Top Albums of 2009

As we enter into 2010 and say goodbye to last year, we look back at what was a pretty good year musically.  Though there were some big, hyped-up releases that didn't really hold my attention (John Mayer, Monsters of Folk, Weezer), there were many more great albums from both ear-catching newcomers and savvy veterans.  What follows is a list of my favorite albums from the past year.  This list is by no means complete, and I'm sure there are several good albums I will leave off (Grizzly Bear, the xx, Animal Collective), but this list contains the albums that I found myself listening to the most.  Also, be sure to check out the youtube videos linked in the album descriptions.  I found it hard to rank these albums, so the order is only alphabetical.  Now without further ado...

The Alchemist - Chemical Warfare

The Alchemist's new album is even more catchy and accessible than his last and is filled with riveting beats and great production.  Featuring appearances by Maxwell, Three 6 Mafia, Eminem, the Dogg Pound, and Talib Kweli, there is no shortage of talent.  Ranging from backpacker-tracks like the excellent "Therapy" to the throwback "On Sight" to the typically Eminem-esc title track, this album is solid from start to finish.  The Alchemist even shows that he is not above self-parody on the track "Grand Concourse Benches" which debates his worth as a backpacker.  And it might be true, the Alchemist is not just a backpacker anymore, but he is more interesting in pushing the boundaries of underground rap.

Ben Harper and the Relentless7 - White Lies for Dark Times

Ben Harper temporarily puts on hiatus his longtime backing band, the Innocent Criminals, to create an album that sounds fresh for a artist that seems to be trying something new on almost every album.  Three Texas musicians join Harper in studio to form the Relentless7 and create a sound that is that is heavy on the Texas blues while still preserving Harper's signature soul vibe.  Harper's slide guitar is snarling and gritty for most of the album, but some of the acoustic tracks are just as memorable.  The single "Shimmer and Shine" is a definite standout, opening with pounding drums before adding some bluesy power chords.  Other picks are the ballad "Skin Thin", "The Word Suicide" and the mid-tempo "Faithfully Remain".  Harper has definitely recaptured my attention after it had waned over his last few releases, and this album shows great focus and vision from Harper and his new (hopefully not temporary) band.

Bon Iver - Blood Bank

Bon Iver's debut album took the indie world by storm in 2008, and this EP bridges the gap until his next album.  For Emma, Forever Ago was a quiet, reflective album that whispered more than it spoke, and this EP continues that trend and reaffirms why so many people are taken with Bon Iver in the first place.  I actually find myself listening to Blood Bank more often than I do Emma, with "Blood Bank" good enough to have been on the LP.  "Woods" employs a harmonizer á la Imogen Heap, to create one of his most enthralling tracks.  Though it is not probable that he will pursue that musical direction, its still great to seem him experimenting with his formula and producing something people might not necessarily expect from him.

Brand New - Daisy

I debated whether to include this album on my list, since this album did receive a lot of criticism from fans and critics alike.  As one of my friends said, Brand New is great if you like quiet verses followed by loud, emotional choruses.  Brand New tries to mix up the formula a little on this release and while there some definite stand-outs, there are also some points that drag.  The first track opens with classical piano before being assulted by a screamo/guitar attack, though it isn't nearly as interesting as it sounds.  However, tracks like "Bed' and "You Stole" bring a subtly new direction to Brand New's formula, and one can only hope that this is an indication of better things to come.  Though it might not be the big leap forward that fans were hoping for, Daisy is still a worthwhile release as Brand New continue to grow and mature as a band.

Cymbals Eat Guitars - Why There Are Mountains

One of my favorite Indie-releases of the year, Cymbals Eat Guitars channel Modest Mouse and Pavement to create their own version of indie-rock.  "...And The Hazy Sea" is a beautiful mess full of swirling guitars, while other songs pull from ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead or Sufjan Stevens.  "Some Trees (Merritt Moon)" beings slowly enough before galloping like Pavement into the verse and chorus.  Though the band might be accused of copying too much from their influences and not making their music their own, I think that their effort mixes enough of their influences to make it an extremely fun album and a great sign of things to come.

Dave Matthews Band - Big Whiskey & the GrooGrux King

After the death of LeRoi Moore in 2008, there was left a gaping hole in DMB's line-up that caused many people like myself to wonder if they would be able to come back from such a huge loss both mentally and musically.  Big Whiskey answers those fears and then some.  After the exceedingly dull American Baby, Whiskey finds the band more focused than any release since Busted Stuff.  The band even channels some of the jams that got them started way back on BTCS.  "Lying in the Hands of God" might just be my favorite DMB song now.  This album is not just a fitting tribute and honor to the late LeRoi, but it might even be arguably DMB's best album.

