Best Rock Albums in 2009, so far

Son Volt American Central Dust. I was never much of an Uncle Tupelo fan, enjoyed Gob Iron, but the band has really matured with the latest Son Volt. This a straight line back to '70s Neil Young ballads with occasional inflections toward the Byrds. Excellent SQ on Rounder LP after a hosing on the RCM.

Phoenix - Lisztomania

If this doesn't get you up in the morning you are in a coma!

Neal

I've really enjoyed Bat for Lashes "Two Suns" and Clutch "Strange Cousins from the West". For those who are not familiar, they are nothing alike. Nothing.

The new Wilco is good, and better than the last few Wilco releases, but I don't "crave" it like I did YHF. It's still worth picking up, for sure. I really liked that artsy sonic thread that wove through each of the tracks of YHF. Every Wilco album before and each one after has felt like a collection of songs. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I'm the kind of just that likes the journey just as much as each of the destinations. Just my opinion, and given the passion of Wilco fans, I'm probably part of a small minority.

I was disappointed with the Wilco album. I just got the new Magnolia electric Co. album call "Josaphine" I think it's really good, but I like everything Jason Molina has ever done.

As a few others have mentioned, Dan Auerbach "Keep It Hid" is excellent.

I will add the following recommendations that I did not catch above.

Patterson Hood "Murdering Oscar"
Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears "Tell 'Em What Your Name Is!"
Deer Tick "Born on Flag Day"
Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit self-titled
Mastodon "Crack the Skye" (if you dig metal)