#09 – Veckatimest // Grizzly Bear
This third studio album by indie rock band Grizzly Bear has had a slew of positive reviews and debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200, selling 33,000 copies in its first week and later ranking high on many music charts.

VOTERS SAID:
“Grizzly Bear are just so lovely and mellow to chill out to.” – Laura Scott

“Two weeks has to be one of my favorite songs ever. It’s upbeat but not obnoxious. The lyrics are simple but genius and easy to sing along to. The rest of the album is catchy as well.” - Katrina Shafer

#08 – Far // Regina Spektor
This is the fifth studio album by Regina Spektor, produced by Regina and four other producers. Far debuted at number 3 on the US Billboard 200, selling 50,000 copies its first week.

VOTERS SAID
“Regina Spektor can do no wrong in my eyes.” – Laura Scott

“Everything she does is beautiful and just gets one step better than the previous.” – Laura

“I also like Regina Spektor’s uniqueness used in Far. – Taylor

#07 – Daisy // Brand New
Brand New’s fourth studio album debuted at number 6 on the US Billboard 200 and received generally favorable, though passive aggressive, reviews. Daisy has been on at least six ‘Best of 09′ lists.

VOTERS SAID
“I’ve been waiting for Daisy for years. When it finally came out, I loved it.”

“I love hearing Brand New continue to evolve. Every album they put out is so different and a step above the last.”

#06 – Lungs // Florence + the Machine
The debut album by Florence + the Machine, Lungs debuted at number 2 and remained on the UK Albums Chart for 29 consecutive weeks, returning at number 1 in January. It has received very strong critical reception.

VOTERS SAID
“Florence + the Machine’s album was pretty much all I listened to throughout the fall.” – Rebecca O.

“Florence + the Machine is possibly the most breathtaking break into the music industry I’ve ever heard.”

“That album is truly lyrical genius and combined with her voice and melodies it is inspiring.” – Fran Riley

#05 – The Open Door EP // Death Cab for Cutie
This EP from indie favorite Death Cab for Cutie peaked at number 30 on the US Billboard 200 and was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 52nd Grammy Awards.

VOTERS SAID
“Death Cab never fails to put out a good album.”

“It’s like an entire EP of Narrow Stairs B sides, which is something I always love from bands…and it’s a look into the past at things we wouldn’t have gotten to hear otherwise, probably.”

#04 – Mean Everything to Nothing // Manchester Orchestra
Mean Everything to Nothing, the second studio album by Manchester Orchestra, received mostly positive reviews and has been called a landmark release of 2009.

VOTERS SAID
“Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull has written some amazing music on this album, it’s by far my favorite.” – Emily

“Hands down the best album of 2009.”

#03 – brand new eyes // Paramore
Paramore’s third studio album that almost never happened, brand new eyes had been in the top five of at least three ‘Top Albums of 2009″ lists and received very positive praise.

VOTERS SAID
“I was more-than-pleasantly surprised by the variety of sounds on their latest CD offering!” – Laura

“After hearing that they almost broke up…I expected an album lacking love and teamwork but this was the opposite!”

#02 – The Satanic Satanist // Portugal. The Man
The leak of Portugal. The Man’s fourth full length album brought a very well thought out blog post by singer John Gourley, encouraging fans to download the album and to buy the real thing later. For fans that only listened to half of the directions, something really special was lost by not having the very unique CD case…the case was literally a work of art. Still flying below the radar, was The Satanic Satanist and it’s acoustic counterpart The Majestic Majesty.

VOTERS SAID
“Portugal. The Man is next to The Beatles.” – Levi Mills

“Electrifying!”

“This album is pure musical genius…Portugal. The Man easily surpasses any other musicians these days in terms of quality, groove, and interest,”

#01 – Sainthood // Tegan and Sara
With an overwhelming majority, positivexposure readers seem to agree that Sainthood is Tegan and Sara’s best work yet. Their sixth studio album, produced by Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie and Howard Redekopp, Sainthood is the first album to feature a song co-written by the pair.

VOTERS SAID
“Tegan and Sara never fail to supply our ears with amazing lyrics with power and meaning behind them, and they certainly have done it again with Sainthood. Although it is quite different from past albums, like The Con and So Jealous they still pack a punch with their words that so many can relate to about love, relationships, and life experiences. By far, it is indeed my favorite album of 2009.” – Emily Pichette

“I love Tegan and Sara’s quirky voices” – Laura Scott

“I think Tegan and Sara are amazing. I love how their style has changed over the years. Their work keeps evolving and stays great. They are true brilliant musicians.”