According to iTunes, I added some 300 albums to my library in 2004. Of those released in the past year, these are some of my favorites. You wouldn't go wrong by picking up any one of them.
Best:
 | Arcade Fire Funeral |
| Rilo Kiley More Adventurous |  |
 | Iron & Wine Our Endless Numbered Days |
| Ted Leo & the Pharmacists Shake The Sheets |  |
 | Califone Heron King Blues |
| Franz Ferdinand Franz Ferdinand |  |
 | Modest Mouse Good News For People Who Love Bad News |
| The Streets A Grand Don't Come For Free |  |
 | Brian Wilson Smile |
| Elliot Smith From a Basement on The Hill |  |
Honorable Mentions:
 | Fiery Furnaces Blueberry Boat |
| The Walkmen Bows & Arrows |  |
 | Nas Street's Disicple |
| Air Talkie Walkie |  |
 | Interpol Antics |