Yo La Tengo1. Real Estate - Real Estate
For the better part of the past year, Real Estate have been floating around the internet, popping up on the blog circuit every few weeks or so. I think it was last spring that I first heard them. Shortly before they played at the dearly departed Peacock (pictured above) during SXSW. Their blissful and airy beach pop is perfect warm-weather music. The band basically soundtracked my entire year, including what was probably the laziest and most unproductive summer ever.
Suburban Beverage
2. Yo La Tengo - Popular Songs
My favorite time of the year is fall, and no other band personifies cool weather, comfy sweaters, and the lighthearted melancholy associated with the season than Yo La Tengo. It was tough choosing between Popular Songs and Real Estate, and while Real Estate barely got the nod as my top album, I think Popular Songs is the more dynamic album overall.
Yo La Tengo - Avalon or Someone Very Similar
3. Atlas Sound - Logos
Not as good as his solo debut Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel, but a sophomore slump from Bradford Cox beats just about anything else that came out this year. Of all the concerts I went to, seeing Atlas Sound in the rain at Fun Fun Fun Fest was probably the highlight of my year.
Quick Canal [w/ Laetita Sadier]
4. Leonard Cohen - Live At The Isle of Wight 1970
I usually don't include live albums or re-issues on my end of year lists but this one was just too good not to include. Leonard Cohen is one of those musicians that I've always known about, but never really known. It wasn't until this year that I really gave Cohen a listen and I became absolutely addicted. It was a nice coincidence that this recording came out just as my Cohen mania was reaching its peak. From start to finish, this recording is absolutely beautiful.
Miscellanea
Music meme of the year: the beach (see: Toro y Moi, Washed out, Best Coast, Ducktails, Wavves, Real Estate, The Drums, etc.)
Music meme that is finally dying out, thank god: shitty "lo-fi" (see: Wavves, No Age)
Most under-appreciated album: The Eternal by Sonic Youth
I hope that in 2010...My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus and Mary Chain stop dicking around and record a new album
R.I.P. Silver Jews 1989-2009
For the better part of the past year, Real Estate have been floating around the internet, popping up on the blog circuit every few weeks or so. I think it was last spring that I first heard them. Shortly before they played at the dearly departed Peacock (pictured above) during SXSW. Their blissful and airy beach pop is perfect warm-weather music. The band basically soundtracked my entire year, including what was probably the laziest and most unproductive summer ever.
Suburban Beverage2. Yo La Tengo - Popular Songs
My favorite time of the year is fall, and no other band personifies cool weather, comfy sweaters, and the lighthearted melancholy associated with the season than Yo La Tengo. It was tough choosing between Popular Songs and Real Estate, and while Real Estate barely got the nod as my top album, I think Popular Songs is the more dynamic album overall.
Yo La Tengo - Avalon or Someone Very Similar
3. Atlas Sound - Logos
Not as good as his solo debut Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel, but a sophomore slump from Bradford Cox beats just about anything else that came out this year. Of all the concerts I went to, seeing Atlas Sound in the rain at Fun Fun Fun Fest was probably the highlight of my year.
Quick Canal [w/ Laetita Sadier]4. Leonard Cohen - Live At The Isle of Wight 1970
I usually don't include live albums or re-issues on my end of year lists but this one was just too good not to include. Leonard Cohen is one of those musicians that I've always known about, but never really known. It wasn't until this year that I really gave Cohen a listen and I became absolutely addicted. It was a nice coincidence that this recording came out just as my Cohen mania was reaching its peak. From start to finish, this recording is absolutely beautiful.
Miscellanea
Music meme of the year: the beach (see: Toro y Moi, Washed out, Best Coast, Ducktails, Wavves, Real Estate, The Drums, etc.)
Music meme that is finally dying out, thank god: shitty "lo-fi" (see: Wavves, No Age)
Most under-appreciated album: The Eternal by Sonic Youth
I hope that in 2010...My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus and Mary Chain stop dicking around and record a new album
R.I.P. Silver Jews 1989-2009
