… cause it’s running you with red

2009 has come and gone.  It’s been a hell of a year, and a hell of a decade.  Music has taken an encouraging turn to quality this decade, and 2009 was a year full of all the surprises, excitement, and disappointment that we’ve come to expect from the roaring 2000s.  Here then, is Never Learned to Swim’s Top 50 Songs of 2009:

1.    White Rabbits – “Percussion Gun”
2.    Phoenix – “1901”
3.    Mew – “New Terrain”
4.    Mos Def – “Life In Marvelous Times”
5.    Animal Collective – “My Girls”
6.    Dirty Projectors – “Stillness is the Move”
7.    Grizzly Bear – “Two Weeks”
8.    Islands – “Switched On”
9.    Passion Pit – “Moth’s Wings”
10.    The XX – “VCR”
11.    Girls – “Lust For Life”
12.    John Mayer – “Heartbreak Warfare”
13.    Dodos – “Fables”
14.    The National – “Ashamed of the Story I Told”
15.    Sea Wolf – “White Water, White Bloom”
16.    Phoenix – “Lisztomania”
17.    The Temper Trap – “Sweet Disposition”
18.    Radiohead – “These Are My Twisted Words”
19.    Bon Iver – “Woods”
20.    Yeasayer – “Tightrope”
21.    N.A.S.A. (featuring Kanye West and Santigold) – “Gifted”
22.    Japandroids – “The Boys Are Leaving Town”
23.    The Rural Alberta Advantage – “Don’t Haunt This Place”
24.    Animal Collective – “Bluish”
25.    Ben Gibbard and Feist – “Train Song”
26.    Wilco – “Wilco”
27.    Kid Cudi – “Day ‘n’ Nite”
28.    HEALTH – Die Slow
29.    Bat for Lashes – “Daniel”
30.    Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Zero”
31.    Franz Ferdinand – “Turn It On”
32.    A Sunny Day In Glasgow – “The White Witch”
33.    Julian Casablancas – “Out of the Blue”
34.    Dan Deacon – “Slow With Horns / Run For Your Life”
35.    The Decemberists – “Annan Water”
36.    Bon Iver – “Blood Bank”
37.    Fred – “Skyscrapers”
38.    St. Vincent – “Laughing With a Mouth of Blood”
39.    Apostle of Hustle – “Xerses”
40.    Spoon – “Written In Reverse”
41.    The Whitest Boy Alive – “1517”
42.    Sufjan Stevens – “You Are the Blood”
43.    Clipse (featuring Kanye West) – “Kinda Like a Big Deal”
44.    A.C. Newman – “The Heartbreak Rides”
45.    Telekinesis – “Coast of Carolina”
46.    The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – “Everything With You”
47.    Silversun Pickups – “Panic Switch”
48.    Bill Callahan – “Faith / Void”
49.    Harlem Shakes – “Sunlight”
50.    Brendan Benson – “Garbage Day”

-pradip chandrasoma

Before I finish my Top 100 albums for the decade, I’ll take some time out to write about the best albums of 2009. Commercial radio again ignored good Australian music and as usual there were some great new Australian bands.

Well, here it goes, I hope you all enjoy reading…

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Top Albums of 2009

25. To Lose My Life… – White Lies

24. Rain Machine – Rain Machine

23. Julian Plenti Is… Skyscraper – Julian Plenti

22. Kid Sam – Kid Sam

21. Crack The Skye – Mastadon

20. The Sunspot Letters – Leader Cheetah

19. Veckatimest – Grizzly Bear

18. Smoking Gun – Lady of the Sunshine

17. Octahedron – The Mars Volta

16. The xx - The xx

15. It’s Blitz! - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

14. A Woman A Man Walked By – PJ Harvey & John Parish

13. Conditions – The Temper Trap

12. Zounds -Dappled Cities

11. Swoon – Silversun Pickups

10. Humbug – Arctic Monkeys

9. The Peaceful Atom Is A Bomb – Regular John

8. Lungs – Florence + The Machine

7. Them Crooked Vultures – Them Crooked Vultures

6. Manners – Passion Pit

5. Solar Gambling – Omar Rodriguez-Lopez

4. Tonight: Franz Ferdinand – Franz Ferdinand

3. Post-Nothing – Japandroids

2. Hospice – The Antlers

1. Travels With Myself & Another – Future of the Left

Honourable Mentions

The Parallels Amongst Ourselves – Sugar Army

Far – Regina Spektor

Hope Is For Hopers – Philadelphia Grand Jury

Escape From The Sun – Operahouse

Further Complications – Jarvis Cocker

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Top Tracks of 2009

25. While You Wait for the Others – Grizzly Bear

24. My Girls – Animal Collective

23. The Price – Dappled Cities

22. Escape From The Sun – Operahouse

21. Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) – Florence + The Machine

20. Lucid Dreams – Franz Ferdinand

19. New Moon Rising – Wolfmother

18. Down To The Cemetery – Kid Sam

17. Lapsed Catholics – Future of the Left

16. 11^th Dimension – Julian Casablancas

15. Fire – Kasabian

14. All Is Love – Karen O

13. This Is The End of Everything – Toma

12. I Quit Girls – Japandroids

11. Laughing With – Regina Spektor

10. Tongues In Cheeks – Sugar Army

9. There Are Listed Buildings – Los Campesinos!

8. Carol Brown – Flight of the Conchords

7. Arrow – Tegan & Sara

6. The Royal We – Silversun Pickups

5. Here It Comes – I Heart Hiroshima

4. Cotopaxi –The Mars Volta

3. No One Loves Me & Neither Do I – Them Crooked Vultures

2. Blood – The Middle East

1. Crying Lightning – Arctic Monkeys

Honourable Mentions

Little Lion Man – Mumford & Sons

Exogenesis: Symphony - Muse

Useful Chambers – Dirty Projectors

Magnetic Arrest – Bridezilla

Dominoes – The Big Pink

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Top EP’s of 2009

5. The Food Chain – Dragging Pianos

4. Ayrton Senna – Delorean

3. Art Vs. Science – Art Vs. Science

2. Blood Bank – Bon Iver

1. No One’s First And You’re Next – Modest Mouse

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Best Gig of 2009

Mammal @ Moonee Valley Youth Festival – April 5^th

#20: Yeah Yeah Yeah’s/Fever to Tell (2003) — You could describe this album in one word: ‘Maps.’ Perhaps that’s enough to do it justice, but it’s also important to denote the power of Karen O. In alterna/indie/rock music, there really wasn’t anyone this decade who stood out and waved the flag wider or louder. Fever was the shot across the bow and their discography continues to challenge listeners as they’ve continued along. Check out: ‘Rich,’ ‘Maps,’ and ‘Y Control.’

#19: Gnarls Barkley/St. Elsewhere (2006) — it was a chance duo that for all intents and purposes, gelled cosmically. Some would say, ‘Well, Gorillaz worked – and these guys have a sense of humor about them – so it makes sense.’ I remember sitting in a meeting and hearing ‘Crazy,’ for the first time and telling my colleagues ‘This is f-ing brilliant!’ The whole album is a masterpiece to me and I think the music industry needed a story like this one (and Buckcherry) in 2006. Check out: ‘Crazy,’ ‘St. Elsewhere,’ and ‘Smiley Faces.’

