TOP SONGS OF 2009: 25-11

I told myself I had to finish by the end of January. Well... I didn't miss the self-imposed deadline by much. In retrospect, 125 songs was a burly task to plunge into (the biggest pain is finding MP3 embeds now that I'm having difficulty with LaLa.com). Chalk it up to a learning experience though. Maybe next time I'll only do a Top 50 and be done. But enough with the negativity, because we're finally into the top 25. I tried to space out artists who appeared more than once on the list, but there is one exception- a single artist who garnered two spots in the top 25. Any guesses? (uh- below is a hint.)

(Click 'READ MORE' below to check out our 25-11)

TOP 25 ALBUMS OF 2009

Without spending too much time on this, I wanted to lay down, in no particular order, my favorite/most-listened to 25 albums of the 2009 season.  You may have been following our countdown of the Top Songs of 2009, but here we get a chance to recognize more than just stand-out tracks.  Listed below aren't just the best 30-second samples on iTunes, we give you 25 albums that play as a cohesive unit.

(Click 'READ MORE' below to check 'em out)

BEST SONGS OF 2009: 100 - 76

The countdown towards Best Song of 2009 continues!  Today, we'll be taking a look at Songs 100 down to 76.  If you haven't yet seen our write-up for songs 125-101 you can start the countdown from the top by clicking here...

(Otherwise, click READ MORE below to see songs 100-76 after the jump.)

Tour Announcements: Of Montreal, Fanfarlo

Led by frontman Kevin Barnes, the indie-collective Of Montreal is actually an American band that calls Athens, GA home.  The off-the-wall, self-deprecating and ever-changing sound of Of Montreal will be hitting the road this January, kicking off their small, eastern US tour January 25th at Ram's Head in Baltimore.

Check out 'Oslo in the Summertime' from their 2005 album The Sunlandic Twins here:

Oslo in the Summertime - Of Mo...

And if you live in the northeast, you can check out the eccentric band live:

Jan 25 - Baltimore, MD - Ram's Head
Jan 26 - New York, NY - TBA
Jan 27 - Boston, MA - Paradise
Jan 28 - Washingon, DC - 9:30 Club
Jan 29 - Norfolk, VA - Norva
Jan 30 - Richmond, VA - The National
Feb 04 - Athens, GA - 40 Watt

Don't live East of the Mississippi?  No worries, Fanfarlo has you covered.  The London-based indie-rock outfit who've turned some heads with their 2009 debut Reservoirs, have set up an American tour up the west coast.

It's hard not to make The Arcade Fire comparisons as you listen to 'I'm a Pilot:

I'm A Pilot - Fanfarlo

West-coasters can check them out this February:

Feb 20 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre
Feb 22 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
Feb 23 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir
Feb 24 - Seattle, WA - Crocodile Cafe
Feb 25 - Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory
Feb 27 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
Feb 28 - Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge