Best of 2009.
Since I am stuck in my house SICK I thought I'd do my favourite albums & songs of 2009 to bid farewell to the old year, I'm sort of a day late but whatever. Here's hoping there will be much more excellent music to come in 2010!
This post has a SHIT TON of music in it, just sayin'
MY TOP TEN ALBUMS OF THE YEAR;
[IAMX ~ Kingdom of Welcome Addiction.]
Chris Corner did it again, his lyrics are about everything dark you could probably think of but he makes the subject beautiful in his own twisted way, athough nothing he does will ever compare to The Alternative IMO, this is still an amazing album.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs ~ It's Blitz!]
Every single fucking song on this album is a joyful ride through upbeat guitar riffs and Karen O's unique voice, hardcore fans might slap me but I think this is their best album.
[Metric ~ Fantasies.]
This band does not get enough credit for their work, Emily Haines has fantastic stage presence and her energy really comes through on the album. They have quite a unique sound so it's difficult to compare them to other bands, but if you like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, you'd probably like Metric.
[Lady Gaga ~ The Fame Monster.]
Surprisingly catchy and glitzy pop, fun to listen to and the videos are actually pretty fucking gorgeous to watch. You gotta hand it to her, she has style. Whether or not she's batshit insane is another question.
[Editors ~ In This Light and On This Evening.]
This album is a massive change from their previous sound, a lot more synthesiser but I love it. Tom Smith's voice likens the band to that of Depeche Mode and Interpol, definitely worth a listen.
[The Dead Weather ~ Horehound.]
Jack White's new project, and it's a whole lot different (and IMO better) than The Raconteurs, Allison Mossheart's influence gives the album a grungier, more guitar-based sound, if you like bands like The Black Keys or Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, download this.
[La Roux ~ La Roux.]
A whole album if just outrageously fun pop, Elly Jackson's voice is definitely unique and although this album has no amazing musical talent, per se, it's just really fucking fun to listen to.
I may or may not have cheated with the next 3, they're not exactly from 2009 but they're albums I've listened to obsessively pretty much this whole year :')
[Laura Marling ~ Alas I Cannot Swim.]
An album full of beautiful, airy songs each with their own dreamlike quality. Her voice sounds slightly like Karen O's at her most mellow but her music is relaxing, calming and different from the plethora of other female singer-songwriters out there.
[Ratatat ~ Classics.]
You would think that an album full of lyricless songs, purely comprised of synthesisers and guitars would get a bit boring. But definitely not, this album's their best but the fact that I still say it's worth listening to their other albums shows how excellent this one is.
[Ladytron ~ Velocifero.]
An album full of electronic, psychadelic sounds. Very different sounding to their other albums, listen if you like other electro-based acts like Klaxons or Simian Mobile Disco.
MY TOP EIGHTEEN SONGS OF THE YEAR;
This was difficult because some of my favourite songs are on the albums posted above, but I didn't want there to be any repeats so this isn't that accurate, but whatever, MUSIC.
18. [Mongrel ~ Julian.]
Made up of people from Arctic Monkeys, Reverend & the Makers and Babyshambles this band draws on sounds from all of them. Essentially gritty English indie rock, it works surprisingly well, especially in this song.
17. [Muse ~ Uprising (Does it Offend You, Yeah? Remix).]
The first time I listened to this I was like LOLNO, but then I listened again and realised it was actually really awesome, if a little grating at times (but only in a good way!)
16. [David Guetta feat. Akon ~ Sexy Bitch.]
Because sometimes you just need a misogynistic, fun pop song that you can dance to on a list like this.
15. [AC/DC ~ Thunderstruck (Crookers Remix).]
You will think that nothing can outdo the original song, then you will listen to this and wonder why they only say 'shakin' once in this original and you will be sad. At least that's what happened to me.
14. [Jason Derulo ~ Watcha Say.]
You'd think it would be hard to turn an Imogen Heap song into a meld of R&B and indie alternative pop, but it works rather well actually.
13. [Franz Ferdinand ~ Ulysses.]
From one of my favourite bands came an album that, at first, did not seem that great. It takes a few listens to appreciate their extremely different sound, but that's what I like about them, they can change so dramatically and still retain their own specific sound. Give it a chance. It also clearly has nothing to do with how sexy Alex Kapranos sounds when he says, 'but last night was wild' NOT AT ALL.
12. [Placebo ~ For What It's Worth.]
Their new album doesn't even compare to Meds and really this is one of the only good songs on it, but it is GOOD. Especially the chorus.
11. [Metric ~ Monster Hospital (MSTRKRFT remix).]
So much better than the original song, it's one of those tracks that just makes you want to dance.
10. [The Hood Internet ~ Billie "Wildcat" Jean.]
