Music! 2009

Here is a pretty complete list of all the music I bought (or downloaded) in 2009. It was an off year for me musically as I usually buy (or dowload) a lot more stuff. But "with the economy the way it is" and what with me trying not to steal music, I have been more conservative. So, take a look then sample the song I feature from each album and tell me what you think.

Fall Be Kind EP and Merriweather Post Pavilion by Animal Collective

Rating: EP ***** / MerriPostPav ****

I love song "Graze" so much. It's worth the price of the EP all by itself. I was expecting more from MerriPostPav. Some say it's AC's best and most accessible. I don't agree. It's good but nowhere as good as Feels or even Strawberry Jam for me. Try "Lion in a Coma."

Hospice by The Antlers
Rating: ****
Probably the "find" I am most pleased in, well, finding. I nominate "Kettering" as my favorite song of the year. Give it a try.

Logos by Atlas Sound
Rating: ***
Has a few gems on it but I get bored with it after a bit. "Walkabout" is the song to sample.

Ambivalence Avenue by Bibio
Rating: ***
I just blindly decided to try this out. I forget where I heard of it. For a stab in the dark, it was pretty good. Try "Lovers Carvings" or "S'Vive."

Noble Beast by Andrew Bird
Rating: ****
He just keeps getting better and better, doesn't he? "Oh No" is the best song here, in my opinion.

Union by Boxer Rebellion
Rating: ****
Reminds me of James and Coldplay in parts (in a good way). Try "These Walls Are Thin."

There is No Enemy by Built to Spill
Rating: ***
In traditional BTS fashion, the songs feel like (and sometimes are) nine minutes long. That is either a good thing or not depending on how you feel about "jam" bands. Still "Hindsight" is one of my favorite songs of the year.

Bitte Orca by Dirty Projectors
Rating: ****
"Two Doves" is wow. This is one of those albums I can have on play all day and not want for anything.

Fever Ray by Fever Ray
Rating: *
I am trying to pretend I never heard any of this.

Veckatimest by Grizzly Bear
Rating: ****
A little inaccessible for most, I would think. But I enjoy their complexities. Be brave and check out "Two Weeks." Chances are it'll get to you.

Spark Large by Marching Band (released Dec. 2008)
Rating: *****
It was technically released in very late 2008 but it still dominated my iTunes in 2009. This and the Phoenix album easily win the Most Repeat Listening Potential award. Try "68."

No More Stories ... by Mew
Rating: *****
Epic and amazing. Try any song from the album or EP and prepare to have your mind blown. Or if you are scared give "Beach" a listen.

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix
Rating: *****
Probably my top album of the year because of its funness, high-quality and re-listenability. I may have just made up most of those descriptive words. Go for "Lasso."

Real Estate by Real Estate
Rating: ***
I wanted this to be better. It's dreamy beach pop-ish but it runs out of fun for me. "Green River" is my favorite song from it.

Actor by St. Vincent
Rating: **
"I know! I'll make my sophomore effort really odd, confusing and boring!" Success.

Dark Was the Night by Various Artists
Rating: ***
Songs from Grizzly Bear, New Pornographers, Decemberists, Bon Iver and Arcade Fire make this a decent collection if you are into those bands. Wikipedia says proceeds benefit "the Red Hot Organization, an international charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS."

Warm Heart of Africa by The Very Best
Rating: ****
To be honest, I have only heard the title track. But I plan on buying the rest when I can. It is a perfect song to cheer a person up during these months of winter blah bleh mehs.

Wilco (the album) by Wilco
Rating: ***
Wanted more from them. Have since "Ghost is Born." Never even bought "Sky Blue Sky." Am I missing something? Or are they? Again, from a mediocre album comes one of my favorite songs by Wilco and of the year: "You and I"

Thanks for reading. Let me know what your faves were and if you agree or disagree with me. Happy music listening in 2010.