2009 Music: Best and Worst
The Ugly
Ghostdini the Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City, Ghostface Killah
-Misogynistic, corny, and just plain bad. In a year when he's arguably at his best, winning Best Supporting Actor on the Raekwon album, Ghost's own album is a joyless travesty. Filled with awful R&B hooks and forgettable lyrics, it's a disc to be avoided in order to preserve Ironman's reputation.
Back on My B.S., Busta Rhymes
-When Busta says he's back on his bullshit, he means he's rapping like he did on his forgettable first album, The Coming. His latest album is a surprising embarrassment, especially on the heels of 2006's The Big Bang (his best album in years), the solid Dillagence mixtape, and a string of recent song-stealing guest appearances. On "Respect My Conglomerate," he holds his own with Lil' Wayne and Jadakiss, but then he turns around and messes with autotune and empty, cheezy, say-nothing tracks, only to provide a glimmer of hope near the end with a beautiful John Legend/Mary J./Jamie Foxx/Common collabo. Inconsistent is an understatement. What happened, Busta?
The Shoulder Shrugs
Blueprint 3, Jay-Z
-Each year, there's a place for Jay-Z in the disappointment box. Once again, Hova sounds lazy over some of the year's best beats, rarely infusing his track with any emotion. We'll keep this spot warm for his next release, though there's always hope that he'll drop another Blueprint or Black Album.
Them Crooked Vultures
-Maybe I'm not enough of a Zep Head (is that even the right name?) to dig the interminable hard rock tracks from John Paul Jones, Dave Grohl, and Josh Homme. Grohl's drumming is outstanding and some of the guitar riffs are super catchy, but it's all too much noise to amount to anything warranting repeat listenings.
Blakroc
-Mos Def, Raekwon, and Q-Tip know what to do with a rock track, but the likes of RZA, Pharoah Monch, Jim Jones, and Jay-Z sound-a-like NOE sound lost over the grimy grooves of the Black Keys. A missed opportunity for sure and one that deserved better collaborators.
The Last Kiss, Jadakiss
-On the heels his instant classic Kiss of Death and a solid DJ Green Lantern mixtape, expectations were high for Jada's latest, especially since he took 4 years to work on it. On his first Roc-a-fella release, the lyrics and raspy voice are there, but the production and hooks come up short. Still, there are some gems, including the token (but solid) back-and-forth with Styles P ("One More Step"), a pair of retrospective tracks ("Things I've Been Through" and "Letter to B.I.G."), and outshining Nas at his own socially-conscious game (the unofficial "Why" sequel, "What If"). There's a lot of promise, but also a lot of fat that needs trimming.
The Good (Soundtrack Edition)
Away We Go
-Alexi Murdoch, you da man.
(500) Days of Summer
-The best indie rock soundtrack since Garden State? Could be.
Fantastic Mr. Fox
-Sure, the Beach Boys and Rolling Stones entries are great, but Burl Ives and the Alexandre Desplat score (filling in for the suddenly long-absent Mark Mothersbaugh) are the real stars.
Inglourious Basterds
-Tarantino's love affair with Ennio Morricone continues, and it's a beautiful relationship.
Adventureland
-Outstanding '80s compilation that far outshines the accompanying "film."
The Almost There
Noble Beast, Andrew Bird
-Came out so long ago that it might as well have been '08. Plenty of bossa nova grooves to love here, plus some Ennio Morricone-inspired moments
The Fall, Norah Jones
-Like all her albums, it's hard to knock, but you wonder how long she can keep up her act.
Til the Casket Drops, Clipse
-Guess the Virginia Beach bros. worked out all the anger from Hell Hath No Fury. A kinder, gentler Clipse is still enjoyable, but where are the top-shelf Neptunes beats on which we've come to rely?
The Crow, Steve Martin
-The name draws you in, but inspired bluegrass instrumentation and production keeps it in your regular rotation.
The Good (Original Album Edition)
10. Relapse, Eminem
-After a 5-year absence, Marshall Mathers' latest is like a bad Faulkner novel: the language and control are so good that it can only be so bad, but compared to his other works, it's clear that he's capable of more. Good thing Relapse 2 is on the horizon, hopefully full of more tracks like the standout "Beautiful."
9. Blackout 2, Method Man & Redman
-The year's (and decade's?) ultimate party album. Somehow, in the last 10 years, Red and Meth collected some of hip-hop's freshest beats, pooled them together with vintage lyrics, and topped the original Blackout. Plus, there's the mystery satisfaction that I may be one of the chanting fans on "Dis Iz 4 All My Smokers."
