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Reviews 31 Approval 98%
Soundoffs 256 News Articles 16 Band Edits + Tags 274 Album Edits 131
Album Ratings 2725 Objectivity 78%
Last Active 02-25-16 1:12 am Joined 03-07-07
Review Comments 24,512
| Aids' Top 25 Of '09
Better late than never right? I like to let my music sink in and if I had made this earlier, I would have missed some real gems. Also, I'm lazy. Enjoy: | 1 | | Manchester Orchestra Mean Everything to Nothing
Man, do I love this album. It's got such a nice complete feel to it and it flows really really well. There's a little bit of everything here (well, not everything, I guess there were no blast beats): some tracks (Shake it Out) have pop appeal and some (My Friend Marcus) are deeply moving. Andy Hull's voice goes great with the music, even when he belts it out. If you've ever liked anything remotely indie, you owe it to yourself to hear this album. | 2 | | Metric Fantasies
I didn't give this album a chance until the staff list piqued my interest. At the risk of sounding like a My Chemical Romance fan, the lyrics on this album really spoke to me and helped through some issues I was having (am still having). It's got a nice catchy sound to it but it's not shallow in the least. Gimme Sympathy is also probably my favourite song released last year. | 3 | | Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavilion
People who don't like this album are stupid. Seriously, what's not to like? When I listen to this, I feel like I'm on drugs, even when I'm not on drugs. | 4 | | Brand New Daisy
Clearly not as good as their previous album but who really expected that? Jesse Lacey is a great lyricist and the band always seems to find the right sounds to go with his words. | 5 | | Mono Hymn to the Immortal Wind
Yes it's formulaic post-rock but done absolutely perfectly. The quiet sections are haunting and the crescendos are full of genuine emotion. I saw this band last year and they played all but one of the tracks from this breathtaking piece of art. That might have something to do with its' high placement on this list but I like to think not. | 6 | | Regina Spektor Far
I love this woman. These songs are brilliant (mostly). If not for Human of the Year, this might be #1. | 7 | | The Antlers Hospice
A heartbreaking album in somewhat the same vein as For Emma, Forever Ago (but slightly less impressive). I really like the way that some of the themes are reused throughout the album, it ties it together really well. | 8 | | Rx Bandits Mandala
For the longest time, I didn't want to get this album. The "post-ska" discussion that was surrounding it defintely scared me away (I don't like ska). Then, I decided to go on a spree and get a bunch of highly regarded '09 albums and this was the best of the bunch. What immediatley struck me about it was that it sounds similar to Planet of Ice by Minus the Bear which is one of my all-time favourites. I can defintely hear bits of ska but it doesn't bug me at all, in fact it fits quite well. White Lies is a fantastic song. | 9 | | Maybeshewill Sing the Word Hope in Four-Part Harmony
Post-rock with a twist is always refreshing. Lots of influences from electronica, post-hardcore, etc. here. Also, the "message," if you will, is pretty cool and excecuted in a non-pretenious manner (Bono, take note). | 10 | | Between the Buried and Me The Great Misdirect
Some people hate this band, I hate those people. Joking, of course, but seriously what the hell staff? Lady Gaga beats this out for a spot in the top 50? This band always keeps things interesting (read: wanky) with fucked up instrumentation etc. Don't lie, you love some wank. Desert of Song was a surprising inclusion but a great one. That song defined the entire last half 2009 for me. | 11 | | Phoenix Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Indie pop, where have you been all my life? The only thing I don't like about this album is that there are no lyrics in French (the band's from France, aren't they?). | 12 | | Emery ...In Shallow Seas we Sail
This should be the model for post-hardcore music in the years to come. It's aggresive but calming at the same time: the band knows when to excerise restraint but also how to cut loose and go fucking nuts. The screamer is awesome and the vocal interplay on Cutthroat Collapse was one of the musical highlights of 2009. | 13 | | Fightstar Be Human
Indie/post-hardcore? Fine by me. This appeared on far to few '09 lists on this site. | 14 | | Thrice Beggars
