This was fun and a bit difficult for us to come to a consensus on our top albums of the year. However what has emerged below are all great pieces of artwork that we can wholly stand behind as being some of the greatest of 2009. We’re excited to read your comments, thoughts and references to our biggest omissions (there was a lot of good music this year and we probably left something off.)
1. Passion Pit – Manners
We just played this album and the Chunk of Change EP way tooo much this year. Early on, our debates were whether the high pitched vocals were that of a woman or man, but soon realized that the man, Michael Angelakos, had done something great in falsetto.
2. Manchester Orchestra – Mean Everything to Nothing
We are big fans of Right Away Great Captain, lead singer Andy Hull’s side project and his ingenuity all the way around. This Manchester Orchestra album turned Andy Hull’s contemplative voice characterized as a 17th century sailor in RAGC into the front man of a good rock band. Check out “I’ve Got friends”.
3. Ola Podrida – Belly of the Lion
This is a really good album, plus since David Wingo lives just steps away it gets a boost to the top of our list.
4. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Amy (our fellow Drop commentator) told me earlier in the year this album would be my summer jam. It was and still is.
tied for 5. Dead Man’s Bones – Dead Man’s Bones (featuring the Silverlake Conservatory of Music Children’s Choir)
This album is also our biggest surprise of the year because who knew Ryan Gosling could sing and could put together such a delightful album with a children’s choir singing mostly Halloweeneque ballads. This is a fun album and the lyrics while simple made me contemplate for hours. Check out “Lose Your Soul” .
“Oh, You’re gonna lose your soul, tonight, You’re gonna lose your soul, You’re gonna lose your soul, tonight, Oh You’re gonna lose your control, tonight, You’re gonna lose your control, You’re gonna lose your control, tonight,
tied for 5. Volcano Choir – Unmap
We love Justin Vernon. Anything this guy touches is the closest thing to gold for us at the moment. We like how Justin’s stint in the woods in Wisconsin in which he recorded For Emma, was not the last of his creative endeavors. Instead he has continued to put out good music as Bon Iver (see Blood Bank EP) and has moved on to collaborate with other Wisconsin artists like Collection of Colonies of Bees. It doesn’t stop here: check out how Justin joins forces with his high school jazz band for “A Decade with Duke”. Search for Eau Claire Memorial Jazz (featuring Justin Vernon), which was just recently released.
7. We Were Promised Jetpacks – These Four Walls
This Scottish band on the same label with The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit affirms my premonition that the Swedish are not the only Europeans who can make good indie rock. Check out: “Roll up your Sleeves” and “It’s Thunder and Lighting”
8. Molina and Johnson – Molina and Johnson
Jason Molina (from Songs Ohio) and Will Johnson (Centromatic) collaborate on a late year release that is well worth indulging on yourself and your ears before years end.
9. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Janglin and Home are some of our favorite tracks on this album
10. The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You
We think this is a wonderfully produced album from this group from the Carolinas. While Emotionalism is still our favorite, we must give credit where credit is due and this album is one of the best ones of 2009.
Honorable Mentions:
SeaWolf – White Water, White Bloom
The Antlers – Hospice
The Mountain Goats – Life of the World to Come
Megafaun – Gather, Form & Fly
