Bitter End by Veer Union
Although acknowledging a very good Try from P!nk and a Christian Rock band called Thousand Foot Krutch that Let the Sparks Fly from what was easily the best album of the year (albeit not one you will find on any of the mainstream lists), Bitter End merits top spot on strength of a never say die message for a year when hope was in such short supply:
Honourable mention:
Try by P!nk
War of Change by Thousand Foot Krutch
Let the Sparks Fly by Thousand Foot Krutch
Somebody that I used to Know by Gotye