My Top 10 Music Albums of 2009
I have to admit, I wasn't particularly attuned to the musicscape of 2009, and I listened to less music than last year. It was easier, then, to limit the list to 10 particularly favorite albums. As with my top movie list, what follows are personal favorites that had resonated with me at one point. I enjoyed these music immensely; you might have too. The top 10 range from experimental to structured, bright to mellow, loud to quiet, independent (as usual) to mainstream. Just a heads up, I have two albums tied for first place because it was just so hard to debate on the merits and demerits of each album, both having excellent songs performed by excellent singers.
Here they are, in order.
10. To Lose My Life by White Lies
Because I'm a sucker for symphonies, heavy drums, and the synthetic vocals of an Interpol-The Killers meld, this album immediately caught my eyes (or should I say, ears). Emotional without being sappy, heavy but not depressing. Where others find trash in this album, I find treasure.
Songs in particular: Death, To Lose My Life, Nothing to Give
9. Veckatimest by Grizzly Bear
Complex, experimental, disjointed, ethereal, but playful and pleasant to the ear. This was the first time I listened to Grizzly Bear, admittedly. I'm not familiar with their earlier work, though I might be persuaded to acquaint myself with their music in time.
Songs in particular: Two Weeks, Cheerleader, While You Wait for the Others
8. The Blueprint 3 by Jay-Z
Let's just all admit that Jay-Z is a great rapper. Hip-hop isn't exactly my cup of tea, but a couple of listens to this album changed my mind. Concrete jungle where dreams are made of / There's nothing you can't do / These streets will make you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you / Now you're in New York.
Songs in particular: Death of Auto-tune, Empire State of Mind (Part 1), Already Home
7. The Man on the Moon: The End of Day by Kid CuDi
Fusion of electronic music and hip-hop, with great collaborations and solid remixes. This album is a feast for the senses, and greatly complements those moments in life where you just want to kick back and relax. Speaking of which, Kid CuDi admittedly is a user of marijuana, so at least now you know where his music comes from, and/or what's it for, hehe.
Songs in particular: Day n' Nite, Make Her Say, Pursuit of Happiness, Up Up and Away
6. Bitte Orca by Dirty Projectors
If The Man on the Moon enlivens the mood, Bitte Orca disrupts it. It's the weirdest experimental album that I've listened to, and I'm sure this will turn off some of you. But hey, you just got to be patient, let the music in. Surprise yourself with a series of disjointed tunes, listen to it a couple of times, and you might find it enjoyable. Aside, Beyonce's little sister Solange did her version of Stillness is the Move, and it sounds great too.
Songs in particular: Cannibal Resource, Temecula Sunrise, Stillness is the Move
5. Wilco (The Album) by Wilco
Steady, mellow, with catchy hooks and has endless uses for movie trailer and love story movie closing scenes. With a distinct middle-American appeal. The perfect music for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Add a collaboration with my favorite female singer of all time Leslie Feist, and you have sheer genius.
Songs in particular: You Never Know, You and I (feat. Feist), I'll Flight
4. It's Blitz by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Electronic pop-rock, and catchy, revealing a different side of YYYs. Synth takes over much of the album, with some songs bordering on disco, In addition, this album gets my vote for best album art cover. You can just feel the power and the pain.
Songs in particular: Zero, Heads Will Roll, Soft Shock
3. Rules by The Whitest Boy Alive
By now you've noticed that I'm partial to electronic pop-rock music, so it's no surprise that The Whitest Boy Alive lands on my top 10 of 2009. Because you can never go wrong with Erlend Oye. It's chill music at its finest, synths and percussion complementing Erlend Oye's oftentimes whimsical, oftentimes subdued vocals.
Songs in particular: Island, 1517, Keep a Secret
and my two number 1's of the year are:
Battle Studies by John Mayer and Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix
What is John Mayer doing in here? You ask. Despite him being a douche at times (He's like the Kanye West of adult alternative rock), you just got to admit that when he writes music, he writes great music. He performs great music. His lyrics coupled with his guitar skills just capture listeners from the get-go. Battle Studies is especially powerful for me because it is a recollection of his experiences, experiences which a lot of us find relatable. He comes out of this album battle-hardened, full of insight and realization and instantly a lot of people who listen to the album are hooked just like that. Battle Studies is his best album yet, but nothing beats the intensity of his first, Room for Squares.
Songs in particular: Heartbreak Warfare, Half of My Heart, Who Says, All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye
Ah, Phoenix. Who says the French don't know how to make good rock music? Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is the perfect example of an album that's playful, effervescent, that keeps you high and leaves you relaxed and feeling good about the world. Hey, if the French guys made good rock music, then anything's possible, right? These guys are just clearly having fun, and it shows in their music. Which is why I love the album so much. It's not pretentious, it feels epic, the riffs and melodies are infectious and plays out well. The album opens on a solid note with Lisztomania, progresses steadily with 1901 and Fences, but reaches a sudden change of pace with Love Like a Sunset. The album ends equally strong with a bookender in Armistice.
