VetiverMuch like last year, 2009 was full of not an awful lot that I really got into, although again the quality stuff was absolutely golden. There should also be special mention made of the several truly special EP releases of 2009: Ed Harcourt’s Russian Roulette, My Jerusalem’s Without Feathers and The Breeders’ Fate to Fatal certainly worthy of note and purchase this year.
So it’s a bit odd that a few weeks ago I was struggling to come up with a top 10, and now I find myself struggling to keep it down to just 13. But there you go.
1. Soulsavers - Broken
Northern English types Rich Machin and Ian Glover decide to make a film soundtrack for a movie that doesn’t exist, and invites a few chums along to help out. At the centre of all this is the voice of Mark Lanegan at the very top of his game, and he is very capably assisted with many ego-free cameos from the likes of Mike Patton, Gibby Haynes, Jason Pierce, Richard Hawley and others, not least a delightful 3rd act with Rosa Agostino (aka Red Ghost) at the forefront of the latter proceedings. A delicately-balanced album that is wonderfully held together by the writer/producers and something that will certainly improve with age, given its timeless quality apparent from the very start.
2. Matthew Ryan - Dear Lover
An occasionally uncomfortable listen, but a beautiful one. Matthew Ryan’s Dear Lover isn’t the cheeriest album you will ever buy, but he writes and performs these songs on such a fragile and delicate fashion that it’s hard to tear yourself away once you start listening. There are some silver linings on offer to balance out the dark clouds however, and the overall result is a tremendous work of genuine emotion. Full of subtle anthems (if that doesn’t seem like a huge contradiction) and genuinely moving moments, this deserves every success.
3. Creature With The Atom Brain - Transylvania
Belgian psych-rock combo put out another corker of an album. Not quite as manic as previous effort I am the Golden Gate Bridge, but a lot more measured and infectiously rhythmic. The big draw for most will be the the appearance (yet again) of Mark Lanegan, but once you’re in there’s plenty to hang around for and savour.
4. Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse - Dark Night of the Soul
Like Soulsavers’ Broken, this is a fantastic collection of collaborative work centred around the heart of two people - in this case, messrs. Mouse and Horse - with the great addition of David Lynch. Sadly, an increasingly arsey record industry desperate to cling onto a hopelessly outdated business model (especially in this age of increased collaboration and co-operation as documented all the way through this list) has meant that this album hasn’t actually been released and probably never will be. So everyone nicked it, and (in this case) good on ‘em. Because if we hadn’t, then nobody would have got to hear a quite incredible album and obvious labour of love for all involved. A victory for the artists and fans, a possibly catastrophic mistake by the majors.
5. Vic Chesnutt - At the Cut
As I type this, Vic’s death by suicide is being confirmed by his record label. Which will ironically mean that the recognition that largely eluded him during his lifetime (and sadly the money that would have helped alleviate the horrific medical bills that have plagued him all his life and ultimately contributed to his death) will now be afforded to him. In this purely musical respect, this is a wonderful thing as Vic was a truly gifted songwriter and performer, casting a dark eye over life’s misfortunes and unfairnesses, yet always tempered with a vicious humour as though he acknowledges that he gets whatever cosmic joke the universe is playing on us all, and on him in particular.
At the Cut is in turn angry, melancholic and knowing, and given the benefit of cruel hindsight his two albums released this year in close succession will always be connected with his passing in a similar way to In Utero or Pink Moon. Hopefully the sad event of Vic’s passing will bring more people to his music and all the plaudits he so richly deserved.
6. Various - Summers’ Kiss: A Tribute to the Afghan Whigs
A tremendous labour of love from Afghan Whigs fansite Summer’s Kiss, bringing together friends and colleagues of the band as well as contributions from fans both well-known and otherwise. Not sure if it’s down to the quality of the songwriting of the original tracks or the care that the artists assembled here (and indeed the album’s curator) have invested, but there’s not a duff track on here.
7. Various - We Are Only Riders: The Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions Project
Another tribute album featuring various colleagues, fans and friends, all thanks to a cassette tape found in an attic. This is something that could have turned into a very maudlin affair, but instead it’s a joyful and fond farewell to a talented songwriter and friend to the performers on the record, and a great musical treat for the rest of us.
8. Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
Collaborations and general musical get-togethers are becoming more and more common recently, and unlike the (mostly) bad old days of the 1970s supergroup where egos clashed and fought for supremacy, nowadays they come across more as genuine meetings of minds and a desire to just make good music.
A coming-together of Josh Homme, Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones always looked incredible on paper, but as soon as the secret of the band’s existence slipped out, expectations went stratospheric. Thankfully, these were pretty much met with the help of a bunch of no-frills, well-played rock music with each player complimenting and supporting the others as if they’d been playing together for years.
9. The Duckworth Lewis Method - The Duckworth Lewis Method
If Australia had won The Ashes series this summer, this would have been the bitterest album to be released in 2009. As it stands, we bloody well won, so hooray for this lovely reminder of a wonderfully victorious summer’s cricket and hooray for the most quintessentially English album since The Village Green Preservation Society. Even if it was the brainchild of two guys from Ireland.
10. Tara Busch - Pilfershire Lane
What would probably happen if Kate Bush and Syd Barrett were one and the same person. A somewhat mad album to be sure, but one where every sudden idea change fits perfectly and makes each song work. Quirky loveliness.
11. Jeff Klein - 33
A 23-minute gift from Jeff celebrating his 33rd birthday, this was available for free download through his myspace site for fans. A really nice gesture, and some real gems available within, including a Joni Mitchell Christmas tune, a cover of Yazoo’s Only You and an alternative visit to My Jerusalem’s own Under Your Skin amongst various ideas and auto tunings. A truly nice gesture from artist to audience, and some great songs to go with it.
12. Vetiver - Tight Knit
More cheery, breezy and folky pop from Andy Cadic and pals. A happy little counterpoint to some of the darker efforts in this list, it evoked those long and lost childhood summertimes from a time when The Carpenters ruled the Earth. And in Strictly Rule, Vetiver gives us one of the finest songs of the year.
13. Voivod - Infini
The second (and final) Voivod album recorded after the death of guitarist Denis “Piggy” D’Amour, using riffs recorded on his laptop and bequeathed to the rest of the band. Not quite as immediate as previous album Katorz, but it’s both a fitting tribute to their fallen bandmate as well as a great final farewell from (at least this incarnation of) Voivod.
So it’s a bit odd that a few weeks ago I was struggling to come up with a top 10, and now I find myself struggling to keep it down to just 13. But there you go.
1. Soulsavers - Broken
Northern English types Rich Machin and Ian Glover decide to make a film soundtrack for a movie that doesn’t exist, and invites a few chums along to help out. At the centre of all this is the voice of Mark Lanegan at the very top of his game, and he is very capably assisted with many ego-free cameos from the likes of Mike Patton, Gibby Haynes, Jason Pierce, Richard Hawley and others, not least a delightful 3rd act with Rosa Agostino (aka Red Ghost) at the forefront of the latter proceedings. A delicately-balanced album that is wonderfully held together by the writer/producers and something that will certainly improve with age, given its timeless quality apparent from the very start.
2. Matthew Ryan - Dear Lover
An occasionally uncomfortable listen, but a beautiful one. Matthew Ryan’s Dear Lover isn’t the cheeriest album you will ever buy, but he writes and performs these songs on such a fragile and delicate fashion that it’s hard to tear yourself away once you start listening. There are some silver linings on offer to balance out the dark clouds however, and the overall result is a tremendous work of genuine emotion. Full of subtle anthems (if that doesn’t seem like a huge contradiction) and genuinely moving moments, this deserves every success.
3. Creature With The Atom Brain - Transylvania
Belgian psych-rock combo put out another corker of an album. Not quite as manic as previous effort I am the Golden Gate Bridge, but a lot more measured and infectiously rhythmic. The big draw for most will be the the appearance (yet again) of Mark Lanegan, but once you’re in there’s plenty to hang around for and savour.
4. Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse - Dark Night of the Soul
Like Soulsavers’ Broken, this is a fantastic collection of collaborative work centred around the heart of two people - in this case, messrs. Mouse and Horse - with the great addition of David Lynch. Sadly, an increasingly arsey record industry desperate to cling onto a hopelessly outdated business model (especially in this age of increased collaboration and co-operation as documented all the way through this list) has meant that this album hasn’t actually been released and probably never will be. So everyone nicked it, and (in this case) good on ‘em. Because if we hadn’t, then nobody would have got to hear a quite incredible album and obvious labour of love for all involved. A victory for the artists and fans, a possibly catastrophic mistake by the majors.
5. Vic Chesnutt - At the Cut
As I type this, Vic’s death by suicide is being confirmed by his record label. Which will ironically mean that the recognition that largely eluded him during his lifetime (and sadly the money that would have helped alleviate the horrific medical bills that have plagued him all his life and ultimately contributed to his death) will now be afforded to him. In this purely musical respect, this is a wonderful thing as Vic was a truly gifted songwriter and performer, casting a dark eye over life’s misfortunes and unfairnesses, yet always tempered with a vicious humour as though he acknowledges that he gets whatever cosmic joke the universe is playing on us all, and on him in particular.
At the Cut is in turn angry, melancholic and knowing, and given the benefit of cruel hindsight his two albums released this year in close succession will always be connected with his passing in a similar way to In Utero or Pink Moon. Hopefully the sad event of Vic’s passing will bring more people to his music and all the plaudits he so richly deserved.
6. Various - Summers’ Kiss: A Tribute to the Afghan Whigs
A tremendous labour of love from Afghan Whigs fansite Summer’s Kiss, bringing together friends and colleagues of the band as well as contributions from fans both well-known and otherwise. Not sure if it’s down to the quality of the songwriting of the original tracks or the care that the artists assembled here (and indeed the album’s curator) have invested, but there’s not a duff track on here.
7. Various - We Are Only Riders: The Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions Project
Another tribute album featuring various colleagues, fans and friends, all thanks to a cassette tape found in an attic. This is something that could have turned into a very maudlin affair, but instead it’s a joyful and fond farewell to a talented songwriter and friend to the performers on the record, and a great musical treat for the rest of us.
8. Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
Collaborations and general musical get-togethers are becoming more and more common recently, and unlike the (mostly) bad old days of the 1970s supergroup where egos clashed and fought for supremacy, nowadays they come across more as genuine meetings of minds and a desire to just make good music.
A coming-together of Josh Homme, Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones always looked incredible on paper, but as soon as the secret of the band’s existence slipped out, expectations went stratospheric. Thankfully, these were pretty much met with the help of a bunch of no-frills, well-played rock music with each player complimenting and supporting the others as if they’d been playing together for years.
9. The Duckworth Lewis Method - The Duckworth Lewis Method
If Australia had won The Ashes series this summer, this would have been the bitterest album to be released in 2009. As it stands, we bloody well won, so hooray for this lovely reminder of a wonderfully victorious summer’s cricket and hooray for the most quintessentially English album since The Village Green Preservation Society. Even if it was the brainchild of two guys from Ireland.
10. Tara Busch - Pilfershire Lane
What would probably happen if Kate Bush and Syd Barrett were one and the same person. A somewhat mad album to be sure, but one where every sudden idea change fits perfectly and makes each song work. Quirky loveliness.
11. Jeff Klein - 33
A 23-minute gift from Jeff celebrating his 33rd birthday, this was available for free download through his myspace site for fans. A really nice gesture, and some real gems available within, including a Joni Mitchell Christmas tune, a cover of Yazoo’s Only You and an alternative visit to My Jerusalem’s own Under Your Skin amongst various ideas and auto tunings. A truly nice gesture from artist to audience, and some great songs to go with it.
12. Vetiver - Tight Knit
More cheery, breezy and folky pop from Andy Cadic and pals. A happy little counterpoint to some of the darker efforts in this list, it evoked those long and lost childhood summertimes from a time when The Carpenters ruled the Earth. And in Strictly Rule, Vetiver gives us one of the finest songs of the year.
13. Voivod - Infini
The second (and final) Voivod album recorded after the death of guitarist Denis “Piggy” D’Amour, using riffs recorded on his laptop and bequeathed to the rest of the band. Not quite as immediate as previous album Katorz, but it’s both a fitting tribute to their fallen bandmate as well as a great final farewell from (at least this incarnation of) Voivod.
