2009: Almost At Double Digits
Here are the tunes that occupied me throughout 2009, which for the most part was a rough and tumble year, and I am glad to have it behind me on many fronts. Hopefully, some of these songs strike your fancy.
No More Rocking & Rolling
King Sparrow | Putamayo Presents Calypso
As many of you know, I am a rabid reggae fan, but decided to change my focus this year and explore what calypso is all about. This song has a boastful stance, and calls for the end of rock ‘n roll.
Head Spins
High Places | High Places 03/07 – 09/07
This year, I seemed to gravitate to duos of women and DJs. This band really has a unique sound, worth checking out more of their stuff.
Sleepyhead
Passion Pit | Manners
Great dance track that was part of the top 25 albums of NPR: All Songs Considered, which as I age, has become one of my main sources of new music.
My Girls
Animal Collective | Merriweather Post Pavilion
There is a lot of fanfare around this band, and I think this song illustrates why. Give it a few spins, and it will get its hooks in you. Sara and I are expecting a baby girl in 2010, so it seemed an obvious choice.
(I Got A) Catholic Block
Sonic Youth | Sister
I loved this song from the moment I first heard it in high school. I was using the shuffle option on my iPod, and magically it appeared. Sometimes that shuffle thing is really great.
French Navy
Camera Obscura | My Maudlin Career
Grogan brought this group to my attention, and I am grateful he did. Great, happy music with string accompaniment, Check it out.
Girl of My Dreams
Charles Mingus | Mingus Ah Um
Best Mingus album, but what really put this song over the top for me, was playing it in the car as Sara was relaying her grievances about me or something that I did. When it was over I mentioned the title of the song to her and then started laughing. I am sure Mingus would have gotten a kick out of it.
“Come On Petunia”
The Blow | Poor Aim: Love Songs
Another Girl/DJ combo that I stumbled upon this summer. Check out a YouTube of this girl she has an interesting stage presence.
Rocky Rococo
Cap’n Jazz | Analphabetapolothology (Disc 2)
Huge fan of this band, and this song revealed itself to me at some point this year. It has been in the rotation ever since.
On Fire
Lightning Bolt | Wonderful Rainbow
One of heaviest bands of all time, and their live shows are just incredible. Unfortunately, I have never seen them live. Neil told me about this band years ago and I listened and then put it back on the shelf. Then sometime last winter, Pitchfork had a documentary film on these guys chronicling one of their tours and I was completely hooked. This song puts a period on all of the math rock/punk music that I have ever listened too.
Kid A
Radiohead | Kid A
Everyone (Pitchfork, NPR, music media) pumps these guys up, and I never really ever heard any of their music. So, I decided to check out their supposed masterpiece. I can say I am not really a fan, but this song hit the nail on the head for me for some reason
Where Is My Mind
The Pixies | Surfer Rosa
Another band that I am not really a big fan of as a whole, but this track has always had a place in my heart.
Like A Rainbow In The Dark
Dio | Holy Driver
Heard this on the radio one day, and thought for a second that it was a new song that someone engineered to sound like 80s metal. As it turns out it is 80s metal, and I spent a lot of time this year walking around repeating “Like a Rainbow in the Dark” much to Sara’s consternation.
Barbados Carnival
The Mighty Panther | Putamayo Presents Calypso
Really lively calypso cut, which grabbed me the moment I heard it.
Sue’s Last Ride
Dirty Three | Horse Stories
This is definitely one of my favorite albums this year, and as a long time fan of this crew, I can say it is one of their best ever.
For Emma
Bon Iver | For Emma, Forever Ago
If you have not heard of this band then put it on your list. This album is truly a complete musical work, but this song encapsulates a lot of their sound, and makes for a nice exit from 2009.
All the best in 2010,
Conor