Journal

Timbaland - The Way I Are
Kanye West - Champion
Akcent - King of Disco
Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Me and My Imagination
Danny - Tokyo
E-Type - True Believer
Ola - Natalie
Ich und Ich - Vom selben Stern
U2 - Window In The Skies
Säkert! - Vi kommer att dö samtidigt
Sofia Talvik - It's just love
Per Gessle - En Händig Man
Racoon - Close Your Eyes
Manic Street Preachers - Send Away The Tigers
VHS or Beta - Love In My Pocket
Sebastian Karlsson - Words And Violence
The Shins - Australia
Air Traffic - Shooting Star
Hard-Fi - Suburban Knights
Hot Hot Heat - Let Me In
Angels & Airwaves - Everything's Magic
MGMT - Time to Pretend
Shiny Toy Guns - Rainy Monday
IAMX - Spit It Out
Oomph! - Träumst du
Lovex - Anyone Anymore
Within Temptation - Frozen
Nightwish - Eva
M83 - Coloring the Void
Air - Once Upon A Time
Helena Josefsson - By Your Side
Juvelen - Hanna
Kosheen - Overkill
Studio - Life's A Beach
Processory - I'm Limited In Vision
Tracey Thorn - It's All True
Radiohead - House of Cards
Björk - Earth Intruders
The Chemical Brothers - The Salmon Dance
Fischerspooner - The Best Revenge
Róisín Murphy - Overpowered
Goldfrapp - Happiness
Justice - D.A.N.C.E.
Digitalism - Pogo
Simian Mobile Disco - I BELIEVE
Matinee Club - Discotheque Français
Teki Latex - Go Go Go
Dave Gahan - Kingdom
Melotron - Das Herz
Thermostatic - The Box
Slagsmålsklubben - Malmö Beach Night Party
Client - Lights Go Out
Marsheaux - Dream of a Disco
Tomcraft - Relax
WestBam and The Love Committee - Love is everywhere
Stylophonic - R U experienced (D&G Mix)
Jean Michel Jarre - Téo & Téa
Tom Snare - Apology
Yelle - A Cause Des Garçons (Tepr remix)
Dada Feat. Sandy Rivera - Lollipop
Michael Gray feat. Steve Edwards - Somewhere Beyond
Meck ft. Dino - Feels Like Home
Robyn - With Every Heartbeat
The Egg - Nothing
Darren Hayes - On the Verge of Something Wonderful
Chicane - Come Tomorrow
Seal - Amazing
Rihanna feat. Jay-Z - Umbrella (Seamus Haji Radio Edit)
The Disco Boys - What You Want
The Attic - The Arrival
The Admirals feat. Seraphina - Männer! (...sch**** sexy)
Felix da Housecat - like something for porno
Camille Jones vs Fedde le Grand - The Creeps
Splittr - All Alone
David Guetta - Baby When The Light
Dreaminfusion - Hello (Jaccot Remix)
Rimini Project - The Plan
Basic Element - To You
Darude - Tell Me
Minimalistix - Whistling Drive
ATB - Justify
Tiësto - In The Dark
Armin Van Buuren Vs. Rank 1 - This World Is Watching Me
Paul van Dyk - Let Go
Milan Lieskovsky - Elenya
Fonzerelli - Spirit
Ronski Speed, Stoneface & Terminal - Soulseeker_(Ronski Speed Radio)
Above & Beyond pres. Tranquility Base - Oceanic
Eddie Sender - Internal Desire
Yamin Feat. Marcie - Butterfly Garden
Timbaland - The Way I Are
Arno Cost & Arias - Magenta
Marcus Schössow - Swedish Beatballs
Pryda - Ironman

The Los Campesinos! reference is sort of 2008, but let me digress, the lists:

Favorite live act witnessed in 2009:

1)Dirty Projectors - July 4th, Holocene, Portland, OR
2)Bon Iver - May 23rd, Sasquatch! Festival @ Gorge Amphitheater, Quincy, WA
3)Why? - October 30th, Cat's Cradle, Carrboro, NC
4)Blitzen Trapper - October 9th, Cat's Cradle, Carrboro, NC
5)Dan Deacon - April 24th, Wonder Ballroom, Portland, OR
6)Balkan Beat Box - June 9th, Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR
7)M83 - May 24th, Sasquatch! Festival @ Gorge Amphitheater, Quincy, WA
8)The Jesus Lizard - October 22nd, Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR
9)Here We Go Magic - September 26th @ Grey Eagle, Asheville, NC
10)Castanets and Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson - June 19th @ The Earthspace (a literal hole in the ground somewhere near Forest Park), Portland, OR

