my top 15 favorite albums of 2009

so it's that time of year again...time to take a look back at the albums I've listened to and enjoyed the most in 2009.

I have to say, I used to spend a lot more time and thought into this process but I just don't have the time anymore. No blurbs this year either, just a straight up list of my picks. I've probably forgotten about/am missing a lot of great albums from this year, but oh well.

And remember these are my PERSONAL favorites, and most listened to albums from this year...doesn't mean the critics will agree.

Enjoy!

COMING SOON:  favorite albums of the last decade, 2000-2010.  

#15: Pete Yorn/Scarlett Johansson - The Break Up

#14: Wilco - Wilco  (they got really creative this year)



#13: The Maccabees - Wall of Arms

#12: The Decemberists - Hazards of Love


#11: White Rabbits - It's Frightening





#10: Lily Allen - It's Not Me, It's You

#9: Yo La Tengo - Popular Songs

also, one of my favorite album covers of 2009

#8: Royksopp - Junior

#7: The xx - xx

#5: Animal Collective -
Merriweather Post Pavilion

#4: Andrew Bird - Noble Beast

#3: Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

#2: Grizzly Bear - Vecktamist

#1: Fanfarlo - Reservoir 

tada! Like I said, not everyone is going to agree
with this list by any means,but isn't music
subjective anyways?
Overall I give the year a 7.5 in music.

Looking forward to new music from the following bands in 2010: 

Midlake

Vampire Weekend

The National

Arcade Fire 

She & Him

Yeasayer

Frightened Rabbit

Spoon

Laura Marling

looks like it might be a good year. I'd love to hear your
thoughts/comments/arguments/about my list, so please feel free.

it all falls apart

I have been a huge fan of Ra Ra Riot for some time now, (and even did a previous entry on them). This rock band from Syracuse has received a ton of praise for both their albums and live shows. I just came across some live video of them on Pitchfork and thought I would share with you all. I'm a fan of every track on their newest album, The Rhumb Line, but my standouts are Can You Tell and Dying is Fine.

Enjoy!

Setlist:

1) St. Peter's Day Festival



2) Can You Tell



3) Dying is Fine



4) Oh, La

i can't believe it, it's always like this

The first time I heard Bombay Bicycle Club's track "Always Like This" I fell in love. I haven't been this excited for a CD just from one track in a very long. Their upcoming album, entitled I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose, looks like it's coming out July 6th in the UK. Look out for these guys, they really make some great music. There is something about Jack Steadman's voice that I absolutely love. NME Magazine named them "...the hottest band to come from North London for quite some time." Really looking forward to this album.

Always Like This - Bombay Bicy...

with your insect skin and my lion's mane

The Maccabees are an English indie-rock band who have just released their sophomore album entitled Wall of Arms. This talented band has done it again with an album even better than their first. Fronted by the beautiful voice of Orlando Weeks, The Maccabees combine elements of indie rock/pop to make some honest and deeply personal tunes. The release has been compared to Arcade Fire's fantastic CD, Neon Bible...and while I see it, why always the comparisons people? I can already tell this album will be in the mix for weeks to come. It's perfect for a drive on a beautiful day...with the windows down and the music blasting.

Too long overlooked as ‘another indie band’ 'Wall Of Arms’ is the moment The Maccabees reach self-realization. This is the sound of burgeoning romance, unrequited love, chest beating passion and tranquil, all encompassing warmth. Sure to be one of the years finest releases. - Gigwise 4/21/09






want to get to know the band a little better? check out this documentary from 4Play:

it's all I believe in

I cannot stop listening to Fanfarlo, it's at simple as that. This London based indie rock band has released a fantastic new album entitled Reservoir. I can already honestly say that this is probably going to be one of my most listened to albums of 2009, it's that good. Reviews across the web are continually saying they're "Beirut meets Arcade Fire," and while that's a decent comparison, how about we let them be their own band? I can't say enough wonderful things about this CD, seriously. And it's only $5.99 on iTunes right now, so you have no excuse. My prediction: these guys will blow up over the next 6 months. Let's check back and see, shall we? Until then, let's enjoy.





video for "Harold T. Wilkins or How To Wait For A Very Long Time:"

i was the one with the world at my feet

I finally got my hand's on the new Metric album, Fantasies. I already made a post about this fabulous band a few months ago, but at that point had only heard one track: Help, I'm Alive. After having a listen to Fantasies, my love for this band has grown even more. The band's lead singer Emily Haines has such a fantastic voice and together with the rest of the band they have created some great indie pop/rock. You gotta love a chick who knows how to rock.

Collect Call - Metric

Sick Muse - Metric

and for fun, a video documentary about "Help, I'm Alive" which features Emily playing a beautiful acoustic version of the song in the background.

i love it all so much

The Local Natives are an indie rock band hailing from Los Angeles. I was first introduced to their song "Airplanes" from a monthly indie mix I receive. This five piece group barely has their own website yet, using their Myspace as a primary information source. Because of this I don't have too much info on the band to share, but I'll let the music speak for itself. Hope you dig.

and here is their cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "Cecilia." really great stuff.

put a smile on my face, put a prize on my soul

Ida Maria Børli Sivertsen, or better known as Ida Maria, is a Norwegian rocker chick who has had a great deal of success in Norway and is breaking through here in the US. Her 2008 release Fortress Round My Heart, has gotten great reviews across the board. This chick knows how to make some catchy rock music.

