Top Albums of ’09 (105-76)
Yes, we’re just putting our Top Albums of 2009 list up right now. And yes, 2010 is already upon us. But really, now, after we’ve had some time to settle into the ’10s and get a little hindsight, feels like the proper time to take a look back. It definitely has nothing to do with the fact that we were on vacation and didn’t have time to put it up…no, no it’s the hindsight thing.
105) Islands , Vapours (Anti)
With their 3rd album, the Montreal band, led by Nick Diamonds, return to the sweet and sunny synth-pop of their debut, just like we hoped they would.
104) Manchester Orchestra, Mean Everything to Nothing (Favorite Gentleman)
This Atlanta rock band left behind the tender and soft-spokenness of their previous release I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child, and instead "upped the ante," taking an entirely new direction for Mean Everything to Nothing. In 2009, they are relentless, aggressive and dynamic; turns out trading in wails for catchy outbursts makes for a perfect exchange.
103) Narrows, New Distances (Deathwish)
Comprised of members/alumni of bands like Botch, Some Girls and These Arms Are Snakes, Narrows' debut continues a tradition of whacked-out, expressionist post-hardcore. This record's more pummeling moments are easy to slam around to, while the atmospheric vibe makes it something you can also trip out on.
102)Breakestra, Dusk Till Dawn (Strut)
Breakestra bring their classic soul/jazz and party funk sound back with their first record in four years. The band has called the album a tribute to DJ Dusk, who was Breakestra founder Miles Tackett’s Root Down DJ partner, who tragically lost his life in a road accident a few years ago.
101) Emilio Rojas, DJ Green Lantern Presents The Natural
Proving he’s a lyrical force to be reckoned with, Rojas continues to evolve his rhymes with diverse content, while managing to keep his swag way up. Presented by DJ Green Lantern, who along with 6th Senses and M-Phases, lend quality production skills to the The Natural.
100) V/A, Daptone Gold (Daptone)
Featuring seven songs from Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Daptone Records gets their “Soul” up with 23 tracks of hits, out-of-print obscurities, and unheard exclusives.
99) 10 Ft. Ganja Plant, Bush Rock (ROIR)
The band’s name says it all. Chilled out dub reggae that’s perfect for, well you know… spending quality chill time with your favorite plant.
98) Thao with the Get Down Stay Down, Know Better Learn Faster (Kill Rock Stars)
After a particularly bad breakup one might want to cower underneath the covers and hide from the rest of the world, but not Thao. She put her heartache to good use making charming little heartbreak anthems like “Easy,” which boasts the insightful (and very true) statement, “Sad people dance too.”
97) Temper Trap, Conditions (Glassnote)
Although this Australian band got their big break when their infectious song "Disposition" was featured in (500) Days of Summer, all of the attention was rightfully so. The whole album is sweet and soaring, rife with pulsing and ambient rhythms and catchy, rolling choruses.
96) Polar Bear Club, Chasing Hamburg (Bridge Nine)
On their second album this formerly straight ahead punk band goes outside the formula with astounding results.
95) Michael Olatuja, Speak (Backdrop/ObliqSound)
With Speak, the Nigerian-British bass player speaks words of wisdom to the listener with a mix of gospel, neo-soul, jazz and African music.
94) Anti-Pop Consortium, Fluorescent Black (Big Dada)
Not only is this far from pop, it’s anti-pop. Fluorescent Black is more like the tar stuck to the bottom of your shoe than the bubble gum that you chew, but we like it rough.
93) Hockey, Mind Chaos (Capitol)
This indie rock quartet likes to dance — and they've got the soul-laden tunes to prove it. Almost all of the tracks, especially the singles "Too Fake" and "Learn to Lose," are autobiographical accounts of the band's past and present.
92) Broadway Calls, Good Views, Bad News (Side One Dummy)
Simple, hook-laden and addictive pop punk brings listeners back to the genre’s early days.
91) Casey Shea, In Search of Seas (Family Records)
Casey Shea compiled all the A and B sides from his singles collection (ABCs Volume 1-6) and added a bonus track. He offered this all for free through 100000Fans.com, creating a nice and neat package of twangy, bluesy rock.
