1. jj - jj n° 2
The first track grabbed me immediately. The rest of the album then crawled through high weeds, waited for me to get distracted, found an opening, and tackled me to the ground. It is the super pleasant group of songs that always seemed like the right background pick, and whose arrangement and lyrics provided ample satisfaction when pondered without distraction. This might be the worst album cover of the year, but appearances be dashed another Swedish band can count me as fully in their thrall.
2. Girls - Album
I listened to straight Oldies until the 6th grade, so if Girls push all my good buttons it can't be helped. Being big on lyrics written by guys in my demo and rattly guitars, I embraced their sentiments and enjoyed listening to Album straight through. This Fader piece didn't hurt either.
3. Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career
This one doesn't come close to leaving the reservation, but it just excels so solidly at good old whatever that it firmly blocked out it's space at number three. Having no real knowledge of music I enjoy a crisp, intoxicating voice, and in that category, at least when it comes to "Lloyd", and these tunes, Tracyanne Campbell is my number one.
4. Passion Pit - Manners
In my mind the best praise that can be throw at this LP is that it totally lived up to the stratospheric expectations placed atop it by last year's EP. Playing the heck out of it early on, and the crushing disappointment of Angelakos's voice live coupled with another cancelled show had me down on them, but after taking in any two of these eleven songs I dare you to not be wooed back as well.
5. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Upon first review I risklessly called it The World's Favorite Album of 2009. "1901" or "Lisztomania" could easily be my favorite song of the year. "Lasso" and "Armistice" are also very strong and the whole thing is wonderful, but it's entirety didn't demand my total enjoyment like the preceding. In my angst at not having this album first I tried a song weighting system that disproportionately rewarded the awesomeness of the 2009's most stellar tracks only to have it still fall short in my brain.
I love when creators at the fore take time to consider those not in the peloton. Whether it's an art house director dialing back the existentialism, and thereby enlightening and thrilling the masses who don't even know his name or animal dudes popifying their sound and bringing me a sonic epiphany. Unlike the entries from Grizzley Bear, XX, and The Dirty Projectors, I don't begrudge MPP any of the fawning.
7. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - Up From Below
Missing these people in concert is probably my biggest musical regret of the year. "Home" and all the front end songs are great. I'm really not sure how one could turn away, even without all the magnetism.
8. Discovery - LP
If it isn't obvious already, unadulterated fun is really what I'm after. I'm not going to argue that Discovery is a great band, but I can't wait to rock out to every cut again next spring.
9. Hockey - Mind Chaos
I tried to be skeptical of this album and the lead's voice, but they just broke me down. With so many unexploratively awesome rock out tunes it fully deserved my number nine.
10. Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer
This was a surprise. In doing a revisit to make sure it was a good, but a "not totally my thing record" I got Shanghaied into loving it. Maybe it's just standard Rubdown if you're a fan of their previous work, but to me every track is completely interesting.
These fought hard, but just didn't make the cut. A top songs list is forthcoming. Click to continue the ridiculousness with 2008's list.
