Top 20:

Legitimately Good Albums

• Okkervil River – I Am Very Far – After two less-than-memorable releases, Okkervil River pulls it together.  They’ve finally got the “rock n roll” sound they were trying for on The Stage Names down, yet there is plenty of rambling woe is me Okkervil River songs as well.  Pity that the best song, Mermaid, was only released as a single.
• Kurt Vile – Smoke Ring for My Halo – Brent thought it was odd that I would like this album so much, due to its lyrics of woe, and I thought it was odd that he would like it so much, due to its guitar virtuosity.  Kurt Vile does both things really well.  I like that the guy has such a terrible voice (All my favorite singers couldn’t sing).  I like the too lazy to be punk aesthetic.  I like that just about every episode of my new favorite terrible TV show, Revenge, has a song off this album in it.
• Tom Waits – Bad as Me – Like Okkervil River, Tom Waits has been putting out some crummy albums of late.  I suppose I shouldn’t say crummy, because Tom Waits and Okkervil River’s crap is way better than most other bands best efforts.  Anyway, this is Tom Waits’ best work since Mule Variations.  I like the way each song goes in it’s own direction, rather than the unified sound of Real Gone.

Good Albums That Aren’t As Good As The Legitimately Good Albums, But Are Still Pretty Good.

• Generationals – Actor-Caster – Generationals make a strange kind of music.  It’s nostalgic pop, but with a synthesizer twinge.  It’s like they have taken samples of old music and stitched them together.  The guitar sounds like it is straight out of the 60s.  The production is great, and they have a great ear for adding odd instruments to the mix without overdoing it. I had 3 chances to go see them this year, and did not make a single one, and I regret that.  I think their biggest accomplishment is being a New Orleans band that doesn’t sound like a New Orleans band.
• The Antlers – Burst Apart – Once you make a great concept album, I feel like you have to keep on making concept albums.  It just seems weird to not over-analyze an Antlers album as a whole.
• Other Lives – Tamer Animals – Apparently they have another album that sounds just like this one.  I must have had it at some point, because Brent has it.  Apparently it didn’t survive the yearly purge of crappy music.  The three song stretch of Tamer Animals, Bust Bowl III, and Weather is just fantastic reverb-y goodness.
• Yellow Ostrich – The Mistress – I love a lo-fi sound.  I love recorded loops.  I love harmonies.  Naturally, I really enjoy Yellow Ostrich’s weirdo album.  All the songs are pretty much the same, but the sound is fantastic.

Albums that have one or two really good songs on them, and a bunch of filler.

• Iron & Wine – Kiss Each Other Clean
• Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes
• EMA – Past Life of Martyred Saints
• The War on Drugs – Slave Ambient

Albums with a great sound that don’t have any great songs on them

• Wu Lyf – Go Tell Fire to the Mountain
• The Dodos – No Color

Album that would have been on this list had Kurt Vile not come around
and said “This is how you do it”

• Thurston Moore – Demolished Thoughts

10) Slow Club:Paradise- I had a bunch of albums tied for 10th, at the end, it was either this, or Those Darlin’s.  Slow Club won because the first song, Two Cousins, is so good.  It gets me excited for the whole album.  It never tops the opener.  But especially as a sophomore effort, I really think they did a bang-up job.9) Allo Darlin’: Allo Darlin’- This came out in 2010, and has the worst name I can think of for a band.  So that was two strikes right there.  But it’s sweet and clever in the way that Belle and Sebastian or Camera Obscura can be.  Horrible name.  It bears repeating. Adele:21- There are some lousy songs on this thing, but it also includes two songs that could be the song of the year for me.  And several others that might be in that category if they were in the shadow of the Rolling in the Deep and Someone Like You. And I love the concept of Adele being a popstar who outsold like everyone else this year.7)  The Weeknd:House of Balloons- I am the last person that should be liking this album, and I’m sure I don’t get all its references, but it won me over.  It sounds like 1990’s R&B to me, but I’m sure I have that wrong.  Much more than the sum of its parts.6) Hunx & His Punx:Too Young to Be in Love – Phil Spector girl-group songs sung by a gay!  Where do I sign up?  I loved this album.  Pure joy.  And then they whip out this raspy-voiced lady singer!  Even better.

5) The Anlers:Burst Apart – Their last album, Hospice, was great, but sounded lousy.  This album is good but it sounds great.  The Antlers make great songs.  Every Nigh My Teeth Are Falling Out.  Come on.

4) Lykki Li:Wounded Rhymes – Any of these next three could be my number one album.  Lykki Li is like 20 or something.  It’s crazy how good these songs are when you consider how young she is.  There seems to be a real trend of retreading Phil Spector.  But her Sadness is a Blessing is the only take on it that expanded on it in any way.  Love Out of Lust is going to be one of my favorite songs as long as I am in love.  Rich Kid Blues and Get Some should be on the radio.

