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Favourite albums from the year ending.


30. Jenny Wilson - Hardships
29. Pissed Jeans - King of jeans
28. Monotonix - Where were you when it happened?
27. Vivian Girls - Everything goes wrong
26. bob hund - Folk musik för folk som inte kan bete sig som folk
25. Wetdog - Frauhaus!
24. The Thermals - Now we can see
23. Staff Benda Bilili - Tres tres fort
22. Converge - Axe to fall
21. Tinariwen - Imidiwan
20. Jarvis Cocker - Further complications
19. Eels - Hombre lobo
18. Wooden Shjips - Dos
17. Lee Fields & The Expressions - My world
16. Mastodon - Crack the Skye
15. Mos Def - The Ecstatic
14. Richard Hawley- Truelove's gutter
13. Joose Keskitalo - Tule minun luokseni, kulta
12. Thåström - Kärlek är för dom
11. Woods - Songs of shame
10. Ola Podrida - Belly of the lion
9. Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Beware
8. Kurt Vile - Childish Prodigy
7. Thao with The Get Down Stay Down - Know better, learn faster
6. Vic Chesnutt - At the cut
5. Brendan Benson - My old, familiar friend
4. John Frusciante - The Empyrean
3. Group Bombino - Guitars from Agadez, vol. 2.
2. The Flaming Lips- Embryonic
1. Dinosaur Jr. - Farm

20. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca

Released 8/6/2009
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19. Muse - The Resistance

Released 11/9/2009
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18. Porcupine Tree - The Incident

Released 11/9/2009
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17. Brendan Benson - My Old, Familiar Friend

Released 18/8/2009
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16. 7 Worlds Collide - The Sun Came Out

Released 31/8/2009
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15. Bad Lieutenant - Never Cry Another Tear

Released 2/10/2009
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14. Dinosaur Jr. - Farm

Released 22/6/2009
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13. Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures

Released 16/11/2009
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12. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - The Live Anthology

Released 24/11/2009
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11. Depeche Mode - Sounds Of The Universe

Released 21/4/2009
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10. Nirvana - Live at Reading

Released 3/11/2009
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9. Wilco - Wilco (The Album)

Released 26/6/2009
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8. Dinosaur Jr - Farm

Released 22/6/2009
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7. Manic Street Preachers - Journal For Plague Lovers

Released 13/5/2009
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6. U2 - No Line On The Horizon

Released 3/3/2009
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5. Mika - The Boy Who Knew Too Much

Released 18/9/2009
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4. Antony & The Johnsons - The Crying Light

Released 19/1/2009
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3. Yo La Tengo - Popular Songs

Released 4/9/2009
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2. Phish - Joy

Released 8/9/2009
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1. The Cribs - Ignore The Ignorant

Released 7/9/2009
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Honourable mentions
- Wilco - Wilco [The Album]
- The Whip - x Marks Destination
- The Lemonheads - Varshons
- Girls - Album
- Morrissey - I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
- Black Label Society - Skullage
- Tinted Windows - Tinted Windows
- Method Man, Redman - Blackout! 2
- Mika - We Are Golden
- Band Of Skulls - Baby Darling Doll Face Honey

Created using OnDistantShores's Album Of The Year journal generator.

What a nightmare, my favourite year of the 00s, my heart is bleeding that I have to choose 10.

1. A Certain Trigger - Maxïmo Park

2. Worlds Apart - ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead

3. Funeral - Arcade Fire

4. I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning - Bright Eyes

5. Alligator - The National

6. Silent Alarm - Bloc Party

7. The Back Room - Editors

8. I Am a Bird Now - Antony and the Johnsons

9. Keine Lieder über Liebe - Hansen Band

10. Catch Without Arms - dredg

Runners-up (I know that this is ridiculous...): Picaresque - The Decemberists, You Could Have It So Much Better - Franz Ferdinand, Some Cities - Doves, Come On Feel The Illinoise! - Sufjan Stevens, The Alternative to Love - Brendan Benson, Leaders Of The Free World - Elbow, Mittelpunkt der Welt - Element of Crime, Demon Days - Gorillaz, Bang Bang Rock And Roll - Art Brut, Von Spatzen und Tauben, Dächern und Händen - Kettcar, Oceans Apart - The Go-Betweens, Late Registration - Kanye West, Lullabies To Paralyze - Queens of the Stone Age