A little bit of a dissapointment for me but only because I wasn't expecting it to lack the heaviness of their best albums (Vheissu, TAITA). It's a different sound for Thrice, I'll call it Alt-rock, and while I don't like it as much as their earlier, heavier stuff, it's still magnificent. The title track is brilliant as is The Weight. | 15 | | Every Time I Die New Junk Aesthetic
The first of three metalcore albums on this list. I don't know what to say about this album......hmm.... how about: it owns my shit every time I listen to it. | 16 | | Silversun Pickups Swoon
April 1 with Muse baby hells yah. This album is a bit of a grower but definitely worth the effort. You may as well pick this up seeing as Smashing Pumpkins suck now. | 17 | | Converge Axe to Fall
Damn you sputnik, you made me like Converge! I like the production on this much better than on Jane Doe and for me, with this type of music, that makes all the difference. I think I can safely say that this is the most brutal band I listen to. The sheer agression of the music is absolutely jaw-dropping and if I could decipher the lyrics (RARRRR RARRR RAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!) I'm sure I would be impressed by them. | 18 | | Mastodon Crack the Skye
Stupid concept yes, but it's still a great sounding record. The drumming in this band never fails to impress me. I saw them live twice last year and the second time, they played this album in full. It was wicked. | 19 | | Yeah Yeah Yeahs It's Blitz!
This album makes me want to dance...and I don't dance. | 20 | | August Burns Red Constellations
The only reason I've heard this is because I'm such a Waior fanboy and his review intrigued me. I'm glad I can't understand what the vocalist is saying because the lyrics are probably all christian. | 21 | | As Cities Burn Hell or High Water
Shit, I meant to put this at 17 but oh well. It's similar to Be Human in that it's essentially post-hardcore with an indie twist. I don't know if I'm late to pick up on that trend but I think it's fantastic. | 22 | | The Flaming Lips Embryonic
This is probably the least accessible album on this list. Upon the first listen, I knew I liked it but I had no idea why. In fact, I still don't know why. It's like one long crack-attack (I mean that in the best way possible). | 23 | | Isis Wavering Radiant
I hated this the first time I heard it but it grew on me. I don't know if "post-metal" is a genre but it should be. | 24 | | The Decemberists The Hazards of Love
Pretentious, over-the-top, but fantastic. I don't usually find myself paying attention to what the lyricist is saying unless I'm actively focussing on it but the story told by this album's lyrics are super fucked up, how could I not pay attention. I still like The Crane Wife better but this album was definitely worth my time (and it took up a lot of it). | 25 | | Lily Allen It's Not Me, It's You
Who knew mainstream pop could be good? This album is funny and also really enjoyable to listen to. If you don't like this album, you clearly listen to too much Black Metal. | 26 | | Honourable Mentions In No Particular Order | 27 | | Them Crooked Vultures Them Crooked Vultures
I was so worried that this would suck. | 28 | | The Mars Volta Octahedron | 29 | | P.O.S. Never Better
Hip-hop is probably the one genre (besides country) that I can't seem to get into. The overt sexism bugs the shit out of me (which is why I didn't care for Raekwon's supposed brilliant album). This was a refreshing take on the genre though and at least managed to keep me interested all the way through. | 30 | | fun. Aim and Ignite
Really good but super annoying after a couple of spins. | 31 | | Dinosaur Jr. Farm
This sounds exactly what you would expect it to sound like. Which is a good thing. | 32 | | Alexisonfire Old Crows / Young Cardinals
Huuuuuuuge dissapointment. Their worst album yet, but still good. Some tracks (Song of Privlege, Midnight Regulations) are atrocious, however. | 33 | | Bon Iver Blood Bank
EP of the year. | |
Aids
01.21.10 | Someone let me know how to get the album art to appear for It's Blitz! and Lily Allen please. | klap
01.21.10 | it's a glitch, i think it happens when you have an album with an apostrophe and then go back to edit the list for whatever reason, the art then disappears.
good list | Douglas
01.21.10 | How can't you hear the lyrics on constellations? ahah
Great list. Needs Paul Dempsey and Mumford and Sons though | ShineOn75
01.21.10 | this is a good list, couldn't agree more on 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 14, 17, 18, and 29.
