MY TOP 10 FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2009
#1 Neko Case, “Middle Cyclone” (iTunes) (Amazon) (Lala)
Favorite song: “Middle Cyclone”
“Did someone make a fool of me before I could show ‘em how it’s done…?”
I basically spent all of spring listening to this CD and I love it so so much that I don’t want to describe it. Just listen and enjoy. That’s what I did.
MY TOP 10 FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2009
#2 Florence + the Machine, “Lungs” (iTunes) (Amazon) (Lala)
Favorite song: “Cosmic Love”
“A falling star fell from your heart and landed in my eyes…”
I bought this on a whim, which turned out to be one of the best whims I had in 2009, and played it obsessively during the month of September. When I grow up, I want to be Florence.
MY TOP 10 FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2009
#3 Those Dancing Days, “In Our Space Hero Suits” (iTunes) (Amazon) (Lala)
Favorite song: “Run Run”
“The sky’s way bigger than I ever thought it could be…”
Let me tell you a story about this one, since it technically came out in 2008, but was difficult to find in the US until 2009.
I first heard about this album from I Heart Daily (which you should subscribe to right now) and got hooked within 30 seconds. I wanted—no, needed—this album! However, the band’s from Sweden and apparently getting an album from a northern European country to iTunes or Amazon or an actual store is not easy. (That problem has since been resolved, you lucky devils.)
So I called Amoeba and they had a copy! An import! What joy! However, importing a CD is rather expensive. So expensive, in fact, that I don’t want to tell you how much I paid for it. I drove across town to get this album from this amazing band, and it was worth every single penny. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
MY TOP 10 FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2009
#4 Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “It’s Blitz!” (iTunes) (Amazon) (Lala)
Favorite song: “Hysteric”
“The cinders, they splinter and light the path / And these strange steps, they trace us back…”
One of my best memories from 2009 is driving home from my birthday dinner in Silverlake, crammed with four other people into a compact car, listening to this album. I love it because you can put it on when you’re getting ready to go out and when you’re ready to go home.
MY TOP 10 FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2009
#5 Devendra Banhart, “What Will We Be” (iTunes) (Amazon)
Favorite song: “Walilamdzi”
“Dalilamdzi, walilamdzi…”
Whenever I put this album on, it’s like I’m hanging out with a friend that makes me feel like a more awesome version of myself. Just good vibes, good sounds, good songs. Plus I really love the mini-video that accompanies this song.
MY TOP 10 FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2009
#6 Phoenix, “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix” (iTunes) (Amazon)
Favorite song: “Lasso”
“Forever is a long, long time when you’ve lost your way…”
You know that dance that Molly Ringwald does in “The Breakfast Club”? The one where she’s on the landing of the staircase? That’s sort of how I dance every time I listen to this album.
MY TOP 10 FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2009
#7 The Gossip, “Music For Men”
Favorite song: “Heavy Cross”
“You’re moments ago, but seconds away…”
This was my Summer Dance Album. Thanks, Beth Ditto & Co. You’re awesome.
MY TOP 10 FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2009
#8 Julian Casablancas, “Phrazes For the Young”
Favorite song: “Out of the Blue”
“How could you be so perfect for me? / Why can’t you ignore the things I did before?”
Sometimes when a band starts spewing out solo members, I think, “Uh-oh.” But not with the Strokes. All of the solo albums have been great, but especially this one. It’s oddly hopeful. I love when that happens.
MY TOP 10 FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2009
#9 The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, “The Pains of Being Pure at Heart”
Favorite song: “Young Adult Friction”
“I never thought I would come of age / Let alone on a moldy page…”
My God, if you need something to cheer you up, this is the album for you. So fun, so danceable, and about 20 years too late for a John Hughes film. (Sad sigh.)
MY TOP 10 FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2009
#10. Bon Iver, “Blood Bank”
Favorite song: “Woods”
“I’m up in the woods, I’m down on my mind / I’m building a sill to slow down the time…”
Look, it’s no secret that I’m a nut for Bon Iver. There’s only four songs on this album, but they’re all wonderful. “Woods” killed me in the best way, so I hope you like it as much as I have.
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