NS's HOT 20 - - -
1. (-|1|1) Not Following You - Ellie Goulding
2. (5|2|2) I Need You - N-Dubz
3. (2|6|1) Heartbreaker - MSTRKRFT
4. (3|6|1) Guns + Horses - Ellie Goulding
5. (11|3|5) Sleepyhead (Starsmith Remix) featuring Ellie Goulding - Passion Pit
6. (1|3|1) Can You Tell - Ra Ra Riot
7. (13|6|7) Supernova featuring Kanye West - Mr Hudson
8. (10|5|8) Black and Gold - Sam Sparro
9. (9|4|1) Sincerely Hope It's You - Edith Backlund
10. (6|11|1) Epic Last Song - Does It Offend You, Yeah?
11. (4|3|1) Brightest Hour - The Submarines
12. (-|1|12) Opening Salvo - Blue Scholars
13. (8|4|7) Let's Dance to Joy Division - The Wombats
14. (-|1|14) Map of the Problematique - Muse
15. (7|7|1) New Goodbye - Hey Rosetta
16. (12|3|12) These Streets - Trolle//Siebenhaar
17. (14|9|4) Sticks 'n' Stones - Jamie T
18. (-|1|18) ...For No One - Pull Tiger Tail
19. (17|4|15) Moving to New York - The Wombats
20. (18|2|18) Books From Boxes - Maxïmo Park

OUT THIS WEEK - - -
(15|8|1) Heartbreak - Magistrates
(16|2|16) Stay Over - The Rescues
(19|4|14) Pogo - Digitalism
(20|1|20) West Coasts - Coconut Records


**Legend - - -
(LW|WC|PP)
LW : Last week's position
WC : Weeks on chart
PP : Peak Position


NS's WEEKLY PLAYLIST69 playlisted tracks (including new entries)

NEW ENTRIES - - -
The Airborne Toxic Event - Wishing Well
Amy Macdonald - This Is The Life
Blue Scholars - Opening Salvo
Brendan Benson - What I'm Looking For
Ellie Goulding - Not Following You
John Legend - Can't Be My Lover
Muse - Map of the Problematique
Nadia Oh - Got Your Number
Regina Spektor - Us
Say Anything - Do Better
Snoop Dogg - I Wanna Rock
Timbaland - If We Ever Meet Again featuring Katy Perry


[b]PLAYLISTED TRACKS - - -[/b]
(1|4) The Airborne Toxic Event - Wishing Well
(4|4) All Thieves - Turn and Turn Again
(4|4) All Time Low - Remembering Sunday
(1|4) Amy MacDonald - This Is the Life
(6|5) Anya Marina - Satellite Heart
(2|4) Babyshambles - Fuck Forever
(2|4) Ben Folds - Stillness Is in the Move
(2|4) The Blackout - This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things
(1|4) Blue Scholars - Opening Salvo
(9|4) Boy Crisis - Dressed to Digress
(1|4) Brendan Benson - What I'm Looking For
(2|4) Caesars - Jerk It Out
(3|4) Chairlift - Bruises
(2|4) Coconut Records - West Coasts
(2|4) Dangerous Muse - Give Me Danger
(10|5) Does It Offend You, Yeah? - Dawn of the Dead
(11|5) Does It Offend You, Yeah? - Epic Last Song
(5|5) Edith Backlund - Sincerely Hope It's You
(10|5) Ellie Goulding - Guns + Horses
(1|5) Ellie Goulding - Not Following You
(5|4) A Fine Frenzy - What I Wouldn't Do
(3|4) Foals - Cassius
(3|4) Grammatics - Relentless Fours
(4|4) Greg Laswell - Comes and Goes (In Waves)
(7|5) Hey Rosetta! - New Goodbye
(2|4) Imogen Heap - Swoon
(6|4) Interpol - Evil
(9|5) Jamie T - Sticks 'n' Stones
(9|5) Jamie T - Chaka Demus
(9|5) Jamie T - Sheila
(11|5) Jason DeRulo - Watcha Say
(1|4) John Legend - Can't Be My Lover
(4|4) K'naan - Wavin' Flag
(11|4) The Kooks - She Moves in Her Own Way
(11|5) Lights - The Listening
(9|5) Magistrates - Heartbreak
(5|4) Malika Ayane - Soul Waver
(6|4) Matt & Kim - Daylight
(8|4) Matt Costa - Astair
(2|4) Maxïmo Park - Books From Boxes
(3|4) MGMT - Kids
(8|5) Mr Hudson - Supernova featuring Kanye West
(6|5) MSTRKRFT - Heartbreaker featuring John Legend
(1|4) Muse - Map of the Problematique
(2|4) N-Dubz - I Need You
(1|4) Nadia Oh - Got Your Number
(4|4) The New Cities - Lost in City Lights
(2|4) OneRepublic - Good Life
(9|5) Owl City - Fireflies
(5|4) Passion Pit - Sleepyhead (Starsmith Remix) featuring Ellie Goulding
(7|4) Phoenix - Liztomania
(2|4) Pull Tiger Tail - ...For No One
(5|5) Ra Ra Riot - Can You Tell
(1|4) Regina Spektor - Us
(3|4) The Rapture - No Sex for Ben
(3|4) The Rescues - Stay Over
(2|4) Santogold - You'll Find a Way
(11|4) Sam Sparro - Black and Gold
(1|4) Say Anything - Do Better
(1|4) Snoop Dogg - I Wanna Rock
(5|5) Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars
(2|4) Steriogram - Walkie Talkie Man
(4|5) The Submarines - Brightest Hour
(6|4) Tegan and Sara - Don't Rush
(1|4) Timbaland - If We Ever Meet Again featuring Katy Perry
(3|4) Trolle//Siebenhaar- These Streets
(6|4) We Have Band - Hear It in the Cans (DIY Version)
(4|4) The Wombats - Moving to New York
(4|4) The Wombats - Let's Dance to Joy Division


