2009 was an amazing year for music. That being said, here are the best albums for 2009: the albums you need from this year's most innovative and talented artists.

Best Albums of 2009 Part I

XX by The Xx
Hands down my favorite album of the year. Composed of three 20 year olds (originally four) from Southeast London, The Xx is taking the entire music world by a storm with their dreamy electro pop tracks and chilled out vocals.
The Filter Picks: "Islands", "Basic Space", "Heart Skipped a Beat", "Stars"

Friendly Fires (self-titled)
Though their self-titled album was originally released in 2008, this British band's breakthrough debut makes the list due to it's re-release in August of 2009. One listen to their lush, dancey-shoegaze sound, and you will be hooked.
The Filter Picks: "Skeleton Boy", "Paris", "Relationships"

Manners by Passion Pit
The debut album by the indie Cambridge, Mass band, not only received critical acclaim, but is also successful commercially (currently #51 in the Billboard Charts).
The Filter Picks: "Sleepyhead", "The Reeling", "To Kingdom Come"

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix
The Grammy nominated French alternative rock band's newest album, propelled them from relative obscurity to the consciousness of the masses. The catchy, upbeat tunes on the album were widely used in films such as "Where the Wild Things Are",  and "New York I Love You". The track "Lisztomania" was also used in the season finale of HBO's Entourage.
The Filter Picks: "1901", "Lisztomania", "Lasso"

Twilight: New Moon by Various Artists
The year's tween movie sensation, New Moon, came with a surprisingly stunning soundtrack. Supervised by the incredibly talented Alexandra Patsavas, the album comprises of exclusive tracks by various indie-rock artists such as Death Cab for Cutie, Muse, Grizzly Bear, and OK Go.
The Filter Picks: "Rosslyn" by Bon Iver and St. Vincent, "Hearing Damage" by Thom Yorke

Life of Leisure (EP) by Washed out
South Carolina native Ernest Greene's debut EP is brimming with evocative synth pop goodness and melodic vocals. Now a resident of Georgia, Greene's mystique is further magnified by his seeming reluctance to tour, and a decision to limit copies of his music to 100 casette copies.
Filter Picks: "Feel It All Around", "Lately", "Hold Out"

Up From Below by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
The debut album by the 10-piece neo-hippie band. It features catchy folk tunes reminiscent of a Grateful Dead/Mamas and the Papas hybrid album. Their hit song, "Home", was featured in NBC's new comedy, Community.
Filter Picks: "Home", "40 Day Dream", "Simplest Love"

Coming in Part II: Florence and the Machine, Bat for Lashes, Miike Snow, La Roux, and many more.

by Paula Purpera