MorrisseyIn addition to expanding the list to 25 albums (there’s no fixed number in mind when I start), I also complied the countries of origin for my top 2009 albums. No surprise, the UK is well ahead of the pack with 60%, followed by the USA at 27%, Canada at 8% and Australia at 5%. If you're excited for stats, wait till you see my Album of the Decade list coming soon. Enjoy!
25. Morrissey - Swords
As I’ve commented before, nobody writes a more perfect blend of catchiness and angst. As usual, the song titles are legendary and lots of great rarities and b-sides here that are all new to me. Sadly, this surpasses his other album this year of new material (see my Disappointments below!)
Stand Out Track:
Shame Is The Name
24. IAMX - Kingdom of Welcome Addiction
I featured this band back in August’s TOTM. As I said then, it’s the guy from Sneaker Pimps that has taken the best elements of that band and added in some grittier rock sounds. I wish Portisehead’s 2008 disastrous return album was even half this good. Although I just discovered them recently they’ve actually had 2 previous albums from this one which are excellent and worth checking out as well.
Stand Out Track: Nature of Inviting
23. The Prodigy - Invaders Must Die
Another return of a long-time favourite band, but failed to live up to my expectations despite still being quite good. I guess I kind of hold them to the standard of The Crystal Method, which just blew the doors off this release (see much higher on this list!) I still think their previous album (2004’s “Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned“ ) was even better, and completely unheralded.
Stand Out Track:Omen
22. Spinnerette - Spinnerette
There’s just something fantastic about a female singer who rocks your pants off. Building on my love of recent greats “The Duke Spirit” and “Sons and Daughters”, this is a worthy compliment to those killer albums.
Stand Out Track:Impaler
21. Doves - Kingdom Of Rust
Another group of Manchester legends, their 4th album was highly anticipated by me but actually quite a letdown. The fact that it’s on this list and not in my “Disappointments” bucket is a testament to the greatness of this band moreso than this particular album. I found they just dialled the whole thing down too mellow and don’t have enough punch except for a few tracks.
Stand Out Track:The Outsiders
20. Gomez - A New Tide
Such an unusual parallel with the Doves...a proven, veteran British band I’ve loved for years with a real let down of a highly anticipated new release save for a few strong tracks. Also like the Doves, I got to finally see Gomez live (about a month apart from the Doves) and was also underwhelmed. Coincidence???
Stand Out Track:Airstream Driver
19. Placebo - Battle For The Sun
I have found this band to actually be getting progressively better, and their 6th album is yet another great release. I was so disappointed that they had to cancel their Canadian tour stops because I’ve still never seen them live so I’ll just keep hoping. Musically they remind me a bit of Catherine Wheel, but vocally I always think of Geddy Lee from Rush – but I find a way to get past that (thanks to Scotty for permanently cementing that in my brain).
Stand Out Track: For What It’s Worth
18. Street Sweeper Social Club - Street Sweeper Social Club
Another resurrection of epic talent in a new band, this time the remnants of Rage Against The Machine. After the abomination that was Audioslave (I just hate Chris Cornell that much), this is a much better reflection of Tom Morello’s ridiculous guitar skills. Almost all the tracks on this album are solid, but I’m still longing for a RATM reunion that actually outputs some new material. Until then, this is a reasonable substitute to tide me over.
Stand Out Track: Clap For The Killers
17. The Heavy - The House That Dirt Built
As I wrote in last month’s TOTM, this album is an unexpected hybrid of funk and rock that just attacks your eardrums with a totally unexpected sound. I discovered their debut 2007 album “Great Vengeance & Furious Fire” at the same time and it’s almost as good so check that out as well.
Stand Out Track: How You Like Me Now?
16. Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires
OK, so I’m a bit behind on this one as it actually came out in Sept 08 but I added it to my library in Feb 09. Super fun, great blend of electronic and pop. Think Franz Ferdinand or The Bravery with more Casio keyboards but same danceable funk beats.
Stand Out Track: Lovesick
15. The Bavarian Druglords - 205
Another obvious obsession of classic 90’s Britpop, but with a bit more grit added in (think Black Rebel Motorcycle Club). Again, another under-the-radar debut where I have an unusual number of tracks rated 4 stars or higher. Sounds like the rock songs Oasis would occasionally crank out in between writing adult contemporary ballads.
Stand Out Track:Goldsoul
14. Champion - Resistance
How awesome that a Canadian artist could challenge the throne of Crystal Method & Chemical Brothers? Here on his second album (AKA DJ Champion), that impossible balance of snorting rock & unstoppable dance has been struck once again to create an even better sophomore effort.
Stand Out Track: Perfect In Between
13. Julian Plenti - Julian Plenti is...Skyscraper
Usually solo albums kind of suck, especially this early on in musical careers (in this case, Interpol). As you might expect, this came as a real surprise to me. I’m a fan of Interpol, so I was really just expecting more of the same. There’s certainly some similarities but I would say only 37% as dark & atmospheric as previous works but same great heavy and dark toe tapping tunes. That should be a contradiction, but somehow it isn't in this case.
Stand Out Track: Games For Days
12. Metric - Fantasies
I liked Metric’s previous album well enough, but wasn’t fully converted to the hype wagon like a lot of others seemed to be. This album feels like it brought more guitar driven rock to the equation than just synth based glitter, which makes all the difference.
Stand Out Track: Gold Guns Girls
11. Hot Seconds - Hot Seconds
Another off-the-charts amazing debut...this reminds me a lot of the Gorillaz (see "Excuse Me") with a splash of Kula Shaker (see "I Went To India"), but surprisingly, not British! There’s a ridiculous range of different sounds on this album – it’s so great, I can’t wait to hear more from these guys.
Stand Out Track:Pieces of You
10. The Lonely Island - Incredibad
I’ve always thought of these guys as the Beastie Boys crossed with Weird Al Yankovic, and I don’t know how you get a better combination than that. Sofa king many great songs on here from SNL and beyond, and although "Cool Guys Don’t Look At Explosions" isn’t technically on this album I consider it to be there in spirit.
Stand Out Track: anything from SNL, but beyond that – Incredibad. I can already envision the SNL Digital Short that this is destined to become!
9. Black Gold - Rush
I am shocked that this debut album has also flown under the radar of all the hype-machinery out there. I haven’t come across a single mention of these guys anywhere, yet I love almost every song on this album which is incredibly rare. Insanely infectious rock, think Stone Temple Pilots crossed with Matthew Good.
Stand Out Track:What You Did
8. Bad Lieutenant - Never Cry Another Tear
I was so unbelievably excited by this release, just to hear Bernard Sumner’s voice again. Even though it’s only 75% of New Order (please don’t be so grumpy Peter Hook!) it’s still more than enough talent to produce that undeniable sound that I’ve been loving for much of my life. I actually expected even greater things, so this isn’t ranked quite as high as I would have hoped but still a phenomenal release.
Stand Out Track:Poisonous Intent
7. The Tender Box - The Score
This is definitely not new (all the way back to 2005) but new to me, and left quite an impression in ‘09. I love their background, a bunch of latin inner-city LA kids who grew up grooving to Depeche Mode and The Cure, and it comes through in their music. Take Violator-era DM and add a dash of more straight ahead rock (think Sloan) and you’ve got some great catchy tunes. They did release a 5 track EP in 2009 with one great track (Beautiful Sin) so hopefully a full length follow up will come in 2010. Plus, they did the version of the current theme song for the new animated Spider Man series, which is fantastic!!!
Stand Out Track:Reload
6. Gossip - Music For Men
I’ve always described this band as “the blues/rock awesomeness of The White Stripes with the gospel vocal power of Aretha Franklin”. With this album you can add “the female/synth hybrid of Yaz” to the mix as well, with phenomenal results. Almost every track on here I have at 4 stars or higher, and again, another long anticipated live performance helped cement this top ten status, they did not disappoint.
Stand Out Track:Vertical Rhythm
5. The Whip - x Marks Destination
I’ve waited 25 years to write these words: THIS BAND SOUNDS LIKE NEW ORDER (who will forever be the benchmark of musical greatness to me). Just listen to “Frustration”, and even the title and lyrics sound like classic New Order. I guess being from Manchester it’s almost obligatory to try and honour the legends :) You know when you’ve got a track on the greatest TV show in existence – Top Gear – you’ve got some incredible, powerful tunes on your hands! I’m so bummed that I only discovered these guys AFTER they toured through Toronto, I’m eagerly anticipating their next album in 2010 and a hopeful return to our city!
