It’s almost that time again! We’re at the end of 2009, and the old man of ’09 is about to be crushed by the big baby 2010. To say this year has had a bumper crop of great new music would be something of an understatement.

In years past, I have solicited recommendations from readers – for musical suggestions – as the year has progressed, but this year I have waited until now to seek whatever ideas remain of music that should be heard and thrown into the final countdown mix. However, to do that, let me just run the list of contenders by you in no particular order:

Black Crowes – Until the Frost … After the Freeze
Wilco – Wilco
Imogen Heap – Ellipse
Levon Helm – Electric Dirt
Son Volt – (2009)American Central Dust
Bruce Springsteen – Working on a Dream
Dave Matthews Band – Big Whiskey & the Gru Grux King
Bob Dylan – Together Through Life
Band of Skulls – Baby Darling Doll Face Honey
Lyle Lovett – Natural Forces
Muse – The Resistance
Jet – Shaka Rock
Steve Earl – Townes
Slaid Cleaves – Everything You Love Will be Taken Away
U2 – No Line on the Horizon
The Dead Weather – Horehound
Gov’t Mule – By a Thread
Siren City
Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses – Roadhouse Sun

Those that are queued up include:

Cracker – Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey
Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears – Tell ‘em What Your Name Is
Justin Townes Earl – Midnight at the Movies

Speak now or forever hold your iPod. After a good listen to all of these plus your educated recommendations, the rankings will trickle out in countdown style as in years past. If you would be so bold, feel free to pick your favorite via comment. It could make a difference and when the juke box debuts next year, some of the finalists are bound to be in the box.