Antje DuvekotRemember when I asked you all for ideas and stuff? Yeah, that worked out just splendid.
I listened to nearly 200 albums over the course of 2009 and tried really hard, but could not make a top 10. Top 20...huge fail. Top 30...nope.
So here is my top 20 of 2009 - and if you want to see their album covers AND the other 40 albums I just HAD to mention - go here!
Comments are always welcome. Bashing me for my musical preferences is not.
Only Amy is allowed to kick me, because I'm expecting it ;)
My top 20 from 1 -20 :
1. storybox - You can be Replaced
The 2009 effort of Dutch band Storybox is by far my favourite of the year. Just like with their 2006 debut 'A fool's attempt', I can find no fault on it. As far as albums go, this is what perfection sounds like :)
Yay for Helge and the guys!
My favourite tracks are 'The Andersons' and 'Happy man'.
2. El Pino and the Volunteers - The Long -Lost art of becoming Invisible
Despite a vast amount of time inbetween 'Molten City' and this record, few live-performances and several changes in line-up, David Pino and his Volunteers have delivered a brilliant record that I absolutely adore. Their sound has changed quite a bit, but this album, though very different from the 2006 one, still manages to feel like home. Love ♥
My favourite tracks are 'There's no cure for Stupidity' and 'Right on'.
3. Vanessa Peters & Ice Cream On Mondays - Sweetheart, Keep Your
Chin Up
Seeing and hearing this album grow from scratch made it a 2009 favourite even before it was finished, but when the actual album arrived I was a very happy Panda. Vanessa and her band made their best album yet with this record filled with folky fairytale-like stories. I can't wait to hear what they'll do next ♥
My favourite tracks are ' Austin, I made a mess' and 'Okay from now on'
4.Matthew Good - Vancouver
Great songs, grand voice, Matt never fails. This new record is once again filled with brilliance..for me. Because when it comes to this Canadian's music, It's love or hate.Kinda okay doesn't exist ;) What's it for you?
My favourite tracks are 'Last Parade' and 'US remains impossible'
5. Mark Kano - Walking on Broadway
Thank you Last.fm for throwing some Mark Kano into the recommendations channel! This guy completely won me over with a single song (Walking on Broadway) resulting in the purchase of this 8-track wonder album on CDBaby. Another ARF (Anja's Royal Flush : when every track on the album has earned a cute little red heart on Last.fm, copyright of Daniel Tito :D) for me!
My favourite tracks are 'Walking on Broadway' and 'Telling you I love you'
6. Greg Laswell - Covers
Yes, covers. And it's only a 5-track EP too. What's it doing at 6th place in an best-of album list, you ask me? Come on, it's Greg Laswell! Have you heard him sing? :D
My favourite tracks are 'Your Ghost' and 'This Woman's Work'
7. Porcupine Tree - The Incident
There was no instant love for this record,and between me and Steven Wilson that is usually the case. But what a grower this album turned out to be...with every spin I loved it more and more...and even more. Especially the first disc, which is one giant song divided in chapters, comes highly recommended. Go Steve!
My favourite tracks are 'Time Flies' and 'Remember me Lover'
8. Dennis Kolen - Dutchboy
Dutch boy Dennis takes a place in my best of-list every year, not just because there's a new album every year, but because every year that album is REALLY GOOD. I don't know how he does it, but I certainly don't mind ;)
My favourite tracks are 'Immigration Song' and 'Your name across the sky'
9. The Swell Season - Strict Joy
My 'Rue Royale' of 2009, a duo of man and woman with voices fitting together beautifully, singing folky songs that get stuck in my head. Very, very nice.
My favourite tracks are 'Low Rising' and 'I have loved you wrong'
10. Keith Urban - Defying Gravity
(Modern) country albums' been creeping up the charts the past few years, and this year one actually cracked the top 10..I had instant love for Keith's new effort, which is just fun all over. Yay!
My favourite tracks are 'Kiss a Girl' and 'Sweet Thing'
11. Antje Duvekot - The near demise of the High-Wire Dancer
Antje's new album has new song and old songs re-done, all of them sung in that hauntingly beautiful voice of hers. Though I liked some of the old songs better when they weren't re-done, I thoroughly enjoyed this album, over and over again. Thanks to Marybeth for pointing me in the direction of this artist ;)
My favourite tracks are 'Vertigo' and 'Dublin Boys'
12. Benjamin Winter - The Wind blows way up High
Ben does what he's good at : delivering a record that makes me feel like making some hot cocoa, put on a warm sweater and find a comfy place on the couch. I think it's the voice. Wonderful!
