Upon reflection, my inconsistencies and deficiencies seem quite consistent and relatively predictable these days. Like my chronically late Christmas cards (let's just call them holiday cards because the sentiment and period represented does include New Year), this post will be delivered a bit late and look back at some of my favorite music of 2009 while also looking forward. Approximately a month behind (my consistent tardiness usually means I'm about 10% behind schedule) traditional best of 2009 reviews, this one is neither comprehensive nor scientific. It just contains the music I like from my hours tuning into satellite radio (primarily SiriusXMU that focuses on indie rock) but also includes some reflections on some new wave tunes from the '80s. No apologies but after this sentence, there will be no further mention of Lady Gaga, Eminem, Miley Cyrus, Jay-Z, Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift or Rihanna. Full disclosure: I have not listened to terrestrial radio in more than two years.
With my new job in January '09 came a significant increase in time spent in my car with SiriusXM. Despite some minor shortcomings, I am very pleased with all the options presented by satellite radio. Of course, I get the filter of SiriusXM's bias, but it is far less restrictive than the bias of say a clear channel or citadel radio station. It's fun to look back nostalgically on my favorite songs of decades past but more importantly, it's even better to peer into future at the bands and music that keeps me young.
Here goes with my Best of 2009. The lists below include my favorite new bands and the songs (and video) that turned me on to them along with a list of old friends that created some good music in 2009 and some friends whose music keeps finding its way into my ears. Take a look at the list and the links below (and to the right) and let me know what you think. I hope you enjoy and perhaps find some new music to make your life a little more enjoyable.
New friends found or re-discovered in 2009:
24. Kid Cudi and MGMT (Pursuit of Happiness)
23. Throw Me the Statue (Lolita)
22. The Decemberists (The Rake's Song)
21. Spoon (The Underdog)
20. Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Maps)
19. Passion Pit (The Reeling)
18. Fanfarlo (Harold T. Wilkins)
17. Peter Bjorn and John (Nothing To Worry About)
16. Dirty Projectors (Stillness is the Move)
15. Bat For Lashes (Daniel)
14. Bon Iver (Blood Bank)
13. Big Pink (Velvet)
12. Arcade Fire, from Soundtrack to Where the Wild Things Are and Neon Bible (Wake Up, Neighborhood, Black Mirror)
11. Port O'Brien (My Will is Good)
10. Antlers (Kettering)
9. Santogold (L.E.S. Artistes)
8. Shout Out Louds (Walls)
7. Black Keys with The Blak Roc Project (Ain't Nothing Like You)
6. The Thermals (Now We Can See)
5. White Rabbits (Percussion Gun)
4. Japandroids (Racer X and Young Hearts Spark Fire)
3. Deer Tick (Easy)
2. Andrew Bird (Anonanimal)
1. The XX (Crystalised, Basic Space)
Big buzz, hot indie bands that I just don't get:
Especially Vampire Weekend. Damn, they are pushing these guys and I just don't see it. I guess it took me a while to warm up to bands like Radiohead but I don't think these guys are very original or good, for that matter. Also, Animal Collective and Grizzly Bear keep getting perfect 10s from Pitchfork.com and lots of best of 2009s and I'm not quite seeing it. However, I do like the new Animal Collective song more and more and will keep tuned there.
1. Vampire Weekend
2. Grizzly Bear
3. Animal Collective
4. Atlas Sound
5. Girls
6. Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Old friends that put out worthwhile music in 2009:
1. U2
2. Sonic Youth
3. Dinosaur Jr.
4. Radiohead
5. Ian McCulloch
6. Depeche Mode
Old friends (including above) that are standing the test of time:
1. The Ramones
2. The Clash
3. Elvis Costello
4. Superchunk
5. Pixies
6. Anything with Bob Mould
7. Uncle Tupelo
8. The Jayhawks
9. The Police
10. Talking Heads
11. Big Country (specifically "In a Big Country")
12. Alphaville (specifically "Forever Young"
Have a great 2010 and beyond...
