50)  :Math The Band - Why Didn't You Get A Haircut?:  Easily the most hyper song that I came across all year.  If you've ever wanted your Nintendo to jump up and give you shaken baby syndrome then definitely download this immediately.  From the Don't Worry LP.

49)  :Future Of The Left - Arming Eritrea:  I greatly miss Mclusky, but it puts my mind at ease knowing that at least one part of the now defunct rock act is still trucking along.  This should make you want to get up and move like a wild man ... on fire.  From the Travels With Myself And Another LP.

48)  :Gomez - Airstream Driver:  This band has never really made much of an impression on me, but ever since March (when I saw them open for the Decemberists) I've been unable to remove this song from my head.  Talk about infectious pop rock.  From the A New Tide LP.

47)  :Pree - In The Parlor:  As you probably know, I'm a sucker for anything that sounds as if it could have come from Modest Mouse's The Moon And Antarctica, and this certainly does.  Really wish I had gotten around to checking our their whole album.  From the A Chopping Block LP.

46)  :Land Of Talk - May You Never:  If you made a short list of bands that are responsible for 90s-esque alternative rock being on its way to fully making a comeback, this trio would be on it.  Elizabeth Powell has one of my favorite voices right now.  From the Fun And Laughter EP.

45)  :Cribs - We Were Aborted:  I keep expecting the Cribs to disappear into oblivion, but instead they repeatedly deliver really hip and fun modern rock tracks like this.  At some point I'm just going to have to give in and support them.  Or not.  From the Ignore The Ignorant LP.

44)  :Taken By Trees - Watch The Waves (Memory Tapes Version):  It's a difficult thing to take a song that's already great and make it better, but that's exactly what Memory Tapes did here.  Easily one of the more headphone-worthy efforts of 2009.  The original version can be found on the East Of Eden LP.

43)  :M Ward - Never Had Nobody Like You (Featuring Zooey Deschanel):  What more can be said about what these two always seem to pull off?  I mean, let's just get on with saying that no one does sugary sweet as well as M and Z.  From the Hold Time LP.

42)  :Russian Circles - Malko:  I love this band.  They keep it simple by making instrumental music for anyone who likes it loud and interesting.  If you didn't already guess, the volume should definitely be cranked while you check the track out.   From the Geneva LP.

41)  :Portland Cello Project - Tallymarks (Featuring Thao Nguyen):  This group's album was rather hit or miss for me, but I think it might of been because they did too good of a job retooling this older tune from Thao - I just couldn't take it off repeat.  From the Thao And Justin Power Sessions LP.

40)  :Throw Me The Statue - Hi-Fi Goon:  This is one of my favorite indie pop bands operating right now, and they certainly didn't disappoint with this catchy tune.  One day they're going to get all the sweet recognition that they so rightfully deserve.  Probably.  From the Creaturesque LP.

39)  :Diamond Rings - All Yr Songs:  For such a simple song I'm amazed at how often I manage to completely get lost in it.  My guess is that it's because of the song's slew of lyrical gems.  If you can, definitely slap on a good pair of headphones for this one.  From the PS I Love You 7".

38)  :Bill Callahan - Eid Ma Clack Shaw:  Is there an artist working right now with a more crisp sound than this guy?  I really don't think so, and this crazy trip of song is proof.  Good luck on getting away with less than three listens before you move on.  From the Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle LP.

37)  :The Almighty Defenders - Cone Of Light:  My wife usually reaches for the skip button when something from this group comes on, but I think they have a couple of songs (like this one) that are really shining examples of sloppy soul brilliance.  From their self titled LP.

36)  :Mew - Introducing Palace Players:  To be honest, until I heard this track I didn't care one bit about what this act was up to.  There's just something about that really strange guitar riff and the way the vocals slide in towards the mid-point of it.  From the No More Stories Are Told ... LP.

35)  :Dead Weather - So Far From Your Weapon:  While I'm with everyone else on being a little worn out on the plethora of Jack White side projects, I just can't turn on the guy until he churns out something truly awful.  This is easily my favorite song by the group.  From the Horehound LP.

34)  :Modest Mouse - Satellite Skin:  I get the impression that I'm the only one who feels this way, but this number sounds like what Isaac Brock and Co. were doing way back before everyone became too cool for them.  You should like this.  From the No One's First And You're Next LP.

