2009 is a tough year to judge. I’ve checked out more albums this year than any year in the past. Well over 1,000. And there have been quite a few great ones as well. When this list began, it had 110 albums. I abandoned my top 33 and 1/3 for 45, and then said “screw it” and upped the number to an even 50. These are the top notch albums of the year, all worthy of praise.

Despite trouble all around, 2009 wasn’t all that bad. It forced us to hold our wallets a little closer, and by doing so allowed us to enjoy some simpler things in life. Living briefly in Edison before buying a house, I’d take walks around town with my camera in hand and my iPod in ear. The above photo was from one of those journeys.

It was the year of fuzzy pop, so it’s no surprise that the biggest standout label from the year would have to be Slumberland, who gave us a slew of phenomenal singles, a few great albums, and a number of excellent EPs. Hometapes also finds their artists sprinkled throughout the list. As usual, there are some local favorites, as well as a few obscurities.

Off we go…

* * * * *

50. Postcard by Elin Palmer

From Devotchka fame comes Elin Palmer, whose Denver by way of Sweden sounds blend multi-instrumental orchestral folk with angelic vocals. Title track “Postcard” is a mystic song that hits all the right notes, from beautiful echoing vocals to soft accordion and masterful strings.

Elin Palmer: Postcard [mp3]

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49. Cosmic Clancy by The Nightgowns

The Nightgowns turned some heads in the Pacific Northwest this year, gaining momentum with their synth-based pop. It’s simple and catchy, but a dark base and vocal pairing keeps it from being overly twee.

The Nightgowns: Cosmic Clancy [mp3]

* * * * *

48. The Mountain by Heartless Bastards

Title track “The Mountain” is truly an epic, and it’s hard not to say the same about at least half the songs on Heartless Bastards’ latest LP. These songs are pure rock and hint at a greater 70s theme yet find themselves entirely modern. And the female-fronted vocal styling is deep and filled with a verbose vibrato, making Erika Wennerstrom one of the more unique vocalists around.

Heartless Bastards: The Mountain [mp3]

* * * * *

47. Letting Up Despite Great Faults by Letting Up Despite Great Faults

Letting Up Despite Great Faults wears their influences on their sleeves. Listening to electronic beats and fuzzy keys and guitars, fronted by dreamy reverb-filled vocals, one can hear hints of The Radio Dept. in nearly every song on this album. That is far from a bad thing, as Letting Up Despite Great Faults picks up precisely where Lesser Matters left off.

Letting Up Despite Great Faults: In Steps [mp3]

* * * * *

46. Promenade by Grand Hallway

Combining Japanese classical sensibilities with orchestral pop isn’t all that common. Promenade, Grand Hallway’s second album, is much stronger than their debut and it finds the group gaining confidence in their songwriting abilities, both from an instrumentation and a vocal standpoint.

Grand Hallway: Blessed Be, Honey Bee [mp3]

* * * * *

45. Gather Form & Fly by Megafaun

An experimental style of folk, freak folk, and blend of fully orchestrated folk with minimalist folk, Megafaun does a great job infusing various styles of folk for an entirely unique sound that is fun, crazy, and beautiful all at the same time.

Megafaun: Kaufman’s Ballad [mp3]

* * * * *

44. Första Brevet Till Amerika by The Hartmans

Riding the fuzz pop train is Sweden’s The Hartmans, who remain underground but whose songs are absolutely worth checking out for fans of this year’s favorite sub-genre. Första Brevet Till Amerika is technically the US release of an album from one, possibly two years ago, but because Series II dropped it in ’09, I’ll consider it. The Hartmans focus is harmony backed by massive distorted harmony.

The Hartmans: Neptuni Orden [mp3]

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43. March Of The Zapotec / Holland by Beirut

Beirut’s so-called third LP, March Of The Zapotec / Holland is technically a double EP. One half finds the balkan-influenced band matching their early sounds while the other sees Condon et. al adding in electronic beats.

Beirut: My Night With The Prostitute From Marseille [mp3]

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42. My Maudlin Career by Camera Obscura
“French Navy” is one of my favorite singles of 2009, and title track “My Maudlin Career” is pretty damn close to being an album favorite. This album nears the influence set forth in Let’s Get Out Of This Country.

Camera Obscura: My Maudlin Career [mp3]

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41. Fan The Flames by Golden Bloom

With infectious pop songs like “Doomsday Devices” and “The Flight At The End Of The Tunnel”, Golden Bloom takes contemporary pop to a whole new level. Sure, this stuff is more than nerdy, but you can’t help falling in love with these songs.

Golden Bloom: Doomsday Devices [mp3]

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40. Sunset / Sunrise by The Dutchess & The Duke
Aside from an overall higher production value, The Dutchess & The Duke exudes a greater level of comfort and confidence in the music they create. Sure, this album lacks that gritty lo-fi element so beloved in their debut, but it’s made up with this band’s new-found certainty in their abilities.

