It’s that time of year. Time to look forward to the holidays, some much needed time off, and the promise of what the new year holds. As we start to look forward, we also need to look back at the year that was. 2009 was an interesting year on a lot of levels. From the horrible economy to the amazing run the US had in the Confederations Cup, 2009 has been up and down on more levels than we can ever touch on. But we’ll give it a try.

We’ve decided to take a look back and see what some of our favorite things were from 2009. You may or may not agree with our choices…but that’s cool. Individuality will always reign supreme in these parts.

So before we get cracking on the year ahead, let’s take a look back. Hit the jump for the crew’s picks for album of the year.

FC Uptown: Michael Jackson’s Number One’s

Although not a new release, for me the album of the year was Michael Jackson’s Number Ones.   Like a lot of people, I listened to all the songs over again upon his passing, even the ones I didn’t really like the first time around.  The last minute of “Man in the Mirror” was a refound discovery for me.  I listened to that over and over while running in Memorial Park when I moved to Texas from Ohio.  It was a really tough time, starting over in a new place.  That song really worked on me, especially the end.  “Lift yourself…”  Very heavy.

Dunny: Black Keys- Attack & Release

I’ll admit it, I’m an emotionally music listener and I know exactly why.  When I was traveling all over the world to play the game, whether I was drained or excited, my music (back then it meant traveling through airports with a crazy amount of cd’s that barely left any room for the laptop in my backpack) was THE place I turned.  And although it was technically released back in 2008, The Black Keys – Attack and Release was my main reach during 2009.  With drops like “Psychotic Girl” to mashing up with Jim Jones x Raekwon x Many More to create BlakRoc, these were the dudes that got me through many a SkyMiles and long nights.

isps: Rick Ross – Deeper Than Rap

People that know me, know that I pretty much like to keep things as simple as possible in life, and looking back at the end of this year, when I take an inventory of things that I consider the best music of 09, I have to go with Ricky Ross’s Deeper than Rap. There are albums and mixtapes that did more for music this year, there were collabs that I reeeally dug, as well as new artist that popped up with outstanding debut efforts, but DTR was what I worked out to, its on deck in my g-ride, and more than one song is on more than a few playlists I made this year.

Early on it is easy to write off this effort as just another “luxury brand heavy/I’ve got more money than you do/I still sell dope and the feds are after me” type of records and on many levels it still is that (3 of 17 songs). But maybe RR is just a better salesman than the hundreds of other rappers in the game, because there are only a handful of artists that can paint a picture better than the Triple C’s front man. If you are like me, and you appreciate rap for what it is because you realize that 99% of these dudes aren’t their persona and they are just telling stories, you have to like Ross. His videos take you somewhere you want to be, his voice and cadence is one of the best in a long while and he seems to be getting better with every album.

beans: Mos Def – The Ecstatic

This was definitely a hot album, and it came at a time that was crucial for Mos def in his music career. As far as I’m concerned, music is at it’s best when the content and the moment come together at the right time. This album represented that for me, and I think if you asked Mos Def, he would say the same thing in terms of his music career. Timing is a…

Plus, I heard him talk about what an ecstatic means to him..people that made big changes and did things their own way. Basically cats that went against the grain, had an impact on society, but that ultimately did things their way. That resonated with me in a big way.

JP:U2 – No Line On The Horizon

I love some of the songs on No Line On The Horizon. Magnificent, Breathe, I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight, Moment of Surrender, are all great songs. I just love U2 in general. Their ability to inspire and be a world band and organization at the same time is admirable. I love their message as a group and all of the humanitarian stuff that Bono has done. I also love their music!!

Tonus: Incubus – Monuments and Melodies

There were a ton of great albums and singles out this year however I’m going to have to go with my trusted folks at Incubus.  Even though many of the songs on this gigantic album (27 songs) were from their past, the collaboration of new material like “Black Heart Inertia,” and “Midnight Swim,” shows what’s in store in the future from these guys.  Also seeing them in concert this summer and realizing how much passion these guys have for their music; two new songs were good enough for me to solidify album of the year.

Argie: DJ Tiesto – Kaleidoscope

Perfect blend of house, funk, trance, and sundrenched beats.