“Full Metal Jackoff”- DOA w/ Jello Biafra

Seeing them do this live was one of the most incredible things I had ever witnessed in music.

The Pogues – “And the band played Waltzing Mathilda” from Rum, Sodomy and the Lash

I could write a book on why this is the greatest album ever. This track is Exhibit A.

I’ve enjoyed Nick Cave’s work with Grinderman a lot more than his recent Bad Seeds material. Grinderman is just so dirty. Dirty sweaty men playing dirty sweaty rock. I particularly like how they manage to add in elements of noise and fuzz into the mix. It’s a compelling listen and when it’s over, it leaves the listener needing a nap. Standout tracks include the single “Heathen Child” and “Worm Tamer”.

4. Mumford and Sons – Sign No More

The new European folk thing has been interesting. Like Sweden’s Tallest Man on Earth, England’s Mumford and Sons play American-influenced folk, but add their own inflections, refreshing a genre that needed a breath of fresh air.

3. The Besnard Lakes – Are the Roaring Night

I was nervous when I got this because although I was curious to hear what they came up with, I didn’t see how they could possibly top “Are the Dark Horse.” But top it they did. In Are the Roaring Night, they managed to create a world of their own entirely through musical imagery. Standout tracks include “Albatross”, “Like the Ocean, Like the Innocent Pt. 1: The Ocean” and “The Lonely Moan.”

2. Black Angels – Phosphene Dream

This retro-60s psychedelic outfit shows that bands don’t have to be complete revivalists and can still contribute something new to the genre. When I was listening to standout track “True Believers” I couldn’t help but help think of Grace Slick. Compare this with this. Other standout tracks include “Yellow Elevator #2″  and “Phosphene Dream”.

1. The New Pornographers – Together

I know putting The New Pornographers release as record of the year is a little like predicting the Yankees to win the World Series. They have been at the top of their heap for so long that it could be tempting to overlook them in favour of “cooler” music. But really, there is no band in their genre making better records today, and this is the best record they made since Mass Romantic. The only thing about them is that Carl Newman’s lyrics are impenetrable for me, and as someone who values well-written lyrics, this has sometimes been frustrating. But really, when the songwriting, arrangements, instrumentation and production is so well done, any criticism is moot. Standout Tracks include: “Crash Years”, “Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk”, “Valkyrie in the Roller Disco”, and “A Bite Out of My Bed”.