BOTF’s Favourite Recordings of 2009
Posted: December 24th, 2009 | Author: danieljosef | Filed under: Year End List |For the last three or so years, I have reviewed my favourite 25 releases of the year. This year, I’m cutting it down to ten. This is not due to the lack of releases that I have love this year, but because the year is closing out and I don’t think I’ll be done writing up 25 releases in 7 days. Here they are:
01. Fever Ray - S/T - Fever Ray is the solo project of Karin Dreijer Andersson who is also part of the brother/sister electronic duo The Knife. Fever Ray’s album is full of dark beats, scatter-brained vocals and child-like lyrics, very close to what Bjork would sound like if she was still producing decent music. They also get my vote for best live show of the year as well as best videos of the year. Stand out tracks: Triangle Walks, Concrete Walls, Dry & Dusty, Seven, If I Had A Heart.
Video: When I Grow Up
02. The XX - S/T - The XX captured my heart the moment I heard Intro, the lead track on their debut self-titled album. It’s a musical time warp back to the early 90s shoegaze scene that I grew up listening to. But don’t write these kids (all are under 23) off as modern day copycats, their debut is nothing short of spectacular. Their R&B vocal influences mixed with their sparse melodies and airy ambient song structures is a breath of fresh air and somehow sounds completely new and original. The sexed-up girl/boy vocal trading adds to the overall appeal as does their frumpy image and all black clothing. Stand out tracks: Heart Skipped A Beat, Shelter, VCR, Islands.
Video: Crystalised
03. The Drums - Summertime EP and S/T EP - The Drums should win an award for writing the most infectious, catchy song of 2009 for their single Let’s Go Surfing. Upbeat, poppy and fun, this band appears on my list even though they have yet to release a full album worth of material. From start to finish, their EPs are chalk full of tooth-rotting sugary pop with a tinge of 80s Factory Records thrown into the mix. And they are the most adorable band I have ever seen. For fans of dancing. Stand out tracks: Let’s Go Surfing, I Felt So Stupid, Best Friend, Me and the Moon.
Pitchfork Article (no reviews available)
Video: Let’s Go Surfing
04. Think About Life - Family - Montreal’s Think About Life are constantly looked over, I don’t understand why they aren’t huge, playing bigger shows and getting tons of love. Family is the funkier, more fun little brother of TV on the Radio. Tunes like Havin’ My Baby and Set You On Fire make you want to dance. A lot. And as a live band, these guys can’t be beat. Their set at Over The Top this year blew me away. Stand out tracks, Sweet Sixteen, Havin’ My Baby, Set You On Fire.
Video: Sweet Sixteen
05. Antony and the Johnsons - The Crying Light - Another heartbreaking album by Antony. He has a way of capturing emotion like no one else. And with each album, the songwriting gets better. Antony is one of those rare performers that will never garner the critical acclaim and album sales he deserves due to the fact that he has a voice that you either love or hate. Truly one of our generations best musicians. Stand out tracks: Epilepsy Is Dancing, The Crying Light, Aeon, Kiss My Name.
Video: Another World
06. Passion Pit - Manners - After listening to Manners a few times, I realized that Passion Pit’s debut EP (Chunk of Change) only hinted at the greatness this band could be. For me, Manners is this year’s In Ghost Colours (Cut Copy), an indie dance record so infectious that I couldn’t stop listening to it. On repeat. For at least a month. Everything falls into place perfectly on the album, the 4×4 beats, the soaring synths and lead singer Michael Angelakos falsetto vocals. Stand out tracks: Little Secrets, The Reeling, Fold in Your Hands, To Kingdom Come.
Video: The Reeling
07. Discovery - LP - Discovery is a side-project featuring Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend and Wes Miles of Ra Ra Riot. The side-project sounds nothing like either of their main bands. What they do sound like is Postal Service produced by T-Pain. Room-filling hip hop beats, auto-tune and the catchiest hooks and sing -along choruses ever. Stand out Tracks: Orange Shirt, Osaka Train Loop, I Wanna To Be Your Boyfriend, Can You Discover.
Video: Swing Tree (most likely unofficial)
08. jj - no 2 - Another incredible release from my favourite Swedish label Sincerely Yours, which has previously brought us The Tough Alliance and Air France. jj are in the same vein, less dance-oriented and more influenced by island reggae (in a good way). Beautiful vocals, lounging-on-a-beach-pina-colada-in-hand music, and a wicked tongue in cheek ode to Lil’Wayne. Stand out Tracks: Things Will Never Be The Same Again, From Africa to Malaga, Are You Still In Vallda, Ecstasy.
Video - Ecstasy (unofficial)
09. Girls - Album - Girls’ singer Christopher Owens has quite a backstory. He grew up as a member of the Children of God cult (with his mother) and travelled all across Europe busking for change. Owens fled the cult at 16, moved to San Francisco and immersed himself in all things pop culture and music. Girls debut is a sloppy mess of songs about…girls, love and being messed up emotionally. The dark content is hidden in sugary pop, kind of like the Beach Boys Pet Sounds. Stand out Tracks: Lust For Life, Ghostmouth, Hellhole Ratrace, Laura.
Video: Lust For Life (PG version)
10. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It’s Blitz - YYYs return to form with the release of their third album. Mixing dance beats, disco and their existing unique sound, they were able to create an album that brought back the youthful fun of their debut (even though they sound nothing alike). Karen O is as engaging as ever, and Nick’s guitar work is pretty great too. Perfect soundtrack for nights out. Stand out tracks: Zero, Heads Will Roll, Dragon Queen, Skeletons.
Video: Heads Will Roll
Hourable Mentions:
The Very Best - Warm Heart of Africa
Delorean - Ayrton Senna EP
Frankmusik - Complete Me
Little Boots - Hands
Miike Snow - S/T
Neon Indian - Psychic Chasms
Patrick Wolf - The Bachelor
Salem - Water EP
Timber Timbre - S/T