The Dutchess & The Duke: Hands [mp3]

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39. Post-Nothing by Japandroids

Japandroids made waves this year with their album Post-Nothing. Many consider “Young Hearts Spark Fire” one of the best songs of the year. Sure, I’ll give them that, but my favorites are “Heart Sweats” and “I Quit Girls”.

Japandroids: Young Hearts Spark Fire [mp3]

* * * * *

38. Logos by Atlas Sound

I haven’t fully absorbed Logos yet. There are a few albums that haven’t quite fully garnered my attention, and these are the ones that are likely to see big movement when it comes time to compile my 2009 A Retrospective. I rather enjoy what I have digested quite a bit more than Atlas Sound’s last album. In particular is “Walkabout” which features Noah Lennox of Animal Collective/Panda Bear.

Atlas Sound: Walkabout [mp3]

* * * * *

37. Reservoir by Fanfarlo

Quite like Beirut, but with less emphasis on the obscure and a bit more on greater accessibility to a wider audience, Fanfarlo’s Reservoir is hailed by many as one of the top albums of the year. It’s a bit too much like Beirut at times, but there’s no question that these guys can create a pretty powerful tune. “The Walls Are Coming Down” and “Luna” are instant favorites, songs that aren’t likely to wane any time soon.

Fanfarlo: Luna [mp3]

* * * * *

36. Welcome Joy by The Cave Singers

Oh man, “At The Cut” rocked. Invitation Songs was pretty damn solid, and placed the band in a unique folk-rock place, hinting at a folk sound from an entirely different era. But Welcome Joy finds The Cave Singers blowing up that earlier sound, injecting some powerful riffs (as if they weren’t there to begin with), and pumping up volume levels a bit. Sure, not all songs are like this, but the right ones are, and that’s all that matters.

The Cave Singers: At The Cut [mp3]

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35. In The Dream Of The Sea Life by Candy Claws

Thanks to a clever mixing in of lapping waves, In The Dream Of The Sea Life nears concept album greatness. Candy Claws mixes highly experimental electro-pop with folky traits common to artists like Animal Collective, but a thousand times dreamier. This music is pleasant and hypnotic.

Candy Claws: Catamaran [mp3]

* * * * *

34. Intuit by Ramona Falls

After Menomena’s Friend And Foe, I’ve been dying to hear more from the band. While we have yet to receive a follow-up, Intuit is pretty damn close. From Menomena’s Brent Knopf comes Ramona Falls and the music has a pretty strong similarity to one of Portland’s best groups. In the coming months, I’ll probably regret keeping this one so low on the list.

Ramona Falls: I Say Fever [mp3]

* * * * *

33. Vekatimest by Grizzly Bear

Vekatimest has made more of an impact on me than both Yellow House and Horn Of Plenty alike. “Two Weeks”, in fact, is one of my favorite singles of the year. As a whole, this album is more than solid and propels Grizzly Bear into a unique position; out there far enough to warrant lauding by supreme pretentious indie nerds and a more mainstream crowd as well.

Grizzly Bear: Cheerleader [mp3]

* * * * *

32. Waking Heat by Tempo No Tempo

It’s been a while since I’ve really been into a dub band, but that all changed in 2009. Tempo No Tempo became an instant favorite thanks to a hefty bass/drum part in songs like “The Rat (Part One)” and “Medicines”. Unsigned, I wouldn’t be surprised if this band doesn’t stay that way long.

Tempo No Tempo: Medicines [mp3]

* * * * *

31. We Bet Our Money On You by Daniel Francis Doyle

Math rock has always been a bit crazy, with pointed beats and riffs and wild lyrics. Daniel Francis Doyle is the most promising artist to fit the genre in a very long time. His abilities extend far, from erratic in-your-face experimental and fully math oriented tracks (“Old Lives”, for example, is quite wonderful, reaching a point between Don Cab and Dismemberment Plan) and soft melodic piano tracks (“Your Baby Is Speaking” is the best representation of that sound). Perfect.

Daniel Francis Doyle: Learning Things In School [mp3]

* * * * *

30. Keep In Mind Frankenstein by Grand Archives

The harmonies remain, both from an instrumental and vocal standpoint. In Keep In Mind Frankenstein, Grand Archives take it down a notch at times. While there isn’t that immense climax (“The Crime Window” off Grand Archives took that slot), these songs are still quite amazing. Grand Archives’ music is filled with pleasant folk-pop that truly sets this band apart from the crowd.

