Well folks, here it is: my fifth (I think) annual top ten albums list!  This year's list is a little late in coming, because honestly, it was hard to put together!  Initially, I thought I'd have trouble coming up with 10... but when I actually started looking back, there were quite a few great records this year and I had to whittle down quite a bit!  This year's list focuses more on full-length records, but just like last year, there were a couple of EPs that were just too good not to include.  In any case, the rules are the same as they've always been: as long as the record was released in 2009, and I purchased it, it's in the running.  Here's this year's list:

10. Kate Micucci - Songs (EP)

When Kate Micucci showed up on Scrubs this spring with her ukulele, I knew I needed to find out if she had any music available.  She's done a fair amount of collaborative work (including the ridiculous duo, Garfunkel and Oates), but this (really) short EP seems to be the extent of her solo catalog.  It takes about 10 minutes to listen to all five tracks on this lighthearted, fun record, but it's definitely worth your time.  It lands at number 10 because I just want more!

Standout Track: "Just Say When"

9. Jars Of Clay - The Long Fall Back To Earth

I love Jars Of Clay.  This is not in debate.  They've been my favorite band since I was in middle school, and they're on this list every year.  That said, this newest effort doesn't quite stack up for me.  It's a great record, don't get me wrong, and it continues the constant musical evolution that makes me love JOC so much, but it lacks the "wow" factor that came with some of their earlier efforts.  Ultimately, I come back to individual tracks instead of the whole record.  Still a solid effort, and it lands at number 9.

Standout Track - "Boys (Lesson One)"

8. The Fray - The Fray

The Fray was in serious danger of falling prey to the dreaded "sophomore slump".  Their first record was phenomenal, and there wasn't a lot of argument to that point... everybody fell in love with The Fray.  Their second album was really going to have to deliver to keep them from being forgotten.  I'm happy to report that it does!  This record spent a great deal of the first part of the year in my car's CD player, and I would dare to say it may be even better than the first.  The band's sound is more mature now, and lyrically this record has a lot of depth.  An excellent release for a spot at number 8!

Standout Track - "Enough For Now"

7. The Fold - Dear Future, Come Get Me

You may recall that The Fold's previous LP, Secrets Make You Sick was #1 on this list two years ago.  Since that time, they've parted ways with their record label, reportedly over some creative and stylistic differences.  I think that's interesting, since Dear Future, Come Get Me seems a natural extension of their previous work.  Where Secrets Make You Sick was preoccupied with death, this newest release comes off as a celebration of life and love (with all the joy, confusion, and pain that come with those things).  The Fold continues to be an innovative and inspiring group of musicians, and this one is definitely worth checking out at number 7!

Standout Track - "I Know Where I'm Going"

6. Abandon - Searchlights

Abandon is a band I wasn't sure about at first.  Their first single, "Providence", got major radio airplay, but I didn't really care for it.  Fortunately, that track is the low point of this first full length release.  The band has a very modern, polished, radio-friendly sound and it works well for them.  Great lyrics (most of them very uplifting) round out the package.  A solid first effort at number 6.


Standout Track - "Be Alive In Me"

5. Straylight Run - About Time (EP)

I was worried about Straylight Run for a little while.  They're a brilliant band, and I've loved them ever since they first came out, but with the departure of Michelle DaRosa last year, and the disappointing Un Mas Dos EP that followed, I was afraid it was time to put this band on the "has beens" list.  Fortunately, John Nolan and Co. came back this year with a vengeance!  About Time's four tracks are expertly crafted and sound more like the bands early days (a good thing in my opinion).  The music still wants for the female vocal that it now lacks, but this EP accomplishes one major thing: proving that this band is still worth your time and isn't going away any time soon.  A shoe-in for number 5.

Standout Track - "I'm Through With The Past (But The Past Isn't Through With Me)"

4. The Swell Season - Strict Joy

I confess, I initially missed out on the Once boat (don't worry, I'm all caught up now!)  A couple of months ago, a came across this video on Youtube and I knew that this was a record I had to have.  In fact, I'm listening to it today as I put the finishing touches on this list.  This is acoustic music at it's finest, and the dynamic vocal duo of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova is just unstoppable.  Start to finish, this is one of the best records I've heard in a long time.  If you don't have it yet, watch the video I linked to above.  I'm guessing it won't take you long after that.  In at number 4.

Standout Track - "In These Arms"

3. Christopher Williams - Something As Simple

This is the guy you've never heard of.  I might not have, either if I hadn't gone to see Jars of Clay in college.  Christopher opened that night, and I was immediately blown away by his live presence.  No major label deals, no big backing band (although he's toured with everybody in the Christian music world), and no false pretenses... just a guy with a guitar, good stories, and great songs.  I've picked up most of his studio records over the last couple of years, and don't get me wrong, they're good, but the live show is where it's at.  Therefore, it's not surprising that this new live record is phenomenal.  This record really lets Christopher's personality shine through, not only through the songs (he even includes a false start), but also through his trademark storytelling.  Trust me, you need this one.  Better yet, check him our live when he's in your area.  We were lucky enough to host him at CenterPoint earlier this year, and I'll be seeing him again tomorrow night.  It's worth your time.  Solid at number 3.

Standout Track - "Your Love"

2. Fiction Family - Fiction Family

What happens when you combine the musical talents of Jon Foreman (who's phenomenal EPs topped this list last year) and Sean Watkins (guitarist for Nickel Creek, one of my favorite bands of all time)?  Fiction Family, and as you might have guessed, I think it's pretty good.  Each artist brings a distinct songwriting style to the table, and it's pretty easy to tell who wrote what without even checking the liner notes, but each complements the other, and their instrumental and vocal talents compliment each other very well.  Throw in a couple of covers for good measure, and the result is solid pop-rock acoustic music.  Check it out and you'll see what I mean.  Number 2!

Standout Track - "Mostly Prove Me Wrong"

1. Derek Webb - Stockholm Syndrome

What can I say... 2009 belongs to Derek Webb.  Derek has been a black sheep of sorts in the Christian music world for a long time.  He's not afraid to tackle almost any issue, and he does it with the music and words he feels are appropriate, regardless of others' opinions on the matter.  He's dealt with his share of (in my opinion, unwarranted) controversy over the years, and this album was no exception.  In May, Derek sent out a pair of cryptic emails stating that his record label had refused to release the album in it's present state due to what they deemed to be objectionable content, and that he was going to need to take his website down for a while as a result.  What followed was a two month long scavenger hunt across the internet (not the mention the country!) to assemble the track in question.  Additional tracks were released through riddle-me-this websites as well... I don't know how much of it genuinely came out of the conflict with the label, but it definitely built hype for the record either way.  When the album finally released (in both "clean" and "explicit" versions) in September, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.  It's a record unlike any I've ever heard.  Derek (and producer Josh Moore) have created something unique unto itself... something that walks the line between acoustic, electronic, and industrial in style and delves into the most difficult topics of our day boldly and unashamedly.  It's probably not for everybody, but it really resonates with me.  Beyond being an important record for the artist and the genre, it's one of the best albums I've ever heard.  Number 1 without a doubt!

Standout Track - "The Spirit Vs. The Kick Drum"

So here we are... another year of great music from great artists.  As always, I want your thoughts... would any of these have made your list?  Do you hate these albums?  What should be here that isn't?  Let me know and here's to more great music in 2010!