#1 One eskimO

#1 album of 2009 is.....drum roll, please......One eskimO's self-titled debut! This was a very difficult decision to make but this album sums up my year in a nutshell..The lyrics are full of heartache, disappointment and optimism. The music is somewhere between Beth Orton and Faithless..The vocals are beautiful and soothing and remind me of Graham Coxon..This album makes me feel something I haven't felt in years: Peace with myself. There's a childlike happiness that runs through my body every time I listen to this album on headphones, in the dark, in bed with the moon shining in my window. I don't assume that anyone else will get the rush of joy and peace I get while listening to this album but that's why this is my list and no one else's. I love the song 'Astronauts'. Most beautiful song I've heard all year. Every song is a journey for me and that's what 2009 has been. A long, difficult, painful journey where I've discovered my favorite 'me'. This album helped me get there. I'll post the full list of my Top 25 of 2009 for anyone that's interested. Happy New Year, everyone!

#2 Memory Tapes

#2 on my list is Memory Tapes and their incredible album 'Seek Magic'. It was so hard for me not to put this album as my #1 album of the year. It very well might be. This is my breakup album of the year. Hands down. It's only depressing in the lyrics though. The music is mostly electronic based. The influences here are all over the map but the one that keeps on coming into my head is New Order. Anyone who's a fan of New Order or the '80s will know what I mean when you hear the basslines. I'm not sure if this album has even been released in the US but it should be. Every song is amazing. There are only 8 songs but every one of them effortlessly weaves into the other. 'Seek Magic' is mesmerizing in the morning, when you're driving, going for a run and even trying to fall asleep. Fuck, am I really sure I want to make this my #2 album? There are no music videos by them but check out 'Stop Talking' below. Listen to the whole thing. This album is meant to be listened to with headphones. ENJOY!

#3 Lisa Hannigan

#3 on my list is Lisa Hannigan's album 'Sea Sew'. If you're a fan of Damien Rice, you will know Lisa as the female vocal in a lot of his songs. She released her own album earlier this year and it's gorgeous, uplifting and pensive. Sweeping choruses, strings, piano, acoustic guitar..and gorgeous vocals. It's a very simple album that gets better with every listen. If you're a fan of Damien Rice and Irish female singers like Sinead Lohan, pick this one up. This album never ceases to put me in a good mood. Check out the adorable video for 'I Don't Know'.

#4 Sonya Kitchell

#4 is Sonya Kitchell's album 'This Storm'. Woah. There's not enough I can say about her talent. She's only 20 years old and her voice, lyrics and music are that of a woman that's twice her age. Her voice is slightly jazzy, which I love. She's not breaking any new ground, musically, but this album is so high on my list because it has gotten me through this year. I related to Sonya's feelings of self doubt, lonliness and optimism more than any other artist that made music this year. Her music goes between alt country to Lilith Fair-ish to acoustic pop. If that sounds like your bag, you'll love this album. Ok, I give up: I'm coming out of the closet again..this time as a lesbian. Download the whole album. Fave song: 'So Lonely'.

#5 Imogen Heap

#5 on my list is Imogen Heap's gorgeous album 'Ellipse'. Imogen Heap blends piano/keyboard driven songs and subtle electronic music as well as just about anyone making music today. She's eccentric with her expression and lyrics and has a beautiful singing voice. I've loved her since her debut album I-Megaphone back in 1998. Chances are, if you're into Tori Amos and Bjork you'll probably like Imogen but her sound is really all her own. She produces AND releases all of her own music. She's such a well rounded artist. Do yourself and favor and watch the snow fall and listen to Imogen's beautiful album on headphones. Download: First Train Home, Wait It Out, Swoon, Bad Body Double, Aha!, Canvas and (my favorite song) 'Half Life'.

#6 DJ Tiesto

#6 is DJ Tiesto's amazing album 'Kaleidoscope'. Ok. Now it's getting harder and harder for me because the rest of these remaining albums are just incredible and DJ Tiesto's album is no exception. This is easily the best dance album of the year with songs featuring: Nelly Furtado, Emily Haines from Metric, Sneaky Sound System, Tegan & Sara and Calvin Harris among others. This is my favorite album to listen to while on the subway or walking down the street in NY. If you like dance music you MUST download this album. The most played song on my I-Phone and computer in 2009 was 'Knock You Out' featuring Emily Haines from Metric. Incredible. Also download: Who Wants to Be Alone, You Are My Diamond, I Will Be Here, I Am Strong and Escape Me. And check out the video below for 'I Will Be Here'. This video is S-I-C-K.

#7 Miike Snow

#7 is the band Miike Snow and their self-titled debut album. This band is comprised of 3 men, 2 of which are the guys that make up the production team of Bloodshy & Avant who you'll know best as the producers of Toxic by Britney Spears and countless other pop hits. The music on this album reminds me of Peter, Bjorn and John but better in my opinion. Male vocals, catchy choruses and stellar production. I highly recommend Miike Snow to any fans of all of the Swedish bands making waves on the alternative music charts around the world. Download: Burial, Song for No one, Sans Soleil, Animal and Black & Blue.

#8 Lady Gaga

#8 album is Lady Gaga's album 'The Fame Monster'. Not much I need to say about her that hasn't already been said. Yes, she's derivative. Yes, she's not original. Blah blah blah. Her music is sick. She and Christina Aguilera are the only two real 'artists' that consistently get played on Top 40 radio these days. Love her or hate her, you always want to know what Lady Gaga is going to do next the same way you wanted to know what Madonna was going to do next. She writes her own music, has a great voice and can dance. This album is a must have. Even for music snobs. Forget about how weird you think she looks or is and just listen to the music. Download the whole fuckin thing.

