My 10 Favorite Albums of 2009
I tried ranking these, but couldn’t. My opinions shift too quickly for that: I start with the agonizing decision of which album should be number 1, and slowly work my way through… but by the time I finally get to number 10, I’ve already changed my mind about number 1…
Therefore, I humbly present to you my top 10 albums from 2009, in no particular order.
Note that the headings (the band and album names) are clickable links:
White Rabbits: It’s Frightening
This album is as fresh and sparkly as a cold shizzle on a hot day. Smart, precise, bouyant pop, with an ever-so-slight edge of darkness/anxiety thrown in. The hand of Britt Daniel (who served as producer or engineer or something) is strong on this album, and that’s a good thing — the Spoon touch is perfectly suited to this material.
This performance of the album’s main single, “Percussion Gun,” on David Letterman, is unbelievably tight (in every sense):
*
Sonic Youth: The Eternal
Every time I listen to this album, I’m surprised again by how good it is, and how innovative and interesting it is, given that it’s still the same old Sonic Youth, doing the same old thing. Their songwriting is as good as ever, and the sonic textures that Sonic Youth create are unlike anything else out there. I think it was the Paste review of this album that said, “All these years later, no one does Sonic Youth like Sonic Youth.”
Here’s the video for the first track on the album:
*
Matt the Electrician: Animal Boy
Finally! Matt’s last few albums have seemed unfinished to me. More like demos than completed albums. The songs have been fine, but they just needed a little… more. Doing this new album over an extended period of time, fiddling about in the studio with Mark Addison, experimenting with noises and sounds — horns, percussion, backing vocals of all stripes — all of these elements elevate this album to be one of Matt’s best. Love it.
Here’s Matt performing live on the local news, showing his sweet romantic side:
*
Iron & Wine: Around the Well
These are “b-sides and rarities,” and yet every one is a heartbreaking work of staggering genius. Amazing. As Iron & Wine, Sam Beam’s influence on the whole music industry has been profound: he’s helped usher in a new era of singer-songwriters, all with minimalist, moody introspection on their minds — and this album is another example of why his work is more than good, it’s important.
Here he is, performing with an accompanying vocalist:
*
The Raveonettes: In & Out of Control
Where did this come from? I wrote off the Raveonettes a few years back as utterly useless, so boy, did this album slap me in the face. It’s mature, complex, and surprisingly deep. Since when are the Raveonettes deep?!? Plus, that tasty pop sound that was only fleetingly realized in their earlier work is finally channeled here, to good effect. Every time I listen to it, I find something else I like about it.
Here’s the video of “Last Dance” — not the strongest song on the album, but it’ll do:
*
Ha Ha Tonka: Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South
The first word that comes to mind? Restless. Ha Ha Tonka takes bubblegum and rawk and ozark bluegrass, and spins them in a blender for a while. Out pops an album with as many styles as songs, as many heartfelt portraits as good-time rockers. These guys are terrific. Also, this music translates really well live. Seen them a couple of times, and would happily go again right now.
Here’s them performing live at a radio station’s studio. Awesomeness!
*
The Duckworth Lewis Method: The Duckworth Lewis Method
I’m the only person I know who’s even heard of this album. Description: If XTC did an acoustic concept album about the game of cricket, this would be it. (Yes, it really is a concept album about cricket.) I’m not a person who pays attention to lyrics, so that’s sort of lost on me. Instead, it’s the musical craft that hooks me. Good stuff.
Here’s a perfect showcase of their quirky, good-natured, fun-time sound — and almost sounding like the Beatles here:
*
Dirty Projectors: Bitte Orca
I find this album challenging, engaging, off-putting, captivating, beautiful, and very satisfying… These are studio-heavy, keyboard-rich, quirky songwriter’s songs, performed with layered, criss-crossing, ethereal vocals. The vocals make this album, for me; they are used as instruments, as much as anything, and that’s no easy feat. I had to listen to this a few times before I could even decide whether I liked it; now, I wonder how I ever lived without it.
This song’s a good place to start. Stick with it long enough to heard the bridge at 2:17…
*
The Bird & the Bee: Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future
This is bubblegum, but it’s today’s bubblegum. And it’s good. Imagine the Dave Clark Five, reborn in the late 80′s and making silly records on GarageBand. This would be it. Crisp, melodic, fun, and glittery like a disco ball. At times, it verges on pure electronica, but it’s poppy and playful throughout. Part of the appeal, for me, is that it wears its silliness on its sleeve — how else to explain an ode to one’s childhood crush on David Lee Roth? Put the top down and have some fun!
And speaking of fun:
*
7 Worlds Collide: The Sun Came Out
This is Neil Finn’s new project, and it’s another one that caught me by surprise. I mean, I’ve always kinda liked his work, but only kinda, y’know? A good song here and there, but… This double-disc album is a bunch of collaborations with other artists (like K.T. Tunstall, Jeff Tweedy, Tim Finn, Liam Finn, and Johnny Marr), and even though they’re straight-up singer-songwriter fare, every one of the songs is original and head-turning. I mean that literally — last week, my iPod was on shuffle, and I kept hearing new songs and perking up, going, “Wow, that’s cool. Who is that?” Again and again and again, it was a song from this album…
Here’s a good example (though this one’s more mellow than most of the album):
*
… And, beyond the top 10, some honorable mentions:
Obits: I Blame You
The songwriting is almost too complex at times to be accurately described as “punk,” but that word’s energy is right on target.
Todd Snider: The Excitement Plan
Charming, funny, political, smart, folky. Todd Snider’s the bomb.
Telekinesis: Telekinesis!
Gorgeous, oft-minimalist songwriting from Seattle…
Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses: Roadhouse Sun
Hmm, maybe this one should have been in the top 10. Country rock, as seen through the bottom of a whiskey bottle.
Heartless Bastards: The Mountain
Yay! After their second album, I’d almost lost hope, but the Bastards are back.
The Gourds: Haymaker!
Kinda like that quote about Sonic Youth: All these years later, no one does the Gourds like the Gourds.
Pearl Jam: Backspacer
Who’d a thunk that Pearl Jam still had a great album in them?
…P.S. If you’re one of those haters who says, “All new music sucks!” then you gotta open your ears. 2009 was an amazing year.
