BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, it’s my best of ‘09 so far section!! 7 albums for the 7 months.
For artwork/reviews, click on the images on the right sidebar in the best of ‘09 section. The picture is meaningless, google image search threw it up on me.
7. N.A.S.A. – The Spirit of Apollo
Probably more for the cover being my stand out favourite album artwork of the year. But regardless of design, the N(orth) A(merica) S(outh) A(merica) dj/rapper/singer mega collaboration work just builds up so well and concludes in similiar manner and it is the concluding track, N.A.S.A. Anthem, of which’s epic score I just am so enthralled by. Also includes brilliant collabs with Kanye, Santigold, Lykke Li, Chuck D, David flippin’ Byrne and many more.
N.A.S.A. – Gifted
6. White Lies – To Lose My Life
They’ve done the brave thing by having a year-start album release, with people still reeling from 2008, White Lies’ album could of been released at the end of the year, but instead was for late January and by doing so risks the chance of being forgotten for the rest of the year. And to me it almost did, I loved and still do, this album. It is such a great showcase of the brilliance behind White Lies in terms of both the morbidly depressing lyrics and the highly Joy Division reminiscent music.
White Lies – Fairwell To The Fairground
5. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
This album, for a long time for me, suffered from “4 Song Syndrome”, in that the first four songs were undoubtedly the best, but a few listens in, it is such a grower and songs like “My Girls” are bloody brilliant it’s hard to ignore the impact and importance of this band. Just listen and enjoy the synth-fantasia that is Animal Collective, they are undoubtedly one of my biggest highlights for the year.
Animal Collective – Brother Sport
4. Passion Pit – Manners
I’m not entirely sure WHY I’ve put Passion Pit in fourth place, over AC, but there is something special, fantastical and utterly brilliant about their debut album. It’s packed full of urging, beautiful lyrics and soothing, but also energetic music. Coupled with the fact I’m highly excited to see them live as it makes for such a live-sounding album, yeah there are over-produced elements, but it’s music I think will transition well and is so easily danceable. Get on it.
Passion Pit – The Reeling
3. Discovery – LP
“THIS IS ALT HOP!” is the battle cry I expect to hear the supporters of Discovery as this record scream, I’m sure, as Discovery will produce as much ‘hate’ as they will go onto spawn a thousand off-shoots and inspired by bands/groups/producers. It proves the artistic merit of all the production techniques and especially AUTOTUNE. I love it, so should you.
Discovery – Osaka Loop Line
2. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
Ok, 2nd I know, where I’ve been touting this album so long, and for me it got beaten awkwardly, but Grizzly Bear’s album cannot be undermimed. It’s a soothing, sweeping, meditative and ultimately beautiful set of songs that cannot be ignored, anyone who is remotely interested in music should hear and appreciate the brilliance that is Veckatimest. It could/would/should become part of everyone’s year end lists.
Grizzly Bear – All We Ask
1. Wavves – Wavvves
I don’t care what you say, Wavvves is the best album released this year. SO IS. Ok, it’s distort as fuck, completely monotoned vocals in some songs, ridiculously simple music and the list of wrong can/will/should go on. But this album by Nathan Williams aka Wavves is most definitely more than the sum of it’s parts. It just WORKS. Plain and simple, the music comes together perfectly and makes the best collection of songs I have heard this year. They’re teen anthemns, maybe more for the surfer/stoner/skater easy punk crowd, but it just appeals to me, most defnitely my generation and songs like ‘So Bored’ would be big hitters if this one-man outift had more airplay/publicity. Just listen if you haven’t already, read my review by clicking on the album artwork on the sidebar to your right.
So Bored (Acoustic Session)
This acoustic session was recorded for the brilliant They Shoot Music Don’t They
