The Resistance by Muse

If you thought British-based Muse was just another hard rock band, think again. The Resistance by Muse ($10/Amazon, $12/iTunes LP) is the band's fifth studio album, and it doesn't disappoint. Part Queen, part rock opera, part symphony — no joking: the last three songs on the album make up the three parts of "Exogenesis" — this is as ambitious an album as we've heard since Flight of the Knife, and is every bit one of the best of 2009. Opt for the iTunes LP version, and along with videos, lyrics, artwork, and other goodies, you'll also get the nifty visualizer pictured above.