Best of 2009: 50 - 41

I've realized that if I'm going to get this list done by the end of the year (or so), I've got to write less and post more, so let's get started with the bottom of my top 50 for the year, posted in reverse order. More to come soon!

(Next)

50. White Denim - Fits

After falling hard for their previous effort, I found White Denim's Fits to be a welcome return for the Texas trio. Their strange and eclectic brand of rock 'n' roll is refined and - in some ways - improved here, making for some spectacular moments and a generally great time. Definitely one of 2009's overlooked rock records.

MySpace


49. Pictureplane - Dark Rift

Dark Rift, is a sprawling collection of avant-garde loops and scratchy production that somehow form cohesive and engaging songs that have certainly made the man behind the music, Travis Egedy, a one-man band to watch down the road. (More from me)

Myspace


48. Shuta Hasunuma - Pop Ooga

I'm not entirely sure when the original release date of Pop Ooga was, but I'm gonna go ahead and count this as an 09 release. Japanese glitch electronica artist Shuta Hasunuma has crafted something truly unique and gorgeous here, a record that is challenging, surprising and consistently rewarding. (More from me)

Power Osci (MP3)

Homepage


47. Handsome Furs - Face Control

Face Control is an album that, despite its faults, I return to time and time again. It's leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor, and the best songs on this record (especially, "All We Want, Baby, Is Everything") are among my favorites for the year. (More from me)

I'm Confused (MP3)

MySpace


46. Monsters of Folk - Monsters of Folk

This collection of tunes from the collective mind of Conor Oberst, Jim James, M. Ward and Mike Mogis could have been a real mess, but instead it's a relatively cohesive and consistently strong set of folk-rock songs featuring some great contributions from each of the three indie superstars. (More from me)


45. Fruit Bats - The Ruminant Band

I confess, I didn't really know much at all about Fruit Bats until this year, but their latest, The Ruminant Band, is an undeniably solid and occasionally spectacular indie rock album that has given me cause to check out the rest of their catalog.

MySpace


44. Wild Beasts - Two Dancers

Wild Beasts' quick followup to their acclaimed debut is just as odd and lovely as their first effort, thanks mostly in part to singer Hayden Thorpe's flamboyant falsetto vocals and a more cohesive approach to the album. It certainly establishes these boys as notable newcomers to the indie scene. (More from me)

MySpace


43. Capybara - Try Brothers

Capybara deserve more credit than they've been given for crafting this enjoyably avant-garde folk album (their first record), which is hopefull a sign of even better things to come. Try Brother may have slipped well under the radar this year, but that doesn't mean you should pass it up. (More from me)

Soft (MP3)

MySpace


42. The xx - xx

The xx's sparse, dark indie-pop sound made some serious waves this year, and though I'm not a big a fan of their debut as some, it's difficult to deny the strength and beauty of this record. Behind vocalists Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim, this group has shown a unique and captivating kind of magic. (More from me)

MySpace


41. Sonya Cotton - Red River

It's a wonder to me that Sonya Cotton could stay so unnoticed in 2009 with this wonderful record. Red River flows gently with Cotton's soft yet strong voice and gorgeous folk instrumentation, creating a spell over the listener as it goes. This is truly beautiful stuff. (More from me)

Red River (MP3)

MySpace

(Next)

Freshman Class: Best Debut Albums of 2009

Before I unveil my picks for the best albums of the year AND the decade, I'll throw out a few other lists here. Like the title says, this is for bands that released the best debut LPs (EPs were considered but none made it) this year. Keep in mind this doesn't disqualify these bands from appearing in the overall "best of" list. Guess I'll just start from the top with this one:

1. DM Stith - Heavy Ghost

Singer/songwriter DM Stith (born David Michael) released this year's best debut album and one of my personal favorites for the entire year overall. Haunting, dark, and wholly absorbing, Heavy Ghost is an unforgettable trip through Stith's delightfully strange mind. The combination of sincere, insightful lyrics - often dealing with the artist's struggle with faith and religion - and swirling instrumentals - a combination of eerie harmonies, sweeping strings, and acoustic guitars - makes this a musical experience you're not likely to forget.

