Of course, this is all my personal taste, and you may very well disagree. If you do, please, comment! Let me know what you think I got right and wrong!
And now, without further ado, the Best Music of 2009!
| Jump to: Top 20 Songs Top 3 Compilation Albums Top 10 Albums Best New Band Best Local Band Best Band |
Top 20 Songs of 2009
20. The Mars Volta – “Cotopaxi”
The 8 song “acoustic” Mars Volta LP Octahedron provided exactly what we’ve come to expect from the band – scatter-brained progressive rock with massive dynamics and screeching vocals. “Cotopaxi” perfectly summarizes the best parts of those attributes.
19. Brand New – “Bought A Bride”
Continuing the trend of The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me, Brand New unleashed harsh vocals and heavy guitars in Daisy. They’re less emo, more hardcore, but still maintaining that ever-depressing edge, and “Bought a Bride” is emblematic of their increasingly iconic sound.
18. Radiohead – “These Are My Twisted Words”
Download “These Are My Twisted Words”
I have to admit, I got caught up in the “Wall of Ice” fiasco – a supposed new Radiohead EP that turned out to be a single track (“These Are My Twisted Words”) combined with over-zealous Radiohead nerdom. The upside of the whole ordeal was new Radiohead music, with brooding ambient distortion over brooding guitars and brooding, echoing vocals, which was a definite highlight of the summer (and very brooding, obviously).
17. Tegan and Sara – “Northshore”
“Northshore” is very clearly the rockiest track of Tegan and Sara’s Sainthood. It may be short, but it packs a punch.
16. Discovery – “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend (Ft. Angel Dreadoorian)”
What could be better than a collaboration between Rostam Batmanglij from Vampire Weekend and Wes Miles from Ra Ra Riot? A track that brings in vocalist Angel Deradoorian of Dirty Projectors. It doesn’t get much better than bubbly electronics mixed with absolutely incredible singing.
15. Smashing Pumpkins – “A Song For A Son”
Download “Song For A Son”
After recruiting a 19-year-old drummer and decking his website out with bright, flowery colors, Billy Corgan finally released a new Smashing Pumpkins track. It’s a powerful song with some classic roots – Pitchfork comments “Think ‘Stairway to Heaven Pt. 2′”. It really is quite epic.
14. Grizzly Bear – “Two Weeks”
Listen to “Two Weeks”
Grizzly Bear is a good example of a band that does nearly everything right, especially in Veckatimest. It may not grab your attention with a cutting edge sound or style, but “Two Weeks” displays the band members’ ample talent and their skill at making beautiful music.
13. John Callaghan – “Phylactery”
Listen to “Phylactery”
Ok, so this is where my list gets a little weird. I’m a big IDM/drum & bass/acid fan, and was thus thoroughly excited by the Warp20 Box Set. It came with a “Recreated” disc with covers of Warp hits by Warp artists. This track was standout on the record (along with the Born Ruffians cover of “Milkman/To Cure A Weakling Child”) – a cover/reinterpretation of a Autechre song with haunting yet beautiful lyrics. I think this is honestly one of the most beautifully crafted songs of the year, if not the past several years.
12. The Big Pink – “Dominos”
Every once in a while a song completely surprises me, and with one listen I’ll get drawn into a band I’d never thought about much before. That’s how I felt about “Dominos” – a fun anthem with charismatic synth worthy of being played on repeat, over and over and over…
11. Paramore – “Looking Up”
What makes “Looking Up” great is not the upbeat sound, the driving rhythm, or the outstanding vocals – all typical of a Paramore track. No, this song is great because (a) it’s Paramore singing about how awesome it is to be a world-famous rock band (which I find hilarious), and thus (b) it’s completely honest. I mean, really, if I were in Paramore, I’d be pretty freaking stoked too.
10. Yeasayer – “Ambling Alp”
Yeah, I know, Odd Blood hasn’t been released yet. But the single “Ambling Alp” was released this year, and thus is definitely eligible for this list. And it’s definitely a great song, complete with fun drums, cool electronics, and thoroughly quirky vocals. Plus a really odd music video.
9. Japandroids – “Young Hearts Spark Fire”
Japandroids write anthems for the youth (read: young adults, i.e. me). I used to dream. Now I worry about dying. I don’t wanna worry about dying. I just wanna worry about those… uh, sunshine girls? Eh, it doesn’t need to make complete sense – it’s invigorating, exciting, and makes me happy to be alive.
