by Shane Billings

Created on: May 02, 2010

This was one of the best years for new music in a long time, at least for me. I was lucky to have so many of my favorite artists, from Tori Amos to Howie Day, release new music in 2009. I also discovered a few new favorites along the way! There were so many great albums this year, that I can't fit them all on the list.

First, though, special mention to my choice for Single of the Year: "Bad Romance" by Lady GaGa. This song won me over to an artist about whom I had been cynical; songs this good don't come along often. And my choice for Compilation of the Year: "Celebration" by Madonna, which wins this category hands down! Two discs packed to the seams with twenty-five years of Madge's hits songs, plus two EXCELLENT new tunes, "Celebration" and "Revolver."

And now, here are my Top 10 albums of 2009.

Runners-up: Airborne Toxic Event, "Airborne Toxic Event"; A Fine Frenzy, "Bomb In A Birdcage;" Green Day, "21st Century Breakdown;" Tori Amos, "Midwinter Graces"; and Rob Thomas, "Cradlesong."

And these were some damn fine runners-up.

10. Rhett Miller, RHETT MILLER.

This is the third solo album from the talented Texan who used to front the Ol' 97's. The opening track, "Nobody Says I Love You Anymore," wraps a cynical lyric in a catchy (but atypical) melody, but the real highlights are first single "I Need To Know Where I Stand," beautiful ballad "Bonfire," and the glam-rock throwback "Happy Birthday Don't Die," the protagonist of which is an alien. It's easy to see why his albums are consistently winners: good vocals, good guitar playing, good melodies, good lyrics. Simple and unadorned, but always a worthy listen.

9. Pete Yorn, BACK & FOURTH

Some might think this heartthrob peaked with his first album, "Musicforthemorningafter," but I think he keeps getting better, and "Back & Fourth" finds him reaching a new lyrical peak with the absolutely heartbreaking story song, "Social Development Dance." His melodies are as solid as ever, especially the catchy "Paradise Cove," insinuating "Close," and Fleetwood Mac-esque "Last Summer." I also like the higher notes he hits on songs like the aforementioned "Close."

8. Rihanna, RATED R

Wow, this album is good. After her personal tragedy with Chris Brown, Rihanna struck a darker tone on RATED R, with lyrics that feature car explosions, confrontation, boasting, bragging, and self-survival methods. The music is as catchy as it was on "Good Girl Gone Bad," but in a more rock-oriented, abrasive manner than that album's

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