Last year was a good year.

2009 was pretty solid. Politically speaking, this country underwent a major change of government. Sonically speaking, this country underwent a major influx of indie music. I mean, who's to complain? Despite the fact that February is coming to a close, I've decided to detail a few of my favorite albums that came out last year 'cause I'm a rebel and I do as I please.
Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavillion
The neo-hippies have done it again! At once reminiscent of sixties folk and psychedelia, Animal Collective will sneak up and surprise you with the sudden pulsing bass line or unusual vocal loop. Merriweather is a work of experimental genius, merging melody and riff-structure with swarming textural chaos in the boldest and most beautiful album of the year.
St. Vincent – Actor
St. Vincent, née Annie Clark, sings like an angel and shreds like a demon. The super-skilled guitarist/vocalist/composer will throw in woodwinds and saxophones amidst densely layered guitars and industrial drums. At times lush and bright, and at other times sparse and macabre, this Brooklyn goddess has both the charm and the chops to keep us hooked.
Passion Pit – Manners
Manners is a bit of an oxymoron – giddy, infectious rhythms juxtaposed with heart-broken, reflective lyrics. But hey, it works! Passion Pit concocted the perfect mix of organic instrumentation and Velveeta-smooth synths on an album that shines with a cosmic, unearthly beauty yet is filled with themes of all-too-earthly desperation and loneliness.
Neko Case – Middle Cyclone
Straying from her alternative-country roots, Neko took a cue from her bros in New Pornographers with this album, a piece of power-pop perfection. She explores the ins and outs of love from an array of perspectives: a teenage bride, a jilted lover, a smitten wind vortex. Her thick, warm vocals maintain a maple-syrup consistency, oozing over the tracks with sweet soulful ease.
Sonic Youth – The Eternal
The boldly bizarre Sonic Youth has been reinventing punk for the past thirty years and they show no signs of slowing down. From atonal riffing, shrieking guitars, pounding drums, excessive feedback, and Kim Gordon’s frenzied wails – this album has got the goods that Sonic Youth fans crave.