Top Albums of 2009

Here's my Top 10 for 2009 (previous lists: 2008, 2007, 2006), along with links to LaLa.com, where you can listen to each once, for free, legally. LaLa is still my favorite 100% legal, "try before you buy" resource for music (altho MOG is better if you want to listen an unlimited number of times for $5/mo.). [UPDATE: LaLa will be shutting down May 31, 2010.]

1. Neko Case, Middle Cyclone: her voice is a force of nature, and now her lyrics reflect that.
   
   Middle Cyclone - Neko Case


2. Leonard Cohen, Live in London: demonstrating that, if you're talented enough, your last act can be your greatest.
   
   Live In London - Leonard Cohen


3. Metric, Fantasies: Canada produces yet another great woman singer - exuberant, smart, infectious. "Gimme Sympathy" is my favorite song of the year.
   
   Fantasies - Metric


4. Dangermouse & Sparklehorse, Dark Night of the Soul: never officially released thanks to a spat between Dangermouse and his label, listening to this with the accompanying David Lynch picture book (which was released with a blank CD-R) in hand showed me a startling new way to listen.


5. Wilco, Wilco (The Album): even if it's not as strong as some other Wilco albums (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Sky Blue Sky), it's still better than almost everything else out there, and they are still one of my favorite live acts ever. An easier, reflective side of Wilco.
   
   Wilco [the album] - Wilco


6. Ludovico Einaudi, Divenire: quiet solo piano, finding a surprising cinematic sweet spot between the shoals George Winston and excessive formality of classical sonatas.
   
   Divenire - Ludovico Einaudi


7. Regina Spektor, Far: a big step up from her last album, addressing the itch that Tori Amos' albums this year failed to scratch.
   
   Far - Regina Spektor


8. M. Ward, Hold Time: a warm, comforting indie-folk record that I really liked on first listen, and still like now. If you like this, you should also check out this year's Monsters of Folk album.
   
   Hold Time - M. Ward


9. Bat for Lashes, Two Suns: almost too twee, but a great voice, and I'm a sucker for anyone who sings about knights in crystal armor...
   
   Two Suns - Bat For Lashes


10. Amanda Palmer, Who Killed Amanda Palmer?: after a transcendent, scorching set at Coachella, this album cemented my admiration for another woman with a piano who finds a way to turn her anger into something more. "Runs in the Family" is among my favorite songs of the year.
    
    Who Killed Amanda Palmer - Ama...

Honorable mentions to Iron & Wine's live CD, Norfolk 6/20/05, issued this year as part of "Record Store Day", and Tinariwen's latest album, Imidiwan: Companions. And, of course, all those Beatles remasters, in both stereo and mono mixes.