Year in Review: Favorite Albums of The Year
Hey Music Lovers!
So... this is the big list, my list of Favorite Albums of 2009. It's pretty extensive, from all the genres that I enjoy. This isn't a “Best Of” list, since who am I to call anything better than the other. This is just a list of what like most. Yes, it's silly, but it's also fun and I like lists. So skim through, snag songs, yes, more songs, and if you want to post your own lists, you can throughout the rest of the year. Also, if you want to post anything for the holiday, I will be having my holiday favorites, including playlists, and albums available next week. Again, this has been really fun, hearing everyone's choices and I hope you'll enjoy this.
2009 was a year of reconstruction, one of change and hope. While most of these albums were recorded last year, it was during the age of Obama and a nation and world full of evolution, determined to bring themselves out of the hole that we buried ourselves in with 2008 releases. We went from dank and dreary albums to disco trenched tunes that brightened the skies and gave us a reason to smile. A rebirth of dance music, a reminder that music can be fun again. As much as I enjoy my emo music, I like to laugh and play with my music too.
25.The Beatles Remastered Collection: Yes, this isn't really... new, but it's the Beatles, and for that reason alone, they deserve a spot on the list. It's hard to imagine music today without thinking of this band, knowing that so much wouldn't even exist, from formating to releases to the legends of musicians. Everyone enjoys them, even people who don't particularly like the genre, and if you say you don't like them, you're lying. It's impossible not to like classics songs: “She Loves You” or “I Wanna Hold Your Hand”. Having them presented in this manner, with mono and stereo sound, you can experience their music like they did for the first time. A must for an music fan.
The Fool On The Hill
24.Passion Pit - Manners: For a band that had a mediocre EP, this album release was one of the many disco albums of the year, collectively branching into the indie scene with other veteran artists I'll discuss later. This debut album wasn't necessarily my absolute favorite, but it certainly made me happy throughout, getting lots of play on my speakers during this hot summer. Seeing them at Lollapalooza in August, I finally “got” it. They're a live band, which isn't a bad thing.
To Kingdom Come
23.Dinosaur Jr. - Farm: This is one of the few albums I had neglected to review upon its release, which I regret since I had enjoyed it so much. I have always been a fan of this band, due in large part to the frontman, J Mascis, and his Neil Young-like voice. This album showcases not only his classics vocals, but brings the humor and guitar stylings that made them famous. Not an extraordinary album, but one I let play and never skipped over songs, which for me is a big deal. I tend to skip over songs I don't like. This wasn't one of them.
Friends
22.Neko Case - Middle Cyclone: She's a badass. That's all I can say to describe this woman. I have loved her since high school, being one of the few country singers I enjoy, and this release is just a testament of her ability to bring any listener to their knees, begging for more. I saw her for the first time a few months ago and was just in awe of her. With less rock influences than her previous release, Fox Confessor Brings The Flood, it held poignant moments, very bare and honest. With references to nature, it only made this release more personal.
Fever
21.Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca: On first listen, I wasn't convinces I was listening to the same band that released Rise Above, intrigued by their most cohesive album to date. Songs like “Two Doves” seemed to only go on that tangent that this band had grown and still had more to do.
Stillness is the Move
20.The Antlers - HospiceOne of three concept albums on this list, this one took me the most by surprise. I knew little about the band before this release, going on a recommendation from a friend at school. What was once a whim turned into one of the most played albums for me, constantly revisiting the sorrowful yet uplifting themes of love, death and hope.
Wake
19.Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown: The only complaint I have about this album is the cover. That's where it ends. Not being able to do a proper follow-up to the outstanding, American Idiot, they took an epic love story during the confusing times we live in, one filled of fear and ambush from all sides, and desperate to remain unbroken, especially their hearts. It wasn't as fluent as its predecessor, but certainly left you wanting more.
21 Guns
18.Norah Jones - The Fall: This one was right under the deadline for the list, making me knock off an album in its place. Since its release a few weeks ago, I've played at least twenty times. It's not just her new sound that makes me keep it on repeat, it's how after four albums, these songs seem more related to me. I feel connected to them and find myself singing along. She's found her voice again, and I'm more than willing to listen.
