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Danielle Evin – Self Titled

Danielle Evin has put out probably the strongest debut record this year. She’s a fantastic songwriter with a subtle delivery that is at times goose-bump inducing. “You Don’t Live Here Anymore,” “Crush,” “What I’d Give,” and “Love is Criminal” are the standout tracks on this amazing disc. Fans of Sarah McLachlan, or Jewel can graduate to an even better performer, who displays an ability to dabble in multiple styles without sounding insincere.

Snow Patrol – Eyes Open

It has taken them a long time, but Snow Patrol has finally put out an album that connects with the American audience. There hasn’t been a Matchbox Twenty album in a long time, Switchfoot’s latest album was mostly a dud, so there’s been a void in what I call “melodic rock.” Snow Patrol has stepped in to fill that void and do a great job of it. Too many people talk bad about radio friendly bands as corporate sell outs. I don’t buy that. Songs like “Hands Open,” “Chasing Cars,” and “Set the Fire to the Third Bar” are prime examples of great modern rock songs that any record company would be foolish to not get behind and promote.

Great Singles of the Year

Songs that I think are great whose album doesn’t belong on this list…

Sexy Back – Justin Timberlake
Can’t Let Go – Landon Pigg
Crazy – Gnarls Barkley
Deja Vu – Beyonce
I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor – Arctic Monkeys
Hey Kwanongoma! – The Ark
Boston – Augustana
Before He Cheats – Carrie Underwood
Put Your Records On – Corrine Bailey Rae
Call Me When You’re Sober – Evanescence
Boondocks – Little Big Town
Mornings Eleven – The Magic Numbers
Home – Michael Buble’
Here It Goes Again – OK GO

There’s my list. What did I miss?