It’s that time of the year, that we all select our favorite albums of the year. 2009 was an “ok year” for music. Here are my top 15 albums of 2009. I clearly may miss lots of the expected ones, but this is based on how much I have listened to the albums. The link to listen to the songs is at the end of this post. Enjoy!
15. Wilco – Wilco
I was not a fan of them before because honestly, I haven’t heard any of their previous albums. I decided to listen to their self titled album and I loved it. Song on mix: Sonny Feeling
14. Drake – So Far Gone
A free mixtape from a rather known unknown rapper named Drake. His singing style is more of an R&B singer, but don’t let this fool you, he can rap. His studio album was due in November but it was delayed. It doesn’t matter, he has a big challenge to top this mixtape that launched him to stardom. Song on mix: A Little Bit feat. Lykke Li
13. Brother Ali – US
This album was under the radar and I still think it is, but don’t be fooled, this is probably one of the best produced Hip-Hop albums in the past decade. I heard of this album on a reddit post. The post linked to a video preview of the album. Upon seeing this, that showed the recording sessions, it got me intrigued to listen to Brother Ali. Surely I was not disappointed. Don’t be fooled by his looks, he can rhyme. The beats and compositions are top notch. Worth checking out. Song on mix: Breakin Dawn
12. Taken By Trees – East Of Eden
I found of Taken by Trees on a gorillavsbear blog talking about one of my favorite Swedish groups, Studio. This album brings me to peace and makes time fly. This music will release your stress. Song on mix: Greyest Love Of All
11. Sub Focus – Sub Focus
I knew of this album for a long time before its release, but wow, it really surprised, in a completely pleasant way. This is labeled as a Drum & Bass album, but it’s more than that, it’s a great Electronic album. Sure, there is Drum & Bass, but there is Breakbeat, Techno, etc. Great dirty/clean basslines, great vocals, great everything. This album is full of energy. Song on mix: Could This Be Real
10. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
Probably the first good album to be released in 2009 was MPP. I loved Strawberry Jam, but I enjoyed this one more. This is not an album for everyone, but I think it should be. The way I describe Animal Collective, is a beautiful chaos. Song on mix: Brothersport
9. Mos Def – The Ecstatic
Mos Def does not disappoint with this album. This was a better album than his previous one, not saying that it was bad, but this one is better. He got his shit together, came back to put together a great album. Song on mix: Casa Bey
8. Fever Ray – Fever Ray
The first solo album from Karin Dreijer Andersson, the female singer from the The Knife. A dark and haunting album, a style similar to Björk’s Medúlla album. This is very similar to the work that she has done with The Knife, a blend of scary voices, synth instruments with acoustic instruments. Worth a listen. Song on mix: Keep The Streets Empty (Live)
7. Zero 7 – Yeah Ghost!
It seems that duo producers Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker, decided to explore a new style for this album. It seems taking a big risk, since the album features singers that they haven’t worked on previous albums. Their risk was worth taking, this is a beautiful album. It has a trail of their work, but in a much refreshed sound. They bring singer, Eska Mtungwazi, Martha Tilston, Jackie Daniels and Rowdy Superstar. Everything was expecting Sia or Jose Gonzalez on this album, something that I was disappointed at first, but after a listen of the album, I was over it. Song on mix: Medicine Man
6. Jay-Z – The Blueprint 3
The highly anticipated Hip-Hop of 2009, The Blueprint 3 by Jay-Z. With collaborations with almost everyone. This album delivers great tracks like “Run This Town” and “Empire State Of Mind”, as well as others. I don’t like the flow of the album as a whole, but I do like most of its songs. Song on mix: So Ambitious feat. Pharrell
5. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
This was a very solid fifth album by the French band. This made them a pop band in the US market. Don’t be fooled by it’s new label, th album is very well produced, which inspired other artists to do remixes and release a whole album, which can also be included on this list. They are crazy good, and it’s scary to listen to Thomas Mars talk, he barely speaks english, but his singing is amazing. I recommend this album as well as the Remixes album. Song on mix: Love Like A Sunset Part 1
4. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
Grizzly Bear might be a band worshipped by hipsters, but they can put beautiful melodies with beautiful words together, to create amazing ear candy. A mellow album overall, but very well produced. This is an album that I don’t have a problem to listen from beginning to end. Song on mix: Fine For Now
3. Kid CuDi – Man On The Moon: The End Of Day
After I heard his fan made mixtape album, I wanted to hear more from Scott. I instantly liked Kid CuDi, after listening to “Day N Nite”. Then his next big hit was “Make Her Say” (aka Poke Her Face), which I also instantly loved. I was excited to learn that one of my favorite musicians, Ratatat produced his first major album. “Pursuit of Happiness”, which features MGMT, it’s one of the best songs of 2009. Song on mix: Simple As…
2. The Xx – XX
I heard of this group from The Hype Machine lists. Initially I decided not to read who they were, just to listen to their music, and wow, just wow, it blew me away. Every song feels deep in emotion and feeling. It’s a beautiful sound that they this group of 20 year olds put together. Then I read it’s songs about sex (haha, awesome). Song on mix: Heart Skipped A Beat
1. Major Lazer – Guns Don’t Kill People… Lazers Do
This is an album that I kept hearing and reading about, but kept ignoring, I was a fool. I had mixed feelings on my first listening to this album, maybe my mood at the time. After a second listen, I haven’t being able to stop listening to it. Diplo and Switch collaborate in making this album, which seems like a new territory for them, but it clearly wasn’t. Diplo, having the M.I.A. Paper Planes fame, helped him to explore more of this afro-caribbean sound. They created this fictional character, which obviously you won’t take seriously, but you clearly have to take its music seriously. My favorite album of the year. Song on mix: Cash Flow feat. Jah Dan
To listen to it:
Albums of The Year
Update:
At the end of the year, I have noticed that the Internet becomes high school all over again. We tend to follow “the cool kids” of the Internet in regards with their music likings. I just have to say, that you have all the right to disagree with their lists and with my list. Have your own opinion on music, don’t let anyone tell you what’s good and what’s not, you make that judgement. Just be open in what they put up in the hopes you discover something you like. Cheers to a better music year in 2010.
