Best Albums Of 2009.

[Deppo]

Cripes. The metallers are here.

[graveworm]

I might be that one person!

 

I bought very few albums released this year as it happens. According to iTunes, the only ones which have an official release year of 2009 are:

 

Wildhearts - Chutzpah!

Sorry and the Sinatras - Highball Roller

Black Spiders - Cinco Hombres (Diez Cojones)

Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown

 

So those 4 are my top 10.

 

As I only got Green Day a couple of days ago , I reckon you are spot on with that one

Brilliant CD

[graveworm]

Cripes. The metallers are here.

 

Metal rules if you like it great, if not enjoy your own genre

[Rory]

Top 20 songs of 2009: (in order)

 

1. Diamond Rings -- All Yr Songs

 

2. The Drums -- Let's Go Surfing

 

3. HEALTH -- Die Slow

 

4. Animal Collective -- What Would I Want? Sky

 

5. Yeasayer -- Tightrope

 

6. Wild Beasts -- Hooting and Howling

 

7. Matias Aguayo -- Rollerskate

 

8. Phoenix -- 1901

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPRdI75XPQE&feature=fvst

 

9. Girls -- Hellhole Ratrace

 

10. Atlas Sound -- Sheila

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg1I0FOtE4c

 

11. Future of the Left -- Arming Eritrea

 

12. Lindstrom and Christabelle -- Baby Can't Stop (Aeroplane remix)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDTjXvDtLS4

 

13. Ramona Falls -- I Say Fever

 

14. The Cribs -- We Share The Same Skies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DbcAl3EbIs

 

15. Califone -- Funeral Singers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJh2JPotmAs

 

16. His Clancyness -- Misinterpret My Words

 

17. The Veils -- The House She Lived In

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jJ0p8UHfY0

 

18. Arctic Monkeys -- Cornerstone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIQz6zZi7R0

 

19. Deadmau5 -- Ghosts n Stuff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7ArUgxtlJs

 

20. Morrissey -- I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wYmojcRoMo&feature=related

[Nineteen Canteen]

Top 20 songs of 2009: (in order)

 

1. Diamond Rings -- All Yr Songs

 

2. The Drums -- Let's Go Surfing

 

3. HEALTH -- Die Slow

 

4. Animal Collective -- What Would I Want? Sky

 

5. Yeasayer -- Tightrope

 

6. Wild Beasts -- Hooting and Howling

 

7. Matias Aguayo -- Rollerskate

 

8. Phoenix -- 1901

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPRdI75XPQE&feature=fvst

 

9. Girls -- Hellhole Ratrace

 

10. Atlas Sound -- Sheila

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg1I0FOtE4c

 

11. Future of the Left -- Arming Eritrea

 

12. Lindstrom and Christabelle -- Baby Can't Stop (Aeroplane remix)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDTjXvDtLS4

 

13. Ramona Falls -- I Say Fever

 

14. The Cribs -- We Share The Same Skies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DbcAl3EbIs

 

15. Califone -- Funeral Singers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJh2JPotmAs

 

16. His Clancyness -- Misinterpret My Words

 

17. The Veils -- The House She Lived In

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jJ0p8UHfY0

 

18. Arctic Monkeys -- Cornerstone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIQz6zZi7R0

 

19. Deadmau5 -- Ghosts n Stuff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7ArUgxtlJs

 

20. Morrissey -- I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wYmojcRoMo&feature=related

 

It said 10 albums so what are you trying to prove?

[Rory]

Just putting it out there, could someone start up a 'Best albums/songs of 2009' thread, say, at the start of December? I can tell it's going to take me a long time to wittle stuff down this year as it's been pretty stellar.

 

What are you trying to prove by posting on this thread? It is an utter waste of your time.

[The Cat]

Can't believe the metallers aren't going for World Painted Blood by Slayer.

 

My favourite album of the year is Through The Devil Softly by Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions. It was worth waiting 8 years for.

[Bentley]

Shouldn't we also do best albums of the decade? Or doesn't that work till the end of 2010?

 

It's going to be an interesting discussion, whenever it is.

