Pony Pony Run Run "You Need Pony Pony Run Run"

French Power Pop. Have I said enough? Seriously though, this isn't the same ol' stuff that Decaydance/Fueled by Ramen releases every year. I don't know what it is about Parisians but they've taken what has become a very formulaic way for bands to have mainstream, one-hit wonder success and actually made it a work of art. Listen to this and try to forget the last Cobra Starship/Cute Is What We Aim For album. You'll remember why you enjoyed this genre in the first place.

Must hear: Hey You

(Release Date: 6/1/09)

Grizzly Bear "Veckatimest"

Never heard of these guys before? Neither did a lot of people until they surprised and debuted at #8 on the Billboard charts. Then they found themselves on Conan & Letterman. Now they're all over college radio. And with good reason.

Their music has been described as chamber pop. Very orchestral sounding. It has the ability to create a musical landscape; to form a vision in your mind. Really, beautifully done.

Must hear: Two Weeks

(Release Date: 5/26/09)

Bishop Allen "Grrr..."

On a friend's recommendation I checked out this album. I liked the song "Middle Management" they had on the soundtrack for Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist so I had an idea of what to expect. This is actually a very indie pop sounding record. Makes you wanna tap your toes and clap your hands. It reminded me a lot of the Shins. Specifically Chutes Too Narrow-era Shins. And that's a great compliment for any band.

Must hear: The Ancient Commonsense of Things

(Release Date: 3/10/09)

Matt & Kim "Grand"

I really can't sum up these guys' sound except for upbeat. I heard their song "Daylight" on the new Bacardi Mojito commercial and knew I had to check them out. The rest of the album will keep your energy up and dancing through the night. Great playlist for a house party.

Must hear: Daylight

(Release Date: 1/20/09)

Bob Dylan "Together Through Life"

What to say about a legend? Dylan is Dylan. A lyrical wordsmith who set out to change the world and succeeded (?). While he no longer holds a mirror up to society to show us our flaws, the man still knows how to write. I like to think that Dylan today is what Salinger would be if he didn't stop trying years ago.

Anyway, this album deals with issues of love. A nice mix of Spanish mood (horns, classical guitar) and some good ol' American blues. And I promise after the first song you won't even notice the raspiness of his voice.

Must hear: Life is Hard

(Release Date: 4/28/09)

Sonic Youth "The Eternal"

Full disclaimer: Even though Sonic Youth has been around for 25 years, I've never actually listened to them. I think Ellen Page in Juno summed up my thoughts best: "It's just noise."

With that out of the way, I saw them perform on Letterman and liked what I heard so I checked out their new record. I'm not sure why all the fuss about noise because this isn't all that experimental or feedback-heavy. I'd have to say it's like a laid-back Wilco. A good album to get lost in.

Must hear: Anti-Orgasm

(Release Date: 6/9/09)

Placebo "Battle For The Sun"

A new sound for these guys. They added some new instruments to the arrangements and I think it both helps and hurts. It's always interesting to see how well non-rock instruments mesh with a band. This album sounds cool but it doesn't necessarily sound like classic Placebo.

Must hear: Ashtray Heart

(Release Date: 6/8/09)

The Dead Weather "Horehound"

Jack White + Allison from The Kills + Dean from QOTSA + Jack L. from The Raconteurs = The Dead Weather. Needless to say, I went in with high expectations. Unfortunately, it falls a little short. It would be a good album if it was 4 nobodies but these guys are known commodities. Temper your expectations and you will still find it an enjoyable record.

Must hear: Hang You From The Heavens

(Release Date: 7/14/09)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs "It's Blitz!"

A lot more synth-heavy than their previous efforts. Once you get past the initial shock it grows on you. While I still love Fever To Tell, I like the direction Karen O and the boys are taking us.

Must hear: Zero

(Release Date: 3/9/09)

Death Cab for Cutie "The Open Door (EP)"

Comprised of 4 songs that didn't make it onto Narrow Stairs plus the original ukulele version of Talking Bird. Some great songs here that I would probably switch with some of the tracks that did make the album.

Must hear: Little Bribes

(Release Date: 3/31/09)

U2 "No Line On The Horizon"

You know how Bono suddenly looks incredibly old? This album feels like he looks. There's nothing exciting here. For a band who has made a career of writing anthems that everyone can sing along to, these songs are not melodic in any sense.

Must hear: Get On Your Boots

(Release Date: 2/27/09)

The Fray "The Fray"

If you enjoyed their last album then you'll enjoy this one since it's the same color by numbers.

Must hear: You Found Me

(Release Date: 2/3/09)

Cursive "Mama, I'm Swollen"

After a couple lost years trying to reconnect with their roots after their cellist left the band, this album is a return to glory. A gritty rock band with an unpolished sound.

