This post was submitted by Rohan

Here is part 2 (20-16) of the best records of 2009. Part one can be found here.

20. Fuck Buttons – Tarot Sport

Fuck Buttons have come a long way from their 2008 debut Street Horrrsing. Horrrsing is a record that builds its complex noise structures into unwieldy jams. The band garnered much acclaim, though the comparisons to Scottish post-rockers Mogwai were warranted, as the record was produced by Mogwai guitarist John Cummings. What a difference a year and a tour make, as Tarot Sport presents a band at the top of their game. Still uncompromisingly noisy, but like their live show, almost danceable.

This record was produced by DJ Andrew Weatherall, who probably brought out the beat in the song “Olympians,” and the single, “Surf Solar.”

19. Taken By Trees – East of Eden

After fronting the Concretes and her guest spot on Peter, Bjorn and John’s “Young Folks,” Victoria Bergsman started Taken By Trees. The first record of delicate pop songs was produced by Björn Yttling of the aforementioned PBJ. For her second record, Bergsman thought global. Born out of a trip to Pakistan to record with all local musicians, East of Eden is wonderful blend of traditional and new. And who better to collaborate with than Dan Lissvik, one half of the Balearic group Studio?

Not only does Bergsman cover Animal Collective’s hot-shit single “My Girls” (on the record as “My Boys”) but Mr. Panda Bear himself, Noah Lennox, adds back-up vocals to the track “Anna.”

Taken By Trees – My Boys from Rômulo Martinz on Vimeo.

18. Lightning Bolt – Earthly Delights

Welcome to yet another noisy record on the list. This record is just as intense as anything the bass/drum combo has ever released. There are few records this year that pump this hard. The best way to experience this record is just to listen to it, because words can’t describe the sheer power. Oh yeah, and turn it up LOUD!

17. Real Estate – Real Estate

True story—I hate the beach. I mean I really fucking hate it. The smell of sweaty, suntanned bodies makes me puke. The same with the ocean breeze, and sand everywhere just sets me off. Somehow this record of beach-inspired jams called out to me. For the record’s brief running time I remembered the few good times I’ve had on a beach. Granted, this record came out in October—not quite the height of beach season—and I can enjoy listening to it while driving, again not on the beach. If you haven’t gotten on the Real Estate bandwagon, now’s as good a time as ever. If you get to see them live I highly recommend it, they are shit-tight.

Real Estate – “Atlantic City” from Elise Oh on Vimeo.

16. Camera Obscura – My Maudlin Career

“My maudlin career has come to an end/I don’t want to be sad again,” sings Tracyanne Campbell in the title track of this record. Though she doesn’t want to be sad, lord knows she is going to be. And without her sadness, we wouldn’t have records like this one. As much of a break-up record as it is a make-up record, the songs are slower than it’s predecessor, but the hits hit harder. Starting with an amazing one-two punch of “French Navy” (the best indie rock song about a library this year) and “The Sweetest Thing,” My Maudlin Career weaves a plot of love found and lost, but ends on a striking high note of “Honey in the Sun.”

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