[Ludwig]

Shouldn't we also do best albums of the decade? Or doesn't that work till the end of 2010?

 

It's going to be an interesting discussion, whenever it is.

 

I have a big list with no order. :smt040

[Nineteen Canteen]

I have a big list with no order. :smt040

 

I hope you have the relevant 'you tube' clips.

[Nineteen Canteen]

What are you trying to prove by posting on this thread? It is an utter waste of your time.

 

Just trying to work out if puberty is a phase or a lifestyle choice.

[Rory]

Just for your information, I have been posting my musical musings on here for years and enjoy it because it's good to hear music opinions from a local angle, rather than posting these lists to randomers from all over the world. I don't really get any problems with anyone on here posting the music I like to listen to, apart from the odd "pretentious" comment, but nothing as aggrovating as you are being and were last year.

 

I would expect something like this if the forum was integrated but it's NOT. This is a dedicated section to music, film and the arts, and I can post whatever I like in regards to what I listen to. I know many posters like to have their minds opened to music they may never have heard before so perhaps it says more about you being stuck with records from the 1970s than me posting the best tracks from 2009 in a thread devoted to the best tracks from 2009.

[Nineteen Canteen]

Just for your information, I have been posting my musical musings on here for years and enjoy it because it's good to hear music opinions from a local angle, rather than posting these lists to randomers from all over the world. I don't really get any problems with anyone on here posting the music I like to listen to, apart from the odd "pretentious" comment, but nothing as aggrovating as you are being and were last year.

 

I would expect something like this if the forum was integrated but it's NOT. This is a dedicated section to music, film and the arts, and I can post whatever I like in regards to what I listen to. I know many posters like to have their minds opened to music they may never have heard before so perhaps it says more about you being stuck with records from the 1970s than me posting the best tracks from 2009 in a thread devoted to the best tracks from 2009.

 

Lifestyle choice then and Rory I can assure you the odd pretentious comment is not coming from those who you serve so well in opening their minds to new music. Those sort of grandiose claims and self importance with regard to your musical offerings is 'pretentious incarnate' - and I suppose you have a 'you tube' clip of their debut at the Red Lion in a little known corner of Salford.

[Baj]

Rory, please don't reply any more to 19C, mainly because he's suspended from this section of the forum.

[Deppo]

Rory, please don't reply any more to 19C, mainly because he's suspended from this section of the forum.

 

This seems a tad excessive, no?

[Block 5]

Combine Yes with BJH and what do you get IMO? Wishbone Ash

 

I would have included the following:

 

Wishbone Ash - Argus

Jethro Tull - Stand Up

King Crimson - In the Court of the....

 

However, I only have them in vinyl and so don't listen to them regularly as I woud like.

 

I know what you mean about Dark Side but it's still got that 'sumptuous' feel to it when you don the head phones and give it a real listen. Over elaborate, over produced and perhaps a lesson in perfectionism but undeniably has stood the test of time.

 

Led Zep II and IV are brilliant albums but I prefered them at their blues influenced best and although III isn't quite as good 'Since I've been loving You' is one of their best songs - not the best as that is an impossible choice but very much a favourite.

 

As for Hawkwind what can I say - memories of a great youth especially at the Stonehenge summer solstice free festivals before fisticuffs in corn fields ruined it all. I remember one year watching Hawkwind at Stonehenge as it started to get light and you could see the druids gathering in the distance behind the teepees and make shift tarpaulin tents and Dave Brock entering some kind of trance like state not unlike the very laid back crowd.

 

Glastonbury and £250 a ticket- no thanks - we had all that for free and not a piece of gortex or a phone box toilet in site. Incidentally those services were provided by a big circular gravel pit dug out special for the occassion. You haven't lived until you have dumped in a big circle of fellow dumpees to drunk or spaced out to care. Did learn a valuable life lesson on these occassion and one I have passed on to my family when the time was right. Never take a dump facing down hill, logs roll if you miss your target.

 

Well 19C....... You never cease to amaze me.

And this time it's in a really good way.

 

I made it to Stonehenge festie as a day tripper in '84 (too young to make the earlier ones). I have many friends who were at the Beanfield.