[b]OFF THE PLAYLIST - - -[/b]
(3|4) Chris Cornell - Scream
(8|4) Cute Is What We Aim For - Newport Living
(9|4) Death Cab for Cutie - Cath...
(7|4) Digitalism - Pogo
(2|4) Discovery - Can You Discover?
(1|4) Natalie Walker - Waking Dream
(4|4) Noah and the Whale - 5 Years Time
(6|4) Snoop Dogg - Gangsta Luv featuring The-Dream
(2|4) Vanessa Carlton - A Thousand Miles
(2|4) Wyclef Jean - Slumgdog Millionaire featuring Cyndi Lauper aka Luscious Loo Lo


[b]**Legend - - -[/b]
(WP|RA)
WP: Weeks on playlist
RA: Rating out of 5 stars (i.e. 4 = 4/5 stars)

This list does not include plays/musicals, local bands or ticketless concerts/events.

1993 - dc Talk
1993 - Carmen
1995 - Crystal Bernard and Billy Dean
October 14, 1999 - Goo Goo Dolls & Tonic
September 28, 2000 - Matchbox Twenty
April 10, 2001 - Godsmack, Staind & Cold
August 15, 2001 - Nelly & St. Lunatics
December 29, 2001 - Barenaked Ladies
March 13, 2002 - Sugar Ray & Simple Plan
June 11, 2002 - blink-182 & Green Day
July 25, 2002 - Nickelback
August 6, 2002 - Area 2 Music Festival: Ash, Blue Man Group, Busta Rhymes, David Bowie, Moby, Dieselboy, Avalanches, Dj Tiesto, DJ Tim Skinner, John Digweed & Carl Cox
October 12, 2002 - Incubus & Hometown Hero
December 17, 2002 - The Night 89x Stole Christmas: Trust Company, The Used, The Vines, Zwan, New Found Glory, Good Charlotte & Box Car Racer
April 2003 - Counting Crowes (Working Personnel)
April 18, 2003 - Alkaline Trio
July 15, 2003 - Blues Traveler & Ziggy Marley
August 13, 2003 - Evanescence, Cold & some other bands
November 20, 2003 - 311 & Alien Ant Farm (Working Personnel)
January 9, 2004 - David Bowie & Macy Gray
December 1, 2004 - The Night 89x Stole Christmas 7: The Used, Taking Back Sunday, Franz Ferdinand, Jimmy Eat World, Good Charlotte
May 30, 2005 - 89x 14th Birthday Bash: The Sights, Lost City Angels, The Blue Van, Robbers on High Street, 30 Seconds to Mars, Louis XIV, Tegan and Sara, Acceptance, Unwritten Law, Motion City Soundtrack, Sum 41, Brendan Benson, Keane, The Killers
August 13, 2005 - James Taylor & Band
September 11, 2005 - Green Day & Jimmy Eat World
September 17, 2005 - 30 Seconds to Mars
October 9, 2005 - Rufus Wainwright
October 22, 2005 - Nickel Creek & The Ditty Bops
October 24, 2005 - U2 & Institute
October 25, 2005 - U2 & Institute
November 5, 2005 - 30 Seconds to Mars & Halestorm
December 10, 2005 - U2 & Institute
December 15, 2005 - Aerosmith and Lenny Kravitz

In an effort to organize myself for the arduous task of compiling a “Best of 2009” list or two (Albums? Tracks?) I have, here, a list of all the albums released in 2009 that I have listened to.

