We’ve had such an outstanding year for music, I couldn’t get down to 10. Albums in the top 5 could have been other years’ best record. Without further ado …

12. M. Ward, Hold Time — If anyone’s gonna make money from their music playing in Bud Light ads, may as well be someone as distinctly skilled as Ward. His musicianship, offbeat arrangements and voice sounding like an old soft sweater probably deserve a campaign with a better beer. Best song: The beerselling yet ingratiating shuffle of “Never Had Nobody Like You.”

11. Dex Romweber Duo, Ruins of Berlin — He doesn’t have the voice of when he led Flat Duo Jets, but Dex’s rockabilly is way cooler than anything on the radio. He’s learn to adjust what he does over the years, but stays true to his musical influences. Best song: “Picture of You,” a jaunty yet plaintive rockabilly gem.

10. Madeline, White Flag — A fine example of songwriting in the Southern gothic tradition. Consider her Neko Case’s deeper voiced long-lost cousin from the sticks. Best song: “This Train,” a folk throwback train song.

9. Green Day, 21st Century Breakdown — I’ll admit it. The first time I heard “Longview,” I never dreamed the band would be this good and for so long. But this testament to 21st century living, the agony and the ecstasy, is a worthy follow-up to American Idiot. Best song: The most upbeat tune, “Last of the American Girls,” where they let their California roots infuse their post-punk ethos.

8. Tegan and Sara, Sainthood — Tegan and Sara albums usually take a while to grow on me, but I’m still not digging this as much as many previous efforts. Plenty of good head-bobbing riffs and make-you-think lyrics though. Best song: “On Directing,” a vintage example of their catchy licks and clever songwriting.

7. Good Old War, Good Old War — Better harmonies than even Crosby, Stills and Nash. There, I said it. This group is a revelation, a throwback to a time when honest-to-goodness vocals were more important than studio tricks. Best song: “Tell Me,” one of the prettiest songs you’ll expect to ever hear.

6. David Gray, Draw the Line — Gray felt his music was getting stale (I’d agree), so he ditched his band and started from scratch. He brings a new energy and outlook, but fortunately his usual vocal prowess remains. Best song: The odd coupling of Gray with Annie Lennox on “Full Steam Ahead,” a lot of singing skills on one track.

5. Butterfly Boucher, Scary Fragile — Between this effort and Flutterby, the British songstress has recorded two of the most overlooked albums of the decade. With lyrical, musical and vocal skills, she’s got it all, and maybe someday the world will notice. Best song: With its deep-breath introduction, ultracatchy melody line and stop-go-stop setup, “I Found Out” isn’t just the best song on this album, I’d give it the nod for Song of the Year.

4. Tragically Hip, We Are the Same – The latest from my favorite band features more great stories marvelously told by Gordon Downie surrounded by solid musicianship. There’s a deeper feeling to this release than much of their catalog, and Gordie’s vocals seem to get better with age. Best song: “Coffee Girl,” which would be a huge hit in some alternative universe.

3. The Damnwells, One Last Century — Track after track of catchy rock tunes wonderfully rendered. And did I mention the band released it as a free download? This mostly unheralded band seems incapable of recording a bad tune. Best song: Kind of a toss-up between gorgeous ballad “Dandelion” and rocker “55 Pictures.”

2. Matthew Good, Vancouver – The newest and best of a very impressive catalogue combined the cinematic sweep of Avalanche with some of the intimacy of Hospital Music. The songs are larger than life with the stories running the gamut from war (as always) to small-town frustration to his concerns about what’s happening to his hometown of Vancouver. Best song: “Us Becomes Impossible,” grammar issues notwithstanding, is a perfect example of the powerful build Good masters.

1. Avett Brothers, I And Love And You – Masterfully written, performed and produced (hat tip to Rick Rubin). The Avetts have always had the ability, but sometimes sloppiness kept this from becoming evident. Here, it’s all focused on their ability. Easily the album of the year. Heck, I have it as the #2 song of the decade. Best song: The title track, which will take residence in your head so long you’ll have to charge it rent.

There you are. Did I miss anything?

Friends, tis Christmastime, and both MK and I will be traveling in the coming days. HENCE: some sporadic posting for the next little bit.

I’m hitting the road first thing tomorrow, so I thought I’d post about what I will be listening to, music-wise. (I will also have some books on CD in tow, as well as some awesome podcasts like Downstage Center and BackStory.)

Here is my wintry/Christmas-y mix for 2009:

Baby It’s Cold Outside (Lady Antebellum)

White Winter Hymnal (Fleet Foxes)

The Snow It Melts the Soonest (Sting)

Hazy Shade of Winter (Bangles)

Donde Esta Santa Claus? (Guster)

January Wedding (Avett Brothers)

Houses on the Hill (Whiskeytown)

For the Beauty of the Earth (Beth Nielsen Chapman)

Winter Song (Sara Bareilles)

Please Daddy Don’t Get Drunk This Christmas (Decemberists)

A Snowflake Fell (Glasvegas)

Rudy (The Be Good Tanyas)

I Wanna Drive the Zamboni (Martin Zellar)

Buffalo (Kathleen Edwards)

Red Ribbon Foxes (A Fine Frenzy)

River (Indigo Girls)

Beautiful World (Dierks Bentley/Patty Griffin)

Christmas Is Going to the Dogs (Eels)

Happy times and safe travels, all.

