If I picked just one release as AotY, then its gotta be Elbow - Seldom Seen Kid.

And I have to agree yet again with ya Davey, the Throw Me The Statue debut isn't all that original, but it is very very well done and not at all what I think of in terms of Puget Sound Rock Scene, so it was a pleasant surprise as well. But that album cover musta been taken on a warm summer day...good thing the guy keeps a camera nearby for such an occasion.