The Best of 2009 - #30 - #16

This past year, I got almost 70 full length releases. The following list represents my favorite recordings of a very prolific year in music.

30. Elvis Perkins in Dearland - Elvis Perkins in Dearland (Beggars Xl)


Put these on your iPod right now: "Shampoo", "Doomsday", "Hey"

Another artist who might take a little while to get used to, Perkins and his band again craft interesting and dynamic songs that come close to defying categorization. Sounding a little like Neutral Milk Hotel's more down-to-earth cousin, Perkins spins tales of love, loss, and Armageddon with shuffling beats, a cornucopia of instruments, and some bombast. The melodies are sharp and the talent in the band boundless. There's a poignancy and emotional thread to all of ten songs of slightly twisted Americana and it is all these qualities that make Perkins one of music's most interesting artists.

Have yourself a listen here.

Previous List Appearances: Ash Wednesday (#7 in 2007)


29. Be Set Free - Langhorne Slim (Kemado)


Put these on your iPod right now: "Back To The Wild", "Boots Boy", "Yer Wrong"

It might take a little while to get used to Langhorne Slim's unique vocals, but once you do, you quickly recognize his talent as a songwriter and performer. An all-around mellower affair than his previous work, Be Set Free still manages to expertly fluctuate moods between upbeat and hopeful and heart-wrenching and introspection. Slim's honest take on the Americana genre is endearing and while fans might yearn a little more for a little more of the wilder side to come out, the maturity displayed here definitely showcases exponential growth of an intriguing artist.

Have yourself a listen here.

Previous List Appearances: Langhorne Slim (#12 in 2008)


28. Humbug - Arctic Monkeys (Domino)


Put these on your iPod right now: "Crying Lightning", "Pretty Visitors", "Dance Little Liar"

Managing to somehow be dark, occasionally sludgy, and lush all the same time, Humbug is a bit of a slow-burn album. While no tracks will completely knock your socks off, the album, as a cohesive whole, is steady and heavy on atmosphere. Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme shows up as a co-producer here, which makes sense, since some of the tunes do sound a little like later era Queens, only with Alex Turner's very British vocals. Those looking for quick hitting power pop might want to look elsewhere, but the Arctic Monkeys deliver here with some dark-edge rock that's a little more brooding and complex.

Have yourself a listen here.


27. Blakroc - Blakroc (Blakroc)


Put these on your iPod right now: "Dollaz & Sense (featuring Pharoahe Monch, RZA), ""Ain't Nothing Like You [Hoochie Coo] (featuring Jim Jones and Mos Def)", "Stay Off The Fuckin' Flowers (featuring Raekwon)"

The Black Keys take their low-fi garage blues sound and play behind a host of rappers and the result is a surprisingly cohesive effort whose only sin is its brevity. The music is signature Keys, with the beats and Dan Auerbach's guitar riffs first getting your head bobbing. Then, with rappers ranging from Raekwon to Q-Tip to Mos Def dueling with Nicole Wray's smooth R&B vocals, the songs really come together. It's nice to hear this kind of collaboration just to prove there is more to rock and rap than Aerosmith and Run D.M.C.

Have yourself a listen here.


26. Love, Save The Empty - Erin McCarley (Universal Republic)

Put these on your iPod right now: "Pony (It's OK)", "It's Not That Easy", "Love, Save The Empty"

One of the biggest compliments I can pay this record is that it isn't really the kind of music I enjoy and/or listen to all that much. But when the whole female singer/songwriter radio-friendly alterna-pop thing is executed so flawlessly, it's hard for me not to stand up and take notice. McCarley's songs are very easy to listen to and her voice smooth and soothing. Adding to the appeal is the fact that she wrote or co-wrote all of the eleven songs on her debut. Sometimes utilizing guitar as the main instrument, other times the piano, McCarley displays proficiency at both and when you factor just a perfect production job, Love, Save The Empty is deeply satisfying, even if the genre itself isn't your usual cup of tea.

Have yourself a listen here.


25. Monsters Of Folk - Monsters Of Folk (Shangri-La)


Put these on your iPod right now: "Dear God (Sincerely, M.O.F.)", "Man Named Truth", "Ahead Of The Curve"

Supergroups tend to be hit or miss, with way more of them failing to live up to the sum of their parts. Considering the immense talent of Monsters of Folk, it's easy for them to miss the lofty standards expected of them, but that's far from saying their self-titled release is a failure. Comprised of Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis, My Morning Jacket’s Jim James and singer/songwriter M.Ward, Monsters of Folk is heavy on the folk, a little light on the monsters, but pretty much the mellow, acoustic effort one would expect to come from their name. The songs are very good, not great, but something about the instrumentation and how their voices coherently meld more than make up for any shortcomings or lack of edginess.

Have yourself a listen here.


24. Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures (DGC/Interscope)


Put these on your iPod right now: "New Fang", "Mind Eraser, No Chaser", "Reptiles"

Supergroups tend to be hit or miss, with way more of them failing to live up to the sum of their parts. Considering the immense talent of Them Crooked Vultures, it's easy for them to miss the lofty standards expected of them, but that's far from saying their self-titled release is a failure. Comprised of Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme, Foo Fighter Dave Grohl, and John Paul Jones from you should know God damn well what band, Them Crooked Vultures is heavy on the crooked, a little light on the vultures, but pretty much the heavy, stoner, distorted effort one would expect to come from their name. The songs are very good, not great, but something about the musicianship (particularly Jones' bass) and how this really comes across as a heavy-on-the-Josh project (which is OK) more than make up for any shortcomings or lack of overtly catchy songs.

Have yourself a listen here.