#18: Incubus/Morning View (2001) — I could’ve cared less about this band prior to this album. That said, the collective brilliance of this mainstream studio album holds up over time. It rocks, it sways, it swoons, it muses, and feels a lot like a view of the horizon in the morning overlooking a vast body of water. Pretty large. Check out: ‘Nice to Know You,’ ‘Wish You Were Here,’ and ‘Aqueous Transmission.’

#17: Slipknot/Iowa (2001) — no album personifies pure rage as loudly and as boldly as Iowa. Whereas a band like Godsmack became a parody of themselves as the decade progressed and weakened the power of their first two albums, Slipknot and Ross Robinson proved to be a lethal combination in the studio and live, for that matter. No matter how stressed I got at TWEC, all I had to do was put my headphones and turn this one up (usually to the dismay of co-workers). Check out: ‘People = Shit,’ ‘Disasterpiece,’ and ‘Heretic Anthem.’

16: Interpol/Antics (2004) — Admittedly, I got on the Interpol bandwagon late and this was the first album I discovered thanks to the video for ‘Evil.’ This band is great at layering sound – just take ‘Evil,’ as an example, the bass bobs along, the guitars jangle, the keyboards soar in the chorus and ramble with the guitars midway through, all while the drummer holds the beat. As a whole, Antics is a brilliant brooding piece of music with spooky brilliant lyricism. Check out: ‘Evil,’ ‘Take You On a Cruise,’ and ‘Slow Hands.’

#15: Bon Iver/For Emma, Forever Ago (2008) — as a fan of music for over 20 years, my tastes have changed but remained pretty broad. But ever since I was a kid, growing up listening to Neil Young or The Boss there was a simplicity of just listening to a man with a guitar. Justin Vernon follows the lineage and created an album last year of stark vulnerability and beauty. Even if nothing he does again compares, this nine-song diary is a testament to a long, cold winter. Check out: ‘Lump Sum,’ ‘Skinny Love,’ and ‘The Wolves (Act I and II)’

#14: Queens of the Stone Age/Songs for the Deaf (2002) — every time I hear ‘No One Knows,’ I just wanna rock out. The head bobs like crazy it’s just a fun party song. This is the purest QOTSA record since their debut…while at the same time expanding their sound. To date, it’s their masterpiece. There’s a classic rock grandiosity of the ‘Untitled’ fifteenth track as well. I never get tired of this album. Check out: ‘No One Knows,’ ‘Go With The Flow,’ and ‘Untitled.’

#13: The Bravery/The Bravery (2005) — the best 80’s throwback album of the decade. Possible the best party album too. No matter where I am, my head bobs whenever I hear a track off this album. The lyricism isn’t anything brilliant but the upbeat mood and tone of the band’s first album has neither been repeated, nor replicated by the band or anyone else for that matter. Check out: ‘An Honest Mistake,’ ‘Fearless,’ and ‘Unconditional.’

#12: Josh Todd/You Made Me (2004) — the mantra ‘Sex, Drugs, Rock N Roll’ has never been embodied more than on this record. During Buckcherry’s hiatus, JT put out a solo record to little fanfare and ado. But to those of us who knew about it and made it out to the tour, well, we lived it up. Probably one of the best shows I’ve ever been to. This album is a must play at ‘11,’ – it’s better than anything Buckcherry has put out, to date. Check out: ‘Broken,’ ‘Circles,’ and ‘Straightjacket.’

#11: Mudvayne/L.D. 50 (2000) — I’m a big fan of showmanship in Rock N Roll. When Mudvayne hit the scene in 2000, they were just four guys with facepaint from Peoria, Illinois. But even seeing them at Saratoga Winner with about 10-15 other people, they still played as if the room were filled …to capacity. The music was never more intense than on this disc, before they lost the facepaint and gimmickry and the music became a commercialized parody of itself (though the new disc holds some memory of the riffs that got them noticed) Check out: ‘Dig,’ ‘-1′ and ‘Prod.’

“…and we were stuck out in your car”

Bon Iver

So I was out yesterday doing Chrimbo shopping, a typically miserable exercise that requires as much pushing, queuing and use of elbows as possible to negotiate the throng of London’s hungry present searchers.

Then around Leicester Square at about 4pm with the skies already getting dark, I stepped outside and on my ipod Bon Iver floated into my ears with “Blood Bank” just as the snow started to fall.

Yeah, sounds kinda pussy. But it was actually a beautiful as hell moment, I just stopped and listened as snow fell all around, feeling like I was in some poignant scene from some indie movie or the other.

“I love you honey, I love you chief”, I liked that line too. I think I would like some girl to call me chief, it would make me feel like some grizzled, bearded, cool guy. That doesn’t really describe me, but definitely a good pet name.

It also reminded me to listen to Bon Iver more often and according to the bible that is wikipedia, “Bon Iver, is a play on the French “bon hiver” (good winter)”, so it makes even more sense this time of year. Here’s that Blood Bank track from one of the best EP’s of this year, and also the awesome Skinny Love in case you haven’t heard it yet, made my heart melt the first time I heard that one.

Bon Iver – Skinny Love

Bon Iver – Blood Bank

I present to you, in no particular order, my top 10 albums (and EPs) of 2009.

1. Castevet – Summer Fences

Those who know me know that I’m a sucker for any band that has a sound all wrapped up in Midwest nostalgia. With that said, Castevet aren’t one of those bands that hopelessly mimic what some people might believe are the bygone glory days of 90s emo. They take influences from bands such as American Football and Braid, yet manage to create a sound that is uniquely their own. The first track I heard was Stranger, You Know; not kidding, I literally had to take a seat.

Castevet blend thick and gorgeous melodies with that perfect hint of rough; when you hear the vocals, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Sounds like: a soft-hearted, thoughtful and bearded truck driver in a flannelette shirt.

Perfect accompaniment for: extreme waltzing in the kitchen at 2am with someone you have a crush on, running towards horizon lines at 6AM and driving on long stretches of road.

This stuff is truly inspiring; word of warning, it really makes you feel.

2. Bon Iver – Blood Bank EP

Ah, Justin Vernon, he continues to deliver the goods. Do I really need to explain why this EP is in my top 10? Those vocals are completely heartbreaking. Isn’t that reason enough? I do happen to like myself some beautifully painful music, even if it is only four tracks. Anyone who loves Bon Iver, is a friend of mine*.

Sounds like: Too pretty to even function.

Perfect accompaniment for: Lying in a field, splayed out and staring up at the stars. I wouldn’t even recommend moving; just listen.

* Only if they pronounce Iver correctly; if not, I might have to think about it.

3. The Middle East – Recordings of the Middle East EP

Alright, I do realise that I am kind of cheating here, because this was first released on the 24th of April 2008. But, (and you knew there was a but coming) I refuse to go down without a fight, because this EP deserves a mention. So, after trawling the website of this beautiful band from Townsville, Australia, I discovered that this very EP was released in the US and Canada in October of this year. So technically, I feel that this EP, regardless of its Australian release date, was still kind of released in 2009. Don’t fight me on this one.

With that out of the way, let’s get down to business. Hello again. I could be going out on a whim here when I say that these guys are just about the most beautiful Australian band that I have ever heard. Regardless of whether I’m speaking recklessly or not, I can’t deny the fact that this entire year I have continued to be in a state of, ‘holy shit’ every time I have decided to listen to this EP. Basically, to attempt to put this in perspective for you, if Sigur Rós, Early Day Miners and J. Tillman decided to have a mass orgy and produce a love child, The Middle East would probably be its more hyperactive cousin. Not following? Well, it’s okay; just know that this EP is breathtaking.

