My personal Top 10 ...
10. The Avett Brothers - Emotionalism (Ramseur)
http://www.amazon.com/Emotionalism-Avett-Brothers/dp/B000OZ2CLQWhile the Two Gallants stuck to their "one great song per disc" policy, The Avett Brothers broke out with this stem-to-stern engrossing hybrid of old-time country style with new-time vocal and instrumental galloping
9. Feist - The Reminder (Interscope)
http://www.amazon.com/Reminder-Feist/dp/B000NPE7YC/Never woulda guess this disc would ascend to top 10 upon its release. My initial disappointment has ceded to admiration. While the unfocused tag still fits the album still takes shape over repeat listens and warms the stomach like a good cup of cocoa.
8. The Clientele - God Save The Clientele (Merge)
http://www.amazon.com/God-Save-Clientele/dp/B000OMD4GG/Probably their prettiest release, as much of the raw melancholy has been smoothed over with rough sandpaper. Not to worry as the rainy day and mondays vibe still percolates below the foggy-Saturday-morning-walk-in-the-park vibe.
7. The Go! Team - Proof Of Youth (Sub Pop/Memphis Industries)
http://www.amazon.com/Proof-Youth-Go-Team/dp/B000UE64QA/http://www.amazon.com/Boxer-National/dp/B000O5AYCA/By all rights there should be a place in every AMC lover's heart for this potent brew of lazy disaffection. Gorgeous growl of an inebriated voice behind some delicate Brit-inspired instrumentation that can whip up a storm when prompted.
5. Justice - Cross (Ed Banger)
http://www.amazon.com/Cross-Justice/dp/B000QCUB8I/Winners of the Daft Punk wannabe sweepstakes this year, Justice capitalizes on the promise of their 12"s with this full length. They get the gritty dirty sound of their beats pitch perfect and keep it from getting too attention-deficit repetitive.
4. The Pearlfishers - Up With The Larks (Marina)
http://www.amazon.com/Up-Larks-Pearlfishers/dp/B000UX5OVW/I don't toss the Prefab Sprout standard around lightly but this slots somewhere between Langley Park and Jordan for it's ability to meld a jubilant soul-inspired tone with early 90's British pop. Shack wishes he could release a record that sounds this good.
3. !!! - Myth Takes (Warp)
http://www.amazon.com/Myth-Takes/dp/B000MR9DWC/This one cuts a wide chasm between their disappointing sophomore release, as the irresistible chaotic almost-out-of-control funk rock pace is back, but this time mated to lyrics worthy of being inconsequential at worst.
2. Future Conditional - We Don't Just Disappear (LTM)
http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Just-Disappear-Future-Conditional/dp/B000MTEZWS/Piano Magic one-up The Postal Service formula with their own 80's electropop with guest vocals side project. At moments you'll swear this is a long-lost New Order b-side (kudos Robert Wratten) or Depeche Mode with a female vocalist.
1. Laura Veirs - Saltbreakers (Nonesuch)
http://www.amazon.com/Saltbreakers-Laura-Veirs/dp/B000N4S8SO/Her previous album hinted at the brilliance to come, but this one pulls together the organic elements and pastebook lyrics along with Laura's alluring voice (read: limited range, nasal, expressive) into a consistent yet wide-ranging and fully formed disc.