33)  :Phoenix - 1901:  On occasion I'll have a moment where I can't help but marvel at how hugely popular these guys managed to become in 2009, and then I listen to this gem and I snap back to reality - it's straight up just a great track.  From the Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix LP.

32)  :Gossip - Heavy Cross:  I didn't really like a whole lot from their most recent full length, but I think this song is beyond fantastic, and I don't see how anyone could find Beth Ditto's vocal work to be anything short of infectiously fierce.  This has been on constant repeat all year.  From the Music For Men LP.

31)  :Fol Chen - No Wedding Cake (Rafter Remix):  Despite having listened to this quite a few times, I'm always caught off guard by the sudden (and awesome) shift of sounds towards the end.  My advice is that you already have the volume up by the time you get there.  From the Fol Chen Mixtape.

30)  :The Dirty Projectors - Stillness Is The Move:  While I can't claim to agree with the full-on support that this band seemingly gets from the entire galaxy, there isn't a single part of me that won't love this grandiose piece of pop forever.  Now, if only I could wrap my brain around their album.  From the Bitte Orca LP.

29)  :Suckers - It Gets Your Body Movin':  I actually shared this track prior to seeing Suckers play at SXSW, but it wasn't until I heard it live that I found it to be such an inspired effort.  Obviously, it's a bit difficult to recreate that with an mp3, so just crank the volume.  Or seek out a show.  Either one works, really.  From their self titled EP.

28)  :White Rabbits - Percussion Gun:  These guys had a few raucous numbers on their debut, so for them to come out swinging on the first single wasn't much of a surprise.  Britt Daniel (Spoon) did a nice job here producing what sounds like an angry version of his band.  From the It's Frightening LP.

27)  :Heartless Bastards - Searching For The Ghost (Acoustic):  As this song showcases, Erika Wennerstrom is a bluesy rock beast whether she has a full band or an acoustic guitar complimenting her amazing voice.  You just have to love (or at least respect) that, right?  The original version appears on the All The Time LP.

26)  :We Were Promised Jetpacks - It's Thunder And It's Lightning:  Earlier this year I was blown away by this act's live show, so I went home, downloaded their full length and then proceeded to never get past this moody tune for about three days.  It sucked.  But only because it leads off the album.  From the These Four Walls LP.

25)  :Phantogram - When I'm Small:  With School Of Sevens Bells having so much success last year, I expected to see a slew of similar sounding artists in 2009.  But, there wasn't much outside of this act.  Thank whoever they turned out to be beyond great.  Get headphones for this!  From the Eyelid Movies LP.

24)  :Dutchess And The Duke - Hands:  For the second year in a row this duo released an incredible song from a full length that I somehow never managed to seek out.  Bummer.  Maybe deep down I'm just scared of what a full album of pysch-folk this heavy will do to me.  From the Sunset/Sunrise LP.

23)  :Emma-Lee - Jealousy:  Looking for that one song in this whole list that's a blast to sing-a-long with?  This is it.  No need to read any further or come back the rest of the week.  Just download and merrily skip off into the distance.  From the Never Just A Dream LP.

22)  :Pomegranates - Corriander:  Bands who do glistening indie pop tunes are nothing new, but there's an endearing quality that comes with the Pomegranates that makes them worth remembering.  I don't see how anyone couldn't like this.  From the Everybody, Come Outside LP.

21)  :Antarctica Takes It! - C And F:  If you've ever been curious about what an artist would sound like if they were forced to take an extended break from creating music then I believe this would be it - something that's out of control, all over the place and brimming with passion.  Hopefully we'll all get more soon.

20)  :Kid Sister - Right Hand Hi:  I've yet to figure out whether or not Kid Sister is mainstream hip hop or just hipster dance music, but either way I know like it.  Now I just need to take the time to see how good the rest of her album is.  From the Ultraviolet LP.

19)  :Crystal Antlers - Andrew:  "Don't let me die all alone"  Considering the fact that their full length is a rather noisy and inaccessible affair, it's hard to believe they also created this amazing gem.  Lightning in a bottle?  Or a glimmer of the future?  Let's hope for the latter.  From the Tentacles LP.

18)  :Deer Tick - Easy:  Who knew that Deer Tick actually rocked?  I sure didn't.  If all their nice little folk numbers from the last effort were not your thing then I highly recommend that you give this epic track a listen - it'll completely change your mind on them.  From the Born On Flag Day LP.

