Albums of the Year
Some were overrated. Some were underrated. Others hit the nail on the head. Nonetheless the following artists all delivered in '09.
My number one pick? Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
On their 2009 album, Phoenix interjects their name with the legendary 18th century celebrated composer, Wolfgang Amadeus, evoking a sort of egotistical milieu. Was their intention to "drop bombs" on the music scene as the album cover suggests? Allusions to classical composers aside, the contemporary French band has delivered with this synth-rock fourth album. "1901", the electro-pop lead single has traversed the indie scene and has been thrust into the consumer driven American airwaves a là Cadillac commercials, and with due cause because in short, it's catchy. Acoustic guitar strums, Thomas Mars' falsetto, synthy scale progressions and a high-hat driven percussion all contribute to "Fences" disco etherealness. Throughout the album, musings of loves lost and nostalgia are paired with uptempo musical compositions creating a sort of 40%bitter 60%sweetness. In a time where albums seem sloppily arranged and syncopated, each track maintains a flair of individuality, yet when placed in succession with one another, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is a deliberate cohesive entity.
# 2: Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
# 3: Kid Cudi- Man on the Moon: The End of Day
# 4: The Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
# 5: The XX - xx
# 6: Andrew Bird - Noble Beast
Great albums must be appreciated in their entirety...but sometimes we just don't have time. That is why I've also composed a list of singles (in no particular order).
2009's Catchiest Singles
Phoenix - "1901"
Animal Collective - "My Girls"
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Heads Will Roll"
Matt and Kim - "Daylight"
Drake - "Best I Ever Had"
Kid Cudi - "Cudi Zone"
Grizzly Bear - "Two Weeks"
The XX - "Basic Space"
Phoenix - "Liztomania"
Pains of Being Pure At Heart - "Young Adult"
Cold Cave - "Life Magazine Test"
Camera Obscura - "French Navy"
Washed Out "Feel It All Around"
Kid Cudi (Crooker's Remix) - "Day 'n' Nite"
Lady GaGa - "Bad Romance"
Jay-Z (feat. Alicia Keys)- "Empire State of Mind"
Little Boots - "Stuck on Repeat"
Telekinesis - "Coast of Carolina"
Discovery - "Orange Shirt"
Here We Go Magic - "Fangela"
Passion Pit - "The Reeling"
The Dirty Projectors - "Stillness is the Move"
Andrew Bird - "Tenuousness"
