1. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
This is the album that is on all the lists this year. My clear favorite.

2. Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz
Since you have already heard The Suburbs if there is one album you still need to listen to this year it is the new album from Sufjan Stevens.

3. Sufjan Stevens - All Delighted People EP
Released prior to The Age of Adz, All Delighted People has a more intimate feel than the full album. With the vinyl version shipping as a double-LP, the EP stretches the definition of the format and is crammed with enough great tracks to make listing both Sufjan Stevens releases a necessity.

4. No Joy - Ghost Blonde
No Joy is on my bands about to blow up list. Ghost Blonde is the debut album which should be played no softer than ear bleed.

5. Wolf Parade - Expo 86
Wolf Parade’s third album is as good as the debut release Apologies to the Queen Mary. The band is calling it quits though next year. Sub Pop needs to do something about their “indefinite hiatus” situation with my favorite bands or at least make sure we get a farewell tour.

6. Best Coast - Crazy for You
Part of me wishes Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino had just continued to put out 7” singles forever. Deciding to make a full album though has definitely worked out in Best Coast’s favor.

7. Jonsi - Go
This solo album from the Sigur Rós frontman is as solid as any of the Sigur Rós releases.

8. Damien Jurado - Saint Bartlett
A musically and lyrically beautiful album from the Seattle songwriter.

9. Girls - Broken Dreams Club EP
Girls shows some range on this EP follow up to last year’s debut Album which I can only hope is to tide us over until their next release.

10. Wavves - King of the Beach
There was a ton of much deserved hype around the release of King of the Beach. Wavves are poised to become the kings of rock and roll but could probably care less.