3)  Cults:Cults – Okay, I take that back.  I think the Cults reference the Spector sound and they do some good stuff with it indirectly.  Go Outside is one of my favorite songs of the year, which is unfortunate because it was released last year.  The album is 2011 however, and songs like You Know What I Mean and Bumper grew on me all year.  Kent hit the head on the nail.  This is next what seems to be a constant line of noise guy/girl singer bands (Sleigh Bells, Crystal Castles).

2) Generationals:Actor-Castor/Trust – I’m lopping together the EP and the album because both were excellent.  I wanted like the dickens to put as my number one entry.  But the only problem with this band – it’s fundamental to them and I don’t think they should change it –  their lyrics don’t mean anything to me.  So you have these unbelievably songs and pretty good production, but the words don’t take me anywhere.  Which is a shame.  It was by far the best tunes of the year in my opinion.  Yes, I just said tunes.

1) Okkervil River:I Am Very Far/Mermaid –   I love this band, and this is their best work since Black Sheep Boy.  Also, as Kent pointed out to me last month, the Mermaid Single is a real piece of work too.  Will Scheff is kind of a jerk, as I learned this year.  But I will take his lyrics over almost anyone at this point.  And they take enough left turns musically to make it an interesting album in that regard as well.

Find this same information here, at Brent’s blog: http://iloveyou2themax.blogspot.com/2011/12/best-albums-of-2011.html

Still to come: The Best Songs of 2011 List

Brent first:

11) Sufjan Stevens – All Delighted People EP
Sufjan Stevens put out this EP, and then he put out an electronic LP. Everyone loves the electronic one. I don’t get it. This EP is the best thing Sufjan Stevens has ever done. Maybe I should now offer up that I don’t really care for Sufjan Stevens. But this is a collection of needlessly long songs that still somehow won me over. How did he do it? I don’t know. The title track is particularly good. Anyone who wonders what Simon and Grafunkel’s “Sound of Silence” would be like if it was spread out over a start-and-stop over-orchestrated eleven minute song. Wonder no more.

Best Song: All Delighted People (Original Version)

10) Phosphorescent – Here’s to Taking It Easy.

This is a band that I have always listened to once, and put down. I never really gave them a shot. But this album is a) perfectly named, and b) really beautiful. It’s just standard alt-country fare, and the lead singer sounds like a wiener. But they do what they do very well. And I like to listen to them while I do my dishes. And look out the window. And dream about what I’m going to do when Chelsey gets out of jail.

Best Song: The Mermaid Parade

9) Vampire Weekend – Contra

This should probably be higher, but it’s no longer summer, and I am only able to appreciate Vampire Weekend in the sun. This was my favorite car album. Driving around, listening to “Run”, or “I Think Ur a Contra” were some of the best moments of my summer. My one regret is that I never got to listen to them on a beach this year. Actually I have two regrets. I wish “Holiday” had not been co-opted by Tommy Hilfigger, or whoever the fuck that is with the car and the table and the driving dog. I hate the people in those ads. I hate the people in all ads that have to do with name bands that one could find in a department store. What fantasy are you selling? There’s a polo ad on right now that is just so dumb. There’s a recession, and it’s about this douchebag who plays polo, and yachts and all this rich shit. Fuck you, polo guy, there’s double digit unemployment. We would all like to burn your boat to the ground and eat you. Well, maybe not all of us.

Best Song: Taxi Cab

8 ) Charlotte Gainsbourg – IRM

More remarkable than the fact that I like this album is the fact that Beck produced it, and I like this album. I haven’t like anything Beck has done in like 8 years. I just assumed he was lousy now. But this album is a) terrific, and b) sounds like Beck produced it. He’s all over it. And CG is very smouldery on it. This album is really sexy, and it sounds like it was carefully made. What more can you ask for?

Best Song: Heaven Can Wait (featuring Beck!!)

7) She & Him: Volume Two

Not as good as their first album, but still very charming. I like music that sounds like its from AM radio, and I feel like S&H know this, and cater to my likings. They put little touches in their songs that make them feel worn in. I feel confident they are just robbing Phil Spector and Burt Bacharach blind in the process. But I don’t care. We also saw them in concert this summer, and they sound EXACTLY how they sound on their album. EXACTLY. It was actually a little creepy.

Best Song: Me and You

6) Wolf Parade: Expo 86

First let’s start with the name. Excellent album name. Ok. Moving on. I love Wolf Parade, which I think is the only reason it’s so high on this list. Because I just kept giving it chance after chance. And now it’s paying me off by tricking me into thinking every song on here is awesome. This literally happened sometime last week. Before then, I would just go to sleep on it. Now I can pretty much put on any song and be happy. So I guess you can say that I have lost touch with this album. And I wouldn’t disagree with you. But I think it’s good? Oh – and it sounds like typical WP. Hard driving. Singer is neurotic and insane. Wait, now the other guy is signing. Oh. He’s insane too. And so on.

Best Song: All the song are about the same level of good. Here. Try this one: Yulia

5) Dr. Dog: Shame, Shame

I was listening to this album today, and wondering about whether my enjoyment of it said anything bad about me. I still haven’t come to any conclusions. I don’t think they sound like anyone else I listen to, but they also just kind of sound like hippy rehash music from the 60′s. And I don’t like any music like that. I think the reason they appeal to me is their delivery. They just sound rough when they record, which gives their little songs a certain good-time quality. They also use multiple singers. I am a big fan of that.