My favourite tracks are 'Lighter Side' and 'Olé'
13. Rosemary's Sons - Home Sweet home
We had to wait a long time for a new album by these Dutch sons, but it was well worth the wait! Great songs, some great guest singers, and overall Martijn's voice is just gorgeous. Next album sooner, please!
My favourite tracks are 'Thin Line' and 'How about it'
14. Dave Matthews Band - Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King
Made for (and dedicated to) Leroi, this album turned out to be the best one in years, filled with amazing songs. If you're into Dave, that is. Otherwise it's just same old, since they didn't go a whole different way or anything ;)
My favourite tracks are 'Why I am' and 'Funny the way it is'
15. Pixie Lott - Turn it up
The catchiest pop-album of 2009! In an attempt to find out what Raph listens to he hooked me on three things (impressive!), Pixie being one of them ;)
My favourite tracks are 'Turn it up' and 'Cry me out'
16. Luce - Corner of the World
Another great album by this fantastic American band that nobody knows...the voice of Tom Luce feels instantly familiar and the songs are very well written. I wish they'd come to Holland once, I'd love to see them live!
My favourite tracks are 'Always will' and 'Corner of the World'
17 Richard Shindell - not far now
After loving 'Somewhere near Patterson' (sent my my friend Martin, thanks again!), I was this year pointed in the direction of Richard's new album by Martijn (thank you!). Once again, great songs and beautiful vocals.
My favourite tracks are 'Parasol Ants' and 'Balloon man'
18 Jason Walker - Jason Walker
Another EP, brought to me by Raph ;) I think he found it on 'Vampire Diaries'....good voice and very solid songs. Great ♥
My favourite tracks are 'Down' and 'Don't know'
19 Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
Once upon a time Neko found her way into my inbox with the help of Amy, and I got quite attached to her :D This year she made a real good album that I loved. And we lived happily ever after!
My favourite tracks are 'The next time you say forever' and 'Magpie to the morning'
20 Merel Hutten - Take a walk
Great album by this Dutch singer who I saw live may times over. All the songs I loved during these live shows are now on this new album, and I'm very happy with it :)
My favourite tracks are 'A happy song' and 'Roses and Babies'
I listened to nearly 200 albums over the course of 2009 and tried really hard, but could not make a top 10. Top 20...huge fail. Top 30...nope.
So here is my top 20 of 2009 - and if you want to see their album covers AND the other 40 albums I just HAD to mention - go here!
Comments are always welcome. Bashing me for my musical preferences is not.
Only Amy is allowed to kick me, because I'm expecting it ;)
My top 20 from 1 -20 :
1. storybox - You can be Replaced
The 2009 effort of Dutch band Storybox is by far my favourite of the year. Just like with their 2006 debut 'A fool's attempt', I can find no fault on it. As far as albums go, this is what perfection sounds like :)
Yay for Helge and the guys!
My favourite tracks are 'The Andersons' and 'Happy man'.
2. El Pino and the Volunteers - The Long -Lost art of becoming Invisible
Despite a vast amount of time inbetween 'Molten City' and this record, few live-performances and several changes in line-up, David Pino and his Volunteers have delivered a brilliant record that I absolutely adore. Their sound has changed quite a bit, but this album, though very different from the 2006 one, still manages to feel like home. Love ♥
My favourite tracks are 'There's no cure for Stupidity' and 'Right on'.
3. Vanessa Peters & Ice Cream On Mondays - Sweetheart, Keep Your
Chin Up
Seeing and hearing this album grow from scratch made it a 2009 favourite even before it was finished, but when the actual album arrived I was a very happy Panda. Vanessa and her band made their best album yet with this record filled with folky fairytale-like stories. I can't wait to hear what they'll do next ♥
My favourite tracks are ' Austin, I made a mess' and 'Okay from now on'
4.Matthew Good - Vancouver
Great songs, grand voice, Matt never fails. This new record is once again filled with brilliance..for me. Because when it comes to this Canadian's music, It's love or hate.Kinda okay doesn't exist ;) What's it for you?
My favourite tracks are 'Last Parade' and 'US remains impossible'
5. Mark Kano - Walking on Broadway
Thank you Last.fm for throwing some Mark Kano into the recommendations channel! This guy completely won me over with a single song (Walking on Broadway) resulting in the purchase of this 8-track wonder album on CDBaby. Another ARF (Anja's Royal Flush : when every track on the album has earned a cute little red heart on Last.fm, copyright of Daniel Tito :D) for me!
