BEST ALBUMS OF 2009!

#1) It’s Blitz!- Yeah Yeah Yeahs

This is the album that really proved the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s were as good as people had been saying they were for years. I always thought they had created some brilliant songs, like the gorgeous “Maps” and rough rock “Gold Lion” but not a full out LP that was as good as their potential. It’s Blitz! does this. The album rocks heavier and is catchier than anything before it with the remarkable “Heads Will Roll” and “Zero” but could also be as calming and powerful in “Runaway.” The best I’ve heard this year, and also a good representation of 2009 with the use of synths, rock, indie, ballads.-a mix- just like this year in music was.

#2) Rated R-Rihanna

This album gets better with every listen. It is a mature, dark, and intelligent pop album and the best pop album of the year. Rihanna’s voice is at its most powerful ever and same goes for her artistry and creativity. This is how a young female pop singer transitions to adulthood, Britney and Christina had it all wrong earlier this decade.

#3) No Line On The Horizon-U2

U2 went back to the crazier and experimental times of the 1990s with this album and succeeded in stirring it in with the powerful arena rock they had been creating this decade. Although it didn’t end up being their most successful record, it created breathtaking songs like “Moment of Surrender” and showed U2 still hadn’t settled down.

#4) Lungs-Florence + the Machine

Lungs is folksy pop perfection. You can picture yourself running through a forest, or in an english manor in the countryside listening to this album. Florence’s voice is a staggeringly powerful instrument that can be used with the biggest divas. 13 songs that never bore the listener, which can be a challenge for this kind of pop music.

#5) La Roux-La Roux

Another British singer (there is not shortage of them this year) with a strength to her music, this LP leans heavily on the 1980s. This album doesn't sound like a rip off of the 80s, or an influence, but that it was actually made in that decade. “Bulletproof” and “I’m Not Your Toy” show La Roux’s strength and independence with love. “Quicksand” shows her love of the 80s the most. The album as a whole is a cold but strenght-filled album that is a perfect cure for a breakup.

#6)Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix-Phoenix

Indie-rock-pop that just works from beginning to end. “Lisztomania” and “1901” being to of the stand outs.

#7)The Fame Monster-Lady Gaga

Pure sugar pop. No guilt. No faults. Just 8 straight pop songs that never miss a beat.

#8) Fixin To Thrill- Dragonette Dragonette created another perfectly quirky and catchy album that deserves bigger audiences then they receive.

#9)Miike Snow- Miike Snow

Bloodshy and Avant, the producers behind huge hits like “Toxic” by Britney, are 2 thirds of this band and it is a killer that should only grow, their songs hook you in. “Animal” is one of the best songs of the year by far.

#10)Manners-Passion Pit

A great debut that shows a funky indie band getting started, all dance and synths, an album that could have only been made in 2009.

Honorable mentions (The next 10, in no order)...

It’s Not Me, It’s You-Lily Allen

Thank Me Later-Drake

Music For Men-The Gossip

The Blueprint 3-Jay-Z

Where the Wild Things Are-Karen O and the Kids

Man On The Moon-Kid Cudi

Hands-Little Boots

Far-Regina Spektor

In and Out of Control-The Ravonettes

She Wolf-Shakira

Rihanna HARD

Rihanna's new video for "Hard" is a hot-couture-gangsta-army boiling pot of divaness.

Her newest album Rated R is her best work yet too.

Somebody to Love

I know this sing has been out for a minute already but Its been steadily growing on me and I love the couture video. check it out

Leighton Meester may not have the strongest vocals but creates atmosphere and knows a good song and how to work it, see her Bette Davis Eyes cover for another example.

Spin's Albums of 2009

Animal Collective's "Merriweather Post Pavillion" was the album of the year. I haven't made my list yet, but I would expect no other choice from Spin magazine. Animal Collective out did themselves with this album, and it is nice to see recognition. Other notable albums on the list...

#35 Miike Snow-Self Titled

I love some of the songs on this album, "Animal" is one of the best songs of the year for sure.

#22 Tegan & Sara- Sainthood

Another fantastic album by the duo.

#19 Lily Allen- It's Not Me, It's You

This album came out early in the year and I had almost forgotten about it, after another listen to it I fell in love with it again. The production on the album is one of my favourites right now.

#15 Neko Case- Middle Cyclone

No surprise, everyone knew this would make the end of the year lists as soon as it came out.

#10 The Dead Weather- Bloodhound

I know it's a sin to not love Jack Black, but I don't think this is his best.

#9 Drake- So Far Gone

I was surprised to see this EP on the list, but it defiantly has been a good year for Drake.

#8-Florence + the Machine-Lungs

Agree.

#6 Bat For Lashes-Two Suns

This album was a great debut for Bat for Lashes, no argument.

#3 Phoenix- WOLFGANG AMADEUS PHOENIX

A must have for 2009.

#2 Yeah Yeah Yeahs- It's Blitz!

I love this album.

Rolling Stone Best Song and Album of the Decade

Rolling Stone recently announced that their vote for album of the decade goes to Radiohead's Kid A. This would not be my pick, by far, I don't even think its the best Radiohead album this decade, I'm prone to In Rainbows personally. It is not a surprising choice though, it has faired well on other best of the decade lists also. The album is sonically mesmerizing and art, there is no argument there, I just don't know if it's the best of the decade. On the other hand, I am probably not going to release a best of the decade list because I just don't feel Ive collected enough music over the whole decade, maybe the second half, but not the whole decade to make a fair decision.

