2009 was the year of lo-fi/glo-fi/chillwave/etc. You are probably even exhausted from hearing those terms. I sure am. I am not tired of the music (yet) however. I really love how a ton of the bands that are on my year end list weren’t even on my radar last year. It is just really nice to see more people making it. ( most of that has to do with the almighty gorillavsbear) There aren’t going to be many surprises but here we go… My favorite albums of 2009
Girls – Album
This is one of those songs that you hear early on in the year and it sticks with you no matter what mood you are in. Album is quite possibly one of my favorite records this year. I think Girls are just a great band, they didn’t reinvent the wheel, but they made a really fun record. I believe in this album, and I’m sure you will too if you hear it. Available here.
Sun Araw – Heavy Deeds
Sun Araw makes droned out music that honestly just puts me into another place. I really can’t explain why it does, it just does. Sun Araw has a great interview in Electric Annihilation. The LP is limited to 500 copies and can be picked up here. I highly suggest it, it shocks me that it has not sold out yet.
Woods – Songs of Shame
I first heard a song off of the Woods Family Crepes record while driving home late at night on WUSC. It was just a real neat time for driving in a practially empty city hearing something so interesting being played. I’ve listened to this song probably 50 times this year. It is simple, but really extraordinary. Pick it up here.
The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You
The Avett Brothers – I And Love And You
I don’t understand why people are shocked by this record. I can’t hear any of the Rick Rubin influence on it that people seem to keep mentioning. Phew, that is off my chest. This is another great record by the Avett Brothers to add to their already great catalog. I kinda wished I lived in New York, so I love this song. Pick it up here, although you can find it anywhere.
Real Estate – S/T
What is crazy about Real Estate is that a lot of this record reminds me of Heist & the Accomplice. That being said… I downloaded this song from a blog, then ordered a 7″ from the fine folks at Underwater Peoples. Then I instantly forgot about the band until a fateful trip to Asheville’s Harvest Records (which is most likely my favorite record store). That is where i rediscovered Fake Blues, which is just an easy song to fall in love with. The rest of the record is also great, with other songs like Beach Comber and Snow Days, but this song is just fantastic. Pick it up here.
Washed Out – High Times Cassette/Life of Leisure
It has been awesome to see Washed Out and Toro y Moi knock it out of the park this year. I picked up both of their cassettes on the fantastic Mirror Universe Tapes and was hungry for more. Thankfully Mexican Summer dropped Life of Leisure and We can thank Carpark for Chaz’s new joint Causers of This dropping on my birthday. Chillwave/glo-fi/whatevs. The LP and tape are sold out but you can pick up them up here for a limited time, and also get the digital files here.
Ducktails – Landscapes & S/T
Ducktails – Beach Point Pleasant
Man Ducktails are great. I listen to them at work a great deal. Ducktails can make you feel like you are wrapping up a long nice summer day at a beach/river/lake…really whatever body of water you like to chill at. The easiest (possibly wrong) way I would describe them, is to say that they are an easier to take version of Sun Araw. The S/T is LP is sold out. But you can get Landscapes here.
Kurt Vile – God is Saying This to You / Constant Hitmaker / Childish Prodigy
Kurt Vile – Beach On the Moon (Recycled Lyrics)
Kurt Vile takes the cake on my favorite artist of the year (though not necessarily favorite album). He has so much potential and I love so many of his songs. Each and every one of these releases has something special and unique about it. I posted two songs which prove that he can take even the same lyrics and rework a song and still pop out pure magic. Freeway is probably my favorite song of the year too. It has been with me all year, and I assume it will continue to stay that way. God is Saying This LP is sold out but mp3s can be had here. Constant Hitmaker can be had from Woodsist, and Childish Prodigy is out on Matador.
Mewithoutyou – It’s All Crazy! It’s All False! It’s All a Dream!
mewithoutYou – The Angel Of Death Came To David’s Room
I had the chance to see mewithoutyou (really it was the Weiss Family) and it was really great. They covered Leonard Cohen and the Grateful Dead in the same show. It is nice to see that they have let up a little bit from being as intensely freegan, Aaron actually mentioned eating a wrap he bought next door. mewithoutyou has grown up, and the music shows that. I think this song may be my favorite based on what my iTunes has informed me. Pick it up here
Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
Animal Collective – Brother Sport
To think that the practically universally accepted best album of 2009 came out on Janurary 6th is still incredible. To me, it is practically the reason chillwave was so successful this year. I can’t think of any of the bands that probably weren’t influenced in some way by Animal Collective ‘s record. It is really beautiful and most likely my favorite Animal Collective Record. Cheers Animal Collective… you are out of the freak-folk shadow and changing music with each record (bold statement I know). Pick it up here.
David Bazan – Curse Your Branches
David Bazan put out what is most likely my favorite record this year. It is one of the only ones I know I will be listening to in 20 years. Hearing Dave sing about his lack of faith, and his background as something he isn’t necessarily proud of is beautiful and sometimes heartbreaking. The lyrics on this album are probably the best and most realistic personal look at faith I’ve seen in recent times. The production on the album is really really fantastic as the opening song Hard to Be gives us a glimpse of. Lost Our Shape is a great example of his lyrics. I can’t recommend this album enough. Pick it up from the swell people at Undertow.
