Winnie’s Top Albums of 2009
Last year we got our top of the year lists out early.
This year it seemed like everyone was trying to get their lists out as early as possible to capitalize on the potential traffic or whatever it is people compete for. We decided to sit back and let the year finish before commenting on it (read: we were super lazy).
None the less, here’s our picks for the best albums of 09′ Here’s to hoping you get 18% more lay in 2010.
20. Don Cash – Freshy Fresh
Don Cash really does wear his sunglasses at night. This album was released as a free download, then on itunes, then re-mastered and re-released without some of my fave songs on it and there’s still talks of re-mastering it again and a label signing and release… Either way, this is a great album with some next level jams.
19.Tiga – Ciao!
Tiga’s collaboration with all his producer pals (James Murphy, Soulwax, Gonzales etc) made this album ironically transcend being just a dance album (mindless headfuck) and gave it some depth. Tiga was huge in the first part of the year as the anticipation for the album grew from the first couple of singles. Then it all seemed to die down… Not that I would ever steal anything but they were super tight fisted, blocking album leaks and maybe it hurt the album? I have no idea, maybe I’m B.S.ing but I feel like this album should have been bigger. I also wish Tiga would do more performances with a live backing band. Seeing him dj all of his hits was, um, err, mehhh. I also want to see more of his alter persona come to life.
Tiga – Love Don’t Dance Here Anymore ft. Soulwax
18.Metric – Fantasies
I’ll probably catch lots of flack for this but… Whenever a band gets big in Canada there’s sometimes a bit of backlash from the people who think we live in a tiny little fish bowl and despise the band for making it big while other more “authentic” bands don’t get recognized. I can’t see this happening in the US where there is much less of an identity crisis (albeit other ish). In 2009 Metric decided to go their own independent route, ditched their label and management and blew up worldwide by making a great pop record that’s a solid listen from start to finish. But then again, they are not noise punk.
17.Little Girls – Concepts
Josh McIntyre crafted this gem late at night, solo in his bedroom. He started a myspace under the anonymous moniker, “Little Girls” (which btw is code for “little girls”) to gauge peoples reaction to these sonic experiments. So far the response has been quite positive.
16 .Mountain Man – Mountain Man
You can’t find this album on the internet for free anywhere so you should pony up the $5 pay what you want minimum for this lesser known gem. For fans of Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes and Chamomile tea.
15. Kap Bambino – Blacklist
I must be honest, I’m not an OG Kap Bambino fan. Apparently they made their sound a little less hardcore and a bit more poppy with this album. Their hybrid punk/electro blend is something completely new to my ears. It kiiiind of picks up where Crystal Castles left off. Still bummed I missed their live show. I think I’m too old to go out on Sundays.
14. Local Natives – Gorilla Manor
It hasn’t come out yet officially in NA. It’s out in England and I have British citizenship. 2009 was huge for them, they have won over a lot of new fans with their on point four part harmonies and the general charm of five dudes playing their hearts out.
13. Handsome Furs – Face Control
Everybody’s fave indie rock couple lay down some guitar over drum machine loops and craft a solid follow up to Plague Park. Bow wow.
Handsome Furs – Radio Kaliningrad
12. Yacht – See Mystery Lights
Along with adding another member, signing to DFA has been a good thing. It sounds like they added a little more New York post punk disco to their landscape and reigned in the sometimes overly experimental bits. Pyschic City was definitely one of the songs of the year.
11.Antony and the Johnsons – The Crying Light
I really didn’t know what to think of Antony’s voice at first, it was quite shocking. It felt like a surprise reach around, if that’s something politically correct enough to say. But, the more I listened to it, the more I fell in love with the unique voice from which he speaks from and with. Their live show was one of the best of the year. Pretty much *tear* worthy (not that I would ever cry though). Do not fear the surprise reach around.
Antony & the Johnsons – Her eyes are underneath the ground
10.Peaches – I Feel Cream
Peaches oh Peaches, how I love thy teaches. This is what Lady Gaga is ripping off and toning down for a mainstream audience. That and maybe a lil Gwen Stefani… Peaches is chick power to the infinite. The best live show of the year. All of this summed up a lot better, here.
9.Matt and Kim – Grand
Watching Matt and Kim play is like seeing two kids having the time of their life and enjoying every minute of it. They just look so gosh darn humble you want to hug them. While their previous self titled effort was a little too annoying / earnest / catchy / mehhh, “Grand” is an 11 track pop gem.
Matt & Kim – I’ll Take Us Home
8.Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Speaking of bands whose year it was, these Frenchies served it up like gour-met pate. They should almost lay low for a year to let things cool off. On the other hand there are so many hits on this album they should probably keep working it.
