This was an excellent year for melodic rock and indie-alternative pop. I didn’t have time to rank everything, but I did want to make another list for you, these are albums that I’ve enjoyed but I didn’t have time to review. More overlooked gems will be reviewed this week.

• Amiee Mann – Charmer. She’s been making music since the 80’s, and this LP is full of her articulate pop smarts, with a vocal as sweet as ever.
• Nada Surf – The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy. A great melodic indie pop that’s much more upbeat than previous efforts. Takes a few listens, but it sticks with you like those classic REM albums of the 80’s.
• Field Music – Plumb. The band moves away from any single standouts to a landscape of moods and themes on an artistic level. Andy Partridge fans will understand and enjoy this.
• Brendan Benson – What Kind Of World.  Benson has slowly been drifting toward the mainstream indie pop world. More roots rock here, and still melodic. A subdued but worthy addition to ipod.
• Bob Mould – Silver Age.  Too old to rock and roll, too young to die? Nah. Mould returns to his Husker Du and Sugar roots and delivers one of the best hard rock alt. albums of the year.
• Jens Lekman – I Know What Love Isn’t.  One of the best wistful, lovelorn pop albums I’ve heard since Elliot Smith passed on. This is heartbreak that feels honest and cathartic.
• Allo Darlin – Europe.  Reminding me a bit of Tullycraft mixed with Kate Miller-Heidke, this is a great debut and excellent pop in the Belle and Sebastian mode.
• The School – Reading Too Much Into Things Like Everything.  If you liked Allo Darlin, now try to imagine it filtered through Brian Wilson and Brill Building arrangements.

A message from Sunrise Highway musician who says “support indie artists!”