(161) The XX - The XX (Young Turks)
Subtle, new wavey electronic pop. All the rage now it seems, it's just that I didn't give a shit at all. (5.5/10)
(162) It's Blitz! - Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Interscope)
They're finally back with another decent album with a few great jams. Was surprised by the electronic spin. (7/10)
(163) Popular Songs - Yo La Tengo (Matador)
New Jersey's best dudes and gal offer another fantastic pop album that sounds like the best mix tape imaginable. (8.5/10)
(164) Taxis - Zoos of Berlin (self-released)
Probs my favorite Detroit album of all time. Original, professional, soulful, beautiful. Well worth the wait. (9/10)
(165) Fall be Kind EP - Animal Collective (Domino)
Keeping up their tradition of releasing awesome EPs after their albums. How can this band be so good? (8.5/10)
(166) Logos - Atlas Sound (Kranky)
At first underwhelming, this is a grower of a bedroom pop record. "Walkabout" is one of the best songs of 2009. (8/10)
(167) Beast Rest Forth Mouth - Bear in Heaven (Hometapes)
A truly innovative mix of freaky electronics and dark pop. Unfortch, that sounds better than it actually is. (5.5/10)
(168) There is No Enemy - Built to Spill (Warner Bros.)
Jammy, guitar-centric indie rock, duh. This just happens to be BTS's best since Keep It Like a Secret. (7.5/10)
(169) Phrazes for the Young - Julian Casablancas (RCA)
Strokes front-man comes out of hiding with surprisingly electronic pop album. Not too shabby at all. (6/10)
(170) Split 7" - Child Bite/Big Bear (Joyful Noise)
Two peas in a pod: weird, artsy, complex punk. The CB song isn't as good as the one on the previous 7". (6/10)
(171) Love is a Wave 7" - Crystal Stilts (Slumberland)
Hip, lo-fi post-punk band releases one of the best songs of the year with a pretty great b-side. (8/10)
(172) Dead Man's Bones - Dead Man's Bones (Anti-)
Ryan Gosling's surprisingly charming indie/folk project. Not so surprising that he's a much better actor. (5/10)
(173) Landscapes - Ducktails (Olde English Spelling Bee)
More weird, meandering, ambient, druggy stuff from Real Estate dude. Challenging, pretty, eventually boring. (6/10)
(174) Embryonic - The Flaming Lips (Warner Bros.)
Not even close to the Lips record I was hoping for. Surprisingly dark and somehow different for them. (7.5/10)
(175) Grey-Eyed Girls - The Fresh & Onlys (Woodsist)
Second 2009 LP from these Cali lo-fi psych-rockers. Not as good as the self-titled, but still solid. (7/10)
(176) Stills EP - God Help the Girl (Matador)
Follow-up to a wonderful full-length, twee-popra released earlier in 2009. Unfortch, not as memorable. (6/10)
(177) Here We Go Magic - Here We Go Magic (Western Vinyl)
Wonderful, organic, experimental folk not too far off from earlier Grizzly Bear. Some true jams here. (7.5/10)
(178) House of Horror 3: More Songs About Hauntings and Ghouls - Alec Jensen & Matt Bezdek (self-released)
Their fun, annual Halloween themed pop album. For how quickly it's put together, this is great. (7/10)
(179) Declaration of Dependence - Kings of Convenience (EMI)
Truly great sparse, poppy folk duo. The modern time's Simon & Garfunkel, perhaps? The best harmonies! (8/10)
(180) Let's Build a Roof - Lake (K)
Fantastic lo-fi-ish indie pop from K Records band. Probably surprise of the year. Seriously, this is really good. (8.5/10)
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