10.  Jay-Z Blueprint 3:  Jay-Z comes out of retirement a second time and delivers a solid effort.  It’s not Blueprint 2 but “Empire State of Mind” is worth the price of the album alone. 

9.   Norah Jones The Fall:  I don’t care what some of the internet trolls think; Norah Jones is the real deal.  She grows up on The Fall and delivers her most mature album to date.  There’s no sunshine on this record and that’s a good thing. 

8.  Nirvana Live At Reading:  Sometimes I need a reminder of why Nirvana was so important to music.  This came at a good time.  A popular bootleg gets released on CD/DVD at the peak of Nirvana’s career.  Classic live album. 

7.  Julian Casablancas Phrazes for the Young:  Strokes lead singer follows his band mates and goes solo.  The result is fresh and slightly experimental record with some great tracks on it (see “Out of the Blue” & “11th Dimension”).   

6.  Grizzly Bear Veckatimest:  I never really understood these guys until now.  “While You Wait For The Others” might be my favorite song of 2009.  Give this a couple of listens and you’ll be hooked. 

5.  U2 No Line On The Horizon:  I don’t think U2 made any new fans by releasing this album but the old fans were rewarded by throwback tracks like “Magnificent” and “Moment of Surrender.”  

4.  Phoenix Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix: It’s about time Phoenix got some credit.  They’ve been making albums for over 10 years and this is their best release yet.  Sadly you’ve probably heard the whole thing in the Gap. 

3.  The Avett Brothers I and Love and You:  The Avett Brothers get together with Rick Rubin and make their most consistent and emotional record.  It’s not feet stomping music, but that doesn’t matter here.  It’s the sound of a band finally finding their true voice. 

2.  Animal Collection Merriweather Post Pavilion:  I’d call this Animal Collective’s most commercial album, but that’s not really saying much.  They continue to make noise the same way they’ve always done it; it’s just a little easier to listen to this time around.  Check out “My Girls” and “Brother Sport” if you don’t believe me. 

1.  the xx xx:  The name of the band is the xx and the album is called xx.  The first time I listened to it I got chills for the first time in years.  I understand the simplicity of the music and that’s what makes it so amazing.  Most songs are about love and sex and they work on the interplay between the female lead singer and the male lead singer.  Check it out if you haven’t already.

Top 200 Singles of 2009

Here is a list of the top 200 songs from 2009…

1. Courtney John – Lucky Man
2. Estelle & Sean Paul – Come Over
3. Screw Driver & Inner Circle – Never Give Up
4. Daweh Congo – Straight Up Conscious
5. Sean Paul – So Fine
6. Michael Franti and Spearhead – Say Hey (I Love You)
7. Luciano & Easy Star All-Stars – With A Little Help From My Friends
8. Luciano, U-Roy, & Easy Star All-Stars - With A Little Dub From My Friends (Version 2)
9. Chali 2na, Damian Marley, and Stephen Marley – Guns Up
10. John Legend & Buju Banton – Can’t Be My Lover
11. Daweh Congo - Ghetto Skyline
12. Ziggy Marley & Willie Nelson – This Train
13. YT, Million Stylez, Mr. Williamz, Blackout Ja, Jah Knight, & Iverse - Champion Sound
14. Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel – Fan It
15. The Decemberists – The Rake’s Song
16. Alborosie – No Cocaine
17. M. Ward – Stars of Leo
18. K’Naan & Chubb Rock – ABC’s
19. Norah Jones – It’s Gonna Be
20. Elephant Man – Dance and Sweep
21. The Avett Brothers – I And Love And You
22. Daweh Congo – One Day
23. K’Naan & Damian Marley - I Come Prepared
24. Michael Franti & Spearhead - Rude Boys Back In Town
25. Laden – Time To Shine
26. Queen Ifrica – Lioness On The Rise
27. Brother Ali – Fresh Air
28. Wilco – Wilco (The Song)
29. Michael Rose, Menny More, & Easy Star All-Stars – A Day In The Life
30. Kid Cudi – Day ‘N’ Nite (Nightmare)
31. Julian Marley – Boom Draw
32. Buju Banton & Third World – Sense Of Purpose
33. K’Naan – Take A Minute
34. The XX – VCR
35. Serani – Playing Games
36. Major Lazer, Jovi Rockwell, & Mr. Vegas – Can’t Stop Now
37. Tarrus Riley – Herbs Promotion
38. Michael Franti & Spearhead – Soundsystem
39. M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel - Never Had Nobody Like You
40. Ziggy Marley & Toots Hibbert - Take Me To Jamaica
41. Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel – Sweet Jennie Lee
42. Daweh Congo – Steppin
43. Yim Yames – My Sweet Lord
44. The Avett Brothers – January Wedding
45. George Strait - El Rey
    
