It's that traditional time of year where I compile my list of favorite albums of the year, along with the tradition that most of the albums on my list do not appear on others 'best of' lists. But I'm getting used to it. Here we go, in reverse order:
10. The Red Button - She's About To Cross My Mindwebsite: http://theredbutton.net/
Everybody loves the Beatles. Ok, maybe there's a few Blue Meanies, but it's generally accepted that every musician dreams of being as influential and important and they were. And if they can't do that, they just cop the sound. Well, The Red Button do have an unabashed love for the Fab Four, not to mention about a half-dozen other 60s pop wonderbands. But instead of just duplicating the sound, they've written some great pop tunes that totally stand up in their own way. It's not going to change the world, but at least the band understand the history behind the music they're making and sincerely want to express their love of it. Highlight track: "She's About To Cross My Mind"
9. Trembling Blue Stars - The Last Holy Writerwebsite: http://www.elefant.com/bands/trembling-blue-stars
Click here to launch the bands Myspace player
TBS have their pedigree in the early 90s twee-pop movement. I haven't followed their career that closely, but this new album contains such well-written material, it's hard to ignore. The productions strikes a satisfying balance between dark moments, and a sunny nostaglic 80s feel, even though some of the lyrics can be depressing at times. But don't let that stop you! Highlight track: "November Starlings"
8. America - Here And Nowwebsite: http://www.venturahighway.com/
Click here to launch the bands song preview
Speaking of nostalgia, America's latest album was like listening to a long-favorite album from my past. The two producers Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne) and James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins) have shown their love for easy-listening pop in the past, so they must have been in heaven with this project. With a mix of great originals and some well-chosen covers (My Morning Jacket, Nada Surf) the summery-vibe of the album never lets up. This album feels so familiar from the first time I heard it, I thought it was released last year and almost didn't include it on this list. Highlight track: "Chasing the Rainbow"
7. BMX Bandits - Bee StingsClick here to launch the bands Myspace player
Another surprise for me this year - while they've written catchy-accessible pop in the past, they've added a female vocalist Rachel Mackenzie who adds a timeless sound, and new textures to everything, and also allows Duglas Stewart to fully indulge in Burt Bacharach-influenced songwriting, telling new stories from both sides. A pleasure to listen to, and makes me nostalgic for the time when music like this was the norm. Highlight track: "Doorways"
6. Karla Bonoff - Livewebsite: http://www.karlabonoff.com/
Along with Joni Mitchell, Karla is the consumate songwriter. A style firmed rooted in easy listening/soft rock 70s pop, she hasn't changed over her 30+ year career. This double CD is her first live album, capturing Karla and bandmates as they choose some popular and some unexpected choices from her catalog, and boy is it great to hear a small band like this play. The arrangements are fantastic: tunes that were originally stripped down pretty much stay that way, but others that suffered a little too much from dated production when they were originally released are given new life, and even present the song in a brand new way. Not many times I can say I've enjoyed a live album that delivered the right amount of what I was hoping for, and some real surprises too. Don't bother looking for it in stores, it's only through online distributors, or autographed for the same price her website. Highlight track: "Please Be The One"
5. Joni Mitchell - Shine 
website: http://jonimitchell.com/
I was quite disappointed at the lack of media attention this album received, considering the amount of press and promotion for Paul McCartney's lukewarm Memory Almost Full album this year. I didn't see Joni Mitchell posters in the stores, or special Limited Edition Joni coffee-club collector cards.
That aside,I'm thrilled she's returned complete with the sound and style she's famous for. However, I've read some reviews that accuse her of not challenging herself enough or updating her sound. These reviewers are missing the point: Joni is a Canadian musical legend, and she doesn't have to prove herself. Heck, she gave up the music industry for good until she felt the need to return, and I'm glad she did because we need more artists like her making music, artists who have a history of knowing what they're doing. My only quibble is not enough live instrumentation; she relies a little too much on sampled orchestra and guitar, but it's a sound I can get used to. Highlight track: "Night Of The Iguana"
4. Lori Cullen - Buttercup Bugle website: http://www.loricullen.com/
Click here to launch her Myspace player
I was first introduced to Lori's sound from her previous album, Calling For Rain, which was a tasteful selection of cover tunes and a couple of originals, rendered in a style that was somewhere between folk and jazz. Her latest album continues that trend, lightly swinging with a more traditional jazz sound, even close to big band on some cuts. Some beautiful guitar work is featured here (from hubby Kurt Swinghammer) and the whole thing is produced and horn-arranged by Free Design leader Chris Dedrick! And I have to credit Lori for finally getting me to check out the music of Judee Sill through her cover of "Lopin' Along Through the Cosmos". Highlight track: "Days"
3. Super Furry Animals - Hey Venus!website: http://www.superfurry.com
Click here to launch the bands Myspace player
Another band I never followed much, thinking they were 'out there' for 'out there' sake. Well, I couldn't have been more suprised at how great this album is - clever songwriting, inspired production work, and a level of weirdness that doesn't make it alienating, but just enough to stand out. Listening to this album made me a fan of the band, and I haven't listened to anything else from SFA yet...I'm still enjoying this one. Highlight track: "Runaway"
2. The Nines - Gran Jukle's Field website: http://ninespop.com/
Click here to launch the bands Myspace player
Steve Eggers, the leader of The Nines, usually takes about 5 years between albums, so it was surprising to see a new one so soon. Stylistically, it's the most diverse of the bands catalog. We get everything from disco-era Bee Gees, a flat-out country number, 80's nods, and a couple of tunes that you'd swear Ray Davies sat in on. And within all this, there is that distinct Nines-sound on numbers like "Eileen" and "Dont be a Fool". It's a fun album with lots of catchy moments and lots to enjoy. Highlight track: "Eileen"
1. Charlotte Hatherley - The Deep Bluewebsite: http://www.charlottehatherley.com/
Click here to launch her Myspace player
I've never been a fan of Ash (her former band), and I enjoyed Charlotte's first single "Kim Wilde" from a couple of years ago. But on this album, she's taken huge artistic leaps, and become quite the songwriter and producer. This album is extremely layered, dense and chock full of great hooks and interesting melodies. It's easily my most listened to album this year, probably over 50 times and never became boring. Charlotte shows off her love of early Bowie and XTC quite prominently, but that's not a bad thing - even with a cowrite with Andy Partridge from XTC on "Dawn Treader", the least-XTC sounding track on the album. Sadly, only to be the album of the year that nobody else heard. I can't wait to hear what she does next. Highlight track: "Behave"
Honorable mentions:
The Orchids - Good To Be A Stranger
Spygirl - Pieces of Evidence
Paula Frazer & Tarnation - Now It's Time
Suzanne Vega - Beauty and Crime
They Might Be Giants - Cast Your Pod To The Wind
Emma Pollock - Watch the Fireworks
Tiffany - Just Me
The Owls - Daughters and Sons
All-Star United - Love and Radiation
Jason Falkner - I'm OK, You're OK
