl.”

30.) Tegan & Sara- “Sainthood”

Yet another consistent effort that trades earthy tones for cosmic undertones and porcelain vocals that stays pristine and polished in every moment of this pop rock tour de force.

31.) The Almighty Defenders- “The Almighty Defenders”

Baptism by fire in a dusty lil’ chapel somewhere far away from here, you don’t hear gospel-grunge all too often, but all sins are forgiven in a crackling good set of hymns.

32.) Dananananaykroyd- “Hey Everyone”

An indie-metal sound that favors pink to black, always sitting pretty but victim to cringing spasms and sporadic shivers that only make for that much more interesting of a time.

33.) Them Crooked Vultures- “Them Crooked Vultures”

A heart rhythm shifting thudder that palpitates under the weight of John Paul Jones’ ever-miraculous guitar riffs and Dave Grohls masterful drumming, while Josh Homme provides the heart, face and shimmy.

34.) MuteMath- “Armistice”

New Wave meets ‘Nawlins blues in a shaky, paranoid focus that submerges itself into gaping, murky depths before skirting to the surface in a dancy display of livelihood.

35.) Manchester Orchestra- “Mean Everything To Everyone”

Blue-collar heaviness that sweats with passion, differentiated with the sharpness of Andy Hull’s lyrics and convergent fervor that takes itself just seriously enough.

36.) Monsters of Folk- “Monsters of Folk”

A brilliant swirl of My Morning Jacket, Bright Eyes and M. Ward that works to accentuate the talents of each rather than masking them into a singular, one-note sound.

37.) Blakroc- “Blakroc”

The clash between The Black Keys and hip-hop juggernauts like Mos Def, Jim Jones, Raekwon and RZA proved to be an overwhelming, smoky success.

38.) Depth & Current- “Arms”

A throbbing, sinister trek through shadowy tunnels and cramped spaces with songs opening up in a desperate gasp for air from the sludgy, oily riffs submerging them.

39.) Peter Bjorn And John- “Living Thing”

They deserve an award for going so out of the bounds of “Writer’s Block,” and “It Don’t Move Me” and “The Feeling” will lead to a hip pop or two.

40.) N.A.S.A. –“The Spirit of Apollo”

An album that is not as much heavy on guest spots as it is dominated with them, sometimes failing, other times succeeding, but interesting and innovative at every single turn in its dig at a fresh pop sound.

41.) The Most Serene Republic- “…And The Ever Expanding Universe”

A sensual experience, building up sights and textures just as readily as its sparkly, bubbling sounds, constantly building upon itself into a divine fullness.

42.) The Bird and The Bee- “Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future”

An overlooked pop masterpiece, “Ray Guns” is lovely and luscious, and “My Love” will assuredly take your breath away.

43.) Wolfmother- “Cosmic Egg”

Equal parts Metallica, Zeppelin, Sonic Youth, Van Halen and Deep Purple exploding into a classic rock supernova zapped into the new millennium.

44.) Mayer Hawthorne- “A Strange Arrangement”

More beautiful than strange, Hawthorne lifts soul music off life support with a lovely debut strung along with sultry singles and a velvety smooth voice

45.) White Lies- “To Lose My Life”

Gorgeous gothic pop rock, fueled by the bellowing vocals of Harry McVeigh and an even more burly backing of drowning synth haunts and strobing guitar flashes.

46.) Sunset Rubdown- “Dragonslayer”

A beastly indie epic that quickly becomes Beowulf dressed in skinny jeans and American Apparel slaying a dragon smoking a cigarette and chugging a Pabst.

47.) Wilco- “Wilco (The Album)”

Solid workmanship in a statement that reads like a Wilco Wikipedia page, summarizing and consolidating everything up to the present with hints at the future.

48.) Pull Tiger Tail- “PAWS.”

Fall Out Boy style power pop debut done with intelligence and restraint; a precocious, lively affair brimming with promising ambition.

49.) The Horrors- “Primary Colours”

A complete departure from the gothic punk sound of “Strange House,” “Primary Colours” favors a shoegaze style and is all the more full for it.

50.) The Rural Alberta Advantage- “Hometowns”

Angsty, acoustic-driven tunes moonlighting as western-death metal spurs that come across unassuming enough until they punch you in the gut.