Favorite songs of 2009:

1)1901 - Phoenix
2)Surprise Hotel - Fool's Gold
3)Die Slow - HEALTH
4)Cannibal Resource - Dirty Projectors
5)Summertime Clothes - Animal Collective
6)Rollerskate - Matias Aguayo
7)Tunnelvision - Here We Go Magic
8)Should Have Taken Acid With You - Neon Indian
9)Funeral Singers - Califone
10)Keep It Goin' Louder - Major Lazer
11)Island, Is - Volcano Choir
12)I Hate My Job - Cam'ron
13)Don't Haunt This Place - The Rural Alberta Advantage
14)Free Energy - Free Energy
15)Psychic City (Voodoo City) - YACHT

Favorite albums of 2009:

1)

Bitte Orca - Dirty Projectors

2)

Blue Record - Baroness

3)

Veckatimest - Grizzly Bear

4)

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - Phoenix

5)

Here We Go Magic - Here We Go Magic

6)

Embryonic - The Flaming Lips

7)

Merriweather Post Pavilion - Animal Collective

8)

Fall Be Kind EP - Animal Collective

9)

Eskimo Snow - Why?

10)

Actor - St. Vincent

1. The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Communion
2. Hot Chip - Made In The Dark
3. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet
4. Zeigeist - The Jade Motel
5. Portishead - Third
6. Sigur Rós - Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust
7. M83 - Saturdays = Youth
8. Cat Power - Jukebox
9. Anna Ternheim - Leaving On A Mayday
10. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
11. Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads
12. Kings of Leon - Only by the Night
13. Adam Green - Sixes & Sevens
14. Moto Boy - Moto Boy
15. Kleerup - Kleerup

mi-yu-'s The Top 100 Albums of the 2000's (^O^)/

01 - Radiohead / Kid A (2000)
02 - Björk / Vespertine (2001)
03 - Radiohead / In Rainbows (2007)
04 - Sigur Rós / ( ) (2002)
05 - The Postal Service / Give Up (2003)
06 - Arcade Fire / Funeral (2005)
07 - Animal Collective / Feels (2005)
08 - PJ Harvey / White Chalk (2007)
09 - M.I.A. / Arular (2005)
10 - Amiina / Kurr (2007)
11 - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah / Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (2005)
12 - Mew / Frengers (2003)
13 - Bat for Lashes / Fur & Gold (2007)
14 - Sigur Rós / Takk... (2005)
15 - Röyksopp / The Understanding (2005)
16 - Coldplay / Parachutes (2000)
17 - The Strokes / Is This It (2000)
18 - Juana Molina / Son (2006)
19 - múm / Summer Make Good (2004)
20 - The White Stripes / Elephant (2003)
21 - Battles / Mirrored (2007)
22 - Gregory and the Hawk / Moenie and Kitchi (2008)
23 - Gang Gang Dance / Saint Dymphna (2008)
24 - Thom Yorke / The Eraser (2006)
25 - Snow Patrol / Eyes Open (2006)
26 - Radiohead / Amnesiac (2001)
27 - Fleet Foxes / Fleet Foxes (2008)
28 - Joanna Newsom / Ys (2006)
29 - Arcade Fire / Neon Bible (2006)
30 - Tyondai Braxton / Central Market (2009)
31 - Cat Power / You Are Free (2003)
32 - Fennesz / Endless Summer (2001)
33 - Antony and the Johnsons / I am a Bird Now (2005)
34 - Múm / Finally We Are No One (2002)
35 - Bon Iver / For Emma, Forever Ago (2007)
36 - Yeah Yeah Yeahs / Fever To Tell (2003)
37 - Sufjan Stevens / Illinois (2005)
38 - Kings of Leon / Aha Shake Heartbreak (2004)
39 - Justice / Cross (2007)
40 - Coldplay / Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends (2008)
41 - Mika / Life In Cartoon Motion (2007)
42 - The Libertines / The Libertines (2004)
43 - The Music / The Music (2002)
44 - Kasabian / Kasabian (2004)
45 - Primal Scream / Xtrmntr (2000)
46 - The Gossip / Standing In The Way Of Control (2006)
47 - PJ Harvey / Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea (2000)
48 - Grillaz / Demon Days (2005)
49 - LCD Soundsystem / LCD Soundsystem (2005)
50 - Portishead / Third (2008)
51 - The Kills / Midnight Boom (2008)
52 - Radiohead / Hail To The Thief (2003)
53 - CSS / Cansei De Ser Sexy (2006)
54 - The Go! Team / Thunder, Lightning, Strike (2004)
55 - !!! / Myth Takes (2007)
56 - Travis / The Invisible Band (2001)
57 - Super Furry Animals / Rings Around The World (2001)
58 - Franz Ferdinand / Franz Ferdinand (2004)
59 - Death Cab for Cutie / Plans (2005)
60 - PJ Harvey & John Parish / A Woman A Man Walked By (2009)
61 - M83 / Before The Dawn Heals Us (2005)
62 - Sonic Youth / Sonic Nurse (2004)
63 - Keane / Hopes And Fears (2004)
64 - Dirty Projectors / Bitte Orca (2009)
65 - Rilo Kikey / The Exectution of All Things(2002)
66 - School of Seven Bells / Alpinisms (2008)
67 - Bat for Lashes / Two Suns (2009)
68 - The Killers / Hot Fuss (2004)
69 - Duft Punk / Discovery (2001)
67 - Grizzly Bear / Veckatimest (2009)
68 - The Mars Volta / Frances The Mute (2005)
69 - Beck / Sea Change (2002)
70 - Blur / Think Tank (2003)
71 - Boards of Canada / Geogaddi (2002)
72 - Muse / Origin Of Symmetry (2001)
73 - The Flaming Lips / Embryonic (2009)
74 - M.I.A. / Kala (2008)
75 - Björk / Medulla (2004)
76 - Rodrigo y Gabriela / Rodrigo Y Gabriela (2006)
77 - Antony and the Johnsons / The Crying Light (2009)
78 - Kings of Leon / Only By The Night (2008)
79 - Ellen Allien & Apparat / Orchestra Of Bubbles (2006)
80 - Coldplay / X&Y (2005)
81 - Animal Collective / Strawberry Jam (2007)
82 - Sonic Youth / The Eternal (2009)
83 - Modeselektor / Happy Birthday! (2007)
84 - Red Hot Chili Peppers / By The Way (2002)
85 - MGMT / Oracular Spectacular (2007)
86 - Beck / Modan Guilt (2008)
87 - Interpol / Antics (2004)
88 - TV on the Radio / Dear Science (2008)
89 - The Kooks / Inside In / Inside Out (2006)
90 - The Album Leaf / In A Safe Place (2004)
91 - Coldplay / A Rush Of Blood To The Head (2002)
92 - Sigur Rós /Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust (2008)
93 - The Kills / No Wow (2005)
94 - Björk / Volta (2007)
95 - Arctic Monkeys / Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006)
96 - Jóhann Jóhannsson / Dís (2004)
97 - Vampire Weekend / Vampire Weekend (2008)
98 - My Morning Jacket / Z (2005)
99 - Foo Fighters / One By One (2002)
100 - Spiritualized / Songs In A & E (2008)