Without further ado, in reverse alphabetical order:

Yuksek - Away from the Sea
Yo La Tengo - Popular Songs
Various Artists - Dark Was the Night
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It’s Blitz!
YACHT - See Mystery Lights
xx - The XX
Woods - Songs of Shame
Wooden Shjips - Dos
Wild Light- Adult Nights
Wild Beasts - Two Dancers
Wilco - Wilco (The Album)
WhoMadeWho - The Plot
Whitest Boy Alive - The Rules
White Rabbits - It’s Frightening
White Lies - To Lose My Life
The Warlocks - Mirror Explodes
The Veils- Sun Gangs
Thomas Function - In the Valley of Sickness
Therapy? - Crooked Timber
The Temper Trap - Conditions
Sweet Billy Pilgrim - Twice Born Men
Swan Lake - Enemy Mine
Superdrag - Industry Giants
Super Furry Animals - Dark Days/Light Years
Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer
St. Vincent - The Actor
Sondre Lerche - Heartbeat Radio
Soap & Skin - Lovetune for Vacuum
The Snake the Cross the Crown - On A Carousel of Sound, We Go Round
Sky Larkin - The Golden Spike
Röyksopp - Junior
The Rifles - The Great Escape
Richard Hawley - True Love’s Gutter
The Raveonettes - In and out of Control
A Place to Bury Strangers - Exploding Head
PJ Harvey & John Parrish - A Woman A Man Walked By
Pink Mountaintops - Outside Love
Phoenix- Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Peter Bjorn and John - Living Thing
Pet Shop Boys - Yes
Patrick Wolf - The Bachelor
Patrick Watson - Wooden Arms
ThePains of Being Pure at Heart - S/T
Nouvelle Vague - 3
Neon Indian - Psychic Charms
Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
My Latest Novel - Deaths and Entrances
Muse- The Resistance
múm - Sing Along to Songs You Don’t Know
MSTRKRFT - Fist of God
Mr. Lif - I Heard it Today
Morrissey - Years of Refusal
Monsters of Folk- S/T
Modest Mouse - No One’s First, And You’re Next
Moderat - S/T
Miike Snow - S/T
Metric - Fantasies
Maxïmo Park/artist] - Quicken the Heart
Manic Street Preachers - Journal for Plague Lovers
Mando Diao - Give Me Fire
The Maccabees - Wall of Arms
M. Ward - Hold Time
Lucky Fonz III - A Family Like Yours
The Legends - Over and Over
La Roux - S/T
Kurt Vile - Childish Prodigy
Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
Julian Plenti - Julian Plenti….Is Skyscraper
JJ - jj N° 2
Jónsi & Alex - Riceboy Sleeps
Joker’s Daughter - The Last Laugh
Jarvis Cocker- Further Complications
Japandroids - Post-Nothing
Jack Peñate - Everything Is New
J Dilla - Jay Stay Paid
It Hugs Back - Inside Your Guitar
Islands- Vapours
Idlewild - Post Electric Blues
Heartless Bastards - The Mountain
Grizzly Bear- Veckatimest
Great Lake Swimmers - Lost Channels
Graham Coxon - The Spinning Top
God Help The Girl- S/T
Girls - Album
Generationals - Con Law
Ganglians - S/T
Fuck Buttons - Tarot Sport
Fruit Bats - The Ruminant Band
Florence + The Machine - Lungs
The Flaming Lips - Embryonic
The Field - Yesterday and Today
Fever Ray - Fever Ray
The Felice Brothers - Yonder is the Clock
Engineers - Three Fact Fader
Elephant Stone - The Seven Seas
Eels- Hombre Lobo
The Drums - Summertime!
Doves- Kingdom of Rust
Doom - Born Like This
The Dodos - Time to Die
Dinosaur Jr. - Farm
Depeche Mode - Sounds of the Universe
Dead Weather- Horehound
Dead Man’s Bones - S/T
Darker My Love - 2
Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse - Dark Night of the Soul
Dan Auerbach - Keep it Hid
Cymbals Eat Guitars - Why There Are Mountains
CondoFucks- Fuckbook
The Clues - Clues
The Cave Singers- Welcome Joy
Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career
Burning Hearts - Aboa Sleeping
Burial and Four Tet - Wolf Cub & Moth
Brendan Benson - My Old, Familiar Friend
The Boxer Rebellion - Union
Bombay Bicycle Club - I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose
Black Moth Super Rainbow - Eating Us
Bill Callahan - Sometimes I Wish I Were an Eagle
The Big Pink - A Brief History of Love
Bibio - Ambivalence Avenue
Beck - The Velvet Underground & Nico (Record Club Recording)
Bat for Lashes - Two Suns
Arctic Monkeys - Humbug
Antony and the Johnsons- The Crying Light
Antlers - Hospice
Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion
Alec Ounsworth - Mo Beaty
Akron/Family- Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free
A.A. Bondy - When the Devil’s Loose


In the same fashion I went about doing this last year I will do a Top Ten Albums countdown beginning 10 days before the end of the year. I am also thinking that I will do a Top Ten Tracks of 2009 that will begin 20 days before that. I better get to work on this quick like.

