Lefty Side of the Dial

15. Spoon -Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

Some how Spoon manages to improve on 2005's Gimme Fiction. This rock-oriented album still retains the Spoon roots, but manages to cut new ground. The pop-rock sounds sort of timeless in a sense that reminds me of Belle & Sebastian. I good album to work to, or just throw on some headphones and people watch.

14. Nick Lowe -At My Age

This country-fried album evokes the Bakersfield sound just a bit, and turns out a reflective album that has become a constant companion to me and my ears this year. The album has a sort of sixties lounge lizard crooner that sexily entices the ears. A fun album worth attention!

13. Mavis Staples -We'll Never Turn Back

On the Ry Cooder produced album, Mavis Staples returns to the civil rights struggle in several covers of anthems from the era. Her voice gives these song a timeless powerful voice that reminds me that no matter how far we've come as a nation, there is still work to do. Mavis gives a tremendous performance that is sublime and honest. A quite moving album.

12. Loudon Wainwright III -Strange Weirdos: Music From & Inspired By The Film Knocked Up

Take 70's era Randy Newman mixed with a reflective Warren Zevon, and you get the feel for this incredible movie "kinda-sort of" soundtrack. Not having any children, I can only imagine that this would be the sort of thing that could make parents weep and know what Wainwright is singing about. I nice laid back album that feels good.

11. Queens of the Stone Age -Era Vulgaris

This a gritty rock and roll album that makes one think of those L.A. Sunset Strip bands that rock just as hard as they party. It's an album that punches you and the gut and won't lend you a hand up the floor. In other words, the perfect game playing music as you frag and teabag your way to victory.