Best Of 2009 — John Kenkel
Posted By Ben W. on December 5, 2009
Do you hate my list of favorite 2009 albums?
Never fear.
Throughout the month we’re going to get other (better) Best Of lists from friends and experts.
John Kenkel qualifies as both. So here goes his rundown of the year’s top albums.
My favorite album from this year was Jay Reatard’s Watch Me Fall. The first track, “It Ain’t Gonna Save Me,” is catchy, upbeat and a wonderful opener. The third track, “Man Of Steel,” has a distorted guitar breakdown that I look forward to every time I put the album on. The record’s pacing alone might make this seem like a feel-good album, and I think it is, but overall it has a feel of overwhelming exasperated frustration.
No. 2 is Dirty Projectors’ Bitte Orca. This album is a significant contemporary composition. The second track, “Stillness Is The Move,” builds and dismantles skillfully and crisply in a track that could have easily felt. The songs’ different feels complement each other with their dynamic nature. In a word — exquisite.
Album three is The Field’s Yesterday And Today. The title track features Battles drummer John Stanier, whose contribution gives it more pop than that album’s others works. And the album as a whole does not let down following The Field’s stellar 2007 From Here We Go Sublime.
Honorable Mention goes to Dinosaur Jr. and their comeback album Farm.
WOH I FORGOT… a crucial album that came out in March this year — Dan Deacon’s Bromst. This was Dan Deacon’s first album using a full band instead of just him and a mixing board. Deacon continues his evolution from ADD techno/nonsense/goodtime player to a profound compositional voice without losing his undeniable charm. Two tracks crucial for a quick peek at the album — track two “Red F” and track four “Snookered.”
This album is my favorite of the year. Sorry Jay Reatard and Dirty Projectors.
– John Kenkel
Related posts:
Comments
Leave a Reply