Extra Late Best Of 2009
Top 10 of 2009. |
| 1 |  | Converge
Axe to Fall
I was not a Converge fan in any way before I listened to Axe to Fall. I am quite picky regarding really heavy experimental metal, and thought there's no way anyone could beat Dillinger in terms of experimental metal. Axe to Fall does this, as it's brutally heavy, grungy, and dabbles in prog. Like Ire Works without the filler. |
| 2 |  | Isis
Wavering Radiant
2009 was an astounding year for metal, as Wavering Radiant shows Isis continuing to surge into Post-Rock, but bringing metal with it. I hear a bit of Godspeed in it, with less emphasis on Tool, and more dynamics. Truly an ace album. |
| 3 |  | Chevelle
Sci-Fi Crimes
Alternative Metal doesn't get much better than Sci-Fi Crimes. Chevelle has the whole radio rock thing down to a T, and they dabble in experimentation. It's still traditional uplifting Chevelle lyrics and that grinding tone, but Chevelle actually breaks the mold of their past albums. |
| 4 |  | The Flaming Lips
Embryonic
I'm a huge noise rock fan, and Embryonic is a pioneer in noise rock and psychedelia. Fan reaction has been mixed, but Embryonic is nearly perfect. Songs like Silver Trembling Hands and Aquarius Sabotage are some of the best noise rock I've heard in a long time. |
| 5 |  | Alice in Chains
Black Gives Way to Blue
Alice in Chains came back, and strong at that. Half of the time you can't even tell that Staley isn't performing vocals (listen to Private Hell), and Cantrell proves that he truly is Alice in Chains. All of the trademarks of old AiC have returned, and it's truly an epic album. |
| 6 |  | A Place to Bury Strangers
Exploding Head
A Place to Bury Strangers showed way too much immaturity and repetitiveness on their debut, so it was nice to see these guys experiment a little bit. This album is strong, loud, and it's not as mind-numbingly repetitive like their debut. |
| 7 |  | Silversun Pickups
Swoon
Silversun Pickups continue to forge on, tweaking their sound ever so slightly to keep it fresh. Thick on studio gimmicks, Swoon isn't even slowed down by strings and other things. It's an epic album, dense on atmosphere, and strong on emotion. Far superior to their debut. |
| 8 |  | Morrissey
Years of Refusal
Morrissey's album is aptly titled-as the prolific singer/songwriter keeps on making badass albums with badass tunes. Years of Refusal is filled with cheerful guitars and sardonic, self-mocking lyrics as Morrissey really doesn't seem to like being Morrissey anymore. Whatever the case, it's his strongest release since Vauxhall & I. |
| 9 |  | Pearl Jam
Backspacer
Straight from "The Fixer", "When something's broke, I wanna put a little fixer on it". Vedder and the gang have obviously seen something was wrong with Pearl Jam since Yield, and figured out how to fix it. What's different? They seem to be enjoying themselves again-The Fixer and Amongst the Waves may be some of these guys' best songs. |
| 10 |  | Mudvayne
Mudvayne
Even if this album was too little too late for Mudvayne, these guys bring back the grit and anger of their first two albums. The rhythm sections are as strong as always, and Mudvayne seems to feel the need to rock again. If only Mudvayne could have brought back experimentation, this album would have been even better. Even then, it's still a heck of a CD. |
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