The Best Albums of 2009

2009: A Year Through Music

This year of economic hardship demanded that art, and specifically music, uplift and distract our worried minds. Moreover, with an increase of responsibility and "grown-up-ness" in my life, I looked to music for the balance and perspective in similar and evolving ways. Music released in 2009 represents, on the whole, the continued expansion of the "Indie" music movement which has allowed the artists writing and performing music to be more involved in the editing, producing, and advertising a record. The result is more thoughtful and genuine music.

1. The Top 10 Best Albums of 2009

1. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
The excitement and creativity packed into this 9 song album is stimulating to say the very least. The groove present throughout is an amalgam of Afro pop guitar riffs meshed brilliantly with angelic harmonies of the three lovely female vocalists and has propelled this band to the forefront of the indie music scene. Their use of vocal parts as both a lyrical and percussive instruments has established the Dirty Ps signature style and furthermore, attracted the attention of big names in music (e.g. David Byrne, TV on the Radio, and ?uestlove). The complexity of this album and this band demands patience from a listener. For some of my wayward music friends (i.e. those of your more inclined to the poppy varietals) I ask that you put in the time to really listen to Bitte Orca. This album is anything but background noise, it demands to be heard and felt. This record is great for contemplation as it is great for dancing. For either endeavor, Bitte Orca is consistently the most beautiful and intriguing album I have heard this year.
Noteworthy tracks: Stillness is the Move, No Intention, Remade Horizon, Two Doves

2. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
The latest from the Panda Bear, Avey Tare, et. al is their most tangible and grounded album to date. Grounded because it calls upon more conventional melodies and even pop choruses, where past endeavors from this crew have tipped the "weird scale" and left listeners confused and/or unable to fully access or appreciate the music. Unlike their previous albums, MPP uplifts the band's complexity and the layers of sounds producing a feeling of euphoria throughout this entire record. From the first track, In the Flowers, the album inspires a feeling of hope, a belief in something bigger than yourself and the comfort we all can discover by being humbled. The underlying story told throughout is that we ought live a thoughtful and intentional life, be present with those we love, and respect the earth. With each listen the album continues to reveal more of itself and a new overwhelming flood of goose bumps.
Great songs: In the Flowers, My Girls, Brother Sport, Summertime Clothes

3. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
This album swept me off my feet. As an appreciator of Grizzly Bear for years, I was waiting for something to push me over the edge of full-fledged love for these gents. And if this acapella version of The Knife wasn't enough a nudge, Veckatimest was a welcomed shove. I love this record because it explores the beauty that emerges from dark sound. The vocal lines soar high through this album and at times the layered harmonies (I'm sensing a theme...) are subtly reminiscent of Brian Wilson and his "beachy" brothers. This album is perfect listen for a walk through a busy downtown or a scenic nature walk.

Good Ones to Hear: Two Weeks, Southern Point, Foreground

4. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
With pep, vim and verve - zing, zip and ginger! this album stands as some of the most groovy and creative indie pop albums I've ever heard. Many of you have become familiar with their single 1901 in the latest Cadillac commercial, which is just the beginning of the genius this album possesses. Like Passion Pit, Phoenix gives me hope that not all is lost with pop music. Add heavy rock drumming, catchy guitar licks, and a seemless falsetto at the helm and you have a brilliant band.

Hot Spots: 1901, Lisztomania, Love Like A Sunset Part I & II, Rome

5. Kings of Convenience - Declaration of Dependence
I have been waiting for a new album from these Norsk joke-sters since I first gobbled up Quiet is the New Loud & Riot on Empty Streets (Thanks Dhue). With his solo success and side project The Whitest Boy Alive, I believe that Erlend Øye (lead singer and song writer for KoC) is one of the most creative and respected contemporary musicians. This album has helped further the apt comparison of Kings to this generation's Simon and Garfunkel. The simple melodies and flowing harmonies make DoD the most delightful, simple, and beautiful music of this year. It was worth the wait, this is the duo's best effort to date.
Easy listening: Boat Behind, Mrs. Cold, Renegade