90) BK-One, Radio Do Canibal (Rhymesayers)
Prolific deejay BK-One gets down with producer Benzilla and a wealth of the game's best emcees from Minneapolis and beyond—creating a feel-good, no-bullshit record carved from Brazilian crate digging and contacts with a seriously talented crew.
89) Chuck Ragan, Gold Country (Side One Dummy)
Former Hot Water Music’s front man’s newest studio album features his trademark folk-infused raspy vocals with poignant, heartfelt lyrics.
88) DJ Spooky, The Secret Song (Thirsty Ear)
Spooky shows off his diverse range of influences mixing dub, reggae, rock, classical, world, and electronic to make a classic album from start to finish.
87) Eternia, Where I’m At (UrbNet)
The hardest female spitter in the game, Eternia picks up where Jean Grae left off, as a dope emcee who can hold court with any of her male counterparts when it comes to braggadocio lyrics, while maintaining her integrity with honest, intelligent, and heartfelt rhymes.
86) Shafiq Husayn, Shafiq En A-Free-Ka (Plug Research)
Metaphysical, avant-garde, and beautifully arranged, Husyn's debut solo album reminds us of why artists like Erykah Badu and Bilal repeatedly work with him.
85) Dr. Lonnie Smith, Rise Up! (Palmetto)
On Rise Up!, the veteran organist Dr. Lonnie Smith does exactly what he's been doing for nearly five decades: he makes funky, funky jazz music in a small group setting (this time with the saxophonist Donald Harrison, drummer Herlin Riley and guitarist Peter Bernstein). But one never tires of Smith. His energy and grooves are one of a kind.
84) The Bomb, Speed is Everything (No Idea)
Jeff Pezzati, of the legendary Big Black and Naked Raygun, gets back in the game with this post-hardcore powerhouse—giving the kids a run for their money, and the older heads something to make them feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
83) Karen O And The Kids, Where the Wild Things Are Sdtk (DGC/Interscope)
In Karen O’s trusted hands this soundtrack is a treat for both children and adults who grew up with the classic bedtime story. She not only made a soundtrack that can be enjoyed without ever seeing the movie but she takes hold of two spots on this year’s list. (See # 61)
82) Wale, Back to the Future (Interscope)
Teaming up with 9th Wonder, Wale drops attention deficit grabbing one-liners with his trademark self-conscious swagger.
81) The Alchemist, Chemical Warfare (ALC/E1)
One of the illest producers in the game, Alchemist comes correct with his newest offering, featuring a wide array of quality emcees, including Prodigy, Jadakiss, Eminem, Three 6 Mafia, and Juvenile.
80) Alec Ounsworth, Mo Beauty (Anti)
Ounsworth, the singer-songwriter and frontman of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, has yet again expanded on his knack for creatively quirky side-projects. Mo Beauty sees him moody, pensive, and eerie, and using a variety of instruments — strings, piano, horns —to mourn New Orleans' ghostliness.
79) Handsome Furs, Face Control (Sub Pop)
With some synthiness and a snappy drum machine, the Handsome Furs throw away a lot of the dreariness from their debut to make a dance pop album for all the paranoid weirdos and Russian enthusiasts out there.
78) Isis, Wavering Radiant (Ipecac Recordings)
Isis merges the heavier roots of the Celestial days with the contemplative fluidity of In The Absence Of Truth; “Ghost Key” is, at times, somewhat jazzy and controlled, until Aaron Turner intermittently lets his vocal chords loose. As always, Isis’ long tracks boast an impressive and beautiful array of moods and musical landscapes (such as in “Hand of the Host”) that always surprise with their sudden turns.
77) Sharon Van Etten, Because I Was in Love (Language of Stone)
Van Etten's voice is tender, fragile, and highly captivating all the way through. Coupled with her gentle, yet intricate acoustic guitar-pickings and melancholy lyrics, the whole album is a precious and haunting masterpiece.
76) Mavado, Mr. Brooks… A Better Tomorrow (VP)
On his second full length album, Mavado manages to walk the fine line between making commercially accessible dancehall reggae music and maintaining his street cred.
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