TOP 50 ALBUMS OF 2008
(without any numbers, chronologically)


The Boats - Our small Ideas / Our Small Ideas
Atlas Sound - Let the Blind lead those who can see but cannot feel / Kranky/4AD
Willits + Sakamoto - Ocean Fire / 12K
Skyphone - Avellaneda / Rune Grammofon
Our Sleepless Forest - Our Sleepless Forest / Resonant
Goldfrapp - Seventh Tree / Mute
The Teenagers - Reality Check / XL
Felicia Atkinson with Sylvain Chauveau - Roman Anglais / O´Rosa
Alexandre Navarro - Arcane / SEM label
Jacaszek - Treny / Miasmah

Brael and Tokyo Bloodworm - Living Language / Moteer
M83 - Saturdays = Youth / EMI
Christopher Bissonnette - In between Words / Kranky
Portishead - Third / Island
Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles / Lang Gang/Different
Tape - Luminarium / Häpna
Fax - Yo recuerdo / Static Discos
Kangding Ray - Automne Fold / raster-noton
Emanuele Errante - Humus / Somnia
Robin Saville - Peasgood Nonsuch / Static Caravan

Flying Lotus - Los Angeles / Warp
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes / Sub Pop/Bella Union
Unforscene - Fingers and thumbs / Tru Thoughts
con_cetta - Micro / Moteer
Sigur Ros - Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust / EMI
Henning Schmidt - Klavierraum / Flau
Lawrence English - Kiri No Oto / Touch Tone
Digitonal - Save your Light for darker Days / Just Music
Oppressed By The Line - Soft Focus / Drifting Falling
Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires / XL

Populous with Short Stories - Drawn in Basic / Morr Music
London Elektricity - Syncopated City / Hospital
Peter Broderick - Home / Bella Union
Juana Molina - Un Día / Domino
Koen Holtkamp - Field Rituals / Type
Hector Zazou & Swara - In the House of Mirrors / Crammed Disc
Motorcitysoul - Technique / Simple
SCSI-9 - Easy as down / Kompakt
Bohren & the Club of Gore - Dolores / Pias
I´m Not A Gun - Mirror / Palette

