Frampton Comes Alive on SACD and DVD-A. I just reworked my listening room with acoustic treatments, two more subs, and a 90 degree turn of the whole system, and it was a remarkable improvement in an album that I didn't care too much for. Now, one of my top tens.

Either The Black Ghosts or The Presets' Apocalypso.

I wouldn't say it's particularly well-mastered or anything, but I'm really enjoying the Derek Trucks Band album Already Free. The album works really well as a whole, and (as is becoming more rare in this day and age) there isn't a single track I feel the need to skip.

The Beatles' Mono Box! Just as I was giving up on CD sound, this tremendous reissue came out. It was as though I were listening to the boys for the first time—simply fabulous. If you don't believe me, just read what Mikey (analog) Fremer has to say in his review of the Mono Box in trackingangle.com. The Beatles live yesterday, today, and forever.

It's a toss-up between the new Alice in Chains' Black Gives Way to Blue or Megadeth's Endgame. Two absolutely superb recent efforts by these bands.

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble: New York City Live. Simone White: Yakiimo. Sorry, I know it's two choices, but they do very different things for me.

Sunset Rubdown: Dragonslayer

Joe Bonamassa: Live From Nowhere In Particular

Peaches: I Feel Cream. Just because it's hilarious and musical at the same time. Andy Kaufman has found a new muse in heaven....

Alan Gampel: Chopin and Liszt Sonatas

Man Overboard by Ian Hunter. The creative force behind Mott the Hoople, he had disappeared for many years into my "Where are they now?" list. For a musician whose career has spanned four decades, there are a number of low points mixed in with the bright spots. By the early '90s, I had written Ian Hunter off, but he has had a resurgence that is nothing short of amazing. After a hiatus from recording, he has released three albums, beginning with Rant, then Shrunken Heads, and now Man Overboard that could well be the finest of his career. His recent albums are on a par with the new life that Rick Rubin breathed into Johnny Cash—after a number of years of absence, and many more years of very spotty offerings, Ian Hunter is revived in a way that I could never have dreamed possible. It's just amazing material. Each of his most recent three efforts are brilliant codas to a long career.

In 2001, the first album by The Mars Volta renewed my love for music. However, this year there is one stand-out: Part the Second by Maudlin of the Well. Because it is one of the best albums released in 2009 and is available in several formats—the "highest rez" one being 24bit/44.1kHz. Also, because it's a free download with a donate button next to it. That my money goes 100% to the band gives me warm fuzzy feelings inside. And, its not a victim of the loudness wars.

The Beatles' Revolver. I've recently upgraded my system and have been going through the things in my collection that I haven't listened to recently. This one really stands out.

Bach Brandenberg Concertos by Il Gardinio Armiancio and Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier by Angelia Hewitt.

Ry Cooder: Chavez Ravine

Dave Matthews Band's Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King. I never cared much for DMB up to now, but the first single, "Funny the Way It Is," hooked me from the first time I heard it on the radio. And how many songs have a violin any guitar solo? Then I caught the live broadcast from the Beacon Theater on FUSE, and I ordered the CD from Amazon.com right away. And all this despite the fact that I am around twice the age of the average DMB fan. BTW, the sound on BWATGGK is pretty decent for a commercial recording, with a some semblance of a soundstage. Oh yes, and Tim Reynolds' guitar playing really smokes.

Jon Balke and Amina Alaoui have a new recording named Siwan. Jon's recordings are always musical gifts. Siwan, however, is a treasure for the world.

Radiohead:OK Computer

Levon Helm: Electric Dirt. I really love this eclectic-sounding roots record!

Vassilis Tsabropulos & Anja Lechner: Melos

Joe McQueen and Friends: Ten at 86. An IsoMike recording. Fabulous in stereo, fabulous in SACD surround. Really it's just fabulous, and very well recorded to boot.

Gone to Earth. David Sylvian on vinyl Great recording and performance.

Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton: Live From Madison Square Garden. What a performance and wealth of talent. I just don't think Winwood receives the recognition he should for his contributions through the years. And Clapton, what else can be said about this icon?

A year or so ago this happened with Come On Feel The Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens. Can't remember why I bought it, but I listened to it once a day for more than three weeks. Blew me away.

Jeff Beck's Wired. Every time I play it I hear something new, something creative, and the process keeps repeating.

Levon Helm's Electric Dirt, closely followed by Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson's Rattlin' Bones.

Buddy & Julie Miller: Written in Chalk. Superb!

Half Lazy-Half Crazy by Oka out of Australia. Fabulous music.

I'd have to say Melodi Gardot's My One and Only Thrill which, even after months, is still one I reach for when I want to hear some dynamite female vocals.

Black Gives Way to Blue by Alice in Chains.