Best of the rest….
Here’s the albums that didn’t quite make my “Best of” list, that are still really great. It starts with some indie/alt picks, moves into more rockin’ territory and closes out with a handful of hip hop releases that had my head bobbin’ in ‘09. It’s really a testament to how great this year was when some of my favorite bands (Wilco, Built to Spill) don’t make either list. Check it out!
Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Self-Titled
Came really close to making the list, pure indie pop bliss with a cherry on top.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz!
Critically I can’t help but say this is one of the best albums of 2009. Problem is I didn’t really listen to it enough (on purpose) for it to make the big list. But honestly, everything Karen O touches turns to gold. Shiny, shiny gold.
Sonic Youth – The Eternal
Really strong new album from the alternative mainstay. Not as solid cover to cover as Dinosaur Jr.’s album but really good nonetheless.
Drummer – Feel Good Together
Patrick Carney (Black Keys) side project comprised entirely of drummers. They prove they can do it without those pesky frontmen, cranking out a surprisingly solid alt-rock album.
The Thermals – Now We Can See
I like this album quite a bit, but I just can’t love it. Good but not great, it never really gets there for me…too safe, not enough edge. Can’t put my finger on it.
Obits – I Blame You
Listen to it alone, so you can crank it up and rock out with wreckless abandon. Fantastic.
Japandroids – Post-Nothing
Not many albums released this year were as raw and rockin’ as this Vancouver duo’s wonderfully noisy output. Except for maybe…
Titus Andronicus – Airing of Grievances
Punk. Rock. Loud and brash and reminiscent of early Clash. For real.
Doom – Born Like This…
Pretty good year for hip hop, and Doom is consistently one of the best MC’s around.
Mos Def – The Ecstatic
Mos Def comes back from Hollywood and pumps out a solid album (and some solid guest appearances), hilighted by an awesome Kool Keith collab.
Raekwon – Only Built For Cuban Linx… Pt. 2
Suddenly it’s the mid-nineties again and it’s a new Wu-Tang Album!
Blakroc – Self-Titled
The Black Keys meet a plethora of hip hop guest MCs with generally good results…Black Keys might be band of year without even releasing an album, solely on the strength of their three side projects…
Leave a Reply