FIVE mixes. FIVE. Containing no duplicates (I think) from all the previous mixes. These are not all my absolute favorite tunes of the year, as you can probably assume that a good many of them have made the other MIX AND MATCH volumes. These are, however, all songs I dig a lot, and I think most of my top 20 is represented in them somewhere. HEY, LOOK! They’re divided by genre! Sorta!
http://www.filefactory.com/file/a2e48g6/n/HARD_AND_HEAVY.rarhttp://www.filefactory.com/file/a2e5ad8/n/INDIE_AND_SUCH.rarhttp://www.filefactory.com/file/a2e5bef/n/POP_AND_DANCE.rarhttp://www.filefactory.com/file/a2e5c11/n/ROCK.rarhttp://www.filefactory.com/file/a2e7bce/n/HIP_HOP.rar
And with further ado, my favorite albums of 2009.
20 Placebo - Battle For the Sun
This band has been cranking out albums since 1994 which have garnered critical acclaim and much fanfare in the UK. Yet, somehow, I doubt you could run the name past many alt-rock fans in America and they’d know exactly who you’re talking about. Provocative lyrics and crunchy riffs. This latest disc is as good if not more infectious than any of the previous efforts, boasting less provoking and more excellent songcraft and Brian Moloko’s hypnotic voice. The title track is a repeat listen for me rather often.
19 Passion Pit - Manners
Talk about a major jump. The band put out a decent, underwhelming EP in 2008, then followed up with this knockout. Sick electronic pop grooves and high pitched voices make good. The track Little Voices can’t possibly not make you want to dance, and may just be my favorite song of 2009.
18 The Prodigy - Invaders Must Die
Twenty years later, this band continues to redefine their genre and their sound. Much more refined and solid than their last effort five years prior, and progressively more aggressive and modern. Run With the Wolves was the track I featured on a mix a while back, which remains my favorite. Omen ain’t shabby either.
17 The Swell Season - Strict Joy
Though I don’t think the album is quite the slam dunk that their first disc and the Once soundtrack were, it has to be realized that expectations were enormous for me. I can’t think of music that has touched me quite as deep as Glen Hansard’s has, and that’s really astounding. Regardless, this effort is packed full of great songwriting as always. High Horse was one of the best when I saw them live a few months ago.
16 Espers - III
Sweet, soft folksy music that haunts you is not one of those things you run across all the time, and maybe that’s why I instantly fell in love with Espers years ago (I can’t remember quite how). Their genre is described as psych folk, which makes a lot of sense when you hear certain songs that come completely alive when in an altered state of mind. I still feel like I may be the only person who knows this group, and while I’m happy to keep them, I really wish someone else could discover the creepy beauty. Their albums are not pieces, they’re best as a whole.
15 Basement Jaxx - Scars
I’ve never really been a huge fan of Basement Jaxx, but this album grew on me more and more as I would discover a new track from it. Then I realized I liked just about every single one. Go figure. The musical stylings vary with each guest performer, making for a really varied but sonically similar set. She’s No Good nabs that old James Brown soul vibe mixed with Mambo #5. I mean that in an extremely positive way.
14 Junior Boys - Begone Dull Care
After a few albums and EPs, this group appears to be hitting their stride in full form. Light electronic, smooth, easy going stuff here in the vein of Depeche Mode and New Order. Perfect for any situation. The opening track Parallel Lines is perfection.
13 Wale - Attention: Deficit
Color me surprised, as I envisioned a few months ago that this debut couldn’t possibly live up to the expectations built by outstanding mixtapes, as the early leaked tracks appeared weak. They didn’t make the album, thankfully. Mark Ronson’s hands are scattered throughout, but 90210 which he produced is the closest I’ve heard to a rap lullaby, and there is nary any other track on here which is unlikable.
12 Crash Kings - Crash Kings
One of those last minute things I just discovered even though the album came out in May. Perhaps it’s because the band is just now starting to get pushed to radio, after touring with Chris Cornell. The sound can be compared to Ben Folds Five simply due to the lack of guitar, replaced by a piano. They also appear to conjure up a comparison to Keane by some people. I hear the Ben Folds, but this band is nowhere close to the light FM sound of Keane, and Ben Folds has turned into a pale imitation of himself after he went solo. This will do just fine in the musical landscape, a unique sound with a dynamic lead singer and awesome song craftsmanship. If I had discovered this earlier in the year, I’m sure it would have made the top five, simply due to the fact that I can’t remember a disc which I couldn’t get to the end of because the first five songs bared repeating instantly. Mountain Man should be a first listen.
