half-time: best albums of 2009, so far.
I certainly haven't heard all 2009 has offered, but from what I have, these outshine the rest & hold their own as my fav albums of '09, so far. Click on links for A/V supplements.
20. Regina Spektor, Far -- been listening to "Folding Chair" lately & picturing myself on the beach.
19. Handsome Furs, Face Control -- Dan Boeckner's voice makes everything feel really urgent & edgy.
18. Animal Collective, Merriweather Post Pavilion -- tons of hipster buzz, but rightly so. Fun, inventive & psychedelic.
17. Harlem Shakes, Technicolor Health -- simple & upbeat with hand claps and layered vocals.
16. M. Ward, Hold Time -- Always a pleasure. Ward is truly master of his craft in what feels like the humblest, most genuine manner possible.
15. Sunset Rubdown, Dragonslayer -- weird and wonderful, prog-indie. Love the epic story and instrumental build up in the finished/produced version of "You Go On Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)."
14. Peter Bjorn & John, Living Thing -- a surprisingly sexed-up, infectious, dance-party pleaser.
13. Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band, Outer South -- evokes a sort of sentimental quality, like an old classic. The new ensemble is so well balanced. When it first came out I listened to "White Shoes" on repeat for a week solid.
12. Mos Def, Ecstatic -- I'm a sucker for his mellow, fluid rhyme tempo.
11. Deer Tick, War Elephant -- gritty & rough, laced with vulnerability & charm. Kind of like your favorite dive bar.
10. Dirty Projectors, Bitte Orca -- totally unique & refreshing. Far out, but accessible.
9. Black Moth Super Rainbow, Eating Us -- hypnotic.
8. The Felice Brothers, Yonder the Clock -- these hometown boys continue to amaze me with their folk-lore, ho-down, Americana music.
7. St. Vincent, Actor -- her voice is relaxing & enchanting, like a lovely little forest nymph.
6. Beirut, March of the Zapotec/ Holland -- my love for Beirut just keeps growing. This double album/EP may seem like contrasting focuses, but dude gets into it.
5. Various Artists, Dark Was The Night -- tell me what isn't awesome about this album? Heavyweight for sure.
4. Discovery, LP -- synthed, "space pop," side-project. Maybe I'm taking crazy pills, but I find it strangely undeniable.
3. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, It's Blitz! -- dance your face off. Girl's got attitude. Love this 'soft shock' remix, too.
2. Grizzly Bear, Veckatimest -- everyone is drooling. I'm no exception. It's even better live.
1. Dan Auerbach, Keep it Hid -- bluesy, rock. I've been listening to this album pretty regularly since like February & I'm still in awe. It's rugged, raw & really incredible.
20. Regina Spektor, Far -- been listening to "Folding Chair" lately & picturing myself on the beach.
19. Handsome Furs, Face Control -- Dan Boeckner's voice makes everything feel really urgent & edgy.
18. Animal Collective, Merriweather Post Pavilion -- tons of hipster buzz, but rightly so. Fun, inventive & psychedelic.
17. Harlem Shakes, Technicolor Health -- simple & upbeat with hand claps and layered vocals.
16. M. Ward, Hold Time -- Always a pleasure. Ward is truly master of his craft in what feels like the humblest, most genuine manner possible.
15. Sunset Rubdown, Dragonslayer -- weird and wonderful, prog-indie. Love the epic story and instrumental build up in the finished/produced version of "You Go On Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)."
14. Peter Bjorn & John, Living Thing -- a surprisingly sexed-up, infectious, dance-party pleaser.
13. Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band, Outer South -- evokes a sort of sentimental quality, like an old classic. The new ensemble is so well balanced. When it first came out I listened to "White Shoes" on repeat for a week solid.
12. Mos Def, Ecstatic -- I'm a sucker for his mellow, fluid rhyme tempo.
11. Deer Tick, War Elephant -- gritty & rough, laced with vulnerability & charm. Kind of like your favorite dive bar.
10. Dirty Projectors, Bitte Orca -- totally unique & refreshing. Far out, but accessible.
9. Black Moth Super Rainbow, Eating Us -- hypnotic.
8. The Felice Brothers, Yonder the Clock -- these hometown boys continue to amaze me with their folk-lore, ho-down, Americana music.
7. St. Vincent, Actor -- her voice is relaxing & enchanting, like a lovely little forest nymph.
6. Beirut, March of the Zapotec/ Holland -- my love for Beirut just keeps growing. This double album/EP may seem like contrasting focuses, but dude gets into it.
5. Various Artists, Dark Was The Night -- tell me what isn't awesome about this album? Heavyweight for sure.
4. Discovery, LP -- synthed, "space pop," side-project. Maybe I'm taking crazy pills, but I find it strangely undeniable.
3. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, It's Blitz! -- dance your face off. Girl's got attitude. Love this 'soft shock' remix, too.
2. Grizzly Bear, Veckatimest -- everyone is drooling. I'm no exception. It's even better live.
1. Dan Auerbach, Keep it Hid -- bluesy, rock. I've been listening to this album pretty regularly since like February & I'm still in awe. It's rugged, raw & really incredible.
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3 comments:
jessica this is an awesome list!!! i shouldve waited to read it maybe, bc now i feel INTIMIDATED. haha xo
Jess, you know your music, no doubt sbout it. My top five would be: 1. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest (what more can be said? These guys are amazing); 2. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca (tightropes between experimental and melodic, accesible pop; and "Temecula Sunrise" is incredible); 3. Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer (I'm such a damn sucker for grandiose pop; the title track melts my face... a bigger kind of kill, indeed); 4. St. Vincent - Actor (I want to marry Annie Clark, so talented; the songs translate so impeccably live in burns the loins); 5. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (beautiful pop done right; dudes can play the guitars); Honorable mention - Dan Auerbach (which is incredible); Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Heads will Roll is pumpin'; love the synths).
-Ben G.
I finally got around to it, Jess! I am pluggin these titles into amazon and listening to samples as I do my computer stuff. Liking 'em a lot. Thanks!
~Evan
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