Erik Truffaz & Murcof - Mexico / Blue Note/EMI
Arve Henriksen - Cartography / ECM
Beat Pharmacy - Wikkid Times / Deep Space Media
Johann Johannsson - Fortlandia / 4AD
Dark Captain Light Captain - Miracle Kicker / LoAF
Helios - Caesura / Type
School of Seven Bells - Alpinisms / Ghostly International
Lars Bartkuhn - The new Continent / Sonar Kollektiv
Calder - Lower / Make Mine Music
Fennesz - Black Sea / Touch

See Volume I for description.

M83- Before the Dawn Heals Us


Just staring at the album cover will give you a great indication of the kind of atmosphere being strived for on this album. It's that feeling of the night, and the inescapable mood that it brings to even the most ordinary places. On this album, which is the best effort of the band, though the two other albums come close, we hear Anthony experimenting with shoegaze and ambient elements that mix beautifully with his entrancing electronic-based music. We also get some very ethereal vocal work as well. Some moments of this albums are simply stunning in how they're pulled off. The last song will leave the listener in bliss as melodies crash all around you. Pick this up.

Asobi Seksu- Citrus


Had this band been around in the early 90s, we'd be putting them alongside the greats of the shoegaze genre like My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive. But alas, they are relatively new, and carrying the torch for that nostalgic shoegaze sound. With influence from indie rock as well, Citrus is a masterful effort that sits comfortably with any of the classic albums of the genre. The singer's voice will also hook you the second she begins to sing. Modern shoegaze at its finest.

Die verbannten Kinder Evas- Dusk and Void Became Alive


Die Verbannten Kinder Evas have been a consistent band on their first three albums, taking some of the finer and more delicate sounds of Summoning, and creating a style that stands on its own in the neoclassical realm of music. Dusk and Void Became Alive, however, marks a decidedly dark turn for the band, the atmosphere being very solemn and melancholy. Not to mention, a new female soprano was added, and could very well be one of the best female vocalists in any genre right now. You will get lost in these songs and listen in wonder as DVKE takes you on a journey into the depths of your soul and you will love every second of it.

The Knife- Silent Shout


From the cold northern lands of Sweden comes The Knife, and their best work, Silent Shout. Unlike other electronic based bands, The Knife applies a cold atmosphere to their music, which is no doubt inspired by their home. There's also a strong 80s vibe on certain songs, and wouldn't sound too out of place among the new wave bands of two decades ago. And, the songs here are memorable and full of hooks. The vocals are also unique in that they are sometimes tweaked to the point of sounding digitalized, but not in a cheesy way...not an easy thing to accomplish. As danceable as it is relaxing, Silent Shout shows a band at the peak of their performance.

Neun Welten- Vergessene Pfade


If there's any band that can come close to mastering the neo-folk genre alongside Tenhi, it's surely this upcoming band. Here we have one of the strongest debuts on the year, and the talent coming from all the members is astounding. Neun Welten is a vocal-less band, and believe me, the instruments do all the work they need to enthrall the listener. Songwriting is very strong with not a dull moment to be had. It's just constant melodies that are warm and delightful. Any fan of acoustic guitar as well would do well to hear this band. Don't let this one go overlooked.

Tenhi- Maaäet


Few bands match the rich and masterful talents of Finland's Tenhi, and while they exceed most of their peers in the neo-folk genre, it's Maaäet that assured their place as gods. This album, much like others in this list, has a much darker sound to it overall. Some of these songs sound downright tragic, but in the most beautifully depressing way you can imagine. The album even escapes the genre of folk music at times, and remains as the band likes to call themselves, just "progressive music". Certainly, Tenhi have set no boundaries for themselves and continue on the path to immortality without breaking a sweat.

Crystal Castles- s/t


This is one of the bands that has helped me get into the electronic music genre, and it's easy to see why. Their songwriting is top-notch, and for just two people, the variation in sound among all the songs is quite diverse. Plus, it's so hard not to love the eccentric personality of singer Alice Glass. Her vocals have several different styles, which once again lends more variety. I dislike dancing, but this band makes me want to do it anyway. Even if electronic music isn't your thing, this might be the album to sell you. Let's hope that Crystal Castles continue on the path of greatness, because with a debut as good as this, it won't be easy to follow it up.

