Justin’s Favorite Albums of 2009

Posted: December 30th, 2009 | Author: | Filed under: Articles About Music | Comments Off

The year (and decade for that matter) are over in 1 day, and I wanted to wait to the last possible moment to write out my picks.  So after much deliberation and consideration, here are my 10 favorite albums of 2009 (And to make things interesting, I am going to attempt to tell you why they are awesome in 140 characters or less):

10: Fanfarlo Reservoir

Better with each listen, I am continually drawn into this heavily layered, lush album.  Every song so far has been my favorite of the album.

Harold T. Wilkins, Or How To Wait For A Very Long Time

9: Samantha Crain and the Midnight Shivers Songs in the Night

Lyrics read like poetry, her voice carries sincerity, and the music insists that your feet should tap.  Just the way folk was meant to be.

Samanthan Crain and the Midnight Shivers- Songs in the Night

8: Company of Thieves Ordinary Riches

This genre defying album incorporates blues, jazz, rock, and folk.  The resulti is something reminscient of a sound from another era.

Company of Thieves- In Passing

7: Manchester Orchestra Mean Everything to Nothing

Andy Hull continues to write heavily emotional and personal songs without coming off as angsty or annoying.

Manchester Orchestra- I’ve Got Friends

6: fun. Aim and Ignite

This album is fun, period.  Sorry, that was dumb.  But seriously, it is fun.

fun.- All The Pretty Girls

5: Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavillion

How in the world does Animal Collective not only put out consistently great albums, but produce arguably their best for their 9th?

Animal Collective- Summertime Clothes

4: Phoenix Wolfgang Amadeaus Phoenix

The first time I heard “Lisztomania” I started dancing alone in my apartment.  Then “1901″ came on and the party really started.

Phoenix- 1901

3: Grizzly Bear Veckatimest

I am embarrassed to admit that I shrugged this off after the first listen.  Then I picked it up a few months later and pitied my former self.

Grizzly Bear- Two Weeks

2: Passion Pit Manners

Far and away the most danceable album I have ever heard.

Passion Pit- Little Secrets

1: Other Lives Other Lives

This past summer a friend insisted I go see Other Lives in concert.  He informed me it would be the greatest live show I had ever seen.  I was skeptical.  I was wrong (by the way, forget the 140 characters on this one).  Is it fair to rank an album #1 because of how much I was blown away by their performance?  Probably not, but that isn’t completely the case here.  Sure every time I hear the album I am drawn back to that ethereal experience, but even outside of that it is an incredible album.  Musically polished and incredibly orchestrated, their sound is so intricate I can’t help but feel like I am being taken on an epic journey.  And lead singer Jesse Tabish sings with such conviction and sincerity, his voice works its way through my whole body.  A remarkable album in a remarkable year of music.

Other Lives- End Of The Year

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