Good Old WarI'd be really surprised if people read this...so if you do, comment and let me know.
BEST ALBUMS
10. mewithoutYou - it's all crazy! it's all false! it's all a dream! it's alright
In my opinion, Brother, Sister was a much better album. It's All Crazy just never seemed to have the passion of the last few. I was just waiting for the songs to pick up, but they never really did. The album grew on me after a while, but I never fell in love with it.
9. The Glorious Unseen - The Hope That Lies In You
No sophomore slump here. The Glorious Unseen's follow-up to Tonight The Stars Speak holds some of the best new worship music I've heard recently. They stick to the formula previously set-up and really don't do anything out-of-the-ordinary or spectacular, but when you combine ambient indie/pop with worshipful lyrics, I dig it.
8. P.O.S. - Never Better
Since I've been making these lists, I can say for sure that I've never included a hip-hop album in my "best-of" lists. I'm not a big fan of hip-hop, period. P.O.S. is different. He's innovative, catchy, immensely talented, and basically the man. A lot of people say he sounds like Eminem, but I can say that P.O.S.'s lyrical content is 100% better. I can't really describe why I got into Never Better, but I think it was all the little things; the "real-ness", the cool beats, and his punk rock humility that highlighted this good album.
7. Frank Turner - Poetry Of The Deed
Having just gotten Frank Turner's first album, Love Ire & Song, getting his second album Poetry of the Deed wasn't high on my to-do list. But then I saw him open up for The Gaslight Anthem in Minneapolis and I knew I had to venture back to the merch table and pick it up. It was really cool to see that Frank was watching his own merch on such a big tour and it was great to talk to him. He told me "I hope our paths cross again" and I definitely agree. Pick up this album if you like folk rock, punk rock, english boys with banjos, sing-along anthems, or the acoustic guitar.
6. As Cities Burn - Hell Or High Water
Goodbye, As Cities Burn. At least you put out an album before you called it quits. And it's a good one. Almost completely moving away from post-hardcore, Hell or High Water is an album of Cody Bonnette's strong lyrics and passionate vocals, but this time, coupled with bluesy and progressive rock.
5. Deas Vail - Birds & Cages
This is an album full of beautiful pop music that does more to vary the songs than "All the Houses Look the Same". I'm still having a hard time figuring out the lyrics, but the every aspect of the music is perfect enough that I can take my time.
4. Gasoline Heart - Nostalgia Ain't What It Used To Be
Man, Louis DeFabrizio is honest. Angry, sometimes depressed, and honest. I don't know if Gasoline Heart will ever release an album that rivals You Know Who You Are, but I really hope Louis keeps trying. This album is getting there. I honestly think he is the most untalented musicians who still writes great songs. Rock and roll, etc.
3. Quiet Science - He Calls Me Diamonds
I've been following this band since they were (more or less) A Denver Mile and this album (maybe it's just an EP) is the best thing they've released. Quiet Science's sweepy, poetic, Floridian take on britpop will get them far. Check them out if you like Sleeping At Last, The Myriad, or Future of Forestry.
2. Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing
I almost chose this as my #1. Attempting to sound like an album reviewer, I'll call this urgent, yowling indie rock. They've perfected the stripped down sound while their songs remain complex and dynamic. I can't wait til they come through Iowa again on a headlining tour.
1. The Swellers - Ups and Downsizing
Woooo! Their second album + my first time hearing them = love at first listen. I wouldn't have gotten this unless they put all the songs up on myspace. Every songs on here is good, most are great. I haven't heard such a well-done pop-punk/rock album in a loooooong time. Get it, or at least check them out. My #1 band to see live right now.
Honorable Mentions
Dear Landlord - Dream Homes
Bomb the Music Industry! - Scrambles
Austin Lucas - Somebody Loves You
EPs
There were a lot of awesome EPs released this year. So I'll go top ten.
1. Abandon Kansas - We're All Going Somewhere
2. Here's My Chance - You Had It Coming
3. The Envy Corps - Kid Gloves
4. Saintseneca - s/t
5. The Riot Before - Fists...Out of Sockets
6. Geronimo! - A Different Kind of Greatness
7. Farewell Continental - s/t
8. Lipona - Pigeonholed
9. We Are the Union - The Gun Show Must Go On
10. Paint It Black - Amnesia
Albums I Really Need To Get
Take It Back! - Atrocities
Showbread - The Fear of God
Thrice - Beggars
Paramore - Brand New Eyes
Tegan & Sara - Sainthood
2008 Late Pass (the best albums from 2008 I didn't get until 2009)
Good Old War - Only Way To Be Alone
La Dispute - Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair
Frank Turner - Love, Ire, & Song
Fucked Up - the Chemistry of Common Life
BEST OF 2009 MIXTAPE
Best Concert: Frank Turner, The Loved Ones, Murder By Death, and The Gaslight Anthem in Minneapolis
Best Movie: District 9
Best new TV Show: Community
ACCORDING TO LAST FM
Most listened to band: The Gaslight Anthem
Most listened to record: Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing
Most listened to song: Good Old War - Coney Island
BEST ALBUMS
10. mewithoutYou - it's all crazy! it's all false! it's all a dream! it's alright
In my opinion, Brother, Sister was a much better album. It's All Crazy just never seemed to have the passion of the last few. I was just waiting for the songs to pick up, but they never really did. The album grew on me after a while, but I never fell in love with it.
