Whilst I was working on my top 10 list,  I was thinking whether I would consider 2008 to be a great year for music? There were certainly some good albums, but if I look at 2009 there are some MAJOR releases coming our way which could brighten the days. In fact, there is even some serious reasoning as to why a year ending in ‘9’ will always be a GREAT year for music.

Some albums which I think will be important (some for different reasons) in 2009:

• Antony and the Johnsons – Crying Light (I’ve heard this – and its amazing)
• Kings of Convenience – Quiet is the new Loud (apparently that’s the working title despite it being the same as the old album!). Update – The Kings of Convenience site is a bit rubbish – but this post tells the full story. (Thanks Rick!)
• Morrissey – Years of Refusal (even a bad Morrissey album is an event)
• The Decemberists – Hazards of Love
• Depeche Mode – I haven’t seen an official title, but due to drop in 2009
• Lily Allen – It’s not me, it’s you (not sure what to think of this – expected to hate it, but the first single sounds quite fresh…regardless of what you think of her, this will be everywhere)

Also – releases from Animal Collective (all over your favourite torrent engine), U2, Starsailor (are they still with us?), Imogen Heap and Placebo…

What albums are you hankering for at the start of 2009?