We're halfway through 2009. Let's see how it's going, musically. (note: my 3 After Three post is here.)

Some notes about my "best of" for this year:

• While I will talk about 2009 releases specifically, I'm focusing more on things added to my music library in the time period rather than specific release year
  
• Hip Hop and R&B music has been particularly weak sauce this year.

Best By the Numbers - Tracks

iTunes says...

1. 3 Little Words by Frankmusik
2. Melt My Heart to Stone (Kickdrums Remix f/ Big Pooh) by Mick Boogie & Adele
3. Lazy Sunday by The Lonely Island
4. Polite Dance Song by The Bird And The Bee
5. Brown Bear by Bell
6. Yardwork by The Grouch

Last.fm says...

1. Leave It All Behind by The Foreign Exchange
2. 3 Little Words by Frankmusik
3. Ride Out by Koushik
4. What Do You Want? by Jazzanova
5. Polite Dance Song by The Bird And The Bee
6. Some Say by Nina Simone

Actual 2009 Releases...

1. 3 Little Words by Frankmusik
2. Lazy Sunday by The Lonely Island
3. Polite Dance Song by The Bird And The Bee
4. The Abduction of Margaret by The Decemberists
5. System by Reks
6. Get Yourself Together (Hercules & Love Affair Hercbump Mix) by Chaz Jankel

My Critical Choices...

1. 1517 by The Whitest Boy Alive
2. 1901 (Teenagers Remix) by Phoenix
3. Nothing To Worry About by Peter Bjorn and John
4. Sleepyhead by Passion Pit
5. Won't Want for Love (Margaret in the Taiga) by The Decemberists
6. I'm On A Boat by The Lonely Island

Surprising, at least to me, these are all actual 2009 releases. I didn't expect that to be the case 3 months ago.

By The Numbers - Albums

Last.FM says...

1. Of All The Things by Jazzanova
2. The Hazards of Love by The Decemberists
3. Incredibad by The Lonely Island
4. Friendly Fires by Friendly Fires
5. White Van Music by Jake One
6. Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future by The Bird And The Bee

Actual 2009 Releases...

1. The Hazards of Love by The Decemberists
2. Incredibad by The Lonely Island
3. Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future by The Bird And The Bee
4. Rules by The Whitest Boy Alive
5. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix
6. Living Thing by Peter Bjorn and John

My Critical Choices...

1. The Hazards of Love by The Decemberists
2. Rules by The Whitest Boy Alive
3. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix
4. Friendly Fires by Friendly Fires
5. The Rhumb Line by Ra Ra Riot
6. Manners by Passion Pit

I probably should have The Lonely Island's Incredibad on there as I really enjoy that comedy album but two 2008 releases really started speaking to me in 2009. Friendly Fires and Ra Ra Riot put out great stuff in 2008 but I didn't catch on until this year. On the outside looking in on this list with potential to move up? Mos Def's The Ecstatic and Drake's So Far Gone.

Links and such to be added when I get home from Atlanta.