Indie-rock dominated my MP3 player this year (Animal Collective, Phoenix, XX, The Horrors). "Fame Monster" Lady Gaga's catchy, Madonna-inspired pop beats made a suprisingly #1 fan out of me. Festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo brought forward some of my all-time childhood favorite bands to rock my world from the likes of Echo the Bunnymen, Jane's Addiction, My Bloody Valentine, and Depeche Mode. And, thankfully, next year is shaping up to be just as equally exciting with new music from indie-rock(and dance) titans Yeasayer, Hot Chip, Spoon, MGMT, Battles, These New Puritans, LCD Soundsystem and the Klaxons (need i say more?). But, for now, I'd like to highlight some of the best albums to date. Every track on this list is an essential must have for any DJ or fan of good music.

Best albums, and the best song on each one

10. The Yeah Yeah Yeah's: It's Blitz "Runaway"

9. Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavilion "My Girls"

8. Phoenix: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix -"1901"

7. XX xx "Crystalised"

6. Amanda Blank: I Love You "A Love Song"

5. Horrors Primary Colours "Three Decades"

4. Fever Ray: Fever Ray "Seven"

3. Sonic Youth: The Eternal "Antenna"

2. Simian Mobile Disco Temporary Pleasures "Cruel Intentions" feat. Beth Ditto

1. Depeche Mode – Sounds of the Universe "Wrong"

Best album title

Worst album cover

Spiral Stairs: The Real Feel (Matador)



Band I am surprised I learned to love

Lady Gaga

And, this is why!

Band I can now love in public

Lady Gaga


Best new artist

Miike Snow

Best Live Act

The Yeah Yeah Yeah's

Best music video

Matt Kim: Lessons Learned (directed by Taylor Cohen and Otto Arsenault)

Best weird music video

Major Lazer: Keep It Goin' Louder (directed by Eric Wareheim)

If you're after some downloads, we've got a few recent additions worth pointing out.

Antony and the Johnsons, "Another World"

DJ Z-Trip, "Party for Change (Obama Mix)"

Oasis, "Falling Down" (a Chemical Brothers remix)

Just a quick taste--there's plenty more to come, so stay tuned!

Hey everyone! The MP3.com staff will be commemorating the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 26, and won't be in the offices. We'll be back on Tuesday! Also, the site will be undergoing some maintenance in the wee hours of Tuesday morning (May 27), from 1-3 am PDT. During this time, all users will be treated as logged out, which means no blogging, forum posting, etc., but you should still be able to see access and read all areas of the site. Sorry for the inconvenience!

EDIT: The maintenance is done. Thank you for your patience. -Teivan

SafetySuit is set to release their debut album, Life Left to Go, on May 13 through Universal Motown. Produced by Greg Archilla (Buckcherry, Collective Soul, Matchbox 20), Life Left to Go features the first single "Someone Like You" -- a powerful track with a massive hook that is already rocking at radio. The Nashville based band is comprised of Doug Brown (vocals, rhythm guitar), Dave Garofolo (guitar), Jeremy Henshaw (bass) and Tate Cunningham (drums).