Best Song: It

4) The Black Keys: Brothers

The Black Keys finally made an album that doesn’t bore me. They did so by expanding their sound a little, and maybe being a little less hard hitting. I very much appreciate this. I realize that it was probably not a popular move with a great many of their fans, and I thank them for thinking of me this year. Also, I saw them live this year, and they were incredible. Even for someone who doesn’t really give a crap about them, it was worthwhile.

Best Song: Everlasting Love

3) New Pornographers: Together

There is something unsinkable about this band. They make really great pop songs, and they have been doing it for years. The usual problem is that they try to cram too many of their ideas into one album, and many times their idea of a new idea, as just a couple clicks away from the last good idea they had. They also usually have too much of the Destroyer guy on there. But this time they pared things down a little, and low and behold, the Destroyer guy actually put a song on that works with the rest of the album (he also has one that doesn’t really work – but it’s a start). It was great to get a good album from them, and even better to have that album looked over by everyone but me. In your face everyone.

Best Song: Valkyrie In The Roller Disco

2) The National: High Violet

I’m not ranking this number one, because it’s really just more of the same for a band that never really takes a wrong step in my view. I love listening to a new National album, because a) I relate to the sentiments so much, and b) because their songs manage to be about things without ever spelling them out. They do a great job of splitting the difference between growing up and fitting in, despite still feeling like a misanthrope.

Best Song: Bloodbuzz Ohio

1) Sleigh Bells – Treats

This is a complete no brainer. It is the only album I liked from the very first time I heard it. It reminds me of Crystal Castles (who by the way made a lousy record this year), from a couple of years ago. I don’t understand why more people aren’t doing this. Find a girl who writes nonsensical lyrics. Pair her with a dude who likes to fuck around with sound and noise. Set them loose. How hard is it? There should be one of these bands in every city? Maybe Chelsey and I could start one….

