I thought I'd take a look at a few of the albums released during the
first half of 2009 that I felt were particularly good.  But I will
admit that if you've been reading my posts all along, this list will
not be all that surprising.  Listed in nifty random order:

The Damnwells – One Last Century: One Last Century is just plain
wonderful.  You could call it rock power pop with wonderful songs and
great vocals.  If you need a reference point, The Gin Blossoms aren't
all that far away from this.  There is no reason not to own this album;
it was released as a free download here. Yes, it's legal!

Leslie Mendelson – Swan Feathers:  Adult pop, mostly piano based. 
Leslie's lyrics are literate and as many people have noted, playfully
sexy.  A couple of the songs on this album have been rearranged from
the way Leslie had been doing them live to provide the opportunity for
Leslie to step out from behind the piano and onto center stage,
including the first single, Hit the Spot. 

Amy Speace – The Killer in Me:  This is a reflective album as the songs
in this collection were written during the break up of Amy's marriage. 
Instead of the mostly country sounds of her last collection, Songs for
Bright Street, this material lends itself to a folk rock treatment for
the most part.  And although Amy ruefully decides that "the only thing
I've learned is I haven't learned a thing" she does kicks up her heels
during a very spirited Would I Lie.

Israel Nash Gripka – New York Town:  Too young to have been around
during the classic rock era, Israel reaches back to what was good in
the 70s as inspiration for this set.  And yes, it does seem he's
channeling John Fogerty in the song Pray for Rain.

Li'l Mo and the Monicats – On the Moon:  After a few years away from
the music biz, Li'l Mo returns with a collection that runs from country
to blues to rockabilly to 60s pop.  Most of the songs are originals but
a cover of the Bill Hailey song Rocking Chair on the Moon gives the
album its title.  Standouts include I Really Love (To Really Love You)
and The Boy Who Loved the Blues.

Kristin Diable – Extended Play:  Even though she recently left Brooklyn
to return to her native Louisiana, I'll still include Kristin's EP. 
This is a mix of six studio and three live tracks, a heady mixture of
blues, rock and soul held together with Kristin's smooth Louisiana
drawl.  You can also find Kristin singing in the background of a recent
series of Jeep TV ads.

 –Eliot Wagner