Top 15 of 2009

Well, this is going to be my last post here. I received a threatening email from Blogger about my last post and now all of my old files have been deleted and my fileden account suspended. I think my mistake was trying to praise Them Crooked Vultures in my previous post - the interests of John Paul Jones, Dave Grohl, and Josh Homme are just too powerful I guess. But anyway, one month late, here are my top 15 albums of 2009. The top 4 could almost be in any order, but I painstakingly came to a final decision. Since the mp3's in my previous posts no longer work, I've done my best to provide links to either 100% legal songs or myspace pages. I don't understand how way more illegal blogs than mine continue to survive, but with the coming semester, I don't have the time or energy to figure it out. It was fun while it lasted.

15. Handsome Furs - Face Control
I'm Confused
Radio Kaliningrad
buy
14. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
previously
Cheerleader
Listen to the much better tracks "Two Weeks" and "While You Wait For the Others" here
buy13. Dead Man's Bones - Dead Man's Bones
I like Half Nelson as much as the next person, but Ryan Gosling teaming up with a children's choir to make music? Suspend your disbelief, because this is a hauntingly beautiful album. Check out "Pa Pa Power" or "Lose Your Soul" if you can find them somewhere, or "My Body's a Zombie For You" on their myspace.
buy12. Califone - All My Friends Are Funeral Singers
Califone continue to put out great record after great record and put on one of the best live shows I've ever seen. This release goes along with their Sundance film of the same name.
Funeral Singers
Ape-Like
buy11. Swan Lake - Enemy Mine
previous post
Spanish Gold, 2044
A Hand At Dusk
Spider
buy10. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
Your enjoyment of Bitte Orca will depend on how much you like music that is challenging, often amelodic, and always unpredictable.
Listen to "Useful Chamber," "Temecula Sunrise," and "Stillness Is the Move" here.
buy9. Nirvana - Live At Reading
Not sure if this counts, as it is the official release of the well-known 1992 bootleg. But this is one of the best live recordings I've ever heard. Nirvana's always well-chosen cover songs are particularly special.
Watch some footage here.
buy8. Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer
previous post
Idiot Heart
buy
7. A.A. Bondy - When the Devil's Loose
previous post
myspace
buy
6. Built To Spill - There Is No Enemy
I never got around to posting about this album - only about their outstanding performance at First Ave. Unlike most reviewers, I think I still prefer their last album You In Reverse to this one. But There Is No Enemy was on constant repeat for months after its release. So grateful that one of my favorite bands are still churning out great records.
myspace
buy
5. Obits - I Blame You
This album has grown on me more since my only above-average review in my previous post. Excited to hear where this band goes next.
Pine On
Two-Headed Coin
buy
4. St. Vincent - Actor
previous post
myspace
buy
3. Dinosaur Jr - Farm
previous post
I Want You To Know
and a few more songs here
buy2. Prairie Cartel - Where Did All My People Go
I can't believe I didn't write about this album when it came out. Not only is it 80 minutes of top-notch electronic, spacey rock music (highly highly highly recommended for fans of LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip, or The Faint), but includes Scott Lucas (of favorite band Local H "fame") and Blake Smith (of Fig Dish and Caviar "fame"). Bands like The Prairie Cartel are why I started this blog in the first place. For something completely different, but equally inspired, look for the Bob Dylan & The Band inspired Scott Lucas & The Married Men record George Lassos the Moon out next month.
myspace
buy
1. Pink Mountaintops - Outside Love
I've been listening to this album over and over since my original discovery. It earns the top spot in 2009 for the excitement of having an unknown band turn into a favorite in such a short amount of time. Absolutely stunning.
Vampire
While We Were Dreaming
buy

Farewell!