Swoon - Silversun Pickups
Fuzzy guitars and pounding lyrics make for a great grey day record.
Together Through Life - Bob Dylan
The master songwriter goes south of the border for a little Mexicali-Blues.
Summer of Hate - Crocodiles
Waves of guitar reverb make for the best album from a Jesus and Mary Chain follower in years.
21st Century Breakdown - Green Day
The best rock album of the year, and a great example of Quadrophenia-esque rock concept albums.
Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King - Dave Matthews Band
One of the DMB's best efforts yet, and a fine example of how they can mix musical styles into a cohesive and engaging mix.
Secret, Profane & Sugarcane - Elvis Costello
Costello takes a break from his punk rock roots to delve into Americana roots, straight out of Appalachia.
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - Phoenix
The only pop-punk album you'll find that name checks a half-ton of 19th Century composers.
White Lies for Dark Times - Ben Harper and the Relentless7
Harper steps away from his more experimental records for a Hendrix-style guitar based jammer.
Back & Fourth - Pete Yorn
Yorn hasn't made a consistently decent record since his debut, but he nails it on his fourth effort.
Sunny Side Up - Paolo Nutini
Nutini takes everything from Scottish ballads to reggae beats for a great summer mix of styles.
Electric Dirt - Levon Helm
The Band's drummer releases the best album The Grateful Dead never made, only better.
City of Black & White - Mat Kearney
Kearney abandons the weird Brit-rap from his debut and sticks with the gorgeous ballads that work best.
Wilco (The Album) - Wilco
Another album from Wilco in the vein of Sky Blue Sky, Wilco gives fans a great alt. country record.
Manners - Passion Pit
An amazing mix of punk and dance-techno, this may well be the catchiest release of the summer.
Bible Belt - Diane Birch
Birch is a more old-school soul version of Cat Power, and her album sounds like something right out of the Mississippi delta.
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