I went to Glastonbury before it dissolved into the corporate suckfest that it has now become and was lucky enough to be at the last great truly anarchic festival: Treworgey Tree Fayre, 1989.

 

Some good musical choices there.

Space Ritual is a great album, but personally I prefer Hawkwind's "Live at Stonehenge".

It is quite rare these days, but can be picked up from ebay or similar sites.

I have a copy on vinyl that was part of a Hawkwind picture disc box set, and a copy on CD that I picked up on ebay for about £20.

It is worth getting the album purely for "Levitation", which, IMHO is the best live tune ever recorded.

 

If you don't have / can't get a copy, PM me and I will be more than happy to burn one and send it to you.

[The Majestic Channon]

I might be stuck in the past, some lists in this thread i can't tell which is the band and which is the song title fair play to you all though .

Being an old ****er i'd like to throw X ray spex- live at the roundhouse into the mix , poly's back and sounding great listening to it as i write ' the day the world turned day-glo ' atm.

Any other X ray spex fans ??

[saint_bert]

Metal rules if you like it great, if not enjoy your own genre

 

plus 1

[RonManager]

I might be stuck in the past, some lists in this thread i can't tell which is the band and which is the song title fair play to you all though .

Being an old ****er i'd like to throw X ray spex- live at the roundhouse into the mix , poly's back and sounding great listening to it as i write ' the day the world turned day-glo ' atm.

Any other X ray spex fans ??

 

Ho yus.

[saint_bert]

This has been a difficult year musiclly for me. Album wise there has only been three stand out albums that I have purchased.

 

Arctic Monkeys-Humbug

AIC-BGWTB- This took some time for me to enjoy. I guess it took me a while to adjust.

Them Crooked Vultures-Them Crooked Vultures

 

However, I have also discovered some old stuff. Rainbow Greatest Hits being my favourite album to listen to atm.

 

Mainly been listening to old faves really.

Edited 4 December, 2009 by saint_bert

[The Majestic Channon]

Ho yus.

 

Was that a ' oh yes' or something more sinister

[Rory]

This seems a tad excessive, no?

 

No, not at all. Don't be as dull as him.

[manji]

This seems a tad excessive, no?

I agree.

[Block 5]

I agree.

 

+1.

[manji]

+1.

I cant understand the attitude of some of the mods. It reminds me of when Keith Legg used to keep banning me because I was one of the few posters suggesting the the arrival of Michael Wilde was bad for the club. 90% of the posters were going "Wilde for Saints" and apparently I was annoying them lol!

[the stain]

This is all a bit sad. 19c was being a bit of a nob, but surely a telling off would suffice?

[speculator]

I have this fascination, no cause for deviation.

[stedje]

How come very few of you have mentioned Green Day. 21.century breakdown is awsome

[saint_bert]

How come very few of you have mentioned Green Day. 21.century breakdown is awsome

 

Because it is'nt.

 

HTH

[Block 5]

I cant understand the attitude of some of the mods. It reminds me of when Keith Legg used to keep banning me because I was one of the few posters suggesting the the arrival of Michael Wilde was bad for the club. 90% of the posters were going "Wilde for Saints" and apparently I was annoying them lol!

 

We all know 19C can be a bit of a WUM, I admit I have blocked him more than once. Perhaps the mods could do the same instead of a ban?

[Rory]

This thread has gone massively off course.

[speculator]

You never see what you want to see, forever playing to the gallery.

[Ewell]

1) The XX - XX

2) The Horrors - Primary Colours

3) Yeah Yeah Yeah's - It's Blitz

4) The Maccabees- Wall of Arms

5) Editors - In This Light and On This Evening

 

It has been a pretty good year and there has been loads of good stuff about this year.

[Rory]

This has been one of the toughest years to whittle down a list of fantastic albums into a top 5.