8. Together Through Life, Bob Dylan
-Another enjoyable chapter in the latest phase of Dylan's career. Every time I think I can see a pattern in his new music, like a talented rapper he switches up his style. The most recent incarnation is heavily influenced by zydeco, prompting several critics to say that the tunes feel ripe for a Mexican bar. It's just Dylan to me, which is more than enough. But even more enjoyable is...
7. Christmas in the Heart, Bob Dylan
-...his Christmas album! Graveling his way through holiday classics (on first listen, Sarah asked who the drunken old man was), Dylan redefines the Christmas album, taking it places it hadn't gone since the Barenaked Ladies' entry, and surpassing even that outstanding effort. Dylan's finest moment? The bijou-infused "Must Be Santa," featuring a memorable bridge that names the reindeer alongside 8 of the past 11 U.S. Presidents, all in rhyming fashion.
6. Davy, Coconut Records
-Jason Schwartzman is closing in on that Renaissance Man title. Sure, he was great as Phantom Planet's drummer and had a nice solo at the end of Slackers, but who knew he was a one man band? On the brief, Beatles-inspired Davy, Schwartzman plays all of the featured instruments and crafts distinctly West Coast melodies with instantly catchy choruses. In addition to memorable turns in Funny People and Fantastic Mr. Fox, it's been quite a year for Max Fischer. Let's hope there's plenty more to come.
5. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, Phoenix
-Impossibly catchy pop-rock from a band who, like the Coneheads, comes from France. Apparently Phoenix has been making quality music for years, waiting to break through, and this album did it for them in a big way. It's simply one solid jam after another, endlessly listenable, layered, and delightful.
4. The Ecstatic, Mos Def
-Regular readers will know my fondness for comeback stories and returns to form. Martin Scorcese's The Departed and Nas' Hip Hop Is Dead were top choices in their respective 2006 categories, and the love continues with Mos Def's long-awaited triumph. His novella of an album presents a worldly Mos, traveling the globe and having a damn good time. After the OK concepts of The New Danger and the unfortunate lack of just about everything (including promotion...or an album cover) on Tru3 Magic, it's wonderful to have Mr. Black on Both Sides back where he belongs.
3. Troubadour, K'naan
-The Somalian native delivers one of the year's best hip-hop albums, spitting fire better than most native English-speaking MCs. Sprinkle in a little Marley here, some metal there, and you've got a clear recipe for success. Perhaps the most versatile man on the mic (other than Mos Def, who appropriately guests along with Chali 2na, Maroon 5's Adam Levine, and Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett), K'naan's fusion of cultures is an engaging musical journey, full of flavor and spirit. It's an album capable of converting even the most stubborn hip-hop hater, which is exactly what the struggling genre needs.
2. Dark Night of the Soul, Sparklehorse + Dangermouse
-Static King (and part-time Hayesville resident) Mark Linkous teams up with Music Industry's Most Wanted (interpret that how you will) for the year's most intriguing album that lives up to the hype. Co-sponsored by David Lynch (yes, that one), the talented pair recruit notable friends, including Wayne Coyne (Flaming Lips), Julian Casablancas (The Strokes), and James Mercer (The Shins), who channel Linkous' lyrics over the sonic landscapes of Mr. Mouse while helping shape the tune with their own unique sounds. It's some of the most impressive music to come around in a long time, which only adds to the shame that it's not more widely distributed. EMI, likely still heated over The Grey Album's uncleared Beatles samples, are blocking the album's official release. NPR still has it streaming in its entirety, but I acquired a download from an undisclosed site and was fortunate enough to snag one of the 5,000 accompanying books, which could apparently turn my $30 investment into a $100+ profit, something I might look into. In the meantime, be sure to look into Dark Night of the Soul. It's a genuine musical experience.
1. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Pt. 2, Raekwon
-Speaking of a return to form (at least in album-length form; he's been a scene-stealer for years), Raekwon takes us in a time machine back to '95 and unleashes the fury that made his debut a hip-hop classic. Everyone involved understands the potential greatness of the project and responds with their best. Jadakiss (the primary mafioso torchbearer), Beanie Sigel (free from prison!), Busta Rhymes (proving that he's not a complete bimbo), and the large majority of the Wu-Tang Clan are all lyrically hungry, while a Who's Who of producers (including Pete Rock, J Dilla, Marley Marl, Dr. Dre, and, naturally, RZA) back them up with absolutely shimmering tracks. But the real stars are Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, each seemingly at the absolute peak of their respective powers. It's the most sonically cohesive hip-hop album in years and ranks among Rip the Jacker, Hip Hop Is Dead, Blueprint, and Speakerboxxx/The Love Below as the decade's finest.
