We’ve got our top albums of 2009! Instead of compiling one big list, each of our writers and photographers have submitted their own top 5 list. We invite all of you to send in your top 5 list of albums for 2009 too!
Steph:
There were a number of good EPs that came out this year, but I decided to exclude them from my list to make this tough decision a little easier.
1. Say Anything (Delux Version) by Say Anything
Slightly different than their first two albums, Say Anything still has the raw honesty and catchy rock beats that I expect and love from Max Bemis and gang. By far my favorite album of 2009, I’ve listened to each song on the upward of 20 times. There’s not a bad one in the bunch, including the bonus tracks.
2. Everybody by Ingrid Michaelson
Ingrid always brings it with her smooth vocals and the whole album is great. “Soldier” was one of my favorite songs of the year.
3. Not Without a Fight by New Found Glory
I wrote a full review about my love for Not Without a Fight but to put it simply, this album combines the best of old NFG and new NFG.
4. Ratitude by Weezer
I had to include this album because A. Because of this album, I have a renewed faith in Weezer’s talent post-Blue-Album and B. Their incorporation of diverse genres makes this album genius! (What other rock band does Bali-wood?)
5. It’s Not Me, It’s You by Lily Allen
The reason I chose this album is similar to the reason I picked Ratitude. Not only does Lily push the envelope with her feisty lyrics, but she tries interesting things musically and doesn’t box herself in with the pop song “standards”
Catharine:
1. Brand New Eyes – Paramore
I absolutely love all their albums, and this is no exception. Next to All We Know Is Falling, this album was the right progression. Riot! was fun, but this album is genius!
2. The Fray by The Fray
My favorite ‘feel good’ album of the year. I never tire of listening to this album and although most can agree a lot of Fray songs sound exactly alike, it’s an amazing sound and I could listen all day!
3. It’s Not Me, It’s You by Lily Allen
What’s not to like about Lily Allen? Haha! She’s a kickass girl with a truthful mouth. This is an awesome album. My favorite track has got to be “F**k You”.
4. Fearless Platinum Edition by Taylor Swift
The re-release of this album made it even better. With 6 brand new songs, it made it feel like a totally new Taylor Swift album. Her music is a guilty pleasure I will proudly announce to the world. She makes falling in love, breaking up, and getting revenge sound so good!
5. Nothing Personal by All Time Low
This has got to be my favorite ‘work out’ album of the year. The fun and upbeat songs kept me going for hours at the gym and on long walks!
Jackie:
1.
Strict Joy by The Swell Season
The sophomore release from the dynamic Oscar-winning duo of the movie “Once,” this record is simple and poignant. There’s no huge, overproduced mumbo jumbo. It’s piano, it’s guitar, and it’s Markéta Irglová and Glen Hansard’s amazing harmonies. By far my favorite album of the year. It’s still on constant rotation in my car even though I bought it months ago.
2. Abbey Road (2009 Stereo Remaster) by The Beatles
If this had been a brand new release, it would have been my number 1 by about a million miles. The last record The Beatles would ever release together, this album has such a diverse collection of songs, it’s hard to even really begin to describe its brilliance. It’s a great representation of the talent of all four Beatles, not just John and Paul. The band definitely “went out with a bang” with this one.
3. The Fame Monster by Lady Gaga
Knock her antics and insane outfits all you want. The one thing you can’t say about Lady GaGa is that she’s not original. On her second release she combines a little bit of Abba, a lot of club/dance instrumentals and her usual sexually-infused, woman-empowered lyrics. I was a huge fan of “The Fame” and GaGa didn’t disappoint again with this record.
4. The Script by The Script
I had never heard of this band before I saw them on a TV appearance one night. Hailing from Ireland, the band recently opened for U2. Though they may not be extremely original, there is no doubt this is a well-written, diverse and emotional record. If you’ve just been through a breakup, check out “Breakeven” and you’ll find yourself exclaiming “exactly!” throughout the entire track. The lead singer’s voice is also exceptional and surprisingly soulful.
3. Uplifter by 311
One of my favorite bands for as long as I can remember, I realized a dream and saw them live this past summer. This band has continued a long line of great records with “Uplifter.” A slightly harder album than some of the past, they still don’t lose their infectious positive message and reggae-based vibe. Nick Hexum and S.A. Martinez have some of the best combined voices I’ve heard. You wouldn’t think their voices would mesh well together but they do, and that’s showcased on this album. This is without a doubt, my “Summer Album” of choice.