Grand Archives: Silver Among The Gold [mp3]

* * * * *

29. Everybody Come Outside by Pomegranates

With their sophomore LP, Everybody Come Outside, Pomegranates have soidified their station as the best creators of upbeat pop songs around. And I’m not just talking songs that will make you nod your head. Even their sadder, less happy songs are entirely bouncy. Prime example: “This Land Used To Be…”

Pomegranates: Corriander [mp3]

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28. Family by Le Loup

The Throne, Le Loup’s debut, was an album wrought with strife; it was a tormented display of a mind torn between good and evil. And it leaned quite substantially toward the darkness. With their follow-up, Family, Simkoff seems to have found a pleasant peace among friends. This album lacks some of the minimalistic traits of its predecessor. There are still forays into that wild sound, but now it’s more tribal, connected to individuals outside Simkoff himself. And you can hear it in the music: it’s a positive progression.

Le Loup: Beach Town [mp3]

* * * * *

27. Tarpits & Canyonlands by Bombadil

Mixing a sound that can only be described as a folky rendition of Slaraffenland (or Efterklang) fronted by a Cat Stevens-ish character, Bombadil has produced an entirely unique album that is one of 2009′s must-hears.

* * * * *

26. Setting The Paces by BOAT

Setting The Paces, BOAT’s third album, sees the band progressing as a whole. Songs are more complex, yet they all maintain a fair share of those good ol’ traits that us fans fell in love with upon hearing their debut. D. Crane still has that overly joyous, sarcastic self-deprecating lyrics and that grinning throaty vocal style. These songs rock, and they rock harder than BOAT ever has before.

BOAT: Lately [mp3]

* * * * *

25. Psychic Chasms by Neon Indian

Take Animal Collective, drop in a notable and dark 80s influence. Then ship the whole package over to Europe and shove it into one of their electro thingies. An image should be forming, and the result is probably something along the lines of Neon Indian. By the way, this album cover speaks to this music more than practically all others in 2009.

Neon Indian: Deadbeat Summer [mp3]

* * * * *

24. Telekinesis! by Telekinesis

You wouldn’t expect this album from Telekinesis brain-child Michael Lerner, who is soft spoken and quite kind. Then again, this album isn’t hard hitting, nor is it pretentious. It hits the right pop hooks and injects the perfect amount of rock to achieve something better, more pure. One listen to “Great Lakes” and you’ll be saying Move over Death Cab – there’s a new boy in town!

Telekinesis: Coast Of Carolina [mp3]

* * * * *

23. Parade by Afternoon Naps

When it comes down to it, there is little I love more than a good indie pop album, and Parade by Afternoon Naps is just that. The band’s smokey and mysterious vocals are dark and seductive. There are plenty of somber pop hooks here, but this band isn’t beyond throwing a wrench in that – there’s also a lot of bouncy melodies.

Afternoon Naps: Beach Bums [mp3]

* * * * *

22. Summer Of Hate by Crocodiles

Summer Of Hate brought Crocodiles quite a bit of hype in the indie world upon its release. It took me a while to get around to checking these guys out but I’m very glad I did. The title track remains my favorite, but in truth this album is filled with favorites.

Crocodiles: Summer Of Hate [mp3]

* * * * *

21. Declaration Of Dependence by Kings Of Convenience

“Boat Behind” is one of my favorite videos of the year. It’s perfectly sunny and more than fitting. The title of this album is honest and revealing, and it fits the music this duo creates. Kings Of Convenience is back and I’ll probably kick myself later for not sticking this higher on the list. Oh well.

Kings Of Convenience: Boat Behind [mp3]

* * * * *

20. Beast Rest Forth Mouth by Bear In Heaven

From the dissonance of Red Bloom Of The Boom to the harmonious Beast Rest Forth Mouth, Bear In Heaven continues to be a gripping band despite a substantial progression. The first one emphasized space; this one creates the matter that fills space.

Bear In Heaven: Lovesick Teenagers [mp3]

* * * * *

19. Up From Below by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Epic folk comes in many forms and while Up From Below may not necessarily be a concept album in the true concept album form, it possesses the traits (albeit externally for the most part). As they continue to put out videos from the album, which will ultimately form a near feature-length film, this album’s brilliance will radiate brighter than ever.

Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros: 40 Day Dream [mp3]

* * * * *

18. We’re On Your Side by Slaraffenland

Few bands have the efficacy of uniqueness than that produced by Slaraffenland. Their plush orchestral instrumentation, bordering on experimental pop, is simultaneously minimal and monumental. And the vocals that coincide with it are expansive. Beauty has nothing on Slaraffenland.

Slaraffenland: Meet And Greet [mp3]

* * * * *

17. Merriweather Post Pavilion by Animal Collective

In my opinion, Merriweather Post Pavilion is Animal Collective’s initial leaning toward becoming more accessible to a wider audience. Fall Be Kind is an even further progression into that realm, but when compared to that which came before, MPP has more songs that fit that classification. A favorite, you can totally hear Noah Lennox’s influence on “Guys Eyes”.

