Favorites of 2009

Michael (The Walrus) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:36:44 +0000

It was a great year for music, in my opinion. Here’s a list of albums and songs that I loved this year. If you haven’t previously heard something on the list, take a chance and give it a listen. And please, let me know some of your own favorites in the comments!

***********Favorite Albums***********

Memory Tapes – Seek Magic {MP3 Download: “Plain Material”} {Buy It}
The most fully realized and beautiful electronic album of the year. Former Hail Social-er Dayve Hawk combines his previous projects Memory Cassette and Weird Tapes into one interstellar, electro funk classic.

The xx – The xx {MP3 Download: “Basic Space”} {Buy It}
I once heard this album described as Young Marble Giants crossed with Sade, but there is something more unique about it. Maybe it’s the fact that it’s unlike most music in today’s current indie climate. Or perhaps it’s because it’s genuinely fragile and honest – qualities that are sometimes lacking in said climate.

Sun Airway – Oh, Naoko EP {Free EP Download}
This self-released EP from Philly duo Jon Barthmus and Patrick Marsceill is a romantic and extremely detailed mini-masterpiece of electronic beauty. I have a feeling we’ll be hearing a lot more about these guys in the near future…

Micachu and the Shapes – Jewellery {MP3 Download: “Just In Case” } {Buy It}
A debut album like this should not be overlooked. Micachu is a brilliant new talent who has, for my money, made the most adventurous pop album of the year.

The Big Pink – A Brief History of Love {MP3 Download: “Dominoes” } {Buy It}
The Big Pink’s debut contains one pulverizing anthem after another. It’s a mix of brooding industrial tones and aggressive guitars set against somber, yet soaring vocals. They recently killed it at Johnny Brenda’s during their first US tour. This band could get huge.

Various Artists – Not Given Lightly: A Tribute To the Giant Golden Book Of New Zealand`s Alternative Music Scene {Video: It’s a Musical – “All My Hallowness To You” (Tall Dwarfs Cover)} {Buy It}
Thomas Morr, owner of Morr Music likes to invite his label’s artists to create tribute albums for the music he loved growing up. While previous comps payed tribute to one band (Morrissey, Slowdive), this one pays tribute to an entire scene. New Zealand’s ’80s DIY scene (Flying Nun Records…) set the stage for what we now know as “indie-rock” in the classic sense. Here, the music of groundbreaking artists like The Bats, The Chills and Chris Knox is re-imagined with an electronic edge by established and new bands on Morr’s label. The second half of the comp features new material from those new bands.

Kurt Vile – Childish Prodigy {MP3 Download: “Overnite Religion”} {Buy It}
Our own hometown Lou Reed. All aboard “The Freak Train”!

Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix {Video: “1901″} {Buy It}
In what sounds like the culmination of 8 excellent music making years, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is a bold and electrifying release that only becomes more enjoyable upon repeated listens.

Stegosaurus Trap – Miniature Maze {MP3 Download: “Broken Castles”}
This one came out of nowhere and blew my mind. It’s a purely DIY statement of beautiful psych-folk music. The album was being offered for free through his MySpace page, but the link seems to be down. Message him directly on there and ask for it.

Taken By Trees – East of Eden {MP3 Download: “Watch the Waves”} {Buy It}
Lovely, Eastern tinged-pop from the former singer of The Concretes. It also features a brilliant cover of Animal Collective’s “My Girls”, re-titled “My Boys”.

Nurses – Apple’s Acre {MP3 Download: “Caterpillar Playground”} {Buy It}
Often thrown into the freak-folk category, Nurses’ sample-heavy, back-woods psychedelia transcends the genre with a warm and warped grin.

Julian Casablancas – Phrazes For the Young {Stream: “11th Dimension”} {Buy It}
Simply put, this should’ve been the second record from The Strokes.

Animal Collective – Merriweather Post-Pavillion {Video: “Summertime Clothes”} {Buy It}
The enigmatic Baltimore crew steps up their game for their most accessible and realized album to date.

Fontän – Winterhwila {MP3 Download: “Early Morning”} {Buy It}
A mix of Swedish pop, English prog and imaginary film soundtracks from a couple of brilliant musicians on the same label as Studio. Mesmerizing and painfully overlooked.

Fuck Buttons – Tarot Sport {Video: “Surf Solar”} {Buy It}
If Brian Eno’s music has evolved into noisy trance, this would be the result. What’s more awesome is this interview they did with Joe from Breakfast at Sulimay’s!

Bat For Lashes – Two Suns {Video: “Daniel”} {Buy It}
What beats Natasha Khans angelic and mystical voice when it’s met with sweeping electronic arrangements? Yep, you guessed it. Nada!

