Albums of the Year #40-11

#40: Brandon Boys - The Wild Trapeze

The Incubus frontman let his musical experience take over, providing all the instruments that shows Boyd taking a sidestep from the band. (Song highlight: Runaway Train)

#39: Sky Sailing - An Airplane Carried Me to Bed

The project that came before Owl City strips out the electronic similarities to the Postal Service and brings in the acoustic guitars needed to make it sound enough like Owl City to bring in the same audience, but different enough where fans can tell the two apart. (Song highlight: Tennis Elbow)

#38: Wavves - King of the Beach

An old school sound with a new school style. (Song highlight: Post Acid)

#37: Best Coast - Crazy for You

See above, but switch male for female. (Song highlight: Boyfriend)

#36: Eminem - Recovery

The ultimate comeback album for Mr. Mathers, that would be a lot higher if it had a few more hits other than an overplayed single that seemingly glorified domestic violence. (Song Highlight: No Love featuring Lil Wayne. This is a track that highlights the best of both rappers and is one of my top songs of the year)

#35: Jimmy Eat World - Invented

An alternative band that shows they don't slow down with age. (I have to admit, this was one that I flip flopped on having on the main list. But I put it in the other day and realized I had learned most of the tracks. Song highlight: Stop)

#34: She and Him - Volume Two

Zooey Deschanel and M Ward return for a more polished product than their first outing, which was a breath of fresh musical air in its own right. (Song highlight: Lingering Still)

#33: The Black Eyed Peas - The Beginning

The guilty pleasure album of the year that you want to dismiss but you're too busy dancing. (Song highlight: The Time (Dirty Bit)

#32: Lostprophets - The Betrayed

The fourth studio album from Lostprophets didn't get much notice because for some reason it wasn't released in the states. However, the band came back and released one of the best records of their career. (Song highlight: It's Not The End Of The World But I Can See It From Here)

#31: Sleigh Bells - Treats

An album that takes a while to get into, it was fine debut by an alternative band with an electronic twist. (Song highlight: Infinity Guitars)

#30: B.o.B. - The Adventures of Bobby Ray

Riding off singles that featured appearances from other stars (Bruno Mars and Hayley Williams) this ATL rapper showed he could do it on his own, filling an entire album with hits. (Song highlight: (Ghost in the Machine)

#29: Terrible Things - Terrible Things

Featuring a line-up of artists from former bands (Taking Back Sunday, Coheed and Cambria, Hot Rod Circuit) this alternative super group released one of the great rock albums of the year that shows potential for when they acquire some experience together. (Song highlight: Wrap Me Up)

#28: Isles and Glaciers - Hearts of Lonely People

Another supergroup, this time from the screamo scene. Featuring members from Vic and Mike Fuentes from Pierce the Veil, Jonny Craig from Emarosa and Dance Gavin Dance and Craig Owens formerly from Chidos and currently from D.R.U.G.S., the only thing disappointing about this release was the short lenght. (Song highlight: Hills Like White Elephants)

#27: Evolett - For Your Consideration

This is a local pick as Evolett is a Paramore-resembling band from Montgomery. But they don't get special treatment, the release is honestly that good. (Song highlight: The Compromise)

#26: Envy on the Coast - Lowcountry

A great sophomore release from a great California band that is also bittersweet due to the fact the band split up before the end of the year. (Song highlight: Like I Do)

#25: Matt and Kim - Sidewalks

There seems to be a new musical takeover, with an alternative base mixed with electronic beats and Matt and Kim are the leaders. (Song highlight: Cameras)

#24: The Dead Weather - Sea of Cowards

Jack White finds success with yet another band, creating a harder blues and rock outfit than the the combined RaconStripes. (Song highlight: I'm Mad)

#23: Death in the Park - Death in the Park

Andy Jackson, formerly of Hot Rod Circuit and currently in Terrible Things, releases this solo side project that turned into a band with Dexter influences but an indie feel that sounds like it's straight out of the early 2000s. (Song highlight: Laws of Nature)

#22: Rick Ross - Teflon Don

With the spotlight on Kanye and Eminem and Drake this year, Ross provided the sleeper rap hit of the year. (Song Highlight: Aston Martin Music)

#21: New Politics - New Politics

This fun Denmark band did something that is really hard to do; make good rap/rock music. (Song Highlight: Dignity).

#20: Pendulum - Immersion

An import from Australia, Pendulum's first album was straight Drum and Bass and the second was mostly a rock effort. Immersion combines the two to provide a soundtrack for dancers and rockers alike. (Song Highlight: Witchcraft)

#19: Linkin Park - A Thousand Suns

At first listen, A Thousand Suns almost becomes one of the most disappointing albums of the year. But that's when you compare it to past albums. If you judge the release on its own merit, Linkin Park make a pretty solid album from start to finish.

#18: Circa Survive - Blue Sky Noise

Anthony Green and company release their third album and while showing no signs of slowing down, they also release one of the most underrated albums of the year. (Song highlight: Imaginary Enemy)

#17: Drake - Thank Me Later

A rapper who seemed overhyped by peers and the media, Thank Me Later turned out to be one of the greatest R&B/Hip Hop albums of the year. While you go in thinking you were about to be blasted with beats and in your face rhymes, Drake actually slows it down to provide a good "put on and just enjoy the music" release. (Song Highlight: Miss Me)

#16: Motion City Soundtrack - My Dinosaur Life

With quirky lines fused with a growing alternative sound, Motion City Soundtrack provide the, uh, soundtrack to a good music filled night. (Song highlight: A Lifeless Ordinary)

#15: Pierce the Veil - Selfish Machines

After the success of their debut album, PTV came back with an album tailor made for concerts and turning up the sound in your car stereo. (Song highlight: Caraphernalia)

#14: Anberlin - Dark is the Way, Light is a Place

Anberlin release their fifth studio album at a quality that rivals people that have been in the business much longer. Much like their previous outings, Dark is the Way has relatable lyrics and smooth melodies that show Anberlin is a band that can be around for a long time. (Song highlight: Art of War)

#13: Chiodos - Illuminaudio

After parting ways with former front man Craig Owens, fans were curious to see what Brandon Bolmer was going to bring to the table. The result? A release that shockingly may have been better than any previous Chiodos albums. (Song highlight: Those Who Slay Together, Stay Together)

#12: Minus the Bear - OMNI

Minus the Bear take their chill out style, add some synthesizers and put in some suggestive lyrics to put out a record that is one of the best releases to put on and relax to. (Song highlight: Excuses)

#11: Bruno Mars - Doo Wops and Hooligans

Bruno Mars is a contender for artist of the year, as the guy was everywhere. And this release proved it wasn't just a fluke. The album title says it all - soulful vibes and fun jams. (Song highlight: The Other Side)