Did I miss anything particularly noteworthy? Please let me know if I did so I do not forget to check something or another that might be awesome but forgotten out!

Worst Album of the year: Kasabian
Worst Band of the year: Kings of Leon
Band Of The Year: Phoenix
Women Of The Year: Beyoncé
Man Of The Year: Justin Vernon
DJ/Remixer Of The Year: Aeroplane & Mr. Oizo
Song Of The Year:What Would I Want? Sky - Animal Collective
http://www.last.fm/user/nalwor/journal/2009/10/18/33dcf0_listomania:_best_of_2009

Album Of The Year:..................

Still debating over: Atlas Sound, The Avett Brothers, Coconut Records, DatA,The Drums, Editors, The Flaming Lips, Gallows, Riceboy Sleeps, Krazy Baldhead

Average albums: Golden Silvers, Cribs, Biffy Clyro, The Big Pink, Little Boots, Röyksopp, Speech Debelle, Tegan and Sara, The Temper Trap, A A Bondy, U2, Weezer, Prodigy, Andrew W.K., Dan Deacon, The Dead Weather, Discovery, Rain Machine, Sparklehorse, Wavves, Arctic Monkeys, Au Revoir Simone, Fever Ray, Brendan Benson

Overrated poop or just poop: The BPA, Dan Black,Dizzee Rascal, The Enemy, Esser, Frankmusik, Girls, Green Day, La Roux, White Lies, Florence & The Machine, Jack Penate, Kasabian

Nice but instantly forgetable: Clem Snide, David Gray, Calvin Harris, Brakes, Imogen Heap, Islands, Jeremy Jay,Jesse Rose, The Juan Maclean, Magic Arm, Patrick Wolf

Great film, soundtrack worth a mention: Clint Mansell - Moon

Great few singles but pretty average album: Futureheads,Jay-Z, Major Lazer,Miike Snow, Mika, Phonat, Paolo Nutini, Pete Doherty, Tiga, Wave Machines

Expected better from: Air, Basement Jaxx, Doves,Bob Dylan,Franz Ferdinand, Kid Cudi, Maps,Kings of Convenience, YACHT

Most disappointing: Simian Mobile Disco

Close but no banana: De La Soul, Andrew Bird, Animal Hospital,Antlers, Bell Orchestre, Black Lips, Blue Roses, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Delorean, HEALTH, Here We Go Magic, Neon Indian, Horrors, It Hugs Back, James Blackshaw, Julian Plenti, Junior Boys, Laura Gibson, Lily Allen, Maccabees,MSTRKRFT, Noah & The Whale, Regina Specktor, Reigns, White Denim, Maximo Park, Moby

36 - Manners - Passion Pit 7/10

Its hard not to like this album. Full of infectious vocals hooks, stomping pop rhythms and danceable synth grooves. Its just a little too much like Scissor Sisters than MGMT for me, and I always confuse the names of their songs because they all kinda sound the same.

Standout Track: To Kingdom Come

35 - Phrazes For The Young - Julian Casablancas 7/10

Short but packed with some killer hooks and choruses. What 'First Impressions Of Earth' should've sounded like.

Standout Track: Glass

34 - Fall Be Kind [EP] - Animal Collective 8/10

This e.p. makes the list just for 'What Would I Want? Sky'. Song is even better than 'My Girls'.

Standout Track: What Would I Want? Sky

33 - Journal For Plague Lovers - Manic Street Preachers 7/10

A pretty solid return from the only good band from Wales.

Standout Track: Jackie Collins Existential Question Time

32 - Dark Was The Night - Various Artists 8/10

A great collections of new and covered songs by some of the finest indie bands around.

Standout Track: Brackett, WI - Bon Iver

31 - Klang - The Rakes 7/10

"I just had a revolution, we've been f**ked by the institution, so we ain't got nothing to lose man"

Can't believe they've split up. One of the best Brit indie-rock bands.

Standout Track: The Final Hill

30 - The Resistance - Muse 7/10

Isn't the classic album i was hoping it would be but still, its Muse. hugely enjoyable as always.

Standout Track: Exogenesis: Symphony Pt 3: Redemption

29 - xx - The xx 7/10

One of the years best debut albums. Be interesting to see where they go next.

