I guess I should do a top 5 …

I probably should preface this by saying that there are a ton of albums that I've heard are amazing, but haven't listened to yet … including many that have topped best of lists, like The National's Boxer, for example. None of these should be too surprising, considering they're on most other lists too, but that's OK.

5. Beirut - The Flying Club Cup

To be completely honest, I didn't hear this album until less than two weeks ago, when it popped up on a bunch of end-of-year lists and Beirut was featured in the winter issue of Venus, but I've listened to it enough since then that I've become pretty much obsessed with it. Friends had played Beirut for me a couple of times and I didn't totally get into it, but it finally clicked this time.

Favorite songs: "Nantes," "The Flying Club Cup"

4. Feist - The Reminder

I'm really glad I don't watch much TV because if I saw the "1234" ads every four seconds I'm not sure The Reminder would still be on my list … but I loved this album more after seeing Feist live in June.

Favorite songs: "I Feel it All," "Brandy Alexander"

3. Radiohead - In Rainbows

I'm not an obsessive Radiohead fan, and they're definitely a band I sometimes forget I love as much as I do. I was psyched when they announced "hey, new album in 10 days," and I did download it right when I woke up that morning (for free, with a promise to myself that I'll buy it when it's out on CD). I'm not totally sure how I feel about the whole giving the CD away for free thing but regardless, it's been played over and over again in my shitty little MP3 player and I'm not sick of it yet. I like mellowed out Radiohead, but I love the more upbeat stuff the most.

Favorite songs: "15 Step," "Jigsaw Falling Into Place"

2. M.I.A. - Kala

I've gotten much more into dance-y music in the past few months, and all this album does is make me want to dance … and dance … and dance. And after listening to it enough times to decipher a lot of the lyrics, it's pretty amazing. Also, she puts on a great live show, although she was much better at Lollapalooza than when I saw her last month in Detroit (but that has at least a little bit to do with the obnoxious crowd).

Favorite songs: "World Town," "20 Dollar"

1. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver

I started listening to LCD Soundsystem in the summer after realizing that the song I heard at a party and always got stuck in my head was "Daft Punk is Playing At My House" (from LCD's self-titled album). "North American Scum" became my favorite song to listen to while walking to class, much because I like walking to the beat of whatever I'm listening to and that song is quite a workout. But overall it's an amazing album, and it only helps that James Murphy is awesome.

Favorite songs: "North American Scum," "Us V. Them," "Time To Get Away" (they're all great!!!)

And I think I'll have a real post soon.