Best Song: Rill Rill

1. Taxi Cab – Vampire Weekend [Kent #1; Brent #3]
2. Rill Rill – Sleigh Bells [Kent #4; Brent #1]
3. Everlasting Light – The Black Keys [Kent #2; Brent #14]
3. Excuses – The Morning Benders [Kent #3; Brent #13]
5. Fuck You – Cee Lo Green [Kent #19; Brent #4]
6. Bloodbuzz Ohio – The National [Kent #18; Brent #7]
7. Runaway – The National [Kent #10; Brent #30]
8. Sinister Kid – The Black Keys [Kent #13; Brent #32]
9. All Delighted People – Sufjan Stevens [Kent: unranked; Brent #2]
9. Theme from “Cheers” – Titus Andronicus [Kent #28; Brent #25]
11. Conversation 16 – The National [Kent #5; Brent: unranked]
11. To Old Friends and New – Titus Andronicus [Kent: unranked; Brent #5]
13. Dark Fantasy – Kanye West [Kent: unranked; Brent #6]
13. Heart Of Steel ft.Irma Thomas – Galactic [Kent #6; Brent: unranked]
13. TAOS – Menomena [Kent #8; Brent #49]
16. No Future Part Three: Escape from No Future – Titus Andronicus [Kent #7; Brent: unranked]
17. The Ghost Who Walks – Karen Elson [Kent: unranked; Brent #8]
18. The Mermaid Parade – Phosphorescent [Kent: unranked; Brent #9]
18. I’m A Pilot – Fanfarlo [Kent #9; Brent: unranked]
20. Infinity Guitars – Sleigh Bells [Kent: unranked; Brent #10]
21. Double It ft.Big Freedia – Galactic [Kent #11; Brent: unranked]
21. You Wanted A Hit – LCD Soundsystem [Kent: unranked; Brent #11]
23. It – Dr. Dog [Kent: unranked; Brent #12]
23. You Won’t Need Me Where I’m Goin’ – How to Dress Well [Kent #12; Brent: unranked]
25. King of the Beach – Wavves [Kent #14; Brent: unranked]
26. Half Light II (No Celebration) – The Arcade Fire [Kent: unranked; Brent #15]
26. Month of May – The Arcade Fire [Kent #15; Brent: unranked]
28. BOTE – Menomena [Kent #16; Brent: unranked]
28. Vanderlyle – The National [Kent: unranked; Brent #16]
30. Tell ‘Em – Sleigh Bells [Kent: unranked; Brent #17]
30. Yulia – Wolf Parade [Kent #17; Brent: unranked]
32. These Days – The Black Keys [Kent: unranked; Brent #18]
33. Soundtrack To The End – Communist Daughter [Kent: unranked; Brent #19]
34. John the Determinist – Jeremy Messersmith [Kent: unranked; Brent #20]
34. When I’m With You (Bonus Track) – Best Coast [Kent #20; Brent: unranked]
36. Catholic Pagans – Surfer Blood [Kent #21; Brent: unranked]
36. Obscene Queen Bee – Flashy Python [Kent: unranked; Brent #21]
38. Promises – The Morning Benders [Kent #22; Brent: unranked]
38. Heaven Can Wait – Charlotte Gainsbourg [Kent: unranked; Brent #22]
40. Little Faith – The National [Kent #23; Brent: unranked]
40. I Remember – Yeasayer [Kent: unranked; Brent #23]
42. Dipomat’s Son – Vampire Weekend [Kent #24; Brent: unranked]
42. I Didn’t See It Coming – Belle & Sebastian [Kent: unranked; Brent #24]
44. Thee Oh So Protective One – Girls [Kent #25; Brent: unranked]
45. Queen Black Acid – Menomena [Kent: unranked; Brent #26]
45. Trick Pony – Charlotte Gainsbourg [Kent #26; Brent: unranked]
47. Crash Years – The New Pornographers [Kent: unranked; Brent #27]
47. Shake It and Break It – Andrew Bird [Kent #27; Brent: unranked]
49. Riot Rhythm – Sleigh Bells [Kent: unranked; Brent #28]
50. Lemonworld – The National [Kent #29; Brent: unranked]
50. What Did My Lover Say? (It Always Had to Go This Way) – Wolf Parade [Kent: unranked; Brent #29]
52. Coronado – Deerhunter [Kent #30; Brent: unranked]
53. Shame, Shame – Dr. Dog [Kent: unranked; Brent #31]
53. Sun Hands – Local Natives [Kent #31; Brent: unranked]
55. Limit To Your Love – James Blake [Kent #32; Brent: unranked]
56. Carolina – Girls [Kent #33; Brent: unranked]
56. Valkyrie In The Roller Disco – The New Pornographers [Kent: unranked; Brent #33]
58. Mornin’ Time – Woods [Kent: unranked; Brent #34]
58. Time Has Practically Stopped – Shapes and Sizes [Kent #34; Brent: unranked]
60. Next Girl – The Black Keys [Kent #35; Brent: unranked]
60. We Don’t Want Your Body – Stars [Kent: unranked; Brent #35]
62. Run the Heart – Sleigh Bells [Kent: unranked; Brent #36]
62. We Are The Men You’ll Grow To Love Soon – Let’s Wrestle [Kent #36; Brent: unranked]
64. Hand Me Downs – The Morning Benders [Kent #37; Brent: unranked]
64. Not The Kid – Communist Daughter [Kent: unranked; Brent #37]
66. Four Dreams – Jesca Hoop [Kent #38; Brent: unranked]
66. Slippery When Wet – The Acorn [Kent: unranked; Brent #38]
68. Wasted Hours – The Arcade Fire [Kent: unranked; Brent #39]
68. Dark Trance – Free Energy [Kent #39; Brent: unranked]
70. Le Chat Du Café Des Artistes – Charlotte Gainsbourg [Kent: unranked; Brent #40]
70. Monster (Feat. Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Bon Iver) – Kanye West [Kent #40; Brent: unranked]
70. Never Give You Up – The Black Keys [Kent #49; Brent #42]
73. Working Part Time – The Henry Clay People [Kent #41; Brent: unranked]
73. Write About Love – Belle & Sebastian [Kent: unranked; Brent #41]
75. Doubt – The Corin Tucker Band [Kent #42; Brent: unranked]
76. Harold T. Wilkins, Or How To Wait For A Very Long Time – Fanfarlo [Kent #43; Brent: unranked]
76. Moves – The New Pornographers [Kent: unranked; Brent #43]
78. Giving Up The Gun – Vampire Weekend [Kent: unranked; Brent #44]
78. I Don’t Care If There’s Cursing – Phosphorescent [Kent #44; Brent: unranked]
80. Bombay – El Guincho [Kent #45; Brent: unranked]
80. Long Way Home – Mates Of State [Kent: unranked; Brent #45]
82. In the Sun – She & Him [Kent: unranked; Brent #46]
82. Richard II – Titus Andronicus [Kent #46; Brent: unranked]
84. It’s Hard to Be Humble (When You’re from Alabama) – Phosphorescent [Kent: unranked; Brent #47]
84. Take It Easy – Surfer Blood [Kent #47; Brent: unranked]
86. Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk – The New Pornographers [Kent: unranked; Brent #48]
86. Tootie Ma Is a Big Fine Thing – Tom Waits [Kent #48; Brent: unranked]
88. Echo – R. Kelly [Kent #50; Brent: unranked]
88. Let the Record Go – The Mynabirds [Kent: unranked; Brent #50]

As always, feel free to post your own lists in the comments.  We’re also looking for Top 50 Songs of 2009 lists for our Scientific Best of 2009 list.

So without further ado, here is the elbuzzard.com Best of Music 2009 List:

Brent’s List:

15) The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Every year I fall in love with some band that has a jangle-pop sound. This year that band is Pains of Being Pure at Heart.  They are noisier than my usual choice in this category.  I must be growing up.

14) Girls – Album.  Girls started out as annoying garage music.  Then it got a little charming.  Then it just ended up being charming.  Then it was 14.

13) Camera Obscura – This band can do no wrong in my ears, but they will probably never crack the top 5 in any countdown of mine because their style can only go so far.  But they do it very well, and I want to live in their songs.

12) Handsome Furs – This was an album of nearly great songs that got by on the fact that all the songs were nearly great.  This is a man/woman band, and they take really sexy pictures together, which (along with their connection to Wolf Parade) may have something to do with their spot on this list.

11) It’s True – Chelsey’s friend Hayden put this on our computer when she was staying with us.  Further proof that once can listen to heaps of music from all over and be clueless about good things that are playing down the road from him.  If you love heart-on-sleeve music, this is for you.  If you don’t, this entire list may not be for you.

10) Yacht – Electronic pop music done in such a way that I like it. This is a tall feat.  Chelsey doesn’t like it that much, which is puzzling to me.

09)  The XX – Even though this only hit third, I think it is the album that I would most widely recommend. There’s something going on here that is just…sexy.  And I don’t throw that word around. I promise.  I wish I had a better word already.

08) Cass McCombs – A nice part of listening to 8000 albums a year is that some stick for no good reason. I like this album.  I don’t expect you to.  It’s slow and pretty with nice harmonies. And it has a song that has “See You Next Tuesday” in the refrain.  Which is the name of my Tuesday drinking club.

07) The Flaming Lips – I’m so happy the Flaming Lips made a good album again.  They were certainly due.  Gets back to what they do well.  Gets away from why they have sucked for the last 5 years.

06) Generationals – Ok here we go.  Phil Spector meets Paul Simon meets Vampire Weekend meets Pet Shop Boys.  From New Orleans.  Good stuff.

05)  Neko Case – Neko Case is my girlfriend.  We met this year, and now we are going out.  It’s serious.  This album is about nature kicking human ass. Possibly out of love.

04) Rural Alberta Advantage – Kent calls this second-rate Neutral Milk Hotel.  He may be right.  But I like it better than most of what came out in 2008.  And I think it was just re-released in 2009, but I am counting it as a 2009.

03) Yeah Yeah Yeah’s – This album is a poor man’s version of my number one.  It’s got one badass song on it, and bunch of other songs that are badass to a lesser extent.

02) Antlers – Hospice – This is a poorly recorded album about a person caring for another person in Hospice care.  Despite the sound quality, it wins you over.  More than once I have caught myself craning my neck trying to make out lyrics because I am just that emotionally involved.  This is a little pathetic.  But there’s nothing I can do about it.

01) Elvis Perkins in Dearland – This was the best album of the year, hands down.  Doomsday is the best song of the year, and the rest of the album isn’t too far behind.  Note to everyone:  if you want to make an album, hire a brass band to play on it.  Boom!  Great album. It makes all music 20% better.

Kent’s List:

1. Middle Cyclone – Neko Case
There is not an album that I listened to more than this one.  Leslie absolutely hates it.  She is at the Neko Case stage that I was last year.  I just didn’t see the appeal.  Then this album totally blew me away.  I guess Leslie needs one more Neko Case album to come out before she comes around.
Person most likely to enjoy this album:  Beth.

2. Elvis Perkins in Dearland – Elvis Perkins
For those that don’t know who Elvis Perkins is, he’s the son of Anthony Perkins, who was a huge Elvis Presley fan.  His mother died in 9/11.  It was tough to pick a top album, as this one is very deserving as well.  Somehow, Perkins makes a rambling 6 minute folky country song enjoyable consistently on this album.  It’s interesting that my top two albums could be considered country albums.
Person most likely to enjoy this album: Nobody that doesn’t already have it.

3. Con Law – Generationals
A local New Orleans band without the local New Orleans sound.  Seriously, no funk, no brass bands, no Mardi Gras Indians.  A great summertime album, that manages to sound retro without being too corny about it.  A little pop, a little rock, a little electronic, great fun.
Person most likely to enjoy this album: Hipster dorks.

4. Hospice – The Antlers
This album is made for me: A concept album, with recurring themes, and winding lyrics.  It took Brent and I forever to figure what the heck was going on in it, and what we came up with is: A guy working in a hospital falls in love with and marries a critically ill patient, they have a child, which kills her.  Very sad.  Very affecting.  Unfortunately, they recorded the album themselves, and the mix is all messed up.  Could have been #1 if it was recorded better.
Person most likely to enjoy this album: Sara F. (who introduced me to the Generationals)

5. XX – The XX
Sexy English electro-R&B album.  For awhile, I thought it would be my top album this year, but I shelved it towards the end of the year for the ones above.  The sound is very sparse, with a staccato  guitar and booming, deep bass.  I really enjoy the contrast of the two singers’ voices: silky female and mumbling male.
Person most likely to enjoy this album: Paul.

6. Mo Beauty – Alec Ounsworth
Better known as the singer of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Alec Ounsworth recorded this album with New Orleans musicians like James Porter, but doesn’t really succumb to the New Orleans sound.  He’s still the guy with the horrible voice from CYHSY.  If your used to his voice, you can get into this album.  If this is your first exposure to him, you’re going to turn it off quick.
Person most likely to enjoy this album: I’d like to say BJ here, because of the NOLA connection, but there’s no way.

