Albums 40-31

40. Eels "Hombre Lobo"

The Eels are like Nada Surf. Every album they put out is great, but nobody remembers them past their first hit song. "Hombre Lobo" didn't come to me through the normal PR channels, it was put on my computer by a friend. Thank you, friend.

Inspired Song: The Look You Gave That Guy

39. Lily Allen "It's Not Me, It's You"

Pop gold. There weren't really any great Pop albums released this year that didn't have a foot in R&B and Rap as well. This was the one survivor. It also works not just on the radio, but in multiple album listens as well.

Inspired Track: 22

38. Starlight Mints "Change Remains"

This album is fun on the first listen. Gets your ass shaking on the second listen. Charms you with frivolity on the third. You don't have to know why you like this album, you just will.

Inspired Track: Black Champagne

37. Cory Branan & Jon Snodgrass "Cory Branan & Jon Snodgrass"

I wrote a feature/interview with these two men, and about this split earlier in the year. It was the only cd in my car for a month. It's no longer in my car, because my wife stole it and put it in her car. This album shows the best parts of each of these men's talents.

Inspired Track: Wild One

36. David Gray "Draw the Line"

This cat is unrelenting in his ability to produce quality singer/songwriter tracks. The couple of albums before has lost a little luster to me, because of a lack of pace. He should be doing every possible thing, and failing most of the time , to replace Van Morrison. This album has the layer and the levity to be a step in that direction.

Inspired Track: First Chance

35. Florence the Machine "Lungs"

This, of course, plants my house in Columbus, Ohio, but the best radio station in Columbus is CD101. "Kiss With a Fist" was my favorite song they played on the air the entire year. I caught Florence live this year as well, and it was great too.

Inspired Track Kiss With a Fist

34. Atlas Sound "Logos"

Beautiful, beautiful synth on this album. Ever better, ethereal vocal's by sound architect Bradford Cox. This would be a great album to drive by an ocean for hours at night.

Inspired Track: Walkabout

33. Ben Nichols "The Last Pale Light in the West"

This album is based on a Cormac McCarthy's "Blood Meridian". It also pushes Ben Nichols enough past himself to produce a quality product beyond his day job "Lucero".

Inspired Track: Toadvine

32. Elvis Perkins in Dearland "Elvis Perkins in Dearland"

My first Elvis Perkins experience. I'm down for whatever is coming next. This album is polished, has a great music to it, and has a tongue and cheek nature to it, that makes it infinitely charming. Also, the man can write, really write at certain points.

Inspired Track: Shampoo

31. Roman Candle "Oh Tall Tree in the Ear"

This album was very high on my own personal list. There are no holes in it. It's catchy, sincere, and delivers a whole vision of a very talented band showing that they're finally in a good place to make music. The story of Roman Candle is a long, at times heartbreaking one, but they seem well on their way with this album to ensure themselves a very happy ending.

Inspired Track: Eden Was A Garden