Below are my Top 5 Albums from 2009. I think overall this year was kind of a let-down; there weren’t too many releases that really blew my socks off. There was a notable absence of some of bands (another year without a Tool album…*sigh*) while other bands came back from weaker efforts and returned to form.
My rules for being considered for this list are:
- Album had to have been released during the 2009 calendar year
- Must be a studio album – No live albums, compilations or best-of’s
- Must be an album I own
So without further ado, here are my Top 5:
5. Strict Joy by The Swell Season
You may remember Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova’s debut album – the Academy Award-winning soundtrack to the film ‘Once‘, which they also starred in. Apparently winning an Oscar is good for the creative vibes, because they kept recording together and have produced a magnificent sophomoric effort, Strict Joy. The ‘indie’ vibe has been upgraded by a much more cohesive, filled-out sound, with longer, more explorative jams and new instruments. Warmly produced, carefully crafted, I hope to see The Swell Season put out a few more albums. Songs like “The Rain” and “High Horses” showcase Glen’s deep, soulful voice married flawlessly with Marketa’s sweet voice. What started out as a one-time collaboration is turning out to be one of the finest bands I’ve heard in years.
4. Vancouver by Matthew Good
Matt’s latest effort is a quasi-concept album centred around, well the city of Vancouver. I don’t really feel like it’s his best work to date – either with or without the “Band” – but it is a solid album, far better than 99% of the crap that’s out there. Since this is only the second album since his breakdown/breakthrough (depends how you look at being diagnosed bipolar), I consider this to be merely building to something epic to come. The songs are well-produced, with lush vocals and some excellent strings (“On Nights Like Tonight”). There’s not a lot on this album that really demonstrates a new direction, he’s just doing what he does really, really well. I would like to issue Matt a challenge to experiment a bit more for his ninth effort as he risks stagnation after eight melodic, dark rock albums.
3. I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day by Julie Doiron
Julie has been releasing fantastic albums ever since her ‘Broken Girl’ days, this one is no exception. Former bandmate Rick White returns to produce his second album in a row, and his eclectic/artistic style is apparent and most welcomed. As far as building and perfecting the “Julie Doiron” sound, this album has a mix of solo and band-backed tracks, which makes for a well-paced and varied listening experience. Her soft, haunting vocals, perfectly compliment the low-fi sound. “Heavy Snow” is the stand-out track, featuring some amazing vocal layering. The bar has definitively been raised by this album, and I hope it’s only a matter of time before Julie Doiron is a household name.
2. Octahedron by The Mars Volta
After the mixed results of their previous couple albums, this album reaffirms my belief that The Mars Volta are one of the best progressive bands out there. Both a concept album and an attempt at a softer sound, this album is both groundbreaking and a return to form. See my full review.
1. Them Crooked Vultures
This is by far the best album I have heard all year. If you like rock/blues/jazz, you cannot go wrong with this one. Now, after a few weeks with this album, I am tempted to temper my opinion…slightly. You see, as time goes on, I think of TCV more as a Queens of the Stone Age album featuring Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones, rather than a ‘new’ sound entirely. Now I loves me some QOTSA, and the added jazz/blues influence that Jones brings combined with some outstanding drumwork by Grohl makes this the best Josh Homme album to date. Easily my favourite album of 2009. See my full review.
Honourable Mentions
The Resistance by Muse – This album completely changed my opinion of them. See my full review.
Hymn to the Immortal Wind by Mono – Total shoegaze. Totally awesome.
Old Crows/Young Cardinals by Alexisonfire – Another great album, just didn’t have that epic/unique quality that it needed for the Top 5.
Above the Earth, Below the Sky by If These Trees Could Talk – I do love the instrumental post-rock.
Biggest Let Downs of 2009
Battle for the Sun by Placebo – Really, their sound is just tired and no longer relevant. Evolve or die, people!
Tiny Pictures by Thornley – Okay so expectations were not high after their first album, but I was hoping the man behind the two phenomenal Big Wreck records might be able to rally and come up with something euphoric. *cue Price is Right ‘Fail’ sound*
No One’s First and You’re Next by Modest Mouse – Some unreleased/outtake material, probably should have stayed that way.
Sci-Fi Crimes by Chevelle – I already have like three Chevelle albums that sound just like this. I don’t know why I was hoping they’d do something different, but I’m still disappointed.
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So there you have it. What do you think? (Comments to the right!) Stay tuned for my Best Albums of the 2000’s, coming soon!