46. Bounty Killer – Corrupt
47. Mayer Hawthorne – Maybe So, Maybe No
48. Michael Franti & Spearhead – A Little Bit Of Riddim
49. Dave Matthews Band - Funny The Way It Is
50. Jay-Z & Mr. Hudson – Young Forever
51. Monsters of Folk – Say Please
52. Julian Marley & Damian Marley - Violence In The Streets
53. Tarrus Riley – Human Nature
54. Spoon – Writing in Reverse
55. Phoenix – Lisztomania
56. Andrew Bird – Oh No
57. M Ward – Rave On
58. Yim Yames – All Things Must Pass
59. Modest Mouse – Satellite Skin
60. Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros – Home
61. Slaid Cleaves – Cry
62. Phish - Backwards Down The Number Line
63. Graham Wilkinson, Hayes Carll, and Lloyd Maines – Ragamuffin
64. The Itals – Let Dem Talk
65. Sean Kingston – Fire Burning
66. Black Eyed Peas - Boom Boom Pow
67. Black Ryno – Real Stingers
68. Romain Virgo – Alton’s Medley: Breaking Up / Ain’t That Loving You / My Willow Tree
69. Jah Cure – Sticky
70. Pearl Jam - The Fixer
71. Vybz Kartel - Life Sweet
72. Q-Tip – Even If It Is So
73. Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling
74. Capleton – Acres
75. Miley Cyrus – Party in the USA
76. Mariah Carey – Obsessed
77. Suga Roy, Conrad Crystal, Barrington Levy, & Beenie Man – She Call Mi Phone
78. Passion Pit – Sleepyhead
79. The Swell Season – Feeling The Pull
80. George Strait – Arkansas Dave
81. Chino – Never Change (From Mawning)
82. Sean Paul – Press It Up
83. Queen Ifrica - Coconut Shell
84. Lyle Lovett – Loretta
85. Beres Hammond - Can’t Say I Never Tried
86. Chali 2na - Comin’ Thru
87. Grizzly Bear – Two Weeks
88. K’Naan – Wavin’ Flag
89. Beirut – The Shrew
90. Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel – Right or Wrong
91. Metric – Sick Muse
92. Robert Earl Keen, Jr. – Flyin’ Shoes
93. Regina Spektor – Eet
94. Bon Iver – Blood Bank
95. Soja & Rebelution – Here I Am
96. Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band – Nikorette
97. John Fogerty & Bruce Springsteen – When Will I Be Loved
98. Julian Marley & Stephen Marley - Things Ain’t Cool
99. George Strait – Living For The Night
100. Frankie Paul & Easy Star All-Stars – Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
101. Graham Wilkinson & the Underground Township - Boys and Girls
102. Major Lazer – Cash Flow
103. Zee Avi – Bitter Heart
104. Etana & Alborosie - Blessings
105. Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel - I’m Sittin’ on Top of the World
106. Jay Z & Alicia Keys – Empire State Of Mind
107. Danny Malone – Basement
108. Black Eyed Peas – Rock That Body
109. George Strait – Easy As You Go
110. Jay-Z – D.O.A. [Death Of Auto-Tune]
111. Suga Roy, Conrad Crystal, & Gyptian - Jah Jah See Dem
112. Danny Barnes – Pizza Box
113. Major Lazer – Bruk Out
114. Robert Earl Keen, Jr. – The Rose Hotel
115. Soja, Tamika, & Gentleman – I Tried
116. Casual Sax - Baby I’m Black (From The Waist Down)
117. Courtney John – I Want To Get Next To You
118. Major Lazer – Pon De Floor
119. Rhett Miller – I Need To Know Where I Stand
120. The Low Anthem - Charlie Darwin
121. Beres Hammond - See You Again
122. Micachu & the Shapes – Golden Phone
123. Queen Ifrica – Keep It To Yourself
124. Bob Dylan – Beyond Here Lies Nothin’
125. Son Volt - Dynamite
126. N.A.S.A., Spank Rock, M.I.A., Santogold, & Nick Zinner - Whachadoin?
127. Elephant Man – Nuh Linga
128. Levon Helm - Tennessee Jed
129. Eminem – Crack A Bottle
130. Ziggy Marley, Jack Johnson, & Paula Fuga - Cry, Cry, Cry
131. Jay Farrar & Benjamin Gibbard – California Zephyr
132. Boycott Blues – Got Beef? (Food Coma)
133. Snoop Dogg – I Wanna Rock
134. Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel - Won’t You Ride in My Little Red Wagon
135. N.A.S.A., Kool Keith, & Tom Waits – Spacious Thoughts
136. Max Romeo & Easy Star All-Stars – Fixing A Hole
137. The Lemonheads – Waiting Around To Die
138. Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band - Air Mattress
139. Neil Young – Johnny Magic
140. Ziggy Marley, Rita Marley, & Cedella Marley – I Love You Too
141. Queen Ifrica - Daddy
142. Cunninglynguists – Never Come Down
143. Mavado – So Blessed
144. Mos Def & Talib Kweli – History
145. B-Real & Damian Marley – Fire
146. Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel – Corrine Corrina
147. Anthony B & Horace Andy – Enter The Kingdom of Zion
148. John Legend – Can’t Be My Lover (Curtis Lynch Remix)
149. Bruce Springsteen – Outlaw Pete
150. Sizzla – Black Man In The White House
151. Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel – Bring It on Down to My House
152. Wasp - Unfair Officer
153. Sugar Minott & Easy Star All-Stars -When I’m Sixty-Four
154. Bitty McLean – Fall In Love (Rub A Dub Mix)
155. Taken By Trees – To Lose Someone
156. Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel – Hesitation Blues
157. U-Roy, Bunny Rugs, & Easy Star All-Stars – Lovely Rita
158. Daweh Congo – Daybreak
159. Coconut Records – Any Fun
160. Serani – When It’s Cold Outside
161. Telekinesis – Coast Of Carolina
162. Mavado – On The Rock
163. Bill Callahan - Jim Cain
164. Kirsty Rock & Easy Star All-Stars – She’s Leaving Home
165. Noah and the Whale – Blue Skies
166. Daweh Congo – Joy Brings Pain
167. Fanfario – I’m A Pilot
168. Mavado – Money Changer
169. The Dry Spells – Black Is The Color
170. David Guetta & Akon – Sexy Bitch
171. Animal Collective - My Girls
172. Taken By Trees – My Boys
173. Tribal Seeds – The Garden
174. Norah Jones – Chasing Pirates
175. Jay Farrar & Benjamin Gibbard - These Roads Don’t Move
176. Matisyahu – Struggla
177. Black Eyed Peas – Meet Me Halfway
178. Buju Banton – Rastafari
179. Juvenile – Gotta Get It
180. Groundation – Beating Heart
181. 10 Ft Ganja Plant - 10 Ft. Ganja Plant and Weed
182. Mishka – Stay By My Side
183. Raekwon & Lyfe Jennings - Catalina
184. Bebel Gilberto – Chica Chica Boom Chic
185. Pitbull – I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)
186. Phoenix – 1901
187. Bramma – Da Body Deh
188. Kid Cudi - Make Her Say
189. Mayer Hawthorne – Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out
190. Flo Rida – Right Round
191. Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, & Ghostface Killah – House Of Flying Daggers
192. Matisyahu – Smash Lies
193. Timbaland & Justin Timberlake – Carry Out
194. Chezidek – Border Line
195. Bebel Gilberto – Sun Is Shining
196. Gregory Isaacs – Fools Fall In Love
197. Oba Simba – The Herb
198. Robert Glasper – Butterfly
199. B.B. Seaton – Life Goes On
200. Johnny Clarke with Soothsayers meet Red Earth Collective – Bad Boys
201. Sean Paul & Keri Hilson – Hold My Hand [I'll Be There]