Ghostdini the Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City, Ghostface Killah
-Misogynistic, corny, and just plain bad. In a year when he's arguably at his best, winning Best Supporting Actor on the Raekwon album, Ghost's own album is a joyless travesty. Filled with awful R&B hooks and forgettable lyrics, it's a disc to be avoided in order to preserve Ironman's reputation.
Back on My B.S., Busta Rhymes
-When Busta says he's back on his bullshit, he means he's rapping like he did on his forgettable first album, The Coming. His latest album is a surprising embarrassment, especially on the heels of 2006's The Big Bang (his best album in years), the solid Dillagence mixtape, and a string of recent song-stealing guest appearances. On "Respect My Conglomerate," he holds his own with Lil' Wayne and Jadakiss, but then he turns around and messes with autotune and empty, cheezy, say-nothing tracks, only to provide a glimmer of hope near the end with a beautiful John Legend/Mary J./Jamie Foxx/Common collabo. Inconsistent is an understatement. What happened, Busta?
The Shoulder Shrugs
Blueprint 3, Jay-Z
-Each year, there's a place for Jay-Z in the disappointment box. Once again, Hova sounds lazy over some of the year's best beats, rarely infusing his track with any emotion. We'll keep this spot warm for his next release, though there's always hope that he'll drop another Blueprint or Black Album.
Them Crooked Vultures
-Maybe I'm not enough of a Zep Head (is that even the right name?) to dig the interminable hard rock tracks from John Paul Jones, Dave Grohl, and Josh Homme. Grohl's drumming is outstanding and some of the guitar riffs are super catchy, but it's all too much noise to amount to anything warranting repeat listenings.
Blakroc
-Mos Def, Raekwon, and Q-Tip know what to do with a rock track, but the likes of RZA, Pharoah Monch, Jim Jones, and Jay-Z sound-a-like NOE sound lost over the grimy grooves of the Black Keys. A missed opportunity for sure and one that deserved better collaborators.
The Last Kiss, Jadakiss
-On the heels his instant classic Kiss of Death and a solid DJ Green Lantern mixtape, expectations were high for Jada's latest, especially since he took 4 years to work on it. On his first Roc-a-fella release, the lyrics and raspy voice are there, but the production and hooks come up short. Still, there are some gems, including the token (but solid) back-and-forth with Styles P ("One More Step"), a pair of retrospective tracks ("Things I've Been Through" and "Letter to B.I.G."), and outshining Nas at his own socially-conscious game (the unofficial "Why" sequel, "What If"). There's a lot of promise, but also a lot of fat that needs trimming.
The Good (Soundtrack Edition)
Away We Go
-Alexi Murdoch, you da man.
(500) Days of Summer
-The best indie rock soundtrack since Garden State? Could be.
Fantastic Mr. Fox
-Sure, the Beach Boys and Rolling Stones entries are great, but Burl Ives and the Alexandre Desplat score (filling in for the suddenly long-absent Mark Mothersbaugh) are the real stars.
Inglourious Basterds
-Tarantino's love affair with Ennio Morricone continues, and it's a beautiful relationship.
Adventureland
-Outstanding '80s compilation that far outshines the accompanying "film."
The Almost There
Noble Beast, Andrew Bird
-Came out so long ago that it might as well have been '08. Plenty of bossa nova grooves to love here, plus some Ennio Morricone-inspired moments
The Fall, Norah Jones
-Like all her albums, it's hard to knock, but you wonder how long she can keep up her act.
Til the Casket Drops, Clipse
-Guess the Virginia Beach bros. worked out all the anger from Hell Hath No Fury. A kinder, gentler Clipse is still enjoyable, but where are the top-shelf Neptunes beats on which we've come to rely?
The Crow, Steve Martin
-The name draws you in, but inspired bluegrass instrumentation and production keeps it in your regular rotation.
The Good (Original Album Edition)
10. Relapse, Eminem
-After a 5-year absence, Marshall Mathers' latest is like a bad Faulkner novel: the language and control are so good that it can only be so bad, but compared to his other works, it's clear that he's capable of more. Good thing Relapse 2 is on the horizon, hopefully full of more tracks like the standout "Beautiful."
9. Blackout 2, Method Man & Redman
-The year's (and decade's?) ultimate party album. Somehow, in the last 10 years, Red and Meth collected some of hip-hop's freshest beats, pooled them together with vintage lyrics, and topped the original Blackout. Plus, there's the mystery satisfaction that I may be one of the chanting fans on "Dis Iz 4 All My Smokers."
