Albums of 2009: Bon Iver - Blood Bank EP

This four track release suggests Justin Vernon should have no problem in following the 2008 critically acclaimed album For Emma, Forever Ago.

Albums of 2009: Doves - Kingdom of Rust

Four years in the making, Doves returned to remind us they are truly one of the great British bands - narrowly missing out on a deserved number 1 album by 6 copies to Lady Gaga in the process.

Albums of 2009: Eels - Hombre Lobo

Whilst not quite living up to the standard of Fresh Blood that suggested E was once again taking the Eels of on another tangent - Hombre Lobo still showcases E's knack for knocking out simple, yet affecting songs by the dozen

Albums of 2009: The Horrors - Primary Colours

Before Primary Colours, The Horrors were in danger of being best known for their cameo in the Mighty Boosh as The Black Tubes, but this epic wall of sound soon changed that.

Albums of 2009: Idlewild - Post Electric Blues

After the forgettable Make Another World, Idlewild seemed destined to drift away with Roddy shifting focus to the folkier side of his output. Some when they returned this year with the fan funded Post Electric Blues, it made for one of the most pleasing returns of the year.

Albums of 2009: The Joy Formidable - A Balloon Called Moaning

Bands like Pains Of Being Pure At Heart seemed to get more love in the end of year lists - but in my eyes The Joy Formidable deserve the most hype out of all the bands who nod their cap to the 80s indie pop. With a full album on the horizon, maybe next year will see them get the love they deserve.

Albums of 2009: Middle Class Rut - 25 Years EP

In the end Rage Against The Machine made quite the comeback at the end of 2009, but in the meantime MC Rut provided the epic riffs that we'd been missing alongside vocals that drew comparisons to another 90s rock staple - Jane's Addcition

Albums of 2009: Nine Black Alps - Locked Out From The Inside

Back to the grungier sound of their debut, Nine Black Alps' third album featured many of their mightiest riffs to date.

Albums of 2009: Röyksopp - Junior

Album three combined the best of the previous two albums, bringing back elements of the chilled out electro that made their name in the first place, alongside the hardier techno beats from The Understanding.

Albums of 2009: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz

The move to a more electro sound is actually a marked difference from their previous stuff, but they succeeded with so much ease you barely noticed it seemed such an obvious fit.