The year’s end is drawing near, which means the inevitable ‘Album of the Year’ polls begin to appear on websites and in magazines. I’ve never been much of a fan of these lists as I always felt that there were too often very glaring omissions. However, in spite of this, I have decided to compile a shortlist over the next couple of days which will outline who I feel has produced strong material this year.

The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You

This album may seem like a pretty obvious choice. It will most likely feature in Pitchfork or the Rolling Stone’s AOTY polls, however I feel that this critical praise is well and truly deserved. Why? Well, simply because this album is wonderfully crafted and sweeps through such a variety of sounds and emotions while constantly maintaining a sense of cohesion.

A major label début is a difficult affair for a huge majority of bands who have spent many years in the independent limelight. The Avett Brothers moved to American Recordings, the label of Rick Rubin who produced the album, and could have been caught up in producing a record that reflected their energetic, electrifying live shows. However they seemed to keep that approach for the stage.

The use of strings and piano throughout the record offer new dimensions to the Avett Brothers sound. Rick Rubin’s production is astounding when you consider that the use of strings never hinders the music into feeling cheesy, with them always offering added depth to such a pure southern folk sound.

Harmonising is a major part of the Avett Brothers distinctive sound. The vocals in this record are really special, rich in tone and powerful without overawing the listener. It’s so very obvious from the first couple of lines of the title track that this album is indeed going to draw a hell of a lot of new listeners and attention.

I and Love and You thoroughly deserves a place on this list for its sheer scope. It offers everything one could want from a folk record and so much more.

Big Japan – Complex

Belle & Sebastian – The Blues Are Still Blue

Ryan Adams – Come Pick Me Up

The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You

Bloc Party – I Still Remember (Acoustic)

Manchester Orchestra – Are You Really Naked Under There?

