The best albums of 2009

Ranked by every score on sleeves, critics' and listeners'. An album with few scores is pulled toward the average until more come in, so one perfect score cannot top the list.

  1. 1Merriweather Post PavilionAnimal Collective · 4.5 from 3 scores
  2. 2Fever RayFever Ray · 4.3 from 3 scores
  3. 3xxThe xx · 4.2 from 3 scores
  1. 4VeckatimestGrizzly Bear4.2 from 3 scores
  2. 5It’s Blitz!Yeah Yeah Yeahs4 from 3 scores
  3. 6MannersPassion Pit4 from 3 scores
  4. 7LungsFlorence + the Machine4 from 2 scores
  5. 8Wolfgang Amadeus PhoenixPhoenix3.8 from 3 scores
  6. 9The ResistanceMuse3.7 from 3 scores
  7. 10FantasiesMetric3.7 from 3 scores
  8. 11HumbugArctic Monkeys3.7 from 3 scores
  9. 12Brand New EyesParamore3.5 from 1 score
  10. 13World Painted BloodSlayer3.5 from 2 scores
  11. 14La RouxLa Roux3.5 from 3 scores
  12. 15Them Crooked VulturesThem Crooked Vultures3.3 from 3 scores
  13. 16Tonight: Franz FerdinandFranz Ferdinand3.3 from 2 scores
  14. 17ConditionsThe Temper Trap3.2 from 3 scores
  15. 1821st Century BreakdownGreen Day3.2 from 3 scores
  16. 19RelapseEminem3.2 from 3 scores
  17. 20Man on the Moon: The End of DayKid Cudi3 from 2 scores
  18. 21Invaders Must DieThe Prodigy3 from 3 scores
  19. 22Ocean EyesOwl City2.3 from 2 scores
  20. 23Sigh No MoreMumford & Sons2.3 from 3 scores