17)  :Rural Alberta Advantage - Don't Haunt This Place:  With all of its emo-enthused lyrics this song could probably be placed in the guilty pleasure category, but its arrangement completely overrides such a thought.  Not sure if I'll ever get tired of the drumming here.  From the Hometowns LP.

16)  :Japandroids - Young Hearts Spark Fire:  This is a track that just begs for you to stop what you're doing and head off in search of an adventure.  So, I won't hold you.  Before you run out though, take note that this is easily the best 90s alt-rock track  of 2009.  From the Post-Nothing LP.

15)  :Lightning Dust - I Knew:  It wouldn't be remotely difficult for me to listen to Amber Webber do her thing in Black Mountain for all eternity, but I really do love the way her voice sounds over such a fresh and modern arrangement.  From the Infinite Light LP.

14)  :Black Joe Lewis And The Honeybears - Bitch, I Love You:  When I first heard this I figured that at some point I'd write it off as nothing but a novelty.  Well, that obviously didn't happen.  Raw soul music is apparently not something that can be easily escaped.  From their self titled EP.

13)  :Rodriguez - I Think Of You:  I certainly love the politically charged Rodriguez as much as anyone, but I have to admit that when he shifts gears it's still just as unbelievably stellar.  Try to find a more beautiful pop song, I double dog dare you.  From the Coming From Reality LP.

12)  :Camera Obscura - French Navy:  While I suppose it's possible, I really don't at all see how Camera Obscura can get any better at crafting dreamy pop tunes.  I mean, just listen to this damn thing - it's perfect!  From the My Maudlin Career LP.

11)  :Casiotone For The Painfully Alone - Optimist Vs Silent Alarm:  This is one of my most listened to songs of the year, and it's all because of the lyrics.  Expect to fall in love with its elaborate and charming plan to get away from it all and live.  From the CFTPA Vs Children LP.

10)  :Sleigh Bells - Crown On The Ground:  Overly fuzzed-out noise rock/pop/whatever became a point of contention for me as this year went on, but this distortion-fest is so damn fun and out of control that I pretty much had to love it.  Can't wait until they put out something official.

09)  :Peter, Bjorn And John - Nothing To Worry About:  As if they knew the world would only ever remember them as that band who did the song with the catchy whistling, PBJ slapped together this rather bizarre and super infectious dance track.  Who knew they had it in them!?  From the Living Things LP.

08)  :Delorean - Seasun:  This is a perfect example of the type of song that allows you to hit play, kick back and then listen as a its refreshing sound swirls around and fills the room.  Honestly, part of me is willing to put this on repeat forever.  From Ayrton Senna EP.

07)  :St. Vincent - Marrow:  There aren't many musicians that I respect more than Annie Clark, so I really wasn't surprised at all to see her effortlessly throw together whimsical and dance-worthy to make this snazzy gem.  From the Actor LP.

06)  :Cymbals Eat Guitars - Indiana:  I actually think this band's songs work better in the context of the album, but there's always an exception to every rule, and this joyous indie rock number is definitely it for me.   From the Why There Are Mountains LP.

05)  :Big Pink - Dominos:  Talk about guilty pleasure.  This song is big, accessible to the masses and packed with the sort of confidence that can only be found in James Bond movies.  Good luck not getting hooked (if you aren't already).  From the A Brief History Of Love LP.

04)  :Drummer - Mature Fantasy:  The Black Keys were everywhere this year - Dan Auerbach had a solo album, both guys had Blakroc and Patrick Carney had this band.  Personally, I think that middle project is probably where it's at, but this was by far my favorite rock track of the year.  From their self titled LP.

03)  :Bon Iver - Blood Bank:  I didn't feel the need to jump on the For Emma, Forever Ago obsession train that everyone was riding last year, but this song quickly made me change my mind.  There's just something about the way Justin Vernon tells a story.  From the Blood Bank EP.

02)  :Thao With The Get Down Stay Down - When We Swam:  Here's a secret: nothing in all of 2009 was as charming or as glorious as this brief piece of pop.  Seriously.  If you don't like it then it might be time for you to to rethink your whole life.  From the Know Better, Learn Faster LP.

01)  :Passion Pit - The Reeling:  Yes, I'm more than aware that this is as trendy of a pick as I could have possibly made, but there was honestly no escaping this song in 2009.  It was everywhere, and I truly and absolutely loved every single one of the zillion times I heard it.  Way to be worthy of hype (this track, anyway), Passion Pit.  From the Manners LP.

- John Laird -

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