9. The Glorious Unseen - The Hope That Lies In You
No sophomore slump here. The Glorious Unseen's follow-up to Tonight The Stars Speak holds some of the best new worship music I've heard recently. They stick to the formula previously set-up and really don't do anything out-of-the-ordinary or spectacular, but when you combine ambient indie/pop with worshipful lyrics, I dig it.
8. P.O.S. - Never Better
Since I've been making these lists, I can say for sure that I've never included a hip-hop album in my "best-of" lists. I'm not a big fan of hip-hop, period. P.O.S. is different. He's innovative, catchy, immensely talented, and basically the man. A lot of people say he sounds like Eminem, but I can say that P.O.S.'s lyrical content is 100% better. I can't really describe why I got into Never Better, but I think it was all the little things; the "real-ness", the cool beats, and his punk rock humility that highlighted this good album.
7. Frank Turner - Poetry Of The Deed
Having just gotten Frank Turner's first album, Love Ire & Song, getting his second album Poetry of the Deed wasn't high on my to-do list. But then I saw him open up for The Gaslight Anthem in Minneapolis and I knew I had to venture back to the merch table and pick it up. It was really cool to see that Frank was watching his own merch on such a big tour and it was great to talk to him. He told me "I hope our paths cross again" and I definitely agree. Pick up this album if you like folk rock, punk rock, english boys with banjos, sing-along anthems, or the acoustic guitar.
6. As Cities Burn - Hell Or High Water
Goodbye, As Cities Burn. At least you put out an album before you called it quits. And it's a good one. Almost completely moving away from post-hardcore, Hell or High Water is an album of Cody Bonnette's strong lyrics and passionate vocals, but this time, coupled with bluesy and progressive rock.
5. Deas Vail - Birds & Cages
This is an album full of beautiful pop music that does more to vary the songs than "All the Houses Look the Same". I'm still having a hard time figuring out the lyrics, but the every aspect of the music is perfect enough that I can take my time.
4. Gasoline Heart - Nostalgia Ain't What It Used To Be
Man, Louis DeFabrizio is honest. Angry, sometimes depressed, and honest. I don't know if Gasoline Heart will ever release an album that rivals You Know Who You Are, but I really hope Louis keeps trying. This album is getting there. I honestly think he is the most untalented musicians who still writes great songs. Rock and roll, etc.
3. Quiet Science - He Calls Me Diamonds
I've been following this band since they were (more or less) A Denver Mile and this album (maybe it's just an EP) is the best thing they've released. Quiet Science's sweepy, poetic, Floridian take on britpop will get them far. Check them out if you like Sleeping At Last, The Myriad, or Future of Forestry.
2. Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing
I almost chose this as my #1. Attempting to sound like an album reviewer, I'll call this urgent, yowling indie rock. They've perfected the stripped down sound while their songs remain complex and dynamic. I can't wait til they come through Iowa again on a headlining tour.
1. The Swellers - Ups and Downsizing
Woooo! Their second album + my first time hearing them = love at first listen. I wouldn't have gotten this unless they put all the songs up on myspace. Every songs on here is good, most are great. I haven't heard such a well-done pop-punk/rock album in a loooooong time. Get it, or at least check them out. My #1 band to see live right now.
Honorable Mentions
Dear Landlord - Dream Homes
Bomb the Music Industry! - Scrambles
Austin Lucas - Somebody Loves You
EPs
There were a lot of awesome EPs released this year. So I'll go top ten.
1. Abandon Kansas - We're All Going Somewhere
2. Here's My Chance - You Had It Coming
3. The Envy Corps - Kid Gloves
4. Saintseneca - s/t
5. The Riot Before - Fists...Out of Sockets
6. Geronimo! - A Different Kind of Greatness
7. Farewell Continental - s/t
8. Lipona - Pigeonholed
9. We Are the Union - The Gun Show Must Go On
10. Paint It Black - Amnesia
Albums I Really Need To Get
Take It Back! - Atrocities
Showbread - The Fear of God
Thrice - Beggars
Paramore - Brand New Eyes
Tegan & Sara - Sainthood
2008 Late Pass (the best albums from 2008 I didn't get until 2009)
Good Old War - Only Way To Be Alone
La Dispute - Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair
Frank Turner - Love, Ire, & Song
Fucked Up - the Chemistry of Common Life
BEST OF 2009 MIXTAPE
Best Concert: Frank Turner, The Loved Ones, Murder By Death, and The Gaslight Anthem in Minneapolis
Best Movie: District 9
Best new TV Show: Community
ACCORDING TO LAST FM
Most listened to band: The Gaslight Anthem
Most listened to record: Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing
Most listened to song: Good Old War - Coney Island
