1. Brand New - Daisy

Big surprise huh.  Daisy was without a doubt my favorite album of 2009 and my most anticipated of the year.  I’ve read a handful of reviews of this album and all of them say old Brand New fans may fall by the wayside with this album but I think the exact opposite.  I’ve been a Brand New fan for about eight years and with each album they keep surprising me and getting better and better.  Something about this album is super spontaneous and different to me.  The band says in interviews how this album was so random and they would record tracks and be like wait how did we get here?  For so long Your Favorite Weaponwas my favorite BN record but this one is definitely fighting it for first place (YFW, Daisy, Deja, TDAG - for the record, though ask me tomorrow and it will be a different order).  Ugh it’s just so good.  Every week I have a new favorite track off the record.  Songs that I skipped initially became my favorites when I saw them performed live.  Suggested tracks: Vices, Gasoline, Sink, You Stole, Noro, In a Jar, Bought a Bride (I posted a gorgeous acoustic of that song a few weeks back)

The rest:

Paramore - brand new eyes.  I’ve never been a huge Paramore fan but I picked up this album because I really liked the lead single Ignorance and I’ve been totally obsessed with it.  Love Hayley’s voice to death on this record.  Best tracks: Careful, Playing God, Brick by Boring Brick, Looking Up, Where the lines overlap.

Taking Back Sunday - New Again.  As I stated in a previous post, I will forever be sad that John and Shaun aren’t in the band anymore but it’s hard to hate TBS when they keep putting out good records.  I actually started to like Fred too.  I found out a little bit before this album came out that Fred had left and a new gentlemen had come in to do back up vox and guitar.  I gave him the benefit of the doubt.  Truth is he sounds (and looks) like a Jonas Brother.  Not a fan but there are so many favorites on this album I try to forget about it. Best tracks: Swing, Summer Man, Cut Me Up Jenny, Carpathia, Everything Must Go (the last one is my favorite).

Kelly Clarkson - All I Ever Wanted. I know I know.  Forgive me that I will sound like a teeny bopper when I say this but so many of the songs on this record are super relatable.  I’m excited Kelly has finally put out a really good album. Best tracks: Don’t Let Me Stop You, I Do Not Hook Up, Long Shot, Already Gone.

New Found Glory - Not Without a Fight.  NOW this album should have been the follow-up to Sticks and Stones.  I am an NFG fan tride and true so I won’t talk shit about those two full-lengths in between - I’m just glad they’ve turned back to their roots with this album.  Looking forward to seeing them with STD in February. Best tracks: RIght Where We Left Off, Don’t Let Her Pull You Down, 47, Tangled Up.

Destry - It Goes On. As soon as I heard Michelle Nolan (Michelle DaRosa!) was starting a new band I knew I would love it.  And surprise surprise I do!  Shaun Cooper (ex TBS current Straylight Run) also joins her in the band and Sam Means from the Format.  This album is unbelievable.  Very reminiscent of Rilo Kiley.  Find them on tour if you can! Best tracks: Big Mouths, Home Isn’t Home, So Far Away, Trouble.

Them Crooked Vultures - Self Titled.  I got tickets to see them after hearing a 30-second teaser they released via the internet (and my love for Dave Grohl).  They are that good and this album is no exception.  Nobody Loves Me and Neither do I is by far my favorite song of the year.  Of the decade maybe.  Ok that’s a little much but seriously it’s that addicting. Best tracks: Nobody Loves Me and Neither Do I, New Fang, Mind Eraser No Chaser, Warsaw.

Spinnerette - Self Titled. This album kills.  I listened to it so much this summer (my iTunes play count can attest) and never got sick of it  I love Brody’s voice in Spinnerette light years more than I did in the Distillers.  They need to tour like yesterday. Best tracks: All Babes Are Wolves, Ghetto Love, Baptized by Fire, Rebellious Palpitations

Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything to Nothing.  This album is a recent discovery of mine.  I have a friend who is absolutely their number one fan so it was just a matter of days before I caught on :).  This album is beautiful and emotional and makes you want to listen to the next line.  It’s insane.  Andy Hull has a gorgeous, haunting voice.  So yeah this is heavy in my musical rotation right now. Best Tracks: Shake it Out (I’ve been playing it on repeat for days),  I’ve Got Friends, The River, Mean Everything to Nothing, 100 Dollars.

(500) Days of Summer soundtrack - Ok so it’s not persay a new album with new songs but it’s still amazing.  I literally raced to Best Buy after I saw the movie to buy this incredible soundtrack.  There is a bonus track of Joseph Gordon Levitt singing “Here Comes Your Man” kareoke style from the movie and let me tell you that alone is worth picking this record up.  Also my favorite movie of 2009.  Best tracks: Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition, Regina Spektor - Us, Hall and Oates - You Make My Dreams, She and Him - Please Please please.. (Smiths Cover) Mumm-Ra - She’s Got You High

Least favorite albums and dissapointments coming soon!