Pity Dance (MP3 via Asthmatic Kitty)

MySpace


2. fun. - Aim and Ignite

It's a little strange to consider fun. (yes, lower case AND punctuation intended) true newcomers as all three members have been involved in other projects (The Format, Steel Train, Anathallo), but this seems to be a permanent new project for the boys who have made a fantastic album their first go-round. With the high vocals and sharp writing of ex-Format frontman Nate Ruess to lead them, the trio makes explosive orchestral pop music as consistently fun and fresh as anything released this year. Fun indeed.

MySpace


3. Cymbals Eat Guitars - Why There Are Mountains

Right from the opening of the lead track, "And the Hazy Sea," on Cymbals Eat Guitars' first record - I was hooked. The indie rockers take influences such as Pavement and Built to Spill and add plenty of their own unique identity to craft rough, dynamic rock 'n' roll tunes that I have returned to again and again throughout the year. The formula of guitars, drums, and bass is simple and straightforward, but the band is full of ideas which they consistently execute to perfection.

MySpace (download non-album track "Tunguska")


4. Fanfarlo - Reservoir

British indie collective Fanfarlo are, in my humble opinion, one of the most overlooked bands this year. Not just because they've created a stellar first album, Reservoir, but because I think their sound is so universally appealing. Using plenty of brass, strings, percussion and a little of everything else, Fanfarlo's style of epic indie pop is lush, full and beautifully presented. And with strong songwriting thrown into the mix, the results are consistently spectacular.

MP3s via Obscure Sound

MySpace


5. Memory Tapes - Seek Magic

Dayve Hawk has been around for a while now, releasing music under one moniker or another, but Seek Magic is his first wide-release effort. He makes highly detailed electronica that's difficult to describe but very easy to enjoy, using a variety of effects, instruments and his own vocals in a way that occasionally brings to mind artists like LCD Soundsystem but remains unique to Hawk. The eight songs of his debut cover quite a bit of territory yet they work as a cohesive and compelling whole in one of this year's best first efforts.

Blog (lots of free tunes)

MySpace


6. Deastro - Moondagger

Deastro is another one-man electronica project (it's a theme, you'll see one more down the line), though Randolph Chabot has received a bit less attention than some of his peers. He's no less talented, however, and the mixture of organic and synthetic elements comprising his music makes for a fascinating sound on his debut, Moondagger. Chabot's lyrics are filled with both bizarre sci-fi references and sentimental declarations, yet somehow his sincerely positive attitude makes it all work with his energetic electro-rock style.

Grower EP (Free Download)

MySpace


7. jj - jj n° 2

It's possible that the musicians behind Swedish pop group jj have been unveiled, but as of a few months ago, it remained a mystery. But their music speaks plenty for itself anyway, appropriately receiving accolades across the 'net for its smooth, sultry tropical style. With heavenly female vocals, sunny, relaxed beats, and sharp production, jj n° 2 is a brief but absolutely gorgeous record that effectively puts jj on the map, whoever they are.

Ecstasy (MP3)


8. The xx - xx

They've even shared the stage with jj, but lower-case letters aside, The xx has little in common with the Swedes. Now a trio (down a member after some exhaustive touring), The xx creates sparse, haunting pop music led by dual vocalists Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim, whose soft voices enhance the captivating melodies and darkly sexy lyrics. The album does take some patience and the right setting to really come alive, but when it does, the results are striking.

MySpace


9. Capybara - Try Brother

Capybara is definitely the least visible band on this list, but it's not for lack of making amazing music. Their slightly freaky folk sound is often subdued but consistently interesting and always melodic, and their debut album, Try Brother, is quite an opening statement. The songs shift and twist, build and subside, rarely going where you expect but entertaining consistently. Capybara deserve more credit than they've been given for this first effort, but hopefully it's a sign of even better things to come.

Soft (MP3)

MySpace


10. Pictureplane - Dark Rift

The third solo electronica project on this list, Pictureplane is the musical project of Travis Egedy. Egedy is more focused on the club/dance side of things than his peers, but his fractured beats, insistent synths and often listless vocals aren't exactly a recipe for mainstream attention. His proper debut, Dark Rift, is a sprawling collection of avant-garde loops and scratchy production that somehow form cohesive and engaging songs that have certainly made him a person of interest in the indie scene.