The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love

The Decembrists fifth album might be their most ambitious, as they compose their own kind of rock/folk-opera, this one revolving around a girl named Margaret and the Rake, the story's villain.  Drawing from British folk-rock bands such as Pentangle as much as it does Rush or Jethro Tull, The Hazards of Love is a fantasy tale fraught with danger and suspense.  Though this album might not win over anyone who has already dismissed the group, it is extremely rewarding for those who have been following the group for some time.

Dinosaur Jr. - Farm

Definitely one of my favorite albums of the year, indie-kings Dinosaur Jr. come up with either second excellent album following their reunion in 2007.  At once both melodic and powerful, J Mascis continues to show why he is considered one of the godfathers of indie rock guitar.  Whether its the bright, catchy single "Pieces" or the lumbering, simmering rocker "I Don't Wanna Go There" the songs are fresh, tight, and memorable.  Though Mascis might seem like the proto-typical, spacey slacker who doesn't seem to give a damn, his music is anything but, and his lazy drawl masks his poetry and all the self-confidence it displays.  After Dinosaur Jr.'s hiatus, they're sounding as fresh as they did in 1988, and it seems like they still have a lot of gas in the tank.

El Grupo Nuevo de Omar Rodriguez Lopez - Cryptomnesia

When Mars Volta guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez starts a side project to "experiment" you know its going to be something interesting.  Rodriguez-Lopez calls on the talents of Juan Alderete de la Peña and Cedric Bixler-Zavala from Mars Volta and Zach Hill and Jonathan Hischke of Hella.  All worthy talents, with Hill in particular one of the most explosive drummers out there in my opinion. Hill seems to be best when he has to restrain himself a tiny bit, and the results are impressive.  Though this recording is not for the faint of heart, the music attacks full force from start to finish, those who are fans of Mars Volta or ATDI should definitely check this album out.

Floating Action - Floating Action

Another great indie release, Floating Action's eponymous debut is a relaxing, rolling record that is parts reggae, psychedelia, garage rock, and lo-fi soul.  This album really evades an adequate description but it definitely warrants a listen.  Seth Kaufmann, the name behind the monkier, plays almost all the instruments himself, and the results are nothing short of impressive, especially considering how organic the record sounds.  The first track "50 Lashes" sets the mood and model for the album as it coaxes in the listener.  Hopefully we will see more of Floating Action in the years to come.

Jack Peñate - Everything is New

Jack Peñate's sophmore album expands and improves on his debut effort.  Mixing soul, tropicalia, and Afro-beat rhythms this record shakes and grooves well enough to be interesting.  Obviously unsatisfied with his first release, Peñate had to mature his sound a lot for this album and the results are remarkable.  Peñate is enthusiastic and heartfelt and he truly does do justice to his source material while still creating a sound all his own.  Some highlights in particular are "So Near" and "Tonight's Today", which is a danceable, fun, latin-tinged tune that will have you humming it all day.

Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3

The King of East Coast Rap does it again as he puts together another incredibly solid album.  Chock-full of high profile guest appearances, The Blueprint 3 has a little something for everybody.  Kanye West produces seven of the tracks and while his ability as an MC can usually be hit or miss, he shows that he is still one of the top producers in the genre (regardless of his personal penchant for interruption).  Young Jeezy's track "Real As It Gets" appeals to the hardcore fans and is one of my favorite tracks on the album.  Rihanna and Alicia Keys bring their R&B style and both contribute solid tracks, with Rihanna backing up Jay-Z and Kanye on the self-power anthem of "Run This Town".  Alicia Keys sings the chorus on "Empire State of Mind", Jay-Z's love song to New York City which is one of the best tracks on the album.  Kid Cudi rounds out the guests by garnering the backpacker/underground crowd on "Already Home".  The only weakness of this album is in fact the strength of the guests, as Jay-Z is actually outshined at moments.  Though it lacks the vision of some of his earlier releases, The Blueprint 3 shows that he still deserves the respect as a Godfather of rap.

La Roux - La Roux

La Roux came out of nowhere is capture the UK charts and launch their very successful debut album.  Drawing from 80's synth-pop artists like the Eurythmics and more modern electronic/dance, La Roux creates a dance-pop record that is at once both new and familiar.  Though the synths and beats are not necessarily the most diverse, the arrangements and front-woman Elly Jackon's vocals allowed the album to achieve wide popularity on the dance floor.  Breakout hit "Bulletproof" is exemplary of this combination.  Catchy synth is mixed with robotic beats to set the perfect soundscape for Jackson's amazing vocals, which though processed don't sound over-worked.  Though occasionally La Roux's style outshines their substance, this effort stands out amidst a slew of similar 80s revivalists.

Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Formed in 1995 in Paris, France, it took Phoenix almost 15 years to find their breakout hit with Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, which is by far their best and most consistent record.  Confident but not imposing, this album gives you 10 pleasant, accessible songs that are immediately enjoyable.  The two opening tracks "Lisztomania" and "1901" glisten in pop-glory, but there are other gems to be found in "Love Like a Sunset, Pt. 1" and "Lasso".  Hopefully, Phoneix can keep up the effort on their next release.

Real Estate - Real Estate

Another one of my favorite Indie-releases of the year, Real Estate's debut album draws on indie greats Yo La Tengo, early Shins, and other not-quite-lo-fi masters.  A relaxing and rewarding listen, Real Estate glides and caresses the listener while describing the fate of the suburban dwellers, (two tracks with Suburban in the title), with lyrics such as "the suburban dogs are in love with their chains."  The most upbeat the albums gets is only a brisk walk, "Beach Comber" being one of my favorites, but the pleasantries of the album leave the listener satisfied instead of waiting for more...unless of course if by more you mean their next album.

Rx Bandits - Mandala

I eagerly awaited Rx Bandits' fifth studio release along with many other fans, and I am glad to say that they did not disappoint but came up with one of my favorite albums of the year.  Building on the groundwork of And the Battle Begun, RXB came back with another fantastic album filled with less horns but more great jams.  Further abandoning their ska roots, this album is even more progressive than their previous efforts.  Anchored by the incredibly solid and innovative drumming of Chris Tsagakis, the band recorded most of their songs live with minimal overdubbing.  The result is an album that channels their superb live performances.  Some highlights for me are the mid-tempo ballad "White Lies", which finds the bands holding back to glorious affect, the anthemic "Bring Our Children Home or Everything is Nothing" with its strong message, Latin groove, and powerful outro-jam, the infectious "Mientras La Veo Sonar" with its immediately catchy call & response guitar parts, and the thundering "Bled to Be Free (The Operation)" with its break-neck drum first half and pounding guitars of the second half complete with an excellent guitar solo.  Every member of the band continues to improve musically, from the vocals of Matt Embree to the rhythm unit of Tsagakis and Joe Troy to the progressive guitar and funky synth/organ of multi-instrumentalist Steve Choi.  Rx Bandits continues to show that they are band that is not afraid to evolve.

Various Artists - Dark Was the Night

I am usually wary of compilations, but this album, produced by the National's Bryce and Aaron Dessner and John Carlin for the Red Hot Organization and the AIDS charity's 20th anniversary, surprised me.  With a line-up of some of the best indie artists of the late 2000s, there is a little something for everyone.  Bon Iver, Iron & Wine, Sufjan Stevens, Feist, Ben Gibbard, and Jose Gonzalez are just some of the great artists who contribute mostly new compositions.  Some of my favorites were Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings covering Shuggie Otis' "Inspiration Information", David Byrnes' weird but awesome "Knotty Pine", and the haunting, always melodic Bon Iver track "Brackett, WI".  The incredibly talented indie-siren Feist pairs with lo-fi Grizzly Bear on "Service Bell" to create a song which brings out a side of Feist's beautiful vocals that aren't always present in her solo material.  Amazingly coherent for a collaboration, Dark Was the Night should be picked up by anyone who is even remotely interested in any of these artists, and the fact that it is for a good cause should make you that much more inclined.

Wilco - Wilco (the Album)

Alt-country rockers Wilco have been together for a while now, but they still know how to cut a record.  The addition of Nels Cline since Sky Blue Sky has added such a beautiful dimension to their music, and the joy and understanding that comes through on this record is nearly palpable.  Starting from the eponymous opening track, where Jeff Tweedy asserts that through thick and thin "Wilco will love you, baby", the band enters into relational territory with the fan that few bands care to explore.  Another highlight is "Bull Black Nova" which steadily builds with a noisy, consuming crescendo reminiscent of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.  "You and I" is a gentle, couple's song that shows off Tweedy's softer side and songwriting ability of being able to do so much with so little.  My favorite is "I'll Fight" with its messianic imagery and sacrificial message above a jaunting, spiky accompaniment.  Though definitely not as ambitious as some of their earlier releases, Wilco (The Album) displays the band perfecting what they do best and leaves the listener all the better for it.

So there you have it: 18 of my favorite albums from 2009.  I hope you enjoyed my selections and let me know if I missed any of your favorites in the comments section below.  Lets hope 2010 is as good a year musically as 2009 was.