Metric – Fantasies {MP3 Download: “Satellite Mind”} {Buy It}
Oh really, Metric? Are you really going to come back after a 4 year hiatus and blow my mind with a kick-ass stadium rock record? Yes? Well, good because I’m loving it.

Favorite songs after the jump…

***********Favorite Songs***********

Kid Cudi ft. Ratatat & MGMT – “Pursuit of Happiness” {Stream It}
Spacey Hip-Hop PERFECTION!

Animal Collective – “My Girls” {Watch the Video}
Who needs drugs, when we have this?

Surfer Blood – “Swim (To Reach the End)” {MP3 Download}
If you like The Shins, but wished they rocked harder.

Fan Death – “Reunited” {Watch the Video}
Dark, orchestral disco from the lower depths.

Sun Airway – “Oh, Naoko” {MP3 Download}
Too beautiful for words.

The Big Pink – “Dominoes” {MP3 Download}
A two-headed Verve/Jesus and Mary Chain monster!!!

Phoenix – “1901″ {MP3 Download}
These guys can’t mess up, can they?

Fever Ray – “If I Had a Heart” {MP3 Download} {Watch the Video}
I prefer her work with The Knife, but this is perfectly haunted.

The King Khan & BBQ Show – “Invisible Girl” {MP3 Download}
If you’re gonna listen to one “garage rock” song this year, make it this one.

Matias Aguayo – “Rollerskate” {MP3 Download}
The Argentinian Bobby McFerrin?

Blank Dogs – “Setting Fire to Your House” {Watch the Video}
A more evil Interpol.

Kurt Vile – “Freak Train” {Watch the Video}
Philly’s constant hitmaker with his best tune to date. 7 minutes of awesomeness.

Yo La Tengo – “Nothing to Hide” {Watch the Video}
Still know how to write a great pop song.

Smith Westerns – “Girl in Love” {MP3 Download}
This is what T-Rex might have sounded like if he had recorded his music in his bedroom.

Yura Yura Teikoku – “Dekinai” {MP3 Download}
Loopy Japanese rock and their name means “Unstable Government”. Coup! Coup!

Handsome Furs – “I’m Confused” {MP3 Download}
If you don’t like to dance, don’t listen to this song.

Fanfarlo – “Harold T. Wilkins” {Watch the Video}
The British, more bouncy version of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

Gildon Works – “Forth But First” {MP3 Download}
It’ll make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

Woods – “Sunlit” {MP3 Download}
Summer, please come back.

Asobi Seksu – “Me & Mary” {Watch the Video}
Wintery Shoegaze.

Neon Indian – “Deadbeat Summer” {MP3 Download}
Acid disco through blown-out speakers.

Bishop Allen – “The Ancient Commonsense of Things” {MP3 Download}
The most humble pop song of the year.

Little Dragon – “Swimming” {Watch the Video}
“Ooo, Ooo” – minimalist, baroque pop

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band – “Who’s Asking” {MP3 Download}
If you want high-energy, choppy guitars with hints of Math-rock and late ’90s, look no further. Oh, and the drummer kicks total ass!

Nobunny – “Motorhead with Me” {MP3 Download}
Do you like that girl? Make her a mix with this on it.

Also, there were tons of great videos this year but, hands down, this is my favorite music video of the year:

Favorite Records of 2009 So Far…

Michael (The Walrus) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:48:30 +0000

It’s a little passed the halfway point of the year and since I will not be posting again until next Tuesday or Wednesday, (heading to LA for a little vacation) I thought this might be a cool post to leave you with. In no particular order, favorites thus far:

Micachu and the Shapes – Jewellery
{MP3} “Golden Phone” | Buy it

Stegosaurus Trap – Miniature Maze
{MP3} “Rue Trails” | FREE album download

Sun Airway – Oh, Naoko EP
{MP3} “Oh, Naoko” | FREE EP download

Various Artists – Not Given Lightly – A Tribute To the Giant Golden Book Of New Zealand`s Alternative Music Scene
{Stream} Various Songs | Buy it

Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavillion
{Video} “My Girls” | Buy it

Metric – Fantasies
{MP3} “Help, I’m Alive” | Buy it

Woods – Songs of Shame
{MP3} “To Clean” | Buy it

Bat For Lashes – Two Suns
{Video} “Daniel” | Buy it

Bishop Allen – Grrr…
{MP3} “The Ancient Commonsense of Things” | Buy it

Bibio – Ambivalence Avenue
{Stream} Various Songs | Buy it

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Favorites of 2009

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Favorite Records of 2009 So Far…