10. Switchfoot - Hello Hurricane

This is the Switchfoot album that I’ve always wanted. The dirty blown-amp guitar tones on Mess of Me and The Sound are so cool. It’s just nice to hear them finally crank up their amps and rock like I’ve always known they could. We played with them a few times this summer and they’re even getting better live too, which makes me really, really happy. [Download]

9. Say Anything - S/T

I’ve always liked Say Anything, and even before hearing the record, I knew it would somehow make it on my year end list. Looky here, it did. I’ve been captivated with Max’s personal struggle with good and evil in past albums, and it’s really nice to hear Max sing about life with a positive vibe this time around. It’s bizarre, catchy, and probably the most fun album to listen to on this list. [Download]

8. The Civil Wars - Live at Eddie’s Attic

W.O.W. Where did this come from?! I would have never thought that a free live album would be on my list, but my oh my, is it ever. They have the male/female dynamic that Damien Rice and the Swell Season have, but with a little more Americana edge. Really heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. I’ve been listening to this nonstop for the past month. [Listen and get the free Download here]

7. Future of Forestry - Travel I and II

Both of these EPs are stellar. Oddly enough, I seem to really enjoy them most when I’m traveling on airplanes. Really epic and pretty songs with brilliant instrumentation. I have no idea why they aren’t blowing up like they should be. [Download]

6. Brand New - Daisy

I will tell you this, I did not expect this album to sound like it does AT ALL. After the first track I was scratching my head thinking, “Who is this band and what have they done with Brand New?” Thankfully I kept listening and am now completely sold on it. They keep getting weirder and weirder, but I’m only getting more intrigued. [Download]

5. Mutemath - Armistice

While I really liked the first Mutemath album, it didn’t really have the lasting power that I need in an album. It had a lot of stellar tracks, but a lot of songs that didn’t feel right to me. Armistice has corrected this. It plays beautifully from front to back as an ALBUM, and I am thrilled. Go Mutemath. [Download]

4. August Burns Red - Constellations

I’ve all but given up on “loud” music the past couple years. I used to be all about it, but as the years have progressed, I’ve been stuck with dealing with a “scene” that is built on crappy bands ripping off other crappy bands ripping off actual good bands, so much so that the good bands have basically given up on the genre. We played a festival this summer and David, Hogan, and I happened to stumble upon August Burns Red playing. The rest is history. This is the most thought out, brilliantly produced, and brutal metal album I’ve ever heard. My official workout/running album of 2009, and I’m pretty sure my most listened to album of 2009. [Download]

3. Paper Route - Absence

Paper Route’s “Are We All Forgotten” EP last year blew me away, and I couldn’t wait to hear a full length. Absence is a true work of art. Both pretty and haunting, with a touch of 80s drum tones, this album is a blast listening to all the way through. It has great ups and downs, and the melodies stick with you hours after listening. A truly stellar debut by a band I’m sure is going to blow up worldwide. [Download]

2. Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything to Nothing

Probably the most honest album I’ve heard in a long time. You totally feel for every emotion being sung about. “Like a Virgin Losing a Child” is in my top albums of all time, and I was really worried that Manchester Orchestra was going to jump the shark. Thankfully they didn’t. It’s every bit as compelling as their last album, and they continue to show that they’re not to be messed with on my year end lists. [Download]

1. Thrice - Beggars

Okay. I freaking love Thrice. They’ve been tied with Radiohead for my favorite band for years now, and I don’t think there exists a more consistently awesome band. Dustin doesn’t know how to write bad songs, Teppei doesn’t know how to write non-awesome guitar parts, and their rhythm section is so freaking tight and creative. Beggars’ only fault is that it’s a mere 10 songs long, and in all honesty, who cares when they’re all this good. [Download]

Well, that’s it. Feel free to leave a comment and rip me apart or tell me your top albums!

Love, Mark