The year is winding down, and it's time to list off my favorite three albums of the year. An especially useful list if you receive some iTunes Certificates this Christmas.

Funeral by Arcade Fire was released last year, but it is still an excellent album today. The Arcade Fire are one of the biggest "buzz bands" of the past year, being a favorite of many professional artists. Funeral is a pretty good album, and the bands overall creativity puts this album on my top three list. Did I mention they're Canadian?

Den of Thieves by The Trews is a very basic rock album, but it is executed so well. Every song has a perfect beat and tempo, and considering the lack of other excellent albums this year, it gets my vote. Oh, and they're Canadian as well.

Future Perfect by Autolux is an AMAZING album. I admit, I was not very impressed with Autolux the first time I heard them. But after seeing them live, I adapted a new appreciation for their style. Distorted instruments, hypnotizing vocals, and industrial-like sounds make this album, as well as the band, among my all time favorites. Definitely a must-have.

A very close runner up is Ten Thousand Fists by Disturbed. And no, With Teeth is not among the top three here as I have posted about it many times before.