I listened to tons of different stuff the past 12 months, as usual catching up on albums released the previous year and beyond so these don't really reflect ALL my favourites; these are the albums I loved the most that I bought and were released in 2009. I know it's a bit fucking lame to gush about a bunch of albums I loved (and most people didn't haha) but hey, if anyone reads this and enjoys one of them then that's well worth it in my book. I'd love to hear what your favourites have been too.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart- Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
This was the best recommendation I recieved this year. Hardly original, this album is poppy early 90's shoegaze but fuck me if it isn't better than anything from that era. I listened to this non stop all year since it's release in Feburary, never once got tired of it and still haven't.
Favourite track - A Teenager In Love
Bat for Lashes - Two Suns
I liked the first album but this blew the shit out of me. I can't even remember how I got so into this, must have been from hearing Daniel somewhere when it was released on single. Got tickets to see her at the Forum and got listening to the album properly. I love the otherworldly feel about it, the lyrics too. Perfect dream pop, spun it all year long. Show at the Roundhouse was amazing too.
Favourite track - Siren Song.
Beware of Safety - Dogs
Heard this playing in a record shop in Birmingham and had to buy it there and then, I knew I was gonna love it after 10 seconds.
I've seen this described as prog but I never heard it like that. It's post rock but with more emphasis on the rock than the quiet bits. This grew and grew and grew and the power of it still blows me away.
Favourite track - Yards And Yards
A Camp - Colonia
The Mark Linkous produced Debut A Camp album is one of my favourite albums of all time and I was dubious of this after hearing he wasn't on board. This new album seems so far removed from the country tinged first but that was 8 years ago after all. This is leaning more towards The Cardigans most recent work, accomplished, solidly crafted pop. First single Stronger Than Jesus was the first track I heard, and I knew I was going to love it (the video is class too). Lyrically, I feel this is Nina Persson's best work to date.
Favourite track - Love Has Left The Room
Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
I've liked their previous albums but this is my favourite of theirs to date. I bought this during a big summer spending spree, listened to it once then got caught up listening to tons of other stuff. I went back to it about a month later and couldn't believe I'd neglected it.
Well, well catchy, really warm production, I can't listen to it and sit still.
At 35 minutes it's short, but it's worth it as there's no filler.
Favourite track - 1901 (That moog on 1.16! amazing!)
Hed Kandi - Nu Disco -VA
I used to love the disco heavens years ago then the started going downhill when the fella who run it left and admittidly I'd given up on the label out of boredom. This was right up my street though, 2 discs of future retro. Fred Falke, Alan Braxe, Lifelike...was this actually compiled with me in mind? First discovered Phonat here too. Played to death.
Favourite track - Relation - Your Tiny Mind (Lifelike remix)
Japandroids - Post-Nothing
Bought this after looking at the cover, sometimes you just know don't you. Brilliant fuzzed out pop rock (also with a huge nod to the 90's), it just sounds like 2 geezers fucking enjoying themselves. Great lyrics too -"These girls are all Bikini Kill/We need a ride to Bikini Island"
Favourite track - Young Hearts Spark Fire
LTJ Bukem - Fabriclive
There's been some great drum & bass releases from Fabric the past couple of years (High Contrast, Marcus Intalex) but you listen to this and it can only be LTJ Bukem. The mix is fucking DEEEEP, it's a masterclass. Got lost in this alot on long journeys to the midlands this summer.
Favourite track - Inflated Tear - Villem
Richmond Fontaine - We Used to Think the Freeway Sounded Like a River
Business as usual for My Favourite Band On Earth, and maybe that's why it's not higher. Wonderful panoramic americana again, though Willy goes for a different kind of approach vocally on some tracks, I prefer him in story telling-voice-mode. Didn't stop me listening to it solidly though. Doubt I could ever dislike something they'd produce.
Favourite track - A Letter To The Patron Saint Of Nurses
Converge - Axe To Fall
Ok this is kind of cheating as I only heard it for the first time yesterday but I'm so excited I had to include it. In 2001, Jane Doe changed the way I listened to music and is still in my top 5 albums of all time. Both albums since then didn't come anywhere close so I wasn't exactly rushing to listen to this when it came out. Yesterday though, I heard Dark Horse and it stripped my faaaaaacking face off. Although this album is a lot different (they've turned up the thrash to 11), it's brilliant and a long overdue return to form.
Favourite track - Dark Horse
Other albums I enjoyed this year -
Hanne Hukkelberg - Blood from a Stone - Same as usual, bit more accessible though. Midnight Sun Dream got a LOT of plays. Good artwork too, appeals.
Jonsi & Alex - Riceboy Sleeps - GORGEOUS. Read a lot to this.
Tegan & Sara - Sainthood - Same with Richmond Fontaine, business as usual. Poppier than The Con, but not as good.
Mocky - Saskamodie - Niiiice lounge. Sleepy Time went on a lot of playlists.
The Low Anthem - Oh My God, Charlie Darwin - Was hoping I'd like this more, the pretty tracks are amazing (especially Ticket Taker), upbeat tracks, not so much.
Whispertown 2000 - Swim - I could still get into this deeper, No Dope got the listen-to-it-twenty-times-in-row treatment.
Vitalic - Flashmob
Only really decent electronica album released this year that I liked I think, not been in the mood to listen to it much though. Work in progress.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz
Never been massively into them but Hysteric is one of my favourite tracks of the year.
There's probably albums I've forgotten but whatcha gonna do.
Bat for Lashes
