2009 was a great year for new music. I had to think long and hard about how I was going to compile this list and I’m sure there are a few records this year that certainly deserve some honourable mentions. But for one reason or another, these were the top ten records that really had an impact on me over the past calendar year. Without further ado, here are my top 10 records of 2009:
10. Dave Matthews Band – ‘Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King’
It’s no surprise that Dave Matthews Band is nominated for Album of the Year for the upcoming Grammy Awards with their latest album ‘Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King.’ This record is a solid listen from front-to-back. This record was marred with tragedy with the loss of saxophonist and founding member LeRoi Moore during the recording process. But his sound is certainly honoured and not forgotten on the introduction of “Shake Me Like A Monkey.” The reunion of the extremely talented guitarist Tim Reynolds with the band adds some spice on tracks on “Seven” and“Why I Am.” Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King also features a deeper string section to back up Boyd Tinsley — which really makes each song come alive. This album definitely ranks up there as one of Dave Matthews Band’s strongest to date.
9. Pearl Jam – ‘Backspacer’
This record is a bit of a bias pick for me since I am a huge Pearl Jam fan (and I think every record they come out with is great on some level). I think ‘Backspacer’ is a much stronger record than their preceding two releases: ‘Riot Act’ and‘Avacado.’ Pearl Jam returned to the studio with Brendan O’Brien to produce ‘Backspacer’ and right from the opening track of “Gonna See My Friend” I got the impression that this was a much different-sounding record. The vibe from track-to-track was more positive than any other Pearl Jam record and it appears that the band is in a really good place right now, with each member contributing input on songwriting and composition. It’s a great time for Pearl Jam and this record certainly shows it.
8. Mos Def – ‘The Ecstatic’
I have to give a nod to one of the best hip-hop records of 2009 in this list. Mos Def continues to pair clever rhymes with sophisticated beats on‘The Ecstatic.’ Mos Def is a legend and each track comes correct on this record, adopting a more global sound and energy. In hip-hop, it’s easy to just, for lack of a better phrase, “mail it in” to appease Labels; however, there is a ton of great production on this record as Mos Def utilized some of the most notable hip-hop producers in the business. Such producers include Madlib, Perservation, Mr. Flash, and the late J. Dilla. The Dilla-produced “History” featuring Talib Kweli is my favourite track on the album. This track has got such a soulful hook, and the rhymes of Kweli and Mos Def compliment each other nicely. All in, ‘The Estatic’ is a breath of fresh air in a congested and over-saturated hip-hop genre.
7. Yo La Tengo – ‘Popular Songs’
I had heard of Yo La Tengo for quite some time but they never really caught on for me until I heard ‘Popular Songs.’ This record sounds like it was made to be played on vinyl. I really dug it right from the first track. It’s psychedelic – harkening back to the sounds of 60’s rock and roll. It has soothing vocals and fuzz-driven guitar riffs. I really dig the surf-rock feel to tracks like “Avalon Or Someone Similar” and “Nothing To Hide.” The 15+ minute instrumental track “And The Glitter Is Gone” is especially compelling. If anything, this is a great record to get you through a long car ride or a rainy day. Let the music of ‘Popular Songs’ wash over you and forget the real world.
6. Japandroids – ‘Post-Nothing’
Vancouver’s Japandroids put out an amazing 8-song debut record entitled ‘Post Nothing’this year. It is fast, loud, and nothing short of brilliant! It has been a while since I’ve heard a record that sounds anything like this. Japandroids have a similar sound to that of the now-defunct Braid. It is very much a garage-rock album with witty and catchy lyrics to compliment distorted guitars and cymbal-crashing drum lines. “Young Hearts Spark Fire” is my favourite track from ‘Post Nothing.’ The chorus always gets me with the line “I don’t want to worry about dying. I just want to worry about those sunshine girls.” It makes me think at some point this life is going to end, but we shouldn’t spend our time worrying about it; instead, worry about the mindless fun things in life like chasing dreams…and girls (of course).
5. Silversun Pickups – ‘Swoon’
Silversun Pickups sophomore effort ‘Swoon’received a ton of accolades in 2009. This album luckily did not fall under that category of “sophomore jinx” after the release of their debut album ‘Carnavas.’ The band worked hard to enrich their unique sound this time around. On “The Royal We,” the addition of a string arrangement shows the band is continuing to work outside of their regular comfort zone, without abandoning the fuzzy guitar riffs that they are known for. The songwriting is on-point (making this record difficult to skip ahead) and every track is a banger. My favourite tracks include “Sort Of” and “Substitution” — which have phenomenal hooks in the chorus.
4. Animal Collective – ‘Merriweather Post Pavilion’
Animal Collective has been on my radar for a couple of years. With arguably one of the most unique sounds in recent memory, they have achieved new heights with the release of ‘Merriweather Post Pavilion.’ This record is budding with many elements of discovery in each song. They throw everything but the kitchen sink at each track on this album. “Girls” is far and away my favourite track on the record. It always reminds me of snowboarding since the first time I saw it in Sandbox’s snowboarding video Shine On. Whenever I have the ‘buds in my ears going up the chairlift, I kick off every session with “Girls.” It gets me so hyped. The rest of the record piles on epic tracks. “Bluish” could be one of the most compelling songs I’ve heard in a long time, with its deep bass line, rich keys, and smooth lyrics. This record might not be for everyone, but you certainly have to applaud the complexity of each track and the band’s willingness to push the indie-rock envelope further and further, despite heavy commercial success.
3. Metric – ‘Fantasies’
When ‘Fantasies’ dropped earlier this year, I had it on constant repeat. From the early leak of “Help I’m Alive” on the Internet, I was anxiously awaiting this follow up from the extremely successful ‘Live It Out.’ Metric put together a masterful track-listing, showing the band’s maturity. The great thing about ‘Fantasies’ is the fact that almost every song can be performed acoustically in its purest, stripped-down form. I had the opportunity to witness exactly that at a private show at The Media Club in Vancouver earlier this year. The following day, I made the trek up to Whistler to see the full-out, amped-up versions of the ‘Fantasies’ tracks. I really dug the polished feel to this record. Tracks like “Front Row,” “Stadium Love,” “Gold, Guns, Girls,” and “Satellite Mind” rock! On the mellower tip, “Twilight Galaxy” is a truly beautiful song, rounding out the record. In my opinion, this is Metric’s best studio effort yet.
2. The xx – The xx
Sometimes you put on a record and it has the ability to say all the things you can’t find the words for. This record is really simple, but says so much about the haunting pain and strife of a given relationship (not that I was going through one at the time). Frankly, I just discovered this band a mere month ago, but it shot up to number 2 on my top ten list because l was really intrigued by this mysterious band. This record focuses more on the haunting vocals of Romy Medley Croft and Oliver Sims versus the dark-yet-simple guitar riffs featured on the record. “VCR” sets the tone for the album right off the start as being a record about the relationship (or lack thereof) between man and woman. The ebb and flow of this record is honestly really hard to follow, and leaves me with more questions than answers. Questions such as “Are these two people singing as a couple?” or, “What has one person done to the other?” I’m extremely curious to see what staying power this band has ahead of them. If one thing is certain, the hype is real around this band and this record. I’m looking forward to seeing these songs performed live in 2010.
1. Grizzly Bear – ‘Veckatimest’
I saw Grizzly Bear when they were touring ‘Veckatimest.’ They played Vancouver on the day the record was released. Ironically that same day, Trent Reznor tweeted that ‘Veckatimest’ was the best record he had heard in a long time, and, I can certainly vouch for that. As a result, it is my number-one-with-a-bullet-pick for 2009’s record of the year. There isn’t quite another band like Grizzly Bear and ‘Veckatimest’ is Grizzly Bear at their finest and polished. Songs like “Two Weeks” are a throwback to the sound of the 50’s with the crooning vocals of Ed Droste (sounding a lot like Frankie Valli). Despite all I have said thus far, it’s their live show that makes this record come alive. It certainly helps having industry Moguls such as Jay-Z backing this record and claiming that Grizzly Bear can save hip-hop (not failing to mention, Michael McDonald collaborating with the band on the re-mix of “While You Wait For The Others”). ‘Veckatimest’ has its share of catchy songs such as “Southern Point” but also has a few darker, eclectic tracks such as “Dory.” This record has shown it has the ability to transcend not only the indie-rock genre, but all genres of music.
Comments on this entry are closed.