My top 10 albums of 2009!

10. Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown - After the success of "American Idiot", they returned with another similar concept album, and while it wasn't quite as overall strong as its predecessor, they still managed another solid effort. 9. Carrie Underwood - Play On - Albums like this show exactly why she deserved to win American Idol, as she's clearly one of the strongest stars to emerge out of it. Overall, it contains among her strongest material yet, and I expect it'll continue to get hits into 2011. 8. Cobra Starship - Hot Mess - The title does not really describe the album at all, one of my pleasant surprises of 2009. It's generally filled with catchy songs that are enjoyable to listen to, the singles so far are quite representative of the overall sound; if you like the singles, you'd like the album. 7. Owl City - Ocean Eyes - One of the best debut albums of 2009, if you've only heard "Fireflies", you wouldn't imagine the diversity of his sound that he shows on here! There's a little something for fans of any music style on here, but especially if you like 80's-styled synthpop with a modern indie twist. 6. Daughtry - Leave This Town - The second album is usually where an artist has to prove themselves... and while it doesn't really have the standouts of their debut album, it's still a very cohesive effort that shows that they will continue to deliver strong albums even after their time on the radio which I'd still expect to last a while has run out. 5. Rob Thomas - Cradlesong - I've always felt he's been stronger albums-wise with Matchbox Twenty but his solo albums have both been good too; this doesn't quite match up to "Something To Be" but is still a very solid effort throughout. 4. Declan Galbraith - You and Me - A surprise entry for me; his voice has shown maturity since his previous work, and while the cover songs are still plentiful, he also includes several originals, which are the highlights on a strong album that shows promise in what will hopefully be a long-lasting career for this British teen! 3. Bon Jovi - The Circle - After a couple albums taking a step into country music while keeping the rock influences, they returned to the sound that made them famous on this, their strongest album in years. Every song on here has the classic appeal they've been known for, and this shows that they have remained popular for more than a quarter century for good reason. 2. Kelly Clarkson - All I Ever Wanted - Her masterpiece will always be "Breakaway", but following the disastrous sales of "My December", she went back to a more mainstream direction here... and turned out a solid effort much like she always does. Featuring contributions from several of today's top songwriters, she's definitely had among the best pop songs today to record and make her own. 1. Kate Voegele - A Fine Mess - fresh off her 2008 debut "Don't Look Away", the singer-songwriter also known for her role on "One Tree Hill" returned in 2009 with a second album even stronger than her first. Her songwriting has definitely evolved for the better, and she pours it into catchy melodies that are enough to keep even a casual listener entertained and make new fans at the same time. If female singer-songwriters are your thing, this is one essential album that must be checked out!
#10 #9 #8 #7 #6 #5 #4 #3 #2 #1
2008 albums that remained strong in 2009: Britney Spears - Circus Pink - Funhouse Katy Perry - One Of The Boys Elise Estrada - Elise Estrada Lady GaGa - The Fame David Cook - David Cook Kate Voegele - Don't Look Away