Waiting
17.Bon Iver - Blood Bank EP My favorite new artist of last year, hands down. I would leave For Emma, Forever Ago in my stereo playing for hours without considering changing. I was a relief that I got a second helping only a year later. While the sound is more experimental, it still sounds outstanding. I had the pleasure of seeing and meeting the band twice and not only their music great, its coming from a good place, despite being over the infamous breakup, he can make great music, healed and all.
Woods
16.Fink - Sort of Revolution:I was a little late on this releases, being too absorbed in another album I'll discuss later. However, once I finally got around to hearing it, I found one of my favorite tracks of the year and ever in a long time. Smooth and chill, this album helped me unwind when nothing else would.
Q & A
15.(500) Days Of Summer - Various Artists One of two soundtracks, this is solely on the list for its use of Smiths music. This was my go-to album this summer, despite its less than perfect weather, this album always made the sun shine a little better. With other music from Regina Spektor to Pixies, it has an aura of wonderful music. Love or hate the film, the soundtrack can stand alone proudly.
Us
14.Neil Young - Archives, Vol. 1: If you know me at all, you know that Neil Young is my favorite solo artist. It was between this collection of his other album release, Fork In The Road, but this own out, mostly due to the extent this collection goes to. As a performer, he is one of the few that has touched my soul with words that I understood before I should had. So when I got wind of this volume of collectibles from DVDs to postcards to journals from the road, I knew it was something I couldn't live without. I mainly put him on this list because I have an excuse to talk about him. In short, he's rad as fuck.
Old Man
13.Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - Up From Below: I found this band just skimming the channels and happen to stop on David Letterman. I had heard little things about them through their performance at the South by Southwest Festival from my ex, but never pursued them. With songs that fill your heart with life and vigor, they have a steam engine of power pop and folk that make them just as addicting as they are enduring. One of the best, if not the best new band this year.
Black Water
12.The Big Pink - A Brief History of Love:This is other debut album on my list, it happens to be my favorite new artist. Taking their sound through the streets of London, they have a rawness and energy that has been compared to such legends of The Clash and The Cure, on the same vein as TV on the Radio. Dreamy landscapes and gritty exchanges are their forte. Looking forward to more from them.
Love in Vain
11.Flaming Lips - Embryonic: One of the weirdest releases of this year, it retained to the style of music I had always expected this band to eventually make. As much as I enjoy their pop anthems of the past, I had always hoped that they would revisit the sound that made them underground gods. With songs as spacey as Evil and warped as I Can Be a Frog, it's an album that keeps on giving... you an acid trip.
Convinced Of The Hex
10.Bats For Lashes - Two Suns: One of the sexiest albums of the year, I couldn't fully appreciate it until I witnessed it performed live. Once I saw her jumped around, hearing her siren-like voice calling through the small venue back in April, I was more than ready to fall more in love. It's one of the rare albums where you feel naughty and intellectual listening to. A woman a great talents.
Moon and Moon
9.The Twilight Saga: New Moon - Various Artists: There is no secret. I don't like Twilight. But I did enjoy this soundtrack, which is why I went to see it in the theaters to hear the music in Dolby sound. While the subject manner of the film repels me, the music seemed to form the storyline quite well, giving the public some wonderful original music by today's premier artists including Thom Yorke, my second favorite solo recording artist. While his song was superior, the hidden gems were the indie rockers that finally got some recognition. Another soundtrack where the film is only secondary.
Slow Life
8.Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!: This is hands down the best album cover of the year. So badass. But on that note, this is probably the most disco-esque album on this list. While the band is known for having very dark and intense songs, this one was very poppy and light compared to past releases. Karen O, a master at spectacle, created an atmosphere that is more than alluring.
Shell Shock
7.Yo La Tengo - Popular Songs: My homework music for this past semester, I found these epic arrangements more than relaxing. I have been a fan of this band since my early adolescence, giving me some of my most fondest memories. They're a band I will love forever and this album only reinforced that sentiment.