Sounds like: Twinkly stars, learning, being lovelorn, reckless and young.

Perfect accompaniment for: Riding bikes through foreign cities, warm Australian summer nights, sliding down big grassy hills on esky lids, or even crying, if you’re built that way – I actually know a dude who absolutely wails to the track Lonely.

4. Mirah – (A)Spera

This is the fourth solo album from Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn, she is pretty much one of the only female vocalists/artists that I can’t find any rational reason to criticise. (A)Spera is beautiful, Mirah’s lyrics cryptic and meaningful, with tracks hovering in between the minimal plucking of guitars and others bearing dense walls of sound; horn sections included. Not to mention Ms. Zeitlyn’s vocal capabilities and the air of ingenuity and complete lack of pretension that she brings to the table. A(Spera), in my opinion, holds some of Mirah’s best tracks; Education and Generosity in particular.

Sounds like: Zach Condon with a vagina, less accordions and a penchant for the Samba.

Perfect accompaniment for: life.

5. Ola Podrida – Belly of the Lion

Ola Podrida is David Wingo, a bearded film composer that rules at life. This is his second release; the first self titled album was predominantly acoustic, whilst Belly of the Lion is more of a layered and textured affair. When you listen to this album, you’d expect David Wingo to be backed up by a complete band – this however isn’t the case, as he has pretty much recorded the entire thing himself. Quite impressive.

Belly of the Lion reminds me of the ‘good old days’, whatever that is supposed to mean – but I feel like it induces sweet memories and forgotten visions of what it was like to be sixteen or seventeen, sneaking out, climbing trees, riding bikes, having a sunburned nose and being free. This album makes it into my list for that reason, and also for its warmth, thought inducing lyrics and innate ability to make even the coldest room feel cozy.

Sounds like: it should have been the entire soundtrack to a show like Dawson’s Creek.

Perfect accompaniment for: red wine by the fireplace, flying kites (who even does that anymore?) or background music in the company of good friends.

6. Jónsi & Alex – Riceboy Sleeps

Jónsi of Sigur Rós and Alex of Parachutes are what makes up their side-project, called, well, Jónsi & Alex…whatever works. The Icelandic raw foodists not only have a love connection, but also share a musical connection; hence their album, Riceboy Sleeps. I’m resisting the urge to swear right now, it really is a case of f***, seriously. This album is dazzling, hypnotic, other-wordly and lush, lush, lush. I don’t think it should be compared to Sigur Rós or Parachutes, this project should stand alone. It’s on my list for its sheer beauty.

Sounds like: the music that might accompany a transcendental experience if you ate a few slices of dried peyote… maybe love and happiness too.

Perfect accompaniment for: walking through an aquarium, headphone buds tightly jammed in ears or relaxing after a shit day.

7. Casiotone for the Painfully Alone – Vs. Children

Owen Ashworth focuses on the themes of growing up, working shit jobs, living out of home, being 20 something, going back to your hometown and feeling like all your old friends have changed and generally feeling like a deadbeat. I’m pretty sure anyone born between 1984 -1993 could relate to this album. If you don’t pay attention to the lyrics, it will all sound like a big joke. However, if you do pay attention, particularly to the latter half of the album, you will get it.

Sounds like: an emotional man playing with a toy keyboard.

Perfect accompaniment for: lying in the dark, sleep deprived, all insomniac eyes, when everyone else is out on a Friday night.

8. Telefon Tel Aviv – Immolate Yourself

This album, whilst being one of my favourite releases of 2009, is also one that gets me the most choked up; the title, the circumstance and just the general mood of the whole thing. When I was travelling around Europe last year, 70% of the time, Telefon Tel Aviv served as the soundtrack. So as such, when I got home, I was really excited about the release of Immolate Yourself, which was apparently a tongue in cheek joke, ripping on death metal bands. The title ended up being really creepy, as at the time of the release of Immolate Yourself, one half of the New Orleans duo, Charlie Cooper was found dead.

One thing I love about Telefon Tel Aviv is their capacity to really blend some thick emotion into their tracks. Their music is moody and gutsy; an amalgamation of influences from a wide array of genres, from drone, to classical, to shoegaze. They have always been really special to me for that reason, that they veer more towards encouraging feeling something, rather than having an air of ‘let’s get fucked up and sway from side to side in an overpriced and below par cocktail lounge.’ Immolate Yourself is a little confronting when you hear the first track The Birds and think about the fate of Charlie Cooper – but persist, because this album is stunning.

Sounds like: the soundtrack to the prettiest and most cinematic moments in life.

Perfect accompaniment for: long train rides.

9. Kidcrash – Snacks

This release is simply rad and intoxicating. When I first got it, it took a little while to get used to all the pauses and transitions, and at times I felt that it was a little bit ‘busy’ in comparison to their earlier relases, but soon enough it was on constant repeat. It’s not ‘busy’, it’s ‘intricate’ and it’s now one of my favourite albums.

Sounds like: mathy, spazzy, screamy soundscapes.

Perfect accompaniment for: gathering up all your best mates and shouting out the lyrics together.

10. Mixtapes & Cellmates – Rox

A Swedish indie/pop outfit from Stockholm, boasting one member of Swedish screamo band, Suis la Lune. This bands releases are pretty eclectic; older releases showcase a distinctive shoegaze influence and have a simultaneous somberness and catchiness that is dance inducing. Rox is more upbeat and more polished. There’s one reason this album is worth a mention in my top 10: simply, it makes me happy.

Sounds like: The Radio Dept at times, with less fuzziness and stronger vocals.

Perfect accompaniment for: dancing inebriated in your lounge room.

One quick note to remind you that for my singles lists I always disqualify any song from an album that makes my best album lists — this gives me the chance to highlight a larger amount of music and keeps things from being bogged down with the same representation of artists.

20) His Master’s Voice – Monsters of Folk
This album closer from the side-project super-group is repeat-button worthy. Lyrics of “Mohammed rolling dice with Christ” roll into a melody quite ethereal that conjures the great explorations of pop musicians fumbling with God of the past. The rest of the album’s good, but the best follow up to this amazing song is the “Tribute” EP that Jim James (of this group and My Morning Jacket) released this year– it covers George Harrison songs stripped down and acoustic and it’s a must-own (just be prepared to look under “Yim Yames” to find it).

19) Queen of the Supermarket – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Okay, I’ll admit that when I first heard this song I thought it was maybe the weakest track on “Working on a Dream.” It felt off and close to cheesy. But the more I heard it and the more I listened through it all the way through to the closing notes and the check-out scanning sound effects, the more I loved it. It’s the attention to detail and the authenticity it contains, it’s like a heartfelt short story of love and longing based in vivid reality that should be mundane if it weren’t presented with such passion. There are great moments all over the album and it’s sad not to put my favorite artists work on my top 10 album list, but the competition was just too fierce this year and for me this album as a whole had a couple of weak links on it in which it didn’t measure up to its past few predecessors; had every moment on the album evoked this much emotion and adult-pop sensibility, I’d have been forced to throw it at the top.