Stand Out Track:Trash
4. White Lies - To Lose My Life
I don’t remember being this in awe of a bass player since the aforementioned Peter Hook. This is some of the most pounding, bass driven tracks I’ve ever heard...it’s a virtual assault of hammering relentless. This was really driven home at their live performance which blew me away and probably pushed them at least 5 spots higher on my year end list after that amazing show. I was expecting a bunch of self righteous goth-attitude and instead was mesmerized by 4 guys who were actually smiling and having fun! Plus, they’ve penned one of my favourite lyrics of all time: “let’s grow old together, and tie at the same time”. So much beauty and morbidity in a single line.
Stand Out Track: Farewell to the playground (plus check out the super-cool Yusek remix of this track. I find remixes are usually insults to the original, but in this case I sometimes even flip flop on which one I prefer)
3. Franz Ferdinand - Tonight: Franz Ferdinand
A flawless convergence of disco and rock. Their best work to date, I can’t believe I missed getting tickets for their Toronto show! This is some of the catchiest, most infectious rock ever recorded, I can’t wait to hear what they do next. Now, if we could just get more tracks from this album into Rock Band (Lucid Dreams just doesn’t cut it...)
Stand Out Track:No You Girls (even though it got a little over-saturated with the iPhone ad)
2. The Crystal Method - Divided By Night
Not only have TCM created their best album yet, but they’ve surpassed the Chemical Brothers as the undisputed masters of rock-dance fusion. The cameos from Peter Hook on bass make this an absolutely ridiculous album with many of the tracks sounding like b-sides to New Order’s 1989 Technique album, which is about as high a compliment as possible from me.
Stand Out Track: Blunts & Robots
1. Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
This was such a no brainer. The instant I heard the opening snorting rift and skittering pace of sneak-peek single “Vlad The Impaler” I knew this was going to be great. Then I got preview versions of “Fire”, I heard “Underdog” in a Sony ad, and I had this slated for album of the year before it was even officially released. Eventually, it took me 3 months stop listening to these tracks (and “Fast Fuse”) to discover what is currently my favourite, “Take Aim”, which sounds like a Quentin Tarantino trailer on LSD. That’s how good this album is. The only way it could get better is for these guys to return to NA for a loooong overdue tour so I can see them for a 3rd time!
Stand Out Track: changes weekly, but if I had to *just* pick one?Underdog
Honourable Mention:
Fires of Rome - You Kingdom You
Another stunning debut that I’m surprised isn’t bigger with the indie trend-setters. Check out Love is a Burning Thing, just missed being in the top 25 albums.
the ruling class - Tour De Force
Such a blatant Stone Roses re-hash, but when you’re talking about music that good even a partial re-use sounds fantastic. If this was more than a short EP it would have made the list, hopefully a full release coming in 2010.
1990s - Kicks
I really loved their debut album (2007’s “Cookies”) and this one is just as good. Just the right amount of punk rock without being offensive.
Jarvis Cocker - Further Complications
I loved his first solo album (2006’s “Jarvis”) so I had very high hopes. Still a good album, I just want Pulp to reform so badly...
Depeche Mode - Sounds of the Universe
Legendary band just seems to be running out of steam
The Lions - Sounds Familiar
Actually from 2008 but discovered in early 2009, lots of good tracks. Their 2009 release ("Live Love Laugh") is not yet as compelling but still worth checking out.
Elephant Stone - The Seven Seas
An obvious tribute to the Stone Roses not only in name, and not quite as sonically similar as The Ruling Class but still a solid debut. Hopefully lots more to come
Wolf & Cub - Science & Sorcery
A bit of the sophomore jinx me thinks. Their debut album (2006’s "Vessels") seemed almost like a worthy successor to the Kasabian throne, but this one is a bit softer and not quite up to par
Super Furry Animals - Dark Days/Light Years
Like other “Honourable Mentions”, not quite up to par but not quite so bad to be on the “Disappointments” list (see below!)
Too Soon To Tell...
I had high hopes for these releases and they haven’t done it for me yet. But since they came out in the last part of the year it’s too early to put them in the shameful “Disappointments” list so they got their own category since I’m still hopeful that I’ll warm up to them.
Weezer - Raditute
Stereophonics - Keep Calm & Carry On
Sweethead - The Great Disruptors
The Bravery - Stir The Blood
Editors - In This Light And On This Evening
Disappointments of the Year:
Ian Brown - My Way
2007’s “The World Is Yours” was so awesome that I had really high expectations...fail.
U2 - No Line On the Horizon
I know we’re all getting older, but a whole album of adult contemporary ballads? Really? Not just boring, but bad.
Starsailor - All The Plans
Again, really high expectations from a long-time favourite band and another mellow melt-down of lameness.
Arctic Monkeys - Humbug
Doesn’t even come close to living up to the hype. Their previous releases are better, this is a real drop off for them.
The Horrors - Primary Colours
I can’t believe how many people are raving about this as a great album. Every time they have a release there’s all sorts of people that get all gushy about this band and I check it out and am disgusted every time that an album like this can not only get made but be considered “great”. I know I sound like my dad, but this is unbearable noise. I won’t tricked into giving them another chance again...
Cornershop - Judy Sucks Lemon For Breakfast
Where has this great band been all these years? After 1997’s “Brimful Of Asha” I think they can safely be considered a one-hit-wonder
Muse - The Resistance
I think I made my opinion pretty clear in September’s TOTM when I called this album a “Queen-wet-dream-rock-fantasy-opera”, which pretty much sums it up. We already have Radiohead to serve as a reminder of what happens when a great rock band takes themselves too seriously, we don’t need another. I dislike this album so much that I’m seriously questioning going to see their unbelievable live show when it comes to down again this spring.
Moby - Wait For Me
Each album since 2002’s “18” has become successively worse to the point that this is now unlistenable elevator muzak
Wolfmother - Cosmic Egg
Another sophomore jinx, although what do you expect when the entire band revolts and bails on the lead singer?
The Cribs - Ignore The Ignorant
Another band I keep getting tricked into believing, I thought the presence of the legendary Johnny Marr on guitar would salvage something here, but they still suck.
The Cure - 4:13 Dream
Who are these guys? Nothing worth listening to here, so far past their prime.
Pet Shop Boys - Yes
Ditto – see above.
Morrissey - Years of Refusal
The new release from the master of melancholy didn’t measure up to the B-sides album that also came out this year (see #25).
Manic Street Preachers - Journal For Plague Lovers
This was a tough call. I know this was a “special” album for the band so I should perhaps be a bit more lenient. It’s not “bad” per se, but this album belongs back where it was first conceived – early 90’s grunge. Still a great concert this year though!
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – The Effects of 333
I love this band so much (see “Albums of the Decade”) that they could release just about anything and I’d gush about it, but they really went off the deep end here. There’s a reason this is available only as a free digital download – it sounds like the scraps of garbage that were left after they trimmed them off real songs.
25. Morrissey - Swords
As I’ve commented before, nobody writes a more perfect blend of catchiness and angst. As usual, the song titles are legendary and lots of great rarities and b-sides here that are all new to me. Sadly, this surpasses his other album this year of new material (see my Disappointments below!)
Stand Out Track:
Shame Is The Name24. IAMX - Kingdom of Welcome Addiction
I featured this band back in August’s TOTM. As I said then, it’s the guy from Sneaker Pimps that has taken the best elements of that band and added in some grittier rock sounds. I wish Portisehead’s 2008 disastrous return album was even half this good. Although I just discovered them recently they’ve actually had 2 previous albums from this one which are excellent and worth checking out as well.
Stand Out Track: Nature of Inviting
23. The Prodigy - Invaders Must Die
Another return of a long-time favourite band, but failed to live up to my expectations despite still being quite good. I guess I kind of hold them to the standard of The Crystal Method, which just blew the doors off this release (see much higher on this list!) I still think their previous album (2004’s “Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned“ ) was even better, and completely unheralded.
Stand Out Track:
Omen22. Spinnerette - Spinnerette
There’s just something fantastic about a female singer who rocks your pants off. Building on my love of recent greats “The Duke Spirit” and “Sons and Daughters”, this is a worthy compliment to those killer albums.
Stand Out Track:
Impaler21. Doves - Kingdom Of Rust
Another group of Manchester legends, their 4th album was highly anticipated by me but actually quite a letdown. The fact that it’s on this list and not in my “Disappointments” bucket is a testament to the greatness of this band moreso than this particular album. I found they just dialled the whole thing down too mellow and don’t have enough punch except for a few tracks.
Stand Out Track:
The Outsiders20. Gomez - A New Tide
Such an unusual parallel with the Doves...a proven, veteran British band I’ve loved for years with a real let down of a highly anticipated new release save for a few strong tracks. Also like the Doves, I got to finally see Gomez live (about a month apart from the Doves) and was also underwhelmed. Coincidence???
Stand Out Track:
Airstream Driver19. Placebo - Battle For The Sun
I have found this band to actually be getting progressively better, and their 6th album is yet another great release. I was so disappointed that they had to cancel their Canadian tour stops because I’ve still never seen them live so I’ll just keep hoping. Musically they remind me a bit of Catherine Wheel, but vocally I always think of Geddy Lee from Rush – but I find a way to get past that (thanks to Scotty for permanently cementing that in my brain).
Stand Out Track: For What It’s Worth
18. Street Sweeper Social Club - Street Sweeper Social Club
Another resurrection of epic talent in a new band, this time the remnants of Rage Against The Machine. After the abomination that was Audioslave (I just hate Chris Cornell that much), this is a much better reflection of Tom Morello’s ridiculous guitar skills. Almost all the tracks on this album are solid, but I’m still longing for a RATM reunion that actually outputs some new material. Until then, this is a reasonable substitute to tide me over.
Stand Out Track: Clap For The Killers
17. The Heavy - The House That Dirt Built
As I wrote in last month’s TOTM, this album is an unexpected hybrid of funk and rock that just attacks your eardrums with a totally unexpected sound. I discovered their debut 2007 album “Great Vengeance & Furious Fire” at the same time and it’s almost as good so check that out as well.
Stand Out Track: How You Like Me Now?
16. Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires
OK, so I’m a bit behind on this one as it actually came out in Sept 08 but I added it to my library in Feb 09. Super fun, great blend of electronic and pop. Think Franz Ferdinand or The Bravery with more Casio keyboards but same danceable funk beats.
Stand Out Track: Lovesick
15. The Bavarian Druglords - 205
Another obvious obsession of classic 90’s Britpop, but with a bit more grit added in (think Black Rebel Motorcycle Club). Again, another under-the-radar debut where I have an unusual number of tracks rated 4 stars or higher. Sounds like the rock songs Oasis would occasionally crank out in between writing adult contemporary ballads.
Stand Out Track:
Goldsoul14. Champion - Resistance
How awesome that a Canadian artist could challenge the throne of Crystal Method & Chemical Brothers? Here on his second album (AKA DJ Champion), that impossible balance of snorting rock & unstoppable dance has been struck once again to create an even better sophomore effort.
Stand Out Track: Perfect In Between
13. Julian Plenti - Julian Plenti is...Skyscraper
Usually solo albums kind of suck, especially this early on in musical careers (in this case, Interpol). As you might expect, this came as a real surprise to me. I’m a fan of Interpol, so I was really just expecting more of the same. There’s certainly some similarities but I would say only 37% as dark & atmospheric as previous works but same great heavy and dark toe tapping tunes. That should be a contradiction, but somehow it isn't in this case.
Stand Out Track: Games For Days
12. Metric - Fantasies
I liked Metric’s previous album well enough, but wasn’t fully converted to the hype wagon like a lot of others seemed to be. This album feels like it brought more guitar driven rock to the equation than just synth based glitter, which makes all the difference.
Stand Out Track: Gold Guns Girls
11. Hot Seconds - Hot Seconds
Another off-the-charts amazing debut...this reminds me a lot of the Gorillaz (see "Excuse Me") with a splash of Kula Shaker (see "I Went To India"), but surprisingly, not British! There’s a ridiculous range of different sounds on this album – it’s so great, I can’t wait to hear more from these guys.
Stand Out Track:
Pieces of You10. The Lonely Island - Incredibad
I’ve always thought of these guys as the Beastie Boys crossed with Weird Al Yankovic, and I don’t know how you get a better combination than that. Sofa king many great songs on here from SNL and beyond, and although "Cool Guys Don’t Look At Explosions" isn’t technically on this album I consider it to be there in spirit.
Stand Out Track: anything from SNL, but beyond that – Incredibad. I can already envision the SNL Digital Short that this is destined to become!
9. Black Gold - Rush
I am shocked that this debut album has also flown under the radar of all the hype-machinery out there. I haven’t come across a single mention of these guys anywhere, yet I love almost every song on this album which is incredibly rare. Insanely infectious rock, think Stone Temple Pilots crossed with Matthew Good.
Stand Out Track:
What You Did8. Bad Lieutenant - Never Cry Another Tear
I was so unbelievably excited by this release, just to hear Bernard Sumner’s voice again. Even though it’s only 75% of New Order (please don’t be so grumpy Peter Hook!) it’s still more than enough talent to produce that undeniable sound that I’ve been loving for much of my life. I actually expected even greater things, so this isn’t ranked quite as high as I would have hoped but still a phenomenal release.
Stand Out Track:
Poisonous Intent7. The Tender Box - The Score
This is definitely not new (all the way back to 2005) but new to me, and left quite an impression in ‘09. I love their background, a bunch of latin inner-city LA kids who grew up grooving to Depeche Mode and The Cure, and it comes through in their music. Take Violator-era DM and add a dash of more straight ahead rock (think Sloan) and you’ve got some great catchy tunes. They did release a 5 track EP in 2009 with one great track (Beautiful Sin) so hopefully a full length follow up will come in 2010. Plus, they did the version of the current theme song for the new animated Spider Man series, which is fantastic!!!
Stand Out Track:
Reload6. Gossip - Music For Men
I’ve always described this band as “the blues/rock awesomeness of The White Stripes with the gospel vocal power of Aretha Franklin”. With this album you can add “the female/synth hybrid of Yaz” to the mix as well, with phenomenal results. Almost every track on here I have at 4 stars or higher, and again, another long anticipated live performance helped cement this top ten status, they did not disappoint.
Stand Out Track:
Vertical Rhythm5. The Whip - x Marks Destination
I’ve waited 25 years to write these words: THIS BAND SOUNDS LIKE NEW ORDER (who will forever be the benchmark of musical greatness to me). Just listen to “Frustration”, and even the title and lyrics sound like classic New Order. I guess being from Manchester it’s almost obligatory to try and honour the legends :) You know when you’ve got a track on the greatest TV show in existence – Top Gear – you’ve got some incredible, powerful tunes on your hands! I’m so bummed that I only discovered these guys AFTER they toured through Toronto, I’m eagerly anticipating their next album in 2010 and a hopeful return to our city!
Stand Out Track:
Trash4. White Lies - To Lose My Life
I don’t remember being this in awe of a bass player since the aforementioned Peter Hook. This is some of the most pounding, bass driven tracks I’ve ever heard...it’s a virtual assault of hammering relentless. This was really driven home at their live performance which blew me away and probably pushed them at least 5 spots higher on my year end list after that amazing show. I was expecting a bunch of self righteous goth-attitude and instead was mesmerized by 4 guys who were actually smiling and having fun! Plus, they’ve penned one of my favourite lyrics of all time: “let’s grow old together, and tie at the same time”. So much beauty and morbidity in a single line.
Stand Out Track: Farewell to the playground (plus check out the super-cool Yusek remix of this track. I find remixes are usually insults to the original, but in this case I sometimes even flip flop on which one I prefer)
3. Franz Ferdinand - Tonight: Franz Ferdinand
A flawless convergence of disco and rock. Their best work to date, I can’t believe I missed getting tickets for their Toronto show! This is some of the catchiest, most infectious rock ever recorded, I can’t wait to hear what they do next. Now, if we could just get more tracks from this album into Rock Band (Lucid Dreams just doesn’t cut it...)
Stand Out Track:
No You Girls (even though it got a little over-saturated with the iPhone ad)2. The Crystal Method - Divided By Night
Not only have TCM created their best album yet, but they’ve surpassed the Chemical Brothers as the undisputed masters of rock-dance fusion. The cameos from Peter Hook on bass make this an absolutely ridiculous album with many of the tracks sounding like b-sides to New Order’s 1989 Technique album, which is about as high a compliment as possible from me.
Stand Out Track: Blunts & Robots
1. Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
This was such a no brainer. The instant I heard the opening snorting rift and skittering pace of sneak-peek single “Vlad The Impaler” I knew this was going to be great. Then I got preview versions of “Fire”, I heard “Underdog” in a Sony ad, and I had this slated for album of the year before it was even officially released. Eventually, it took me 3 months stop listening to these tracks (and “Fast Fuse”) to discover what is currently my favourite, “Take Aim”, which sounds like a Quentin Tarantino trailer on LSD. That’s how good this album is. The only way it could get better is for these guys to return to NA for a loooong overdue tour so I can see them for a 3rd time!
Stand Out Track: changes weekly, but if I had to *just* pick one?
UnderdogHonourable Mention:
Fires of Rome - You Kingdom You
Another stunning debut that I’m surprised isn’t bigger with the indie trend-setters. Check out Love is a Burning Thing, just missed being in the top 25 albums.
the ruling class - Tour De Force
Such a blatant Stone Roses re-hash, but when you’re talking about music that good even a partial re-use sounds fantastic. If this was more than a short EP it would have made the list, hopefully a full release coming in 2010.