8. Passion Pit – “The Reeling”
Let’s get this straight. “Sleepyhead” is honestly a better track than “The Reeling”. But unfortunately it was technically released in 2008 (just don’t tell the DJs that). That aside, “The Reeling” is still an amazing song. Synth-pop at it’s best, and I just can’t get enough of it…
7. The Mary Onettes – “The Disappearance of My Youth”
Listen to a preview of “The Disappearance of My Youth”
The Mary Onettes sound like The Cure mixed with Arcade Fire. And “The Disappearance of My Youth” is, in my opinion, the best track off of their 2009 LP Islands. In keeping with the young adult iconography mentioned above, the theme of youth disappearing is both terrifying and reassuring. And when it sounds like The Cure it doesn’t get much better.
6. Phoenix – “Lisztomania”
Coming in at #6 because of this video. And this one. If Molly Ringwald and the rest of the Breakfast Club get into it, it must be good, right? It’s bouncy, fun, and definitely worthy of dancing to.
5. Clark – “Future Daniel”
Listen to “Future Daniel”
Again, the IDM side of me comes out. Clark’s Totems Flare features a few tracks with singing, which is definitely not his forte. But maximal IDM/electronica certainly is, and he does it best in “Future Daniel”. Best played loud. Really loud. (And please, not on your awful laptop speakers.)
4. Animal Collective – “Brother Sport”
A top music of 2009 list would not be complete without a mention of the darlings of the blogosphere Animal Collective. I have to go against conventional wisdom and choose “Brother Sport” as my favorite song off of Merriweather Post Pavilion (instead of “My Girls”). It’s so quick, so fun, and so easy to end up singing along to. Animal Collective do electronica-infused indie best, and I think their skill is most energetically displayed in “Brother Sport”.
3. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – “Young Adult Friction”
This deserves to be classic shoegaze, held up with the likes of My Bloody Valentine and Jesus and Mary Chain. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart aren’t quite of that caliber yet, but they make a strong case for their talent with “Young Adult Friction” – a poppy interpretation of serious youthful crises surrounded by a distorted wall of guitar.
2. Sunset Rubdown – “Idiot Heart”
“I hope that you die in a decent pair of shoes. You’ve got a lot more walking to where you’re going to.” Spencer Krug can write some great lyrics, and this song is full of them. This carefully crafted six-minute song is thoughtful, powerful, and just simply good.
1. Kings Of Leon – “Use Somebody (Andre Anjos Remix)”
Listen to “Use Somebody (Andre Anjos Remix)”
A remix? At #1? Really? Yes, really. “Use Somebody” was already a great song, and Kings of Leon certainly haven’t seen enough love from this list. But the RAC/Andre Anjos remix takes what was great and perfects it – it softens the coarseness, deepens the sound, and make the song seem ever so significant. Definitely my favorite of the year.
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Top 3 Compilation Albums of 2009
3. CMJ 2009: The Bands, The Music, The City, Vol. 3
Two things make this compilation CD great. First, it features many up-and-coming indie and alternative bands like The Antlers and The Depreciation Guild. It’s a very good way to catch up on and hear more from some of the best new talent in music today. Second, it is available for free on Amazon.
2. Warp20 (Chosen)
If you’ve missed out on the electronic, IDM and drum & bass scene in the past 20 years, this is the CD for you. Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, Squarepusher, Autechre, Clark, Flying Lotus, and many others are all featured on this 25-track 2-CD compilation. The best music by the best artists in the genre. And if electronic music isn’t your thing, Grizzly Bear, Battles, !!! and several others are also on the Warp label and featured in this incredible compilation.
1. Dark Was The Night
There is no way one could question Dark Was The Night as the best compilation of 2009. 31 tracks from the best and brightest in music today: Ben Gibbard, Arcade Fire, Dirty Projectors, Grizzly Bear, Fiest, Bon Iver, Yo La Tengo, My Morning Jacket, Spoon, and Sufjan Stevens, just to name a few. Even better, every track is new and exclusive to the album. If you haven’t heard this CD yet, you can pick it up at darkwasthenight.com. Best yet, all the proceeds go to charity.
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Top 10 Albums of 2009
10. The Dead Weather – Horehound
It is my personal opinion that everything Jack White touches turns to some sort of precious metal. It may not always be not gold, but it certainly is valuable. Horehound continues Jack’s consistent trend in being a part of some of the best rock music.
