Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Best Albums of '09

Hey folks...here we go....

In no particular order.

1. Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears - Tell 'em What Your Name Is

Fun, fun, fun. This reminds me of James Brown at his peak. But this is a little tighter and smarter. I cant remember the last album that had the parental advisory notice. Its silly to have it, but intriguing at the same time. I'm Broke is the single but I think every song is masterful. Especially the last which shows me they are probably AMAZING live.



2. Pearl Jam - Backspacer

Disclaimer: I'm a fanboy. I enjoy their music more than anything and it has a personal connection for me. This album is a critical success never mind commercially because the record industry is in shambles. They manage to show the breadth of their abilities and range with this album and its another solid output from the crew. Also, they were the last performance at the Spectrum...EVER. I was there. Best concert ever?



3. Matt & Kim - Grand

Wonderfully upbeat and poppy and driven. I dare you to listen to this duo and not smile. Upbeat hipsterism that excels past its trappings.



4. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion

This is a critical darling which is on the top of TONS of top ten lists. It is not an accessible album at all but if you have patience and time you willl find one of the most experimental, daring and complex albums of the year.



5. Florence and the Machines - Lungs

This might be my favorite. Florence Welch is the artist and the machine is whomever is backing her at that given moment. This music is all her. I really don't know what to say about this album yet as its sweet, aggressive, and I haven't soaked in the entire album as of yet. Here; just listen to the single:



6. Emiliana Torrini -

Ive included my favorite song of the album but this does not indicate the mood and pacing of this terrific offering. Its sullen, moody, bittersweet and swooning. I've shown her on here before and I suggest you listen to the whole album for free on Lala.com



7. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!

Karen O, the lead singer is a darling of most other musicians. The single below is electronic, riot-y, and toe-tapping. Another album she did this year was Karen O and the Kids soundtrack for Where the Wild Things are which is uplifting and unique.



8. Major Lazer - Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do

Weird. Weird. Weird. People wont like this. Noisy. Reggae. Rap. Pornographic. Auditory assault. The videos get even crazier. Included is the most tame.

Amazing.



9. Mistabishi - Drop

An electronic dynamo that drops the thwomp like no other. I hate when people use the word "drop", Like, "My new album drops....". I have been getting into noise as music lately and this guy from England is doing it like none other. He's very unknown. The below is called Printer Jam. Its one of my favorite tracks from this year.

DROP.




10. Tie - The Dead Weather & Them Crooked Vultures

Albums from two supergroups that sound like the music from the most dynamic artist in the group. If you like the White Stripes or Queens of the Stone Age - and I do - you will be interested in these.

Disappointments - These are artists that I was excited about their releases that kind of fell flat or flatout sucked. Agree or disagree...just sayin'

Dave Matthews Band
Eminem
The Decemberists
Monsters of Folk - Supergroup that I felt wasnt super
Silversun Pickups - I felt they could do better
Owl City - This is seriously the worst album ever made. EVER.

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LINKS
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Phew. Large Post.
-- WANT ONE.
-- Simple and brilliant.
-- Nice film.
-- Whoa.
-- Hysterical and correct.
-- Morgan Freeman rules the world.
-- All MST3K episodes online for free.
-- Amazing sand sculpture.
-- Want one.
-- BEER?
-- Al Sharpton is a moron.
-- Millennium Falcon bed.
-- These are beautiful.
-- Pokemon is the devil.
-- Whats the point?
-- Hmmm....Im curious...
-- I love the Muppets.
-- More Muppets.
-- Om NOM NOM.
-- Funny phone call.
-- Sooooo true.
-- Beautiful.
-- Rock band name origins.
-- Incredible musicians.
-- Want ONE.
-- Octopi are smart.
-- Lots of cute in this post.
-- The Known Universe.
-- These guys are incredible performers/artists.