Animals as Leaders (2009)

Truly an instrumental masterpiece, featuring some of the most amazing guitar work I've heard in a long time.

"Choosing a band name is like naming your child – it’s really hard. You can’t decide on anything and it’s super permanent and it molds the way people perceive your band. I was at the point where I was just like: ‘I’m going to call it something.’ I was reading this book called My Ishmael, which is the second book in a series by Daniel Quinn – it’s an anthropological cultural critique, and there are some concepts in there about the way we live on the planet versus the way primitive humans used to inhabit the earth. The name is loosely connotative of a lot of the ideas that are floating around in my head, but it’s not meant to be anything you’re supposed to pay too much attention to."

The Complexity of Light (2009)

Uploading this on behalf of a friend of mine. Not only did he see them live, but he also got a free copy of this EP and had it signed. So lucky, I swear.

My hands are an instrument of grace.

The Great Misdirect (2009)

Quite a lot of build up for this one before it was released. It surely doesn't disappoint. Unfortunately, the Deluxe Edition doesn't come with much more than a special case and a DVD.

I'm the loneliest boat on this entire body of water.

UUVVWWZ (2009)

A band with a really stupid name featuring a girl with a color for a name on vocals.

My dad thinks he's math.

Old Crows/Young Cardinals (2009)

Who's a pretty bird, then?

Et ses mains ourdiraient/Les entrailles du prêtre/Au défaut d'un cordon/Pour étrangler les rois.

Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009)

Their eighth studio album, pretty critically acclaimed among hipsters or something. With these guys, you either like them or you don't. Also check out this really fancy optical illusion.

When the sun goes down, we'll go out again.

Black Cascade (2009)

Sometimes ambient black metal by a band who dislike the black metal trappings.

The dance must begin as dusk gathers around.

Good Evening New York City (2009)

Awesome live album from one of my favorite artists featuring a fantastic rendition of my favorite song of all time; it's a pretty good live album.

And if you leave me, I won't be late again.

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009)

Awesome Grammy award-winning French indie pop from a relatively well-known band; you can probably thank this album for that.

Ending this love for gentlemen only.

Hospice (2009)

Losing loved ones to a terminal disease may be a horrible thing, but Peter Silberman makes the best of it and wrote one of the most beautiful albums I have ever heard. If you haven't listened to this album by this point, you suck and are a terrible person.

You don't seem to mind and I just can't see how.

The Dark Side of the Moon (2009)

Officially titled "The Flaming Lips and Stardeath and White Dwarfs with Henry Rollins and Peaches Doing The Dark Side of the Moon", this is a cover of Pink Floyd's seminal 1973 album, performed by The Flaming Lips (and friends).

There's someone in my head but it's not me.

Them Crooked Vultures (2009)

Them Crooked Vulture's self-titled release, an excellent album and with Josh Homme taking lead vocals and guitar, this plays out much like a Queens of the Stone Age album. Not that that's a bad thing, of course. Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters on drums, John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin on bass.

No one can make me cry.

Axe to Fall (2009)

Mathcore that's so core it's almost just hardcore.

Let their sadness be our blessing.

Live Inferno (2009)

The final release by a seminal symphonic black metal band.

Bringer of awe and derision.