The Fireside
6.Sonic Youth - The Eternal: Do I really have to explain myself? This release herald as one of their best albums n the last five years continues to amaze me with each listen. It's common knowledge that it takes a few listens to “get” their music, but this one hardly took two. Their best effort since Daydream Nation.
Antenna
5.Wilco - Wilco (The Album): I loved this album so much this year. I think I played it almost more than my top pick, falling in love with these songs. While this isn't an “album”, it's a collection of well-constructed songs that are for song lovers. I still believe in albums, but I have no qualms about ones like these, where shuffle is optional and every song has a story and an end.
Bull Black Nova
4.Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion: One of the most critically acclaimed albums of the year, for me, it's just a crazy trip through intricate pop tunes, cranked into machines and producing sounds that only create images of blowing bubbles and the moon as a disco ball in the sky. It gave listeners hope and broke down the barrier that the dark and gloomy mood leftover from last year. With songs that stay in your head for days while still leaving you breathless, it's no wonder that this album has gotten the attention it has. It's more than deserving.
Also Frightened
3.Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix: Out of all the albums on this list, this one stands out as the only one that every person I can think of enjoyed. No matter what you're preference, the songs can compete with every genre, touching across the charts, even being featured in car commercials without the “poser” status. It's just a great album and everyone else agrees.
Rome
2.Grizzly Bear - Veckatemist: I think you have to be in the mood to enjoy this album as much I did when I finally fell in love with this album. It took about... three months to convince myself that I loved it as much as I do now. It has flaws, but with them, it's easy to see that it can touch someone like it did me. It's a very special album and one I'm glad I found when I did.
Cheerleader
1.The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love: A folk fable. My favorite album in a long time and one of the few I revisited over and over again. Heartbreaking and breathtaking, with sounds that hailed classic rock with poetic beauty that only encourages me to be a devoted fan of this band. Seeing them in October performing this album in full was nothing short of magnificent. If there's any album that I would pick to capture this year, this would be it. An escape to the trails the previous year gave us.
Isn't It A Lovely Night?
Have a great weekend!!!
So... this is the big list, my list of Favorite Albums of 2009. It's pretty extensive, from all the genres that I enjoy. This isn't a “Best Of” list, since who am I to call anything better than the other. This is just a list of what like most. Yes, it's silly, but it's also fun and I like lists. So skim through, snag songs, yes, more songs, and if you want to post your own lists, you can throughout the rest of the year. Also, if you want to post anything for the holiday, I will be having my holiday favorites, including playlists, and albums available next week. Again, this has been really fun, hearing everyone's choices and I hope you'll enjoy this.
2009 was a year of reconstruction, one of change and hope. While most of these albums were recorded last year, it was during the age of Obama and a nation and world full of evolution, determined to bring themselves out of the hole that we buried ourselves in with 2008 releases. We went from dank and dreary albums to disco trenched tunes that brightened the skies and gave us a reason to smile. A rebirth of dance music, a reminder that music can be fun again. As much as I enjoy my emo music, I like to laugh and play with my music too.
25.The Beatles Remastered Collection: Yes, this isn't really... new, but it's the Beatles, and for that reason alone, they deserve a spot on the list. It's hard to imagine music today without thinking of this band, knowing that so much wouldn't even exist, from formating to releases to the legends of musicians. Everyone enjoys them, even people who don't particularly like the genre, and if you say you don't like them, you're lying. It's impossible not to like classics songs: “She Loves You” or “I Wanna Hold Your Hand”. Having them presented in this manner, with mono and stereo sound, you can experience their music like they did for the first time. A must for an music fan.
The Fool On The Hill
24.Passion Pit - Manners: For a band that had a mediocre EP, this album release was one of the many disco albums of the year, collectively branching into the indie scene with other veteran artists I'll discuss later. This debut album wasn't necessarily my absolute favorite, but it certainly made me happy throughout, getting lots of play on my speakers during this hot summer. Seeing them at Lollapalooza in August, I finally “got” it. They're a live band, which isn't a bad thing.