9. Paramore – Brand New Eyes
The members of Paramore have matured quite a bit. At first Brand New Eyes sounded like the same old Paramore to me, but after flipping back to All We Know is Falling I realized that they’ve come pretty far. Hayley’s singing is stronger and more confident and the instrumental arrangement is more clear and consistent. It may be pop rock, but they do it damn well.
8. The Big Pink – A Brief History Of Love
Yet again, The Big Pink surprised me. I got A Brief History of Love late in the year and was immediately disappointed I hadn’t picked it up sooner. They seamlessly integrate synth-pop and indie rock, producing an album full of fun and catchy tunes.
7. Japandroids – Post-Nothing
This is melodramatic music for people who don’t like melodramatic music. It isn’t Death Cab, Stars or Postal Service – Japandroids don’t paint a rosy picture with bubbly synth and pop sensibilities. Post-Nothing feels rough and raw, and still brings out heartfelt emotion. As I said above, these are anthems for the young, anxious and hopeful.
6. Sunset Rubdown – Dragonslayer
I’ve told so many people that I like Sunset Rubdown only to have them laugh at the name. Ok, yeah, it’s a catchy name (and sounds pretty good, actually), but once you get past it, you get immersed in the sound of Spencer Krug’s intense and poetic Wolf Parade side-project. Every song is a journey (they average over 5 minutes) and a powerful one at that.
5. The Mary Onettes – Islands
You may not have heard of the Swedish band The Mary Onettes, but I can assure you that this album is well worth a listen. It sounds like the lovechild of The Cure and Arcade Fire. Every song sweeps you away to a beautiful space filled with thoughtful lyrics and effect-laden guitars. You may also find yourself back in the 80’s or early 90’s.
4. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Phoenix has been around for a while – they had a track on the 2001 Lost in Translation Soundtrack, released their first LP in 2000 (United), and chose the name Phoenix in 1996! That said, something definitely went right with Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, their 4th LP. It’s been incredibly successful, and has vaulted them (finally) into the US mainstream. And with good reason – it’s absolutely phenomenal.
3. Passion Pit – Manners
This is indie-electronica-pop at its best. Ok, so “indie-electronica-pop” isn’t really a genre name. But it describes exactly what Passion Pit does, and they do it incredibly. The whole album just makes me happy to listen to.
2. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
For a long time I thought that Pitchfork instantly gushed over anything Animal Collective released. Two things shook this stereotype. First, I discovered that Animal Collective’s previous bad work did receive poor reviews from Pitchfork (honestly, please do not ever listen to Danse Manatee). Second, I listened to Merriweather Post Pavilion. It really is that damn good. They really do know how to make creative, new and cutting edge music that is still fun, catchy, and just purely enjoyable.
1. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart top my list for subjective, not objective, reasons. As a critic, I don’t profess to know what is “objectively” the best music of the year, or even what is “objectively” good (though I can wager a guess as to what is objectively bad). And, for me, The Pains of Being Pure At Heart was the best album of the year. It’s lyrically deep but it sounds lightweight; the first few listens will make you happy, while the later listens will make you think and feel. Or, at least, that’s what this album did for me. The best shoegaze in a long while, and the best music of the year, The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart.
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Top 5 Concerts of 2009
5. Japandroids at Great Scott
Japandroids at Great Scott
4. WBRU’s Birthday Bash: Silversun Pickups & Cage the Elephant at Lupo’s
Silversun Pickups at Lupo's
3. The Low Anthem at The Avon
The Low Anthem at The Avon
2. WBRU Holiday Bizarre with Brand New and Manchester Orchestra
Brand New at Lupo's
1. WBRU’s Birthday Bash: Passion Pit at the Black Repertory Theater
Passion Pit at the Black Rep
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Best New Band
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
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Best Local Band
The Low Anthem
The Low Anthem
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Best Band
Passion Pit
Passion Pit
[...] the meantime, be sure to check out the music blog’s picks for the best tracks, albums and artists of 2009. Also, if you’re up, tune in to 95.5 FM at 10:45 this morning to hear our recap of the year [...]
[...] Vancouver was a critic favorite in 2009, especially among bloggers. They made #9 on my list of the Top 20 Songs of 2009 with their song “Young Hearts Spark Fire,” their debut LP Post-Nothing came in at #7 on [...]
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