I wouldn’t say these are necessarily the ten best albums of the year. I didn’t listen to enough music to make that claim. But these are ten albums I bought this year that are worth recommending. I stuck with music that was also released this year (which disqualified two albums that were put out in 2008 — Vampire Weekend and the Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist soundtrack). Oh, and it may be that this list actually goes to 11 (but I may be too embarrassed to admit that I like the album that is down there at the bottom).

So here’s the list:

1. The Drums - Summertime!

Much has been made about the surf rock roots underpinning this indie band, but they sound more like 80s Britpop than Beach Boys to me. Still, it’s a sunny little EP filled with hummable tunes.

2. We Were Promised Jetpacks - These Four Walls

Another Scottish band that can’t hide its accent (see Big Country, The Proclaimers), We Were Promised Jetpacks delivers heart-on-the-sleeve anthemic rock with gusto. Plus they’ve got my current favorite band name.

3. fun. - Aim and Ignite

A little bit of this, a little bit of that. This band seems to have been influenced by the full gamut of 70s classic rock (minus any crunching guitars). Somehow it all adds up to a buoyant collection of, yes, fun songs.

4. Miike Snow - Miike Snow

Electronica sanded off around the edges combines with pop that has been roughed up a little. The mashup appeals to fans of both genres.

5. Wilco - Wilco (the album)

The problem I’ve always had with Wilco is that just when I’m getting into a happy groove they go off with five minutes of pure noise at the end of a song. There’s none of that on this one. Just happy groove.

6. Rancid - Let the Dominoes Fall

The godfathers of pop ska punk return with an album that sounds remarkably like they never left. This is good.

7. Regina Spektor - Far

Take Tori Amos’ piano and infuse it with Russian angst. Layer on some odd cadences and weird lyrics. Somehow it works.

8. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Pure indie power pop at its best. Give in to it. You won’t even notice that they’re French.

9. Metric - Fantasies

A little angry but always melodic, Metric falls into the tradition of great female-vocalist-driven bands like Throwing Muses and The Breeders.

10. The Airborne Toxic Event - The Airborne Toxic Event

Unlike most of the acts on this list, these guys actually got some mainstream radio airplay this year. I was hooked when Sometime Around Midnight got its David Bowie singing Heroes on.

11. Kelly Clarkson - All I Ever Wanted

Yes, Kelly Clarkson. What can I say. I like American Idol. I like Kelly. Every cut on this record is like cotton candy. And I’ll stick by my assertion that I Want You is the catchiest song of the year.