1 Yeasayer- Odd Blood

This album convinced me that it was OK to like synthesizers in music. Not only that, but these guys can write the catchiest melodies. It doesn't hurt that they cut their teeth in a barber shop quartet either.

2 The National- High Violet

If I had to use only two words to describe this album, it would be “Creeping Dread.” It's one of those albums that is precisely focused on a certain mood, and it's not a happy one.

3 Sufjan Stevens- The Age of Adz

You may think a 25 minute song is self-indulgent. Not in the context of this album. For all the electronic noise, this album is very personal and organic. Same ol' Baroque Sufjan.

4 Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

He's such a strange vulnerable egotist, and I get tired of people vilifying his music when he makes a killer pop record. It seems impossible for people to separate him from his music, but maybe it should be that way.

5 Broken Bells- Broken Bells

It's the Danger Mouse-ification of pop music. That's ok. Danger has an uncanny ability to make everything feel like a broke-in leather jacket.

6 Drive-By Truckers- The Big To-Do

Relative to the Trucker's catalog, it feels very watered down. However, relative to most other rock acts, it's perfectly distilled country rock vignettes.

7 Ra Ra Riot- The Orchard

Vampire Weekend took everything shitty from their debut and turned it up to 11 on their latest album, “Contra”. Now, if you took everything good from their debut and turned it up to 11 you'd have The Orchard.

8 Wolf Parade- Expo 86

Wolf Parade is like nostalgia for 80s rock that never existed. It's like it looks back with a much kinder eye than is warranted.

9 Arcade Fire- The Suburbs

I first heard the word “ennui” from a Live song, “Rattlesnake”. Arcade Fire has made an entire album based on that one word, and it takes place in the center of somewhere I will NEVER live: suburbia.

10 LCD Soundsystem- This is Happening

Honestly, I got nuffin' on this album save the fact that I feel super hip while listening to “Dance Yrself Clean.” It's a 9 minute song, so the coolness lasts for a bit.