Camera Obscura- My Maudlin Career


This band has been around for awhile not, and although they may have been deeply inspired by Belle and Sebastian, they've recently come into their own, and on this newest album of theirs, you'd be hard pressed to find a more well put together album of indie pop and memorable melodies. The singer has such a hypnotic voice that you'll hang on every word she says. Pretty much every song on the album is well written and filler is nowhere to be found. Camera Obscura have a bright future with albums like My Maudlin Career under their belt. Might very well be my favorite album of 2009 as well.

Paysage d'Hiver- Einsamkeit


Best. Ambient. Ever. Not convinced? Well, Paysage d'Hiver is primarily ambient black metal that's inspired by winter, but every once in awhile we get pure ambient from this one-man project, and while he's always had a knack for making extremely atmospheric material, this has to be the apex of the kind of rich atmosphere that he, or anyone, can create. Trust me when I tell you that ambient music hardly gets better than this.

Weakling- Dead as Dreams


Lurker of Chalice- s/t


Leviathan- Tentacles of Whorror


Neurosis- The Eye of Every Storm


Pagan’s Mind- Enigmatic: Calling


When studying up on progressive metal for 2009, this album is probably one of the best examples of how and where to start. While the band was already impressive on previous albums, this release is massive. Every song is written to near perfection, exploding with melody and strong guitar and vocals. The riffs themselves are some of the best you're likely to hear anywhere. And that tone...wow. Do yourselves a favor and do not miss this if you didn't catch it the first time. It's a must for prog metal enthusiasts, and metal fans in general.

Strapping Young Lad- Alien


That's right, more Devin Townsend for you all. Strapping Young Lad has been his project to unleash every ounce of aggression and angst that seeps through the man's veins, all while keeping his tongue firmly in cheek. On Alien, we have what is maybe the band's best. The production is pitch perfect, the performances are all practically flawless, and the songs are just the kind of insane amount of noise (I use that term loosely) one expects one a Strapping Young Lad record. What maybe sets it apart is the inclusion of some progressive elements from his solo project, particulary clean vocals. While this may not sit well with some, it serves this album well and makes it richer than it already is. It's also probably the best album of the band to start with for newcomers.

1349- Hellfire


Relentless. Brutal. Hellfire is both of these things and more. You almost expect to see smoke rising from the CD while you listen to it. But it's not just the speed of Frost's inhuman drumming that's impressive, it's their surprisingly strong nack for writing solid riffs, and the extremely impressive vocal work. Hellfire manages to capture the classic Norwegian black metal sound without sacrificing a hint of credibility, and the modern production of the album only enhances the experience.

Lunar Aurora- Andacht


Lunar Aurora are not a very well known band, despite their relatively long existence. Though I've not heard previous outputs, Andacht shows the band firing on all cylinders. They deliver modern black metal that not only has strong production values, but also keeps the atmosphere thick and juciy. Unorthodox songwriting also helps the band to stand out, as they write the song in any way they see fit. One other highlight would certainly be the vocalist. He's able to switch from harsh growling rasps to choir-like vocals that resemble the chanting one hears in a cathedral. The music as a whole is quite dark too. This is a very impressive output of black metal that not many bands these days are able to produce. Do not miss this band.

Primordial- To The Nameless Dead


A band that exudes the quality of being "epic", To the Nameless Dead is one great song after another. Unlike most bands, Primordial do not easily fall into any sub-genre. Although their greatest inspiration is clearly folk metal, there is much more seriousness in their approach and one can garner a great appreciation by solely hearing the vocals, easily one of the most distinguishable voices in metal at this time. This album has everything one can want from a metal album in this modern day.

Shining- V: Halmstad


An album that took the underground by storm, Shining became a household name among metalists with this fifth effort. While not entirely too far off from the last two albums, still there's a noticeable sharpness and clarity which the new production job has brought. Also, we have some progressive and non-black influences showing up as well, but never losing the dreadfully depressing atmosphere the band excels at. Couple that with some well written guitar solos and Kvarforth's one of a kind vocals, and you have what seems to be the best work of the band's career.

Walknut- Graveforests and Their Shadows


A complete atmospheric gem from Russia, Walknut released one of the better black metal albums of recent years on this debut of theirs. Already the band seems to have found a unique sound for themselves. Free flowing songwriting and a dark aura are but two of Walknut's strengths, and if this is only their first album, one can only imagine the genius that awaits.

To be continued...

"M83 / Graveyard Girl (エム エイティスリー / グレイヴヤード・ガール)"のpvに載っていた和訳です。

不器用な女の子がかわいらしい

和訳はこちら。

Saturdays = Youth
Graveyard Girl
Graveyard Girl

party in the usa

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