Best of 2009: Album Edition

Well, it's getting closer to the end, folks. The end of this series and most importantly... the end of the year. Only four days away until we go into a new decade of this new century, and a new year.

Before that comes our way, let's conclude this with the final entry: the albums of 2009!



Swoon by Silversun Pickups

• A decent indie album, but yeah, you can hear the Smashing Pumpkins influence here. There were some good tracks, not just the famous "Panic Switch", there was "It's Nice that You Work Alone", "Catch & Release", and "There's No Secrets This Year". Am looking forward to see what they do next, they got potential.

Highlight: "There's No Secrets This Year" (OMG, grammatical error! It's "there are", not "there's"!)

In This Light and On This Evening by Editors

• Yeah, this album was hit-or-miss for me, but when the tracks were standouts, boy did they stand out! I already named one ("The Boxer"), but there was also "Walk the Fleet Road" and the title track. This new sound is Joy Division-ish, but they're trying too hard. The band should tweak with it before trying again. But, if the highlight says anything, they're getting it. Here's to a substantial fourth album...

Highlight: "Walk the Fleet Road"

Lungs by Florence + the Machine

• As much as I love her right now and many of her songs, this album as a whole wasn't steady. "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)", "Howl", and Hurricane Drunk" were amazing. I have yet to feel "You've Got the Love", a song enjoyed by many and "Kiss with A Fist". Otherwise, much potential is present. May she have a successful career and that she continues to grow as an artist.

Highlight: "Drumming Song"

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix

• Dunno why the band name is also in the title, but there you go. I deem this the "ninja album" for 2009. Why so? This album came out of nowhere and blew many listeners away. Not one blah track. Try out "Love Like A Sunset II" and "Lasso" and give these non-singles a chance. It is a well-put-together album with each song having hit potential (in the best sense of the world). The musical arrangements and vocals are pure joy to the ears. Best of luck at the Grammys, guys!

Highlight: "Fences"

Middle Cyclone by Neko Case

• I just found out that this is nominated for a Grammy. For once, the committee got it right. Give this lady the award, alone for making country music listenable again. Some of the more amazing tracks include "Polar Nettles", "Don't Forget Me", and "Red Tide". Beautiful vocals, clever lyrics, and lush arrangements; this album will not go ignored. Count me a fan, and all thanks to this album. Oh yeah, and this one too.

Highlight: "Middle Cyclone"

Walking on A Dream by Empire of the Sun

• Yes, the album was released in 2008... in everywhere but America. So therefore, this sorta counts. I thought the title track was gonna be their only good song, but man was that wrong to assume! We got "Standing on the Shore", "Without You", "The World", etc. I don't know why they remind me of a more electronic Savage Garden... maybe because they're from the same country? Here's to future releases, they got what it takes.

Highlight: "Half Mast"

Inland Territory by Vienna Teng

• A very under-appreciated artist. She has yet to make a bad record and almost every song she has written are gems. The new album played overhead at work, so I got an idea what to expect once my pre-ordered copy arrived. Again, another one out of the ballpark for her. She makes it too easy. Try out "Watershed" and "In Another Life" to hear a singer-songwriter sharpening their skills and expanding their horizons.

Highlight: "St. Stephen's Cross"

Of course, a familiar face from the song list is crowned queen again...

Two Suns by Bat for Lashes

• Such a shame she is still an unknown in the States. The woman has more talent in her left pinky finger than most of the more popular acts these days. There is not one bad track on this album. Too many standouts, like "Daniel" and "Glass", etc. She has a promising future ahead of her. As long as she continues down this path of awesome, she can happily put herself in the same realm as Kate Bush and Bjork without any problems.

Highlight: "Two Planets"

~

Well, that's about it for these lists. I decided the one for albums not released in '09 will make this entry longer than needed. I will post thoughts on those another time.

May 2010 be a little more... varied than this. Big things are gonna happen, so watch for them.

Thanks to whoever reads this blog, y'all are an awesome little audience. If I don't see you until the new year, again may the company you keep be good, the food and drink also good, and may your 2010 be a good one. As we march into this new decade, we get a chance to try again to make this world a better place.

Take care of each other, all of the creatures, and this world. We only get one world.

"We're going to the future. Do you want to come along?" - Dave Freeman

ETA: Took two days to do this list, but was completed in the early afternoon of the 28th.