I share rabblevox's love for The Decemberists. As far as I'm concerned, they, along with The National, are the two most important acts in indie-rock innovation today. The National's 2010 album, "High Violet," has been worth every penny.

Shout-out to my favorite band Rasputina's 2010 release, "Sister Kinderhook." Got to see them in concern last summer when they blew through my home town, for the fourth time in my life. Live they're a religious experience on par with William James to me, and the album is the latest wrinkle in their "chamber-grunge" cello ensemble. Always unique; I've never heard any other band that had the same vibe or level of classical-experimentation, especially lyrically. The closest thing was a short-lived girl-band of "punk-folk" North Carolina musicians from the early 90s named "Blackgirls" who have been consigned to oblivion since then.

Also, Saddle Creek's own darling-duo Azure Ray got back together this year after a 7 year recess, and for those who like breathy, acoustic songs of bittersweet melancholy, they do it best. They sort of fit the "dream pop" category. Their album this year, "Drawing Down the Moon," is a fine return to form, better than the solo stuff they individually doodled around with in the interim.

They'd have to fire Araya to achieve that, because the guy lost his voice completely. ;)

7th Son guys, 7th Son. ;)

This year I can't decide between Arcade Fire (The Suburbs) and Jónsi (Go). And Daft Punk just released their soundtrack to the film "Tron Legacy"...

My favourites are Mines, by Menomena, and Space Eagle (the Motion Picture Soundtrack).

I really recommend checking out Space Eagle. It's a concept album by Alaska In Winter: "a motion picture soundtrack with synthesizers. A musical story intended for the film, "Space Eagle", which is due to be released winter of 1986. Available originally only on cassette tape."

Any track on it is good, but particularly
http://www.myspace.com/streetgangdancefight/music/songs/night-falcon-returns-64407335

My favorite Album this year is:
Accept: Blood of the Nation

I had such high hopes for this but once i heard it i was like 'meh' :(

my album of the year: triggerfinger - all this dancin' around.

I needed some new music. Thanks for the thread and suggestions.

My vote goes to Tom Petty - Mojo

Haha, this is great, lot's of stuff I never heard of. Though admittedly I didn't like any of it either :D
My favorite this year is Cat Empire's Cinema, I think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEBcfChvoYM
EDIT:
No wait, I quite liked First Aid Kit's The Big Black and The Blue. That Squiddles album by Homestuck was just weird! The Felt seems pretty nice though (what I've heard of it so far).

In Search of Sunrise 8 is a great compilation too. :)

You can't say no to this intro track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Srn2IVFV2m8

Picked this album up today. I like it a lot, but still think I prefer Pain of Salvation and Riverside. However, if you like this Kamelot album, you may want to check out some albums by Nightwish. Reminds me of them, anyway.

Swim by Caribou. Effing love it. http://www.amazon.com/Swim-Caribou/dp/B003A060K6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292738717&sr=8-1

I really don't like Nightwish. I do have a soft spot for Marco (the male vocalist) though. I prefer to listen to Tarot.

This year? For me I didn't even bother. Haste The Day and As I Lay Dying released some mediocre stuff and thats about it (Attack of the wolf king was garbage). Oh yea, and Deadmau5's 4x4=12

I am so pretend jealous right now.