Had enough of the lists yet? I tried to keep this one to five albums, but the July release in here was an easy excuse to sneak in a sixth. This list would've been different three weeks ago, and I'm sure it'll continue to change - though there have been lots of really good albums this year, only a couple (nos. 1 + 5 below) have really pulled away from the pack for me. But for now, you know the drill. In alphabetical order, let's go:

Art Brut - Bang Bang Rock & Roll. It's rare enough that an album makes me laugh once, but this one actually does it repeatedly without ever feeling like a novelty. Delightfully tossed off and oh so catchy, Bang Bang Rock & Roll uses Blur's "Parklife" as a springboard to new and noisier heights, a blueprint that might get old if the lyrics weren't so damn great. And for what it's worth, Eddie Argos runs laps around Craig Finn in my book. Try "Emily Kane" (MP3).

Bloc Party - Silent Alarm. You knew these guys would be big. What's nice is that I think they'll stay big. Though they certainly fit into the post-punk explosion, their songs have a depth that's lacking with many of their contemporaries. It's been a while since I was playing this every day (it leaked in November!), but Silent Alarm lodged itself in my brain early in the curve and I'm happy to keep it there. Try "She's Hearing Voices" (MP3).

Isolée - Wearemonster. For whatever reason, this passed me by on my first few listens save for "Schrapnell" and its can't-miss guitar hook. But that song kept me coming back, and once the rest started to catch it was all over. My favorite song has changed four or five times since then, and my favorite moments are piled even higher. (Lately it starts at the 2:35 mark in "Mädchen Mit Hase.") With obvious details to grab you, subtle ones to keep you coming back, and layer upon layer in between, Wearemonster epitomizes well-crafted electronic music. Try "Schrapnell" (MP3).

The Juan Maclean - Less Than Human. OK, so this isn't even out till July 26, but I've been digging this album too much to leave it off. Marrying Kraftwerk's linear melodicism with the DFA's immaculately produced rhythms, this album is like a sonic jungle gym; the synths and beats make me want to reach out and grab them. It also displays remarkable concision - the grooves could get hammered into the ground, but instead they just get you to push play again. And when Maclean does let it ride - the 14-minute closer "Dance With Me" - I kinda wish he'd never stop. (Live, it's unfortunately a different story.) Try "Shining Skinned Friend" (MP3).

Sleater-Kinney - The Woods. Few albums were as anticipated by me this year as The Woods, and none delivered quite as strongly. Loud and distorted but still sharp and catchy, these songs are among the best the band has ever recorded. You can tell they put a lot of effort into this album, yet ultimately it sounds rather effortless - I can picture Carrie, Corin, and Janet walking into the studio and just knocking these out, one by one. All three are at the top of their game, and this is the one album on this list I can rank with ease - #1. (Ace packaging too!) Try "Entertain" (MP3).

Tom Vek - We Have Sound. Mr. Vek actually plays everything on this album, but I'd be quite impressed even if he only handled the drums - they have a propulsive metallic sound that hooked me instantly. Vek covers a lot of ground musically and ends up with something you expect more from Brooklyn than his hometown of London - sort of a sunny punk/funk infused with electronics. Through it all, he shows a keen sense of melody and a creative attention to detail that's made this one of my most played albums of the year. Try "C-C (You Set The Fire In Me)" (MP3).

The Next Nine

The Duke Spirit - Cuts Across The Land, The Fiery Furnaces - EP, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings - Naturally, LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem, Stephen Malkmus - Face the Truth, Cass McCombs - PREfection, M.I.A. - Arular, Superpitcher - Today, The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan