Best Of 2009 — Eric O’Bryant
Posted By Ben W. on December 14, 2009
Eric O’Bryant was the music director at Miami University’s WMSR. Then he joined the Peace Corps. And even more recently than that he sent in his Top 14 Albums of 2009 list.
Eric O’Bryant’s Top 14 Albums of 2009
I did not include 15 albums. I thought 14 made the cut. IF I included a 15th, it would have been the compilation Dark was the Night. But I tried to obey my “no compilations” rule when it comes to “best of” lists (and failed with Chromeo.)
Merriweather Post Pavilion — Animal Collective
Best. Album. Of. 2009. Hands Down. One of the first albums to be released this year, it probably will make most lists at or near the top. How can you dislike this album??? It sustains a great flow from track to track, and just leaves me feeling happier after listening. It hits a peak early with the track “My Girls,” and maintains this peak. My favorite track is “Summertime Clothes.”
Bitte Orca — Dirty Projectors
Fantastically catchy and super-enjoyable to just sit down and listen to on an evening or day… anytime really. I think that in terms of the albums on the list, this is one I envision moving up the ladder on the all-time list. It just seems to be sustainable. None of this record screams “This is poppy, I will tire of this.” My favorite tracks are “Useful Chamber” and “Two Doves.” At the moment, “Two Doves” wins, due to the airy overtone and the simple acoustic guitar riff behind the vocals.
Bromst – Dan Deacon
I interviewed the Deacon while he was in the studio of Wham City in Baltimore recording this album some time in the spring of 2008. He mentioned that he was pleased with the way the album was progressing. After hearing this album, I am also impressed. Straight up, Deacon is not for everyone. I enjoy his album and music for what he is — a truly trained electronic musician. His uncanny ability to create these great beats and layer strange sounds over them, producing a musical cohesion astounds me. The fact that he can appeal to a broader audience is great as well. My favorite track on the album is “Snookered.” The build-up of the track, along with glitchy vocals that create the beat, mixed with the small bit of singing, and the looney tunes-like Deacon-signature vocodor falsetto make me truly realize the creative genius that is Dan Deacon.
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix — Phoenix
My French friends have returned with another solid addition to their collection. Instantly getting the Indie-kids off their feet with the intro track “Lisztomania,” they keep them on their feet dancing til Love Like a Sunset part 1. I extremely enjoy the complexity and layering of this album — my personal favorite from these cats. My favorite tracks from the album are “1901″ and “Rome.”
The Very Best — Warm Heart of Africa
Is it wrong to call this the Feel-Good Album of the Year? This album wants to make me dance… or watch it as a soundtrack to a Planet Earth documentary. The album takes the roots of native African music and makes is accessible to everyone. I wish I could understand some of the language, as I feel that hinders my appreciation slightly. I also enjoy the variation of the album with sort of the electronic fusion that is placed behind tracks like “Mwazi,” or the hip-hop beat from the track “Julia.” However, the track “Chalo” is at the head of the pack.
The Ecstatic — Mos Def
Of the many hip-hop albums released this year, this one was a cut above the rest, as Mos Def returned after a few years with a fantastically produced album. Containing prayers in Arabic, Middle East influences, along with some Spanish beats and funk, the album is very eclectic, yet maintains the Brooklyn underground hip-hop roots. The album’s level of creativity was not matched in the hip hop realm this year. My personal favorite track is “Auditorium,” probably due to the old-school feel I get while listening to it, and the lyrical rhyme by Slick Rick.
Manners — Passion Pit
A welcomed addition to the Indietronic set of bands like Hot Chip, Cut Copy and others. Singing in falsetto and merging synths and electric drum kits just works for Passion Pit. While I certainly enjoy the dancey track “The Reeling,” my favorite track is the EPIC “Moth Wings.” I listen to it and it makes me feel uncomfortably comfortable, sending chills down my back. I then find myself belting out the chorus. Dramatic eh?!? I wonder what my Moroccan neighbors think.
Life of Leisure — Washed Out
Sorry. I broke my own rule here. I usually say no EPs. I lied. If you do not know Washed Out, check this guy out. Anyway, this EP combines new wave with trip-hop to create this completely chill-out series of tracks. At points I am reminded of New Order, at other points Air, and even still, jazzy hip hop. The track of this EP that makes me want to space out in my Moroccan Mud House is “Hold Out.” Definitely an artist to watch in the upcoming year!
Album – Girls
This album reeks of an era-past. Do not think that is a bad thing. The catchy ’60s-ish guitar riffs feel like Buddy Holly or the Beach Boys, or even Elvis Costello. I also think there is an ironic humor in that you can put such dark lyrics underneath the music. “You’ve been a bitch, I’ve been an ass/ I don’t wanna point the finger; I just know I don’t like this, I don’t wanna do this.” is one of the lines used on my favorite track, “Laura.”
White Water, White Bloom — Sea Wolf
When I first threw on this album to listen to the track “Wicked Blood,” I was hit with echoes of the Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen. This is a good folk album in a year of not so many (in my opinion). I feel like on “Orion & Dog” that I am being told a nice story. I also hear echoes of Tom Petty in the track “Turn The Dirt Over.” I do not particularly have a favorite track, but instead think this is a solid album. Maybe “Orion & Dog” if you pulled my hair enough.
Fantasies — Metric
This album took me a few times of listening to appreciate. Having always been a fan of Emily Haines and Co.’s antics, this is not what I expected with the direction of the band. However, like certain albums, this one just grew on me throughout the year. Overall, it combines the dark synth beats from previous albums with a slightly more pop tinge. The track that stands out for me is “Satellite Mind,” and specifically the beginning portion of the song with Haines singing over the beat and guitar riff.
Us — Brother Ali
Another hip-hop album that was fantastic this year, Brother Ali comes at us with sociopolitical lyrics. Tackling a number of issues such as slavery and city hustlers, Us brings the Minnesota native to the next level, while maintaining what hip hop is intended to be — an outlet and conduit to address social and political issues in a non-violent arena. I enjoy the track “Breaking Dawn” for its blues-ish nature. Also, I recommend the 2009 EP, The Truth is Here, and almost included it on this list. It is that good.
Years of Refusal — Morrissey
Morrissey is back, and in his own words he is “doing very well.” He even “can block out the present and the past now.” But somehow, I think he is lying, because he states later that “There is no love in modern life.” Maybe Morrissey has realized and accepted this fact, and he is resigned to just making good music. He even says “I am OK by myself.” The angst and bitterness of Morrissey continues to pump out solid albums. Anyway, my top track here is “That’s How People Grow Up.”
DJ Kicks — Chromeo
I broke another of my own rules. I thought long and hard of whether to include this album. It technically is a compilation DJ mix, but Chromeo, as per the usual, just do it up right. This is a perfectly disco-ish and funky mix to get your ass up and dance, where you should feel bad if you continue to sit on your ass. Generally it is down-tempo in some tracks such as “Moving Up,” but then come back with a generally spacey track like “Solar Antapex.” No favorites, just dig the entire mix. Sorry to disappoint those “Album of the Year” purists out there in blogosphere land.
– Eric O’Bryant
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