30. La Roux
La Roux
Polydor
The oddly quiffed Elly Jackson went from Nottingham student to coverstar at JUST the right time with the aid of a handful irresistible singles. Deservedly so.
Click here to listen to La Roux
29. Wilco (The Album)
Wilco
Nonesuch
On their seventh, Jeff Tweedy & co swapped alienation and panic for gentle hints od optimism.
28. Working On A Dream
Bruce Springsteen
Columbia
Springsteen returns to more ornate surroundings with the soundtrack to one of his most eventful years, including his first ever Glastonbury headline slot.
27. Horehound
The Dead Weather
Third Man/Reprise
Jack White's third project saw Alison Mosshart take the spotlight for a rapturous album of spontaneous garage rock.
26. Two Suns
Bat For Lashes
Parlophone
Already Mercury-nominated twice, Natasha Khan's second affirmed her uniqueness and magic touch.
Click here to listen to Bat For Lashes
25. The First Days Of Spring
Noah And The Whale
Mercury
Sore, hurtful and angry, the Twickenham folksters discovered diversity on their beautiful second effort.
Click here to listen to Noah And The Whale
24. The Ecstatic
Mos Def
Downtown
Ambitious and elegant return to form from celebrated rapper-turned-movie star.
23. Invaders Must Die
The Prodigy
Take Me To The Hospital
Liam Howlett went back to the underground to revive The Prodigy's ferocious sound.
22. Oh My God, Charlie Darwin
The Low Anthem
Bella Union
The downbeat Rhode Island ensemble turned intellectual on their third, John Steinbeck-tinted record.
21. Kings & Queens
Jamie T
Virgin
Astounding, genre-hopping second from the lyrically gifted Londoner that surpassed the ambitiousness of his top 5 debut.
Click here to listen to Jamie T
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
12:38 PM | 10/12/2009
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Amazing position for The Low Anthem, i think it's the most under-rated album of the year!! well done Q
Posted by Justine Ward at 5:27 PM | 06/01/2010 | Report Abuse
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