Because I do not feel I am someone who should be evaluating music as if I were a professional I will only give you a list of my favorite albums of the year, instead of "The Best Albums of the Year." This distinction will prevent anyone from telling me I suck, because I'm only telling you what my favorite albums were opposed to what I think the Best Albums of the Year are and will be in several other locations. Hope you enjoy a few of my favorite things.
1. The Dirty Projectors- Bitte Orca
No singles from this album got on my top singles of the year list mostly because I could not separate any song from this album, even though Stillness is the Move has been highly recognized as a very important song in this year, and even decade. The whole album has been playing on my iPod and in my mind since the beginning of the year. The vocals continuously amaze me, and the simple structure, but complex sound of the songs make it my favorite album of the year.
2. Fol Chen- Part 1: "John Shade, Your Fortune's Made"
Highly unrecognized as a mentionable album this year, I was actually able to out listen this 41 minute album with continual listens in July. Although I did grow a little tired of it, I probably still invested those 41 minutes weekly to the album. Maybe they should go on an American tour next time to get more pull in the States.. Europe gets all the good tours anyway.
3. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
Simply a well done album. Although Animal Collective has several other very well done albums, the fact that this album was able to appeal to a more mainstream audience makes it one of the best albums of the year and one of my favorite. These layered and textured songs are catchy while still remaining intact with the nature of the band that made them.
4. The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love
Shara Worden makes everything better. With her voice as the wicked Queen in the Decemberists concept album about love in a mystical world, this album definitely deserves a place among my favorite albums of the year. Even with the albums obvious progressive rock influences, which usually bother me to no end, the albums message, story, and execution make the sounds fit right in. Also, the album live is amazing. The enthusiasm of the two female vocalists along with the all of the Decemberists' ability as live musicians, I would be remiss to not mention them and recognize that they were on of my favorite albums of the year.
5.Grizzly Bear- Veckatimest
Easily the best album of the year, it wasn't my favorite album. There is plenty of disconnect in the album between songs. At least for me. Every individual song is my favorite song ever in the world times a billion, but the whole album as a fluent motion didn't strike me as deserving top three, just top five. You will see this on almost everyone's best of the year, because I think it was the best album of the year based on musical talent, structure, and production. It still wasn't my favorite.
6. The Antlers- Hospice
Haunting and in the most awful way related to my life this year, Hospice truly has been adopted by the fans of Peter Silberman's lyrics and terribly accurate portrayal of the feelings expressed in such a process. The process is that of helping someone struggle with cancer, allowing yourself to accept their acceptance of death, and moving on. As the term "hospice" becomes immediately related to the hard struggles of cancer this album has become universal in it's storytelling and empathetic in it's message.
7. Micachu & The Shapes - Jewellery
Not only does Mica Levi's guitar amaze me, the sounds she gets out of her guitar amazes me. The incorporation of sounds also makes it one of my favorite albums and her uncommon voice as well. I was inches from seeing her live, and am sad I missed it. Someday I will see her guitar and the sounds she gets out of it and will fall in love all over again. Until then, this album is short at 31 minutes, so turn of the TV and listen to Micachu instead.
8. St. Vincent - Actor
Marry Me was easily my favorite album in 2007. In 2009 St. Vincent almost did it again. With a resemblance to little orphan Annie, Annie Clark got out of the orphanage (Marry Me) and used Daddy Warbucks' money and influence to get production help for Actor. The results are a fantastic album filled with only more of what you could have wanted from St. Vincent. Her voice and guitar are still the highlight of the album, but they get a little boost from some processed horns and the crisp editing the money from a good first album gives you.
9. M. Ward - Hold Time
With a little more of a cheery outlook on life (possibly from closely working with Zooey Deschanel) M. Ward's Hold Time is exactly what I wanted to hear from him after the successful She & Him album Volume One. Maybe this will carry on into She & Him Volume Two which will feature more M. Ward singing.
10. Bruce Peninsula - A Mountain is a Mouth
Harmonies, they are particularly one of my favorite things ever. Bruce Peninsula is a 10 + piece band lead by a vocal Matt Cully acting as the primary lead singer, their first full length album just gets me more excited for their next album. Also when a bands short bio is this: "A belly is meant to bellow. A mouth is made to sing. A loose congregation of gut-singers mingles with a wide-eyed rock band, mining the depths of folk, prog and soul music." They are automatically loved.
Tuesday, December 29
Saturday, December 19
Singles of 09
The top 10 singles of 09.. the whole album is good too, in most instances, but these singles are stand outs.
1.
The most lasting song of the year. I've had it stuck in my head since I got a live recording of it in January.
2.
It made me love the band.
3.
Ok, so it's not unique, but it's catchy as hell, and I still can't stop singing it.
4.
According to my iPod I listened to this song 295 times this year. I spent more than two thirds of my year with this song.
5.
Sufjan's record label caught a good one.
6.
Sufjan can do no wrong.
7.
Oh girl guy duo's.. this song is coy as Andrew Marvell's mistress.
8.
I would be forsaken by many if this was not included in this list.
9.
Just, amazing.
10.
Canadian's in Germany create the most catchy song of 2009.. you just might not want it there. I still love it, despite some of my friends wanting to strangle me for ever putting it on a mix for them.
1.
The most lasting song of the year. I've had it stuck in my head since I got a live recording of it in January.
2.
It made me love the band.
3.
Ok, so it's not unique, but it's catchy as hell, and I still can't stop singing it.
4.
According to my iPod I listened to this song 295 times this year. I spent more than two thirds of my year with this song.
5.
Sufjan's record label caught a good one.
6.
Sufjan can do no wrong.
7.
Oh girl guy duo's.. this song is coy as Andrew Marvell's mistress.
8.
I would be forsaken by many if this was not included in this list.
9.
Just, amazing.
10.
Canadian's in Germany create the most catchy song of 2009.. you just might not want it there. I still love it, despite some of my friends wanting to strangle me for ever putting it on a mix for them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