11 The Heavy - The House That Dirt Built
The Heavy can’t be easily described. A funk band filtered through garage rock, infused with clever looped samples from James Brown, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, and The Rolling Stones, to name a few. A dance party to be sure, Sixteen and Short Change Hero are instant wow-factor tracks, and the rest displays the versatility of these UK upstarts. Expecting many more good things.
10 The Clipse - Til the Casket Drops
A shorter wait this time (three as opposed to four years), yet 100% worth the wait. While 2006’s Hell Hath No Fury was an angry set packed full of angst and anxiousness after a multiple year battle with their former record label. They’re now settled back in and have crafted a disc more in line with their debut. Tales of slingin’ and blastin’ , without the bullshit, and WITH the production to back it up (again mostly provided by The Neptunes). Eyes On Me with Keri Hilson is left of center, catchy as hell, and is bound to be burnin’ up clubs.
9 Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
I’ve been a mild fan for about three years now after hearing a lot of good things about Yellow House and enjoying the result. Turns out it was just a warm up for this disc, an indie classic backed with (maybe a tie) the best song of 2009, Two Weeks. One listen to that should entice anyone with a good ear to consume the rest.
8 Paramore - Brand New Eyes
Talk about a band which I don’t think I would have even gone near, and I stand by the fact that their previous material is fairly bland. A few reviews from trusted and respected voices persuaded me to give this one a shot though. This album is a modern day interpretation of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors. Not in sound, of course, but in terms of in group hatred and singer Haley William’s angry break up with another band member. 300 days on the road touring together can do that to a group of young people. “Don’t wanna hear your sad songs/I wrote them anyway…” is a line that I love which adorns the single Ignorance, a vicious strike aimed directly at target #1. The album journeys into the torn feelings of a breakup, mixed with odes to love and bitterness in equal portions, done with rock and pop skills that some veterans could kill to have. Not too shabby for a former pop-punk group from Tennessee.
7 Lamb of God - Wrath
The metalhead in me cannot die. I understand that if the name isn’t Slayer, Pantera, or Mastadon there is no indie cred to be found in this genre, but I can‘t understand how this band doesn‘t get a big nod. As more diverse as my musical tastes have evolved since middle school, there is still a part of me that loves hearing something to bang the anger and frustration out with. This band for me was like discovering Pantera was for the generation older than me. It’s that sound, it’s the catchy riffs and the rattling drums, the southern slam. Difference being that I never thought the vocals matched as well with Pantera, and that someone like Randy Blythe here would be better. He sounds like a southern fried demon, incapable of speaking in anything but growl. This is either the last great American metal band, or the beginning of a new generation. Take your pick. Reclamation closes out the album, a 7-minute epic journey which I think is their best work. Metal masterpiece.
6 Stereophonics - Keep Calm & Carry On
I wasn’t as pleased with 2007’s Pull the Pin as I would like to have been, so this was a welcome reminder of why I love these guys. So many good songs here, and little dips into different undiscovered sounds makes this set a really solid listen all the way through. The band continues to grow and evolve their sound record to record. Stuck In a Rut has an incredible sound, and ends by building into a very classic rock staple that just makes me nod my head and get giddy.
5 St. Vincent - Actor
I don’t really know who I would recommend this band to, as I imagine every hipster friend you have is already been there done that. But maybe there are some people, skeptical, like myself who will go out on a limb and take the endless praise to mean that there has to be SOMETHING here. I’ve dug through Pitchfork’s lists for years, and don’t think I’m quite hip enough for them. In fact, I don’t know if anyone is. But as I dug into Actor, I realized that there is definitely something glorious here. It began with a weird, hypnotic love for the track Marrow, and grew into finding other things to like. Describing them is a bit difficult (somewhere between PJ Harvey and Portishead?), so check out Marrow or The Neighbors, see if they’re your cup of tea.