* * * * *

16. Over And Over by The Legends

At first glance, it may appear that The Legends have returned to their roots with Over And Over, the overly fuzzy basement pop distinct on Up Against The Legends. But in reality, they’ve merely combined many of the sounds over their past three quite distinct albums. This band continues to impress – again, it should be no surprise as to why I regard Johan Angergård as one of today’s most talented musicians.

The Legends: Always The Same [mp3]

* * * * *

15. You Can Have What You Want by Papercuts

Sometimes you’ll find that certain albums sound better on vinyl. On one hand, it’s the experience of sliding that beautiful piece of wax out of its sleeve and placing it gently on a record player, then watching the needle as it drops in the precise location for optimal listening. You Can Have What You Want by Papercuts is one such album. The good news: this album nears perfection no matter how you take it in.

Papercuts: Future Primitive [mp3]

* * * * *

14. There Is No Enemy by Built To Spill

This is, without question, my favorite Built To Spill album since Perfect From Now On. Filled with more radio-friendly hits, like “Hindsight” and epic rockers alike, this album nears their prior pinnacle of greatness. “Oh Yeah”, both lyrically and instrumentally, could have been on that earlier album. It has become an easy album favorite.

Built To Spill: Hindsight [mp3]

* * * * *

13. Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band by Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band took a while to catch on for me, but eventually I came around. “Albatross, Albatross, Albatross” was one of my favorite videos of the year, and the album is packed with songs just as powerful. At times these songs hint at metal guitars, but the music is far from the genre – it’s entirely rock, with minor pop sensibilities.

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band: Cheer For Fate [mp3]

* * * * *

12. Album by Girls

At first, Girls didn’t do much for me. Call it a youthful childish shun; a fear of cooties. But like most young boys, I quickly grew up and started to notice Girls in a way I never thought possible. At first it was subtle – the soft songs like “Hellhole Ratrace”. Eventually the “they’re OK” became a bit more of an intense desire, a longing, an infatuation. The harder songs like “Lust For Life”, “Laura” and “Summertime” all became favorites. Two months ago, I wouldn’t have thought it possible for Album to crack the top 20. Now it sits at #12.

Girls: Hellhole Ratrace [mp3]

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11. The Banyans by The Banyans

Ask anyone about any band within the top, oh 15, and the one that the fewest people will know is The Banyans. This self titled album was self-released by this Seattle band, and done so not as a physical release but as a free download. “Grenade On Course” and “Neon Heat” are some of my favorite songs of 2009. As a whole, this album fits together quite nicely; not something you’d expect from a brand new band.

The Banyans: Grenade On Course [mp3]

* * * * *

10. Heavy Days by Jeff The Brotherhood

Not since The White Stripes’ early days has a lo-fi punk duo created such an impact (on me, at least). What you get: noisy distorted riffs and sloppy percussion fronted by grungy lyrics. This album might not strike you as anything fancy from the get-go, but give it time and the songs on Heavy Days will blow your fucking mind.

Jeff The Brotherhood: Bone Jam [mp3]

* * * * *

9. Rules by The Whitest Boy Alive

OK, if you thought Dreams was good, wait until you hear Rules. This album has everything you loved off The Whitest Boy Alive’s debut LP yet does exactly what you expect from a follow-up: it takes it to the next level. Seriously: it does so in every way possible. “High On The Heels” is the shining star here, but “Keep A Secret”, “Courage”, and “Timebomb” are right behind.

* * * * *

8. Clangour by Sin Fang Bous

In 2008, Sin Fang Bous gave us a teaser off their then forthcoming album, the Clangour 7″ single; both songs fit the experimental electro-pop Sin Fang Bous would come to be known by. Despite that being more than one year ago, the two songs, “Advert In Ives Garden” and “Clangour And Flutes”, are just as mesmerizing as the day I first heard them. Add to them ten additional songs that are just as powerful, and the result is astonishing.

Sin Fang Bous: Catch The Light [mp3]

* * * * *

7. Eskimo Snow by Why?

With lyrics that flow 1) like poetry, and 2) better than the best gangster rap, Why? has finally caught my attention by demonstrating they are one of today’s best bands thanks to lyrical prowess and masterful wordsmith-ery backed by an impeccable ability to instrumentally craft a great tune.

Why? – This Blackest Purse [mp3]

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6. Yeah I Know by Darlings

Basement pop has never been as upbeat and party-centric as it is with Darlings. As we heard just the other day, “Eviction Party” is an entirely true story, packed with insane antics of the overly imbibed. I associate this album with summer (thanks to being released then, and also having an upbeat sound). “Teenage Girl” will have you falling in love with the young punk chick a few seats away on the bus, while “If This Is Love” is perfect for the moment that summer fling comes to an abrupt halt.