Ida Maria Sivertsen has a powerful voice that conjures so many classic-rock associations it's a wonder she doesn't get lost amid all the references. On her debut album, Fortress Round My Heart, she howls like Janis Joplin, with a bit of soulful vibrato that almost sounds like grandstanding. She rasps like Courtney Love, similarly steeped in cigarettes and alcohol but without the manic aversion to actually making music.

love stay with me

just got my hands on The Veils new album entitled Sun Gangs and I'm really loving what I hear so far. Fronted by Finn Andrews, The Veils have been around since 2002. Sun Gangs will be their 3rd album together, which will be released in April. Finn has a unique voice which is often combined with his female band-mates making for some beautiful harmonies. Can't recommend these guys enough, check them out.

video for "The Letter"


The Letter - The Veils

paint the black hole blacker

St. Vincent is a spunky indie singer-songwriter who is releasing her sophomore album in May of this year. The Strangers is the first single and track from the album and if it's any idea how the rest of the album will be, I'm excited. Her debut album, Marry Me, was a favorite of mine with great tracks like "Now, Now." Her beautiful voice continues on this next release. Can't wait to hear the rest...

can you hear my heart beating like a hammer?

Metric is a group who I have enjoyed for some years now. This Canadian crew has their fourth album slated for release on April 14th of this year. Emily Haines is the lead singer, and has had her own success as a solo artist with Knives Don't Have Your Back. Their first single from the album is called "Help, I'm Alive." They have released both the album cut and acoustic version, and while the acoustic is pretty, I'm all about the original version. You can decide for yourself....

go to hell

David Ford - Go to Hell, one take. amazing.

I'm a man eater

Neko Case is wonderful, enough said. For those who don't know her, she's a pretty lady who sings some pretty alt-country songs. She has a new album coming out March 3rd, called Middle Cyclone. I've had a few listens and it's simply lovely, just like her.

People Got A Lotta Nerve - Nek...

we're just wandering like fools

The Dodos have been around since 2005, but seem to have gained more popularity last year with their release Visiter. While most of the time they get lumped into the ever expanded genre of indie rock, the majority of their songs have a folk flavor, sometimes called psychedelic folk. Trippy, right? Either way, they make some great tunes. "Fools" is a wonderfully catchy track.

Fools - The Dodos

Walking - The Dodos

don't let them get you down

Nickel Eye, the solo project of The Stroke's bassist Nikolai Fraiture, is releasing his debut album entitled The Time of the Assassins on this Tuesday, Feb 27th. While the album has a little hint of the Stroke's flavor, Nikolai has made a name for himself. Pitchfork only gave it a 5.2, which is fair but I probably would have said about a 7/10. I think it's a pretty solid album throughout. Guess you'll have to decide for yourself.

Brandy Of The Damned - Nickel ...

You And Everyone Else - Nickel...

but we won't break like the Autumn

I always get excited when I really enjoy a new track from a band I haven't heard of yet. This happened tonight with The Story Of. I don't know much about these guys just yet except that they're a group of five friends hailing from Austin, TX.

A review from Austin Sound says " There’s something about discussing music over beer that always rides a fine line between pretension and authenticity. Among friends, bare bones honesty surfaces, and we can delve into the meat of albums circulating in these days of plentiful “indie” pop rock bands. Though there’s a dearth that’s worth a mention, fewer deserve a full play on your iPod. Austin-via-Athens, Ohio five-piece The Story Of is part of that shiny minority, and migrating southwest 4 years ago brought their creative core closer to the fore."

Berkeley - The Story Of

and every night we'll watch the stars

Friendly Fires are a band from the UK who released their self-titled debut album in September of last year. These guys have gained some popularity over the last few months for some catchy indie rock. They've been a constant on my playlist for some time now and wanted to share with all you beautiful people. A little bit rock, a little bit electronica, a lot of goodness.

Paris - Friendly Fires

In The Hospital - Friendly Fir...

if you were here, winter wouldn't pass so slow

I can't believe I haven't written an entry on Ra Ra Riot. Their album, The Rhumb Line, was absolutely my most listened to album of 2008. These guys hail from Syracuse and have been gaining more popularity throughout the indie world, rightfully so. It appears I wasn't the only one out there that loved their album either. I also got a chance to see these guys with Walter Meego at The Bowery Ballroom in October, and they put on a really fun show. I can't say enough good stuff about these guys, just check 'em out.

Dying is Fine

Winter '05

Too Too Too Fast

**I just discovered this new remix of "Ghost Under Rocks," it's great. Especially for anyone who digs electronica stuff.

Ghost Under Rocks (Passion Pit Remix)

i'm in love with your honor

Bon Iver had one hell of a year in 2008, topping best of lists across the internet and magazines. As 2009 has crept upon us, he is already back with a few new tunes for everyone to obsess over, again. His new EP, Blood Bank, is a 4 track treat. Not sure when he will be releasing a full LP, but this is a great way to start the new year.

Blood Bank

one night of love

just discovered the band Mystery Jets and their new single "Young Love" with Laura Marling, who I just recently posted about. It's a fun little ditty, enjoy.