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Last Active 12-02-12 5:42 pm
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| Top 30 Albums Of 2009 - Part 1
*DISCLAIMERS* This list is in descending order, like a countdown (wish this site could let you
edit the numbering). Also, this list only pertains to albums I have heard this year, so it's very
possible that I am missing some good ones. Regardless, here is part one! | | 1 |  | Poison the Well
The Tropic Rot
30. After the lukewarm reception to PTW's more experimental "Versions", the ever changing line-up
headed by Jeffrey Moreira put forth a much stronger version of their post-hardcore brand on "The Tropic
Rot". The band seems much more comfortable here with the integration of new sounds and dynamic song
structures without meandering aimlessly. Songs like "Antartica Inside Me" reminds of the best moments of
"Apathy is a Cold Body", while "Without You And One Other I Am Nothing" builds into an exciting
crescendo in a way that the slower tracks on Versions only could hope to. PTW continues to show why
they are one of the most relevant bands in the post-hardcore landscape with another solid release in 2009. | | 2 |  | Muse
The Resistance
29. Out of all of my album choices, I will probably get the most shit for putting this one a 'best-of' list, but
so what? Muse continued to distance their Radiohead relation on "The Resistance", where their pop-rock
soared to epic heights. Sure, the epic nature of the album can reach absurdity at times, but when the
band hits it right, it shows. From "Resistance", which explodes into an extremely solid pop-rock track in the
vein of "Starlight", to the Exogenesis symphonic pieces which show a dazzling ear for orchestration, Muse
continues to show that they are not afraid to into a new realm. Some fans will undoubtably be displeased
with this continued move away from popular albums like "Absolution", but in the realm of radio rock, this
album certainly stands as a unique voice in a field otherwise dominated by clones. | | 3 |  | Sole and the Skyrider Band
Plastique
28. I've always wondered how a rap album would sound with the use of post-rock-esque organic
instruments as a background. I've got my answer, as the wonderfully crafted "Plastique" shows that you
don't need a drum machine and a laptop to create incredible sounds on a hip-hop album. Sole sounds like
Aesop Rock in space as he spits his tales urgently over a sonic soundscape that goes from a trippy stride in
"Battlefields", to the wonderful "Bait", which reaches a wild instrumental conclusion with the fuzz on 11.
Sole may never get the respect he deserves in mainstream rap circles, but for the rest of us, "Plastique"
will be known as a great album for years to come. | | 4 |  | Julian Casablancas
Phrazes for the Young
27. So The Strokes have been out of commission for a while, meaning we get solo albums instead of one
big solid effort from the group. It's a good thing then that Julian Casablancas' first solo effort "Phrazes for
the Young" gives us some very solid tracks to jam out to while we wait for the next Strokes album. His
sense of pop craftsmanship is in full force here, as rocking tracks like "Left & Right in the Dark" will get
stuck in your head all day long. It seems that sometimes Julian has a little too much fun programming his
drum machine in the songs, but the fact remains that Casablancas still has his songwriting abilities in good
shape, which bodes well for future Strokes releases. | | 5 |  | The XX
XX
26. I don't think I've heard any band as sexy as The XX in some time. The dark 80's inspired tones mesh
surprisingly well with subtle hip-hop beats, creating songs that are both atmospheric and personal. Tracks
like "Infinity" are perfect both for introspective head trips and grooving with the ladies. As a debut album,
this has certainly lived up to the hype. | | 6 |  | Om
God is Good
25. Out of all the bands I listen to, Om moves from album to album in the most subtle context, only
slightly tweaking their sound with each release. God is Good is no different. However, more noticeable
Eastern motifs and instrumentation are found, as the epic opener "Thebes" drifts through close to nine
minutes of a chant-like percussive section before exploding into a headbanging colossus similar to "On the
Mountain at Dawn". The rest of the album sees the band take a much different turn, as the Cremation
Ghats especially use this Eastern influence to create something that borders on the realm of spiritual. Al's
cryptic lyrics are just as good as ever, and new drummer Emil adds a slightly more dynamic backbone with
his drum parts. Om is not a band who will surprise you with a new album, but they continue to show that
they write some of the best 'stoner metal' around. | | 7 |  | Andrew Bird
Noble Beast
24. This is my first experience with an Andrew Bird release so I truly have no way of comparing it to any
prior albums, but "Noble Beast" stands solidly on its own. From expertise whistling to well-placed violin
swells, Bird explores textures and layering in a way that takes multiple experiences to appreciate.
"Masterswarm" in particular in a wonderful track which starts off with a typical Indie Folk sound before
evolving into a shuffling bossa-nova groove that is just as much inspired by jazz as it is folk. A release that
admittedly takes a bit to get into, but once it does, there's plenty to appreciate. | | 8 |  | Cursive
Mama, I'm Swollen
Cursive's 2009 release "Mama, I'm Swollen" sees the group lose a bit of the edge that made them so
jarring on "The Ugly Organ", but strong songwriting and excellent lyrics continue to set the band apart
from their peers. The album is bookended by its strongest tracks, as "In the Now" perfects the angular
dynamics that them so popular in the first place, while "What Have I Done" brings a tale of lamentation so
personal, it is bound to make you at least a little melancholy. Some of the middle tracks tend to lose their
effectiveness, but there is no denying that Cursive still knows how to pen some great songs. | | 9 |  | As Tall As Lions
You Can't Take it With You
22. After their surprisingly effective 2006 self-titled release, ATAL decides to experiment and broaden their
sound to mixed results. The polyrhythmic flourishes of opener "Circles" shows everything that is good
about the band, while the dragging "Duermete" takes a good idea too far by dragging out over 8 minutes.
There are plenty of hidden gems though, "You Can't Take it With You" has a beautiful bridge that radiates
with warmth, and the backing instrumentation "The Narrows" could be just as home on a mainstream pop
album as it is here. The and can't be faulted for trying to expand their sound, but they are still at their best
when they use their pop sensibilities to create memorable tracks. | | 10 |  | The Mars Volta
Octahedron
21. The Mars Volta have written their most coherent album to date, which will either make them more
accessible or less relevant depending on how much you are into progressive music. Regardless, the manic
duo of Bixlar and Lopez have penned some great music here with "Octahedron". The more suppressed
nature of this album lets Bixlar's vocals take center stage, and they sound stronger than ever. Not to
worry though, the instrumentals are still there: they have just been better crafted within the song
structure to avoid needless 'wankering'. It is hard at this point to see where Octahedron will stack up into
TMV's discography, but it is certainly their most accessible album to date. | |
klap
12.17.09 | solid, like the descriptions and the descending order. really wish they could make that a list option | ECRbubs
12.17.09 | I feel like I'm the only one who thinks "Infinity" is the best xx song so I'm glad you mentioned it.
Also 27 is awesome | AliW1993
12.17.09 | i really needto check out the xx album | Satellite
12.17.09 | Good descriptions, and I agree with klap. | ZeroTolerance
12.17.09 | Ahhhh my eyes! Too much to read! Ladies and Gentlemen, Attention Deficit Disorder affects us all. | killrobotmusic
12.17.09 | Thanks guys... I figure not everyone will like my choices but hopefully they at least will see why I chose these albums. | EVedder27
12.17.09 | Nice list, and I like how you broke this up | DaveyBoy
12.17.09 | A real good read Ian. Well done.
And kudos for putting Muse there. I actually have that album in a similar position myself. | AggravatedYeti
12.18.09 | nicely done. | shindip
12.21.09 | 6 is aweeesome | Tableshaveturned
01.10.10 | excellent. i like your explanation as to why you are defending the resistence, summed up perfectly. |
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