18) Best I Ever Had – Drake
Drake, an alum of the best teenage melodrama soap of all time (Degrassi) caught the attention of Lil Wayne and Young Money with his rapping skills, got signed, blew up all over the internet and released the entertaining EP “So Far Gone” this year. He’s not the next Pac, Kanye or Q-tip; he lacks the street cred for “Gangsta rep” and the political consciousness of Protest Rap, the quirkiness of backpack rap, etc. al. Yet he does have clear skill, and this pop rap track about a romantic liaison was one of the best summer songs this year. Find your niche and take it for all it’s worth, Drake.

17)  Neighbor’s Know My Name – Trey Songz
Trey has promise but clutters his album with the occasional guest spot of a terrible rapper (Gucci Mane, who deserves to be in prison by the way) or an asinine chorus (pick a track at random off the final quarter of the album). But when he’s on, he’s on, as this catchy, fun, ridiculous, silly and dirty pop single proves. Does he sing these things with a straight-face? Does he read the lyrics of early R Kelly albums as if they were scripture? The verdict is still out.

16) Shining Down – Lupe Fiasco

Lupe released this single back in the late summer to tease the upcoming “Lazers” album that has yet to emerge (it’s now currently due in January). It’s not on par with his 2 full length albums he’s had thus far, but it features a great hook by Matthew Santos and enough Lupe wit to keep us ready to hear another proper full-length release from the best and most politically conscious young MC out right now. He followed the momentum by crafting a 25 minute show-off set of rhymes on the Thanksgiving-day released mixtape “Enemy of the State: A Love Story.” Now get the album out, Lupe!

15) Lungs – Steve Earle

Earle’s new “Townes” record (which is a collection of cover songs by Steve of his idol and deceased friend Townes Van Zandt) was on my list at one point–ironically it was upstaged by Earle’s son (who in another ironic note is named after Townes Van Zandt). This is the best moment on that record, a short quick blast of a song that stands out in large part by the layer of distortion, murk and fury courtesy of Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine.

14) I And Love And You- The Avett Brothers

The Avett brothers, for whatever reason, tend to invite freakish levels of devotion and adoration in most of their fans. Their music is good– a palatable and inviting blend of modern alt-country and folk– and this song brings out all of their best qualities at once.

13) Know Your Enemy – Green Day

A punky, repititive, fist-in-the-air track that rocks like the Clash and the Ramones off of Green Day’s latest rock opera outing, “21st Century Breakdown.” Go ahead, “Give me revolution!”

12) Two Weeks – Grizzly Bear

“Vecktameist” was a fine album this year, but there were a few somehwhat snooze-worthy sections on it. This song is the major highlight (followed closely by “Southern Point”) a harmony-layered romp through what sounds like late 60s era Laurel Canyon.  A gorgeous song that is a little bit better each time you hear it but one that also feels familiar on the first spin.

11) Rebels – Drive by Truckers

Taken from the odds’n’sods rarities collection DBT released this year, this cover of an old Tom Petty song rocks stronger than I can possibly describe here. These lyrics were made to be sung by Patterson Hood– now that I’ve heard their version I’m thinking it had to have been their song all along.

10) Meet Me on the Equinox – Death Cab for Cutie

Death Cab didn’t release a full album this year but remained consistently present; they released a nice 5 song EP, “The Open Window” as well as this terrific single which ended up on the “Twilight-New Moon” soundtrack (which was inexplicably loaded with new music by indie bands). So the best thing to emerge fromt that clustermug mess of vampire-lite was a decent soundtrack, and this is the best moment from that. It ranks with Death Cab’s finest singles containing lyrics a bit more gothic than usual and a melody that taps in with it perfectly, crooned by Gibbard who sounds in fine form.

9) Got Nuffin – Spoon

Spoon key up a bouncy bass guitar beat and make an indie hipster dance out of lyrics about having “nuffin” to lose but “darkness and shadows.” Dance hipsters,dance!

8 ) California – Wild Light

This poppy sing-along song will run circles around your memory, getting you to sing along with a profanity laden chant deriding the entire state of California before you realize what you’re saying. It’s like the Beach Boys cussing uncles formed a band.

7) Blood Bank – Bon Iver

Iver’s most emotionally connectional song to date is a haunting ballad about a couple seemingly falling for each other in line to give blood. This is folk music for the 21st century and it sticks with you as soon as you hear it.

6) DOA – Jay Z

Jay dropped “The Blueprint 3″ which played like a string of great singles, at least in its first half. The best of those (although a close second, so close it almost brushes up against it is “Run This Town”) is this one, an almost tossed off  braggadocio mic control fest by Jay showing off and urging the death of mediocrity and banal repetitiveness that is evident in the myriad of auto-tune hip-pop singles cluttering the airwaves of the 2000s. The horns hit here, accenting the raps perfectly.

5) Sugarfoot – Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears

This group flew out of Nashville to start making the closest thing to funk and rhythym perfection since James Brown passed on. “Sugarfoot” is the funnest, loudest and most exuberant track off the excellent as a whole “Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is” album. This song was given away promotionally from a lot of magazines and web music download services this year, so if you missed it then just  buy it now because it’s freaking awesome.

4) Unity – Trevor Hall

I cringed when I found out that Trevor Hall was a white guy in a Buddhist monastery in southern california, especially when I saw photos of him and he looked like a hippy version of Kurt Cobain. I did so because listening to this song, he sounds Jamaican. Something about aping reggae culture right down to vocal inflections that aren’t naturally yours doesn’t quite set right with me. That being said, this songs is near perfect. It’s such a well of spirtual power, a call to sacred religous universalism sung and played in such a stirring, powerful way. The rest of the album might not be worth much, but this song justifies Trevor’s attempt at sacred art.

3) The Fixer – Pearl Jam

Eddie Vedder roars like always but the band tigtens up and plays loud, fast and furious, moreso than ever before, getting right to the point. The lyrics are the most upbeat and poisitive of perhaps any Pearl Jam single ever, all about “fighting to get it back again, ” cleaning up the dirty, finding the lost, making things fixed and new. A timely song if ever there was one for anyone feeling like it’s well past time to do something relevant and meaningful in the world.

2) French Navy – Camera Obscura
God this song is pretty. It sounds like a Phil Spector produced ’60s girl pop record that would have been a smash back then but it sounds fresh and timeless today as well. The strings are so poppy, the vocals delicious. Play it on repeat and I guarantee you’ll be in a good mood.

1) My Girls – Animal Collective
A big, joyous dance song. “I don’t mean to seem like I care about material things,” they sing. “I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls!” It’s a trippy, freak folk dance song about a man providing for his family that just happens to be the catchiest song of the year.

15. Animal Collective – What Would I Want? Sky
The first half of “What Would I Want? Sky” ranks with Animal Collective’s most inaccessible noodling before turning into their prettiest pop song. Featuring the first ever licensed sample for The Grateful Dead and a beautiful, lilting melody, “What Would I Want? Sky” is Animal Collective at their finest, no small feat considering it came not 12 months after releasing one of the finest records of the decade. (J)

14. Cymbals Eat Guitars – Wind Phoenix
A song that rises and falls and weaves around throughout its 5+ minutes, “Wind Phoenix” announced Cymbals Eat Guitars as one of the best up and coming new acts. “Wind Phoenix” is pure rock and roll, a song more willing to sound good than sound important.

