Hi everyone, I was very pleased with the vast amount of good albums/singles/EPs that were released in 2009, it was a fantastic year for music, arguably the best of the decade. A lot of newer artists released highly acclaimed debut albums (Girls, The XX, Neon Indian, Major Lazer) and many bands and artists who were already popular released new albums this past year which saw their music grow (Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, The Antlers, HEALTH) and I, for one, enjoyed every moment of it. I was really happy with the music of this past decade, as it didn't just focus on a few genres of music as we have seen in previous decades, but on almost every style of music that we have seen in the past 50 years; they were brought back to life by countless bands/artists under one umbrella term which is now used to describe most of them: "Indie". We also did see some new kinds of music emerge recently that we have never seen before, such as Dubstep.This whole Indie music craze is most likely what we will remember the '00s for when we're old, it is a strange word because bands which are naturally very different are both labelled under that term. Take Sufjan Stevens and Wavves for example. Sufjan Stevens is a singer-songwriter who has recorded many albums in a studio with lives orchestras, while Wavves, who is also somewhat popular, recorded their debut album in a bedroom, and for a period of time the album was only avaible on cassette tape. Despite their differences, they both fall under the same classification, that one very strange word. Though I admit using that word does save a lot of time when asked what kind of music a certain band plays by a person who doesn't know much about music.
Hopefully 2010 will be just as good as 2009. There are already a few announced albums for this year, including: Xiu Xiu, The Album Leaf, Crystal Castles, Hot Chip, Uffie, Crookers, Future Islands and Justice, and I'm sure many more that escape me at the moment.I thought I would compile my ten favorite albums of the past year, and include download links so you can all enjoy them (you will need WinRar to extract the songs from the file, if you are not very computer savvy and don't know what that is, google it and find a trial download, the trial downloads are supposed to only last 40 or so days however I've had mine for almost 2 years)11. Cass McCombs - Catacombs
I probably listened to 'You Save My Life' 200 times on the way to and from Lollapalooza. it didn't hook onto me instantly, but after i listened to it a few times it really grew on me, I fell in love with it, every time I listen to it I think of Lollapalooza. I also really liked the music video, where he's at a street party in Chicago and he's walking around alone in a crowd with his back to the camera, it made me feel sad, it was appropriate for the song. The video is on Youtube if you want to see it. I also enjoyed "Don't Vote", which was about choosing not to vote at elections
Tracklist:
1. Dreams-Come-True-Girl– 5:20
2. Prima Donna – 4:53
3. You Saved My Life – 5:24
4. Don't Vote – 5:26
5. The Executioner's Song – 4:21
6. Harmonia – 6:06
7. My Sister, My Spouse – 5:14
8. Lionkiller Got Married – 5:34
9. Eavesdropping on the Competition – 3:53
10. Jonesy Boy – 4:44
11. One Way to Go – 2:55
Download: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VUIYPGKT
10. The Rural Alberta Advantage - Hometowns
The first time I heard this album was the day before this school year started, I then synced it onto my Ipod and listened to it religiously throughout the first few weeks of school. If you've ever listened to only one thing a lot and almost nothing else for any period of time, the moment you click play and re-listen to that song or those songs your mind will be brought back to that time. I love albums and songs that give you that feeling, and that is exactly what Hometowns did for me. This album will also make you think of the prairies a lot and I don't know if it's the acoustic guitars or the lyrics, but it seems suitable for a band called "The Rural Alberta Advantage". The singer has a really nasal voice which you might imagine to be annoying but it's fits into the songs well. Most of the tracks are acoustic, with the exception of a few tracks, my personal favorite on the album was "The Ballad of the RAA".
Tracklist:
1. The Ballad of The RAA - 3:28
2. Rush Apart - 1:54
3. The Dethbridge in Lethbridge - 2:13
4. Don't Haunt This Place - 2:35
5. The Deadroads - 2:41
6. Drain the Blood - 2:48
7. Luciana - 2:55
8. Frank, AB - 3:25
9. The Air - 3:24
10. Sleep All Day - 3:44
11. Four Night Rider - 1:53
12. Edmonton - 3:50
13. In the Summertime - 2:36
Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?cyxttnniyzj
9. HEALTH - Get Color
If you're expecting this album to be like their first then you will be in for a bit of a surprise, they went from being chaotic with songs that have almost no structure to songs that are chaotic with...structure. They have intros, verses, choruses, and outros, which I was not expecting considering the first album consisted of a unorganized noise (in a good way). Best track on this album was easily the albums single: "Die Slow". It seems like on Get Color HEALTH took their usual weird style and tried to make it more dance-able, the result was very successful and unprecedented. Also, I can never get enough of the vocals and the drums. The vocals are so spooky and the fact that it's nearly impossible to decipher what the hell he's singing just adds to the feeling, while drums sound like very like something out of a tribal dance. They plan on releasing another album, and they also are planning on releasing their own clothing line, no I'm not kidding. but if you've ever seen how cool their band tees look, you'll wanna get in on whatever they hell they plan on designing.