Alice Smith – Dream

Dustin Kensrue –  Blood & Wine

Further Seems Forever – Just Until Sundown

Elliott Smith – Say Yes

Dashboard Confessional – The Motions (Acoustic)

Johnny Cash – It Takes One To Know Me

Weezer – I Just Threw Out The Love Of My Dreams

Top 10 Albums of 2009

Here are the selector’s top 10 favorite albums for 2009…

1. Daweh Congo – Ghetto Skyline [MK-Zwo Records 2009] 
2. Willie Neslon & Asleep at the Wheel – Willie And The Wheel [Bismeaux Records 2009]
3. Easy Star All Stars – Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band [Easy Star Records 2009]
4. Michael Franti and Spearhead – All Rebel Rockers [Anti 2009]
5. The Avett Brothers – I And Love And You [American Recordings 2009]
6. Julian Marley – Awake [Tuff Gong Records 2009]
7. K’Naan – Troubadour [A&M/Octone Records 2009]
8. Courtney John – Made In Jamaica [Jamaica Music/FiWi Records 2009]
9. Chali 2na – Fish Outta Water [Decon 2009]
10. Major Lazer – Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do [Downtown Records 2009]

It’s that time of year when self-absorbed bloggers and music geeks prepare their Top 10 Albums of the Year lists. Of course, the mainstream media trots out Beyonce and U2 while the hipsters try to out-obscure each other by only choosing albums by artists that no one has ever heard of. I guess I’m somewhere in between, so some of you will find my list a bit too mainstream (Pearl Jam, Jay-Z) while others of you will raise an eyebrow at the lesser-known stuff (Polvo? Magnolia who?).

Since I couldn’t narrow it down to just 10 albums, I cheated creatively by breaking it into categories plus two Top 10’s. It doesn’t matter. I think there are more albums on this list than there are readers of this blog.

Best Rock Album
Polvo – In Prism

Best Americana/Alt.Country Album
The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You

Best Hip-Hop Album
Raekwon – Only Built For Cuban Linx 2

Best Jazz Album
Allen Toussaint – The Bright Mississippi

Best Traditional R&B / Rockin Soul Party Album
Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears – Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is!

The Top 10 Albums

Them Crooked Vultures

The Dead Weather – Horehound

Mos Def – The Ecstatic

Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses – Roadhouse Sun

Sonic Youth – The Eternal

The Black Crowes – Before the Frost/Until the Freeze

Pearl Jam – Backspacer

Regina Spektor – Far

Jay Farrar and Ben Gibbard – One Fast Move Or I’m Gone: Music From Kerouac’s Big Sur

The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love

The Next 10 (this list goes up to 11!)

Patterson Hood – Murdering Oscar

KRS-One and Buckshot – Survival Skills

Magnolia Electric Co. – Joesphine

John Wesley Harding – Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead

Mars Volta – Octahedron

Wilco (the Album)

Eminem – Relapse

Ben Kweller – Changing Horses

Jay Z – Blueprint 3

Levon Helm – Electric Dirt

Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band – Outer South

Best Remaster/Reissue
The Beatles catalog 09.09.09

Best Re-imagined/Re-recorded Album
Stephen Marley – Mind Control (Acoustic)

Best Live Album
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – The Live Anthology

Best Collection of Outtakes/Unreleased Odds’n’ends
Drive-By Truckers – Fine Print

It’s that time of year when self-absorbed bloggers and music geeks prepare their Top 10 Albums of the Year lists. Of course, the mainstream media trots out Beyonce and U2 while the hipsters try to out-obscure each other by only choosing albums by artists that no one has ever heard of. I guess I’m somewhere in between, so some of you will find my list a bit too mainstream (Pearl Jam, Jay-Z) while others of you will raise an eyebrow at the lesser-known stuff (Polvo? Magnolia who?).

Since I couldn’t narrow it down to just 10 albums, I cheated creatively by breaking it into categories plus two Top 10’s. It doesn’t matter. I think there are more albums on this list than there are readers of this blog.

Best Rock Album
Polvo – In Prism

Best Americana/Alt.Country Album
The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You

Best Hip-Hop Album
Raekwon – Only Built For Cuban Linx 2

Best Jazz Album
Allen Toussaint – The Bright Mississippi

The Top 10 Albums

Them Crooked Vultures

The Dead Weather – Horehound

Mos Def – The Ecstatic

Ryan Bingham – Roadhouse Sun

Sonic Youth – The Eternal

The Black Crowes – Before the Frost/Until the Freeze

Pearl Jam – Backspacer

Regina Spektor – Far

Jay Farrar and Ben Gibbard – One Fast Move Or I’m Gone: Music From Kerouac’s Big Sur

The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love

The Next 10 (this list goes up to 11!)

Patterson Hood – Murdering Oscar

KRS-One and Buckshot – Survival Skills

Magnolia Electric Co. – Joesphine

John Wesley Harding – Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead

Mars Volta – Octahedron

Wilco (the Album)

Eminem – Relapse

Ben Kweller – Changing Horses

Jay Z – Blueprint 3

Levon Helm – Electric Dirt

Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band – Outer South

Best Remaster/Reissue
The Beatles catalog 09.09.09

Best Re-imagined/Re-recorded Album
Stephen Marley – Mind Control (Acoustic)

Best Live Album
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – The Live Anthology

Best Collection of Outtakes/Unreleased Odds’n’ends
Drive-By Truckers – Fine Print

First on my list for Best of 2009 would have to be seeing each of my three kids take another solid step forward with their lives, each maturing a bit, taking on different responsibilities than they had in previous years, etc.

