Album Picks of 2009

May I begin with saying that 2009 was a disappointing year for music? Despite my thrifty consumerism and hesitance to purchase new albums from trusted names of the past, it was of no matter. It was still a year stuck on the innovation from the decade past; a jet ski- after creating a wake to curl over most of the wretch of the late nineties -only to stall mid-sail, and drill into the watery deep. Is this the nature of the 9′s of our decades past? Our 2009 music muse is but a  stubborn young man who has created so much, made such unprecedented history in the last 3285 days, whom now, too big for his britches and overly comfortable, will just wallow in his pride until another life form from the not-distant future will expose him for the artifact of embarrassment he will soon (already?) be?

I spent a great deal of the year listening to the best of the year before. Fleet Foxes’ immaculate debut never left the record player. TV On The Radio never left the iPod. And thanks to a strange relocation to the Third Coast, The Beach Boys were in heavy rotation for comfort, mostly Pet Sounds and Smile.

Enough about my discontent. I leave this list as a farewell to the decade of rebellion and rebirth in the music industry, as well as all the circus clowns and lion tamers under it’s very big top. May the spirit of Jack White be reborn in a Sudanese refugee with access to an 808 machine. Here are my nominations for the best album of 2009. If need be, feel free to tell me I’m wrong wrong wrong. After all, the 2000′s will also leave me much much older than when they found me.

Animal Collective “Merriweather Post Pavilion”

A furious and deep-sea dive into bass and space from these scholars of tempo and harmony. Taking equal parts Lee “Scratch” Perry and Brian Wilson, with all the excitement of your first basement make out party, the album succeeds swells and pricks the heart and ears. This band need not worry about being more approachable next album round, so long as they keep their sincerity. Sincerity being a trait lost on most other hipster electronic acts these days. Well done, Animal Collective!

Dirty Projectors “Bitte Orca”

Where Animal Collective excelled in bass, D.P. conquered in treble. A work of deconstructionism, full and majestic compositions dissected, rearranged and re-enacted. Three female voices, normally forged in union, are given mere 32nd notes to compete with one another, and join the measure amongst sparse, shrill guitars and Bonhamesque drums beating out rickety poly-rhythms. Shockingly, the result is one of the most listenable albums of the year.

Wolfmother “Cosmic Egg”

This will be in my “driving a long way alone” list for years to come, Cosmic Egg is a rawk epic that would give Jack Black a splooge spasm. Completely devoid of any and all country, blues and R&B that could muddy the water and anger the rock-gods. What can I say? It rocks. It rocks my socks.

Neon Indian “Psychic Chasms”

Glo-Fi, the audiophiles call it. Neon Indian craft a wave of soporific brilliance attainable only in non-REM sleep between hitting the sleep button and dozing. Vague? Repetitive? Slush? Yep. Do Quaaludes still exist?

Deer Tick  “Born On Flag Day”

A work of staggering honesty from a buzz band that lived up to its name from a year back. Born is a ramble ’round the rhythm of early Beatles with the spirit of Townes Van Zant. You’ll never be lonely alone again, so long this album is in reach.

Honorable Mentions:

Devendra Banhart “What Will Be”

Passion Pit “The Reeling”

Flaming Lips “Embryonic”