See, that's a lot. | Knott-
01.21.10 | great great great list like awesome | robertsona
01.21.10 | wtf human of the year is probably the best song on far | Aids
01.21.10 | Wow we clearly like Regina Spektor for very different reasons then. That song bugs the crap out of me.
And I meant I can't decipher the lyrics on Constellations (with some exceptions) which is usual for me when we're talking about harsh vocals. It was mainly a joke to make fun of Chrisianity. I'm a dick. | Romulus
01.21.10 | Great list.
Still m-m-m-m-m midnight regulations is good if only for the lol factor | tombits
01.21.10 | Awesomely awesome list dude. | natey
01.21.10 | nice list. "Babys" off of Blood Bank is killer | EVedder27
01.21.10 | List is excelllllllent. Listening to 1 right now. | ninjuice
01.21.10 | "Seriously, what's not to like?"
Messy, unimpressive and unoriginal electro pop, basically.
Human of the Year is the best song on Far.
And the lyrics on Constellations are pretty easy to understand. | Aids
01.21.10 | You think MPP is "messy?" That's strange, I would say the compelte opposite but to each their own.
What's with people liking Human of the Year? What am I missing?
And I'll reiterate: "understand" was apparently the wrong word choice. Sorry, I don't have as good an ear for harsh vocals as everybody else apparently.
Thanks for the "good/great list" comments. Appreciated.
I know this is tacky but you guys should check out my best of live music in '09 list. I wrote it in the middle of the night so it got no love (like 6 comments and 3 of them were me haha) but took quite a bit of effort so check it out if you're interested. | Aids
01.21.10 | Holy shit I completely forgot about Supporting Caste by Propagandhi! Definitely top 10, in fact I may edit the list to that effect later... | Baphomet
01.21.10 | Nice mix of metal and indie. I aprove of this list! | Aids
01.21.10 | Apparently ninjuice is the only one who doesn't. I'm sowwy ninjuice. | Baphomet
01.21.10 | look at those puppy eyes, ninjuice, how can you not like this list?
srsñy thoug, the one thing here I can't consider Top of 09 material is 27 | ninjuice
01.21.10 | I never said I didn't like the list, in fact 1, 2, 6, 8, 17, 20, 24 and 28 are on my top 25. | Aids
01.21.10 | Alright fair enough, your first comment was all negative and junk, that's all. | Jash
01.22.10 | good list as usual man, looking forward to our jam sesh | GnarlyShillelagh
01.22.10 | If you want to get into a little hip-hop, try Hilltop Hoods' State of the Art. Not a lot of sexism prevalent in it; mostly a catchy and fun album with sweet beats.
Also, Clipse's Hell Hath No Fury. They like rapping about coke more than women, if you don't mind that. | DiceMan
01.22.10 | List is probably one of the ones I most agree with for 2009 best albums. Except your description for 30 is dead wrong. | GnarlyShillelagh
01.22.10 | 123 | ShadowAmI
01.22.10 | this is the best 09 list ive seen. ones id agree with are 1 ( well i wouldnt give it first but definite top 5), 3, 14, 17, 20, and 28.
thats not really a lot of similarities but i like how you took the time to describe why you like them all. | Aids
01.25.10 | Thanks GnarlyShillelagh for the rec. I saw it on the staff list but figured I wouldn't bother because I didn't think it would be any different (in terms of sexism etc.) but I'll check it out if you say that's absent. I like the idea of Hip-Hop but not the execution most of the time.
Sorry musicaddiction, I got pissed off with that album after like 3 spins. To each their own I suppose, I still like it for the occasional listen. |
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