KarnivoolThat time of the year again! This year I'm not only going to look at listens, but personally choose my favourite albums, based on the whole package.
Top listened albums of 2009:
1) Enter Shikari - Common Dreads - 456 plays.
2) Muse - The Resistance - 311 plays
3) Karnivool - Sound Awake - 239 plays
4) Isochronous - Isochronous - 214 plays
5) The Prodigy - Invaders Must Die - 198 plays
6) White Lies - To Lose My Life - 190 plays (will most likely increase to 200+)
7) Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum - 190 plays
So my top 5.
1) Enter Shikari - Common Dreads.
I was a mild fan of Enter Shikari before Common Dreads. I'm not really into the core scene, but Common Dreads is awesome. Such a perfect blend of electronic dance music with core rock. Zzzonked, Solidarity and The Jester are my favourites. When I thought about what albums are best, I also thought about flow. This album flows very well, especially the use of the different Havocs.
2) Karnivool - Sound Awake
Coming a close second is Karnivool's Sound Awake. A brilliantly pieced together prog rock album. I didn't get into it after quite a few listens, but once I did, I realised how brilliant it is. You have to actually listen it from start to finish in one go, taking it all in. Goliath and The Caudal Lure is my fav songs.
3) Isochronous - Isochronous
While not technically a 2009 album, I have to give it to these guys. First saw them live, before getting the album. No doubt the best live band in South Africa. Their album doesn't quite match their passion when playing live, but when I close my eyes, I can feel it all coming back to me. It takes a while to get into the tunes, but its mix of prog rock with jazz and awesome basslines (SLAP BASS!!), makes it such a fresh new sound. Really looking forward to Imago in 2010.
4) White Lies - To Lose My Life
Was really into the first 3 songs for a long time, until I fell into the other songs on the album. Still listening to them now. The fat bass, 80's influence and the lyrics make this album. Really looking forward seeing more from these guys.
5) Muse - The Resistance
I'm a huge Muse fan. Why wouldn't I love anything that they spew out? I loved it. It was something new. Having gathered some objective perspective, it wasn't AS great. Sure Exogenesis is a masterpiece and Undisclosed Desires is surprisingly awesome, it wasn't THE best album from the Muse clan. That doesn't affect my love for the band. Want to see MK Ultra and Unnatural Selection live!
Honourable Mentions:
The Pretty Blue Guns - Cutting Heads - +-150 plays.
I was really surprised by this little gem. Varied garage blues tunes (and a rocking live show to boot), this album has it all. I think they could gather quite a large following internationally. Garage blues isn't exactly a large scene in South Africa. More people need to listen to this.
Conclusion:
I have a feeling I've most out on great "underground" albums this year. 2008's top 5 lists felt more varied and impressive. But hey, this is some awesome tunes. If its good, its good.
Top listened albums of 2009:
1) Enter Shikari - Common Dreads - 456 plays.
2) Muse - The Resistance - 311 plays
3) Karnivool - Sound Awake - 239 plays
4) Isochronous - Isochronous - 214 plays
5) The Prodigy - Invaders Must Die - 198 plays
6) White Lies - To Lose My Life - 190 plays (will most likely increase to 200+)
7) Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum - 190 plays
So my top 5.
1) Enter Shikari - Common Dreads.
I was a mild fan of Enter Shikari before Common Dreads. I'm not really into the core scene, but Common Dreads is awesome. Such a perfect blend of electronic dance music with core rock. Zzzonked, Solidarity and The Jester are my favourites. When I thought about what albums are best, I also thought about flow. This album flows very well, especially the use of the different Havocs.
2) Karnivool - Sound Awake
Coming a close second is Karnivool's Sound Awake. A brilliantly pieced together prog rock album. I didn't get into it after quite a few listens, but once I did, I realised how brilliant it is. You have to actually listen it from start to finish in one go, taking it all in. Goliath and The Caudal Lure is my fav songs.
3) Isochronous - Isochronous
While not technically a 2009 album, I have to give it to these guys. First saw them live, before getting the album. No doubt the best live band in South Africa. Their album doesn't quite match their passion when playing live, but when I close my eyes, I can feel it all coming back to me. It takes a while to get into the tunes, but its mix of prog rock with jazz and awesome basslines (SLAP BASS!!), makes it such a fresh new sound. Really looking forward to Imago in 2010.
4) White Lies - To Lose My Life
Was really into the first 3 songs for a long time, until I fell into the other songs on the album. Still listening to them now. The fat bass, 80's influence and the lyrics make this album. Really looking forward seeing more from these guys.
5) Muse - The Resistance
I'm a huge Muse fan. Why wouldn't I love anything that they spew out? I loved it. It was something new. Having gathered some objective perspective, it wasn't AS great. Sure Exogenesis is a masterpiece and Undisclosed Desires is surprisingly awesome, it wasn't THE best album from the Muse clan. That doesn't affect my love for the band. Want to see MK Ultra and Unnatural Selection live!
Honourable Mentions:
The Pretty Blue Guns - Cutting Heads - +-150 plays.
I was really surprised by this little gem. Varied garage blues tunes (and a rocking live show to boot), this album has it all. I think they could gather quite a large following internationally. Garage blues isn't exactly a large scene in South Africa. More people need to listen to this.
Conclusion:
I have a feeling I've most out on great "underground" albums this year. 2008's top 5 lists felt more varied and impressive. But hey, this is some awesome tunes. If its good, its good.
