While Nikki Monninger dons her typical dress, Brian Aubert dresses up for the occasion and throws on a three piece with a tie. The Pickups, thankfully, don’t just stick to tunes from Swoon but take a few tracks from Carnavas as well as play “Kissing Families” from their first EP Pikul.

The performance really is rather good as Aubert doesn’t tone down the vocals for the intimate setting and still blasts out his vocal chords when the occasion calls for it. This is where most bands fall out for me in the unplugged category, the lead singer doesn’t have the band back up that they normally do and can’t hide so they back everything off in order to not take any risks. Aubert let’s everything show and it really ends up making the perfomance for me.

Below are my contenders for album of the year and at this point they are in no particular order. This gives record labels enough time to start buying my influence.

Taking a break from the New Pornographers, Carl Newman, released his long over due  follow up to 2004′s The Slow Wonder. It’s been difficult separating AC Newman from the New Pornographers as Newman takes lead vocals in both acts. So if you’re a fan of one you will more than likely be a fan of the other.

It is a bit of a faux pas to put Barcelona’s Absolutes on the top ten list for 2009 seeing as it is a re-release from 2007 but this is my list so my rules. My only concern with this band is that they are going to turn into the next Fray and end up on all the tween drama shows. Then I’ll have to stop listening and say that they are too main stream for me in order to keep my indie snobbery and that will be a sad day.

I don’t say this very often but Other Lives S/T album is just beautiful music. Definitely not road trip music but it is the perfect soundtrack to a lazy Sunday afternoon. You can watch an intimate live performance over at Hear Ya Sessions.

Mastodon’s Crack The Skye is my surprise album of the year. I am not fond of their previous releases but on their latest release they seemed to have brought the crunch down a little in order to make some great prog-metal.

It’s no secret to anyone that knows me that I am smitten by Silversun Pickup’s Swoon. It has been on continuous play in my car for the past few months and there is no sign of wearing out it’s welcome any time soon.

Loney, Dears’ Dear John was the first album to make the list this year which really ends up putting it at a disadvantage as I have been listening to it the longest so the excitement might wear off by the end of the year.

And we still have some great releases expected through the end of the year from The Dead Weather, Imogen Heap, Muse, Arctic Monkeys and Mew just to name a few.

Check out the videos here.

This album has obviously been on my radar for the last two months and I am happy to say that it was well worth the wait. The Pickups use the same formula of heavily distorted, crunching guitar licks and the whiny (in a good way) voice of Brian Aubert on Swoon as they did on Carnavas but in a more successful, experienced and pleasing way this time around. While Carnavas is a fantastic album and was on my top ten list of 2006, Swoon is a much more well rounded release as a whole.

The album starts off with the signature distorted guitars that are reminiscent of Muse’s Stockhlom Syndrome and doesn’t let up until the final minute. Aubert’s vocals range from the soft and serious to the strained screams that I have come to look forward to in each song. With a track average length of over five minutes, the Pickups use this time wisely and never feel as though the length is pushed or fluffed with filler. Each minute and measure are well thought out and fit to the point that the song wouldn’t be the same without it.

My conclusion of this album is that it will be appearing on my top ten list for 2009 and I will be purchasing it at my earliest convinience and you should too.

I am still on my way through it’s first listen but at the moment the natives are happy.

Warning: If you have epilepsy don’t watch this video.

Before the album release two tracks, Panic Switch and Nice To Know You Work Alone, will be available through a Guitar Hero: World Tour downloadable Track Pack. Don’t even ask me how to get a hold of that.

Unfortunately there is no track list or album cover available yet.