Darlings: If This Is Love [mp3]

* * * * *

5. Tree House Whispers by Anois

Louder than bedroom pop but not quite fit for the basement, Anois is left with the title King of Living Room Pop. The title, at least in my opinion, is one they are more than worthy of keeping. Tree House Whispers adds in experimental elements, drone, and rounds it all out with sexy foreign accents and all the beauty in the world.

Anois: Happy Holiday [mp3]

* * * * *

4. Reservoir by Ah Holly Fam’ly

The smokey, nasally vocals of Jeremy Faulkner are about as unique as vocals can get. When backed by the pop-tinged folk of Ah Holly Fam’ly, the result is one of the best albums of the year. Listening to the band’s old stuff, they’ve come a long way from their home-made CD-R days (when we both resided in the Palouse, them in Moscow and me in Pullman. Whatever this band is doing, they should absolutely keep it up. Reservoir is brilliant!

Ah Holly Fam’ly: All Unfolding [mp3]

* * * * *

3. Wind’s Poem by Mount Eerie

Until Wind’s Poem the two Mount Eerie albums I was most familiar with were Lost Wisdom and Dawn, both of which find Phil Elverum at his more minimal. Not once does he pick up an electric guitar on either album. Thus, Wind’s Poem was a bit of a change – much more in line with the stuff from Microphones – and, overall, this album is phenomenal.

* * * * *

2. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart by The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart

I would say my #1 song this year is “Young Adult Friction” by The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. This song and the album as a whole are both excellent. “Contender” and “Everything With You” are right up there thanks to massive distorted pop and seemingly insurmountable vocal pop hooks.

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart: Everything With You [mp3]

* * * * *

1. AZAR by Venice Is Sinking

The difference between the first and eighth album on this list is, in fact, quite miniscule. These eight albums are truly very close in terms of the power they’ve held on me throughout the year, and their ability to be mainstays on my playlist in the years to come. Still, the decision to put AZAR at #1 wasn’t all that difficult. Venice Is Sinking possesses not only the ability to put out a great record, they are also very forward-thinking from an industry standpoint. I’m very excited to hear what their 3rd LP has in store for us.

Venice Is Sinking: Okay [mp3]

On June 6, 2006, FensePost went live. Since its inception, I’ve written more than 1,000 album reviews and countless features, track reviews, live reviews, and video reviews. My collection has grown exponentially. I have a room in my house devoted entirely to records. CDs go in the living room and I’m out of shelving space. To say FensePost has become a big part of my life would be an understatement. It’s as much a second job as it is a hobby.

Above photo of me taken by an unknown individual at a KZUU party in 2006.

We’re now at the top 33 and 1/3, which is fitting being that ’06 was the first year for a FensePost best of the year list. From now on these Retrospectives will be a reshuffling of past lists, accounting for albums that now hold more power than they did back then, or adding in albums that weren’t on my radar at the time. We begin with a standout single (hence the 1/3, as singles often account for approximately a third of an album).

Here are my favorites from 2006…

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1/3. Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
The song that took this band, sarcastically referencing the crazy NBA star Charles Barkley with the moniker Gnarls Barkley, to the stars. “Crazy” was a pretty impressive song; listen to it today and the chance is you’ll still find it pretty cool.

* * * * *

33. The Way The Wind Blows by A Hawk & A Hacksaw
A Hawk & A Hacksaw creates a form of classical Balkan-influenced music that focuses on percussion, accordion and fiddle. The duo live is a sight to see, with Jeremy Barnes (Neutral Milk Hotel) playing accordion with his hands and percussion with his feet and head, and Heather Trost on violin/fiddle. The band includes others, but Barnes and Trost are the primaries. The Way The Wind Blows is an absolute must-hear album for 2006.

* * * * *

32. We Are The Pipettes by The Pipettes
Some bands never live past their initial hype. The Pipettes came very close to succumbing to that fate. After several excellent singles, their album dropped and we enjoyed it for a few months. Then they disappeared into the indie ether. Their anti-Beatles 50s girl group style was fun while it lasted. In other words, We Are The Pipettes would have had a much higher spot on this list back in 2006. Sure, I’ll pick up this album every so often and I’ll genuinely enjoy some of the old tunes, and I’ll wonder what these three quite lovely ladies are up to (I heard a few of them left the band), and when they’ll be giving us a follow up. Will it live up to the band’s former hype? We’ll see.