 

5. Wild Beasts – Two Dancers

 

I feel far too guilty to be putting this incredible piece of work at number five but, alas, that’s life. Wild Beasts have matured from 2008’s spellbinding Limbo, Panto, to release the beautiful Two Dancers, one of 2009’s greatest highlights. Hayden Thorpe has one of the most definitive, erratic and distinguishing voice in indie and clearly sets this band apart from the rest. They’ve grown from the rough and ready hits from Limbo Panto, which included Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants – arguably one of the greatest songs of the century, to produce immaculate, if a little unfashionable, masterpieces. Bassist Tom Fleming shares more of the vocals on this release and his deeper tones are welcome, but it will always be Thorpe’s punishing vocals that will prepare this band to greatness. Think Kate Bush mixed with a little Sparks.

Stand out track: Hooting and Howling.

 

 

 

4. Girls – Album

 

 

 

We had been waiting a while for Girls’ debut album and it hasn’t disappointed. This could have been my album of the year and it is a clear surf-rock classic for the 21st century (not in the way The Thrills were billed to be a few years back) but I guess I am just fonder of the three above it. Girls are exciting and Album is a joy to listen to. Its androgynous, drug-induced lyrics will push you deeper under Album’s skin with each listen. This is one enjoyable discovery.

Stand out track: Laura

 

 

 

 

3. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

 

 

 

 

Phoenix’s latest effort is pop music at its finest. The French rockers have built up a reputation as a band who can put a smile on anyone’s face with hook-driven Summer rock tunes and have put in a stellar effort in trying to succeed their previous and flawless release It’s Never Been Like That. The album is just over 30 minutes long but don’t let that put you off. It’s quality, not quantity and there is a hell of a lot of quality crammed into this beauty. Up-beat opener Lisztomania is one of the catchiest tracks of the year and sets a high precedent but 1901, Fences, Rome and Girlfriend ensure the sun is always shining when listening to this.

Stand out track: 1901

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMOkORxF4JA

 

 

 

2. Future of the Left – Travels With Myself and Another

 

 

This album is visceral, vicious, vivacious and oh so victorious. We are all mourning the death of Mclusky but this confirms that Mclusky really are dead. Explosive front man Andy Falkous is on absolute form screaming through alarmingly tight punk rock tracks such as Arming Eritrea, Chin Music and You Need Satan More Than He Needs You. If you haven’t checked out Future of the Left (formed of members from Mclusky and Jarcrew), you really must. FotL are definitely my favourite live act of this year and Travels With Myself and Another is album you won’t be able to take out of your stereo for some time. Prepare to be gripped. The downside is their drummer is a Skate.

Stand out track: You Need Satan More Than He Needs You.

 

 

1. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion

 

 

Picking the number one slot was the most difficult part of this list. I thought long and hard as to whether Merriweather Post Pavilion deserved it….and it does by a long shot. To have been released in January and to still hold a significant of playing time on my iPod is something to be commended. It truly is their best effort yet and is a supersonic assault on the senses. They have released countless efforts prior to this but it seems AC have finally created a concise, majestic sound that could easily see them become one of the most important outfits in the past ten years. The wonderful opener, In The Flowers, is arguably one of the greatest music moments of the year. It starts off lazy but explodes into something utterly breathtaking. This is a special album and from the sound of the Fall To Be Kind EP, released earlier this month, it seems as if AC are going to get better and better.

Stand out track: Bluish.

 

 

[Ludwig]

I've only got the Wild Beasts CD in the last week. Yes, it is good. Very good. Won't revise my list though, it's not fair to.

[Kadeem Hardison]

Wild Beasts = Starsailor.

[channonwindmill]

how many of these suggestions for 2009 actually made the top 40 Long Player chart?

 

I think you'll find the correct term is "Hit Parade".

[lettuce]

"Crossing the Rubicon" by The Sounds

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuEZ_DbAGnk

 

Granted, the track linked above is from their previous album, but my goodness, she has to be the HOTTEST singer in rock music right now!

 

Those legs... :smt040

[Rory]

My album choices are terribly written! My apologies. They were written without proof reading and not much attention. I've been listening to Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix all day today and I'm tempted to put it into second place, but I won't. The list is final.

 

I've also omitted a lot of good songs from my top list including Joy Orbison -- Hyph Mngo, Washed Out -- Feel It All Around, Lady Gaga -- Poker Face and Major Lazer -- Keep It Going Louder. The year has been too, too good and I hope next year's is even better.