Movies – My life rarely allows me into the theaters unless it’s to take one of my kids. The only movie I saw this year, DVD or in theater, that I know came out this year that I’d toss on this list is The Limits of Control, directed by Jim Jarmusch.

Music – Okay, I spend the bulk of my time on the computer listening to the local sports talk station. In the car, it’s typically an argument between that and emo/rap/dance music that my kids like and help remind me I’m becoming an old man. Oh, that and the fact that I still buy CDs and don’t have an iPod. CD’s purchased and still being enjoyed this year include new efforts from Paramore, We the Kings, Avett Brothers, Joe Henry, and while I know I spent more money than this, those are what come to mind and are still being listened to fairly regularly.

Television – I know, I hear the shudder from the literary crowd, but it’s a true story, I watch a shitload of television. Big Bang Theory and Fringe probably top my lists for favorite comedy and favorite drama, though if I wander in on Sons of Anarchy, Top Chef, Chopped, or NUMB3RS, I’m probably going to end up on my ass until the final commercial. And don’t get me started on anything that starts with the words Rock of . . .

Books – I’m going to have to go the route of publicist here and comment upon the many fine reviews that Dzanc, BLP, and OV titles received this year, with Hesh Kestin’s starred PW review and Laura van den Berg’s starred Booklist and B&N Discover Great Writers selection right at the top of those.

If I start talking about books that weren’t published by us, that list gets so long and I get so afraid I’m going to miss somebody that I’ll really only take that risk at my own site. No need to offend somebody here at Big Other.

Though, at the risk of harming some feelings from other publishers, two Best ofs for 2009 to me were the development of MLP and Madras Press. Two very cool ideas getting a lot of attention.

One other best of just realized, my partner in crime at Dzanc Books, Steven Gillis, has informed me that he’s on his very final last pass on his new novel, a novel I got to read early chapters in a much earlier version and was pretty blown away by, and that it should be a late 2010 title!!!

Lastly, I think one of the Best of 2009’s for me was getting to watch from nearby on the sideline as Matt Bell blew up huge – chapbooks selling out, short story collection deal, being flown across the country for writing panels, etc. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.

Dan Wickett – Executive Director and Publisher of Dzanc Books
In 2000, Dan founded the Emerging Writers Network by reviewing Alyson Hagy’s Keeneland and emailing the review to 21 individuals. Throughout the years, Dan has continued to develop the EWN by adding interviews, e-panels, and other literary reporting to the itinerary and developing a database website for storage of these, as well as a litblog for more daily topic discussion. The network itself currently has over 2600 members. Dan was also a member of the Litblog Co-op, a grouping of over 20 of the leading North American litblog sites that brought attention to both books that might have been overlooked, as well as to litblogs in general. An anthology of short stories that Dan edited, Visiting Hours, was published by Press 53 in late 2008.

The Avett Brothers “Slight Figure Of Speech” from the album I and Love and You was directed by Jody Hill… who is amazing. His other works include Eastbound & Down, The Foot Fist Way, and Observe and Report.

i’m taking a cue from some other bloggers that i love, and making a list of the ten things i’m in love with this week.

1. apartment therapy’s the kitchn.  lots of really good recipes and pretty photos of the yummy food.

2. turner classic movies. it’s the only channel my tv has been on for the past month. i’m not kidding.

3. speaking of tcm, i’m currently conducting a love affair with humphrey bogart. he’s the star of the month on tcm, and every wednesday they show only movies with bogey. <3

4. this cute neckwarmer scarf from beautiful briget. (& isn’t the girl modeling it too cute for words?)

5. this ad from the 60s. let’s bring this back, okay?

6. a new job for my sis and me. and whoever else wants to join in.

7. bitchbuzz. it’s full of awesome stuff. and so fun.

8. faceinhole.com is more fun than a barrel of monkeys. the hubster appreciated the love from rob pattinson & taylor lautner. hee.

9. please. how can i leave out the pretty from a list of things i’m in love with? the boy is gorgeous and adorkable.

10. the avett brothers. i love, love, love them. they’re from concord, nc. click here to listen on lala.com, an awesome site to which my bestie candace just introduced me.

what do you love this week?

This year, I’ve heard so much angst about the death of the music album. Most people don’t buy their music in full CD form, these days. They listen to Pandora or Last.FM or see a song in their iPod Genius sidebar and they go find that song that piqued their interest. It’s a track-driven world instead of an album-driven one. I get that. I do that, sometimes, but I’m still an album buyer. It’s not always a physical CD that I buy, but I like to buy all the songs on an album. Now, don’t get me wrong. I didn’t buy the entire Black Eyed Peas E.N.D. album just to get that one song I wanted to play at the wedding reception. For everyday listening and enjoyment, though, I buy albums. I’m afraid that I’ll miss my favorite buried-in-the-album song. I miss finding out that I love that one song that no one ever talked about or wasn’t released on the radio.

