It’s the time of the year for lists. All of the good music sites have been rolling out best new music lists, but my list is best new to me music. As Zoolander would say, “which is more meaningful, I think.”

I’ve been working on this list in my head for a few weeks now, and I think there are two funny things about it: 1) there are a lot of pre-2009 records on here, and 2) several of them are so well-known that it’s beyond me why I’ve just now discovered them.

Anyway, here’s the list, in no particular order. By the way, this is a list of best albums, not best music. I’m a huge fan of the album. I know some people think it’s on its way out, but I don’t, or at least I very much hope they’re wrong. Here goes:

Angus and Julia Stone – A Book Like This
Apples in Stereo – Fun Trick Noisemaker
Electrelane – No Shouts, No Calls
The Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots and Soft Bulletin
Girl Talk – Feed the Animals (Parental Advisory!)
Matt & Kim – Matt & Kim
The National – Boxer (Parental Advisory!)
The Notwist – Neon Golden
The Rural Alberta Advantage – Hometowns
Sister Suvi – Now I am Champion
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down – We Brave Bee Stings and All (better than her new album, IMHO)
Yo La Tengo – Popular Songs

The two most disappointing new releases of the year were Throw Me the Statue’s Creaturesque and Fanfarlo’s Reservoir, although for different reasons – the TMtS album was horrible, and the Fanfarlo album was just weak when I expected it to be amazing.

So there you go.

• I am closely following the discussion here. Basically, my CPA exam scores should be announced within the next week. So either I’ll be celebrating, or I’ll be quiet. Ifyaknowwhatimean.
• I’ve been into horror movies a whole lot lately. From Hellraiser and Candyman to more obscure (often B) movies like 2001 Maniacs and Outpost, I’ve been watching them every free minute lately, and I’m ok with that. Right now it’s Halloween III, though, and that’s less than great. I love a horror movie, but movies about killing teenagers intent on nothing but sex don’t float my boat.
• I’ve been really enjoying this Apples in Stereo album. “New Magnetic Wonder” may be their uber cool poppy album (with this song on it, which everyone in my house is addicted to), but their first full album has my heart. It is teh good stuff.
• I have a ton of stuff to do around the house, from cleaning to plumbing to painting, and I’m never going to get any of it done.
• I got to drive on the newly opened interstate in Knoxville today. As I drove a hundred yards or so behind the pace cars (purely by frustrating coincidence), I thought “gee, it’s a mile or two of asphalt,” but I am glad that navigating town will be easier for a while – at least until they pave the next road.