We’re about halfway through 2009 and it’s time for another installment of ALL SCANDINAVIAN’s monthly Top 10@10. So, we had a thought (doesn’t happen often, so we’re running with it): Why not combine the two in this years very first “Best of” list? Brilliant, we thought almost immediately after the first thought struck, so here they are: The 10 Best Albums of 2009… So far! – as heard by us.

Bellman (NO)
Mainly Mute
Built on grandiose arrangements and thunderous noise(-rock) and tied together by his awesome tenor and pop flair Norwegian singer Arne-Johan Rauan aka Bellman impressed with his alternative pop debut at the very beginning of the year. (READ THE REVIEW)

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Dead By April (SE)
Dead By April
With an accomplished blend of metal and pop and their impressive craftsmanship in both songwriting and delivery the radio friendly Dead By April are headed for album charts everywhere with this debut. (READ THE REVIEW)

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Hogni (FO)
Haré! Haré!
Along with his producer James Thomas the Faroese singer/songwriter Hogni (born Høgni Lisberg) has really nailed it with this third album. Ben Harper is a clear influence, but that doesn’t make the dark, funky blues less enticing. His best work yet. (READ THE REVIEW)

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HateSphere (DK)
To The Nines
Danish thrash metal quintet HateSphere’s sixth album kicked our ass back in March with its intense, evil thrash and one of the brightest talents on the scene these years in the just 20 year old master growler, Jonathan “Joller” Albrechtsen. (READ THE REVIEW)

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Jenny Wilson (SE)
Hardships!
Honest, no-bullshit lyrics about the hardships of motherhood and funky, soulful organic R&B have this second solo effort from Swedish pop diva Jenny Wilson enter this halfway hit-list and a serious contender come time for the final Best Of 2009. (READ THE REVIEW)

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Sin Fang Bous (ISL)
Clangour
Also fronting celebrated alt-folk outfit Seabear Icelandic singer/songwriter Sindri Már Sigfússon has kicked off his solo career as Sin Fang Bous with this ambitious debut, elegantly combining elaborate noise with beautiful pop. (READ THE REVIEW)

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Troels Abrahamsen (DK)
WHT
A brilliantly elegant fusion of organic feel and electronic precision see the third – and best – solo album from VETO frontman and producer Troels Abrahamsen (the first under his real name) cementing his position as one of Denmark’s very finest. (READ THE REVIEW)

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Rubik (SF)
Dada Bandits
With an acrobatic fusion of Arcade Fire-like feel, Queen or Sparks theatricality, free flowing Flaming Lips absurdity and topped with the equilibristic aggression of The Mars Volta, Finland’s Rubik have impressed with this second effort. (READ THE REVIEW)

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Jonathan Johansson (SE)
En Hand I Himlen
Said it back in February and sticking with it: This is one of the best albums we’ll hear this year. With a little help from the 1980s Sweden’s Jonathan Johansson have created an achingly marvelous pop album. (READ THE REVIEW)

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Kellermensch (DK)
Kellermensch
These five Danes have moved us like no other band in the first half of 2009 – and their experimental garage metal debut just keeps on growing. Stunningly original, delightfully demonic and plain ol’ brilliant! (READ THE REVIEW)

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