The thing is – I don’t buy very much new music. I like old music. I’m set in my ways. I’m, mostly, a pre-2000 music girl. Here’s a list of what I bought, though, as well as I can remember (or research from online downloads):

• Monsters of Folk – my love for Jim James and the almost-local My Morning Jacket drove me to buy this and I REALLY enjoy it. The Husband’s current favorite song is probably Magic Marker.
• White Zombie – Astro Creep 2000 – HA! I bought this to replace The Husband’s copy that I broke, maybe in a fit of anger? I can’t remember.
• Pearl Jam – Backspacer – See? I told you that I like pre-2000 bands and music. I need to listen to this album, more. I love Pearl Jam.
• The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You – Great album. Probably a break-out album for this group.
• Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot – I downloaded this whole album and then realized that I already had it. Obviously, I need to listen to my purchases more.

That Wilco album really proves a point to me. In this post-album world, I find that I forget that I bought music. It used to be that I had a tangible reminder. I would wear out cassettes and CDs in the first few months after I bought them. With the advent of Shuffle, I forget what I have. I think this will be another of my 2010 resolutions – to pay more attention to my music. To curate my collection and appreciate it.

Also, I miss liner notes. I remember, as a kid, thinking how cool all of those people that got a thank you from the band must be. When I had friends, in high school, that formed bands I hoped they’d remember me when they got famous and I might get a shout out. Digital liner notes, like the digital booklet that came with my Pearl Jam purchase, just aren’t the same.

However, I know for a fact thatif these guys put this John Wall remix on an album, and I played it on my video enabled iPod, it would be my favorite of 2009.

It’s that time of the year again. The leaves have died. The trees are bare. It’s cold and painful being outside. Everyone is enjoying or pretending to enjoy the holiday season. Also, people are making their end of the year lists. This is mine. The top 30 albums that have given unto me, enjoyment and merriment, over this past year. So without further ado…..

30.
Dirty Projectors
Bitte Orca

29.
Super Furry Animals
Dark Days/Light Years

28.
The Dodos
Time To Die

27.
Julian Casablancas
Phrazes For The Young

26.
Camera Obscura
My Maudlin Career

25.
Deer Tick
Born On Flag Day

24.
AA Bondy
When The Devil’s Loose

23.
Pearl Jam
Backspacer

22.
The Doves
Kingdom Of Rust

21.
Andrew Bird
Noble Beast

20.
Loney, Dear
Dear John

19.
Portugal. The Man
The Satanic Satanist

18.
Wilco
(The Album)

17.
Monsters of Folk
Monsters of Folk

16.
The Dead Weather
Horehound

15.
Califone
All My Friends Are Funeral Singers

14.
Dan Auerbach
Keep It Hid

13.
M. Ward
Hold Time

12.
Great Lake Swimmers
Lost Channels

11.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
It’s Blitz!

The Top Ten

10.
The Avett Brothers
I and Love and You

09.
Heartless Bastards
The Mountain

08.
The Decemberists
The Hazards Of Love

07.
Built to Spill
There Is No Enemy

06.
The Flaming Lips
Embryonic

05.
Tortoise
Beacons Of Ancestorship

04.
Animal Collective
Merriweather Post Pavilion

03.
Yo La Tengo
Popular Songs

02.
Akron/Family
Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free

01.
Grizzly Bear
Veckatimest

I’ve been a fan of the North Carolinian brothers for a couple of years now, and they seem to tour non-stop… just not over here. But wait! They are coming- March 16th at The Garage. Yes. The Garage. Boohoohoo.

Venue aside, I really can’t wait to see them play. Their music has so much energy and I think the songs will be brilliant live; if you watch Youtube footage of the band they look phenomenal. They released a new record this year and I have to say that I haven’t been able to get into it (yet, perhaps) but I really love their two Gleam EPs, Four Theives, Emotionalism… all of their Pretty Girl songs.

They are a great band. Listen to them here.

I almost forgot to take my socks off as I stepped in to the shower today. My mind, mechanical in habit, is slowly rusting, flecks of the dark red getting caught in the gears. I am finding every excuse to escape my own thoughts and emotions from falling asleep in front of the TV, eyes watering from the constant force of trying to stay awake, to talking until I fall asleep.

More and more I find myself unable to breathe, making just sitting at work, in front of a desk awkward and uncomfortable. Forcing myself to be okay gets harder every day and I don’t know what it will take to make things okay permanently. All I want to do is watch the beautify in commercials and songs, rewinding them, slowing them down, until every last. part. is described.

I sit here, making myself available to the gracious numbing qualities of beautiful male voices cooing to me with the soft plucks of an acoustic guitar.

words are really all i’ve got.

