2009 Musical year in review
2009 has been the best year of my life. By a long shot. Gabriel's first year in the world has made for a distorted sense of time passing- in some ways faster than ever, and in other ways slower and more involved than ever before. My family has made this year amazing, but 2009 has been made even more delicious as the other things in life I enjoy most have all been sweeter than year's past.
The Crimson Tide went 13-0, winning a SEC championship- without question the most engaging and entertaining season of football I've ever seen. The block against TN! The drive against Auburn! And I was in Atlanta for the dismantling of the University of Tebow Gators.
My gaming experiences (after Chelsea and Gabriel go to bed and while travelling) have been tons of fun. I read some of the best books I've ever read (Song of Ice and Fire series and the First Law trilogy.) And the music... Damn 2009 was an incredible year for music.
This year's 2009 in review CD was the hardest to compile since I started doing this in 05. Several CDs featured multiple tracks worthy of slots, and the when I had dragged and dropped everything I liked into a folder, I had more music than 74 minutes of CD would hold. The elimination process ended up forcing cuts that I would have preferred to keep in- Mastodon's "Oblivion", Computer Club's "Just One Fix Remix", the Yeah Yeah Yeah's and U2 all failing to make the cut. You might read the artists listed for the compilation and accuse me of creating a "1997 retro mix"... 311, Cracker, Smashing Pumpkins, Alice in Chains and Weezer??? Well- I'll admit to buying albums from artists I'm already familiar with more so this year... but there were some tremendous songs from the old school crew. (And I'm a nostalgic old goofball who still longs for a new Ned's Atomic Dustbin album every year.)
I'm happy to burn CDs of the 09 year in review for anyone who would like a copy- just make sure I have your address if you're out of town, or buy me lunch if you're a local!
Here is the list with a few notes containing thoughts on certain selections (track list in no priority order other than trying to have some semblance of flow from track to track.)
1. Cracker "Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out With Me"
I love the line "I'm tired of coding PEARL and tired of VBA... maggot throw your lawbooks away."
2. Weezer "Put Me Back Together"
An honest (albeit emo) power pop gem from an otherwise forgettable Weezer album. I loves the big hooks and synths on top of fuzzed guitars asthetic, and this tune nails it.
3. 311 "Its alright"
I'm probably more receptive to sunshine pumping songs like this one because of Gabriel. A good tune from a band that values musicianship and harmony. 311 is still a one trick horse, but thats alright if you like the trick.
4. Green Day "21st Century Breakdown"
Not even CLOSE to approaching the heights they reached with American Idiot. But this one track shines and maintains some of that American Idiot potency.
5. Morningwood "Addicted"
Tunes about being so stupid over a lover you ink their name onto your body and hate yourself for doing so. I love her voice.
6. Great Northern "Houses"
I love her voice too- smokey, sexy and well constructed tune.
7. The Hold Steady "Atlantic City"
The War Child: Heroes compilation saw a bunch of well established artists choose a young, up and coming band to cover one of their songs. Springstein chose Hold Steady and Atlantic City. While the Beck, TV on the Radio and Lily Allen covers were awesome, this track was instant classic in my book. Great disc to pick up if you haven't already.
8. Built to Spill "Aisle 13"
Love this band. Love this album- start to finish. Another one trick horse, but they still scorch it live and this album doesn't feel stale.
9. Silversun Pickups "Theres No Secrets This Year"
I bought this on a business trip and listened to it 10+ times in a row. I was blindsided by the sound- took me back to groups like Fulflej. Easily one of my top 5 albums for the year, with a bunch of cuts that could've made the 2009 disc.
10. Wilco "Wilco (the song)"
The one track I really embraced from an otherwise "meh" album for me.
11. Imogen Heap "Aha!"
I think Imogen Heap has established herself as one of music's creative, fresh voices. Wonderfully varied in the instrumentation, demonstrates an ear for both high gloss production with understanding of hooks while trying to challenge the listener. Beautiful song, beautiful album.
12. Muse "United States of Eurasia"
Could have easily been let down with this one- I place the bar fairly high for Muse. The album delivered, and is still in heavy rotation for me. Another one that was a tough call.
13. Cursive "Mama, I'm Swollen"
14. Andrew Bird "Fitz and Dizzyspells"
15. The Life and Times "Dull Knives"
I will buy anything Allen Eppley is involved with. It saddens me the album didn't get more recongnition amongst much of the blogosphere- I loved the every ounce of the album.
16. Smashing Pumpkins "FOL"
A sellout. Billy agreed to release this cut as a part of a car commercial for the super bowl. Turns out, it was one of the most "pumpkiny" SP tracks of the last several years. Then again, I really liked Zeitgeist where a lot of people hated it.
17. Alice in Chains "Check my brain"
A hugely succesful return in my opinion. Love the new vocalist. Fans of Dirt should flok to the new release.
18. Them Crooked Vultures "Mind Eraser, No Chaser"
Queens of the Stoneage + Led Zepplin + Foo Fighters... probably my album of the year if I had to pick just one.
19. Megadeth "Dialectic Chaos"
I've never really liked Dave's voice, so Megadeth were an artist I appreciated but failed to fully embrace. This instrumental cut zapped me back to the first time I heard "shred instrumental" with early Vai and the instrumental Metallica cuts like Orion. Technical and powerful.