To Kingdom Come
23.Dinosaur Jr. - Farm: This is one of the few albums I had neglected to review upon its release, which I regret since I had enjoyed it so much. I have always been a fan of this band, due in large part to the frontman, J Mascis, and his Neil Young-like voice. This album showcases not only his classics vocals, but brings the humor and guitar stylings that made them famous. Not an extraordinary album, but one I let play and never skipped over songs, which for me is a big deal. I tend to skip over songs I don't like. This wasn't one of them.
Friends
22.Neko Case - Middle Cyclone: She's a badass. That's all I can say to describe this woman. I have loved her since high school, being one of the few country singers I enjoy, and this release is just a testament of her ability to bring any listener to their knees, begging for more. I saw her for the first time a few months ago and was just in awe of her. With less rock influences than her previous release, Fox Confessor Brings The Flood, it held poignant moments, very bare and honest. With references to nature, it only made this release more personal.
Fever
21.Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca: On first listen, I wasn't convinces I was listening to the same band that released Rise Above, intrigued by their most cohesive album to date. Songs like “Two Doves” seemed to only go on that tangent that this band had grown and still had more to do.
Stillness is the Move
20.The Antlers - HospiceOne of three concept albums on this list, this one took me the most by surprise. I knew little about the band before this release, going on a recommendation from a friend at school. What was once a whim turned into one of the most played albums for me, constantly revisiting the sorrowful yet uplifting themes of love, death and hope.
Wake
19.Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown: The only complaint I have about this album is the cover. That's where it ends. Not being able to do a proper follow-up to the outstanding, American Idiot, they took an epic love story during the confusing times we live in, one filled of fear and ambush from all sides, and desperate to remain unbroken, especially their hearts. It wasn't as fluent as its predecessor, but certainly left you wanting more.
21 Guns
18.Norah Jones - The Fall: This one was right under the deadline for the list, making me knock off an album in its place. Since its release a few weeks ago, I've played at least twenty times. It's not just her new sound that makes me keep it on repeat, it's how after four albums, these songs seem more related to me. I feel connected to them and find myself singing along. She's found her voice again, and I'm more than willing to listen.
Waiting
17.Bon Iver - Blood Bank EP My favorite new artist of last year, hands down. I would leave For Emma, Forever Ago in my stereo playing for hours without considering changing. I was a relief that I got a second helping only a year later. While the sound is more experimental, it still sounds outstanding. I had the pleasure of seeing and meeting the band twice and not only their music great, its coming from a good place, despite being over the infamous breakup, he can make great music, healed and all.
Woods
16.Fink - Sort of Revolution:I was a little late on this releases, being too absorbed in another album I'll discuss later. However, once I finally got around to hearing it, I found one of my favorite tracks of the year and ever in a long time. Smooth and chill, this album helped me unwind when nothing else would.
Q & A
15.(500) Days Of Summer - Various Artists One of two soundtracks, this is solely on the list for its use of Smiths music. This was my go-to album this summer, despite its less than perfect weather, this album always made the sun shine a little better. With other music from Regina Spektor to Pixies, it has an aura of wonderful music. Love or hate the film, the soundtrack can stand alone proudly.
Us
14.Neil Young - Archives, Vol. 1: If you know me at all, you know that Neil Young is my favorite solo artist. It was between this collection of his other album release, Fork In The Road, but this own out, mostly due to the extent this collection goes to. As a performer, he is one of the few that has touched my soul with words that I understood before I should had. So when I got wind of this volume of collectibles from DVDs to postcards to journals from the road, I knew it was something I couldn't live without. I mainly put him on this list because I have an excuse to talk about him. In short, he's rad as fuck.
Old Man
13.Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - Up From Below: I found this band just skimming the channels and happen to stop on David Letterman. I had heard little things about them through their performance at the South by Southwest Festival from my ex, but never pursued them. With songs that fill your heart with life and vigor, they have a steam engine of power pop and folk that make them just as addicting as they are enduring. One of the best, if not the best new band this year.
