2009 Albums: My Year in Review

Last year around this time I published my first "best of the year" music list. I had newly discovered all kinds of music, and was excited to share my knowledge. I put five on my list because I only owned about seven 2008 albums at the time, and had listened to maybe 10. I really didn't know what I was talking about.

This year, by contrast, I currently own over twenty-five 2009 releases, and I have listened to over 40. I know a lot more about music, but I still don't know what I am talking about. It's a circumstance of learning wherein you mainly learn how ignorant you are. So again, let me share my favorite albums of the year--favorites from the albums I heard. This is in no way definitive, but I do recommend all of these.

This list isn't strictly in Order.  However, the top several do stand out.


10. The BQE, by Sufjan Stevens
It has been over three long years since a new Sufjan album, and this wasn't quite what we were waiting for, but it will do. Still sounds distinctly Sufjan, brilliant, and fresh. This is the most intriguing blend of classical and popular music I have heard to date.

9. Dark Was the Night, By Various
It is rare that to find a good compilation album, like this one. I like most of the songs on this album, and discovered a few new artists in the process.

8. Lost Channels, by Great Lake Swimmers
Soft, sparse, beautiful, haunting  folk music.

7. Wait For Me, by Moby
 Half these tracks don't have lyrics, the rest are sung by an assortment of female singers (Moby only appears on one track). A lot of strings and synth. Somehow it works. I know this album doesn't break a lot of new ground, but it's pretty, and enjoyable to listen to.

6. Strict Joy [Deluxe Edition], by The Swell Season
 Best, finely crafted pop album of the year. 

5. Come O Spirit! Anthology Of Hymns And Spiritual Songs Volume 1, by Bifrost Arts
Old hymns and spirituals songs given the indie music treatment, and faring none the worse for it. I wish more Christians were making music like this, and look forward to hearing more from this brand new label. Find my fuller treatment of this album here.

4. Noble Beast, by Andrew Bird
Probably the most enjoyable album of the year to listen to. It has whistling, pretty string arrangements, and an all around great sound. It is accessible in a good way and lyrically interesting--although silly at several moments.

3. Treasury Library of Canada/Houndstooth EP, by Woodpidgeon
Folksy, indie pop with pretty strings and harmonies, lots of instruments and people playing them, a diverse sound, plus more happy songs than their first album all make an album that doesn't grow old after a full year of playing.

2. Veckatimest, by Grizzly Bear
This album sounded fresh and innovative and genius when it landed this spring. It still does. Grizzly bear has developed a lot over three albums, and they have done well. Veckatimest is sonically large, not upbeat but intense, lyrically sparse, cohesive, and well executed. A strong contention for best of the year.

1. Around The Well, by Iron and Wine
Good songs don't need to be innovative or new sounding. This album proves the point. A collection of Iron and Wine unreleased songs and covers, this album has probably received the most plays over the year. Most of the tracts are acoustic, featuring Sam's croon and beautiful guitar plucking. Peaceful and haunting.


Honorable mentions :
When the Devil's Loose, by A.A. Bondy
Tertia, by Caspian
Texas Rose, The Thaw and The Beasts, by Castanets