Ahhh, the end of the year. We get to look back and see what was and what could have been and dream that the next year will be even better. So, let me look back at my favorite albums of 2009. This is so hard, and I hate adding numbers in front of these albums. I also found it really hard to pick just 10. As you will see I found a lot of electronic albums were the ones that were the most groundbreaking and innovative this year.
1. BIBIO - AMBIVALENCE AVENUE
I loved this album. It constantly put me in a great state. It was well versed and amazingly produced. It was played the most as a whole on my I-Tunes so it totally belongs here.
MP3: Bibio - Ambivalence Avenue
MP3: Bibio - All the Flowers2.
THE XX - XX
It maybe has a lot to do with their age, but they made, top to bottom, one of the best albums with some of the most dynamic pop songs I have heard in a while. I am very excited to hear some of their future projects.
MP3: The XX - Basic Space3.
PANTyRAID - THE SAUCE
We got to interview Marty from this group and he explained that Rap is on the outs and that bass hop is the future, and it is funny how even a recent New Yorker article kind of touched on this as well. And if this is true, then PANTyRAID is totally ahead of it's time. They can be called fortunetellers or like a Nostradamus in a musical since. They make bass lines that could easily be a verse. It was the simplicity mixed with it's complexity that made me love this album. I know this seems like an oxymoron, but for real, listen to the album and see what I am talking about.
MP3: PANTyRAID - Beba4.
PORTFORMAT - THE REPEAT FACTOR
Now, don't tell Portformat that Hip-Hop is dying out. This German created an album in the hip-hop vain with traditional raps, but using beats that I think PANTyRAID would be proud of. This is such a phenomenally diverse album with amazing R&B tracks along side amazing Hip-Hop and instrumentals that are out of this world.
MP3: Portformat - Knock KnockMP3: Portformat - Purple Planet5.
KID CUDI - MAN ON THE MOON
Now for more on the death of Rap. This album was amazing for being something that Rap usually isn't. About the dark side of things. Along with the likes of Kanye, Cudi is very open about his emotional problems all over electro beats. So this goes out to all the kids that made fun of me for listening to "Rave" music as a kid. Guess what, we are all listening to "Rave" music now. Just some call it rap and some call it pop. So tell your kids to not make fun of other kids for how they dress or what they listen to, because sometimes the people who take risks are the ones that see the way things will be in 10 years!
6.
VOLCANO CHOIR - UNMAP
Freaken Beautiful. Straight up. His voice, combined with a great mix of ambiance and beats leads to an amazing listening experience. If you haven't heard this album, get to it!
MP3: Volcano Choir - Island, IS7.
EDWARD SHAPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROSThis is what I like to hear. Good solid rock. Harmonies with beautiful lyrics that just make you feel all fuzzy inside. I mean how can you not love that? I guess if you are into death metal or the like.
MP3: Edward Shape and the Magnetic Zeros - Home8.
FEVER RAY - FEVER RAY
Her voice is undeniable and the songs on this album have some of the highest quality production on this whole list. This easily could have been near the top. This album sets an amazing mood that I would suggest not being on a hallucinogen for; but if you are, you may learn a few things about yourself.
MP3: Fever Ray - If I Had A Heart9.
PHOENIX - WOLFGANG AMADEUS
Not their best album by any means, but this is a great album. I honestly could have replaced this spot with Animal Collective. I am not sold on the direction either of them is going. Animal Collective, Grizzley Bear or Phoenix. You can call me a hater all you want. I know they are amazing artists and musicians, and I love the albums, I just want them to reach inside and challenge themselves. I knew when those albums came out that they were capable of making those albums. They didn't shock me, they made the best singles of the year, no doubt. The Beatles redefined themselves with every album. I think Animal Collective is better at that then the rest of them. So maybe they should go at 9. Who cares. You all already have all three of those albums if you are reading this blog.
10.
LUKE VIBERT - WE HEAR YOU
This is an awesome album with some amazing beats and sampling that makes you nod your head the entire time you are listening.
MP3: Luke Vibert - We Hear YouHonorable mention: Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, Dan Deacon, Bill Callahan, Girls, Generationals, Discovery, Rain Machine, TMDP, Moby, and Jason Little
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2 comments:
Oh yes for Fever Ray. That's been on constant repeat in my iTunes.
A friend of mine actually said that it was her number one album of the year to make love to actually. That will get any album into my top ten any year.
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