The Hood Internet always manage to take the best of whatever songs they're remixing to make this glorious, insane mix. Which is exactly what this is, wondrous in it's absolute randomness.
09. [Kasabian ~ Where Did All The Love Go?]
One of three amazing songs on their latest album (the other two being Fire and Thick as Thieves) it's melodic and on the whole quite a different sound for them.
08. [Grizzly Bear ~ Two Weeks.]
I don't know this band very well but I love this song, it's a slow escape into the sound of the summer.
07. [Paolo Nutini ~ Candy.]
I never really liked Paolo Nutini much but then I heard this song and semi changed my mind. It's summery and gorgeous and bittersweet, perfect for when you just need to chill.
06. [Florence & the Machine ~ Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up).]
Best song on her album, and even though the video looks like a home-made pagan documentary on how to frolic barefoot in fields, it does have that vibe to it. It'll always remind me of the summer of 2009.
05. [VV Brown ~ Shark in the Water.]
It was hard to pick the best VV Brown songs, her whole album is pretty good but this one is especially catchy, she has an awesome retro sound which is hard to dislike.
04. [Bloc Party ~ One More Chance.]
Another of my favourite bands, producing yet another excellent track. I don't think they've made a song I don't like and they're exactly like Franz Ferdinand in that they change dramatically each album and yet they're always fundamentally Bloc Party. This is no different, a lot more piano but it works. I applaud you Kele & crew.
03. [Bat for Lashes ~ Glass.]
Natasha Khan has the most unique sound of anyone this year, I think, she's classified as 'dreamy indie' on my iTunes but it's more than that, her lyrics conjure up images of epic fairytales and her voice is an instrument in itself.
02. [Marina & the Diamonds ~ Obsessions.]
Definitely one of my favourite new artists of 2009, I think this song is her best, upbeat, catchy and showing off her Regina Spektor-eqsue voice.
01. [White Lies ~ To Lose My Life.]
They sound like a conglomeration of Editors and Interpol, and this song is by far their best. It changes styles several times within the song, soaring from downbeat and dark to gloriously romantic and fulfilling. Harry McVeigh's voice is a rich, deep accompaniment.
[DOWNLOAD THE WHOLE .ZIP FILE.]
♠ My f-list may be supscious of the lack of Muse on this list, I figured that would be an obvious choice for me so I left them out, YOU GUYS KNOW I'D BE ALL OVER THAT SHIT LIKE BUTTER ON TOAST OTHERWISE.
♥ HAPPY NEW YEAR ♥
This post has a SHIT TON of music in it, just sayin'
MY TOP TEN ALBUMS OF THE YEAR;
[IAMX ~ Kingdom of Welcome Addiction.]
Chris Corner did it again, his lyrics are about everything dark you could probably think of but he makes the subject beautiful in his own twisted way, athough nothing he does will ever compare to The Alternative IMO, this is still an amazing album.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs ~ It's Blitz!]
Every single fucking song on this album is a joyful ride through upbeat guitar riffs and Karen O's unique voice, hardcore fans might slap me but I think this is their best album.
[Metric ~ Fantasies.]
This band does not get enough credit for their work, Emily Haines has fantastic stage presence and her energy really comes through on the album. They have quite a unique sound so it's difficult to compare them to other bands, but if you like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, you'd probably like Metric.
[Lady Gaga ~ The Fame Monster.]
Surprisingly catchy and glitzy pop, fun to listen to and the videos are actually pretty fucking gorgeous to watch. You gotta hand it to her, she has style. Whether or not she's batshit insane is another question.
[Editors ~ In This Light and On This Evening.]
This album is a massive change from their previous sound, a lot more synthesiser but I love it. Tom Smith's voice likens the band to that of Depeche Mode and Interpol, definitely worth a listen.
[The Dead Weather ~ Horehound.]
Jack White's new project, and it's a whole lot different (and IMO better) than The Raconteurs, Allison Mossheart's influence gives the album a grungier, more guitar-based sound, if you like bands like The Black Keys or Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, download this.
[La Roux ~ La Roux.]
A whole album if just outrageously fun pop, Elly Jackson's voice is definitely unique and although this album has no amazing musical talent, per se, it's just really fucking fun to listen to.
I may or may not have cheated with the next 3, they're not exactly from 2009 but they're albums I've listened to obsessively pretty much this whole year :')
[Laura Marling ~ Alas I Cannot Swim.]
An album full of beautiful, airy songs each with their own dreamlike quality. Her voice sounds slightly like Karen O's at her most mellow but her music is relaxing, calming and different from the plethora of other female singer-songwriters out there.
[Ratatat ~ Classics.]
You would think that an album full of lyricless songs, purely comprised of synthesisers and guitars would get a bit boring. But definitely not, this album's their best but the fact that I still say it's worth listening to their other albums shows how excellent this one is.