* * * * *

31. Bring Me The Workhorse by My Brightest Diamond
My Brightest Diamond is an interesting group. At one moment, creating soft, almost folk-like music, the Shara Worden fronted group swoons listeners in with the soft cooing and sweeps them away with siren-esque monumental emotive bellows. “Something To An End” and “Golden Star” open Bright Me The Workhorse with easy high points that the rest of the album does a fair job attempting to beat. Bring Me The Workhorse and Shara Worden prove that the mythical sirens do exist.

My Brightest Diamond: Something Of An End [mp3]

* * * * *

30. Fab Four Suture by Stereolab
It’s odd to think of Fab Four Suture as one of my favorite so-called albums by Stereolab. After all, it is a collection of singles and their b-sides released by the band in 2005 and 2006.

* * * * *

29. Ringleader Of The Tormentors by Morrissey
In my eyes, Morrissey’s solo work will never live up to that he released with The Smiths. It’s a simple fact. Still, Ringleader Of The Tormentors wasn’t half bad. “You Have Killed Me” and “The Youngest Was The Most Loved” both were excellent portrayals of the artist, who (also in my eyes) is one of the greatest around today.

* * * * *

28. Avatar by Comets On Fire
Listening again to “Dogwood Rust” off Avatar, I cannot help thinking how similar Crystal Antlers sound to Comets On Fire. They fit a similar mold, these two epic bands. Their experimental rock is colorful and larger than life. Avatar is chaotic and hints of a greater 70s influence. In my opinion, this band not only influenced modern experimental rock artists like Crystal Antlers, they also influenced the imaginative collective known as Dark Meat.

Comets On Fire: Dogwood Rust [mp3]

* * * * *

27. Etiquette by Casiotone For The Painfully Alone
The melodramatic mopey songs of Casiotone For The Painfully Alone are countered so perfectly with lo-fi, twee-ish casio pop. That being the case, the band’s moniker is almost perfect. Songs like “New Year’s Kiss” and “Bobby Malone Moves Home” made you want to cower in sadness, all while putting a smile on your face thanks to oft bouncy little melodies.

Casiotone For The Painfully Alone: Young Shields [mp3]

* * * * *

26. The Unsung Colony by Norfolk & Western
When folk-pop lapses into loud distorted guitar breakdowns, as Norfolk & Western does throughout The Unsung Colony, something special happens. The songs transcend both genres to a whole new plane of significance. This album is easily my favorite from the band thanks to songs like “The Longest Stare” and “Barrels On Fire”.

Norfolk & Western: The Longest Stare [mp3]

* * * * *

25. Cansei De Ser Sexy by CSS
There’s an innate sexual pull to virtually every song on Cansei De Ser Sexy, and the same in practically everything CSS does. This Brazilian band knows how to shake things up, rumps and all. And they’re not afraid to turn a few heads as well, a fact proven by their awesome video for “Alala”.

CSS: Alala [mp3]

* * * * *

24. Six Demon Bag by Man Man
Man Man is a band of maniacs, filled with eccentric individuals clad in all white. Six Demon Bag was pretty groundbreaking upon its release. More tribal than Animal Collective, wilder than Feral Children, it seemed insanity was an inherent part of every man in Man Man.

Man Man: Van Helsing Boombox [mp3]

* * * * *

23. Math And Physics Club by Math And Physics Club
You could call it lounge-pop, this twee-ish basement and bedroom style of pop. Math And Physics Club fits the description, adding in a nerdy hopeless romantic schoolboy element. Despite the soft melodies, this band puts on one hell of a live performance, and can write one hell of a great song.

Math And Physics Club: Darling, Please Come Home [mp3]

* * * * *

22. Pet Grief by The Radio Dept.
Following Lesser Matters, The Radio Dept. created a pop album ethereal and dreamy. It lacks much of its predecessor’s fuzzy greatness, but has plenty of excellence on its own. Filled instead with reverb and electronic elements, Pet Grief was the beginning of a new and exciting direction for one of Sweden’s many outstanding bands.

The Radio Dept: The Worst Taste In Music [mp3]

* * * * *

21. Floating World by Anathallo
Floating World was one of the first album reviews on FensePost and I likened it to Arcade Fire and Sufjan Stevens for the power it held, and the potential the band had as we neared the end of the year. The group was more a marching band gone wild, with immense drums, found sounds, and non-traditional instruments when it comes to modern pop song-craft. And that’s what made Floating World such a strong album.

* * * * *

20. Cannibal Sea by The Essex Green
Cannibal Sea is filled with undeniably fun pop melodies and rhythms, many of which are easily The Essex Green’s best work to date. Earlier albums, like Everything Is Green hold their weight, but this one is special in that it is entirely upbeat.

