2009 is nearly over, and you know what that means… time to make New Year’s resolutions, time to try and get all the shit done you planned to do but never got around to doing, and time to drown all your problems in champagne and make the transition into a new era as smooth as possible. For me, these last moments in December always mean one thing: reflecting upon the past year’s music, all the new artists who have wowed me, and all of the songs that got themselves forever stuck in my head, in a good way that is. Yes, Rolling Stone, Spin, and Pitchfork may have beat me to it, but I decided I would share with you my top 20 favorite albums of the year. I figure if these albums have had such an amazing impact on my year, there’s really no use in letting all the big companies silence my opinion and speak for me. Some of the titles echo already existing lists while some I intend to give recognition to artists I feel were vastly underappreciated, but there’s no doubt that the following 20 albums all share one thing in common: they undeniably and whole-heartedly kick ass.
No. 20: The Temper Trap – Conditions
The Temper Trap is one of my favorite new bands, and after high expectations I set post-“Sweet Disposition” (part of the (500) Days of Summer soundtrack), their debut album didn’t disappoint. Their music seems to universally appeal to everyone, young and old, wild and docile. I can definitely see this group becoming really big really fast, and I can’t wait to see them progress in the industry as they grab the attention of more and more music-lovers worldwide.
No. 19: Bat for Lashes – Two Suns
Bat for Lashes may have a sound that’s an acquired taste, but the more I heard this album the more I couldn’t help from adding it to this list. Natasha Khan’s vocals are jaw dropping and the melodies in tracks like “Pearl’s Dream” and “Sleep Alone” are gorgeous, not to mention the incredible music videos that accompany all of her singles. It is Bat for Lashes’s undeniable individualism and incomparable style that attract me most to this album; it is definitely worth giving a try.
No. 18: Regina Spektor – Far
Regina Spektor is amazing (no shit). She has always had the power to shock me with her incredible voice and astonishingly intelligent wit, and this album just further proved to me what had been proved with past albums: there’s no one in the world like her. Though I’m not equally in love with all of Far’s songs, I am, without a doubt, completely taken aback with the genius of songs like “Dance Anthem of the ‘80’s”, “The Calculation”, “Laughing With”, and “Human of the Year”. Regina will always be one of the best in my book, and I’m surprised she did not get more recognition with this album.
No. 17: Thao & The Get Down Stay Down – Know Better Learn Faster
There’s something so endearing about Thao Nguyen; she’s someone you wouldn’t necessarily pick out of a crowd as the next big thing, but I think for her genre she is well on her way. Tracks like “Cool Yourself” and “When We Swam” have a delightful sense of simplicity, and the album in its entirety is delightfully road-trip worthy and I can’t help but smile when listening to all this record has to offer. I have high hopes for Thao in the future; this album is definitely only the beginning of a great thing.
No. 16: Peaches – I Feel Cream
Peaches is absolutely insane, and I love it. Her music has always been indisputably attention-capturing and invasive, but I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about how talented this woman is in all senses of the word. From performer to writer to vocalist, Peaches continues to make a well-welcomed splash in the world of electronic music with I Feel Cream. If nothing else, she will forever be known to me as the artist who can’t be listened to while sitting down, and I think that’s one of the best compliments a musician could be given.
No. 15: Metric – Fantasies
God, this band kills me. I don’t care what anyone says, I think they’re incredible. Emily Haines & Co. have obviously had great success in the past with their edgy persona and playful rebelliousness, and though this record is a bit more pop than the others I still think they hold to their true spirit. Tracks like “Help I’m Alive”, “Gimme Sympathy” and the chorus of “Blindness” make me want to stop whatever I’m doing and stomp around, reveling in their bold statements and beltable nature. Metric, you never cease to amaze me.
No. 14: The XX – XX
The XX is the newest edition to my collection of 2009 favorites, and I have to admit I only wish I had discovered them sooner than I did. This album is the perfect combination of bold and tranquil, and I think songs like “Heart Skipped a Beat” are destined to be loved by the masses. I am incredibly impressed with this CD and hope that they will grace Coachella or LA/NY venues with their presence in the near future.
No. 13: A Fine Frenzy – Bomb in a Birdcage
A Fine Frenzy has more of a sense of serenity than the majority of the artists on my list, but she has always stood out to me as one of the more talented young musicians I have encountered ever since her debut, One Cell in the Sea. Though she claims this album brings out more of her wild side than the previous album, I think she holds true to her thoughtful, forest-creature self, even in more pronounced tracks like “Electric Twist” and “Stood Up”. To this day Alison Sudol is one of the nicest and most sincere musicians I have ever met, and if this album doesn’t show that, I don’t know what would.
No. 12: Imogen Heap – Ellipse
We all know Imogen Heap is known for her delightfully peculiar style, and Ellipse doesn’t exactly stray from that. Nonetheless, I think this record shows the most relatable side of Imogen yet, while still holding on to her individuality and innovativeness. I am completely obsessed with “First Train Home”, “Earth”, and “Bad Body Double”, and rightfully so as they are so utterly fantastic it’s hard to put it into words. Though it doesn’t come as a great surprise to me that the album is one of my favorites of 2009, it is definitely one of her best.
No. 11: The Bird and the Bee – Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future
I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t mention The Bird and the Bee’s latest on this list; Inara George and Greg Kurstin are two of the current artists I have so much respect for (and apparently, I’m on the same page with the people who decide on Grammy nominations, because sure enough Greg is up for one himself). This album is both unique and sophisticated, and seems to really define The Bird and the Bee’s true musical soul.
