2009 has been a year of surprising findings for me. I have heard of bands in the most random of ways, and made an effort to follow up on recommendations — which has resulted in the discovery of genres I didn’t know existed, and bands that have been on repeat ever since. Here, in no particular order, are my top ten albums of 2009:
Alice in Chains: ‘Black Gives Way To Blue’
The only regret I have from living in Toronto for 2 years is that I passed up on seeing Alice In Chains not once… but twice. At the time — being a huge AIC fan from way back — I was in complete denial about the new lead singer, thinking that there was no way I could hear those songs I love so much be sung by someone else.
That all changed when I heard the opening chords of this new album; from the moment I heard that first riff, I knew I was wrong. This version of Alice In Chains — consisting of new lead singer/guitarist William DuVall, with existing members Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney and Mike Inez — has managed to create something fresh and strong while keeping their old school, heavy grunge sound alive.
At first I thought DuVall’s voice sounded eerily like Layne Staley’s (the original singer that passed away in 2002), but then I realised it’s the combination of DuVall and Cantrell’s vocals that still form the beautiful melodic harmonies that are classic Alice In Chains.
When I listen to this album, I feel like I’ve been teleported back to 1995, wearing my flannel shirt and ripped jeans, blasting it on my tape player.
Favourite tracks: “All Secrets Known”, “Your Decision”, “Private Hell”
Bat For Lashes: ‘Two Suns’
I was a bit slow in hearing about Bat For Lashes; I didn’t hear of her until the first single of her second album ‘Two Suns‘ was released. I caught the second half of “Daniel” on the New Zealand music channel, and was as much captured by the beauty of Natasha Khan as I was by the enchanting beat of the song. I immediately listened to everything I could get my hands on, and became completely besotted with her.
‘Two Suns’ is a concept album that takes you on a journey with Khan and her alter-ego Pearl, who is the light to her darkness. A multi-instrumentalist, Khan plays the majority of the instruments on this album, including the harpsichord and the autoharp. Her breathy, velvety vocals are sometimes reminiscent of Bjork or Tori Amos, but with the tribal drums and native American undertones you could never mistake Bat For Lashes for anyone else.
Favourite tracks: “Daniel”, “Pearl’s Dream”, “Sleep Alone”
Motocade: ‘Tightrope Highway’
This album definitely wins the “stuck most in my head” award of the year. Seriously, I woke up with one of the songs in my head on countless mornings, even if I hadn’t listened to it for weeks. That’s how infectious it is.
This four-piece from Auckland have been around since 2003, releasing a few excellent EPs and getting some radio play with “My Friends”. They have honed and defined their sound over the last few years, and the much-anticipated 2009 release Tightrope Highway is a triumph of catchy, poppy rock songs that you feel like you’ve known for years. I love this album.
Favourite tracks: “Golden Light”, “Oldest Trick in the Book”, “Octopus”
The xx: ‘xx’
The debut from this trio (guitarist/keyboardist Baria Qureshi quit the band in November) of 20-year-olds from South-West London is simple, sophisticated, and amazing.
Moody, Cure-like guitars and drum machines combine to provide the basis for their stripped-back sound. Romy Medley Croft’s sexy/sweet vocals and Oliver Sims‘ nearly monotone voice bounce off each other, creating a balanced harmony that is so mature it’s hard to believe that this is their first effort.
Pitchfork’s review of the album states “it is so fully formed and thoughtful that it feels like three or four lesser, noisier records should have preceded it.” I completely agree.
I can’t wait to see what they do next, and especially can’t wait to catch them in February at Auckland’s Laneway Festival.
Favourite tracks: “Shelter”, “Islands”, “VCR”
Florence And The Machine: ‘Lungs’
Harps, strings, brass instruments and tribal drums come together in a variety of genres to create Florence And The Machine, a band consisting of Londoner Florence Welch and the collaboration of artists that provide her backing music. This is soulful, emotional, powerful stuff, with the lyrics to match; “Kiss With A Fist” comes with the announcement: “A kiss with a fist is better than none”. Welch’s voice reminds me a bit of Grace Slick’s — it can be a delicate as a feather, then build to a violent crescendo that makes you fear for any man in her path. With her mystical, theatrical look and feel, I can’t wait to see what she delivers live (she is also playing at the Laneway Festival in Auckland this February).
Favourite tracks: “Dog Days”, “The Drumming Song”, “You’ve Got The Love”
The Temper Trap: ‘Conditions’
2009 has been a big year for The Temper Trap: their first album ‘Conditions’ was met with success in numerous countries, they sold out shows everywhere and were one of the 15 bands chosen for the BBC’s Sound of 2009. Their soaring love song “Sweet Disposition” has appeared everywhere — from TV commercials, to sitcoms, to movies (I feel like I’ve heard it everywhere).
This is all well deserved attention — ‘Conditions’ is a beautiful, atmospheric album, with heart breaking guitars and the crisp falsetto of Dougy Mandagi’s vocals. While it’s a little mainstream, I’m impressed with these guys, and am looking forward to seeing them at the Big Day Out.
Favourite tracks: “Love Lost”, “Sweet Disposition”, “Science of Fear”
Kasabian: ‘West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum’
I can’t say that I was very enamoured with Kasabian’s first two albums; they didn’t capture me at all. Their third studio release, however, had my attention after a few listens — something about it seemed oddly familiar, yet like nothing I’d heard before. A few more plays, and I was hooked. Listen to the second track “Where Did All The Love Go” through headphones; there is the crackle of an old record, eastern strings and organs, all adding to the weird atmosphere created by the album title and cover. They have really been adventurous with this album, and the result is a psychedelic, thumping, rock’n'roll gem that is worth the perseverance.
Favourite tracks: “Take Aim”, “Fast Fuse”, “Where Did All The Love Go”
Camera Obscura: ‘My Maudlin Career’
Scottish indie pop band Camera Obscura have been plagued with member changes since forming in 1996; however, they have managed to record the stunning ‘My Maudlin Career’, and are currently touring in support of it (they’re in Auckland this month). I am so taken with this band; the sweet, feminine vocals, xylophone and backing harmonies form a melancholic-yet-captivating sound that is polished and charming.
Favourite tracks: “Swans”, “James”, “French Navy”
The Checks: ‘Alice By The Moon’
The sophomore effort from unsigned Auckland band The Checks shows that this young quintet are maturing nicely. Swaggering, bluesy riffs and distorted vocals build from soft laziness to a crazy intensity that catches your attention and makes you want to dance. There is some seriously talented song writing happening here; I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Favourite tracks: “You And Me”, “Bagheera”, “Ballroom Baby”
Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks: ‘Real Emotional Trash’
I initially started listening to this album because the band was coming to New Zealand, and being a fan of Pavement (the ’90s indie band Stephen Malkmus fronted) I thought I should go check them out. I had not been too impressed with their third album, 2005’s ‘Face the Truth’, finding it a bit flighty and lacking direction, so I was pleasantly surprised when this album grabbed me straight away.
The opening track “Dragonfly Pie” is a multi-tiered, multi-genred masterpiece with poetic, story-telling lyrics that draw you into the song and take you on a journey. The rest of the album follows the same vein, jumping from poppy and melodic to thrashy and distorted. Fantastic.
Favourite tracks: “Cold Son”, “Real Emotional Trash”, “Baltimore”
Honourable mentions:
Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros: ‘Up From Below’
This American ensemble’s debut is folky, orchestral, psychedelic, and really, really fun.
Frightened Rabbit: ‘The Midnight Organ Fight’
Frightened Rabbit is Scotland’s answer to Dave Matthews; a haunting, beautiful record.
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