Ten overlooked albums of 2009

Don't let these hidden gems pass you by

Did you catch that amazing new album from veteran soul singer Lee Fields? How about these L.A. folk-rock newcomers, Dawes? Or underground hip-hop producer/DJ extraordinaire BK-One? If you missed them, you weren't alone—with more new music coming out than ever before, even some of the best releases can fall through the cracks. Here are 10 albums from 2009 that didn't make most critics' year-end best lists (including ours), but are definitely worth seeking out.—Andy Hermann, Keith N. Dusenberry, Jeff Miller, Matt Rodbard and Scott Thill, Metromix

Related items:

• Best songs of 2009
• Best albums of 2009: our critics' year-end lists
• Best songs of the decade
• Best albums of the decade