50. Super Tarantas- Gogol Bordello
WonderlustKing

49. Return to cookie mountain- TV on the Radio

48. Pixel Revolt- John Vanderslice

TranceManual

47. Beirut – The Flying Club Cup
Nantes

46. Emotionalism- Avett Brothers

45. Sung Tongs- Animal Collective
LeafHouse

44. Vespertine- Bjork

43. Andrew Bird and the mysterious production of eggs- Andrew Bird
TablesAndChairs

42. Quiet is the new loud- Kings of Convenience
IDon’tKnowWhatICanSaveYouFrom

41. Michigan- Sufjan Stevens

40. ( )- Sigur Ros

39. Yellow House- Grizzly Bear
Easier

38. Hazards of love- Decemberists

37.Extraordinary Machine- Fiona Apple

NotAboutLove

36 Broken Social Scene- Broken Social Scene
7/4Shoreline

35. Antics- Interpol
NextExit

34. Eraser- Thom yorke

33. Lifted orthe story is in the soil- Bright eyes
LoverIDon’tHaveToLove

32. Boxer- The National

31. Everything all the time- Band of Horses
TheFuneral

30. Visitor- Dodos
RedAndPurple

29. Illinois- Sufjan Stevens
Chicago

28.Apologies to the queen mary- Wolf Parade
YouAreARunner

27. Plans- Death Cab for Cutie

26. You forgot it in people- Broken Social Scene
AnthemForASeventeenYearOldGirl

25. Neon Bible- Arcade Fire
AntiChristTelevisionBlues

24. Sea Changes- Beck

23. Feels- Animal Collective
PurpleBottle

22. Mignonette- Avett Brothers

21. Is this it?- Strokes
Someday

20. 3 rounds and a sound- Blind Pilot
OneRedThread

19. Hissing fauna, are you the destroyer?- Of Montreal
HeimdalsgateLikeAPrometheanCurse

18. Fold your hands child, you walk like a peasant- Belle and Sebastian
There’sTooMuchLove

17. Alligator – The National
AllTheWine

16. Dear Science- TV on the Radio

15. Armchair Apocryphia- Andrew Bird

14. Chutes too narrow- The Shins
KissingTheLipless

13. Kid A- Radiohead
NationalAnthem

12. Sharpen your teeth- Ugly Casanova
ThingsIDon’tRemember

11. Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes
WhiteWinterHymnal

10. Turn on the bright lights- Interpol
NYC

9. Hail to the thief- Radiohead

8. Give up – Postal Service
SuchGreatHeights

7. Takk- Sigur ros
Hoppipolla

6. Yoshimi battles the pink robots- Flaming Lips
FightTest

5. In rainbows- Radiohead
HouseOfCards

4. Moon in Antarctica- Modest mouse
3rdPlanet

3. Funeral- Arcade fire
RebellionLies

2. For emma, forever ago- Bon Iver
ForEmma

1. I’m wide awake, it’s morning- Bright Eyes
FirstDayOfMyLife

Going out on the town and getting a little tipsy is usually a good time, but sometimes the good times can lead to too much drinking. The morning after a night of one too many drinks is not a good one. The head is foggy and your phone is filled with drunk txts and calls. Musicians have put this unique experience into songs. Here are my top seven songs regarding the morning after:

1. Offspring – The Worst Hangover Ever

And by my seventh shot I was invincible. I would’ve never thought I’d be this miserable.

2. Louis Logic  – Morning After Pil

I wish they made a morning after pill so I wouldn’t have to feel like such an asshole still. When I swig from every booze on the shelf until I’ve had my fill to the gills and make a fool of myself.

3. Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson – Sunday Morning Coming

The beer I had for breakfast wasn’t bad, so I had another for dessert.

4. Avett Brothers – When I Drink

When I drink, I spent the next morning in a Haze, but we only get so many days, now I have one less.

5. Sublime – What Happened?

I know I did something. But what could it be?

6. Atmosphere – The Things That Hate Us

And this is for those that still drink malt liquor. Put the poison in your body just to pass out quicker.

7. Luke Bryan – All My Friends Say

I found my billfold. I cried oh no no. Good time Charlie got me now I’m broke

Any songs I missed?

- Bill Bowman

Out of sight, out of mind right?  As soon as I get back to Bloomington, and see a few people I haven’t in a while, Winona is hardly an after thought.  I can focus again.  I even did homework on a holiday.  Sadly, the movie will have to wait until some other priorities are taken care of.  Yes, I discovered what those are.

A friend of  mine introduced me to The Avett Brothers, and their album I and Love and You.  The title track is incredible.  I could listen to it for days straight and not get sick of it.  The rest of the album is just as good.  Those guys prove that bands today do give a shit about the music they make and produce.  If I could, I would open the movie with one of their songs.

Thanksgiving was great.  I talked to a lot of relatives I don’t normally get to talk with regularly.  It’s felt like a lot longer day than it’s really been, but thats most likely from the food.

by Katie

I hope you haven’t maxed out your credit cards on deals already! (I’m writing this at 1 a.m. and I did. JK!) Wes showed this video to me and Liz the other night. I and Love and You has been out for a bit, but I just heard it while driving from DC to suburban Pennsylvania on Thursday. If you can get past how much the chorus sounds like “Summer of ‘69″ you will probably find this song charming. Either way, the video is pretty funny.

Avett Brothers – Murder In The City

Gotta love white boys with beards.