Top 10 CD's of the YEAR (so far)

Couple of notes before we get started: 
* The lack of pop and rap on my list is a timing issue. 
Record companies love to release singles during the summer with albums following up in the fall (i.e. in time for the holiday season). 

* All selections had a release date between January 1st and June 30th. 
Even though it's now mid-July, I didn't want second-half offerings slipping in (sorry Wilco). 

* This is not a solid ordering, simply because it's too hard to do right now. 
So if you see something at #8 and you think it's #1 - don't get mad! You're probably right! 

Without further delay... 

1) Dark Was The Night - Various Artists (A Red Hot Compilation) It's really not fair. This double-disc was able to get almost every trendy indie band to contribute a song or two to this AIDS charity project. The National, Bon Iver, Feist, Iron&Wine... and we're just talking about the first disc. With bands like The Arcade Fire and My Morning Jacket helping out on the second disc, the rest of this year's offerings don't really stand a chance. 

2) It’s Not Me, It’s You – Lily Allen Allen has really blossomed both as an artist and as a songwriter. While these tracks are bubbly, the lyrics are biting, tackling topics like racism, bad sex, and societal ills with ease. 

3) Manners – Passion Pit This Boston band has put out quirky, fun electro-pop tracks for a couple of years now. This album (their first full-length offering) shows their depth with songs like ‘Moth’s Wings’ and ‘Eyes as Candles.’ 

4) Merriweather Post Pavilion – Animal Collective 

5) Technicolor Health – The Harlem Shakes 

6) Hey Everyone! – Dananananaykrod 

7) Willie and the Wheel – Willie Nelson with Alseep at the Wheel 

8) 21st Century Breakdown – Green Day 

9) Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King – Dave Matthews Band 

10) The Ecstatic – Mos Def

— My Music Man
Joel Fowler