#9 Yeah Yeah Yeahs

#9 album of 2009 is the Yeah Yeah Yeahs album 'It's Blitz!'. This album is their attempt at making a dance album. I don't think this album is dancy at all aside from the 1st two tracks but it's still pretty sick. I'm a huge fan and Karen O can do no wrong in my book. This album is just tons of fun. This video for 'Heads Will Roll' is my video of the year, hands down. Amazing. My fave song on this album is called 'Hysteric' but the whole album is worth a spin. Download: Zero, Heads Will Roll and Hysteric.

#10 Peaches

#10 is Peaches' album 'I Feel Cream'..I fucking LOVE this album. Great music to work out to..great album to blast and dance around to..Peaches' lyrics are usually pretty raunchy, in case you're not familiar with her..This album is her most tame album to date, lyrically..it's all over the place musically. Songs range from sounding like they were ripped off a Joan Jett album to classic Donna Summer disco. Hard to pick a fave song but the single 'Talk To Me' is a good place to start.

#11 Camera Obscura

#11 on my list is Camera Obscura's album 'My Maudlin Career'. This album makes me so happy anytime I hear it. It reminds me of spending summers in England with my relatives..it reminds me of '60's girl groups and singing them with my mom in the car..All in all, it reminds me of a happier time..Gorgeous harmonies, sweeping strings..Watch the video for The Sweetest Thing..if you like it, go for the whole album.

#12 Brandi Carlile

#12 is Brandi Carlile's album 'Give Up The Ghost'. Most of my close friends know that I'm secretly a lesbian trapped in a gay man's body. I love lesbo-rock and no one embodies that genre better than Brandi Carlile. She's everything you love about The Indigo Girls and more. Every song on this album is superb. She is the first artist that Rick Rubin has produced that he hasn't seemed to fuck up. He did a great job with Brandi on this album. If you're a fan of Patty Griffin, The Indigo Girls or any other Lilith-y chick, then you'll like this album: Download: The whole album.

#13 La Roux

#13 is the band La Roux's self-titled debut. This band is a total ripoff of all of the wonderful synthpop bands that came out in the 80's. Her voice can get kind of annoying after a few listens but all in all they're just good fun. Don't take them too seriously..their lyrics shouldn't have you searching for deeper meaning. Just put on the album and dance around. Best song is easily 'Bulletproof' but also check out: Tigerlily, Quicksand, Armour Love..hell, just download the whole album. It's good.

#14 Them Crooked Vultures

#14 is the rock supergroup Them Crooked Vultures' self titled debut. This band is going to be a very hard sell to the majority of my friends but, for me, this is rock music at its grittiest, grungiest and sexiest. This band is made up of Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) and John Paul Jones (Led Zepplin). Saying all of those bands name back to back is orgasmic. This band is closest in sound, however, to Queens of the Stone Age in my opinion. Rock on.

#15 Passion Pit

#15 on my list is Passion Pit and their album 'Manners'. They're a band that's hard to categorize and a band that grows on you. I hated this album at 1st. I gave it a chance though and grew to fall in love with it. Think a more energetic Flaming Lips, maybe. Lots of fun background sounds..vocals that border on annoying but seem to pull back just in time. Most of my favorite albums of all-time I hated at 1st..I've grown to love Passion Pit more and more with every listen. There isn't just one song that stands above the rest. This is a true album. If you're going to listen to them, go for the whole thing.

#16 Muse

#16 is Muse's album 'The Resistence'. Muse is one of my top 5 fave bands of all-time. Their music has its hand in so many different genres. From alternative rock, to britpop, to metal to classical music to classic rock they are by far the best rock band making music out there today. They're the band that Radiohead should have been. Now they're the band that everyone is trying to catch up to. This album wasn't their best but it's still pretty fuckin good. Download the whole thing and enjoy the video for their single 'Uprising'.

#17 Bat For Lashes

#17 is Bat For Lashes and her album 'Two Suns'. She reminds me of Kate Bush mostly but there are elements of Tori Amos and Sarah Mclachlan in her music as well. You'll get a pretty good idea of her sound from the video for her single 'Daniel'. This was the most played song on my I-Tunes this year by a mile. I love it. Hope you do too.

Bat for Lashes - New Music - More Music Videos

#18 Animal Collective

#18 is Animal Collective's latest album, 'Merriweather Post Pavillion'. I never liked this band very much on previous albums. I felt unhip for not being into their confusing music until this album came along. I've heard alot of people say that this is their 'Beach Boys' album and I can see why. There are beautiful harmonies and accessible songs. This song 'Summertime Clothes' is my fave but the whole album is worth a listen. Give it a few listens and let it grow on you.

#19 Alicia Keys

#19 is Alicia Keys' album 'The Element of Freedom'. Anyone that has gone through a breakup recently will appreciate this one. It's mostly a sad album but I think it's really beautiful. I'm not a fan of this type of music, typically, but Alicia Keys has such an 'old soul' vibe to her. It's her most diverse and cohesive work to date, in my opinion. It has its corny full choir backing her moments but all in all is a beautiful album. Download the first six tracks and jump around the rest of the album.

#20 The Gossip

#20 is The Gossip's album 'Music For Men'. Beth Ditto's powerful, soulful voice is possibly better than any female vocalist out there right now. This is not their best album they've ever done but it's their most accessible for sure. Fave songs to download by The Gossip are: Heavy Cross, For Keeps, Standing In The Way Of Control, Listen Up. The last two songs are from a diff album but totally worth hearing.