No. 10: Amanda Blank – I Love You
It’s almost paradoxical how Amanda Blank is both intimidatingly fierce and sincerely kind-hearted, something I had the pleasure of finding out when I met her at Amoeba over the summer. Her lyrics push the limits and her presence makes a statement, to say the least, but I Love You is chalk- full of mind-blowing beats and amazing collaborations, and seems to be perfectly designed to fit in a CD player in a car driving down the streets of Los Angeles at night. It goes without saying that I Love You has, well, made me feel the same way about Amanda.
No. 9: Discovery – LP
To me, it was logical that Ra Ra Riot and Vampire Weekend would collaborate at some point, but the duo of Wes Miles and Rostam Batmanglij seems to bring to head what I have always loved about both groups in a completely contagious new way. From the remake of Ra Ra’s “Can You Tell” with “Can You Discover” to my personal favorites “Osaka Loop Line”, “Orange Shirt”, and “Swing Tree”, this album always puts me in the right state of mind and is incapable of not being loved.
No. 8: Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
This one seems kind of obvious, but regardless I can’t help but saying that I think this is Animal Collective’s best so far. I have always respected them as musicians but I think this album displays what they are truly capable of compositionally. Though I can’t deny my love for “My Girls” and “Summertime Clothes”, as I think we all feel the same way, the majority of the record is equally awe-inspiring, and I’m pretty sure the album will forever be considered one of 2009’s best.
No. 7: Passion Pit – Manners
Sure, synth-pop/ electronic music can get a bit repetitive sometimes, but that was just about the farthest thing from my mind when I first heard Manners. I had been familiar with their stuff from Chunk of Change but this album really blew me away. They are just so creative and each song really has its own feel to it; in my opinion this album redefined synth music, if not perpetuated our society’s obsession with it. It goes without saying that this album is infectious, and Passion Pit will definitely not be lost from the music world any time soon.
No. 6: Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz
You won’t find a top album, top artist, or top song of the year list without seeing the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s name all over it like spilled paint, so I’m obviously not alone in my admiration for them and for the album. However, I can’t help but rave about an album that has been in the glove compartment of my car for 7+ months in a row. Karen O by herself is enough to make you want to let loose and dance in the streets in the most mismatched of outfits, but the band as a whole did a phenomenal job on each and every song on this record. As far as I am concerned, the YYY’s are the farthest thing from a “Zero”.
No. 5: Ida Maria – Fortress ‘Round My Heart
I almost forgot that this album was released this year; it seems like it’s been so much longer considering how many times I’ve listened to it. Ida Maria seemingly came out of no where to make a huge impact on the indie music scene, and her refreshing honesty and unruly disposition make her nothing short of a role model for anyone who desires to have the courage to really be themselves. I have so much respect for all she has done and all she reveals about herself on this record, both as a musician and as fearlessly vulnerable individual. Fortress ‘Round My Heart is an incredible start to what is destined to be a long legacy for this incredible new artist.
No. 4: La Roux – La Roux
I couldn’t agree more with NME, who calls Elly Jackson aka La Roux “the last word in the synth-pop generation”. This CD, in my opinon, is the catchiest album I have heard in a really long time. Tracks like “Fascination” and “As If By Magic” have the power to completely take you out of your head and become encapsulated by the beat, while also allowing you to feel the frustrations and fragility that come with love, as implied by Elly in the most eloquent stringing of words. There’s no question why La Roux became so popular nearly overnight; she has a voice and a style that completely outshine a lot of current artists that only try to do what she does so well.
No. 3: Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Another record that has gotten its fair share of recognition this year, yet another record I would never pass up being at the top of my little list for 2009. Phoenix collectively is so musically gifted it pushes near prodigal levels in my mind. It almost embarrasses me that they so eloquently express things and create lyrical connections in English, their second language, in ways I myself would never dream of coming up with. Needless to say, Wolfgang has only further preserved my love for Phoenix, and I am so glad they have finally achieved the level of appreciation they have deserved for years.
And, ladies and gentlemen, we have a TIE for my No. 1 favorite record of the year:
No. 1a: Lily Allen – It’s Not Me, It’s You
Anyone who has known me since about the 8th grade has some general awareness of my Lily Allen obsession, if not too much of an awareness. It’s disgusting, and I’m ok with that. So naturally, It’s Not Me, It’s You is at the very top of my list. Despite my obvious bias, I think it’s absolutely extraordinary how much Lily has progressed since Alright, Still in 2006, both in her musical abilities and knack of expressing her perceptions of the world around her. Even though she has skyrocketed in popularity and has really evolved in her style and public persona, this album reminds me that she has not and never will lose touch with reality and her good ol’ outspoken self. What can I say, I’m hopelessly infatuated and always will be.
No. 1b: Florence + The Machine – Lungs
If I were to try to put into words how head-over-heels in love I am with this entire album and Florence Welch in general, I’d most likely become so enveloped with emotion I’d be reduced to tears. In fact, I may or may not have cried a little at her show at the Bowery Ballroom in October. How embarrassing. That in and of itself should tell you the extraordinary impact Lungs has had on my life this year, as is most certainly true for many people. It’s really hard to believe from listening to her voice and hearing her lyrics that she’s a mere 22 years old, she embodies a level of musical maturity that most people strive to achieve in a lifetime. I highly suggest that anyone who hasn’t listened to the album in full make it their top priority, because I wouldn’t just consider it one of the best albums of the year; it is definitely one of the best I have ever heard.