7. Dragonslayer – Sunset Rubdown
I love Sunset Rubdown.  Unfortunately, after their incredible Shut Up I am Dreaming, they haven’t been able to put together a really good album until now.  It’s still not of SUIAD quality, but I like the trick of redoing phrases from that album in this one.
Person most likely to enjoy this album: Beats me, I think I stand alone on Sunset Rubdown albums.  I’ll always have Beth to go to their live shows with me, though.

8. The Bright Mississippi – Allen Toussaint
Straight up jazz album from NOLA master Allen Toussaint.  This is the album I play when I drive people to the airport.  Everyone compliments it.  It’s familiar, but not in that “I’ve heard this same music 1000 times on WWOZ” kind of way.
Person most likely to enjoy this album: People going to the airport.

9. Album – Girls
This seems to be the year of singers with terrible voices.  This album manages to capture a beach party feel, without any sort of the polished Beach Boys sound that’s been trendy in indie rock for awhile.  It’s a real messy album, and yet totally catchy and well-crafted.  Fun to sing along with in the car.
Person most likely to enjoy this album: Amber.

Honorable Mentions

All in all, this really wasn’t a great year for new music.  These are some others that I enjoyed throughout the year:

• Embryonic – Flaming Lips
• Keep It Hid – Dan Auerbach
• March of the Zapotecs – Beirut
• Horehound – The Dead Weather
• Hometowns – The Rural Alberta Advantage
• It’s Not Me, It’s You – Lily Allen
• Dark Night of the Soul – Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse

Another favorite feature is the scientifically created Top 50 Songs of 2009 list, based on an average of rankings from Kent and Brent (so far – I’ll update when/if we get more individual song lists.

Here’s the list as of 18 December 2009:

01. Doomsday – Elvis Perkins In Dearland
02. When They Fight They Fight – Generationals
03. VCR – The xx
04. Two – The Antlers
05. Sleep All Summer – St. Vincent and The National
06. 123 Goodbye – Elvis Perkins In Dearland
07. This Tornado Loves You – Neko Case
08. Zero – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
09. Nobody Could Change Your Mind – Generationals
09. Watching The Planets – The Flaming Lips
11. The Afterlife – YACHT
12. Holy, Holy, Holy Moses (song for New Orleans) – Alec Ounsworth
13. Prison Girls – Neko Case
14. Dominos – The Big Pink
14. How’s Forever Been Baby – Elvis Perkins
16. Summertime Clothes – Animal Collective
16. The Reeling – Passion Pit
18. Don’t Forget Me – Neko Case
18. Idiots in the Rain – Alec Ounsworth
20. Crystalised – The xx
20. This Love Is Fucking Right – The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
22. Idiot Heart – Sunset Rubdown
23. Psychic City – YACHT
24. Epistemology – M. Ward
24. Send My Fond Regards To Lonelyville – Elvis Perkins In Dearland
24. Edmonton – The Rural Alberta Advantage
24. Lust For Life – Girls
28. Hey – Elvis Perkins In Dearland
28. Marrow – St. Vincent
30. Honestly – It’s True
31. I Heard Your Voice In Dresden – Elvis Perkins In Dearland
31. Spacious Thoughts (feat. Tom Waits & Kool Keith) – N.A.S.A.
33. Talking Hotel Arbat Blues – Handsome Furs
33. There Are Maybe Ten or Twelve – A.C. Newman
35. Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
36. Calculator – Micachu & the Shapes
36. The Fear – Lily Allen
38. I Cut Like a Buffalo – The Dead Weather
38. Yeah! Oh, Yeah! – Tracey Thorn
40. Bear – The Antlers
40. Shelter – The xx
40. When The Night Comes – Dan Auerbach
43. Bad Romance – Lady GaGa
43. California On My Mind – Wild Light
45. Genius Next Door – Regina Spektor
45. Things I Like To Do – Ben Kweller
47. Drain the Blood – The Rural Alberta Advantage
47. I Can Be a Frog – The Flaming Lips
49. Middle Cyclone – Neko Case
49. Swashbuckler Blues – The Theater Fire

There you have it.  Get cracking on your own lists.

I will start you off with:
1. Jersey Girl by Tom Waits (not Bruce Springsteen’s version)

Difficulty: no google searches on ‘happy love songs’ or the like.

UPDATE: Other folks (Greg, Chelsey) are chiming in, and I’m adding their picks to the post.  Stay tuned!

10. Bob Dylan – Blood on the Tracks – This actually came out in 1975, but I finally listened to it in 2008, so I am going to have it hold my 10th spot, until something supplants it. I hope that Chinese Democracy supplants it, but I’m not holding my breath. The problem with Bob Dylan is 1) his stupid rabid fans 2) the similarity of many of his songs 3) his stupid rabid fans. This will be the year that I finally got past the second issue.

9. Theresa Andersson – Humingbird, Go! – There is one embarrassing song on this disc. Identify that song. Make your piece with it. Move on. She’s from New Orleans! And Sweden!

8. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular – Is this disc popular? I hear bits and pieces of the songs in all sorts of advertising, but do they get radio play? I don’t know, but they have one or two of my favorite songs of the year.

7. Tapes n’ Tapes – Walk It Off – This was my favorite CD of the year for a long time. It’s balls to the wall most of the way through. Even if it sounds like it was recorded in the room next to the room where said balls were to said wall.

6. Why? – Alopecia – This CD is a smidge too long, but the lyrics remind me of what the Silver Jews guy would do if he rapped. Please let that day never come.

5. Silver Jews – Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea – Speaking of Silver Jews. This CD makes me feel good. Mostly because it seems a lot less shaky than their last one. Like maybe the drugs aren’t calling him as much. Good for you, Dave.

4. Damien Jurado – Caught in the Trees – I love Damien Jurado, but usually his albums make me say “meh”. This one is quality all the way through. Achy sweet songs about being sad, breaking up, that sort of thing.

3. Dr. Dog – Fate – This for me was the grower of 2008. I liked it fine when I first heard it. But since then, there has been this slow burn, and now I want to listen to it all the time. I can’t pick my favorite song off it…I’m a complete mess. We saw them in concert, and these stupid hippies ruined it with their stupid hippy dancing.

2. Frightened Rabbit – The Midnight Organ Fight – I feel certain that my love for this disc shows that I will never have good taste in music. It’s a little schmaltzy and overly dramatic, but I eat it up with a spoon.

1. She & Him – Volume One – Everyone should own this CD in my opinion. Zoe Deschanel has a beautiful voice, the songs are beautiful. It’s like an un-ironic Carpenters disc. Or would that be ironic? I don’t know. But again, there is so much quality here, one cannot pick a favorite.

Honorable Mentions:

• Okkervil River – The Stand In’s – Not their best, but still good.
• Cloud Cult – Feel Good Ghosts – I like a band that is hawking esurance. What is wrong with me?
• Delta Spirit – we saw them open for Dr. Dog. Same hippies ruined it for us.
• Grand Archives – Grand Archives – this guy used to helm Carissa’s Wierd. I loved them. I love him.
• The Hold Steady – Stay Positive – Good album, but so much retread.
• Gnarls Barkley – There are many good songs on this. Way better than their debut.

1. The Black Keys: Attack & Release – I don’t think there was an album that I listened to more than this one. Solid album, great sound. They rock the flute like nobody since Jethro Tull. Person not named Kent that would be most likely to enjoy: Dave.

2. Man Man: Rabbit Habits – Pure chaos. I liked their last one a lot, but there was a lot of unlistenable filler on it. Rabbit Habits is full of goodness. They’re refined their sound without losing the chaos that makes them so much fun. I don’t see what everybody sees in your sexy body… Person not named Kent that would be most likely to enjoy: Brent J.

3. Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend – Call me lame, I don’t care. This Vampire Weekend is catchy, witty fun music. I’ve always had a soft spot for the afrobeat type stuff from Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, and the Talking Heads, and Vampire Weekend is no exception. They may be a flash in the pan, but I thoroughly enjoy this album. Person not named Kent that would be most likely to enjoy: Leslie and Beth, even though they would never admit it.

4. Silver Jews: Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea - David Berman has returned in that sincere, corny yet not corny way that only he can really do well. He’s finally got the larger band sound working for him. Person not named Kent that would be most likely to enjoy: Everyone willing to give it chance and who doesn’t mind Berman’s weird voice.

5. Okkervil River: The Stand Ins – I’m coming to terms with the fact that Okkervil River will never put out something like Black Sheep Boy or Don’t Fall in Love with Everyone You See again, but The Stand Ins is still prety good. There’s less filler than The Stage Names, even though I think the best songs on the Stage Names are better than the best songs on the Stand Ins. Person not named Kent that would be most likely to enjoy: Brent K.

6. The Hold Steady: Stay Positive – I was worried the Hold Steady were down with after the super crappy Boys and Girls in America, but Stay Positive gives me hope that they aren’t done yet. There’s a song about how it sucks to be famous on it, though, and that’s a quick way to make me lose interest (unless your band is the Counting Crows). The Hold Steady have a much bigger sound on this album, and surprisingly it doesn’t take way from the power. Even the harpsichord sounds good. Person not named Kent that would be most likely to enjoy: Leslie

7. She & Him: Volume One – I don’t think it’s cool to like this album either, but I really dig the 60′s-style girl pop Zoey Deschannel and the tiny Wall of Sound production from M. Ward. I’ve always been a fan of high studio production values, and the songs are pretty catchy too. Person not named Kent that would be most likely to enjoy: Anyone with a heart.

8. Tender Forever: Wider (2007) – I don’t really know why, but for some reason I really enjoy this type of lo-fi, female-led electopop, a la The Blow. This album came out in December of last year, and I listened to it nonstop until about March. Person not named Kent that would be most likely to enjoy: Paul.

