Sonic Outpost

I won't say 2009 was a high point for new music, but there were some things to be excited about. Animal Collective reached the apex of their creative journey with Merriweather Pavilion. Dirty Projectors built upon Animal Collective's efforts to start a new creative journey.

Here are my top 5 Albums of 2009:

5. YACHT - See Mystery Lights

This is my fun, summer time album for the year. 

4. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca

Far from a complete album, but this is an album where you can see the signs of sound exploration really pay off.

3 Japandroids - Post-Nothing

My rock album of the year. I keep finding myself wanting to hear the songs again and again.

2. The XX - XX

Where did they come from with such a polished lo-fi sound? The male - female vocals play off each other like they have been together for a decade. I want to see what they do next.

1. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post-Pavilion

I have been pretty clear about this opinion since the beginning. This is the album we have been waiting for ever since Animal Collective teased us on 2004's Sung Tongs. No album released this year is more complete and exciting.