Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
The best album of the year in my humble opinion. I can listen to it over and over and hear new things each time. I won't bother talking about it since it has received no shortage of critical praise over the past year, and everything that could have been said has been (and much more eloquently).

Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Another great album that I've really grown to love. With the Lips compared to such groups as Pink Floyd, Radiohead, and the Beatles, you might have some idea how varied the styles on this album are.

Ben Kweller - Sha Sha
Ben Kweller was actually the lead singer for a rock band of young teenagers named Radish that was hailed as the "next big thing" in music back in 1997. They had a very grunge Nirvana-inspired sound, but alas the group never lived up to the hype machine of the music industry. Fast forward to current day and enter the now matured, seasoned veteran of 20. With guitar riffs and melodies that could pass as any Weezer tune, or dead on imitations of Ben Folds-esque mid-tempo piano ballads, you get the feeling you should have heard of this album before. Nothing groundbreaking here, but good melodic pop songs that'll get you singing along.

Sigur Rós - ()
Electronic/Alternative/Post-Rock music that begs to be included in a movie soundtrack. It's hard to describe this music, so I won't even try... from a review at Amazon: "Frontman Jon Por Birgisson sings in a language that Sigur Rós dub 'Hopelandic' - an otherworldly mutation of Icelandic, sung in the falsetto cadence of angels; similarly, he plays his guitar with a violin bow, opening the floodgates for brilliant waves of feedback." The album itself is a bit on the prententious side with no title, no song names, and no liner notes, but that can be forgiven by beautiful, soaring music that's unclassifiable. I could see how many people wouldn't enjoy this album, but luckily I'm not one of them.

Shins - Oh, Inverted World
Excellent straightforward British-invasion style pop songs which evokes images of the Kinks. Other influences can obviously be drawn to the Beach Boys and even Simon and Garfunkel. You'll swear that you've heard these songs in a Wes Anderson movie before, but you haven't.

Spoon - Kill the Moonlight
Clocking in at a mere 35 minutes, this album ends with the gorgeous "Vittorio E" and you're left wanting more. Great album, just wish there was more it.

And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - Source Tags & Codes
This album/band has a huge following, and for good reason. Their style ranges from hard rock to almost classical in parts, yet somehow fits together seamlessly. One of those albums that might take you a listen or two to really appreciate, but you'll be a fan for life once you do.

Iron & Wine - The Creek Drank The Cradle
Iron & Wine is Sam Beam, a southern singer-songwriter who will bring to mind other singer-songwriters like Elliot Smith and Nick Drake. He recorded this album in his living room on a vintage four-track, and it features stripped-down slide guitar, banjo, and undeniably beautiful harmonies. Simple and beautiful folk songs.

Blackalicious - Blazing Arrow
A great rap album, highly produced, with layers of instruments, beats, loops and lyrics. The single "Make You Feel That Way" is the best hip-hop song I heard all year.

Colin Hay - Going Somewhere
Another singer-songwriter I've come across in the past few weeks who I've taken to immediately. Acoustic folk songs that you don't have to struggle to enjoy.

Johnny Cash - American IV: The Man Comes Around
Yes that's right, the one and only Man in Black has made the list. Take a gander at his latest album of original tunes and covers that includes the Beatles tune "In My Life", a beautiful duet with Fiona Apple on "Bridge Over Troubled Water", and a heartbreakingly beautiful rendition of Trent Reznor's song "Hurt". Minimalistic, stripped-down versions of these songs which Johnny really makes his own - give it a listen.

The Coral - The Coral
Another group of young men from the port town of Liverpool, England, the Coral have one song that has seen some limited airplay in the States. The album redefines the word "eclectic" as it skips across genres (I counted 10 at last listen) - from ska, Brit pop, and even sea chanties. Yes, that's right, I said sea chanties. There's a lot to like on the album though, in spite of their reluctance to stick with a single style.

Other Bands and Albums Of Note That I'm Too Lazy To Discuss So I'll Just List Them Here
Badly Drawn Boy - About A Boy Soundtrack
Badly Drawn Boy - Have You Fed The Fish
Beck - Sea Change
Brad Mehldau - Largo
Common - Electric Circus
Foo Fighters - One By One
GZA - Legend Of The Liquid Sword
Interpol - Turn On The Bright Lights
Josh Rouse - Under Cold Blue Stars
Smokey & Miho - Tempo De Amor
Talib Kweli - Quality
Zero 7 - Another Late Night