"Crazy" by gnarls Barkley was their song of the decade. This is a tougher choice to criticize, "Crazy" is no doubt a brilliant song....but so is "Bombs Over Baghdad" which would probably be my choice, or maybe "Hey Ya"(Outkast had a good decade). Rolling Stone's choice is rather good though and "Crazy" can defiantly be argued as the best of the decade.

She & Him Are Back Soon!

She & Him will be releasing their second LP according to Rolling Stone. The album will be released on March 23rd and the first single will be "In The Sun." Zooey Deschanel can not do wrong in the mind's of indie fans and I'm sure their second album will live up to the bar they set with their first CD. The track listing can be seen at Rolling Stone. For now, here is a taste from their first album

Miike Snow Remixes

I love Miike Snow's debut album first of all, how could I not when Bloodshy & Avant are involved? but now "Animal" has been remixed by 2 of the other best producers out there, Peter Bjorn & John, and Mark Ronson. How cool is that?! Both take the song to very different places, I love hearing what amazing producers like Ronson will do to a song and make it their own.

Mark Ronson Remix of "Animal"

Peter Bjorn and John REmix of "Animal"

Leona Lewis

I've been listening to some of Leona Lewis' songs from Echo, I was enticed to when I heard what her second single is and thought I might as well give it a listen.

Leona Lewis is an interesting pop star because she would've been God in the nineties. She really is exactly like Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston were then. She's not crazy, eccentric, really artsy, or have a huge "out there" personality. Leona Lewis is normal, she is a real girl next door. Reviewers sometimes say that she lacks personality in her music. Her personality is there, it's just not exaggerated and gigantic like, say a Lady Gaga or La Roux. Some of her songs are boring, I agree. Her lack of controversy is what stops her album from being huge States side though, not any boring songs. "I Got You" and "Outta My Head" are produced by the mastermind Max Martin and are really good. I enjoyed them and would listen to them the same as a Kelly Clarkson album (Actually Max Martin has produced for both of them now). Im curious to see where Leona goes in America, whether she stays a hit or fizzles.

"The Decade in Indie"-Read It

Nitsuh Abebe's article "The Decade in Indie" is a phenomenal piece of writing. This article covers Indie music this decade perfectly. My hat is off to you for this article.

http://pitchfork.com/features/articles/7704-the-decade-in-indie/

2010

2009 had had awesome new albums by mainstream like U2, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas, etc. It also had big debuts from the likes of Florence + the Machine, La Roux, Little Boots, Kid Cudi, and Miike Snow. Other big albums from Annie, Metric, The Gossip, and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs. 2009 kicked ass in the music world.....except maybe if you work for a major label.

2010 is looking just as good. Albums in the spring being released is an indie dream including....

Ke$ha- Animal

TiK ToK is already an international hit and this hot mess of a singer seems to have more singles up her sleeve, expect a mess of Katy Perry meets Gaga.

Vampire Weekend- Contra

I loved the first album and expect more awesomeness in the second.

Spoon- Transference

Spoon's last album was their best so far, Transference seems like it is taking another turn, possibly back to their roots and original sound.

Hot Chip- One Life Stand

The brilliance of the tile alone wins me over, but who doesn't love Hot Chip?

Drake-Thank Me Later

Im excited to see what Drake can pull off on a full LP.

Goldfrapp- Head First

This is Goldfrapp's return to the dance floor!!! Popjustice gave a hint at what the first single "Rocket" sounds like, and it's gonna be the Goldfrapp we all love.

Christine Aguilera-TBA

She worked with M.I.A, Sia, Goldfrapp, Tricky Stewart and Santigold to name a few. I love all of the collaborators, I can't wait to see what they can do with Aguilera's voice.

MGMT-Congratulations

Hello? It's MGMT, 'nough said.

Arcade Fire- TBA

The third, most likely, brilliant god-like album by the Canadian band.

The Strokes-TBA

Let's hope they actually release it.

No Doubt-TBA

I love this band and can't wait for a follow up to Rock Steady.

Grammy Nominees

MGMT, Grammy nominees...

The Grammy nominees were announced last night and I am surprised by the ridiculously commercial list. Now I know that the Grammys have always been primarily for commercial artists, but there tends to be the one newcomer who is still not known by the world (Adele, Corinne Bailey Rae), or the older artist coming back with a great album for the first time in a while (Robert Plant & Allison Kraus). Besides Best New Artist nominees, the closest thing to indie is Kings of Leon who were everywhere this year and have put out a number of albums, not to say that they're not deserving, they are. I love that MGMT are nominated for Best New Artist along with the Ting Tings. I am disappointed that U2 did not receive nominations for No Line On The Horizon, although the first single was not my favourite, it is a powerful album as a whole. Regina Specktor, who was commercial enough to get on SNL, and Neko Case also were shut out unjustly. Let's just hope when the Grammys come, that Black Eyed Peas don't preform... Check out the full list here.

http://www.grammy.com/grammy_awards/52nd_show/list.aspx