So finally, here is my list of "must-hear" albums from this year. I'm a little late to the scene but hopefully you guys aren't exhausted of these yet. I'll keep it easy on the reading part.

I wasn't sure what to call this list, but I think that "best of" and "favorite" are overused since any one person can only listen to a tiny portion of all the albums that came out this year, and one person's favorites won't exactly match another's. So I tried to pick some of my favorite albums that are a bit obscure but also that I think a large number of people can appreciate. My hope is that you'll stick to some of these albums, because I think they all have great replay value too.

So here goes. Click the cover art to purchase.

Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions - Through The Devil Softly
[acoustic]
"Trouble":

Wye Oak - The Knot
[rock/pop]
"Take It In":

Reading Rainbow - Mystical Participation
[garage pop]
"The Sun Is Out":

Nudge - As Good As Gone
[ambient]
"Two Hands":

Bluskreen - Mockup
[electronic]
Stream it here

Telefon Tel Aviv - Immolate Yourself
[electronica]
"Your Mouth"

Ghostface Killah - Ghostdini: The Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City
[hip-hop/r&b]
"Forever":

Panacea - The Re Route
[hip-hop]
"Epiphany (DJ Nu-Mark remix)":

Flevans - 27 Devils
[acid jazz]
Stream it at last.fm

And even though this album's not out yet,

Beach House - Teen Dream
[dream pop]
"Norway":

One final note... I spent a substantial amount of time putting this ten album list together (probably too much), so don't expect a top songs list from me... well, not any time soon at least. Making this list was crushing my holiday spirit lol but it had to be done. On the plus side I think it turned out pretty well, so it was worth it I guess. Have a Merry Christmas!