Medeski, Martin and WoodAfter reading 324607028 end of the year lists, I felt compelled to make my own. Let's go for 324607029!
MY FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2009
25. Songs of Shame – Woods
Okay, I admit it, I like the album artwork a lot better than the actual album.
24. Your Heart Is A Glorious Machine – Sometymes Why
Having Ruth Unger essentially tell you she’s going to rape you is a pretty off-putting way to begin an album. Thankfully, the ladies manage to contain their sexual aggression for the rest of the record.
http://new.music.yahoo.com/sometymes-why/tracks/slow-down--215771346
23. Born on Flag Day – Deer Tick
Not nearly as much fun as their live set, but a good step forward for Rhode Island’s gravel-voiced contingent.
22. Upper Air – Bowerbirds
Need… more… bearded indie-folk...
21. Sea of Tears – Eilen Jewell
One of the most consistent recording artists of this decade.
20. Midnight At The Movies – Justin Townes Earle
Gotta love that photograph. Oh yeah, and the music’s good, too.
19. Them Crooked Vultures – Them Crooked Vultures
I was getting used to John Paul Jones the bluegrass producer. But I guess he’s also a pretty good rock bassist, huh?
18. Electric Dirt – Levon Helm
Even better than Dirt Farmer.
17. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix – Phoenix
This is probably ranked a bit low. I thought it was a lock for the top 10 the first time I heard it. Call it the “Cadillac Effect”.
16. Oh My God, Charlie Darwin – The Low Anthem
“Set the sails I feel the winds a'stirring
Toward the bright horizon set the way
Cast your wreckless dreams upon our Mayflower
Haven from the world and her decay”
15. Gather, Form & Fly – Megafaun
I think “The Longest Day” might be my favorite song of the year.
http://lala.com/zZgc
14. Before The Frost… - The Black Crowes
Great idea for them to record these songs live at The Barn in Woodstock. Also, all I want for Christmas is Chris Robinson’s poncho:
13. There Is No Enemy – Built to Spill
I heard “Hindsight” at a Best Buy a couple weeks ago. I couldn’t decide if this was a good thing or a bad thing. Determining the quality of the album requires less thought.
12. Radiolarians II - Medeski, Martin and Wood
I still haven’t listened to the finale to the Radiolarians series, but I certainly enjoyed part 2.
11. Horehound – The Dead Weather
Jack White doesn’t sleep.
10. Ten Years On – The New Mastersounds
Britfunk?
9. Popular Songs - Yo La Tengo
The second best Yo La Tengo album of the year.
8. Historosity – Vijay Iyer Trio
“This is a great-sounding record.”
-everyone with functioning ears
7. Fuckbook – Condo Fucks
“You can’t put a covers album by an inside-joke band in the top 10!” Don’t tell me what I can’t do!
6. The Knot – Wye Oak
I feel like I'm probably overrating this a little, but whatever; I really enjoy it.
5. Tight Knit – Vetiver
Indie... folk... beards... yes...
4. Up Here – Soulive
Funky enough to make al-Zawahiri breakdance.
3. Middle Cyclone – Neko Case
The Golden Rule of Making Lists: “If it has a half-hour song consisting of only frog noises, it has to make the top 3.”
2. Farm – Dinosaur Jr.
I wish I got a ride from a leafy monster...
1. Veckatimest – Grizzly Bear
It's just great art.
MY FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2009
25. Songs of Shame – Woods
Okay, I admit it, I like the album artwork a lot better than the actual album.
24. Your Heart Is A Glorious Machine – Sometymes Why
Having Ruth Unger essentially tell you she’s going to rape you is a pretty off-putting way to begin an album. Thankfully, the ladies manage to contain their sexual aggression for the rest of the record.
http://new.music.yahoo.com/sometymes-why/tracks/slow-down--215771346
23. Born on Flag Day – Deer Tick
Not nearly as much fun as their live set, but a good step forward for Rhode Island’s gravel-voiced contingent.
22. Upper Air – Bowerbirds
Need… more… bearded indie-folk...
21. Sea of Tears – Eilen Jewell
One of the most consistent recording artists of this decade.
20. Midnight At The Movies – Justin Townes Earle
Gotta love that photograph. Oh yeah, and the music’s good, too.
19. Them Crooked Vultures – Them Crooked Vultures
I was getting used to John Paul Jones the bluegrass producer. But I guess he’s also a pretty good rock bassist, huh?
18. Electric Dirt – Levon Helm
Even better than Dirt Farmer.
17. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix – Phoenix
This is probably ranked a bit low. I thought it was a lock for the top 10 the first time I heard it. Call it the “Cadillac Effect”.
16. Oh My God, Charlie Darwin – The Low Anthem
“Set the sails I feel the winds a'stirring
Toward the bright horizon set the way
Cast your wreckless dreams upon our Mayflower
Haven from the world and her decay”
15. Gather, Form & Fly – Megafaun
I think “The Longest Day” might be my favorite song of the year.
http://lala.com/zZgc
14. Before The Frost… - The Black Crowes
Great idea for them to record these songs live at The Barn in Woodstock. Also, all I want for Christmas is Chris Robinson’s poncho:
13. There Is No Enemy – Built to Spill
I heard “Hindsight” at a Best Buy a couple weeks ago. I couldn’t decide if this was a good thing or a bad thing. Determining the quality of the album requires less thought.
12. Radiolarians II - Medeski, Martin and Wood
I still haven’t listened to the finale to the Radiolarians series, but I certainly enjoyed part 2.
11. Horehound – The Dead Weather
Jack White doesn’t sleep.
10. Ten Years On – The New Mastersounds
Britfunk?
9. Popular Songs - Yo La Tengo
The second best Yo La Tengo album of the year.
8. Historosity – Vijay Iyer Trio
“This is a great-sounding record.”
-everyone with functioning ears
7. Fuckbook – Condo Fucks
“You can’t put a covers album by an inside-joke band in the top 10!” Don’t tell me what I can’t do!
6. The Knot – Wye Oak
I feel like I'm probably overrating this a little, but whatever; I really enjoy it.
5. Tight Knit – Vetiver
Indie... folk... beards... yes...
4. Up Here – Soulive
Funky enough to make al-Zawahiri breakdance.
3. Middle Cyclone – Neko Case
The Golden Rule of Making Lists: “If it has a half-hour song consisting of only frog noises, it has to make the top 3.”
2. Farm – Dinosaur Jr.
I wish I got a ride from a leafy monster...
1. Veckatimest – Grizzly Bear
It's just great art.