Standout Track: VCR

28 - The Kinks Choral Collection - Ray Davies 7/10

The legendary Ray Davies backed by a choir. Bliss!

Standout Track: Picture Book

27 - Live At The Hollywood Bowl - Van Morrison 7/10

Van Morrison plays Astral Weeks in all its full glory. The original album was music perfection and live it sounds just as wonderful. just wish i was there.

Standout Track: Sweet Thing

26 - Wilco (The Album) - Wilco 7/10

A few standout tracks but overall its a bit disappointing. Still, not including Wilco in a best of list would be like making a best of the 60s and not including The Beatles or the Stones. yeah, they're the 00s equivalent.

Standout Track: Solitaire

25 - Live in London - Leonard Cohen 8/10

Fantasmical! I've only listened to this a few times all the way through but each time i've enjoyed it so much. The sound is amazing and his interaction with the audience is so warm and intimate. Such a legend.

Standout Track: Who By Fire

24 - No More Stories Are Told Today, I'm Sorry, They Washed Away - Mew 8/10

Mew have always been one of those bands you have to keep an eye on cos you know they have the protential to make some amazing, and with this album i think they've finally done just that. Pretty stunning effort. Their strongest album by far.

Standout Track: Introducing Palace Players

23 - The Crying Light - Antony and the Johnsons 7/10

Beautiful melodies and the voice is as haunting as ever but overall, a little dull. Disappointing follow up to 'I Am A Bird Now'.

Standout Track: Aeon

22 - Unmap - Volcano Choir 7/10

Some of the songs and ideas seem a bit unfinished, but its Justin Vernon and the guys a genius.

Standout Track: Island, Is

21 - Two Suns - Bat for Lashes 7/10

A beautiful and bewitching album. I love how she writes from the heart and pours herself in to every song.

Standout Track: Daniel

20 - March of the Zapotec - Beirut 7/10

A short but pleasant listen.

Standout Track: Venice

19 - A New Tide - Gomez 8/10

Comeback of the year for me. Gomez have always been consistent in making beautiful, catchy pop songs but not since 'Bring It On' have they brought together such a strong collection of songs in one album. This deserves more attention.

Standout Track: Little Pieces

18 - The Invisible - The Invisible 8/10

Maybe a little high but this is a great British debut. Definitely worthy of the TVotR comparison and should of won the Mercury Prize this year.

Standout Track: Ok

17 - The Ecstatic - Mos Def 8/10

The finest Hip-hop album of the year.

Standout Track: Quiet Dog Bite Hard

16 - Pourriture - Mr. Oizo 8/10

Mr. Oizo remixes some of his best songs from 'Lambs Anger'. Sound better than the originals.

Standout Track: Steroids (Mr. Oizo Remix)

15 - Kings & Queens - Jamie T 8/10

The boy from Wimbledon has done it again creating another polished album of modern pop brilliance.

Standout Track: The Man's Machine

14 - The Uninvited Guest - Siriusmo 9/10

This is serious dance music. I'm sure this guy will soon be recognized as one of the biggest names in the genre. Incredible stuff!

Standout Track: High Together

13 - Elvis Perkins In Dearland - Elvis Perkins 8/10

Folk album of the year.

Standout Track: Doomsday

12 - Jewellery - Micachu 9/10

Produced by the brilliant Matthew Herbert, this is one of the most exciting and fresh albums of the year. So many clever ideas and arrangements. Micachu is a real talent. Like Kate Bush and PJ Harvey she has that star quality. A future British music icon.

Standout Track: Ship

11 - Resevoir - Fanfarlo 8/10

Standout Track: I'm A Pilot

When i first heard this i was overly critical thinking it was a poor British attempt at doing a Beirut but the more i listen to it the more i love it.

10 - Tarot Sport - Fuck Buttons 9/10

" A clusterfuck of noise and emotion".

Standout Track: olympians

09 - Actor - St. Vincent 9/10

I was quickly dismissive of this album when i first heard it, but now I've come to love it! Even better than her first! Marrow, The Strangers, The Party... so many great tracks!

Standout Track: The Strangers

08 - Bitte Orca - Dirty Projectors 8/10

Songs like Stillness Is The Move and Two Doves are so beautifully crafted. The whole album is just breathtaking.

Standout Track: Stillness Is the Move

07 - Veckatimest - Grizzly Bear 8/10

It's not 'Yellow House' but still a very polished album. Keeps you coming back for more.

Standout Track: Two Weeks

06 - It's Blitz - Yeah Yeah Yeahs 9/10

Every song is a gem.