MySpace

@In Review Online: Unheard Of #3

The third installment of my "Unheard Of" column is up at In Review Online. As usual, it features some artists I've already covered along with some I haven't. I'll post some links below, but for the full article and free songs, check out the full thing HERE.

Will Stratton -
"...over the course of two records - particularly No Wonder - he's demonstrated a steadily increasing level of maturity and brought greater depth to his songwriting"

Lissie -
"Maurus' strong, slightly weathered voice aligns her with the likes of late-period Joan Baez or even Stevie Nicks, as does her emotive lyricism and all-encompassing folk style"

Capybara -
"...it's the songwriting that really shines here; simple yet arresting melodies, constant harmonies and intriguing song structures combine to form many great moments on the record."

Brooke Waggoner -
"She uses her talents to compose intricate, elegant songs that primarily feature sweeping orchestral arrangements underpinning her signature instrument, a lovely, emotive voice."

Ólöf Arnalds -
"Arnalds' sound is like a cross between Sigur Ros and Joanna Newsom, as she makes mostly stark, acoustic music to compliment her high, almost childlike voice."

Full Article

Three for...Friday: Capybara, Animal Kingdom, Ivan & Alyosha

Capybara -

Earlier this year, Capybara self-released their excellent debut album - Try Brother - and are now planning on a proper release next week on indie label The Record Machine. Hopefully that means more exposure for the band, whose music deserves any attention it receives. Freak-folk might be an appropriate label for the Kansas City group, but they rest on the softer, more melodic side of the genre. Their lo-fi approach - utilizing guitars, banjos, and various percussion - gives their songs a charmingly rustic sound, but its the songwriting that truly shines here. Simple yet arresting melodies, constant harmony, intriguing song structures combine for some truly great moments on their new album - like the shifting, multi-faceted opener "San Francisco, 1906," the strange and perky "The Wimp" and the shimmering "Magpies."The whole album combines to form a truly compelling and captivating experience that actually stacks up well against the best debuts that 2009 has to offer - and that's saying something. Oh, and you're welcome for the tunes - they're both amazing.

Myspace

Soft (MP3)

Birthday Song (MP3)


Animal Kingdom -

Although they've generated a fair amount of hype recently, I still know almost nothing about the UK's Animal Kingdom. I do know that their debut record - Signs and Wonders - was recorded by uber-producer Phil Ek (who's recent work included albums by Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver) and also that it's quite good, which is the point I suppose. Animal Kingdom often sound something like a smooth blend of early Radiohead, Coldplay, and Band of Horses (there's the Ek connection), but while their music may not be entirely unique in its approach, the songs on their debut still contain a genuine distinctness that makes the album worth exploring. First single "Tin Man" serves as a good introduction, showcasing the high, clear vocals and epic-yet-intimate instrumental interplay that can be found throughout the record. They take the occasional break for an acoustic ballad ("Silence Summons You") or groovy rocker ("Walls of Jericho"), which gives some variety to the 12 tracks, and when they get a little strange, as on the dark "Mephistopheles," they prove they're diverse and interesting enough to hold our attention.

MySpace





Ivan & Alyosha -

No, that band name isn't the result of some crazy coincidence - the duo recording and performing as Ivan & Alyosha is actually comprised of musicians Tim Wilson and Ryan Carbary. With Wilson on vocals and Carbary on a little bit of everything, the two make music that is refreshingly simple, with no gimmicks, no pretension, just classic pop songwriting and engaging melodies. They have a bit of a retro vibe to them, borrowing from the pop stylings of 60s and 70s at times, and their new EP - The Verse, The Chorus - shows the two artists combining those past influences with a more modern, alt-rock sound. The results won't start any kind of musical revolution, but the songs are genuine, fun, and catchy as can be. And these two are talented enough to avoid simply retreading the territory of those who have gone on before or sticking to just one formula. Opener "Beautiful Lie" features jazzy piano and smooth vocal harmony in an almost Beatlesque style, "Some Friend You Are" is a melancholy ballad, and "Normal People" is a melodic, emotive rock tune. The seven songs of The Verse, The Chorus get these boys off to a great start.

Easy to Love (Zipped MP3)

MySpace