4 The Black Crowes - Before the Frost…Until the Freeze
My (unashamed) longtime favorite band returns with a double disc set chock full of reasons to remind myself of that love. Doubt all you want, but this is the last American rock band, plain and simple. Being at a live show is evidence. No band can draw as deeply into a catalogue of albums and a huge selection of cover songs nearly as easily as the Crowes seem too, not to mention jam endlessly and rock out on a whim. You never know where they’ll go, what cover they’ll pull out on tour, or what b-side they’ll play for the superfans. The recordings from the record were all done in front of a live audience, who remained quiet until given a signal at the end of the song to applaud. It comes really close to replicating their live chemistry. This is their best album in years, melding together their southern, country roots with their blues and their rock n roll skill. Been a Long Time (Waiting On Love) is one of their very best tunes, working as a listenable, catchy song with an ultimate rock-jam ending they’re known for live.
3 Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
As far as I’m concerned, Josh Homme can leave Queens of the Stone Age, Dave Grohl can leave Foo Fighters, and Jon Paul Jones can…well, still not be in Led Zeppelin anymore. This feels like an urgent, impromptu performance by three masters of the rock craft who got together and wrote songs for a week. Hell, that may be what actually happened. Who knows what stars in the universe aligned to bring such an accomplished trio together, but it’s magic. The track Reptiles sounds like vintage Zeppelin so much that it’s just scary. Even weirder is that Jimmy Page is nowhere near the song! This is a brilliant record, through and through. I’ve heard rumblings that they have tracks ready for a follow up. Keep those stars lined up.
2 Florence + The Machine - Lungs
It was a real challenge for me to pick between the top two for a numero uno, but I thought long and hard and decided that this was edged out in the end. This disc is amazing, fronted by a real voice. I’m speechless, really. That’s how their music hits me.
1 Depeche Mode - Sounds of the Universe
I made the prediction back in February that nothing could top this album for me. I was right. Start to finish, the entire album is a reinvention and a reminder at the exact same time. Sonically challenging, expertly paced and produced, and their best songwriting in ages. Before 2009 I never imagined I would have put Depeche Mode up as a favorite band of mine, but this disc did it. Buy it, listen to the whole damn thing in a dim room. Pony up for the special edition and listen in a surround sound mix for best results. Sonic genius.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Thrice - Beggars, Juliet Lewis - Terra Incognito, Crash Kings - Crash Kings, Daniel Merriweather - Love and War, Blakroc - Blakroc, NASA - The Spirit of Opollo, Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment, Muse - The Resistance, Dizzee Rascal - Tongue N Cheek, Fever Ray - Fever Ray, The Enemy - Music For the People, Dredg - The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion, Hurt - Goodbye To the Machine, Marilyn Manson - The High End of Low, Alcoholic Faith Mission - 421 Wythe Avenue, Deer Tick - Born On Flag Day, Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - Know Better Learn Faster, As Tall As Lions - You Can’t Take it With You, Chris Garneau - El Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It’s Blitz!, The Queen Killing Kings - Tidal Eyes, Needtobreathe - The Outsiders, Elvis Perkins in Dearland - Elvis Perkins in Dreamland, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour - Fruit, Alphabeat - The Spell, Eskimo Joe - Inshalla, Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown, Pixie Lott - Turn It Up, Peter Bjorn and John - Living Things, Bon Iver - Blood Bank EP, The xx - XX, The Alternate Routes - A Sucker’s Dream, Bat For Lashes - Two Suns, Major Lazer - Guns Don't Kill People...Lazers Do, The Gossip - Music For Men, Asher Roth - Asleep in the Bread Aisle, David Gray - Draw the Line, Band of Skulls - Baby Darling Doll Face Honey, Bat For Lashes - Two Suns, Billy Boy On Poison - Drama Junkie Queen, 30 Seconds To Mars - This Is War, Peaches - I Feel Cream, Hockey - Mind Chaos, fun. - Aim and Ignite, Discovery - LP, Mammal - The Majority, Mudvayne - Mudvayne, Five Finger Death Punch - War Is the Answer, Poison the Well - The Tropic Rot, Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3, We Were Promised Jetpacks - These Four Walls, Melanie Fiona - The Bridge, Rammstein - Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da, Pink - Funhouse, Girls - Album, Mellowdrone - Angry Bear, MuteMath - Armistice, Kid Sister - Ultraviolet, Civil Twilight - Civil Twilight, The Bravery - Stir the Blood
2009 movies are being edited. It’s a comin‘.
-M
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