Essex Green: Don’t Know Why [mp3]

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19. The Eraser by Thom Yorke
I recall The Eraser receiving quite a few mixed reviews upon its release in 2006, which is odd because the album is quite brilliant. It’s merely a progression of the more current work from Radiohead, stripped down slightly yet no less significant. Tracks like “The Eraser” and “Cymbal Rush” demonstrate that Yorke stands just as strong alone as he does with his full group.

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18. Yellow House by Grizzly Bear
“Knife” was easily one of the best music videos of 2007, bizarre and almost creepy. As a whole Yellow House was an entrancing collection of dreamy songs on the dangerous cusp between pleasure and nightmare. The album lived up to its predecessor and then some.

Grizzly Bear: On A Neck, On A Spit [mp3]

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17. Kill Them With Kindness by Headlights
Damn. I forgot to include Enemies, Headlights debut EP, in my 2005 list. That should have been in there, pretty high too. Kill Them With Kindness was the band’s follow-up to that EP and it found them straying from those echoing heights that made that EP so good. Instead, they gave us some excellent tracks in “TV” and “Songy Darko”. A favorite was the soft opening track, “Your Old Street”. Headlights have since maintained a balance between orchestration and indie pop, shoegaze and dream pop.

Headlights: TV [mp3]

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16. Return To Sea by Islands
In their first post-Unicorns release, Islands succeeded in creating an album that was just as quirky yet championed a higher production value. Return To Sea featured such excellence as “Where There’s a Will There’s a Whalebone”, “Humans” and “Rough Gem”.

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15. Let’s Get Out Of The Country by Camera Obscura
Camera Obscura has done an excellent job creating a name for themselves despite sharing quite a few traits with fellow hometown group Belle & Sebastian. Similarly orchestrated and influenced by 60s pop, with each new album Camera Obscura does more and more to set themselves apart and Let’s Get Out Of The Country is no exception. “Lloyd, I’m Ready To Be Heartbroken” to this day remains of their top songs.

Camera Obscura: Lloyd, I’m Ready To Be Heartbroken [mp3]

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14. Writer’s Block by Peter Bjorn & John
“Young Folks” and “Objects Of My Affection” found Peter Bjorn & John writing their most creative songs yet. PBJ maintained their folk sensibilities while fully integrating a modern pop sound that simply couldn’t be ignored. This album was an instant classic, and demonstrated aptly that the band definitely didn’t have writer’s block.

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13. Electric President by Electric President

Distinct memories surround this album. It was the soundtrack to my 2006 summer, post graduate school. I’d listen to it as I walked home from work, when I drove to the store, when I rode my bike to Moscow from Pullman (about an 8 mile trek through rolling fields of wheat). The summer was hot and the weather was beautiful. It was one of the best summers of my life.

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12. Let Me Introduce You To My Friends by I’m From Barcelona
What a great concept for a band! Emanuel Lundgren, the leader of this collective, decided to record an album. He invited his friends. And they came. More than two dozen of them. And I’m From Barcelona was born. The band is enormous, but what sets them apart is the indie pop choir that became an inherent part of the band.

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11. Panic When You Find It by Young And Sexy
This is an album I’ve been obsessed with since first listen. It’s all to easy to get swept up in the excellence of “The Curious Organ” and “Conventional Lullabies”. Part cheerful, upbeat indie-pop and part slow, emotive pop, this album has perfect ballance.

Young And Sexy: Conventional Lullabies [mp3]

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10. Silent Shout by The Knife
Rounding out the top ten is Silent Shout by The Knife. Never showing their faces, this duo crafts eerie electronic songs dark and mysterious. The title track was one of the best videos of 2006, as was “We Share Our Mother’s Health”. The entire album is packed with epic beats and creepy vocals. Silent Shout is truly a one of a kind album.

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9. Dreams by The Whitest Boy Alive
I honestly cannot decide if I like Dreams or Rules better, the latter being this year’s follow-up to the band’s 2006 LP. After releasing one album under his parent-given name, Erlend Øye, half of the duo that is Kings Of Convenience put together The Whitest Boy Alive to continue his super danceable funky electronic pop.

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8. Worry A Lot by The Zebras
I was introduced to The Zebras at SXSW 2007 during the Three Imaginary Girls / Magic Marker Records showcase, dubbed the Indie-pop Hootenanny. Performing several songs off Worry A Lot, I became an instant fan and went so far as to label them one of my top two favorite indie pop bands from Australia, directly alongside The Lucksmiths. I think I said it best myself, in my review of this album back in 2007:

Some artists struggle with musicianship while excelling in songwriting. For others, the vice versa is true. However, after eight straight listens to Worry A Lot, it is clear that The Zebras have the uncanny ability to do no wrong.