23. The Satanic Satanist - Portugal. The Man (Equal Vision)


Put these on your iPod right now: "People Say", "The Home", "Guns And Dogs"

The latest release from the enigmatically named Portugal. The Man (from Alaska, no less) really showcases the band's diversity and willingness to embrace different genres all throughout the course of a single disc. The Satanic Satanist is layered with melodic vocals over some funky and soulful indie rock beats. The album is friendly and inviting without being simplistic. They won't boggle your mind with time and key changes, but will make you stop and admire the catchiness of the tunes and the subtlety of their obvious songwriting talent. John Baldwin Gourley's vocals are little on the higher-pitched side, but they never sound out of place and the signs of a strong album is one that gets better and better with each listen and The Satanic Satanist definitely falls in that category.

Have yourself a listen here.


22. Songs In The Night - Samantha Crain & The Midnight Shivers (Ramseur)

Put these on your iPod right now: "Get The Fever Out", "Songs In The Night", "Bananafish Revolution"

With a oddly unique voice that sounds like it came from a little more "across the pond" than her native Oklahoma, Samantha Crain and her band put forth a fun alt-country/folkie album that displays a maturity well beyond her 23 years. Crain employs some interesting enunciations and use of meter, but it all works very well and Songs In The Night definitely shows a high degree of vocal aptitude and songwriting ability. While conventional wisdom would say Crain and her band can only get better, the reality is their debut full length is pretty damn good on its own.

Have yourself a listen here.


21. Horehound - The Dead Weather (WEA/Reprise)


Put these on your iPod right now: "So Far From Your Weapon", "Treat Me Like Your Mother", "No Hassle Night"

Jack White will have a hard time doing wrong in my eyes and this new project has him getting behind the drum kit, turning guitars over to Dean Fertita of Queens of the Stone Age, keeping Raconteurs bassist Jack Lawrence, and letting Kills frontwoman Alison Mosshart belt out the majority of the songs. What's left is a spacey, sludgy piece of heavy blues-infused rock. While you can hear elements of White's previous endeavors sprinkled throughout, Horehound is definitely all its own: a project that surprisingly loses no power with White in the background.

Have yourself a listen here.


20. To Be Still - Alela Diane (Rough Trade)

Put these on your iPod right now: "White As Diamonds", "The Alder Trees", "To Be Still"

Alela Diane has one of those voices that sounds vulnerable and fragile and powerful at the same time. Her sophomore release is a collection of wonderfully sung folk songs that sound like they came from deep inside Appalachia. Diane's unique vocal stylings, coupled with the vast number of instruments employed here make for a textured and complicated folk album. Delicate and calming, yet with the undercurrent that some darker folk has, To Be Still is a well-rounded effort from a very up-and-coming singer/songwriter.

Have yourself a listen here.


19. My Old, Familiar Friend - Brendan Benson (ATO)

Put these on your iPod right now: "Borrow", "Poised And Ready", "You Make A Fool Out Of Me"

Brendan Benson was already a pretty established singer/songwriter before he teamed up with Jack White in the Raconteurs. My Old, Familiar Friend has him back solo and writing catchy and melodic pop songs that have a bit of a dated (in a good way) sound. I guess that makes it retro! Benson's voice is virtually flawless and perfect for the music here, which range from ballads to rockers. Some might yearn for a bit more of the edge that the Racs provide, but ultimately, Benson has gone his own way and delivered a tight and impressive pop affair.

Have yourself a listen here.


18. Tell 'Em What Your Name Is! - Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears (Lost Highway)

Put these on your iPod right now: Sugarfoot", "Boogie", "Humpin'"

Gotta love this release. It's got the five F's: ferocity, funk, freshness, fun, and a really cool album cover. While young bandleader and guitarslinger Black Joe Lewis' vocals won't ever be confused for the perfection that is James Brown's, the album and the songs are just a full-on onslaught of a horn-driven soul/funk/blues concoction that really brings a smile to your face. The backing band is more than able - to the point of proficiency - (especially the crazy bass) and the fact that it feels like you are in a timewarp when listening to it adds even more to the charm. Lewis' debut album is brief and a little rough around the edges, but you expect that from a record like this. After hearing this one, I'm looking forward to experiencing what he does with this talented band and some experience under his belt.

Have yourself a listen here.


17. Embryonic - The Flaming Lips (WEA/Reprise)


Put these on your iPod right now: "Watching The Planets", "The Sparrow Looks Up At The Machine", "Silver Trembling Hands"

Oppressively dense in some areas and eerily atmospheric in others, the latest opus from Oklahoma's Flaming Lips isn't easily digestible in one sitting. Nestled somewhere between spacey and psychedelic early Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin's plodding metal, Embryonic is a audio challenge, but quite a rewarding one. Never one to conform to musical trends, leader Wayne Coyne puts up a middle finger to popular music (and even their more accessible Yoshimi record) and says "take this or leave it." Even with an expected convoluted lyrical narrative, Embryonic is ultimately enjoyable just because there is so much going on sonically - though not all of it works perfectly - and it is daring, different, and when stripped down to bare bones, rocks pretty hard.

Have yourself a listen here.

Previous List Appearances: Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots (#10 in 2002)


16. The Mountain - Heartless Bastards (Fat Possum)


Put these on your iPod right now: "Witchy Poo", "Be So Happy", "Had To Go"

It is possible that rock is dead, or at least gasping for air, but no one bothered to tell that to Austin's Heartless Bastards, who manage to put together a powerful garage rock record complete with excellent howling vocals. At the center of the Bastards is singer, guitarist and principal songwriter Erika Wennerstrom whose strong lower register really gives each song a solid foundation upon which the music is built. While most of the songs are slow burn rock tunes, the band does manage to mix things up a little with the use of mandolin, steel guitar, and strings. All in all, The Mountain is a bright ray of hope for a dying genre.

Have yourself a listen here.