2009 was a really good year for music, many of my favourite artists returned from the void to release stellar albums, many new bands rose majestically, and I discovered a few "late-to-the-bandwagon" gems along the way. Join me on this voyage, as I discuss why my favourites are my favourites, and why maybe you should give them a listen.
I listened to around fifty albums fairly intensively this year, as a result of reviewing work, or just for my own personal use. I also listened to many more at a more passing glance, some that I regret not giving the proper time to, and some that I just couldn't get in to. I shall begin with these albums, that could still possibly grow on me.
Mansions - New Best FriendsI was a little late to the Mansions party, hearing about them since the release in early 09, reading the rave reviews, being unable to find a copy anywhere, forgetting about them, to stumbling on a copy in December. From my few listens I can tell that the album is well made and that the lyrics are excellent, a few more listens could have bumped this on to the list.
Say Anything - Say Anything
I am a huge Say Anything fan, the love beginning with the song "Admit It!!!" from their first album Is A Real Boy. Their combination of interesting instrumentation, awesome tempo changes, and lyrics that can make you laugh and then feel incredibly melancholy makes them a winner. This album however hasn't yet had enough rotations, and unfortunately hasn't even stuck with me in the listens I have given it. I have faith in Max Bemis, so hopefully this one will grow on me.
Tegan and Sara - Sainthood
The reviews of this one make it out to be a masterpiece, but I haven't got around to listening to it more than once. What I did hear was interesting, yet I still haven't gone back to it due to other albums finding their way into my lap.
The Swellers - Ups and DownsizingAlong with a couple of other bands this year, The Swellers were touted as a return to form for pop punk. I have listened to this a few times, and some of the songs are incredibly catchy, yet I haven't found the album as a whole to be a must listen. Either way though, the first two songs "2009" and "Fire Away" are excellent pieces of pop punk
The Dangerous Summer - Reach For The SunAnother one of the pop punk return to formers. I tried to get in to this album, but very often I found it quite pedestrian. AJ Perdomo does craft some interesting lyrics, and does use the word "fuck" really well in songs, but I often find myself bored with the instrumentation. In spite of this their song "The Permanent Rain" comes highly recommended.
Franz Ferdinand - Tonight
I loved Franz Ferdinands first record, it was cheeky, funky and catchy as balls. However like their second album You Could Have It So Much Better, I found myself not listening to Tonight many times at all. I am not sure why, as I can still go back and enjoy their first album front to back. I also loved the direction their lead single "Ulysses" took, and thanks to iPod ads "No You Girls" gets stuck in my head quite regularly. The rest of the album needs to be given another chance I think.
Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Why I haven't listened to this album more I don't know. I love "Lisztomania", whenever I hear a song from this album somewhere else I enjoy it, and everyone seems to love it. It's a great album, that I inexplicably haven't given more time.
Those are the main ones that got ignored, now on to the good stuff!
All Time Low - Nothing PersonalCertainly not the deepest most thought provoking album of the year, and I don't even consider it better than their previous album. It's a lot more poppy and a little over-produced, even containing some flat out skippable songs such as "Too Much" and "Hello, Brooklyn". But the rest of the album is pure pop fun, and the two singles "Weightless" and "Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don't)" will leave a smile on your face, if not you are possibly a robot, or maybe dead.
Closure In Moscow - First Temple
These Aussie rockers blasted out of the gate in 2009 with an exploisive collection of songs. Some may get bogged down in prog rock over indulgence, but songs like "Kissing Cousins" and Sweet#Hart" are booming examples of a band bursting with energy and creativity.
Passion Pit - Manners
By
now everyone has heard of Passion Pit. They are definitely one of 2009's hipster approved overexposure band that everyone has to love. But these guys are here for a reason, they make genius electro pop that is extremely listenable. Even if electro pop isn't your thing give "Little Secrets" a listen, it is a slice of dance pop perfection
Set Your Goals - This Will Be The Death Of Us
One of the saviours of pop punk that I would have to agree with. While not as catchy as Mutiny, this album shows Set Your Goals doing what they do best. Hard Hitting pop punk jams that aren't overly girly or poppy, yet still incredibly catchy. Check out "Summer Jam" for one of the most fun songs of the year.
Paramore - Brand New Eyes
How would Paramore survive the dizzying success of Riot! and then climbing to international stardom by being included on the Twilight soundtrack? By writing a bigger, better, and honest album that chronicled all the troubles with success. Hayley Williams' voice has got even better, and the last track "All I Wanted" showcases all these elements in a powerful four minute burst.
