10. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Phoenix
V2
French popsters Phoenix took inspiration from glossy pop artist Jeff Koons' exhibition at Versailles for a blend of their patented minimalistic guitar pop and some regal ambitions on their fourth LP. It could be their flagship, but then again, they could just be teasing us.
9. No Line On The Horizon
U2
Mercury
The world's biggest band delivered this bold statement of an album before embarking on the budget-defying 360 Degrees tour. "We wanted songs that would take us into a different world" said Bono, who took on a series of fictional characters for the bands 14th album.
8. It's Not Me, It's You
Lily Allen
Regal
Amidst all the paparazzi frenzy, Twitterfeeds and file-sharing debates, Miss Allen found time to deliver one of the year's best pop albums - her last if we are to believe her - and one where her wit seemingly had no boundaries. The Fear even bagged Best Track at this year's Q Awards with Russian Standard Vodka.
7. The Resistance
Muse
Warners/Helium 3
Ever since Sunburn featured on Q's Best Of 2000 CD, Muse were always that tiny bit different. But neither the stadium shows, Matt Bellamy's guitar antics nor Knights Of Cydonia could prepare us for this. The Resistance was a galactic album based on conspiracy theories, humans taking refuge in space and a now customary overload of references to "they". 15-minute three part suites, Dr Who nudging and everything rock-operatic proved that they might stay a tiny bit different for some time.
6. Humbug
Arctic Monkeys
Domino
Recording their third album (and for once, one that deserved being labelled that utmost of PR-cliches 'highly anticipated') in the Nevada desert with Josh Homme - not exactly a man you would go to in order to emphasise lyrics about failed rock stars from Rotherham - resonated a band wanting change. The homely and acutely observed lyrics were still very much present, only now coated with a much rougher sound. Coming-of-age indeed.
Q's Top 50 Albums 2009: Introduction
The countdown...
Q's 50 Best Albums of 2009: 50 - 41
Q's 50 Best Albums of 2009: 40 - 31
Q's 50 Best Albums of 2009: 30 - 21
Q's 50 Best Albums of 2009: 20 - 11
Q's 50 Best Albums of 2009: 10 - 6
Q's 50 Best Albums of 2009: 5 - 1
Also check out Q's Top Albums 2009 - Individual Staff Picks
1:02 PM | 10/12/2009
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It amazes me that Q can do an article on the top 50 greatest albums of 2009 without mentioning any of the greatest albums of 2009 in case you were wondering what good music sounds like I have compiled a shortlist
Mastodon-Crack the Skye
Megadeth-Endgame
Slayer-World Painted Blood
Lamb of God-Wrath
Alice in Chains-Black gives way to Blue
Children of Bodom-Skeletons in the Closet
Five Finger Death Punch-War is the Answer
Devildriver-Pray for Villains
So to the editor of Q's magzine listen to those and then kill yourself so you may no longer spread your retarded musical views throughout the world
Posted by Danny at 9:51 PM | 30/12/2009 | Report Abuse
Maybe I'm getting old but Muse are a load of rehashed rubbish. Not s single original note, idea, thought in it.
Posted by Ben at 4:32 AM | 08/01/2010 | Report Abuse
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