Best Of 2009 — Michael Bond
Posted By Ben W. on December 19, 2009
It’s all Michael Bond, all the time this weekend. Today, Chicago’s favorite son gives us his Top 10 Albums of 2009. Tomorrow, he’s back with a less-traditional rundown of older albums that grabbed his attention this year. But first things first. New albums. 2009. Today.
Go…
Michael Bond’s Top 10 Albums Of 2009 (in no particular order)
An Imaginary Country — Tim Hecker
Finally, someone made a drone/noise/ambient record that I could recommend to people who listen to.. well, anything. Perfect work music, I have this album to thank for any increased productivity (and calm) that I may have had this year.
Here We Go Magic — Here We Go Magic
This record could’ve been ‘Fangela’, ‘Tunnelvision’ and seven tracks of white noise, and it still would’ve been in my top 10. I didn’t bother making a ‘top tracks’ list this year because these two blew everything else away — simply brilliant.
My World — Lee Fields
’70s soul singer comes back with a young new band and ‘classic’ production? This story has repeated itself a bit in the last few years, from Al Green to Sharon Jones, but it hasn’t gotten old yet — especially when Lee Fields’ contribution is one of the best yet. His recent singles for Daptone and Desco have been nice, but this album really puts it all together, with top-notch production — anyone wanting to know how a soul record is supposed to sound in 2009 need look no further. Plus, his sweaty, possessed performance at Pop Montreal was probably my favorite show of the year.
Mazes — Mazes
This spinoff from Chicagoans The 1900s was my summer soundtrack this year, full of sun-drenched ’70s pop, reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac or ‘This Time Tomorrow’-era Kinks.
Columbus’d The Whim — Holiday Shores
Strip away everything annoying about Vampire Weekend — the Ivy-League posing, sterile production, and too-clever-by-half lyrics — and you’re left with the joyous, Afro-tinged indie pop that dominates this record. Not only do these sunny Floridians beat those yankee bastards at their own game, they make it sound both effortless and fun.
Fool’s Gold — Fool’s Gold
No album on this list makes me happier within its first 10 seconds than this one. There’s a lot of ‘Afropop’ references being thrown around indie music nowadays, but these guys are the real deal — even if they are from L.A.
My Maudlin Career — Camera Obscura
Five years ago, Camera Obscura were content to be a Belle & Sebastian cover band, occasionally producing a twee gem or two (“Suspended From Class,” “I Don’t Want To See You”) from the muddle. I wouldn’t have dared predict their transformation into one of the most consistently great indie pop bands around, in no small part to the lush, girl-group-by-way-of-Glasgow production that’s graced their last two albums.
Girls – Girls
Sure, the singer’s voice sounds like he’s making fun of someone, and there’s not a new idea on the whole record, but it’s still one of my favorites. There’s something to be said for songs that keep showing up on friends’ mixtapes yet never get old, and “Lust For Life” certainly filled that spot this year.
You Can Have What You Want — Papercuts
Nothing sounded more like what I wanted to hear this year than this record. Thick organ washes and reverb and more reverb — the songs may not always be up to the task, but its high points got stuck in my head for months.
Pram Town / Songs For Harmonium and Drum Machine EP — Darren Hayman
Neither of these records would’ve made my top 10 on their own, but released together, they really show the breadth of the former Hefner frontman’s talent. Pram Town is by far the best of his solo work so far, working the intricate arrangements and character studies he now favors to their best, while the Harmonium and Drum Machine EP is a great reminder of his other great gift — making tossed-off, lo-fi songs sound meaningful, with the help of deeply personal lyrics (in this case, all centering around memories of John Hughes films and the actors within). We’ll never get another Hefner album, but in a year full of disappointing solo releases by other ’90s Brit-pop icons, Hayman’s new directions stand out.
Honorable Mentions: Yo La Tengo, Tap Tap, Years, Strange Boys, The Dø, Wye Oak, Lightning Love, Grizzly Bear, Dizzee Rascal, Atlas Sound, Shawn Lee
– Michael Bond
Michael and previous almostfourstars expert Matt Dennewitz are Coltrane Motion. Together, they released an outstanding Double-A side single of their own this year. “Maya Blue” absolutely is one of my favorite songs of the year. Check it out HERE.
And check back tomorrow for more ranting and ravings from the mind of Michael Bond. He details his favorite re-issues of the year and just generally old albums that caught his ear in 2009.
Our other expert picks:
Related posts:
Comments
Leave a Reply