1. Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown
As the album looks like it’s dying a slow death Green Day creates
a mini rock opera that demands to be heard in it’s entirety.
A bold gamble that paid off in 2009.

2. Bob Dylan – Together Through Life
Dylan gets in his time machine and lands in Chess Studios circa
1950 for this juke joint work out.

3. Buddy & Julie Miller – Written in Chalk
Americana album of the year. It covers it all country, blues, gospel
and blues with an open honest heart.

4. Bruce Springsteen – Working on Dream
Springsteen’s ruminations on the end of the decade. Full of hope,
lost causes and minor triumphs all powered by the legendary
E Street Band.

5. Neko Case – Middle Cyclone
Few voices can command your attention like Neko Case. Combine
that with her cinematic writing and you have a force of nature
coming at you from your speakers.

6. Monsters of Folk – S/T
A rare “super group” album that works and is greater than the
sum of its parts. Not really folk as it covers a wide range of
styles from pop to roots rock.

7. Lily Allen – It’s Not Me, It’s You
Media magnet Allen looks at the contradictions of fame.
Clever lyrics and beats abound. My guilty pleasure of 2009.

8. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz
The YYYs take their propulsive rock energy and channel
it to the dance floor. The work of a band not content to
rest on their reputation but one that is pushing themselves to
new sounds and colors.

9. Leonard Cohen – Live in London
At age 73 Cohen returns to the stage for this heartfelt and
emotionally satisfying performance. Age and experience has
deepened the meaning of these Cohen classics. 
The AARP album of the year.

10. U2 – No Line on the Horizon
With Eno & Lanois back in the fold U2 create a look back at the
classic U2 sound but updated it with enough new sounds for
U2 to remain relevant when most of their peers are living
off their back catalog (yeah I’m talking to you Mick Jagger!)

The Beatles
Tom Petty – The Live Anthology
Jayhawks – Music From The North Country

Paull McCartney – Ameoba’s Secret
Green Day – Last Night On Earth (Live in Tokyo)
Josh Rouse – Valencia
Bon Iver – Blood Bank
My Morning Jacket – iTunes Live from Las Vegas

Billy Boy Arnold, John Primer, Billy Branch & Lurrie Bell – Chicago Blues A Living History
Nick Moss and the Flip Tops – Live at Chan’s – Combo platter #2
Jason Ricci – Done with the Devil

Neil Young – Archives Vol. 1 1963-1972