8. Together Through Life, Bob Dylan
-Another enjoyable chapter in the latest phase of Dylan's career. Every time I think I can see a pattern in his new music, like a talented rapper he switches up his style. The most recent incarnation is heavily influenced by zydeco, prompting several critics to say that the tunes feel ripe for a Mexican bar. It's just Dylan to me, which is more than enough. But even more enjoyable is...
7. Christmas in the Heart, Bob Dylan
-...his Christmas album! Graveling his way through holiday classics (on first listen, Sarah asked who the drunken old man was), Dylan redefines the Christmas album, taking it places it hadn't gone since the Barenaked Ladies' entry, and surpassing even that outstanding effort. Dylan's finest moment? The bijou-infused "Must Be Santa," featuring a memorable bridge that names the reindeer alongside 8 of the past 11 U.S. Presidents, all in rhyming fashion.
6. Davy, Coconut Records
-Jason Schwartzman is closing in on that Renaissance Man title. Sure, he was great as Phantom Planet's drummer and had a nice solo at the end of Slackers, but who knew he was a one man band? On the brief, Beatles-inspired Davy, Schwartzman plays all of the featured instruments and crafts distinctly West Coast melodies with instantly catchy choruses. In addition to memorable turns in Funny People and Fantastic Mr. Fox, it's been quite a year for Max Fischer. Let's hope there's plenty more to come.
5. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, Phoenix
-Impossibly catchy pop-rock from a band who, like the Coneheads, comes from France. Apparently Phoenix has been making quality music for years, waiting to break through, and this album did it for them in a big way. It's simply one solid jam after another, endlessly listenable, layered, and delightful.
4. The Ecstatic, Mos Def
-Regular readers will know my fondness for comeback stories and returns to form. Martin Scorcese's The Departed and Nas' Hip Hop Is Dead were top choices in their respective 2006 categories, and the love continues with Mos Def's long-awaited triumph. His novella of an album presents a worldly Mos, traveling the globe and having a damn good time. After the OK concepts of The New Danger and the unfortunate lack of just about everything (including promotion...or an album cover) on Tru3 Magic, it's wonderful to have Mr. Black on Both Sides back where he belongs.
3. Troubadour, K'naan
-The Somalian native delivers one of the year's best hip-hop albums, spitting fire better than most native English-speaking MCs. Sprinkle in a little Marley here, some metal there, and you've got a clear recipe for success. Perhaps the most versatile man on the mic (other than Mos Def, who appropriately guests along with Chali 2na, Maroon 5's Adam Levine, and Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett), K'naan's fusion of cultures is an engaging musical journey, full of flavor and spirit. It's an album capable of converting even the most stubborn hip-hop hater, which is exactly what the struggling genre needs.
2. Dark Night of the Soul, Sparklehorse + Dangermouse
-Static King (and part-time Hayesville resident) Mark Linkous teams up with Music Industry's Most Wanted (interpret that how you will) for the year's most intriguing album that lives up to the hype. Co-sponsored by David Lynch (yes, that one), the talented pair recruit notable friends, including Wayne Coyne (Flaming Lips), Julian Casablancas (The Strokes), and James Mercer (The Shins), who channel Linkous' lyrics over the sonic landscapes of Mr. Mouse while helping shape the tune with their own unique sounds. It's some of the most impressive music to come around in a long time, which only adds to the shame that it's not more widely distributed. EMI, likely still heated over The Grey Album's uncleared Beatles samples, are blocking the album's official release. NPR still has it streaming in its entirety, but I acquired a download from an undisclosed site and was fortunate enough to snag one of the 5,000 accompanying books, which could apparently turn my $30 investment into a $100+ profit, something I might look into. In the meantime, be sure to look into Dark Night of the Soul. It's a genuine musical experience.
1. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Pt. 2, Raekwon
-Speaking of a return to form (at least in album-length form; he's been a scene-stealer for years), Raekwon takes us in a time machine back to '95 and unleashes the fury that made his debut a hip-hop classic. Everyone involved understands the potential greatness of the project and responds with their best. Jadakiss (the primary mafioso torchbearer), Beanie Sigel (free from prison!), Busta Rhymes (proving that he's not a complete bimbo), and the large majority of the Wu-Tang Clan are all lyrically hungry, while a Who's Who of producers (including Pete Rock, J Dilla, Marley Marl, Dr. Dre, and, naturally, RZA) back them up with absolutely shimmering tracks. But the real stars are Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, each seemingly at the absolute peak of their respective powers. It's the most sonically cohesive hip-hop album in years and ranks among Rip the Jacker, Hip Hop Is Dead, Blueprint, and Speakerboxxx/The Love Below as the decade's finest.