Here is a list of what I consider to be the
Best
Albums Of 2009. Now I didn't have the means to purchase all
of the albums I wanted to hear this last year. So if you feel like an
album is missing from the list, it could quite very well be because I
never even heard it. With all that being said please look over the list. I
hope I influence you to maybe check out one or two of these albums. All
great in their own way....enjoy!
1. Phoenix- Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Phoenix is one of those pop bands that
go un-noticed for a long time and after awhile of writing good album after
good album. They finally get
recognized. Sure, maybe it took their
best album to do it. But who cares at least they finally reached the top of
the mountain. This is a band that has become better with each and every
album. "1901" is easily my favorite
dance track of 2009. If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and pick
this album up.
(1901)
2. U2- No Line On The Horizon
I'm one among many that always anticipate each new U2 album. The layoff
between albums is always so tiring. So once the actual release date arrives.
It's greeted with great relief on my part. One thing I have grown to like
about the band is that with each new album they usually mix things up. And
with each new album comes a different style and a different sound. Well this
time around unlike the last two albums "All
That You Can't Leave Behind" and "How
To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" which were U2 by the numbers. Good but
basic affairs which didn't take U2's sound to any new heights. This time
around they seemed to come up with a bit of a retread again. With this new
one sounding like a bit of "Actung Baby"
and "Pop." No new song structures
or anything really diverse with different sounds. Musically we've already
heard all this before. Which is fine considering they have probably already
headed into the twilight of their career.
(Magnificent)
3. Paper Route- Absence
Absence, is a refreshing and downright awesome recording. Easily one of my most listened albums of the year. I played the snot out of this one. It's an atmospheric electronic assault. In the vein of MuteMath and Postal Service. The band has well written songs and the way the band blends their vocals, samples, and instrumentation is pretty darn good. this is one album that will remain in constant rotation for years to come.
(Wish)
4. Doves- Kingdom Of Rust
I was turned
onto Doves from an ex-love interest.
Which was easily the best thing she ever gave me. Their fourth effort,
Kingdom of Rust is an ambitious and
diverse collection of work. They
returned to what they do best: bleak, personal, guitar driven pop tunes.
Kingdom of Rust might bnot be on the
level of their 2005 release Some Cities.
As good as this album is it's still a letdown because it can't reach the
heights of the always compared to
Coldplay. They still don't have a
knack for writing
great memorable epic songs like a few of their peers.
(Jetstream)
5. Dinosaur Jr.- Farm
I've been a big fan of
Dinosaur jr. since the early 90's.They are one of those bands that casual
music fans don't usual like. Probably too much noisy guitar. They broke up
in the late 90's. It was to be understood that they would never get back
together. Well they reformed and released a new album in 2007,
"Beyond." Which achieved a lot of
positive critical acclaim. But for some reason I could never really get into
it. So when I heard they were release another album, I wasn't too excited. I
figured they had lost what they had back in their heyday. But I was wrong.
This effort sounds just like their "old school." sound. So yes I approve,
job well done Dinosaur Jr.
(Pieces)
6. Richard Swift- The Atlantic Ocean
Richard Swift is one of those obvious
talents. Who has a knack for writing catchy tunes that go down like a
smoothie. The songs have a nice old
school retro feel to them, like all of his work. Recorded in various
studios, including Chicago's famed
Wilco loft, the album has a warm,
comprehensive sound.
The Atlantic Ocean
just might be his most solid effort to date. (The
Atlantic Ocean)
7. Mumford & Sons- Sigh No More
Mumford and Sons is a refreshing break
from all the disingenuous, manufactured music that has become the norm for
our modern day, spoon fed society. Acoustic instrumentation, passionate
delivery, and tangible lyrics, afford the listener an easy connection to the
music. Mumford and Sons' sound is an organic blend of old world, Celtic
rhythms married with sophisticated acoustic progressions and empathetic
humanistic themes, delivered by highly competent musicians. This album is a
must have for the serious, eclectic music enthusiast. Highly recommended!.
(Winter
Winds)
So here we
are, almost 20 years after the release of
Ten, and Pearl Jam are back at it
again. Many people have fallen away over the years. Stopped paying attention
to Pearl Jam. Me, not being one of
them. I followed their career every step of the way.
So I think it's natural for me to feel like I can give a pretty accurate
account of how good this album really is.
In an honest
point of view I can easily say at least 3 of the songs on this album are
among the best tunes they have ever written. Is this their best album? No,
not even in their top 3. But it's pretty darn good. And for those that have
fallen off the band wagon, I think it's the perfect album to reintroduce
yourself to one of the best rock bands around.
(Unthought
Known)
9. David Bazan- Curse Your Branches
I've been following
Bazan's career ever since he was the
head of
Pedro The Lion.
With every album comes an interesting grouping of stories. This one is
no different. Bazan has always seemed
to get a lot of attention because of his on and off relationship with
God. This album comes across as another
one of his everlasting struggles with faith. Much of the album feels like a
conversation between Bazan and
God. It all makes for an interesting
album.
(Hard
To Be)
10. Monsters Of Folk- S/T
The
announcement of Monster of Folk's debut
album this year
made my ears go
up. Another so-called Super Group that will get us all excited, only to let
us down.
Monsters Of Folk is made up of
Conor
Oberst (Bright Eyes, Mystic Valley Band), M. Ward (She & Him), Jim James (My
Morning Jacket), and Mike Mogis
(producer extraordinaire.)
Going in I
tried to keep my high hopes at bay.
These four sound like they have been together as a band for years. Each song
has a distinct flavor all its own. The kind of hype this cd recieved was a
bit unfair. But I have to admit the band lived up to the hype.
(Dear
God)
