19) OKKERVIL RIVER, THE STAND INS

Who releases sequel albums? Only someone whose songs hold up to literary, as well as musical, scrutiny. The Stand Ins -- which follows 2007's The Stage Names -- towers on both counts: Will Sheff's alternately biting and weary stories of doubt and falsity resonate because he slings memorable poetic images ("You won't wait for me in some secluded stand of trees / Some Christmas Eve, some god was kind enough to set aside") wrapped in gorgeously unslick indie pop.