Tracklist:
1. In Heat - 1:47
2. Die Slow - 3:12
3. Nice Girls - 3:10
4. Death+ - 2:39
5. Before Tigers - 3:26
6. Severin - 4:09
7. Eat Flesh - 4:02
8. We Are Water - 4:15
9. In Violet - 6:14
Download: http://rapidshare.com/files/266087805/HEALTH_-_Get_Color__2009_.rar
8. No Age - Losing Feeling EP
A much higher ranking would've been given to this release if it had more tracks, but since it's only a four track EP it doesn't get any higher than seven. Nevertheless those 4 tracks were very different from No Age's usual Lo-Fi Punk approach. They took an unexpected turn and went for more of a shoegaze/noise pop sound. I was sort of expecting it to sound more like their 2008 album "Nouns" however I was still very satisfied with this. They are currently recording in studio, and hopefully we will see another album in the near future!
1. Losing Feeling - 3:55
2. Genie - 3:25
3. Aim At The Airport - 3:17
4. You're A Target - 3:22
Download: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=YO3BGKXX
7. Mika Miko - We Be Xuxa
In 2009 no other band I knew of looked like they were having a better time at their performances than the all female indie punk band Mika Miko, they were probably enjoying themselves more than the crowd. They were just out here to enjoy themselves, they played a lot of Backyard shows, as well being regulars to Los Angeles' famous indie venue "The Smell". This band was probably the best punk rock band of the '00s, as they weren't moping over relationships that no one cares about, complaining about being a teenager, puberty, hormones, or giving the finger to the man etc etc, but they were just thinking "Fuck it, let's have fun" when they recorded their albums which is evident if you read the song titles and song lyrics, most of them dealing with sex and food.'
Tracklist:
1. Blues Not Speed - 2:07
2. Turkey Sandwich - 1:44
3. I Got A Lot (New New New) - 1:50
4. Wild Bore - 1:38
5. Sex - 1:05
6. Totion - 2:16
7. On The Rise - 1:48
8. Beat The Bush -1:58
9. Johnson R. Cool - 1:35
10. Sex Jazz - 3:06
11. Keep On Calling - 1:46
12. Turky Barnyard Mix - 1:48
Download: http://rapidshare.com/files/227195180/Mika_Miko-We_Be_Xuxa-2009-FNT.rar
6. DOOM - Born Like This
The only hip hop album to make the list, DOOM's Born Like This was probably my favorite hip hop album of the past few years. He has very intellectual lyrics that flow very well, which are complemented by his very deep, raspy and intimidating voice. His tracks have been remixed by the likes of Dave Sitek (of TV on the Radio) and Thom Yorke (of Radiohead). I also really like how he plays on the whole supervillain schtick, he always wears a Dr. Doom mask while performing, and sometimes he sends imposters to performs his shows, like something a real super villain would do. Although he better not send one to the show in February at the Kool Haus, as I will be attending and I will not be pleased if I had to pay 40 dollars to see some strange man impersonate him.
Tracklist:
1. Supervillain Intro - 0:54
2. Yessir! feat. Raekwon – 2:34
3. Absolutely – 2:43
4. Rap Ambush – 1:28
5. Lightworks 1:53
6. Batty Boyz – 3:16
7. Angelz feat. Tony Starks – 3:06
8. Cellz – 4:21
9. Still Dope feat. Empress Sharhh – 2:40
10. Microwave Mayo – 2:26
11. More Rhymin’ feat. Kurious – 1:39
12. That’s That – 2:15
13. Supervillainz – 2:49
14. Bumpy’s Message – 1:36
15. Thank Yah – 1:14
Download: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=YV0CAM7N
5. Neon Indian - Phsycic Chasms
I'd like to start off by saying that I hate MGMT with every fibre of my being. I don't know what it is about their songs that just really annoys me. I just hate them so much, their songs remind me of cheap ringtones. I don't know why people compare MGMT to Neon Indian because Neon Indian is much better. This album sounds like something a huge fan of Daft Punk in the '90s would record using synthesizers and cheap recording equipment in his basement, it also reminds me of lava lamps. Most of the tracks are relaxed, at roughly a walking speed. Every track of this album is the same, but different at the same time. I really enjoyed listening to it, and I think you will too.