13. Atlas Sound – Walkabout
Borrowing from The Dovers “What Am I Going to Do” to form one of the catchiest songs of the year, Bradford Cox’s teaming with Noah Lennox came off even better than it sounded in theory. Sounding more like a Panda Bear song than an Atlas Sound one, “Walkabout” is a sunny, poppy wonder that was a definite song of the summer contender. (J)

12. M. Ward – Never Had Nobody Like You
M. Ward has always had a penchant for writing catchy songs, but his collaboration with his She & Him partner Zooey Deschenel that is his catchiest to date. Borrowing George Harrison’s riff and throwing in a nice male-female duet, “Never Had Nobody Like You” easily gets stuck in your head, but in the best way possible.

11. Grizzly Bear – While You Wait for the Others
One of the year’s goofier diversions was when yacht-rock superstar Michael McDonald (ain’t no mountain high! ain’t no valley low!) sang “While You Wait for the Others.” But McDonald’s affably overwrought vocals only brought into light how beautifully restrained Daniel Rossen sounds on this song. “While You Wait for the Others” is essentially, vaguely, a breakup song, but one with the lush orchestration and polite patience that has become Grizzly Bear’s trademark. (J)

10. St. Vincent – Actor Out of Work
Charging guitars, distorted riffs, and a short running time combine on a track that pounds itself through all the way to the end. Annie Clark’s calm, cool voice keeps the track together, acting as the perfect compliment to the noisy chaos around her. A short but sweet track that stands out on a great record.

9. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Young Adult Friction
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart wear their influences on their sleeve, but “Young Adult Friction” adds up to much more than the sum of its parts. Thanks to a great bassline, adorably nerdy lyrics, and that insanely catchy keyboard party, “Young Adult Friction” is a joyful piece of pop music that’s as much fun to listen to now as it was in January. (J)

8. Bon Iver – Blood Bank
Expectations were very high for Justin Vernon’s post breakthrough EP, its title track met them in every way. A song that slowly builds and tells a love story in a blizzard outside of a blood bank, “Blood Bank” is a hypnotic track that highlights a songwriter on the rise.

7. Girls – Lust for Life
Like “My Girls,” “Lust for Life” is all about the simple things in life. A pizza. A bottle of wine. A father. Wait, what? The casual darkness, just barely slipping through the edges of an ostensibly bright song, made Girls’ debut Album so strong, nowhere moreso than on its opening track. “Lust for Life” is a puzzling, ambiguous beach rock anthem that doesn’t have any qualms about jacking the title of one of punk rock’s most beloved songs. (J)

6. Neko Case – People Got a Lot of Nerve
The hard edge of Neko Case’s voice that’s heard with the New Pornographers is nowhere to be found on the best song off her terrific Middle Cyclone. Two part harmonies and Byrds-esque guitars highlight a song that is garunteed to get you singing along with your toes tapping.

5. Dirty Projectors – Stillness is the Move
Yes, yes, we all saw the Solange video, but what was shocking about it was how unnecessary it was. In the midst of a conversation about 3/2 time signatures, African rhythm, and the Talking Heads, the Dirty Projectors slipped in the best Prince song of the last 20 years. With beautiful vocals, glitchy electronics, and the Dirty Projectors’ typically strong guitar work, “Stillness is the Move” made the band’s catapult to indie stardom a foregone conclusion. (J)

4. Phoenix – 1901
If there was a hipster party-going anthem for 2009, it was “1901.” Guitar/keyboard riffs rumble through Phoenix’s break out track that is impossible not to like. Thomas Mars croons over the machine like drumming and charging guitars in a song that’s over before you want it to be. It’s no surprise this is the track that finally got Phoenix some recognition, as it’s a great track from a great band.

3. Camera Obscura – French Navy
On the first track of the transcendent My Maudlin Career, Tracyanne Campbell and Camera Obscura finally stepped out of the shadow those other twee Scots and completed their transformation into a Spectoresque rock band with heartbreaking odes big enough to fill stadiums. “French Navy” is as close to pop bliss as this year was able to reach, with Campbell’s honey-like voice spouting  a gorgeous tale of lost love over an overpowering wall of sound. In a year marked by lo-fi roughness and bedroom recordings, Camera Obscura remembered the old adage about going big or going home. (J)

2. Grizzly Bear – Two Weeks
Accented with staccato keyboards, atmospheric “oohs,” and thumping drums, “Two Weeks” is a memorizing, catchy song that turned Grizzly Bear into an indie phenom. When the band harmonizes, “Two Weeks” is like sitting in the sun on a summer afternoon. There aren’t many pop songs better than this.

1. Animal Collective – My Girls
Beach Boy-esque vocals and pounding base drive one of the decades best songs from one of its best bands. Animal Collective made a name for themselves with their unique sound, but “My Girls” blew them into the mainstream. Above all through, it’s just a really fun song to listen to. (M)

Having bagged the BRITs 2010 Critic’s Choice award with only one single to her name, Ellie Goulding has a lot to prove.  Burried beneath infinite production tricks, Under The Sheets certainly doesn’t sound anything more than a run of the mill electro-pop song with a robust chorus.

However this, a sparse cover of Bon Iver’s The Wolves is far better.  Free from the clutter of her backing band, Goulding’s voice is given the chance to stand alone – something it does with admirable ease.

Anyone that has had the pleasure of disovering Bon Iver won’t need telling that Justin Vernon’s heart-stoppingly pained vocals are what transformed his debut album into one of 2008’s best.  That Goulding successfully channels the vulnerability present in Vernon’s original performance is a compliment of the highest order.

If only her own songs hit home as much as this.

Ellie Goulding – The Wolves (Act I and II)

Voting is now open for Triple J’s Hottest 100 of 2009! They’ve come up with a shortlist of the songs played on triple j this year and released in 2009. Hottest 100 Voting list.

I’m having major trouble choosing just 10 tracks to vote for, so here is my short shortlist!

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Help me decide!

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Animal Collective – Summertime Clothes

Bag Raiders – Shooting Stars

Basement Jaxx – Raindrops

Bat For Lashes – Daniel

Bluejuice – Broken Leg

Bon Iver – Blood Bank

Calvin Harris – The Rain

Chairlift – Bruises

Deadmau5 – I Remember

Delphic – This Momentary

Florence & The Machine – Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up)

Florence & The Machine – Cosmic Love

Friendly Fires – Kiss of Life

Grizzly Bear – Two Weeks

Julian Casblancas – 11th Dimension

La Roux – Bulletproof

Metric – Satellite Mind

The Middle East – Blood

Miike Snow – Animal

Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Higher Than The Stars

Passion Pit – The Reeling

Passion Pit – Swimming in the Flood

Passion Pit – Sleepyhead

Phoenix – 1901

Royksopp – Happy Up Here

Sarah Blasko – We Won’t Run

Silversun Pickups – Panic Switch

Temper Trap – Science of Fear

Temper Trap – Fader

Washed Out – Feel it All Around

Yeasayer – Ambling Alp

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…oh my gosh, ‘Help I’m Alive’ by Metric and ‘Sweet Disposition’ by Temper Trap aren’t on the list (apparently they were released late 2008), …i want to vote for them!

