On this edition of All Songs Considered, host Bob Boilen talks with Monitor Mix blogger Carrie Brownstein, NPR Music editor Stephen Thompson and All Songs Considered producer Robin Hilton about the year in music. What were the biggest surprises of 2009? What were the best new bands and best songs? Listen and let us know what you think by sharing your comments below.

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All Songs Considered Host Bob Boilen's Top Ten List For 2009

Monitor Mix Blogger Carrie Brownstein's Picks For The Best Music Of 2009

All Songs Considered Producer Robin Hilton's Top Ten List For 2009

NPR Music Editor Stephen Thompson's Top Ten List For 2009

More Coverage Of The Best Music Of 2009

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Related Links

• Visit the artist's Web site for more on this album.

We could tell early on that 2009 was going to be an outstanding year for music. Bands such as Animal Collective, Andrew Bird, Bon Iver and Antony and the Johnsons all released new music, and that was just in January. By the time we posted our online ballot to vote for the year's best music, we had a dizzying array of albums and artists from which to choose.

Thousands of votes poured in and, just as it is every year, the race was very close. In our mid-year ballot, Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion was the most popular album. But by the end of this year, Grizzly Bear had edged its way to the top, with Animal Collective, Phoenix, Neko Case and Andrew Bird rounding out the top five.

As always, be sure to tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Extended List: See The Top 50 Listener Picks For 2009

NPR Listeners Pick The Best of 2008

NPR Listeners Pick The Best of 2007

Complete coverage of the year in music, 2009.

Download this show in the All Songs Considered podcast.

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Contact us with your questions and comments.

On this edition of All Songs Considered, we've got an exclusive new song from Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla and J. Robbins of Jawbox. The two wrote and recorded the new single, titled "Mercury," in just two days as part of our Project Song series. Also on the program: London's captivating quartet The XX; the neo-psychedelic duo MV & EE; folk trio Espers; and new music from Doveman, Vampire Weekend and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah frontman Alec Ounsworth.

Download this show in the All Songs Considered podcast.

Sign up for the All Songs Considered newsletter and we'll tell you when new music features are available on the site.

Register with the NPR.org community to join in our discussions.

Contact us with your questions and comments.

Related Links

• Watch a video on the making of this song.
• Pre-order this album from Brassland Records
• Download this song for free from Vampire Weekend's Web site
• Download this song for free from Vampire Weekend's Web site
• Download this song for free at Vampire Weekend's Web site

They may only have a couple of official songs and a handful of demos to their name now, but The xx is a band to watch. Both casually cool and absolutely magnetic, this young London four-piece makes music that's simple and raw, but utterly captivating.

Romy and Oliver, the two lead vocalists of the group, have known each other since they were three years old and seem to exude a kind of natural chemistry when they sing together. According to Oliver, however, this shared history initially made it harder for the two to sing in front of each other. Because neither of them wanted to be the first to pipe up, Oliver says they "decided to sing at the same time and it just seemed to work nicely." Besides singing together, the two often collaborate on writing the lyrics. "I feel we bounce off each other quite well," says Oliver who appreciates Romy's more cryptic writing style.

The dual vocals on "Crystalised," the group's first single, are delivered in a sexy call and response fashion that is reminiscent of the duets in Set Yourself on Fire-era Stars, minus all the antagonism associated with ex-lovers. "Hot Like Fire" the second track from their limited edition 7", is more restrained, but equally enthralling. With little percussion, distortion, or background noise, the subtle bass lines and guitar riffs slowly build in volume as if self-conscious to be so nakedly displayed. The vocals are delivered in hushed tones to match the vibe established by the minimalist instrumentation. Their songs are almost all build-up and no resolution, which is somehow appropriate for a young band of 19 year-olds who are just gaining momentum in their musical careers. The xx is scheduled to make a tour stateside in June and release its debut LP in July.

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