My favourite tracks are 'Walking on Broadway' and 'Telling you I love you'
6. Greg Laswell - Covers
Yes, covers. And it's only a 5-track EP too. What's it doing at 6th place in an best-of album list, you ask me? Come on, it's Greg Laswell! Have you heard him sing? :D
My favourite tracks are 'Your Ghost' and 'This Woman's Work'
7. Porcupine Tree - The Incident
There was no instant love for this record,and between me and Steven Wilson that is usually the case. But what a grower this album turned out to be...with every spin I loved it more and more...and even more. Especially the first disc, which is one giant song divided in chapters, comes highly recommended. Go Steve!
My favourite tracks are 'Time Flies' and 'Remember me Lover'
8. Dennis Kolen - Dutchboy
Dutch boy Dennis takes a place in my best of-list every year, not just because there's a new album every year, but because every year that album is REALLY GOOD. I don't know how he does it, but I certainly don't mind ;)
My favourite tracks are 'Immigration Song' and 'Your name across the sky'
9. The Swell Season - Strict Joy
My 'Rue Royale' of 2009, a duo of man and woman with voices fitting together beautifully, singing folky songs that get stuck in my head. Very, very nice.
My favourite tracks are 'Low Rising' and 'I have loved you wrong'
10. Keith Urban - Defying Gravity
(Modern) country albums' been creeping up the charts the past few years, and this year one actually cracked the top 10..I had instant love for Keith's new effort, which is just fun all over. Yay!
My favourite tracks are 'Kiss a Girl' and 'Sweet Thing'
11. Antje Duvekot - The near demise of the High-Wire Dancer
Antje's new album has new song and old songs re-done, all of them sung in that hauntingly beautiful voice of hers. Though I liked some of the old songs better when they weren't re-done, I thoroughly enjoyed this album, over and over again. Thanks to Marybeth for pointing me in the direction of this artist ;)
My favourite tracks are 'Vertigo' and 'Dublin Boys'
12. Benjamin Winter - The Wind blows way up High
Ben does what he's good at : delivering a record that makes me feel like making some hot cocoa, put on a warm sweater and find a comfy place on the couch. I think it's the voice. Wonderful!
My favourite tracks are 'Lighter Side' and 'Olé'
13. Rosemary's Sons - Home Sweet home
We had to wait a long time for a new album by these Dutch sons, but it was well worth the wait! Great songs, some great guest singers, and overall Martijn's voice is just gorgeous. Next album sooner, please!
My favourite tracks are 'Thin Line' and 'How about it'
14. Dave Matthews Band - Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King
Made for (and dedicated to) Leroi, this album turned out to be the best one in years, filled with amazing songs. If you're into Dave, that is. Otherwise it's just same old, since they didn't go a whole different way or anything ;)
My favourite tracks are 'Why I am' and 'Funny the way it is'
15. Pixie Lott - Turn it up
The catchiest pop-album of 2009! In an attempt to find out what Raph listens to he hooked me on three things (impressive!), Pixie being one of them ;)
My favourite tracks are 'Turn it up' and 'Cry me out'
16. Luce - Corner of the World
Another great album by this fantastic American band that nobody knows...the voice of Tom Luce feels instantly familiar and the songs are very well written. I wish they'd come to Holland once, I'd love to see them live!
My favourite tracks are 'Always will' and 'Corner of the World'
17 Richard Shindell - not far now
After loving 'Somewhere near Patterson' (sent my my friend Martin, thanks again!), I was this year pointed in the direction of Richard's new album by Martijn (thank you!). Once again, great songs and beautiful vocals.
My favourite tracks are 'Parasol Ants' and 'Balloon man'
18 Jason Walker - Jason Walker
Another EP, brought to me by Raph ;) I think he found it on 'Vampire Diaries'....good voice and very solid songs. Great ♥
My favourite tracks are 'Down' and 'Don't know'
19 Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
Once upon a time Neko found her way into my inbox with the help of Amy, and I got quite attached to her :D This year she made a real good album that I loved. And we lived happily ever after!
My favourite tracks are 'The next time you say forever' and 'Magpie to the morning'
20 Merel Hutten - Take a walk
Great album by this Dutch singer who I saw live may times over. All the songs I loved during these live shows are now on this new album, and I'm very happy with it :)
My favourite tracks are 'A happy song' and 'Roses and Babies'
