Driveway To Driveway, Drunk: List-omania: The 25 (or so) Best Records of 2009
Here is part 4 (10-6) of the best records of 2009. Parts one, two and three were posted previously.
10. Boston Spaceships – The Planets Are Blasted / Zero to 99
“Well, it’s really cold outside. What do you say we warm up with some really hot rock?”
No other band this year released two records of purely enjoyable tunes. While not companion pieces to each other, both records are amazing reminders of the greatness of Mr. Bob Pollard. Sure, some of these songs aren’t necessarily new. Truthfully, as my buddy GBV Matt keeps discovering many of these are refried (not even re-recorded) versions of tracks off GBV’s Suitcase series. As most GBV fans can attest, the Suitcases are a daunting listen, so it is nice that some of the tracks can live a new life. The best part about Boston Spaceships is that it is so much like Guided By Voices.
If I had to pick a better of the two, The Planets Are Blasted is more epic. But if TPAB is the sweaty sex, then Zero to 99 is like the beer and smoke afterwards.
BOSTON SPACESHIPS HOW WRONG YOU ARE from boston spaceships on Vimeo.
Boston Spaceships – “Let It Rest for a Little While” from Mog Dotcom on Vimeo.
9. St. Vincent – Actor / Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz
Three cheers for girl power. Both Annie Clark and Karen O. can be ferocious (“Marrow,” “Heads Will Roll”) and gentle (“The Party,” “Skeletons”) without even blinking an eye. While stylistically the records are a little different, both have something unheard of for most albums: a four-song sweep! The first four tracks on each record are like a marathon of great tracks.
Actor is full of memorable tunes that are sultry and sexy, as much as they are chilling tales or things gone wrong. St. Vincent is as much a contradiction as the ones outlined in standout track, “Actor Out of Work.” That song, while poppy as hell, is pretty heartbreaking.
St. Vincent “Actor Out of Work” from Logan Hefflefinger on Vimeo.
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs proved with their last record, Show Your Bones, that they weren’t ones to confine themselves to a particular style. Ditching the angsty energy for more acoustic guitars, they had a real grower on their hands. But It’s Blitz raised the bar for what this band can do. Changing up again to include synths, the band spilt the difference between the twitchy rock of their debut and the melodic, softer tunes of Show Your Bones while adding some disco sheen.
YEAH YEAH YEAHS – Heads Will Roll from Framestore design on Vimeo.
8. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
“My Girls,” “Summertime Clothes,” “Brothersport”—’nuff said.
Animal Collective “My Girls” from Chad von Nau on Vimeo.
7. The xx – XX
XX is one of the most repeatable records of the year—so much so, it should’ve been named Repeater (too bad Fugazi already took that). Sure, their tricks are all given away during “Intro,” but then comes “VCR”—everything in the song is perfect. The soulful female voice blends with rougher male voices oozing sex. Everything is crafted so carefully, or it sounds like it is. For all I know everything was a happy mistake. I mean, these youngsters make me feel as if I have done nothing with my life. To be 19 and to release a record so accomplished; I wish I was them.
I adore this record so much. I do have some bones to pick with “Crystallized,” but all my concerns get overshadowed by tracks like “Islands,” “Heart Skips a Beat,” “Basic Space,” and the chilling “Stars.” Welcome to the head of the class, kids.
The xx “Basic Space” from Jean HĂĽrxkens on Vimeo.
6. Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca
2009 was the year of lo-fi, dub-step, and a year where being “freaky” (not in the R. Kelly sense) was being “mainstream.” Animal Collective started the year by becoming the “it” band, by making “accessible” music. Grizzly Bear, a band who wore their pop intentions on their sleeve (they covered JoJo for crissakes) lived up to their promise, but way out of left field comes a band whose last project was a reimagining of Black Flag’s Damaged.
Becoming less of a project of Dave Longstreth’s oddball, arty adventures and more of a full band, with the welcome addition of singers Amber Coffman and Angel Deradoorian. Opener “Cannibal Resource” blends their lush harmonies on a West African guitar, inviting the listener into a full experience of the record.
The real gem here, though, is one of the singles of the year—“Stillness Is the Move.”
First time here? See what we're all about... Get involved... Send us a tip!...
Leave your response!