Best Rock Albums in 2009, so far

Some good ones listed already. I'd add:

Jeff Beck "Performing This Week"
Don Dixon & The Jump Rabbits "Nu Look"
Alejandro Escovedo "Real Animal"

IMHO, only the Beck record is really notable (he can play a little bit, huh?), but the other two are fun records that disappoint a bit because they just can't quite measure up to the best these guys have done in the past. (I'd say the same about Eno, Wilco and U2.) If you want non-RnR records from RnR(ish) artists, the Van Morrison record and Allen Toussaint's "Bright Mississsippi" combine music and sound quality. The Toussaint is straight jazz/blues, but SQ is off the charts - among the best I own.

Marty

The Wilco album heads in a less experimental direction than where they were a few years ago, but the songs are good, the playing tight, and increasing contributions from guitarist Nels Cline give it a subtle jazzy subtext, reminiscent of Steely Dan in some spots.
To paraphrase Jeff Tweedy, "We thought everyone is ready to laugh with us more. These are just some songs we want everyone to enjoy". In the context of a lighter mood, this is a great summer album! Cheers,
Spencer

The new Sonic Youth is their best in a coon's age, ranking among their very finest records, IMO. Also really like TV On The Radio's new one, which came out earlier in the year.

Bit obsessed with The Airborn Toxic Event, personally.

Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown