Top Ten Albums of 2009

My list for the top picks of the year:

(appearing alphabetically)

A Day To Remember – Homesick

Where melodic meets hardcore, a solid CD packed full of chugging anthems and hard riffs, with strong harmonizing vocals contrasted by a guttural growl.

All Time Low – Nothing Personal

A perfect summer CD. Catchy pop-punk melodies and flawless vocals – another solid effort from the boys of All Time Low.

Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown

Following the formula of the Rock Opera once again, it still doesn’t resonate in the way American Idiot did. Still, it’s Green Day and there are standalone tracks that still carry the CD.

Lady Gaga – The Fame Monster

Gaga lets the monster out on this eight-track collection of everything The Fame left out. Led by the mega hit “Bad Romance,” this EP is Gaga at her best.

Owl City – Ocean Eyes

So bubbly and happy, it’s easy to have these songs in your head all day. A feel-good CD that stays consistent.

Paramore – Brand New Eyes

The band took chances with their follow-up to Riot, and it paid off. Mixing acoustic tunes with the usual full impact rock jams, it's laced with interesting harmonies and arrangements.

Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

A pure driving-at-night CD. Infectious to the core.

Regina Spektor – Far

A more constructed and popish sound, her voice still floats over smooth melodies, creating a great blend of songs over a strong album.

Single File – Common Struggles

My pick for breakout album of the year. The sound throws back to the pop-punk of the beginning of the decade, with strong vocals and guitar melodies consistently throughout.

The Lonely Island – Incredibad

This CD highlights their best moments at creating clever parodies that are as random as they are a social commentary.

Top 25 of 2009

My picks for the top singles of the year:

1. Bad Romance - Lady GaGa
With four hit singles in 2009, a dramatic VMA performance and a stint on SNL, Lady Gaga reigned queen supreme. She continued the streak with her new single off the EP, The Fame Monster.

2. The Downfall Of Us All - A Day To Remember
A chugging guitar riff blended with a catchy, melodic chorus made this an easy sing along, and runner up for song of the year.

3. Ignorance - Paramore
2009 saw a return of Paramore, back with full force and in standard form. Hayley's piercing vocals on the chorus separate the track from the rest and place it among the top ten.

4. 1901 - Phoenix
1901 became the ultimate driving song and the theme track for the electro-indie scene. Danceable, smooth, infectious: Pheonix have created magic here.

5. New Perspective - Panic! At The Disco
The first new material after the infamous split, the duo showed fans there's nothing to worry about. The song is still catchy as ever, and Urie's vocal are smooth as can be, making us all eager to hear more.

6. Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don't) - All Time Low
This song instantly became a summer anthem. A poppy drum beat and chorus of "oh oh oh," it's simple melodic pop-punk at its best.

7. Starstrukk (feat. Katy Perry) - 3OH!3
Remixed with Perry's vocals, the gang has supplied a faster and funkier version of the original. The song banter between Katy and the guys creates a nice bridge and brings the duet back onto radio.

8. I'm Yours Tonight - The Academy Is
Fans have been yearning for an Academy for reminiscent of 2005's "Almost Here" and it seems this is the closest we're going to get; this song should delight any fan of TAI.

9. Fireflies - Owl City
Perhaps the cutest and most infectious song of the year. No one could deny that they were humming along with this one, perhaps filling a Postal Service shaped hole.

10. Horchata - Vampire Weekend
Bringing a more pop-friendly chorus with a up-tempo slew of drums, it's a bright cheery tune for any time of the year.

11. I Belong To You - Muse

12. Heads Will Roll - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

13. Sweet Dreams - Beyoncé

14. Pursuit Of Happiness (Feat. MGMT & Ratatat) - KiD CuDi

15. When We First Met - Hellogoodbye

16. Weightless - All Time Low

17. The Reeling - Passion Pit

18. Day 'N' Nite (Crookers Remix) - Kid Cudi

19. Empire State Of Mind - Jay-Z

20. All The Pretty Girls - Fun.

21. 3 - Britney Spears

22. Down - Jay Sean ft Lil Wayne

23. Evacuate The Dance Floor - Cascada feat. Carlprit

24. Stillness Is The Move - Dirty Projectors

25. For Your Entertainment - Adam Lambert