French Kicks - "Trial of the Century" (Star Time). By far the cd that I listened to and recommended the most. I think the term "hitting and sticking" applies here. I heard the single "One more time" on 
Wilco - "A Ghost is Born" (Nonesuch). This record and this band played particular significance in my life this year because it was the only record I could really tolerate after hearing that my friend had taken his own life. In particular, "Company In My Back" was the soundtrack of the day as I drove down to a friend's wedding near Aptos and then back up to SF for a post-wake party. An emotional roller-coster not unlike that of "A Ghost is Born". There are some dark moments, some reflection, some positive light ("Wishful Thinking", okay a little obvious), some rave-ups ("I'm a Wheel" sounds like the Replacements, a band Wilco have covered in the past) and some Krautrock. I mixed "Spiders" with Loop's cover of Can's "Mother Sky" when I spun at ESL in August. A pox on anyone who dismissed this record as unworthy.
Loscil - "First Narrows" (Kranky). This CD was one of the first things I wrote about. I still put it on while riding the train to drown out the incessant cell phone conversations with some lovely drones of my own selection. It is furniture music of the highest order. It resonates. Also, the sharpest looking packaging of the year.
Akufen - "Fabric 17" (fabriclondon). I subscribed to the Fabric releases because they cost an arm and a leg here in the States and there were a string of them that were breaking the bank. This was the release that got me to pony up. Not as satisfying as an Akufen album but the Montreal native comes through again. The stand out is his management of Senor Coconut's version of "Smoke on the Water" with The Rip Off Artist's "Little Tiny Eight Inch Jack". Proving that not only is he a clicks and cuts god but he's got a great sense of humor.
Rough Trade - "Indiecomp" (EMI Intl.). This brought back floods of memories, mostly good. If there is a compilation that adequately captures the music of "my youth" then this is pretty close. At least it is the music I was introduced to by one Mike Schulman, bless him. This put me right back in Mike's apartment on Belmont Rd. in DC where I'd walk 2 miles most Friday's to drink a lot of beer and listen to a ton of records. This stuff combined with the U.K. shoe-gaze explosion threw me into the indie-pop band scene. If it doesn't make you want to start a band then you are dead from the neck up and no friend of mine. Plus, now I own This Poison's "Poised Over the Pause Button" on CD! I can finally give the vinyl a rest. It's that sorta comp. If you look at the track list and you don't recognize anything then you should definitely buy it. Granted there are one or two odd inclusions but that's what the forward button is for.
Weather Prophets - "Blue Skies & Freeride - Best of the Creation Years" (Cherry Red). While I am reminiscing I would be remiss if I didn't mention how happy I was that Cherry Red released this compilation. Weather Prophets are one of those bands that I really wanted to like but was too young to get. I've clutched the "Naked as the Day You Were Born" 7" to my heart for years after seeing the video on the Creation singles comp in the early '90s. But when I hear their material now it sinks in a bit deeper. My pal Ron Harrity's new band Harpswell sound could be influenced by the Weather Prophets. Could be rabbit.
Echo and the Bunnymen - Ocean Rain (Warner Bros.). Continuing down reissue/nostalgia lane there is this gem re-mastered in new glory. The reissues of the Bunnymen material are precious. The reissues of the Cocteau Twins material is also quite splendid but doesn't quite have the impact on me now that the Bunnymen do. I literally had forgotten how great with a capital G they are. "Villiers Terrace" was an anthem this year. I played the shit out of all the reissues. There simply are not bands this fucking good anymore. Period. Shut up and don't argue.
Swayzak - "Loops from the Bergerie" (Studio K7). This record is on the right side of the "indie-electronic" fence. If there is a right side to be on. It's not really indie but my point being that fans of The Postal Service, and they are legion, would probably like this record. Or not. Maybe too cool and detached for them. Certainly more mature. Anyway, I saw them live and their singer really does make a great focal point. All stoic and brooding. Fantastic. The stand outs are the first two tracks so if you can't get into this one then maybe you should just stop trying so hard to be hip. They had Matthew Dear in support when I saw them but they've also had my mates Chessie in tow before so they ought to be applauded for picking the right folks to have tag along. Plus, how can you not love laptops through analog guitar pedals. Tight.
Interpol - Antics (Matador). Interpol are the new Ropers and I like the Ropers quite a lot. So if I can't have the Ropers I'll take what I can get. Done. Next!
Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand (Sony). Sorry, guilty pleasure. I can't fathom how they took over the world but for a brief time I quite enjoyed this record. Saw them live on my b-day and it wasn't all bad. I did feel like I was in college but I wondered what the hell the other 300 hundred people were doing there. I guess this is what the New Wave hath brought. Seriously though, the dada, bauhaus, and Russian inspired typography elements of their "Take me out" video can hardly be poo-poohed. These guys are art-fags in skinny ties. Too pretty to be tough and too sharp to be pretty. They either bought a Wire, Wedding Present or Joseph K record along the way or have an older brother who did and it's turned out okay for them. And us.Disclaimer: I've linked all of these releases to amazon.com out of laziness which is horrifically lame on my part. Running an independent music label I am all too aware of how undervalued independence is, especially in the music industry. So, please make an effort to purchase these releases from your local music store. Or online try ToneVendor or Other Music.