hungry hearted

serving up a healthy portion of pop culture commentary, random infatuations, and introspective ramblings
Showing posts with label 2009. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2009. Show all posts

to the moon

“For a moment of night we have a glimpse of ourselves and of our world islanded in a stream of stars – pilgrims of mortality, voyaging between horizons across the eternal seas of space and time.” Henry Beston, The Outermost House

half-time: best albums of 2009, so far.

(via)

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.