My Top 10 Albums of 2009
written by Marc Katsambis
⇒18 Dec 2009
Prior to compiling this list, I honestly thought I’d struggle to find 10 worthy albums. From what I can remember, it didn’t really seem like a stellar year of music (to me). However, once I started flicking through my playlists, it soon became evident that we have, in fact, been spoilt. Either I wasn’t paying attention, or all of these great albums snuck up on me.
Well, without further ado, it’s time to reveal my ‘Top 10 Albums of 2009′ (plus another ten or so worthy runners-up).
1. The Temper Trap – Conditions
Summary: ‘Conditions’ displays The Temper Trap’s ability to combine their influences into an original sound that bridges the gap between credible indie & mainstream hooks. (Source: Sputnik Music)
Track Listing:
1. Love Lost
2. Rest
3. Sweet Disposition
4. Down River
5. Soldier On
6. Fader
7. Fools
8. Resurrection
9. Science Of Fear
10. Drum Song
Label: Liberation Music
Genre: Rock
2. Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More
Summary: With banjo in hand, Mumford & Sons have created the debut album of the year. (Source: Sputnik Music)
Track Listing:
1. Sigh No More
2. The Cave
3. Winter Winds
4. Roll Away Your Stone
5. White Blank Page
6. I Gave You All
7. Little Lion Man
8. Timshel
9. Thistle & Weeds
10. Awake My Soul
11. Dust Bowl Dance
12. After The Storm
Label: Mumford & Sons/Dew
Genre: Folk-Rock
3. The Middle East – The Recordings of The Middle East
Summary: A highly pleasant mix of folk indie and all things nice. (Source: Sputnik Music)
Track Listing:
1. The Darkest Side
2. Beleriand
3. Lonely
4. Blood
5. Fools Gold
6. Pig Food
7. The Fall of Man
8. Tsietsi
Label: Spnnk!
Genre: Indie-Folk
4. Gregory Alan Isakov – This Empty Northern Hemisphere
Summary: With original lyrics which straddle longing, nostalgia, and heartache, Isakov delivers songs that defy categorization and speak to more universal truths. (Source: About.com: Folk Music)
Track Listing:
1. That Moon Song
2. Evelyn
3. Light Year
4. Dandelion Wine
5. Big Black Car
6. Virginia May
7. Master & A Hound
8. Idaho
9. One of Us Cannot Be Wrong
10. This Empty Northern Hemisphere
11. Fire Escape
12. Words
13. If I Go, I’m Goin
14. The Stable Song
15. All There Is
Label: Alternative Folk
Genre: Folk
5. Karnivool – Sound Awake
Summary: Epic, in every sense of the word. ‘Sound Awake’ cements Karnivool at the top of the Australian rock pile. (Source: Sputnik Music)
Track Listing:
1. Simple Boy
2. Goliath
3. New Day
4. Set Fire To the Hive
5. Umbra
6. All I Know
7. The Medicine Wears Off
8. The Caudal Lure
9. Illumine
10. Deadman
11. Change
Label: Independent/Sony Music
Genre: Rock
6. OST – Twighlight Saga: New Moon
Summary: Features tracks from Death Cab For Cutie, Thom Yorke, Anya Marina, The Killers, Muse, Bon Iver & St. Vincent, Sea Wolf, Editors and many others. (Source: Rolling Stone)
Track Listing:
1. Death Cab For Cutie – Meet Me On The Equinox
2. Band Of Skulls – Friends
3. Thom Yorke – Hearing Damage
4. Lykke Li – Possibility
5. The Killers – A White Demon Love Song
6. Anya Marina – Satellite Heart
7. Muse – I Belong To You (New Moon)
8. Bon Iver and St. Vincent – Roslyn
9. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Done All Wrong
10. Hurricane Bells – Monsters
11. Sea Wolf – The Violet Hour
12. OK Go – Shooting The Moon
13. Grizzly Bear – Slow Life
14. Editors – No Sound But The Wind
15. Alexandre Desplat – New Moon (The Meadow)
Label: Chop Shop/Atlantic
Genre: Soundtrack
7. Florence and the Machine – Lungs
Summary: A fantastic debut from a very promising British talent. (Source: Sputnik Music)
Track Listing:
1. Dog Days Are Over
2. Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)
3. I’m Not Calling You A Liar
4. Howl
5. Kiss With A Fist
6. Girl With One Eye
7. Drumming
8. Between Two Lungs
9. Cosmic Love
10. My Boy Builds Coffins
11. Hurricane Drunk
12. Blinding
13. “You’ve Got The Love” (Bonus Track)
Label: Universal Republic
Genre: Alt-Indie
8. Quantic & His Barbaro – Tradition in Transition
Summary: Tradition in Transition is an exciting, lively, genre-hopping treat from beginning to end. (Source: Amazon)
Track Listing:
1. The Dreaming Mind Part 1
2. Mas Pan
3. Linda Morena
4. Undelivered Letter
5. Un Canto A Ma Tierra
6. Mambo Los Qauntic
7. Albela
8. New Morning
9. I Just Fell In Love Again
10. Cancao Do Deserto
11. Arianita
12. The Dreaming Mind Part 2
Label: Tru-Thoughts
Genre: House/Jazz/Soul/Funk/World
9. Bat for Lashes – Two Suns
Summary: Right now, Two Suns just may be one of the defining musical moments of 2009. (Source: Sputnik Music)
Track Listing:
1. Glass
2. Sleep Alone
3. Moon and Moon
4. Daniel
5. Peace of Mind
6. Siren Song
7. Pearl’s Dream
8. Good Love
9. Two Planets
10. Traveling Woman
11. The Big Sleep (Feat. Scott Walker)
Label: Astralwerks
Genre: Alt-Pop
10. Silversun Pickups – Swoon
Summary: An impressive record from an impressive up and coming band. (Source: Sputnik Music)
Track Listing:
1. There’s No Secrets This Year
2. The Royal We
3. Growing Old Is Getting Old
4. It’s Nice to Know You Work Alone
5. Panic Switch
6. Draining
7. Sort Of
8. Substitution
9. Catch and Release
10. Surrounded (or Spiraling)
Label: Dangerbird
Genre: Indie-Rock
Here are a few more that I couldn’t squeeze into the list, but couldn’t ignore…
Outro
Looking forward to another amazing year of music. There are already dozens of rumored/scheduled albums I’m dying to hear. Can’t wait!!
Oh, by the way, this is our last Klog post for the year. Have a safe, but fun festive season. Catch you on the flipside.
zol: 18 December 2009
Beautifully done mate. I would have a few from your ‘extras’ list in my top ten but you got one thing quite wrong, Karnivool should be at number 1 :) I haven’t done an official list but Silversun Pickups is such a tough one! Ten is the best spot for it. Your 1,2 would be my 2,3…I’ll have to think about the rest (and create my own website to make it look professh…)