Standout Track: Hysteric

05 - Flashmob - Vitalic 9/10

Its been over 4 years since 'OK Cowboy' but this was so worth the wait! Monster electronic future anthems. French music rules the dancefloor.

Standout Track: Terminateur Benelux

04 - Two Dancers - Wild Beasts 9/10

I was expecting something good after their promising debut but never thought it would be this good. Beautiful falsetto vocals, glittering guitars and shifting rhythms. Its an astounding piece of work. Best British album of the year.

Standout Track: All The King's Men

03 - Power - Boys Noize 9/10

Listening to this album, and' Jeffer' especially, i finally realise why so many people in the dance blogosphere hold them in such high regard. These guys are incredible.

Standout Track: Jeffer

02 - Merriweather Post Pavilion - Animal Collective 10/10

For most of the year it's been my favourite album of '09 but after seeing them twice headlining this year and both times leaving disappointed ive kinda lost a bit of love for AC. Still, theyre one of the most exciting and creative bands out there and this album is already a classic.

Standout Track: My Girls

01 - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - Phoenix 10/10



Been a massive fan since hearing Too Young off the Lost In Translation soundtrack back in 2002. One of the songs of the decade. They've made some great songs since - If I Ever Feel Better, Long Distance Call to name a few, but their albums haven't really been that strong and have left them under the radar... up till now. theyve finally made their standout album and one that is worthy of critical acclaim.

this is an awesome indie-pop album, from start to finish i can listen to this album over and over again and never get bored. full of catchy melodies, inventive pop hooks and infectious grooves. This is their 'Is This It', their 'OK Computer', 'Hunky Dory', 'Sgt Peppers'. This is a pop masterpiece.

Standout track: Love Like a Sunset

1. How did you get into 29? (Ben Folds)
Umm... I think it was through Ben Kweller since they formed The Bens w/Ben Lee. But I loooove "Zak & Sara," among others.

2. What was the first song you ever heard by 22? (We Are Scientists)
Probably "The Great Escape"

3. What's your favorite lyric by 33? (The Rakes)
"22 GRAND JOB!"

4. How did you get into 49? (The Stooges)
Weird but I don't have a 49, I have a tie for 48 so I'll say Stooges. But yeah, probably through the Ramones. Back when I was obsessed with all things CBGBs.

5. How many albums by 13 do you own? (Arctic Monkeys)
Own, hmm? Umm... I don't own so much as download but I think I just have the first one - I didn't like the 2nd one much.

6. What is your favorite song by 50? (The Stills)
Right now, probably "Retour a Vega" Loooove that song.

7. Is there a song by 39 that makes you sad? (The Ramones)
haha. Umm, well lyrics wise "KKK Took My Baby Away" because that was actually about Johnny stealing Joey's girl (he was the KKK) or "Outsider." Joey was so sad with his OCD. :(

8. What is your favorite song by 15? (The Shins)
Well, really ANYTHING on Chutes Too Narrow but probably "Young Pilgrims." That's the song that got me into them & I still think nothing has topped that for me with them yet.

9. What is your favorite song by 5? (The Vines)
That is insanely hard because I have such a soft spot for them but the bass line of "Fuck the World" just flippn kills me. I love it.

10. Is there a song by 6 that makes you happy? (Kaiser Chiefs)
Kaiser Chiefs?! Try every one of them. But at the moment probably "Ruby" just the whole chorus when they shout RUBY RUBY RUBY - love it!

11. What is the worst song by 40? (Interpol)
Hmmm... well I don't really listen to them much anymore, so I guess most of it. ha.

12. What is your favorite song by 10? (Spoon)
I'll just go with a classic "Small Stakes"

13. What is a good memory you have involving 30? (Brendan Benson)
Well, just my obsession with all things Jack White which thus involves Brendan Benson I loved the whole Cold Hands, Warm Heart album but not so much the Raconteurs, weird huh? I just don't think I care for Brendan & Jack together, hmm.

14. What is your favorite song by 38? (The Films)
"Thank Heaven (for Little Girls)" LOVE it!

15. Is there a song by 19 that makes you happy? (Hot Hot Heat)
"Bandages" just make me think back to high school when Michell & I loved them, went to their show then pretty much forgot all about them because Louis XIV opened for them & thus started our obsession.

16. Is there a song by 25 that makes you sad? (The Bravery)
Actually, no. Too upbeat.

17. What is the first song you ever heard by 23? (Louis XIV)
I think probably "Finding Out True Love is Blind." I went to there website before I saw them open for HHH & I think that was when that video came out.

