In no particular order:

1 Elvis Costello When I Was Cruel (Universal).  Great great disc.  It might actually be my favorite of this year.  He's pissed again and writing some of his best songs ever. Buy this CD

2 The Roots Phrenology (MCA).  It's a shame they take so long between albums, but they always end up being worth the wait. While there's one song I hate, all the rest are good. I'd listen to ? play drums all day. Buy this CD

3 Brad Mehldau Largo (WB).  This is a great jazz disc. Two Beatles songs AND "Paranoid Android?" Sheesh.  Buy this CD

4 Nickel Creek This Side (Sugarhill).  3 virtuoso musicians + 2 years of learning on the road = a bizarrely non-bluegrass bluegrass album with great songwriting and a Pavement cover.  It all makes sense once you listen to it. Buy this CD

5 Aimee Mann Lost in Space (Superego).  Rolling Stone keeps slamming it, but they obviously don't know shit. This is basically a continuation of the sound of her last CD (and the Magnolia soundtrack), which is definitely not a bad thing.  Buy this CD

6 The Rolling Stones 40 Licks (Re-issued by Virgin).  I can't believe I enjoy this as much as I do, but the first disc...well, basically if you think the Strokes and the Hives are the greatest thing since sliced bread, and you don't like this...  Buy this CD

7 Jurassic 5 Power in Numbers (Interscope).  A really good follow up to their debut. It's nice to have good hip-hop that's not done by a bitchy, little white guy.  Buy this CD

8 Rosebud Vespers (self-released).  This Jump, Little Children side project should be in everyone's home. It's jazz, but not really. It's rock, but doesn't rock at all. Well, one song does. But more than anything else, it's mellow.  Buy this CD

9 John Coltrane A Love Supreme (Deluxe Edition) (re-issued by Universal).  I know it's a reissue, but it sounds so much better than it did before. Plus it's packed with so much good new stuff that it's basically all new. One of the all time best jazz records ever.   Buy this CD