My most-listened-to artists of 2009, via last.fm charts:

1. Neko Case - Obvs. She's the reason I can't just do a straight "top tracks I listened to this year" list, because she is like seven of the top ten. Not only does she win my Artist of the Year, but I recently realized I discovered her in March of 2000, so she's pretty much my Artist of the Decade as well. ♥. Top track: People Got a Lotta Nerve Bonus track: Middle Cyclone


2. Girl Talk - My default high-energy music. Good for cleaning. Top track: Shut the Club Down - Featuring Avril Lavigne, Jay-Z, Aphex Twin, Rod Stewart. Bonus track: Bounce That - Featuring LCD Soundsystem, Stevie Wonder, Britney Spears, Ciara.


3. Fall Out Boy - No irony; I earnestly love their earnestness. Top track: What a Catch, Donnie - The part where they go back and sing all their hits makes my inner 15-year-old ridiculously happy. Bonus track: Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes - Can't count the number of times I drove around town shouting "BOYCOTT LOVE! DETOX JUST TO RETOX!" this year.


4. Mates of State - I wasn't too big on their previous album, Bring It Back, but The Re-Arranger has replaced Team Boo as my favorite MoS album. Top track: The Re-Arranger Bonus track: You Are Free (The Mae Shi Remix) - I like this remix a lot; I haven't heard the original.


5. of Montreal - Really? Huh. Don't remember listening to them that much. Top track: Gronlandic Edit


6. Rufus Wainwright - Top track: Between My Legs Bonus track: Release the Stars - WARNING: These songs are both filled with awesome


7. The Decemberists - I didn't really get into The Hazards of Love, but I still like The Crane Wife. Top track: Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)


8. The New Pornographers - A staple. Top track: Myriad Harbour


9. The Weepies - Can I just say that I really like the Weepies? I mean, obviously I really like every artist in this post. But the Weepies have really grown on me since I first heard them. They're not loud or dancey or even particularly groundbreaking; they're just nice. Top track: Antarctica - I love this song. I always try to read a deeper meaning into the lyrics, which are just about going to Antarctica. I find they can be applied to many life situations.


10. M.I.A. - Top track: Hussel - On my list of songs to choreograph a bellydance to.


11. A.C. Newman - Top track: There Are Maybe Ten or Twelve Bonus track: Prophets


12. Iron & Wine - Top track: Innocent Bones Bonus track: Flightless Bird, American Mouth - Twilight...?

A few favorite songs by artists that don't make the above list:

• Rilo Kiley - The Angels Hung Around - I feared the best and loved the worst, insisted that I go first, watched your eyes as they poured, and I never really loved you more


• fun. - At Least I'm Not As Sad (As I Used to Be) Fun is a lot of fun. I'm glad they're around so I don't mourn the loss of the Format as much.


• Beyoncé - Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) - Still love this. The video, the dancing, the MTV performance, all of it.


• Little Jackie - The World Should Revolve Around Me - Indeed, I too have had a lot of failed relationships.


• Hawksley Workman - The City Is a Drag Some will tell you toughen up / But this old life is all you got / How much insanity can anyone take?

What was everyone's favorite music of 2009? Enjoy the downloads :)