18. What's your favorite lyric by 11? (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club)
"It's easy to fall in love
When you fall in love you know your done
you got easy eyes to hunt
when the world above needs your blood
and the cold vain to the richest man
They're paid away to steal our hand
There aint no easy way no there aint no easy way out "

19. Who is a favorite member of 1? (Elliott Smith)
Well, since he's only one guy I'm gonna have to go with Elliott.

20. Is there a song by 14 that makes you happy? (Franz Ferdinand)
"Michael" Still love it. Come & dance with me!

21. What is a good memory involving 27? (The Kills)
Just my sister & I getting my mom to love them, which is so utterly funny cause she's MY mom. But play "Sour Cherry" & she jams, dude.

22. What is your favorite song by 16? (Art Brut)
"Formed a Band" It was the song that got me into them & pretty much right back out. Loved his speech-sing.

23. What is the first song you ever heard by 47? (Death From Above 1979)
"You're a Woman, I'm a Machine" God, I LOVED them! Such a great band to just flippin rock out to.

24. What is your favorite album by 18? (OK Go)
The first one. Totally SOLD OUT after that.

25. What is your favorite song by 21? (The Lovely Feathers)
"In the Valley" God, I LOVE that song. They're whole catalog is amaaazing. Love them.

26. What is the first song you ever heard by 26? (Dirty Pretty Things)
"You Fucking Love It" and I FUCKING DID! Anything Carl does is perfect.

27. What is your favorite album by 3? (The White Stripes)
Wow, that is like asking which one of my children is my favorite, but since I don't have children I'm gonna go with Elephant.

28. What is you favorite song by 2? (The Beatles)
THE BEATLES?! You want me to choose my favorite Beatles song, well at this very moment I'm going to say "I'm So Tired." It will change in 15 minutes if you ask me again.

29. What was the first song you ever heard by 32? (The Who)
Geez, whatever the song my dad was listening to in the car on the way home from the hospital after I was born, probably. But I guess I'll say "My Generation"

30. What is you favorite song by 8? (Mando Diao)
"Mr. Moon"

31. How many times have you seen 17 live? (The Hives)
Once! Best live band on the planet! And that is totally true. Best show I've ever been to and that includes Paul McCartney and the White Stripes.

32. Is there a song by 44 that makes you happy? (Supergrass)
"Coffee in the Pot" Love that instrumental, baby.

33. How did you get into 12? (The Libertines)
Well, everything started with the Vines and eventually NME & how could you read NME in '04 & '05 without hearing about Pete & Carl.

34. What is the worst song by 45? (The Fratellis)
"Got Ma Nuts from a Hippy" Ehhhh.

35. What was the first song you ever heard by 34? (Shout Out Louds)
"The Comeback"

36. What is the first song you ever heard by 48? (Rooney)
Geez, probably "Blueside"

37. How many times have you seen 42 live? (Paul McCartney)
Why yes, I have. EPIC. Hearing "Hey Jude" live is something I'll remember forever.

38. What is you favorite song by 36? (Razorlight)
Hmmm "Golden Touch" maybe. 1st was golden, 2nd... not so much.

39. What was the first song you ever heard by 28? (Sahara Hotnights)
Well, I didn't know much about them before they opened for the Hives. So probably like "Hot Night Crash"

40. What is you favorite album by 7? (Arcade Fire)
Also like choosing a favorite child, but "Crown of Love" is so epic to me I want it played at my damn funeral.

41. Is there a song by 31 that makes you happy? (Sufjan Stevens)
I don't listen to him much but "Chicago" is a greaaat song.

42. What is your favorite album by 41? (Dane Cook)
Eh, the times when I thought he was funny. Baaaack in the day.

43. What is your favorite song by 24? (Sondre Lerche)
Oooh, I love him probably "Two Way Monologue"

44. What is a good memory you have involving 46? (Oh No! Oh My!)
Just loving that they make Audrey Hepburn references. Love them.

45. What is your favorite song by 35? (The Village Green)
"Under the Covers" They were a damn good P-town band.

46. Is there a song by 9 that makes you happy? (Ben Kweller)
I love "On My Way" Every lyric in that song is gold.

47. What is your favorite album by 4? (The Strokes)
Probably First Impressions of Earth it has grown on me so much. I love it & definately looking forward to the new one.

48. Who is a favorite member of 37? (The Subways)
Pshh... um the guy, I guess. I obviously don't know much about them.

49. What is the first song you ever heard by 43? (Belle & Sebastian)
Oh gosh, "Piazza, New York Catcher"

50. What is your favorite song by 20? (Sonic Youth)
"Incinerate" You're so chaste. I can't wait. To taste your face