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Feature: Top 5 of 2009 (So Far)

In honor of summer, I've compiled a list of my favorite releases of 2009 thus far. It's quite eclectic, strange and awesome. Check it out below…

The Best of 2009 (So Far):

1. Jim Jones — Pray IV Reign

Jim Jones drops raw fire on Pray IV Reign. His first album for Columbia is so epic that it fells like it should've been made by a rock band. Harlem's favorite young capo bleeds all over every song, and his honesty makes for the year's best hip hop album. "Pulling Me Back" is vitriolic and vicious, while "Let It Out" weaves through the hood with swagger and sheen. The club bangers couldn't be any hotter—bump "This Is For My Bitches" and "Pop Champagne," and you're guaranteed a party. Jones is at his best when he lets the listener inside though. "My My My" is a poignant and painful prayer for a lost homie, while "Rain" soars as Jim laments almost missing his son's birth. Simultaneously serving as vice president of A&R for E1 Music, he could be rap's Gene Simmons—a man whose presence, persona and business savvy equal his musical tenacity. However, Jones is his own man. He's got a whole arsenal of explosive raps ready to burn the whole game down and build it up on his own terms. Don't miss this…

2. Garfunkel & Oates

Garfunkel & Oates should be your new favorite band for a multitude reasons. One, they're funny as Hell. Two, they write hilarious songs with titles like "Sex with Ducks" and "Pregnant Women Are Smug." Three, their YouTube videos are put together better than most TV shows. Four, they're both cool chicks. Five, they've been known to read poems by Ashanti on stage. Actresses Riki Lindhome and Kate Miccuci pen clever, creative and uproarious anthems dissecting daily life, love, pop culture, the pursuit of happiness. Be on the lookout for their debut album, which will hopefully be out soon! The world needs it. Get into Garfunkel & Oates now before all of your cool friends are wearing their t-shirts.

3. Method Man & Redman — Blackout! 2

Method Man and Redman have returned with a hip hop classic. Blackout! 2 is bigger, badder and better than their first collaboration. This is the sequel we've all been waiting for. Hop in the ride with "Mrs. International," and your summer will be off to an amazing start.

4. Devildriver — Pray for Villains

Heavy metal and summer go together like peanut butter and jelly. So thankfully SoCal's Devildriver is releasing their fourth and most fiery album yet. Pray for Villains is epic, dangerous and deadly. Jeff Kendrick and Mike Spreitzer trade riffs and leads that will burn your soul, while John Boecklin's drumming is demonically delicious. Then Jon Miller holds down the guttural bass groove. In the middle of this torrential riff rain, frontman Dez Fafara delivers his own apocalypse now! You may want to shuffle this with Method Man & Redman.

5. Eminem — Relapse (TIE)

He's back, and he's ready to rip pop culture a new asshole again. Marshall Mathers III accomplishes that mission, and drops some of the best songs of his career. Who said relapsing wasn't fun? Hail King Mathers.

5. The Hangover — Soundtrack (TIE)

What are the ingredients for the perfect soundtrack? How about Danzig, Phil Collins, Revolution Mother, Zach Galifianakis, The Donnas and Ed Helms singing about what tigers dream of? The soundtrack is just as amazing as the movie, and that says a lot. It hits harder than Mike Tyson!

What I'm still looking forward to for 2009—Deftones, Steel Panther, Alice In Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Eminem….

—Rick Florino
06.23.09