Favorites of 2009
It’s an annual institution, here’s my favorite music of 2009.

The Thermals - Now We Can See
Far and away my favorite record of the year, I’ve been playing this record to death from jump. DIY power pop perfection. And an awesome live show at Bottom of the Hill.

Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
Walking the fine line between pretentious and intelligent, but damn that’s one powerful voice. Who doesn’t love a sword-wielding redhead indie chick on the hood of a Mercury Cougar?

Wilco - Wilco (The Record)
The sound of Jeff Tweedy finally comfortable in his own skin – there should be no more doubt that he’s the greatest songwriter of this generation. Full of humor and full of heart and soul.

Van Morrison - Astral Weeks Live At The Hollywood Bowl
I had the chance to get tickets to Van’s 2008 Hollywood Bowl concerts, and didn’t pull the trigger. Put that regret up there with not hitting on Natalie Portman at that No. 6 party back in college. Still the finest album ever, performed by most of the original musicians who recorded it in 1967.

Norah Jones - The Fall
I am a sucker for that smoky voice (and for Indian girls), so I never had a chance. The strongest record of her already strong career. As always, a great collaboration with Jesse Harris (“Even Though”), but this time it’s mostly her own songs, her own voice.

Dan Auerbach - Keep It Hid
The Black Keys’ frontman mainlined the blues on this killer record. Dark and sludgy fuzzed-out guitars dominate, and the seediness oozes out of your speakers. Get dirty!

Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown
Who woulda thought pop punk would get operatic? The Sex Pistols and The Who had a baby, and apparently it was Billie Joe Armstrong.

Ghostface Killah - Ghostdini: Wizard Of Poetry In Emerald City
Yes, the title is stupid. No, this record isn’t as good as The Pretty Toney Album. But Ghostface again immerses hip hop in old school soul, and it’s two great tastes that go great together.

Silversun Pickups - Swoon
I will admit that Brian Aubert’s voice is a bit whiney. Ok, a whole lot whiney. But SSPS more than make up for it with killer riffs and fuzzed out feedback bliss.

On to my favorite songs of twenty oh nine.

Wild Light - "California On My Mind"
My 2009 theme song! Fuck today, fuck San Francisco, fuck California!!!

Manchester Orchestra - "I’ve Got Friends"
Andy Hull’s indie rock may be the best thing to ever result from home schooling.

Muse - "Uprising"
The Resistance has yet to resonate with me, but this ranks up there with Muse’s best tracks.

Tegan and Sara - "Hell"
Gloomy and upbeat at the same time. And, and twins!!

We Were Promised Jetpacks - "Quiet Little Voices"
Rise Against’s Scottish cousins. A punk Wall of Sound epic love song.

Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson - "Relator"
I really didn’t want to like Break Up, but it’s really good. Particularly the lead track.

Animal Collective - "My Girls"
All the hipster critics were falling over each other to praise Merriweather Post Pavilion as the best record of the year. Nah, but this freak pop single was pretty awesome. Even if I have no idea what "adobe slats for my girls" means.

Gossip - "Heavy Cross"
Beth Ditto can wail, and that’s a great guitar riff.

Arctic Monkeys - "Crying Lightning"
Josh Homme sunk his desert rat claws into the Sheffield kids, with fantastic results.

Ida Maria - "I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked"
Norwegian indie riot grrrls rock!!!

Pearl Jam - "The Fixer"
Seattle aspiring to be Jersey Shore, and getting pretty close. With a monster, fist-pumping chorus.

Spinnerette - "Ghetto Love"
Brody Dalle is back, taking no prisoners. Daddy likes.

Amazing Baby - "Headdress"
Amidst all the hipster douchebaggery flooding the streets of Brooklyn, occasionally something worthwhile escapes.

The Dead Weather - "Treat Me Like Your Mother"
Allison Mosshart scares me. In a good, sexy way.

U2 - "Magnificent"
Forget The Edge being The Edge, Adam Clayton’s bass riff is the shit.

There you go. I have wasted this decade, but at least there’s been a lot of good music to squander it to.
- posted by Liebs @ 12:24 PM 0 comments