7. Neon Indian – Psychic Chasms
Bringing the psychedelic back to the dance floor. Neon Indian makes me want to do acid and chill in a tent while watching bizarre projected patterns on the wall while practicing witchcraft.
6.Wild Beasts – Two Dancers
Falsetto bitches! I swear I hear a little Morrissey in here, that and a lot of lyrics about girls and wild forest fornication parties that I want to be at.
Wild Beasts – We Still Got The Taste Dancing On Our Tongues
5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It’s Blitz!
“Waaaaaaah too electro!”. “What ever happened to the old YYYs?!?” Go listen to Fever to Tell and reminisce. It’s called progression and trying something new out. Besides, I swear I can’t hear the difference, I’m no electro racist. I think it worked and the YYYs are even more popular than ever. Whether that’s a good thing or not is your call. For me they are definitely one of the defining bands of the decade.
4. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
Top ten lists with MPP at number #1 are soooo boring. diss.
Animal Collective – Summertime Clothes
3.Fever Ray – Fever Ray
This album grew on me all year. I think I was a little put off wanting it to be a bit more dance’y and Knife-like. As the great economic recession of 2009 wore on I began feeling more and more like a sad little goth boy turning to my trusty Fever Ray album for comfort. Also one of my fave live shows of the year.
2.The XX – xx
The XX came out of nowhere with this debut album. I don’t know whether it had to do with Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim’s whispery voices or the playful male / female back and forth or the above mentioned goth factor? It’s the perfect mix, incorporating electronics with more traditional instruments creating a somewhat electronic beat driven album that even the indie kids can dance to.
1. Japandroids – Post Nothing
How could we not champion the home town heroes? They are on to even better things. Post Nothing was not their debut and they have not peaked. Have you heard the new song they are playing in their set?? Hot damn. These sweethearts worked their butts off on this and earned everything 2009 has brought them. Hopefully they find some time to write some new songs about girls and summer while touring their butts off.
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Great list! Thanks for all the awesome music this year.
Have a rad 2010!
I love love.
God bless you Winnie.
finally someone who puts Its Blitz somewhere near number 1 for fucks sake… that album was front to back pop magic… I’m sick of all the Animal Collective…any band that sounds that terrible live should not be critically acclaimed…
Haha, yes! now we are talking. definitely takes away when they suck live. Yeah its Blitz easily could of been #2
i gotta say i did not enjoy fever ray’s album save for Triangle Walks. The Knife was way better, always a joy to listen to. congrats on the album top 20 winnie! always on the cutting edge of yesterday’s indie music scene. :)
the only thing i heard of the XX was the Night Time remix i think it was that yall posted some months back but wasnt sure how much of that was original production…….now that i copped the entire album, its one of my favs of the last few years, so much that ima go…..buy it! last cd i bought was Kala.
im diggin them on so many diff levels, its nuts: like an acousticy ladytron? the cure vs sade?
also been a fan of YYYs thru the earlier albums and also the Is Is ep but totally slept on blitz cuz i didnt really like the first few bars of zero…man, big mistake.
all i knew about phoenix until last month was the Lost in Translation/Coppola connecton, didnt realize how huge they are now and how much they sound like the Strokes. Kinda funny since the Strokes are kinda forgotten now but they’re gettn some love again in the best of the decade lists…but phoenix totally brings their sound alive.
totally agree on metric. seems like they dont get the indie love as much but im taken aback at how well they mix indie-punk and pop. i think theyre one of the best bands doing that these days and they give you the best of both. they kinda make up for my disappointment of bloc party’s slippin off sorta
lookin fwd to more on don cash, havent heard the entire album yet, not too big on that song linked above but the top is true pimpin r&b new wave
Thanks for the list WC! Love the lists cuz it gives us an excuse to shoot the shit about so much…keep em coming.
shit man, i think i wrote way too much on my first attempt – guess i get excited about the year end lists.
XX – acoustic ladytron! cure vs sade! best band/cd in years for me
YYYs – slept on this until dec. was kinda meh on them jumpin on the sythn erectro trane but it made so much sense
Phoenix – all i knew was the Lost in Translation/Coppola connection, didnt realize how huge they are and how much they sound like the strokes….nice happy music (still prefer the strokes to them though)
Metric – agreed on comments above. they give the best of indie-punk vs pop, also make up for my disappointment of bloc party
Don Cash – lookin fwd to more pimpin r&b new wave
I like the list many of my favourite albums are on it BUT my number one album wasnt even on it?!?
MIIKE SNOW !!
THis ws hands down the best album of the year in any genre in my opinion!
ahh this is all so good ! bravado are you going to coachella
check out downplayer.com i think you will like it!