Nine years into the new millenia, quite a lot has happened. Barack Obama becomes the next US president, Noel Gallagher leaves Oasis to (eventually) go solo, and the legendary Michael Jackson passes away at 50 years old. It was also a great year for some great guitar hits! Here's our list of the greatest guitar songs from 2009:

The Ballad of John Henry

Joe Bonamassa

Following 2007’s career-defining Sloe Gin, the pressure was on for JoBo. But he sure delivered, starting with this homage to an African American legend.

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Check My Brains

Alice In Chains

14 years since AIC’s previous release and with vocalist William Duvall replacing the late Layne Staley, Cantrell’s sludgy bends set out the band’s stall for a new era.

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Islands

The XX

This entirely guitar-based pop song has the sweetest clean arpeggios and palm muted 3rds, and not a single strummed chord.

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Wind Eraser, No Chaser

Them Crooked Vultures

Pet Project or Supergroup? Either way, Homme’s angular guitar work set against the powerhouse rhythm section of John Paul Jones and Dave Grohl is genius-like.

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Just Breathe

Pearl Jam

For Pearl Jam’s most iconic songs, you have to look to the band’s 90s material, but Vedder’s fingerpicked ballad marked a return to form.

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Rano Pano

Mogwai

Rano Pano’s sledgehammer riff, played by three guitarists each wielding different flavors of filthy fuzz, is a brutal yet hypnotic assault on the senses.

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