20. Bright Eyes - Cassadaga
As Conor Oberst continues to mature, so does his songwriting. His last outings, the superb I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning and slightly less stellar Digital Ash in a Digital Urn, allowed him to stretch out within his two genre obsessions. The recombining of these elements (okay, mostly the folkier elements of the sound) on Cassadaga is always organic and constantly engaging. Oberst's lyrics have only gotten better as well. His knack for narrative is only surpassed by his ability to describe life with a passion and a clarity that could almost (almost) be described as Dylanesque. The only major pitfall on this album is Oberst's obsession with creating one virtually unlistenable song on every album he produces, and this one is no different ("Clairaudients (Kill or Be Killed)" is pretty much just crap). That aside, Cassadaga is an excellent album, easily recommended to almost anyone.
19. Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
Not wasting time, the Arctic Monkeys sophomore album hit stores barely a year after they became a household name in the States (well, not a household name... nobody in my family knows who they are). Breaking out of the mold and embracing a few more influences (see: Mogwai), they've created an album that pretty much stands up right next to their first. Which isn't a bad thing, because Whatever People Say I Am... is an excellent Brit-punk album. Whether they're playing with surf rock or do wop ("Baby, I'm Yours", it's a B-side), the Monkeys know how to rock and every track is more than willing to point that out.
18. Kings of Leon - Because of the Times
Because everyone needs a little southern rock in their life. Because "Fans" chugs along so smoothly, you'll find yourself moving in your seat. Because "Camero" feels like you're taking a drive. Because it's an excellently crafted, balls-to-the-wall kind of album. Yeah.
17. Motion City Soundtrack
Motion City Soundtrack's third album firmly places them head and shoulders above their pop-punk/emo brethren. They trade in the kinks and habits that held them back (see: "The Red Dress", "Hangman") for borrowing from a couple of different people (the Ben Folds-inspired ballad "The Conversation") to turn in addictive pop song after pop song. It's a little formulaic, and not the most imaginative album you'll ever hear, but it is polished to a shine and catchy as hell, and that definitely counts for something.
16. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
The ridiculous amount of joy being squeezed out of every note and instrument on this album would make you queasy, if it weren't so meticulously orchestrated and undercut every so often by dark tones and threatening textures. Animal Collective is always challenging, and this album is no exception, but Strawberry Jam also feels like their most accessible work to date. From the Beach Boy harmonies of the opening "Peacebone" to the building, chugging "Fireworks" (an album highlight), there is an overwhelming joy pouring out through their music. Seriously, this is what pop music will sound like in the future, when we drive in flying cars and take all our food in pill form.
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