Only things I've heard and liked so far this year:
Dying Fetus - War of Attrition
Finntroll - Ur Jordens Djup
Grave Digger - Liberty or Death
The Klaxons - Myths of the Near Future (really surprised I haven't seen this mentioned at all on this board)
There are quite a few I need to check out. The new Vital Remains, Dark Tranquillity, Type O Negative and maybe the new Nekromantix album for example. I also may need to have a goth cheese session at some point as it seems Tristania, Sirenia, Within Temptation and the Cruxshadows have all released new albums this year. I may well also pick up the new Dimmu Borgir, or at least download it, so I can enjoy their set more at Wacken Open Air (I need to do justice to my 15 year old selfs dreams).
On the Joanna Newsom front, with trained ears, I think its interesting, if you're going to take that road, that my dad, who is a much, much better musician (and a much better trained musician, Grade 8 flotist and pianist no less) fucking loves Joanna Newsom, whilst I can't stand her.