If you had to pick right now, what would be your choice for album of the year?

I'd have to go with "Year Zero" by NIN.

Gogol Bordello, LCD Soundsystem and Amy Winehouse have all released good albums this year, and that's off the top of my head. But I can't think of a single, particular album that leaps out as THE album to have.

On edit: Also, Iron and Wine. And Les Savy Fav, PJ Harvey, and Magnolia Electric Co. And Spoon. But again, none of it has left me breathless.

On double edit: For what it's worth, I was actually kinda disappointed in Year Zero. It sounded like Trent Reznor overcompensating for advancing age by throwing aside melody in favor of pure noise, and at more than an hour in length, that doesn't fly -- the album became repetitive about 40 minutes in, and it makes me worry that whatever Reznor has to say, he's already said it.

very good, but not great albums.

Adding to your list I would say Arctic Monkeys, Kings of Leon, The White Stripes, Ryan Adams, Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters and Animal Collective.

I'm not sure which one I will be coming back to time and time again, but I don't think anyone can go wrong having any of them.

Put absolutely to the test I would say, Kings of Leon was my favorite.

A big problem with a lot of the bands this year is that this year's albums are not as good as the band's previous work. I think that could apply to every single band you named, and a lot of the ones I did.

you are right. If someone asked I would probably tell them to get another CD first and then get the newest ones.

I just looked on Wikipedia for what CDs are coming out later this year, and with the exception of The Hives no one has me very excited.

Oh and I do have to add M.I.A. to my list. And this is one where I would say get the new one before the old one. I'm not a rap fan in general, but I really like Kala.

I am actually pretty curious to see what the professional critics list as the best of the year now. I imagine Radiohead tops many lists for being Radiohead and how they released it.

The Stage Names by Okkervil River.

How does Austin, TX provide so much in the way of good music?

I'd go with the Radiohead, but I'm a fanatic.

or I lose my job! :P

As for Radiohead, yeah, I'm a fairly big fan too. One of my most lucid concert memories is 20,000 people all slowly, repeatedly singing "This is what you get" during "Karma Police" at a Radiohead show in West Palm Beach while Thom Yorke's face looked bigger than God on the huge jumbotrons on either side of the stage, two gorgeous women made out on the lawn in front of me, and some guy behind me handed me a bong.

I didn't even stop to consider how he'd managed to smuggle a bong into the concert venue until hours later.

but I have really enjoyed "Friend Opportunity" by Deerhoof, "The Long Process of Quitting" by Proletarian Art Threat, and "Going Way Out with Heavy Trash" by Heavy Trash.

Shrunken Heads

although I do listen to the new Chemical Brothers cd a lot more often

...how is it?

one or two tracks are off my playlist, but others have been getting a lot of play at home

recommended if you like them

A return the rockin 80's style E St albums, but with lyrics that touch deep inot the conciousness of America. every song is a winner and some are just flat out amazing.

Only because I have a crush on her, so nobody needs to feel pressured.

simply for the first and last songs.

It was definetly their year - they basically went from being this little nobody band from Toronto to having a song on the L Word soundtrack and playing sold-out gigs.

Here are some other faves (and there are albums here that compete with Magic) -

The Shins - Wincing The Night Away
The Pierces - 13 Tales Of Love And Revenge
Barenaked Ladies - Barenaked Ladies Are Men
Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer - Schematics
Patty Griffin - Children Running Through
Brandi Carlile - The Story
They Might Be Giants - The Else
A Fine Frenzy - One Cell In The Sea
Mandy Moore - Wild Hope
New Pornographers - Challengers
Kate Voegele - Don't Look Away
Vanessa Carlton - Heroes & Thieves
Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests Of Josh Ritter
Alexa Wilkinson - Lullabye Appetite
Bruce Springsteen - Magic
The Dollyrots - Because I'm Awesome
Against Me! - New Wave
A Fine Frenzy - One Cell In The Sea
Rilo Kiley - Under The Blacklight
The Clientele - God Save The Clientele
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Aly & AJ - Insomniatic
Stars - In Our Bedroom After The War
The National - Boxer
The Donnas - Bitchin'
Imperial Teen - The Hair the TV the Baby & the Band

Even though I'm a pop person (I love the pop/rock gems from Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer and The Dollyrots, along with Bruce Springsteen, Vanessa Carlton, A Fine Frenzy, Mandy Moore, Aly & AJ and Kate Voegele,) I have always "gotten" Radiohead. In many genres, if it is good music, I will give it a chance.

:)

Honorable mention: Springsteen's "Magic" & Arcade Fire's "Neon Bible"

Against Me!'s "New Wave"
Arctic Monkeys' "Favourite Worst Nightmare"
Arcade Fire's "Neon Bible"
Bloc Party's "A Weekend In The City"
El-P's "I'll Sleep When You're Dead"

I just can't decide which I like best.