OK, it's mid December. 
That means it's time for my best of 2009 list.  Overall, 2009 had a
tough act to follow because 2008 was an extraordinarily good year
musically.  I do think that there was a bit of a fall off from last
year, but there was still plenty of good new music around.  I've picked
the 10 albums that I've enjoyed the most this year.  They will be
presented today and Wednesday, half on each day, in alphabetical order.

Sarah Borges and The Broken Singles – The Stars Are Out: Sarah Borges
has been around for a few years and usually categorized as alt
country.  But The Stars Are Out demolishes that view of her.  It's
mostly rock
of varying kinds, mostly up tempo and all wonderful.  The songs are
split between covers and SB originals.  A few SB&BS fans have
complained that this album is overproduced, but if this is
overproduction, bring it on.

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!

Charlie Faye – Wilson St: Originally from this area, Charlie moved to
Austin a few years back and Wilson St. of the album title is where she
ended up.  Austin is the place where rock, blues, country and folk all
blend into each other and that's what happens on this album as well. 
All songs are CF originals or co-writes and standouts include She's
Gonna Go, Bottletops, Runaround and Simple Seduction.

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.

Norah Jones – The Fall: The past couple of years have
been ones of change for Norah Jones.  So
with all that going on in her life, its no wonder that her new album,
The Fall, finds Norah's music in transition as well.  This record
features
an entirely different musical team and although it still recognizable
as a Norah Jones record, it has
electronic elements and is mixed to be edgier. Highlights include Young
Blood, It's Gonna Be and Back to Manhattan.

To be continued…

 –Eliot Wagner