[Julian H. Cope]

Here is my selection in no order whatsoever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 20 December, 2009 by Julian H. Cope

[Deppo]

Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

The XX - The XX

Atlas Sound - Logos

HEALTH - Get Color

Wooden Shjips - DOS

Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca

The Horrors - Primary Colours

Julian Casablancas - Phrazes For The Young

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz

 

There is a sort of order there, best at the top, but it'd change by the minute if I thought about it too hard.

[fish fingers]

I always make a compilation at the end of each year of my favourite 12 albums of the year and what i think is the best track from that album.

 

This years effort in no particular order;

 

1. Phoenix - 1901

2. Girls - Laura

3. The XX - Islands

4. Passion Pit - Little Secrets

5. The Drums - Let's go Surfing

6. Animal Collective - My Girls

7. Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man

8. Franz Ferdinand - Ulysses

9. Jamie T - Sticks'n'Stones

10. Wild Beasts - Hooting & Howling

11. Stricken City - Pull the House Down

12. Dirty Projectors - Stillness is the move

[the stain]

I can't say I've bought very many albums released this year, and one of my choices is a collection of stuff from the 70s. I must be getting 'mature'. Anyhow four (check it, four. not five.) albums I have loved this year...

 

 

Broadcast & the Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age

 

 

Flaming Lips - Embryonic

 

 

Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion

 

 

Arthur Russell - Love Is Overtaking Me

 

n.b. this last one might have come out last year, I'm not sure, but I only heard it this year so it will have to count.

[Rory]

Julian, the stain, fish fingers and Deppo's lists are very good.

 

Here are some critics lists for 2009:

 

Allmusic: http://blog.allmusic.com/2009/12/22/allmusics-favorite-indie-albums-of-2009-pt-i/

 

Pitchforkmedia (top 50 onwards): http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/7744-the-top-50-albums-of-2009/

 

Cokemachineglow top 50: http://www.cokemachineglow.com/feature/4993/top50albums-2009

 

The Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/series/critics-poll-2009

[the stain]

Ah, those lists have reminded me of the Jim O'Rourke lp. Should've mentioned that one, it's lovely. Also reminded me that I still haven't heard the latest Yo La Tengo album.

[AndyNorthernSaints]

Kings & Queens - Jamie.T.

Fits - White Denim

Foofighters - Greatest Hits

[graveworm]

I just got the new Rammstein CD `` Liebe ist für alle da`` and that to me is the album of 2009.

Totally awesome

 

Have to say better than PT, my previous entry to this

[Block 5]

Some of my favourite albums of the year, in no particular order....

 

The Heavy - 'The House that Dirt Built'.

Great album, 'How You Like Me Now?' is an outstanding tune, check it out here http://www.theheavy.co.uk/

 

Yage - 'The Woodlands of Old'.

Dark and spooky stuff from Amorphous Androgynous' producer.

 

Bibio - 'Ambivalence Avenue'.

Beautiful. Gorgeous. Clever.

Hudson Mohawke - 'Butter'.

This sounds like an explosion at a soft toy factory whilst Outkast are being given a guided tour!

King Cannibal - 'Let the Night Roar'.

Some excellent programming. Very fierce indeed. Quite unsettling at times.

 

Wildbirds and Peacedrums - 'The Snake'.

Amazing female vocals coupled with some serious percussion. Fantastic.

[Junction 9]

1) The XX - XX

2) The Horrors - Primary Colours

3) Yeah Yeah Yeah's - It's Blitz

4) The Maccabees- Wall of Arms

5) Editors - In This Light and On This Evening

 

It has been a pretty good year and there has been loads of good stuff about this year.

 

Did you really rate the Maccabees record? I was thoroughly disappointed by it and I've given it a real chance.

[the stain]

Very late bid for record of the year, which I only got yesterday:

 

Oneohtrix Point Never - Rifts

 

 

On first couple of listens it seems to be a vast sprawling space odyssey of Kosmische ambience crossed with Boards-style haunted memories. It's bloody good anyway.