(i’ve bolded the songs that i THINK i might vote for)

3 Things I’m Grateful For -

Family: I don’t think people realize the importance of family. And by “family” I’m not necessarily talking in the purely literal “mother/father” sense of the word. I’m talking about those people in which you can be 100% genuine around. For me, yes, I would toss my immediate family, particularly mi hermano – [who is probably the largest influence in my life] into that mixture, but as well as a few of my close friends. Life today just seems insanely… insane. I mean, we’ve got “friends” that I, twas I a trendier person, might refer to as frienemies [... did I really just say that?]. We’ve got the “casual friends” and it just seems like in this society of instant gratification- friends just seem easier to come by– thus making them replaceable and far less valued. This is why I truly appreciate what my close knit “family” [composed of both blood and shared experiences] bring to the table. It’s a complete package, and truly what help make life worth living. I don’t know what I’d do without them- and it means alot to me that they put up with me and my numerous flaws and transgressions.

Music: For as long as I’ve lived on this Earth, I’ve known music as one of the most brilliant creations that God has blessed us with. Henry David Thoreau was once quoted as saying that “men profess to be lovers of music, but for the most part they give no evidence in their opinions and lives that they have heard it.” and to be quite honest, I agree with this quote more than just about any other quote I’ve come across. The insight in this quote is magnificent! Honestly, let the frank allusions to things much more than music in this quote fall where they may for the moment and just take it at face value. Even there it holds great power. Everyone these days talks about how they can’t live without music. But 98% of them don’t even listen to quality music. They don’t make their own choices about what goes blasting through their brains–while they rely on the media to spoon feed them the next Diddy-creation. The next Disney-Channeled star. It’s an embarrassment to our culture, but it’s why I take that much more of a hold on the music I’ve grown to love and let influence my life. Muse, Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, Bon Iver, Say Anything, Relient K, Shwayze, O.A.R., Jason Mraz, The Almost, Augustana, Weezer, David Crowder Band, The White Stripes… I could go on. People see me with my headphones in; I know they’ll stereotype my music for some fad or whatever the hell you want to call it- but my music is personal; intricacies the world unknown. I love you soundwaves.

Employment: Being a senior in high school, I realize that I am immensely blessed to be holding ANY job at this point in time, not to mention being in possession of a highly sought after job as a barista. The fact that my first job is one that offers a health care plan and stock options is absurd. I may complain about having to go to work, but that’s just the ungrateful lethargy vocalizing itself. Deep down, I’m so entirely grateful for a wonderful, well-paying job.

2 Things I’m Content With -

Whichever College I Decide On: So at this point in time, I’m looking into making the pivotal, life-altering decision, of picking a University to attend. At this point in time,  I have College A and College B [which will remain nameless until the final decision has been made]. Both of these colleges are reputable programs that offer me nothing less than a fine education. College A may be closer to friends, and less of a “party hardy” locale, but it’s further away from the folks and keeps me relatively close to some individuals that should be distanced in my life. But College B is clearly a very different campus in which the “college lifestyle” oozes from every coed in the state. It’s a toss up- but I can see the pros of each choice. Therefore, I truly believe there isn’t a bad outcome; just different ones.

The Upcoming Changes in My Life: With Graduation comes a Move to a different state, a Wedding, and a College Orientation. This is the big time. Life is coming at me full speed ahead, and I can’t stop it. It’s sink or swim; and you know what? I’m completely OK with that. I want to get out of this town. I want to make a difference in the world- why would I stick around with people who remind me of distractions? Granted, some of these are the most splendid of distractions out there, I really just need something new. I need this challenge again. I need to prove my self-worth to myself. I’ve shown my own shortcomings as of late, and I feel a new opportunity will allow great things.

1 Thing I Want to Change-

Consistency: This is my weakness. I really feel like being the person I want to become has a lot more to do with maintenance rather than achievement. This is why I’m in need of some help. I can be a lot of things. Honestly, I can be whatever somebody needs. But this lifestyle dexterity has kind of come back to bite me. I don’t think there’s a clear representation of myself out for the world to see. I’m “this” one day and “that” the other. With these upcoming months I hope to prove myself a man worth the admiration of his peers. This may come at a price, but I feel it’s worth it. .sacrificeissurvival.

I love last.fm for many reasons. For one, it enables me to look back at 2009 and see who were my most listened to artists. Surprisingly six out of 10 are from England.

1. Röyksopp (Norway) – Their 2009 album Junior is their best and the best album of the year.

2. Air (France) – simply musical geniuses.

3. La Roux (Sounds French but actually from England). Best hair cut and most unique pop sound for 2009.

4. Muse (England) – one of the best live acts I’ve seen and a worthy winner of Triple J’s hottest 100 last year. Matthew Bellamy is one seriously talented musician (and his vocal range spans from an A2 to an A5 which sounds impressive).

5. Sting (England) – He is over the hill but I’ve only recently put some of his classics on to my iPod hence the high rotation.

6. Florence + The Machine (England) – fellow South Londoner. She can wail with the best of them and would give the ladies at Lewisham bus stop a run for their money.

7. Bon Iver (USA) – So very relaxing and ethereal.

8. Little Boots (England) – I was a tad surprised that she got onto my Top Ten and beat U2, Goldfrapp and Coldplay. I put it down to her addictive tracks like ‘Stuck on Repeat‘ and ‘New in Town‘.

9. Jamiroquai (England) – my favourite band of all time. New album rumored for 2010.

10. Phoenix (France) – their 2009 album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is one of their best.

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]

Finally back home in the suburbs after a grueling and relatively sleepless exam week. It’s funny how quickly studying and concentration can segue into blogging with coffee on  a cozy couch watching movies. And to top it all off, I looked out my window today to see a snowy winter scene. Somehow back in Boston the concrete wind tunnel that is Commonwealth Ave usually causes any snowstorm to lose just a bit of this quaint charm.

So to all you New Englanders: go play in the snow like my favorite scene (above) in Love Story.

Peace,

Blog title from “Blood Bank” by Bon Iver

DAY FORTY FIVE (self portrait on my flickr page)

Yes a bokeh a day keeps me happy:)! Today was pretty busy but I kept thinking about my grade for medsurg..I don’t know if I passed. I’m scared. i’m anxious. I think i’m over thinking it. i don’t know. dammit. Anyways, i didn’t buy my present today. I just told my mom to give me money. I will just buy my gift after christmas hahahahahaha! Anywho I’m going to go watch Bruno now! Check out my flickr…comment…critique as well. Oh I’m not sure if I mentioned it yet..i think i did..but I’m starting something new on youtube..well for myself. I totally believe that the Project365 kind of makes you come out of your shell and so for yourtube I’m going to be posting more of my music and stuff. But, I’m going to shoot it once! thats it. I made it a rule for myself. I already posted one up. I did a cover of Bon Iver’s Flume. I didn’t do it too well. messed up on the lyrics and I think the playing. Here is it:

AHH! Ok good night!

Here my list of the top 10 albums of the decade.  Let me know what yours are.

10. Jack Johnson – Brushfire Fairytales (2001)

9. Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002)

8. Once: Music from the Motion Picture (2007)

7. Sigur Ros – Takk… (2005)

6. Iron & Wine – The Creek Drank the Cradle (2002)

5. Denison Witmer: Philadelphia Songs (2002)

4. Elvis Perkins – Ash Wednesday (2007)

3. Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago (2008)

2. Damien Rice – O (2003)

1. Iron & Wine – Our Endless Numbered Days (2004)

Bon Iver, “Re: Stacks”

There are a lot of songs I would love to put on here today. Songs from artists I think you should know about, remixes that are awesome, new bands to explore. But, to tell you the truth, it’s simply a Bon Iver kind of day…kind of month, actually. Kind of year?