6. Passion Pit - Manners
Self-described by the lead singer as a "thoughtful pop music" this album is just that. It is joyful, it is captivating, it makes you gotta gotta get up to get down! This album offers something for every occasion. The falsetto of every vocal line paired with the numerous keyboards, and rock beats drive this record to your heart and booty. This album is what pop music ought to sound and feel like (i.e. far more evocative than the pop tripe of Owl City or She Who Musn't Be Named [Lady Gaga]. Passion Pit has hit the scene strong with their first full length album, and they are here to stay!
Dope Beats: Little Secrets, Sleepyhead, The Reeling, Make Light

7. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz

Taking a turn toward the more mellow It's Blitz allowed the YYYs to explore a more minimalist sound thus showcasing the haunting beauty of Karen O's voice. For those of you who enjoyed her brilliant balladeering on the Where the Wild Things Are Soundtrack, It's Blitz will hit you in the heart. With a song like Heads Will Roll however, it is evident that YYY's penchant for the heavy-beat, guitar-riffin' and sexual-charged dance track is still ever-present in their music. This album overall represents a positive shift in the YYYs sound and demonstrates a maturity that assures them a place in the music spotlight for years to come.

Blitzy Titzy: Heads Will Roll (and the litany of remixes that followed), Hysteric, Skeletons, Zero

8. Dark Was The Night - A Red Hot Compilation

A brilliant project that all of you should look into. This album was coordinated by the guys from the band the National. The album can be summed up by the following: "get a bunch of dope indie musicians together and have them record unknown/B-sides to raise money for AIDS. The tracks include rarities, B-sides, and covers from artists ranging from Sufjan Stevens to Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings to
Red Hot Tunes: The Books w/ Jose Gonzalez - Cello Song; Dirty Projectors w/ David Byrne - Knotty Pine; Leslie Feist and Ben Gibbard - Train Song; Conor Oberst & Gillian Welch - Lua

9. The Decemberists - Hazards of Love

I have still only heard this epic tale in an All Songs Considered podcast recorded at SXSW 2009 where the Decemberists debuted this album in its entirety staged like a musical play. I have not needed the crisp and clean studio version to sell me on the genius of this album. At times Hazards is reminiscent of Crane Wife and flows onward with powerful storytelling this band is known for. I am sure someday I will have a listen to the studio cut, but in the meantime this live concert stands as an innovative and epic masterpiece.

10. Andrew Bird - Noble Beast
With few creative rivals, this man's genius was only recently realized for me as I watched his Austin City Limits performance on PBS. Weather it is plucking his violin like a banjo, whistling a 3-part harmony loop, or his combination of insightful lyrics and and a hauntingly beautiful voice, Andrew Bird is one of the most innovative musicians today. This album, although not as epic as Armchair Apocrypha, is nonetheless, pretty effin sweet.
Beast's Besties: Effigy, Anonanimal, Oh No, Fitz and Dizzyspells

i. Noteworthy Records/Honorable Mentions
Neko Case - Middle Cyclone

Dave Matthews Band - Big Whiskey & The Groogrux King
Givers - EP
Iron & Wine - Around the Well
Bon Iver - Blood Bank EP
Regina Spektor - Far
Volcano Choir - Unmap (Justin Vernon's (Bon Iver) new side project)
Mountain Goats - The Life of the World to Come
Jay-Z - The Blueprint III
St. Vincent - Actor
Brooke Waggoner - Go Easy Little Doves

Doves - Kingdom of Rust
Swell Season - Strict Joy


ii. "Good Stuff" I didn't get to: In the words of Analrapist Dr. Tobias Fünke, these albums had lots of "talk around the water cooler" in 2009, but I was unable able to give them a full listen. "God if I hear another thing about that Low Anthem I am gonna scream!"

The xx- xx
Monsters of Folk - Monsters of Folk
The Low Anthem - Oh My God, Charlie Darwin
Lily Allen - It's not me, it's you
Tegan & Sara - Sainthood
The Dead Weather - Horehound