ART CENTER RADIO.

1. Spells – Happy Hollows

Spells is the most intensely fun and energetic record of the year.  Singer, Sarah Negahdari, gives off so much energy in this debut record from the LA locals.  Charlie Mahoney (bass) and Chris Hernandez (drums) match (sometimes exceed) Sarah's energy on each and every track.  Listen to  “Monster Room,” “Delorean,” and “We Will Find You.”

2. It's Blitz – Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Yeah Yeah Yeahs were one of the many bands in 2009 to experience an album leak far in advance of the release date.  Lucky for them, they produced a collection of songs that was the best record of the year from March through early October.  This is the sort of record that fans should seek out and actually purchase a copy.  The vinyl release is beautiful with the big white album art and the inner sleeve featuring photos of left over pizza.  Check out “Heads Will Roll,” “Runaway,” and “Hysteric.”

3. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix – Phoenix

Phoenix finally gets some mainstream recognition this year with Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.  Coming to us via recommendation of Mark Hoppus on Twitter, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix has one the most catchy opening tracks of the year with “Lisztomania.”  Having headlined shows at LA's Greek Theatre and comparable venues, Phoenix seems as if they are on a meteoric rise to stardom.  Oh, and “1901” is in pretty much every car commercial ever.

4. Where The Wild Things Are Soundtrack– Karen O and the Kids

Karen O had a big year in 2009.  First the massively awesome YYYs record, It's Blitz, and then she gave us the Wild Things soundtrack in the second half of the year.  This record is filled with heartfelt sing-along type songs.  The gem on the record is “Capsize” which wasn't featured in the movie.

5. The Continental Divide – War Tapes

LA band, War Tapes, gave us their full length debut early in the year.  The Continental Divide is a tricky record that is filled with great content, yet suffers from poor track order.  The record starts strong with tracks like “The Night Unfolds” and “Dreaming of You.”  It begins to trail off with “All The World's a Stage” and then quickly picks back up again with “Mind is Ugly.”  Sadly, it ends with “Fastlane” which isn't a bad song, just not a great record ender.  War Tapes puts forth a more than solid first record, and with their new disc, Demon Nation, on the horizon, things look as if they can only get better.

6. Old Crows/Young Cardinals – Alexisonfire

Coming back together after a short hiatus (during which the members worked on side projects), Alexisonfire delivers Old Crows/Young Cardinals.  With it came the amazing video for “Young Cardinals” (the best track on the record) featuring the band on a boat touring Niagara Falls while play a concert.  The most intriguing and thought provoking track on the record is “Sons of Privilege” which is the band's take on what America has become (they're Canadian).  For more info on the record check out the interviews we did with the guys on Warped Tour 2009.

7. No More Stories – Mew

With No More Stories, Mew proves that they can make the best three opening tracks of almost any record in history.  After the first three songs on the record, the listener is drawn in for the whole ride.  Despite the fact that the record changes course quite a bit from where it begins, Mew gives audiences an amazing record.  The live show that accompanies this record is also one of the most mind-blowing shows of the year.

8. Dark Side of the Moon – The Flaming Lips and Star Death and White Dwarfs

This album comes to the scene really late in the game.  Released exclusively on iTunes on December 22nd, this cover record gives the listener everything they love about Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon mixed with everything great about The Flaming Lips.  Will it hold a spot on the Billboard Top 200 sales chart for 30+ years like Pink Floyd's original?  No, it probably won't even make an appearance on the charts, but it is worth your $10 on iTunes.  Henry Rollins and Peaches are also featured on the record.

9. Grand – Matt & Kim

Matt & Kim are the makers of all those catchy tunes in alcohol commercials and those ads for NBC's “Community.”  Here's the key to Matt & Kim's success, it's really catchy music and its really good.  Those two things rarely meet.  They also keep it simple using just keys and drums.  Matt & Kim are definitely at the forefront of where rock and pop music should be heading.  Go out and buy Grand right now, and you will spend the next month with it permanently on your turntable.

10. Grrr... - Bishop Allen

Bishop Allen is one of those gems of an indie band that have emerged from Brooklyn.  Grrr... is their third record, and it's unbelievably great.  This album is pure Indie gold.   If you appreciate that genre known as “Indie Rock” and haven't heard of these guys, pick up this record.  It fairly inexpensive ($10 from band at shows), and is packed full of good tunes.  The cover art (front and back) is also really awesome.

War Tapes’ debut album, The Continental Divide, might not be on your radar for new releases this week, but it should probably be at the top of your list. War Tapes’ first full-length record is one of those albums that I have been listening to over and over again ever since I got it. The Continental Divide is one of those albums that music snobs will be talking about years from now when War Tapes becomes huge. They will all claim that they heard it first, and were into the band before anyone else was.

The second track on the album, “Dreaming of You”, is one of the best tracks that I have heard in a while. It is fully reminiscent of The Cure in the best way, and it has powerful vocals akin to Depeche Mode. Basically the track takes all of the awesome rock from the 80s, and mashes it together while still making it sound relevant to today’s music scene.

The album maintains a very dark 80s vibe throughout the whole disc. War Tapes is able to provide this dark 80s sound while still sounding fresh which is where a lot of actual 80s acts tend to fall flat with their new albums. The band also evokes thoughts of The Killers in a few tracks.

If you have a few extra bucks for music this month, make sure you pick up War Tapes’ The Continental Divide. You won’t be disappointed. Also, make sure you check out the band this summer on tour with VNV Nation.