Songs in particular: Girlfriend, 1901, Lisztomania
So there. How about you guys? What were your favorite music of 2009?
Here they are, in order.
10. To Lose My Life by White Lies
Because I'm a sucker for symphonies, heavy drums, and the synthetic vocals of an Interpol-The Killers meld, this album immediately caught my eyes (or should I say, ears). Emotional without being sappy, heavy but not depressing. Where others find trash in this album, I find treasure.
Songs in particular: Death, To Lose My Life, Nothing to Give
9. Veckatimest by Grizzly Bear
Complex, experimental, disjointed, ethereal, but playful and pleasant to the ear. This was the first time I listened to Grizzly Bear, admittedly. I'm not familiar with their earlier work, though I might be persuaded to acquaint myself with their music in time.
Songs in particular: Two Weeks, Cheerleader, While You Wait for the Others
8. The Blueprint 3 by Jay-Z
Let's just all admit that Jay-Z is a great rapper. Hip-hop isn't exactly my cup of tea, but a couple of listens to this album changed my mind. Concrete jungle where dreams are made of / There's nothing you can't do / These streets will make you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you / Now you're in New York.
Songs in particular: Death of Auto-tune, Empire State of Mind (Part 1), Already Home
7. The Man on the Moon: The End of Day by Kid CuDi
Fusion of electronic music and hip-hop, with great collaborations and solid remixes. This album is a feast for the senses, and greatly complements those moments in life where you just want to kick back and relax. Speaking of which, Kid CuDi admittedly is a user of marijuana, so at least now you know where his music comes from, and/or what's it for, hehe.
Songs in particular: Day n' Nite, Make Her Say, Pursuit of Happiness, Up Up and Away
6. Bitte Orca by Dirty Projectors
If The Man on the Moon enlivens the mood, Bitte Orca disrupts it. It's the weirdest experimental album that I've listened to, and I'm sure this will turn off some of you. But hey, you just got to be patient, let the music in. Surprise yourself with a series of disjointed tunes, listen to it a couple of times, and you might find it enjoyable. Aside, Beyonce's little sister Solange did her version of Stillness is the Move, and it sounds great too.
Songs in particular: Cannibal Resource, Temecula Sunrise, Stillness is the Move
5. Wilco (The Album) by Wilco
Steady, mellow, with catchy hooks and has endless uses for movie trailer and love story movie closing scenes. With a distinct middle-American appeal. The perfect music for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Add a collaboration with my favorite female singer of all time Leslie Feist, and you have sheer genius.
Songs in particular: You Never Know, You and I (feat. Feist), I'll Flight
4. It's Blitz by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Electronic pop-rock, and catchy, revealing a different side of YYYs. Synth takes over much of the album, with some songs bordering on disco, In addition, this album gets my vote for best album art cover. You can just feel the power and the pain.
Songs in particular: Zero, Heads Will Roll, Soft Shock
3. Rules by The Whitest Boy Alive
By now you've noticed that I'm partial to electronic pop-rock music, so it's no surprise that The Whitest Boy Alive lands on my top 10 of 2009. Because you can never go wrong with Erlend Oye. It's chill music at its finest, synths and percussion complementing Erlend Oye's oftentimes whimsical, oftentimes subdued vocals.
Songs in particular: Island, 1517, Keep a Secret
and my two number 1's of the year are:
Battle Studies by John Mayer and Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix
What is John Mayer doing in here? You ask. Despite him being a douche at times (He's like the Kanye West of adult alternative rock), you just got to admit that when he writes music, he writes great music. He performs great music. His lyrics coupled with his guitar skills just capture listeners from the get-go. Battle Studies is especially powerful for me because it is a recollection of his experiences, experiences which a lot of us find relatable. He comes out of this album battle-hardened, full of insight and realization and instantly a lot of people who listen to the album are hooked just like that. Battle Studies is his best album yet, but nothing beats the intensity of his first, Room for Squares.
Songs in particular: Heartbreak Warfare, Half of My Heart, Who Says, All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye
Ah, Phoenix. Who says the French don't know how to make good rock music? Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is the perfect example of an album that's playful, effervescent, that keeps you high and leaves you relaxed and feeling good about the world. Hey, if the French guys made good rock music, then anything's possible, right? These guys are just clearly having fun, and it shows in their music. Which is why I love the album so much. It's not pretentious, it feels epic, the riffs and melodies are infectious and plays out well. The album opens on a solid note with Lisztomania, progresses steadily with 1901 and Fences, but reaches a sudden change of pace with Love Like a Sunset. The album ends equally strong with a bookender in Armistice.
Songs in particular: Girlfriend, 1901, Lisztomania
So there. How about you guys? What were your favorite music of 2009?