TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2009
The year's over already? Wow, that was fast. Here's my favorite new stuff that got shoved into my ears this year. Editor's Note: there's a huge huge write-up here, but my personal Top 10 list would probably look like this.
10. The Dodos - "Time to Die" (it's a grower)
9. Phosphorescent - "To Willie" (willie nelson covers -- tear-jerkers & barn-burners alike!)
8. Neon Indian - "Psychic Chasms" (remember that time you left that tape on the front seat of your car & it got all warped?)
7. The xx - "xx" (paint the walls black & lie in bed all day)
6. Japandroids - "Post-Nothing" (burn off that unwanted teen angst with the japandroids air guitar workout!)
5. Diplo X Santogold - "Top Ranking" (are you ready to go out? you are now)
4. jj - "jj n° 2" (a beautiful record about love + loss + drugs + death)
3. Neko Case - "Middle Cyclone" (neko outdoes herself again -- so so beautiful)
2. Grizzly Bear - "Veckatimest" (the bear gits legit)
1. Animal Collective - "Merriweather Post Pavilion" (like "the truman show" set in the forest)
Honorable Mentions
Andrew Bird - "Noble Beast" (liked it, but not as much as past Bird efforts)
Akron/Family - "Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free" (ditto this, but they're amazing live)
Dirty Projectors - "Bitte Orca" (i'm really starting to love this record, problem is i only just wrapped my ears around it for the first time a few weeks ago)
Discovery - "LP" (it's got its share of gems, but not nearly enough great moments throughout)
10. The Dodos - "Time to Die" (it's a grower)
9. Phosphorescent - "To Willie" (willie nelson covers -- tear-jerkers & barn-burners alike!)
8. Neon Indian - "Psychic Chasms" (remember that time you left that tape on the front seat of your car & it got all warped?)
7. The xx - "xx" (paint the walls black & lie in bed all day)
6. Japandroids - "Post-Nothing" (burn off that unwanted teen angst with the japandroids air guitar workout!)
5. Diplo X Santogold - "Top Ranking" (are you ready to go out? you are now)
4. jj - "jj n° 2" (a beautiful record about love + loss + drugs + death)
3. Neko Case - "Middle Cyclone" (neko outdoes herself again -- so so beautiful)
2. Grizzly Bear - "Veckatimest" (the bear gits legit)
1. Animal Collective - "Merriweather Post Pavilion" (like "the truman show" set in the forest)
Honorable Mentions
Andrew Bird - "Noble Beast" (liked it, but not as much as past Bird efforts)
Akron/Family - "Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free" (ditto this, but they're amazing live)
Dirty Projectors - "Bitte Orca" (i'm really starting to love this record, problem is i only just wrapped my ears around it for the first time a few weeks ago)
Discovery - "LP" (it's got its share of gems, but not nearly enough great moments throughout)