The Zebras: You Look Ready [mp3]

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7. Destroyer’s Rubies by Destroyer
I was entirely disappointed when I heard Destroyer’s Rubies in January of 2007 and realized I was not able to put it on my best of 2006 list. The album is stunning; in my opinion Dan Bejar’s best work to date. Opening with the epic “Rubies” and continuing with greats like “European Oils” and “Priest’s Knees”, this album finds Destroyer at his most melodic.

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6. Songs That You Might Not Like by BOAT
Self-deprecation is often a mask for insecurities and personal humor has always sided on self-deprecation for me. I guess that’s why I instantly fell in love with BOAT’s debut LP Songs That You Might Not Like. Throaty reptilian vocals lent themselves well to songs like “Elephant Ears” and “Clogged Castle”. When it comes down to it, BOAT is a band made up of some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet.

BOAT: Last Cans Of Paint [mp3]

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5. Parallel Plots by Patience Please
Patience Please was ultimately one of the first artists I discovered after starting FensePost, and I went on to befriend many of its members. These indie-pop songs lean toward rock and feature clever metaphors and brainy lyrics about longing and failed relationships.

Patience Please: Little Mouthfuls [mp3]

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4. Mothers Sisters Daughters & Wives by Voxtrot
Their follow-up to one of my favorite releases of 2005, Voxtrot’s Mothers Sisters Daughters & Wives is again jam-packed with excellent tunes. From the title track and “Fast Asleep” to “Rise Up In The Dirt” and “Soft & Warm”, this EP is just as powerful and praise-worthy as Raised By Wolves.

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3. Everything All The Time by Band Of Horses
I think I listened to “Funeral” about 20 times in a row when a note about Band Of Horses’ upcoming release of Everything All The Time arrived in my inbox. The album itself went on to be one of my favorites of the year at the time, and little has changed since. “The Great Salt Lake”, “The First Song”, “St. Augustine”; they all remain excellent tracks to this day.

Band Of Horses: The Funeral [mp3]

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2. The Life Pursuit by Belle & Sebastian
Initially, Belle & Sebastian’s The Life Pursuit was among my favorites from the band, but that only lasted about six months. I returned to previous albums and discredited this one’s greatness. However, as time passed I came to realize that it really was one of their better albums. As a whole, this album continues to grow on me, even four years after its initial release.

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1. The Gulag Orkestar by Beirut
The Gulag Orkestar was so different from what I was used to, and I quickly became obsessed with its Balkan sounds. An impressive feat, one could hear the passion and emotion Zach Condon put into the album. It was obvious from the beginning that Beirut would be a band to keep an eye on.

Beirut: Mount Wroclai (Idle Days) [mp3]

The smell of wet wool was pervasive as drenched Seattleites escaped the rain Friday night to attend the Grizzly Bear show at the Moore Theatre. The weathered venue, coupled with a spectacular light display of Mason jars hanging from telephone pole-like structures provided an intimate listening environment.

The band opened the set with its first track off Veckatimest, “Southern Point”. Bassist Chris Taylor dominated the song, sound reverberating off of the tall walls of the Moore. Grizzly Bear immediately followed up its strong beginning with “Cheerleader”. As the song moved through its various movements, the lights went from gray to warm shades of red. It was as if Dorothy had finally arrived in Technicolor. The next song, “Lullaby”, demonstrated the band’s roots in jazz, as they improvised during the second half of the piece. The audience seemed a bit lost, but the musicians clearly knew where they were going.

“Fine for Now” was one of the most stunning songs of the evening visually. It evoked memories of warm summer evenings as the Mason jars flickered on and off like captured fireflies. The crowd favorite came a few songs later; the audience erupted as Daniel Rossen sat at the keyboard and played the opening notes of “Two Weeks”. Each musician seemed contained in their individual tasks, yet the different parts of the piece came together effortlessly.

Ed Droste owned “Ready, Able”. His voice was warm and rich; it seemed to fill the room from floor to ceiling. Along with that piece, “Foreground” may have been the best showcase of his operatic style. The band seemed to play in pairs – the simplicity of Rossen’s piano melody was echoed by Bear’s careful drumming, and Droste’s vocals were perfectly complemented by Taylor’s horn. It was a breathtaking song, perhaps the strongest of the night. “While You Wait with the Others” was a close second, as it balanced the distinct vocal talents of Droste and Rossen with Taylor’s doo-wop backup. Christopher Bear’s absurd talents on the drums were most prominently displayed a few songs later when the band played “On A Neck, On A Spit”. He has clearly spent some time with a metronome.

The band received a much-deserved standing ovation after finishing the set and returned for one more song, a particularly lounge-y version of “He Hit Me (It Felt Like a Kiss)”. For an hour and a half listeners had together escaped the rain, and as Grizzly Bear finished its encore, fans went their separate ways into a night much improved by the band’s stunning set. Appropriately, the rain had cleared.

Grizzly Bear: Cheerleader [mp3]