Tracklist:
1. (AM) – 0:25
2. Deadbeat Summer – 4:03
3. Laughing Gas – 1:43
4. Terminally Chill – 3:33
5. (If I Knew, I'd Tell You) – 0:47
6. 6669 (I Don't Know If You Know) – 3:21
7. Should Have Taken Acid with You – 2:21
8. Mind, Drips – 3:09
9. Psychic Chasms - 4:06
10. Local Joke – 3:27
11. Ephemeral Artery - 2:52
12. 7000 (Reprise) - 0:57
Download: http://www.filestube.com/3a886d44aee37c9a03e9/go.html
4. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
I think I might be one of the only people on the planet who didn't put this in my top 3 albums of 2009. It was a fantastic album, but it definitely was not my favorite of the year. This album was incredibly psychedelic and I think the album cover could not have been more appropriate for the tracks contained within (staring at it for an extended period of time will result in a migraine). I think it was a little bit overrated, but this album is perfect to bring along with you if you're ever travelling through space, or tripping out on any form of hallucinogen.
Tracklist:
1. In the Flowers - 5:22
2. My Girls - 5:40
3. Also Frightened - 5:14
4. Summertime Clothes - 4:30
5. Daily Routine - 5:46
6. Bluish - 5:13
7. Guys Eyes - 4:30
8. Taste - 3:53
9. Lion in a Coma- 4:12
10. No More Runnin - 4:23
11. Brother Sport - 5:59
Download: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UVMW940S
3. Girls - Album
Christopher Owens of Girls has had a hard knock life, his mother and him were members of the Children of God cult for a long time, never knowing his real father, but eventually he ran away from home, ended up in San Francisco and is the front of a successful rock band with a '60s sound that really makes me want to take up surfing. This album was an overflow of his emotions packed into love songs which if written and recorded by any other band, would be considered corny. But the way Christopher Owens does love songs is very refreshing.
Tracklist:
1. Lust for Life - 2:25
2. Laura - 4:51
3. Ghost Mouth - 3:11
4. God Damned - 2:17
5. Big Bad Mean Motherfucker - 2:15
6. Hellhole Ratrace - 6:56
7. Headache - 4:00
8. Summertime - 5:39
9. Lauren Marie - 4:58
10. Morning Light - 2:36
11. Curls - 2:08
12. Darling - 2:59
Download - http://www.mediafire.com/?kxtmjtxhqmn
2. Japandroids - Post Nothing
You know you've gotta give the Japandroids credit, their tour for the release of this album which was released last April is still going on right now, and won't end until this April, and by they finish the tour, they will have played a total of 149 shows. These guys do not know the meaning of rest. You will feel right at home with the Japandroids if you're a fan of No Age, Wavves, The Vivian Girls or Times New Viking, as they seem to have a sound that is very comparable to those bands, the difference being in the lyrics which are short, but sweet, and focus mostly on topics including running away, and going to France to french kiss some french girls.
1. The Boys Are Leaving Town – 4:01
2. Young Hearts Spark Fire – 5:05
3. Wet Hair – 3:12
4. Rockers East Vancouver – 4:32
5. Heart Sweats – 4:25
6. Crazy/Forever – 6:04
7. Sovereignty – 3:34
8. I Quit Girls – 4:55
Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?hfznek2zgm2
1. Dan Deacon - Bromst
Most teenage boys spend their 16th birthday drinking cheap booze they found in their kitchen cabinet in their friends basement, I however, was able to see a Dan Deacon show, and I wouldn't trade that experience for all the alcohol in your parents liquor cabinet, ever. It left me in such awe for the next few weeks I listened to nothing but Dan Deacon all the time, over and over. It's a combination of his impressive light shows, his equipment, his ensemble of 15-ish people and his crowd participation activites (go watch them on youtube, it's awesome). This album was also very creative and unique, I cannot compare it to anything because there's nothing out there like this, Dan Deacon is a genius. I bought a shirt at that show, but I washed it and now the words 'Dan Deacon' aren't visible, but I'm still gonna hold onto it for memories, Probably the best 16th birthday ever. You will love this, I promise.
1. Build Voice — 5:28
2. Red F — 4:38
3. Paddling Ghost — 4:06
4. Snookered — 8:04
5. Of the Mountains — 7:16
6. Surprise Stefani — 7:46
7. Wet Wings — 2:53
8. Woof Woof — 4:44
9. Slow with Horns / Run for Your Life — 6:35
10. Baltihorse — 6:22
11. Get Older — 6:30
Download: http://megaupload.com/?d=PIBJGBN1
Let me know if any of the downloads don't work well for you, again you'll need WinRar to unzip most, if not all of the albums. I hope you enjoy these albums as much as I did.
Love,
Alex.
Caribou, otherwise known as Daniel Snaith, who grew up in Dundas, Ontario, recently released a new track from his unreleased album 'Swim' which is to be released on April 20th (Snaith must really enjoy his drugs, as he also chose the name 'Caribou' while on an LSD trip with his friends in the woods). Judging by this track, the album is going to be something to look forward to in the near future. 
