Now
that I've wrapped up my favorite songs of the year
list, it's time to talk albums! Here's hoping
you haven't worn out your download finger.
If you'd like, take a look at list in its entirety
here. Enjoy.
- 5 Through 1 -
#05) And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - The Century Of
Self
I'll probably never be able to recall why or when I lost interest in this
band, but I will always remember this thunderous effort as the reason I
jumped back on the bandwagon. It's easily my favorite modern rock
album in years, and I hope they they can be just as epic on the follow-up.
:Trail
Of Dead - Bells Of Creations:
#04) Lightning Dust - Infinite Light
Want to know what I expected from this album? A few good tracks.
Clearly, I was wrong. But really, there's no way I could have
predicted that every song would have a great hook, an interesting sound and
at least one moment of vocal brilliance from Black Mountain's Amber Webber.
Stop judging me!
:Lightning
Dust - Dreamer:
#03) Thao With The Get Down Stay Down - Know Better, Learn Faster
While I had complete faith in assuming that Thao, Willis and Adam would
follow up We Brave Be Stings And All (my #1 album last year) with
something great, I didn't think it would be such a vastly different listen.
This is them in a more adventurous state, and I strongly advise that you buy
this album.
:Thao
With The Get Down Stay Down - Body:
#02) St. Vincent - Actor
A couple of years ago Annie Clark dazzled my world with a whimsical and
endlessly charming album (also a #1 pick) that I thought she might find
difficult to top. Oops. Similar to Thao and Co., this is her swinging
for the fences and having a great time doing so.
:St
Vincent - The Strangers:
#01) Cymbals Eat Guitars - Why There Are Mountains
To be honest, this was a year where any of the albums in the top part of
this list could have been placed in this spot. So why Cymbals Eat
Guitars? Because I listened to this release the most this year, and I
love that it's a perfect hybrid of indie rock and pop. Pick this up
(and cherish it) if you have yet to do so.
:Cymbals
Eat Guitars - Some Trees (Merritt Moon):
- 5
Other Records That I Fancied A Bit
1. Why? - Eskimo Snow
2. Russian Circles - Geneva
3. El Perro Del Mar - Love Is Not Pop
4. White Rabbits - It's Frightening
5. Cursive - Mama, I'm Swollen
-
5 Records That Seemingly Impacted Everyone But Me
1. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
2. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
3. Animal Collective - Meriwether Post Pavilion
4. Neon Indian - Psychic Chasms
5. Girls - Album
-
The 5 Best Shows I Attended In 2009
1.
Bon Iver at the Paramount
2.
Mono at the Mohawk
3.
The Decemberists at Pangea
4.
Melt Banana at Fun Fun
Fun Fest
5.
Explosions In The Sky at Stubb's
- John Laird -
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