20. Baroness "A Horse Called Golgatha"
I liked the Mastodon album. Really. But to me, Baroness was the more enjoyable boomy doomy metal album. I loved the riffs and general asthetic of Baroness "Blue Album". This song is just cool as hell.
Comments welcome!
The Crimson Tide went 13-0, winning a SEC championship- without question the most engaging and entertaining season of football I've ever seen. The block against TN! The drive against Auburn! And I was in Atlanta for the dismantling of the University of Tebow Gators.
My gaming experiences (after Chelsea and Gabriel go to bed and while travelling) have been tons of fun. I read some of the best books I've ever read (Song of Ice and Fire series and the First Law trilogy.) And the music... Damn 2009 was an incredible year for music.
This year's 2009 in review CD was the hardest to compile since I started doing this in 05. Several CDs featured multiple tracks worthy of slots, and the when I had dragged and dropped everything I liked into a folder, I had more music than 74 minutes of CD would hold. The elimination process ended up forcing cuts that I would have preferred to keep in- Mastodon's "Oblivion", Computer Club's "Just One Fix Remix", the Yeah Yeah Yeah's and U2 all failing to make the cut. You might read the artists listed for the compilation and accuse me of creating a "1997 retro mix"... 311, Cracker, Smashing Pumpkins, Alice in Chains and Weezer??? Well- I'll admit to buying albums from artists I'm already familiar with more so this year... but there were some tremendous songs from the old school crew. (And I'm a nostalgic old goofball who still longs for a new Ned's Atomic Dustbin album every year.)
I'm happy to burn CDs of the 09 year in review for anyone who would like a copy- just make sure I have your address if you're out of town, or buy me lunch if you're a local!
Here is the list with a few notes containing thoughts on certain selections (track list in no priority order other than trying to have some semblance of flow from track to track.)
1. Cracker "Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out With Me"
I love the line "I'm tired of coding PEARL and tired of VBA... maggot throw your lawbooks away."
2. Weezer "Put Me Back Together"
An honest (albeit emo) power pop gem from an otherwise forgettable Weezer album. I loves the big hooks and synths on top of fuzzed guitars asthetic, and this tune nails it.
3. 311 "Its alright"
I'm probably more receptive to sunshine pumping songs like this one because of Gabriel. A good tune from a band that values musicianship and harmony. 311 is still a one trick horse, but thats alright if you like the trick.
4. Green Day "21st Century Breakdown"
Not even CLOSE to approaching the heights they reached with American Idiot. But this one track shines and maintains some of that American Idiot potency.
5. Morningwood "Addicted"
Tunes about being so stupid over a lover you ink their name onto your body and hate yourself for doing so. I love her voice.
6. Great Northern "Houses"
I love her voice too- smokey, sexy and well constructed tune.
7. The Hold Steady "Atlantic City"
The War Child: Heroes compilation saw a bunch of well established artists choose a young, up and coming band to cover one of their songs. Springstein chose Hold Steady and Atlantic City. While the Beck, TV on the Radio and Lily Allen covers were awesome, this track was instant classic in my book. Great disc to pick up if you haven't already.
8. Built to Spill "Aisle 13"
Love this band. Love this album- start to finish. Another one trick horse, but they still scorch it live and this album doesn't feel stale.
9. Silversun Pickups "Theres No Secrets This Year"
I bought this on a business trip and listened to it 10+ times in a row. I was blindsided by the sound- took me back to groups like Fulflej. Easily one of my top 5 albums for the year, with a bunch of cuts that could've made the 2009 disc.
10. Wilco "Wilco (the song)"
The one track I really embraced from an otherwise "meh" album for me.
11. Imogen Heap "Aha!"
I think Imogen Heap has established herself as one of music's creative, fresh voices. Wonderfully varied in the instrumentation, demonstrates an ear for both high gloss production with understanding of hooks while trying to challenge the listener. Beautiful song, beautiful album.
12. Muse "United States of Eurasia"
Could have easily been let down with this one- I place the bar fairly high for Muse. The album delivered, and is still in heavy rotation for me. Another one that was a tough call.
13. Cursive "Mama, I'm Swollen"
14. Andrew Bird "Fitz and Dizzyspells"
15. The Life and Times "Dull Knives"
I will buy anything Allen Eppley is involved with. It saddens me the album didn't get more recongnition amongst much of the blogosphere- I loved the every ounce of the album.
16. Smashing Pumpkins "FOL"
A sellout. Billy agreed to release this cut as a part of a car commercial for the super bowl. Turns out, it was one of the most "pumpkiny" SP tracks of the last several years. Then again, I really liked Zeitgeist where a lot of people hated it.
17. Alice in Chains "Check my brain"
A hugely succesful return in my opinion. Love the new vocalist. Fans of Dirt should flok to the new release.
18. Them Crooked Vultures "Mind Eraser, No Chaser"
Queens of the Stoneage + Led Zepplin + Foo Fighters... probably my album of the year if I had to pick just one.
19. Megadeth "Dialectic Chaos"
I've never really liked Dave's voice, so Megadeth were an artist I appreciated but failed to fully embrace. This instrumental cut zapped me back to the first time I heard "shred instrumental" with early Vai and the instrumental Metallica cuts like Orion. Technical and powerful.
20. Baroness "A Horse Called Golgatha"
I liked the Mastodon album. Really. But to me, Baroness was the more enjoyable boomy doomy metal album. I loved the riffs and general asthetic of Baroness "Blue Album". This song is just cool as hell.
Comments welcome!