I mean, it makes sense. The album For Emma, Forever Ago (self-released in 2007; picked up by Jagjaguwar in 2008) is the result of three months winter “hibernation” in a cabin in northwestern Wisconsin. Written by entirely by Justin Vernon, the entire album is built on one theme:  losing a first love, and figuring out how to unflinchingly face your emotions and guilt and memories so that you can move on, while still acknowledging how much it all hurt, and accepting that it will always be a part of you. [Whew, okay, that was a long "theme."] According to the “Bon Iver bio” (whatever that is, thanks, Wikipedia),

“All of his personal trouble, lack of perspective, heartache, longing, love, loss and guilt that had been stock piled over the course of the past six years, was suddenly purged into the form of song.”

Anyways. What I’m trying to say is, the album is good, and it fits my mood this December. Today I’m driving three and a half hours of prairie roads, gray Texas sky, and bare trees, and this song is perfect. Listen to it and pretend you’re riding with me.

Christmas has not even passed and I am already thinking about the next marketable holiday… Valentines (pre-emptively vomits in mouth). There is only one reason for this crazy behavior… articles for the Pebble. I am writing a little ditty about how no-one shares their love of music via mix-tapes any more, so I am trying to reinforce the forgotten tradition by including some of my own favourite tunes with the word ‘love’ somewhere in the title. I need to try and whittle this down to 5, to keep in with High Fidelity. Any suggestions? The list so far is…

Florence and the Machine – You got the love (XX remix)

Bon Iver – Skinny Love

Augustus Pablo – Baby I love you so

Moderat feat Paul St Hilaire – Let your love grow

The Buzzcocks – Ever fallen in love (with someone you shouldn’t have?)

Kiss – I was made for lovin’ you

Bloc Party – This Modern Love

Bjork – All is full of love (Plaid Remix)

No instrument has spoken in more voices to more people than the guitar, and over the past decade no festival has sought out the modulations in those voices and the range of the guitar’s cultural expressions than the New York Guitar Festival.
Following its success since 1999 (with rave reviews in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Jazz Times as well as sister festivals in Urbana, Illinois and Adelaide Australia), the New York Guitar Festival announces its tenth season of concert performances, January 8 though February 4, 2010.

The festival boasts over 30 exceptional guitarists of jazz, classical, rock, traditional, and avant garde styles. Participating venues include Merkin Concert Hall, The 92nd Street Y, The World Financial Center’s Winter Garden, Le Poisson Rouge and Barbes. Concerts range from an all-day Guitar Marathon interpreting the music of J.S. Bach and his contemporaries, (featuring, among other internationally-famous musicians, the Brazilian Guitar Quartet, Paul O’Dette, Ana Vidovic, Eliot Fisk, Paul Galbraith and Nigel North) to the Hindustani slide guitar music of Debashish Bhattacharya.

The festival also has a history of commissioning remarkable original works, and the 2010 season breaks yet more new ground by presenting ten classic silent films (seven by Chaplin, one by Keaton and two by Harry Smith) accompanied by original scores performed live by a spectacularly rich and varied coterie of guitarists: Gyan Riley, Alex de Grassi, Justin Vernon (of Bon Iver), Steve Kimock, James Blackshaw, Marc Ribot, David Bromberg and the members of Chicha Libre.

The New York Guitar Festival, a not-for-profit arts organization, was founded in 1999 by musician and producer David Spelman, who serves as its Artistic Director. The Festival’s goal is to broaden the public’s appreciation for the guitar by fostering emerging talent, supporting innovative collaborations among outstanding artists, and commissioning new works. In addition to producing eclectic concerts and radio broadcasts, its Guitar Harvest series of recordings supports outreach programs in New York City public schools.

CONCERT SCHEDULE:

World Financial Center’s Winter Garden

Battery Park City, bordered by West Street, the Hudson River, Vesey and Liberty Streets.  Tickets and information: (212) 417-7000 /  www.worldfinancialcenter.com.

Friday, January 8, 8:00pm

FREE OPENING NIGHT CONCERT

Slide guitarist Debashish Bhattacharya, and his tabla-playing brother Subashish will present an evening of Hindustani guitar music. This Grammy-nominated artist is one of India’s most esteemed musicians and has performed with musicians such as Derek Trucks, Jerry Douglas and John McLaughlin. Debashish’s music, spirit, and generosity have won him new admirers and devotees around the world and we are thrilled to have him open our tenth anniversary festival.  www.debashishbhattacharya.com

Merkin Concert Hall

Goodman House, 129 West 67th Street

Tickets and information: 212-501-3330 • kaufman-center.org

Thursday, January 14, 8 p.m.

Silent Films/Live Guitars

Charlie Chaplin’s The Immigrant + The Kid

Music by David Bromberg and Marc Ribot

2008 Grammy nominee David Bromberg is known for his eclectic combination of blues, bluegrass, jazz, folk, country, and rock. He’s recorded and performed with Reverend Gary Davis, Jorma Kaukonen, Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan and George Harrison among others and is presenting the premiere of newly commissioned music for Charlie Chaplin’s 1917 The Immigrant. Style-morphing icon Marc Ribot has lent his mercurial guitar sounds to collaborations including Robert Plant and Alison Kraus, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello and John Zorn, and will improvise a score for Chaplin’s 1921 classic, The Kid.

Merkin Concert Hall

Goodman House, 129 West 67th Street

Tickets and information: 212-501-3330 • kaufman-center.org

Thursday, January 21, 8 p.m.

Silent Films/Live Guitars

Charlie Chaplin’s One A.M. and Easy Street + Buster Keaton’s Cops

Music by Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon and Steve Kimock

Bon Iver is the nom-de-guerre of musician Justin Vernon. His album For Emma, Forever Ago was a critical and commercial hit, making him one of the most talked-about indie artists of 2008. For his scores to One A.M. & Easy
Street, he’s joined by Chris Rosenau, of Collection of Colonies of Bees, whom Justin calls his “guitar mentor.” Steve Kimock is best known as co-founder and guitarist for the San Francisco band Zero. He’s recorded and performed with Bruce Hornsby and members of the Grateful Dead-Jerry Garcia once hailed him as his favorite guitarist. He performs music for Buster Keaton’s Cops.

Merkin Concert Hall

Goodman House, 129 West 67th Street

Tickets and information: 212-501-3330 • kaufman-center.org

Thursday, January 28, 8 p.m.

Silent Films/Live Guitars

Charlie Chaplin’s Shoulder Arms and The Fall of the House of Usher (directed by James Sibley Watson and Melville Webber)

Music by Alex de Grassi + James Blackshaw

One of the top fingerstyle, steel-string guitarists, Grammy nominee Alex de Grassi is renowned for his impeccable technique and compelling compositions. He’s explored a variety of world music influences and drawn acclaim for his 14 recordings on Windham Hill and other labels. He presents his original score for Chaplin’s 1918 masterpiece Shoulder Arms. James Blackshaw is a London-based prodigy who’s released seven albums of mesmerizing 12-string compositions. His style is often described as “American primitive” and incorporates elements of Indian raga, improvisation, and psychedelia.

