Continued Top Ten madness. Music. Indeed.

We're not sure how good a year this has been for the music and truth be told, we are very much looking forward to the coming year and releases from The Beastie Boys, Arcade Fire and Jamey Johnson. That said, it wasn't exactly a bad year either, though please note that we still expect some constructive feedback from the David Masciotra and would in fact be disappointed if we do not receive said feedback.

(1) Ike Reilly - Hard Luck Stories. We love him. Do you hear that Ike? Do you?

(2) Kid Sister - Ultra Violet. We love her too. A lot. Did you hear that Kid Sister? Did you?

(3) Steve Earle - Townes. Steve Earle. Always awesome. Townes Van Zandt. Legend. Steve Earle covering Townes. Quite nice.

(4) Street Sweeper Social Club - Street Sweeper Social Club. Morello and Riley. Slamming.



(5) I Fight Dragons - Cool Is Just a Number (EP). Just. Cool.

(6) Doom - Born Like This. Comic books go hip-hop and we can't help but smile.

(7) Wilco - (the album). If not exactly the Wilco we once fell in love with, they still do Wilco better than anyone else.

(8) Neko Case - Middle Cyclone. Neko Case always brings it. Always.

(9) Jay Reatard - Watch Me Fall. Unfortunate moniker, most fortunate tunes.

(10) M. Ward - Hold Time. Old-timey, but in a good way.

Honorable mention: Devo - Are we not men? We are Devo! (Re-issue).

We would add here, that we are noting quite a Chicago-centric slant to our list this year. We would also add, that this makes us very happy.

2008 Top Ten Music list.

2007 Top Ten Music list.

2009 Top Ten Books list.

2009 Top Ten Television list.

The new edition of This Zine Will Change Your Life is live, featuring Benjamin Carr and I Fight Dragons and so totally heroic. Or something like that.

The new edition of This Zine Will Change Your Life is live and so totally heroic. Or something like that. We have a new story, Ah Yes, You Are Attempting a New Way of Life... by Benjamin Carr, which we are way excited about, and, as always, photo action from Adam Lawrence, a music selection from Jason Behrends and angry town hall prose love from Pete Anderson. We hope you enjoy this edition and we appreciate all shout-outs and links. Finally, please note, that we think you are special. Well that, and a bonus shout-out to I Fight Dragons, this edition's featured band. They are new. They are from Chicago and while they probably don't need it, we are excited about what they are doing and want to add any little piece of hype we can.