Must hear: In The Now

(Release Date: 3/1/09)

Franz Ferdinand "Tonight: Franz Ferdinand"

Finally something new! The first FF album was a revelation. The second was a copycat. Their third, however, has shown a reinvigorated sense of musicality. This album just sounds hip. Listen to "Ulysses" and tell me you don't like the understated, taking-the-bass-line-for-a-walk, bluesy feel that leads up to the explosion of the chorus.

Must hear: Ulysses

(Release Date: 1/26/09)

The Decemberists "The Hazards of Love"

Always a fan favorite, the Decemberists re-enter our lives with a very strong concept album. Similar to the Who's Tommy in that it works as an album but there's really only one tailor-made radio hit ("Pinball Wizard" meet "The Rake's Song").

From Wikipedia:

The Hazards of Love centers around a love story: a woman named Margaret falls in love with a shape-shifting forest dweller. A jealous forest queen and an ensemble of recurring characters bring conflict to the album's story arc.

Must hear: The Rake's Song

(Release Date: 3/24/09)

Wilco "Wilco (The Album)"

What a long, strange career for Jeff Tweedy & Co. This album is more similar to Sky Blue Sky than any of their earlier stuff. Turns out that hidden under all that experimental feedback and noises is a straight-forward rock band. Minimalism is in!

Must hear: Wilco (The Song)

(Release Date: 6/30/09)

Phoenix "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix"

Solid album by this French quartet. If you're not sucked in by the first 2 songs then there's something wrong with you. A nice indie rock sound with an electronic flare.

Must hear: 1901

(Release Date: 5/26/09)

Passion Pit "Manners"

First of all, extra love goes out to these guys because they're from Boston. Second of all, this album is amazing. This is the definition of electropop. Plus, the lead singer has an amazing falsetto that really makes the whole experience. A must listen and currently my fave album of 2009.

Must hear: Little Secrets

(Release Date: 5/18/09)

Dirty Projectors "Bitte Orca"

A little disclaimer: Stereogum had an article asking if Bitte Orca was in fact the best album of 2009. Always a tough question. I'll say this, it's definitely an artsy, experimental rock, but it is fairly accessible to casual listeners.

Must hear: Stillness is the Move

(Release Date: 6/9/09)

Regina Spektor "Far"

Regina shows off her unbelievable vocal gymnastics once again. Her lyrics are getting weird(er) though. Still, you can't go wrong with piano-driven pop rock songs.

Must hear: Folding Chair (Beware of seal noises!)

(Release Date: 6/23/09)

Straylight Run "About Time (EP)"

These guys would be more popular if they tried releasing a full album as opposed to innumerable EP's. That's right, this is EP #3 since their last studio album. Why, you might ask? I have no idea. They have a good sound and solid publicity since their breakout hit "Existentialism on Prom Night".

Must hear: I'm Through With The Past (But The Past Isn't Through With Me)

(Release Date: 5/20/09)

Bon Iver "Blood Bank (EP)"

This EP is comprised of 4 B-sides that were released to take advantage of all the year-end buzz his debut album received last year. Nothing special here but worth a listen if you're a fan of him or folk in general.

Must hear: Blood Bank

(Release Date: 1/20/09)

Green Day "21st Century Breakdown"

This might be heresy to some tweens who think American Idiot is 'like the best album evah!' But, I like this effort even better. It's similar musically but I don't feel like Billie Joe is pushing his political agenda on me in every song. Oh, and I never want to hear their cover of "Working Class Hero" ever again.

Must hear: 21 Guns (or, as I like to call it, Boulevard of Broken Dreams #2)

(Release Date: 5/15/09)

Taking Back Sunday "New Again"

These guys were pretty popular earlier this decade and they're back -- this time with a new guitarist in tow. It's interesting how the title of the album perfectly describes it: "New" because of the new band member and "Again" because it's the same old sound- emo tunes you can rock out to.

Must hear: New Again

(Release Date: 6/1/09)

Eels "Hombre Lobo"

The full album title is "Hombre Lobo: 12 Songs of Desire". They're not exactly love songs but they're not stalker songs either like "Every Breath You Take". I will admit I have a soft spot for the theme of unrequited love so I enjoyed this album. To others, it may just sound like the continued emasculation of the modern man.

Must hear: That Look You Gave That Guy

(Release Date: 6/2/09)

The Fiery Furnaces "I'm Going Away"

These guys have been around for a little while but this is my first taste. I thought it was a fun, little Indie Rock album. Kind of reminded me of early New Pornographers.

Must hear: The End Is Near

(Release Date: 7/21/09)

Discovery "LP"

This is a side project by one of the Vampire Weekend guys and one of the Ra Ra Riot guys. It sounds nothing like their main bands; more of an electro feel. Check out "I Want You Back". It's a pretty cool cover of the old Jackson 5 song.

Must hear: Orange Shirt

(Release Date: 7/7/09)