1. We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed - Los Campesinos!

This angsty little band from Wales does the kind of music that young people have always secretly loved. I think bands like this make music that describes why so many people listen to music. It's a quest for solace and empathy. I don't know why we listen to sad or angry music so much, especially those of us who often feel that way.
Regardless of how utterly depressing this album is, the melodies are great, the beats are good for dancing, and the lyrics are clever. Great album.
Key Tracks: "We are Beautiful, We are Doomed," "Miserabilia," "You'll Need Those Fingers For Crossing."

2. Lucky - Nada Surf

Nada Surf has been making great pop music for over a decade now. While "Popular" was there only real hit, they've worked their way back up through the indie world. This album is them doing what they do best. If you like good, guitar driven rock with beautiful vocals, then you'll like this album.
Key Tracks: "Are You Lightning?" "See These Bones," "Weightless."

3. Accelerate - R.E.M.

R.E.M is one of my top 5 bands of all time, and this album was their return to form after the horribly disappointing Around the Sun. If you've paid attention to R.E.M. in the 90's (and it's a real shame if you tuned out after Automatic For the People), then this album will remind you most of Monster. Lots of "What's the Frequency Kenneth?" type rockers, with the nasty, thick distortion and Michael Stipe's gorgeous growl. If you don't listen to R.E.M, I wouldn't tell you to start here, but this album sounds something like an American version of Oasis's Definitely Maybe. If that doesn't help, it's loud and fun. You'll like it.
Key Tracks: "Sing for the Submarine," "Living Well is the Best Revenge," "Mr. Richards."

4. Distortion - Magnetic Fields

Stephen Merritt doing his thing, but without acoustic instruments. The album's title pretty much gives away the premise - put gross, fuzzy distortion on everything and see what happens. Still, the delightful pop melodies come through and the quirky love/hate songs are all there. If you like Magnetic Fields, you'll like this album.
Key Tracks: "California Girls," "I'll Dream Alone," "The Nun's Litany."

5. Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings - Counting Crows

Reminds me of Accelerate in that it's a lot louder than their last few albums (at least for the first half). But most people who like the Adam Duritz's classic rock obsession will like this album a lot. I'm really partial to Counting Crows, because they got me through a lot of lonely pizza deliveries, but I've liked this album since I heard it. Hasn't gotten worse. It isn't August and Everything After, but then again, what is? On another note, Adam Duritz contains his neurosis pretty well here. Not near as depressing as most of their other stuff.
Key Tracks: "Hanging Tree," "Cowboys," "When I Dream of Michelangelo."

So there you go. There's a little in there for everybody. I've placated the indie crowd, the stoners, the women, and the Gen X-ers. Nothing for the headbangers though (sorry Shrode )

I'll try to release a top 10 list on time at the end of this year, but no guarantees. Given what I've heard so far, I fully expect the new Killers album to jump straight to the top. It's gonna be awesome.