Better Than Ezra25. Ryan Star - Last Train Home
While this is a very strong modern rock album, the downside is that it contains only 4 songs. Fans appreciative of this genre should be very hopeful for his upcoming full-length though, because all 4 songs show a strong songwriter and an enigmatic performer.
24. Wallis Bird - New Boots
This Irish singer/songwriter released her sophomore album and her mix of enthusiasm, intimacy, irony and tenderness fills an album with 12 songs of sheer beauty.
23. Will Hoge - The Wreckage
Will Hoge probably releases his best record to date. Songs like 'Favorite Waste of Time' and 'Too Late Too Soon' are bound to become classics.
22. De Staat - Wait for Evolution
Initially I had this record even higher, but this alternative band from the Netherlands seems to have much more in stock, WFE was an amazing album that brought well-deserved attention and praise to them, and if they can keep this up, I wouldn't be surprised to see their next album appear in my top 10 of the year.
21. Mozella - Belle Isle
The mixing of musical influences is something MoZella did from the start. And it's done so well and with a great sense of taste that you can't really go around it. Her growth as a songwriter is phenomenal and her latest album is definitely her best work so far.
20. Michael Bublé - Crazy Love
Maybe you're surprised to see Bublé make an appearance in this list. I am too. Before this album I wasn't too crazy about his songs. I thought he had good vocals but never really was able to get into his songs. This changed with his latest album. The catchy and hopeful songs have a sense of comfort and joy to it that makes you want to sing along to pretty much every song on the album.
19. Jet - Shaka Rock
It took the Aussies a while to come back with new material, but this album was most definitely worth the wait. 'Start The Show' is amazing and 'She's A Genius' will get many a spin on the radio, even as the song matures.
18. AM - Future Sons & Daughters
An underrated artist for many years now, maybe AM's latest record can change that. With songs that are very strongly written and performed with feeling, this alternative singer/songwriter creates an eclectic yet accessible album that needs to be heard.
17. Better Than Ezra - Paper Empire
It's good to have new BTE material. This reminds me of the old BTE, when they were at their strongest. A great comeback from a band that knows how to write songs like no other.
16. Cuby & the Blizzards - Cats Lost
Speaking of comebacks. This Dutch bluesrock band returns after many years with an astonishing new album. Depsite some changes in the band, they have not lost their touch.
15. Milow - Milow
With his first international release, Milow becomes an international superstar. With hit singles all over Europe he's ready to conquer the world with his easy-to-like semi-acoustic ballads and power songs. From his amazing cover of Ayo Technology to his sensitive ballad Born In The Eighties, every song deserves both thumbs up.
14. Ben Howard - These Waters
Another EP to make the list. Ben Howard is an English singer/songwriter who is starting to get his name out there. If you saw the movie August Rush, then you can follow my comparison. He's the grown-up version of August Rush with a little Nick Drake, a little Neil Young and a lot of rock & roll mixed through it. He can do pretty much anything with a guitar and with his superb vocals it makes an excellent newcomer in the list.
13. July For Kings - Monochrome
Another band that's been away for a little while. But you can hardly notice it. The songwriting has become more diverse, the performance as strong as ever and Monochrome is an album that brings back the genius of this band.
12. Meese - Broadcast
The energetic powerpop of Meese is a force that should be recognized. They might not have struck it big yet, but it's only a matter of time. Crack songs like Bonfire, Tell Me It's Over and Next in Line should be major hit singles.
11. Doves - Kingdom of Rust
If ever there was an underrated indie band, it can only be the Doves. With this latest record they are putting the crown on their work. Just listen to songs like "Birds Flew Backwards" or "Spellbound" and you know what I mean.
10. Mat Kearney - City of Black & White
Mat Kearney has been a strong songwriter for some time now, but with this new album he blew me away. I had not expected this level of songwriting but I must say I love it when people surprise me like that. A very deserved spot in the top 10.
9. 30 Seconds to Mars - This Is War
I know what you're going to say. Am I not the guy who was so harsh on this band when reviewing their previous albums? Yes, that's me. But with This Is War they absolutely nailed it. It's a perfect rock album. Good songs, good diversity and a whole lot of energy.
8. Starsailor - All The Plans
What can I say. Perfect songwriting and excellent musicianship makes one hell of an album.
7. Kendall Payne - Wounds To Scars
Probably the best female singer/songwriter release of the year. The intimate and personal lyrics, combined with the wonderful vocals make for a record that you hold close to your heart.
6. Vertical Horizon - Burning The Days
Vertical Horizon is back, and they are back with an album that proves they should have never been gone from the airwaves. Man, this is such a good album. When all is said and done this band is definitely not losing ground.
5. Paolo Nutini - Sunny Side Up
While it didn't get the kind of attention his previous album did, Sunny Side Up, is probably one of the best albums ever made. Commercially the gamble might not have paid off as well, but musically it's as sound as it can get.
4. Coparck - A Dog And Pony Show
With their latest release, the best Dutch indie band of the past few years releases an album that can reach success far beyond the borders of our little country. The album holds perfectly written pop songs that are meant for the ages.
3. Five for Fighting - Slice
Speaking of well written pop songs. John Ondrasik has proven himself to be one of the best songwriters in the business once again. The strength of his songwriting combined with his compassionate style of performing makes Slice a member of this year's top 3.
2. Idlewild - Post-Electric Blues
I instantly liked Idlewild's new album but I also have to admit that in the beginning I wasn't so sure it was one of their best albums. But during the year, the album grew and grew on me and now I don't really know what I was thinking. It may not be their very best album ever, but it sure comes close.
1. Eskimo Joe - Inshalla
And the alternative rock from downunder makes this year's number 1 album. Eskimo Joe has never been better than on this amazing album. From Foreign Land to Morning light, with in the middle the stellar songs Chidhood Behaviour and Losing My Mind, this truly is the best album of 2009.
While this is a very strong modern rock album, the downside is that it contains only 4 songs. Fans appreciative of this genre should be very hopeful for his upcoming full-length though, because all 4 songs show a strong songwriter and an enigmatic performer.
24. Wallis Bird - New Boots
This Irish singer/songwriter released her sophomore album and her mix of enthusiasm, intimacy, irony and tenderness fills an album with 12 songs of sheer beauty.
23. Will Hoge - The Wreckage
Will Hoge probably releases his best record to date. Songs like 'Favorite Waste of Time' and 'Too Late Too Soon' are bound to become classics.
22. De Staat - Wait for Evolution
Initially I had this record even higher, but this alternative band from the Netherlands seems to have much more in stock, WFE was an amazing album that brought well-deserved attention and praise to them, and if they can keep this up, I wouldn't be surprised to see their next album appear in my top 10 of the year.
21. Mozella - Belle Isle
The mixing of musical influences is something MoZella did from the start. And it's done so well and with a great sense of taste that you can't really go around it. Her growth as a songwriter is phenomenal and her latest album is definitely her best work so far.
20. Michael Bublé - Crazy Love
Maybe you're surprised to see Bublé make an appearance in this list. I am too. Before this album I wasn't too crazy about his songs. I thought he had good vocals but never really was able to get into his songs. This changed with his latest album. The catchy and hopeful songs have a sense of comfort and joy to it that makes you want to sing along to pretty much every song on the album.
19. Jet - Shaka Rock
It took the Aussies a while to come back with new material, but this album was most definitely worth the wait. 'Start The Show' is amazing and 'She's A Genius' will get many a spin on the radio, even as the song matures.
18. AM - Future Sons & Daughters
An underrated artist for many years now, maybe AM's latest record can change that. With songs that are very strongly written and performed with feeling, this alternative singer/songwriter creates an eclectic yet accessible album that needs to be heard.