1990s - Kicks
I really loved their debut album (2007’s “Cookies”) and this one is just as good. Just the right amount of punk rock without being offensive.
Jarvis Cocker - Further Complications
I loved his first solo album (2006’s “Jarvis”) so I had very high hopes. Still a good album, I just want Pulp to reform so badly...
Depeche Mode - Sounds of the Universe
Legendary band just seems to be running out of steam
The Lions - Sounds Familiar
Actually from 2008 but discovered in early 2009, lots of good tracks. Their 2009 release ("Live Love Laugh") is not yet as compelling but still worth checking out.
Elephant Stone - The Seven Seas
An obvious tribute to the Stone Roses not only in name, and not quite as sonically similar as The Ruling Class but still a solid debut. Hopefully lots more to come
Wolf & Cub - Science & Sorcery
A bit of the sophomore jinx me thinks. Their debut album (2006’s "Vessels") seemed almost like a worthy successor to the Kasabian throne, but this one is a bit softer and not quite up to par
Super Furry Animals - Dark Days/Light Years
Like other “Honourable Mentions”, not quite up to par but not quite so bad to be on the “Disappointments” list (see below!)
Too Soon To Tell...
I had high hopes for these releases and they haven’t done it for me yet. But since they came out in the last part of the year it’s too early to put them in the shameful “Disappointments” list so they got their own category since I’m still hopeful that I’ll warm up to them.
Weezer - Raditute
Stereophonics - Keep Calm & Carry On
Sweethead - The Great Disruptors
The Bravery - Stir The Blood
Editors - In This Light And On This Evening
Disappointments of the Year:
Ian Brown - My Way
2007’s “The World Is Yours” was so awesome that I had really high expectations...fail.
U2 - No Line On the Horizon
I know we’re all getting older, but a whole album of adult contemporary ballads? Really? Not just boring, but bad.
Starsailor - All The Plans
Again, really high expectations from a long-time favourite band and another mellow melt-down of lameness.
Arctic Monkeys - Humbug
Doesn’t even come close to living up to the hype. Their previous releases are better, this is a real drop off for them.
The Horrors - Primary Colours
I can’t believe how many people are raving about this as a great album. Every time they have a release there’s all sorts of people that get all gushy about this band and I check it out and am disgusted every time that an album like this can not only get made but be considered “great”. I know I sound like my dad, but this is unbearable noise. I won’t tricked into giving them another chance again...
Cornershop - Judy Sucks Lemon For Breakfast
Where has this great band been all these years? After 1997’s “Brimful Of Asha” I think they can safely be considered a one-hit-wonder
Muse - The Resistance
I think I made my opinion pretty clear in September’s TOTM when I called this album a “Queen-wet-dream-rock-fantasy-opera”, which pretty much sums it up. We already have Radiohead to serve as a reminder of what happens when a great rock band takes themselves too seriously, we don’t need another. I dislike this album so much that I’m seriously questioning going to see their unbelievable live show when it comes to down again this spring.
Moby - Wait For Me
Each album since 2002’s “18” has become successively worse to the point that this is now unlistenable elevator muzak
Wolfmother - Cosmic Egg
Another sophomore jinx, although what do you expect when the entire band revolts and bails on the lead singer?
The Cribs - Ignore The Ignorant
Another band I keep getting tricked into believing, I thought the presence of the legendary Johnny Marr on guitar would salvage something here, but they still suck.
The Cure - 4:13 Dream
Who are these guys? Nothing worth listening to here, so far past their prime.
Pet Shop Boys - Yes
Ditto – see above.
Morrissey - Years of Refusal
The new release from the master of melancholy didn’t measure up to the B-sides album that also came out this year (see #25).
Manic Street Preachers - Journal For Plague Lovers
This was a tough call. I know this was a “special” album for the band so I should perhaps be a bit more lenient. It’s not “bad” per se, but this album belongs back where it was first conceived – early 90’s grunge. Still a great concert this year though!
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – The Effects of 333
I love this band so much (see “Albums of the Decade”) that they could release just about anything and I’d gush about it, but they really went off the deep end here. There’s a reason this is available only as a free digital download – it sounds like the scraps of garbage that were left after they trimmed them off real songs.