Alexisonfire - Old Crows/Young Cardinals
Alexisonfire continue to mature lyrically and musically, while still retaining the frenetic energy that made them so popular in the first place. It helps that they are bolstered by one of the best voices in the punk scene with Dallas Green, whose amazing harmonies contrast well with George Petit's gutteral screaming. Check out "The Northern" and "Midnight Regulations".
Cursive - Mama I'm SwollenAfter three concept albums, and the last two featuring distinct musical shifts as Cursive lost their cellist and gained a horn section, they return to semi normal with brilliant results. While many believed this album to be a mis step of sorts, it still has a lot to love, and still contains the brilliant Tim Kasher lyrics that fuel Cursive's genius. It all culminates in "What Have I Done", a powerfully emotional meditation on failure.
Anchor and Braille - FeltNot content with releasing great records with Anberlin, Stephen Christian has to go ahead and make a great solo album as well. Aided by Aaron Marsh of Copeland's deft instrumentation, Christian has crafted a atmospheric piece that showcases his amazing voice. "Sing Out" is one of many worth checking out, but a personal favourite of mine.
Thursday - Common ExistenceAfter the slower, more ethereal vibe of A City By The Light Divided, Thursday return to what they do best with Common Existence, shredding like there is no tomorrow. Geoff Rickleys lyrics, which range from politics, love, death and friendship shine, and his unique voice gives Thursday their sound. Album closer "You Were The Cancer" should be included in the manual for how to end an album, a seven minute wonder that builds up slow before letting it all out, this is one that shouldn't be missed.
The Avett Brothers - I and Love and YouMoving to the majors sure paid off for The Avett Brothers, as their new album shows their sound evolving for the better. There is something for everyone here, from the moody piano laden opener, to the banjo fuelled rockers of old. "Slight Figure of Speech" is the one worth checking out, as it is just a damn fun song.
Relient K - Forget and Not Slow DownAfter the dissapointment of their last effort, Relient K bounce back to form and then some with this record. It is obvious that singer Matthew Thiessen suffered some heartbreak this year, and he channels that into the best pop punk record of the year. The fact that he can go through all this and then create songs that will leave you smiling is a testament to its greatness. The title track is one worth checking out, but "Savannah" is Relient K doing something a little different, and pulling it off amazingly.
Brand New - Daisy
Whaaa?? Not only do Brand New release an album that isn't my top album of the year, but they release one that also polarizes its critics and fans so completely, that many think they have gone off the rails? It's true, but like it or not, Daisy is still an amazing album. It's brutal opener "Vices" feels like getting beaten up by twenty people, and it very rarely lets up. It requires multiple listens at first, but stick with it, because it is a very rewarding work, and one that shows just how dark, and how far Brand New are willing to make their sound. Brand New don't make compromises, they just continue to churn out amazing albums, and Daisy most definitely fits that mould
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Fun. - Aim and Ignite
The only reason Brand New got beaten is because this record is incredible in every sense of the word. It arrived in August yet still is an almost daily require listen. I have gushed about Fun in this very blog before, but they deserve every bit of praise that is heaped on them. This is songwriting and its most fun, catchy, honest, emotional and brilliant. Every song could be a radio friendly single, but they won't be, because Fun are a little too different from the mainstream. Regardless, they are the indie pop worlds best kept secret, even eluding many skinnky leg jean wearing hipsters. Listen to Fun, as they have produced the years best album. Every song is a must listen, but if you want emotion, check out "The Gambler", if you want pop goodness check out "Walking the Dog". You shall not be disappointed.
So there we have it, this took a while to write and a while to compile. The first two choices have been obvious to me for a few months, and the third place has also been firmly locked in since release. Albums I have left off are almost certainly not bad, but have possibly gone un noticed, so if there are any worthwhile ones let me know. Unless it is one of these
Disappointing And/Or Shitty Albums
Taking Back Sunday - New Again - Both Disappointing and shitty, the TBS of old is gone, best just dust of Tell All Your Friends and pretend this never happened
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Saosin - In Search Of Solid Ground - More a disappointment, as their first album was so brilliant. They seem to have gone the radio rock route, and it has gutted them of their soul. "On My Own" is an unreal track though.
That's all for now, I was gonna put in video games, but I have run out of time, and everyone who is anyone knows that Uncharted 2: Among Thieves blew everything out of the water.