Black Water
12.The Big Pink - A Brief History of Love:This is other debut album on my list, it happens to be my favorite new artist. Taking their sound through the streets of London, they have a rawness and energy that has been compared to such legends of The Clash and The Cure, on the same vein as TV on the Radio. Dreamy landscapes and gritty exchanges are their forte. Looking forward to more from them.
Love in Vain
11.Flaming Lips - Embryonic: One of the weirdest releases of this year, it retained to the style of music I had always expected this band to eventually make. As much as I enjoy their pop anthems of the past, I had always hoped that they would revisit the sound that made them underground gods. With songs as spacey as Evil and warped as I Can Be a Frog, it's an album that keeps on giving... you an acid trip.
Convinced Of The Hex
10.Bats For Lashes - Two Suns: One of the sexiest albums of the year, I couldn't fully appreciate it until I witnessed it performed live. Once I saw her jumped around, hearing her siren-like voice calling through the small venue back in April, I was more than ready to fall more in love. It's one of the rare albums where you feel naughty and intellectual listening to. A woman a great talents.
Moon and Moon
9.The Twilight Saga: New Moon - Various Artists: There is no secret. I don't like Twilight. But I did enjoy this soundtrack, which is why I went to see it in the theaters to hear the music in Dolby sound. While the subject manner of the film repels me, the music seemed to form the storyline quite well, giving the public some wonderful original music by today's premier artists including Thom Yorke, my second favorite solo recording artist. While his song was superior, the hidden gems were the indie rockers that finally got some recognition. Another soundtrack where the film is only secondary.
Slow Life
8.Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!: This is hands down the best album cover of the year. So badass. But on that note, this is probably the most disco-esque album on this list. While the band is known for having very dark and intense songs, this one was very poppy and light compared to past releases. Karen O, a master at spectacle, created an atmosphere that is more than alluring.
Shell Shock
7.Yo La Tengo - Popular Songs: My homework music for this past semester, I found these epic arrangements more than relaxing. I have been a fan of this band since my early adolescence, giving me some of my most fondest memories. They're a band I will love forever and this album only reinforced that sentiment.
The Fireside
6.Sonic Youth - The Eternal: Do I really have to explain myself? This release herald as one of their best albums n the last five years continues to amaze me with each listen. It's common knowledge that it takes a few listens to “get” their music, but this one hardly took two. Their best effort since Daydream Nation.
Antenna
5.Wilco - Wilco (The Album): I loved this album so much this year. I think I played it almost more than my top pick, falling in love with these songs. While this isn't an “album”, it's a collection of well-constructed songs that are for song lovers. I still believe in albums, but I have no qualms about ones like these, where shuffle is optional and every song has a story and an end.
Bull Black Nova
4.Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion: One of the most critically acclaimed albums of the year, for me, it's just a crazy trip through intricate pop tunes, cranked into machines and producing sounds that only create images of blowing bubbles and the moon as a disco ball in the sky. It gave listeners hope and broke down the barrier that the dark and gloomy mood leftover from last year. With songs that stay in your head for days while still leaving you breathless, it's no wonder that this album has gotten the attention it has. It's more than deserving.
Also Frightened
3.Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix: Out of all the albums on this list, this one stands out as the only one that every person I can think of enjoyed. No matter what you're preference, the songs can compete with every genre, touching across the charts, even being featured in car commercials without the “poser” status. It's just a great album and everyone else agrees.
Rome
2.Grizzly Bear - Veckatemist: I think you have to be in the mood to enjoy this album as much I did when I finally fell in love with this album. It took about... three months to convince myself that I loved it as much as I do now. It has flaws, but with them, it's easy to see that it can touch someone like it did me. It's a very special album and one I'm glad I found when I did.
Cheerleader
1.The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love: A folk fable. My favorite album in a long time and one of the few I revisited over and over again. Heartbreaking and breathtaking, with sounds that hailed classic rock with poetic beauty that only encourages me to be a devoted fan of this band. Seeing them in October performing this album in full was nothing short of magnificent. If there's any album that I would pick to capture this year, this would be it. An escape to the trails the previous year gave us.
Isn't It A Lovely Night?
Have a great weekend!!!