You're almost out of time. Okay, I got a lot of stuff right at the end and don't really have the proper perspective to rank anything, but I'm going to anyway:

10. Oxbow - The Narcotic Story - crunchy, heavy, unsettling. I was not into a lot of the heavy stuff that people were hyping this year-- the popularity of Pissed Jeans mystifies me, and I bought the Clockcleaner LP and immediately regretted it, but this hits that spot just right.
9. Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends - just insanely catchy. If I put a year-end comp together (we'll see), "Patty Lee" will be on it for sure. Propulsive, clever, and never sounding forced.
8. Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter - I'm not sure about the "next coming of Springsteen", but Mr. Ritter is still one hell of a songwriter. A lot of his lyrics skate the line of being gimmicky, but he manages to craft them with just enough pathos to avoid it. The tunes ain't bad either.
7. Ted Leo - Living With the Living - This one seemed to get lost in the shuffle with most people but it spent a lot of time in my player. Yet another release from Mr. Leo marrying fiercly compassionate lyrics with incredibly hooky power pop.
6. Skoal Kodiak - Three People Are Having Grape Emergencys - I've been waiting for these guys to make a record for a while and this one didn't disappoint. I don't even know what to call this genre. Organic noise trance punk something. The perfect soundtrack for a sweaty warehouse pogo party. Plus the LP is practically art in itself-- amazing sleeve drawn by an autistic man and a record with several lockgrooves and reverse threading. Mind-blowing!
5. Electrelane - No Shouts No Calls - Thanks Davey for not shutting up about these guys. I had heard some earlier stuff from these ladies but something extra clicks on this one. Like they had been on a long journey through a tunnel and are now emerging into glorious sunlight.
4. Jens Lekman - Night Falls on Kortedala - Super great. This is just pure Scandinavian pop bliss.
3. Nina Nastasia & Jim White - You Follow Me - It seemed to be a big trend this year for female singer-songwriters to make spare, haunting records. Everyone wants to be the next Cat Power. Feist & Scout Niblett both turned in fine efforts, and PJ Harvey got the most notice (because she's famous, guys, not really because it was that good, right? but that's just my opinion), but my personal favorite was this one. Like it was recording in an attic with only a flickering flame to read the scribbled lyric sheet by.
2. Panda Bear - Person Pitch - is it possible that Brian Wilson's ghost can possess someone even though he's still alive? Maybe we can just call this the ghost of Smile. Taking that inspiration to the logical extreme, Panda Bear has made a symphony of ambient gurgles and grooves. A record that already sounds timeless.
1. Dinosaur Jr - Beyond - I'm as surprised as anyone to find this record at the top of my list, but every time I listen to it, every song just seems perfect. Even the original Dinosaur records weren't this consistent. Far from a nostalgia trip or a money grab, this is the sound of a band that's finally letting go and just reveling in the amazing rock they can make together. These hooks will worm their way into yr brain and never let go. The fact that it's a triumphant return for a band with one of the most troubled and acrimonious histories in modern rock is just icing on the cake. Masterful!

Other stuff that got plenty of spins included Shellac, Vampire Hands, Gay Beast, Scout Niblett, Talib Kweli, Aesop Rock, the Knocked Up soundtrack, and the Once soundtrack.

Anyone else holding out?

~Rae