My year in music…
In descending order, these are my favourite albums of 2009. They’ve each been stuck in my car CD player at one time or another, often for weeks and months at a time. Without further ado:
10. Erin McCarley – Love Save The Empty. Top 3 Tracks: It’s Not That Easy, Pitter-Pat, Gotta Figure This Out
A collection of powerful honest songs released singer-songwriter McCarley at the end of 2008, I first heard Erin on Grey’s Anatomy and was immediately pulled in. Her songs are emotionally raw and lyrically strong and that appeals to me, especially on tracks like Pitter-Pat. See for yourself:
9. Paramore – Brand New Eyes. Top 3 Tracks: The Only Exception, All I Wanted, Ignorance
I love Hayley Williams’ voice, and this album is stacked with powerful examples of where this woman can go vocally. Critically honest, this album is a fitting follow up to Misery. Love songs and social observations abound. This one is for the emo cynical girl rocker trapped in all of us. All I Wanted kills me (her vocals, her vocals…shiver), so I set it to a Carla & Stella video (why not, right?):
8. A Fine Frenzy – Bomb in a Birdcage. Top 3 Tracks: Electric Twist, What I Wouldn’t Do, Stood Up
No album was more anticipated by me than this follow up to the incredible One Cell in the Sea (2007). When I heard One Cell in the Sea, I was smitten: it was love at first listen. I would go as far to say that OCITS is an album that is close to my soul. It’s incredible. At first, when I heard Bomb, I was a bit disappointed – I’d built it up so high, it was a like a disappointing second date. Bomb in a Birdcage is a very different album then OCITS. Closer to pop than the folksy singer-songwriter feel of OCITS, it took a while for it to grow on me, but it did and I began to appreciate, even love, the evolution of Alison Sudol’s sound. These are catchier, more upbeat tunes but still infused with her trademark complex lyrics and imagery. Listen to Stood Up, arguably an anthem for an era:
7. Bat for Lashes – Two Suns. Top 3 Tracks: Moon and Moon, Sleep Alone, Pearl’s Dream
Listening to this album is like travelling to an alternate universe. Things there are similar, but they are done so differently that you are shocked, awed, inspired even. I’ve heard BFL compared to Kate Bush. A little, I guess. Ethereal, metaphysical, mythical, supernatural, science fiction. The tracks on Two Suns pull on all kinds of imagery. Listen all the way through and find yourself transported.
6. Brandi Carlile – Give Up the Ghost. Top 3 Tracks: Pride and Joy, Looking Out, Before It Breaks
I reviewed it here
Pride & Joy is a powerful piece. Enjoy:
5. Metric – Fantasies. Top 3 Tracks: Gimme Sympathy, Collect Call, Satellite Mind
This CD is great for rush hour traffic, early mornings, getting yourself psyched up for a productive day, or to take on a 10-hour road-trip from Atlanta to DC, which I did this past Spring to this very album. These Canadian rocker girls deliver what I think is their best and most accessible album yet. Have a taste:
4. The Gossip – Music for Men. Top 3 Tracks: Love Long Distance, Pop Goes the World, Vertical Rhythm
What is there left to say about the phenomena that is Beth Ditto. I can only add this: blow your mind vocals, powerful lyrics, raw energy, this album completely knocks the competition out of the ring. Now, enjoy Pop Goes the World – totally a gay anthem:
3. Imogen Heap – Eclipse. Top 3 Tracks: First Train Home, Tidal, Half Life
Another much anticipated release, and in no way did this disappoint me. I love Imogen, and listening to her music is thrilling, refreshing, exciting, like a good novel or a new love. It’s like meeting someone you immediately fall for, and bonus – they fall for you, too! Strong poetics, a powerful and raw voice, and refreshing unique musical arrangements flavor this album.
2. The Saturdays – Here Standing. Top 3 Tracks: Here Standing, No One, Open Up
I love Brit-pop, especially girl bands like The Sugababes and Girls Aloud. Acts like these are aging, getting tired (I think), but The Saturdays are fresh and young and wonderfully pop. There is nothing like them in the US (where, inexplicably and much like GA or Suga, they are complete unknowns). Import them however you can and you will not be disappointed – maybe even inspired, like me when I used them for a Carla & Stella video.
*DRUMROLL*
1. Florence + The Machine – Lungs. Top 3 Tracks: Between Two Lungs, Rabbit Heart, Howl (how can I just pick three *pulls out hair*!!!)
Falling in love does not even begin to describe how I feel about F+TM…it was like wearing glasses for the first time, or discovering Bluray hi-def after years of normal resolution TV. It had to be my number 1 album of 2009. I played it without cease for months on end. Words escape me, so I give it a “Wow!”. Wow! for originality. Wow! for raw enthusiasm. Wow! for lyrics, poetry, imagery. Wow! for taking us to the dark side and making us want it, beg for it, complete with dirt and blood under fingernails, clawing at each other, dying for our love. This album is like a new religion, so tear off your clothes, smear yourself with mud, and run naked through the garden. Go on. Get indoctrinated!
on December 27, 2009 at 2:17 pm
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Very interesting blog post. I have to admit that I don’t know most of the artists on your list, but it is going to be fun to check them all out, especially since you made it so easy by adding all those videos.
on December 29, 2009 at 5:06 pm
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Great list, Deb!! I wish I could have gotten into Florence more, and especially Imogen. Oh well, maybe later down the road I will give them more of a go.
However, we definitely agree on (al)most everything else!