92nd Street Y

Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street

Tickets and information: 212-415-5500 / www.92Y.org

Sunday, January 31, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., with a break at 5 p.m.

The Guitar Marathon: Bach

Music by Paul O’Dette, Brazilian Guitar Quartet, Eliot Fisk, Paul Galbraith, David Leisner, Nigel North, Gyan Riley, Benjamin Verdery, Ana Vidovic, Jason Vieaux, and additional artists to be announced.

Our 5th biannual Guitar Marathon at the 92nd Street Y’s Kaufman Auditorium is co-curated by Paul O’Dette and the NYGF’s David Spelman. Some of today’s finest classical guitarists and lutenists will reveal the different facets of the music of J.S. Bach and his contemporaries. The event runs from 2-10pm, with a break at 5pm. “An epic event” is how the The Wall Street Journal classified our first Marathon, and Jazz Times called it “a veritable guitar orgy.” Half and full-day tickets will be available in August. Presented in association with WNYC Radio and broadcast on 93.9 FM.

Merkin Concert Hall

Goodman House, 129 West 67th Street

Tickets and information: 212-501-3330 • kaufman-center.org

Thursday, February 4^th, 8 p.m.

Silent Films/Live Guitars

Charlie Chaplin’s The Pilgrim and shorts by Harry Smith

Music by Chicha Libre + Gyan Riley

The Peruvian-influenced psychedelic pop of Chicha Libre mixes Colombian cumbia, dreamy surf guitar, and Andean melodies. They present their score to Chaplin’s 1923 The Pilgrim. Gyan Riley is an equally strong presence in the worlds of classical guitar and contemporary music. He’s performed throughout Europe and the U.S., both as a soloist and in ensembles with Zakir Hussain, the San Francisco Symphony, the Falla Guitar Trio, and his father, the composer/pianist/vocalist Terry Riley.

Submitted by Madison House Publicity

Bat for Lashes – Two Suns
Despite being a relatively organic development from Bat for Lashes’ debut, Fur and Gold, there’s something risky about Two Suns‘ expansion of that album’s signature sound.  Fur and Gold was, in part, a great listen specifically because of its limitations.  It sounded like a creative and talented musician working with a relatively small set of supplies – Natasha Khan (aka Bat for Lashes) conjured up a dense sound with drum machines, hand claps, synths, and lots of overdubbing.

Despite upping the production values considerably, Two Suns is everything one could have hoped for as a sophomore effort.  Turns out Khan is just as good with a full arsenal at her disposal as she is at making the best of what she’s got.  The thicker production never overwhelms the songs, and she wisely keeps her voice up in the mix, and she turns up the neat percussion tricks (both electronic and otherwise) that pinned Fur and Gold’s ethereal vocals and keys to something more primal.

And she also manages to overcome a new potential obstacle.  To be this melodramatic, to engage in this sort of free floating spirituality (“Glass” quotes the Song of Solomon, but there’s a lot of mythic flighty stuff on here that’s far less direct and possibly Khan-originated), to be this… serious.  I mean, there’s a nearly impossible-to-parse multi-song narrative going on with Khan’s imaginary alter-ego, Pearl.  It’s one thing to pull this sort of thing when the cracks are showing and you need to use some ingenuity to get your unique voice across.  But when you can just lay the production on thick with these tendencies toward the flowery, you can easily end up in New Age territory.  It’s a problem I nearly always have with Kate Bush, with whom Khan is often compared.  But Khan never falls prey to these urges (if she does fall prey to occasional Bush-style video corniness – see below).  Two Suns balances its ambition and outlandishness with a sort of modesty.

Also, you’ve gotta love an album that bounces between the extremes of invoking the Karate Kid in its lead single and managing to get the reclusive Scott Walker to add a weirdly Bela Lugosi-sounding vocal to the final track.  (Maybe I overstated Khan’s seriousness a little.)

Blakroc – self-titled
“Slide out your clothes and baby take off your shoes/
That coochie got me so confused that I don’t know what to do.”

As Raina pointed out as I repeatedly made her listen to “Coochie,” the hypnotically catchy opening track from Blakroc, “coochie” might be said to function as a synecdoche.  I suppose it kind of depends on whether the narrator (as voiced alternately by Ludicrous and a back-from-the-grave Old Dirty Bastard) is obsessing over the object of his affection directly or just her… coochie.

In any case, it’s a crude device that, along with the greasy musical backdrop provided by the Black Keys, provides a perfect introduction for this album, a collaboration between said Keys and a number of hip-hop folks that I won’t feign utter familiarity with, but whose names should ring a bell for pretty much anyone (RZA, Mos Def, etc.).  I also won’t feign utter familiarity with the blues lyrical form, but it seems to me that Blackroc doesn’t have to make a particularly strong case that blues led straight to hip-hop.  But through this blues-rock/hip-hop fusion, the Keys and their collaborators do so, just in case you missed it.  There’s nothing lyrical in “Coochie” that, conceptually speaking, wouldn’t be right at home in a blues song.

Nothing else on the album will stick in your head quite as much as “Coochie,” but “Dollaz & Sense” (with RZA and Pharoahe Monch) and “Why Can’t I Forget Him” (with Nicole Wray) are equally good at what they do.

Considering that I’m lukewarm on blues rock (including the last Black Keys album) and hopeless when it comes to hip hop, I’m enjoying this album quite a bit.  Not essential, but fun.

BLK JKS – After Robots
“The Mars Volta meets TV on the Radio,” said the advance reviews.  I can hear that, but possibly not as much as “Yeasayer meets King Crimson.”  Either way, these collisions don’t add up to as much as you probably want them to.  The band is clearly talented, and I hear they come across better live, but the result of all this technical skill is a somewhat stilted, undynamic album.

Bon Iver – Blood Bank EP
Most artists choose to highlight innovations in their sound on proper follow-up albums; EPs serve up the leftovers from the last full-length or preview songs on a soon-to-be-released album.  By this logic, Blood Bank should have been a shallow, b-sides-quality victory lap after the success that was For Emma, Forever Ago.  So why is Justin Vernon, the man behind Bon Iver, doing all of this stretching on a mere four-song EP?  Sure, the title track is just a more propulsive take on the wintry folk of For Emma (and it sounds even more propulsive in its live form) and “Beach Baby” doesn’t stray too far from that sound, but the Steve Reich-style minimalism of “Babys” seemingly comes from out-of-nowhere, and the excellent autotune a capella “Woods” is, perhaps, the last thing anyone could have reasonably expected [despite the single, notable and mysterious appearance of an autotune effect on For Emma's "The Wolves (Act I and III)"].

This mystery would ultimately be partially explained by Vernon’s other major release of the year, Volcano Choir’s Unmap, a collaboration with Collections of Colonies of Bees, an outfit with a more overtly experimental (and, yes, very minimalist-inspired) sound.  In fact, Blood Bank functions as a nice bridge between For Emma and Unmap, with Unmap even re-using “Woods” in a slightly different context.  It also suggests that Vernon isn’t content to continue mining the same territory, a legitimate worry given the specificity of For Emma’s sound.  So those innovations on Blood Bank might end up sounding kind of slight, after all, upon the release of his next album.  But I’m getting ahead of myself… Blood Bank is that unusual EP that may prove just as essential as the artist’s full-length works.

Bon Iver – Blood Bank – Jagjaguwar