So 2009 is almost half over, it's really hot outside and this blog has been pretty dead lately. The remedy for all of this is a quick rundown of some of the best albums to be released so far in 2009. In case you're wondering and want to save some time, neither Animal Collective or Grizzly Bear are included. Both albums have their moments, but just don't do whatever that "thing" is that it takes to make this list. To be fair, the new Grizzly Bear album is quite good, but just sounds like another Grizzly Bear album. Maybe it'll differentiate itself by the time the second six months of the year roll past. Maybe Animal Collective will also get a second chance, but probably not. Their album and their sound as a whole just don't do it for some people. Thankfully, there are plenty other albums that do (in no particular order):

Dinosaur Jr. - Farm

This album kinda sounds like one really long song with really long J Mascis guitar solos interspersed throughout. In case you're unsure, this is a good thing. If nobody knew who Dinosaur Jr was and they heard this album, there'd be a groundswell of hype like they were Fleet Foxes with scads of distortion. As it is, they're a band almost 20 years into their career still making great albums.

White Rabbits - It's Frightening

Second album from these guys. Much more stripped-down than their debut, but still good, just for different reasons. It definitely doesn't sound like they tried to make the same album again, which is commendable. The obvious thing to say about this record is that is sounds like a Spoon record. The obvious reason for this is that it does sound like a Spoon record because Spoon's Britt Daniel produced it. So basically, if you wish White Rabbits' first album and Spoon had a baby, you'll like this.

Fanfarlo - Reservoir

Endorsed by Sigur Ros, but doesn't sound like Sigur Ros and aren't Icelandic. Get the whole album legally for $1 here. Offer good through July 4, by the way. For some reason, it kinda has a Arcade Fire/Coldplay-goes-indie folk sound. If you don't like that description, go pay a dollar, listen and comment with a better description.

The Kingsbury Manx - Ascenseur Ouvert!

This album is just really good. Just good indie rock with some gothic alt-country undertones. Ok, that's a really bad description and sounds like something from an annoying review. Maybe some Band of Horses and Wilco in this album and that is definitely a good thing, of course.

Sparklehorse/Danger Mouse - Dark Night of the Soul

Unfortunately, the music on this record will probably get lost behind the attention generated by David Lynch's involvement and the legal issues involving its release. Since there are so many different contributors on here, of course it's a little disjointed at times and doesn't necessarily flow like an album should. It's ok, though. You'll get over it.

Iron and Wine - Around the Well

This is a compilation of rarities and such, but it deserves complete attention because of the inclusion of "The Trapeze Swinger". In case you didn't rush out and buy the soundtrack to the movie In Good Company, now you can have this song on an official release. Appropriately enough, the title of this collection comes from this song, which is over nine minutes long and hides out as the very last track. Make sure you get to it, or just start with it.

Isis - Wavering Radiant

Isis doesn't make bad records. This one seems to fall into that whole "trying new things" or "exploring new sounds" kind of thing, but it doesn't fall flat doing so. Chances are if you never have liked Isis before, this album won't change much of your opinion, but there's no reason for you not to have liked Isis before, so whatever.

Mastodon - Crack the Skye

Go read this article, then ratchet back your excitement a few notches, then listen. That's about the only way the album will make any sense. If you're not interested in it making sense, then just listen. The vocals might give some people problems, but try to do that thing where you drown out the vocals by paying attention to the guitar and drum parts. If you can't do that, just turn it off.

Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything to Nothing

This one came as a bit of a surprise, but surprises can be fun. If you liked their first full-length, this one somehow manages to be crisper, yet dirtier and darker, yet poppier. It just depends on what song you're listening to. Definitely some Sabbath-worthy guitar riffs and vocal yelps.

Mono - Hymn to the Immortal Wind

Kinda like Explosions In The Sky, but from Japan. That automatically makes it interesting enough to check out.

Wilco - Wilco: The Album

Ok, so this one's official release date isn't until June 30, which hasn't happened yet, but definitely falls in the first six months of 2009. While one might assume the album hasn't been heard yet (or at least legally), one would be wrong. Wilco has been so generous as to post the album streaming on their website and now NPR is doing the same. Even if you don't want to listen yet, you must concede that it is probably really good. Even though they may be drifting in some kind of adult-contemporary direction, they do it well. If you only like Wilco for Nels Cline's creative guitar parts, you might need to listen for someone else to like, but don't worry, there's enough there.

Cymbals Eat Guitars - Why Are There Mountains?

These guys do that whole NYC indie hipster thing but they do it well. The band name is strange and so is the album name, so all the key ingredients are there. Thankfully the music is there too and it doesn't suck.

Phosphorescent - To Willie

Phosphorescent is great, even when playing old Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard songs. It's one of those records you can just put on and listen to a few times in a row. Not bad for driving music either. There's probably a lot of things you could do while listening to these songs in their original form or as covers. Try it out.