Year 2009 is over yet to call it forgettable would be wrong.

This was the year when the US got its first African-American president in Barack Obama, King of Pop Michael Jackson passed away, and master rapper Francis Magalona left a dent in Pinoy music with his demise.

Then there’s the passing away of former President Cory Aquino who left a ripple that is still felt in local politics today.

And who could forget the rage of typhoon Ondoy? How about those despicable acts in Maguindanao?

Then again, there were good news: Manny Pacquiao won a record seventh title; hard working Efren Peñaflorida was awarded CNN Hero of the Year; and the Eraserheads finally made good on their promise to finish their aborted set. 

Through it all was the music that became the soundtrack of 2009. Manila Bulletin Entertainment Online names here its top albums overall:

Beyonce “I Am Sasha Fierce”

Beyonce finishes with honors in the class of 2009. Her second solo effort proved why she’s the girl most likely to succeed this 2010 and beyond.

Possessing distinct soul & R&B singing voice with matching killer dance moves to boot, Beyonce’s “I Am Sasha Fierce” will be remembered for the singles “If I Were A Boy,” “Halo,” “Broken Hearted Girl,” “Videophone,” and, of course, “Single Ladies.”

Indeed, Beyonce is a real destiny’s child.

Lady Gaga “The Fame”

“Poker Face” may have put the Lady on the map, but it was “Paparazzi” that had people going gaga over Lady Gaga.

Her striking (or shocking) fashion flair perfectly matches her music that epitomizes glamour and decadence at the same time.

“Bad Romance” and all, here’s a fearless forecast: Expect more from Lady Gaga in 2010.

Taylor Swift “Fearless”

Pop-country sweetheart Taylor Swift definitely deserves a place in this list. A singer and songwriter of considerable substance, the pretty 17-year-old established herself as a record chart titan in 2009.

Swift is the complete package armed with bullets that are hard to ignore: “Fifteen,” “Love Story,” “White Horse,” “You Belong With Me,” “Teardrops On My Guitar”…as the Black Eyed Peas puts it, her impact in the last 12 months was one “Boom Boom Pow!”

Black Eyed Peas “The E.N.D.”

It’s a payday Friday and chances are, you’re singing these lines along with the Peas, “I Gotta Feeling…that tonight’s gonna be a good night…”

Considered as 2009’s best party song, it holds the record for having the longest stay at the number one spot at the Billboard’s singles chart. A head-bobbing beat, a driving keyboard riff, will.I.am, Apl De Ap, Taboo, and Fergie and, voila, you know what they say: “Pa-pa-party everyday!” Yeah!

Miley Cyrus “The Time Of Our Lives”

Hannah Montana a.k.a. Miley Cyrus certainly had the time of her life in 2009. A hit movie and a record that is listened to by millions of ‘tweeners---and that’s just in the US (hey, her song wasn’t titled “Party In The U.S.A.” for nothing!).

To be fair, her album has got some pretty decent and catchy pop songs in it: “Time Of Our Lives,” “Talk Is Cheap,” and “The Climb.” These are songs we don’t mind turning the volume up once it comes up on the radio.

Kings Of Leon “Only By The Night”

The Kings Of Leon was a glorified garage rock band before “Only By The Night” became the unexpected hit album of 2009.

It certainly took its sweet time: Released in 2008, the album lingers making Kings Of Leon the new poster boys for authentic soulful and rock and roll tunes. Songs such as “Sex On Fire” and “Use Somebody” show how hot, raw, and unabashed rock and roll should sound.

Jason Mraz “We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.”

Although released in 2008, we really felt Mr. A-Z and this album in 2009 with these two words closing our case: “I’m Yours”

Michael Jackson “This Is It;” “The Essential Michael Jackson;” “Number Ones”

Pop music was dealt a big blow with the death of the King of Pop. His demise only reminded us of how much we loved his music, as proven by the surge in sales of albums after he was “gone too soon.”

We also had a last glimpse of his genius and love via his posthumous concert/rehearsal movie “This Is It.”

We can say it in so many ways but the bottom line is this: there will never be another one like Michael Jackson.

To quote a Facebook friend’s post: “Watching ‘This Is It’ made me realize one thing, that Michael Jackson was ‘the gift.’”  ‘Nuff said.

Or maybe just one last shout-out: Happy New Year!