[Ladytron ~ Velocifero.]
An album full of electronic, psychadelic sounds. Very different sounding to their other albums, listen if you like other electro-based acts like Klaxons or Simian Mobile Disco.
MY TOP EIGHTEEN SONGS OF THE YEAR;
This was difficult because some of my favourite songs are on the albums posted above, but I didn't want there to be any repeats so this isn't that accurate, but whatever, MUSIC.
18. [Mongrel ~ Julian.]
Made up of people from Arctic Monkeys, Reverend & the Makers and Babyshambles this band draws on sounds from all of them. Essentially gritty English indie rock, it works surprisingly well, especially in this song.
17. [Muse ~ Uprising (Does it Offend You, Yeah? Remix).]
The first time I listened to this I was like LOLNO, but then I listened again and realised it was actually really awesome, if a little grating at times (but only in a good way!)
16. [David Guetta feat. Akon ~ Sexy Bitch.]
Because sometimes you just need a misogynistic, fun pop song that you can dance to on a list like this.
15. [AC/DC ~ Thunderstruck (Crookers Remix).]
You will think that nothing can outdo the original song, then you will listen to this and wonder why they only say 'shakin' once in this original and you will be sad. At least that's what happened to me.
14. [Jason Derulo ~ Watcha Say.]
You'd think it would be hard to turn an Imogen Heap song into a meld of R&B and indie alternative pop, but it works rather well actually.
13. [Franz Ferdinand ~ Ulysses.]
From one of my favourite bands came an album that, at first, did not seem that great. It takes a few listens to appreciate their extremely different sound, but that's what I like about them, they can change so dramatically and still retain their own specific sound. Give it a chance. It also clearly has nothing to do with how sexy Alex Kapranos sounds when he says, 'but last night was wild' NOT AT ALL.
12. [Placebo ~ For What It's Worth.]
Their new album doesn't even compare to Meds and really this is one of the only good songs on it, but it is GOOD. Especially the chorus.
11. [Metric ~ Monster Hospital (MSTRKRFT remix).]
So much better than the original song, it's one of those tracks that just makes you want to dance.
10. [The Hood Internet ~ Billie "Wildcat" Jean.]
The Hood Internet always manage to take the best of whatever songs they're remixing to make this glorious, insane mix. Which is exactly what this is, wondrous in it's absolute randomness.
09. [Kasabian ~ Where Did All The Love Go?]
One of three amazing songs on their latest album (the other two being Fire and Thick as Thieves) it's melodic and on the whole quite a different sound for them.
08. [Grizzly Bear ~ Two Weeks.]
I don't know this band very well but I love this song, it's a slow escape into the sound of the summer.
07. [Paolo Nutini ~ Candy.]
I never really liked Paolo Nutini much but then I heard this song and semi changed my mind. It's summery and gorgeous and bittersweet, perfect for when you just need to chill.
06. [Florence & the Machine ~ Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up).]
Best song on her album, and even though the video looks like a home-made pagan documentary on how to frolic barefoot in fields, it does have that vibe to it. It'll always remind me of the summer of 2009.
05. [VV Brown ~ Shark in the Water.]
It was hard to pick the best VV Brown songs, her whole album is pretty good but this one is especially catchy, she has an awesome retro sound which is hard to dislike.
04. [Bloc Party ~ One More Chance.]
Another of my favourite bands, producing yet another excellent track. I don't think they've made a song I don't like and they're exactly like Franz Ferdinand in that they change dramatically each album and yet they're always fundamentally Bloc Party. This is no different, a lot more piano but it works. I applaud you Kele & crew.
03. [Bat for Lashes ~ Glass.]
Natasha Khan has the most unique sound of anyone this year, I think, she's classified as 'dreamy indie' on my iTunes but it's more than that, her lyrics conjure up images of epic fairytales and her voice is an instrument in itself.
02. [Marina & the Diamonds ~ Obsessions.]
Definitely one of my favourite new artists of 2009, I think this song is her best, upbeat, catchy and showing off her Regina Spektor-eqsue voice.
01. [White Lies ~ To Lose My Life.]
They sound like a conglomeration of Editors and Interpol, and this song is by far their best. It changes styles several times within the song, soaring from downbeat and dark to gloriously romantic and fulfilling. Harry McVeigh's voice is a rich, deep accompaniment.
[DOWNLOAD THE WHOLE .ZIP FILE.]
♠ My f-list may be supscious of the lack of Muse on this list, I figured that would be an obvious choice for me so I left them out, YOU GUYS KNOW I'D BE ALL OVER THAT SHIT LIKE BUTTER ON TOAST OTHERWISE.
♥ HAPPY NEW YEAR ♥