Cassie:
First of all…I think this is probably a little biased because the albums that came out recently are going to be remembered more…but
1. Battle Studies by John Mayer
2. Everybody by Ingrid Michaelson
3. Fearless by Taylor Swift (don’t deny it)
4. Say Anything by Say Anything
5. Brand New Eyes by Paramore
J-Man:
1.
Billy Talent III by Billy Talent
I could pretty much listen to Billy Talent’s entire library all the way through without skipping a song. These guys have given me no reason to stop loving them.
2. The Resistance by Muse
When you listen to Muse’s new album, it makes you feel like you should be watching something epic and awesome happen. This is the definition of good music.
3.Welcome to the Masquerade by Thousand Foot Krutch
Thank you TFK, for not sucking anymore. I’m going to pretend that this and Phenomenon are your only two albums.
4. Act II: The Father Of Death by The Protomen
This is the second album in their concept rock opera about Mega Man. You heard me. Rock Opera About Mega Man.
5. Raditude by Weezer
Weezer has made another awesomely sing-along-able pop rock album. They are amazing at being mediocre, and I love them for it.
J-Man’s (dis)Honorable Mentions:
Ocean Eyes by Owl City
I hadn’t heard of Owl City till this year, and since first listening to “Fireflies” on XM radio in a sprint store I worked at, he has become one of my favorite artists. The only reason he doesn’t get an official spot is because The Postal Service called and they want their sound back.
Part Six by MC Chris
I was listening to Chris before it was the cool thing to do. INDIE CRED. The guy is an absolute emo douchebag, but I can’t stop listening to his awesome brand of hip hop. He got bumped off the list because, seriously, he’s an emo douchebag.
The Fame Monster by Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta
Somewhere, along my path of absolutely hating Stefani Germanotta, I managed to accidently become a Stefani Germanotta fan. It may have something to do with the numerous amazing covers of her music on youtube, culminating in Cartman doing the best rendition of “Poker Face” in existence. It may have something to do with her amazingly produced catchy music. Either way, she doesn’t make the official list because of her STUPID STUPID STAGE NAME.
The night opened with a sweet british lad named Greg Holden. A decent minstrel, he seemed really grateful to share the stage with Ingrid as he explained that he left England for New York in the hopes of making it big and Ingrid Michaelson happened to catch him play there and snag him for her tour. Lucky break, eh? His set was good and his songs were sweet. His vocals remind me like Joshua Radin with an English accent, which, if you know Joshua Radin’s music, is a HUGE compliment. He also had a healthy dose of “young man” as he made some drinking jokes and hints about gather some beautiful ladies on his arms after the set. My favorite of his set was a beautiful cover of “walking on sunshine” which I wasn’t quick enough to capture, but you can watch it on AOL video 
He also managed to get Ingrid’s entire band on stage for a sing along of a drinking song whose chorus sung, “If makes no difference what city I’m in/the drinks cost the same and they do the same thing/ I know it won’t stop till I start up again/ and I’ve got no intention of giving up.” I’m pretty sure that I’m going to buy his album “A Word Edgewise,” maybe you should too.
Now, about Ingrid Michaelson… I could sit here and rave about Ingrid’s flawless vocals or her original music. Her beautiful use of the ukulele or the mandolin. I could go on about the set, the songs on her new album, Ingrid’s solo ukulele version of Radiohead’s “Creep,” all of my favorites on Boys and Girls and her Be OK EP, her “reimaging” of “The Way I Am” (aka, “Ice Ice Baby” and the “Fresh Prince” theme song) or my favorite song of the night, “You & I.”
I could tell you that her sense of humor is almost as awesome as her vocals, even though her manager doesn’t want her to talk about “balls and poop” anymore. But really, you can see here I’m not an objective observer. I am a fan. I think Ingrid Michaelson is probably one of the most talented female musicians touring today, right up there with Regina Spektor. So take my word for it. She is fantastic. And I’ve embedded a few of my so-so videos from the night to prove it, including a duet she performed with Greg Laswell that has yet to be released (are they together? I saw a ring on that left ring finger, Ingrid!).