17. Better Than Ezra - Paper Empire
It's good to have new BTE material. This reminds me of the old BTE, when they were at their strongest. A great comeback from a band that knows how to write songs like no other.
16. Cuby & the Blizzards - Cats Lost
Speaking of comebacks. This Dutch bluesrock band returns after many years with an astonishing new album. Depsite some changes in the band, they have not lost their touch.
15. Milow - Milow
With his first international release, Milow becomes an international superstar. With hit singles all over Europe he's ready to conquer the world with his easy-to-like semi-acoustic ballads and power songs. From his amazing cover of Ayo Technology to his sensitive ballad Born In The Eighties, every song deserves both thumbs up.
14. Ben Howard - These Waters
Another EP to make the list. Ben Howard is an English singer/songwriter who is starting to get his name out there. If you saw the movie August Rush, then you can follow my comparison. He's the grown-up version of August Rush with a little Nick Drake, a little Neil Young and a lot of rock & roll mixed through it. He can do pretty much anything with a guitar and with his superb vocals it makes an excellent newcomer in the list.
13. July For Kings - Monochrome
Another band that's been away for a little while. But you can hardly notice it. The songwriting has become more diverse, the performance as strong as ever and Monochrome is an album that brings back the genius of this band.
12. Meese - Broadcast
The energetic powerpop of Meese is a force that should be recognized. They might not have struck it big yet, but it's only a matter of time. Crack songs like Bonfire, Tell Me It's Over and Next in Line should be major hit singles.
11. Doves - Kingdom of Rust
If ever there was an underrated indie band, it can only be the Doves. With this latest record they are putting the crown on their work. Just listen to songs like "Birds Flew Backwards" or "Spellbound" and you know what I mean.
10. Mat Kearney - City of Black & White
Mat Kearney has been a strong songwriter for some time now, but with this new album he blew me away. I had not expected this level of songwriting but I must say I love it when people surprise me like that. A very deserved spot in the top 10.
9. 30 Seconds to Mars - This Is War
I know what you're going to say. Am I not the guy who was so harsh on this band when reviewing their previous albums? Yes, that's me. But with This Is War they absolutely nailed it. It's a perfect rock album. Good songs, good diversity and a whole lot of energy.
8. Starsailor - All The Plans
What can I say. Perfect songwriting and excellent musicianship makes one hell of an album.
7. Kendall Payne - Wounds To Scars
Probably the best female singer/songwriter release of the year. The intimate and personal lyrics, combined with the wonderful vocals make for a record that you hold close to your heart.
6. Vertical Horizon - Burning The Days
Vertical Horizon is back, and they are back with an album that proves they should have never been gone from the airwaves. Man, this is such a good album. When all is said and done this band is definitely not losing ground.
5. Paolo Nutini - Sunny Side Up
While it didn't get the kind of attention his previous album did, Sunny Side Up, is probably one of the best albums ever made. Commercially the gamble might not have paid off as well, but musically it's as sound as it can get.
4. Coparck - A Dog And Pony Show
With their latest release, the best Dutch indie band of the past few years releases an album that can reach success far beyond the borders of our little country. The album holds perfectly written pop songs that are meant for the ages.
3. Five for Fighting - Slice
Speaking of well written pop songs. John Ondrasik has proven himself to be one of the best songwriters in the business once again. The strength of his songwriting combined with his compassionate style of performing makes Slice a member of this year's top 3.
2. Idlewild - Post-Electric Blues
I instantly liked Idlewild's new album but I also have to admit that in the beginning I wasn't so sure it was one of their best albums. But during the year, the album grew and grew on me and now I don't really know what I was thinking. It may not be their very best album ever, but it sure comes close.
1. Eskimo Joe - Inshalla
And the alternative rock from downunder makes this year's number 1 album. Eskimo Joe has never been better than on this amazing album. From Foreign Land to Morning light, with in the middle the stellar songs Chidhood Behaviour and Losing My Mind, this truly is the best album of 2009.