9. Wolf Parade: At Mount Zoomer – At first I was disappointed, since Apologies is one of my all-time favorite albums. This one is completely different: it rambles along with long songs, and strange changes. It’s really more like a Sunset Rubdown album than a Wolf Parade album. It took a while for it to really grow on me, but once you get into its six-minute songs, its hard to stop listening to it. Person not named Kent that would be most likely to enjoy: I really don’t know.

10. Dodos: Visiter - I’m putting this on here, even though it runs a little long. It’s got that real loose, yet controlled lo-fi sound that I really enjoy. This year’s Bishop Allen! Person not named Kent that would be most likely to enjoy: only BK and I really enjoy this type of artsy, folky crap.

That’s it. I’m surprised I got ten albums for this list, because there really wasn’t a lot of really good stuff this year. Here’s some honorable mentions, in no particular order:

• Titus Andronicus – “There’ll be no more cigarettes, no more having sex, not drinking till you fall on the floor, no more indie rock, just a ticking clock, you’ve no time for all of that any more.” It’s like emo punk rock. Person not named Kent that would be most likely to enjoy: Poopy
• Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – Do you really need so many names? The first four songs or so are great, and then the album becomes really kind of a bore.
• Throw Me the Statue – Great songs. The album is too long, though.

• Judas Priest – Nostradamus. Very disappointing, especially as the last album, Angel of Retribution, was pretty good with dear old Rob Halford back shrieking the vocals. Nostradamus was not good though – far too pretentious, full of little keyboard swirls and fills. Just crank up the damn twin guitars and scream, ffs.
• AC/DC – Black Ice. I liked this one. Definitely the best thing they’ve done since Blow Up Your Video. Really good. Angus even breaks out a slide guitar!
• Dragonforce – Ultra Beatdown. I guess Dragonforce are an acquired taste, but if you want shredding, these guys are top notch. Saw them live a couple of months back, and they are phenomenal – I was watching the hands of the two guitarists and I still couldn’t work out how they could keep so note perfect.
• Whitesnake – Good to be Bad. Superb album. Coverdale sounds fantastic. Thankfully he’s not prancing around in leather trousers anymore, and concentrating on the music. Although 1987 and Tawny Kitaen rolling around on the bonnet of a car will always be etched in my mind (hey, I was a 14), this is equal to any of Whitesnake’s 80s output.

I also bought a load of stuff which wasn’t released this year.

• MC Hawking – A Brief History of Rhyme. OMG, too funny. Seriously, you have to listen to this. Nerdcore rocks.
• Robert Calvert – Captain Lockheed and the Starfighters. Mad Hawkwind poet with a concept album about the post-WWII Luftwaffe. Great stuff, even if he does go a little too Peter Sellers with the accent at times.
• Turisas – The Varangian Way. Viking metal. To Holmgard and Beyond. Longboats, swords, axes, fighting and pillaging. Also quite possibly the maddest cover of “Rasputin” I’ve ever heard (in fact the only metal cover of it I’ve ever heard!).

1. Cat Power – Jukebox – Best album in years.
2. Jenny Lewis – Acid Tongue – Nice sing-a-long music.
3. Kanye West – 808′s & Heartbreak – Not too rappy.
4. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular – Danceable.
5. Of Montreal – Skeletel Lamping – Sex and cuss words.
6. Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – Good sad music.
7. Why? – Alopecia – I always wanted to be a white rapper.
8. Adele – 19  – Beautiful Voice
9. Ting Tings – We Started Nothing – Catchy.
10. Mates of State – Re-Arrange Us – Only album of theirs I like.

Honorable Mention:

• Delta Spirit – Ode to Sunshine
• Black Kids – Partie Traumatic
• Man Man – Rabbit Habits
• Estelle – Shine
• Vampire Weekend

The Silver Jews show is tonight and I haven’t been this excited about a show since Tom Waits.

I sure hope it’s good. I have a feeling David Berman will just be a shell of a man after the crack smokin’ suicide period, but the new album Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea has managed to stay in my playlist pretty consistently since I got it.

• elbuzzard.muxtape.com
• kosterpelding.muxtape.com

Check em out if you want to.  We don’t care what you think.

Leonard Cohen is coming to the UK. This may be my last and only chance to see him live – he doesn’t tour very often, and the guy is 73.

I have no-one to go with. I am the only one in my circle of friends and family who appreciates his music.

I will probably end up going up to London (fair old trip, I’ll have to stay over in a hotel somewhere) on my own.

Some notable non-New Orleans acts:

• Stevie Wonder
• Billy Joel
• Stevie Wonder
• Santana
• Stevie Wonder
• Al Green
• Stevie Wonder
• Robert Plant & Allision Kraus
• Stevie Wonder
• Stevie Wonder
• Randy Newman
• Stevie Wonder
• John Prine
• Richard Thompson
• Bobby McFerrin!
• Stevie Wonder
• Bela Fleck
• Stevie Wonder

Dave, I’m sorry that there’s no Dave Matthews Band for you.  Instead, you get: The Raconteurs

Widespread Panic is also on the lineup, I’ll be far far away on that day.

Leslie, Papa Grows Funk will be there as well.

And Stevie Wonder.