Wednesday, December 30, 2009 : 11:30pm
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Top Ten Albums of 2009
For once, I've got my top ten lists done early. I usually procrastinate until I can hear and see everything by February. This year, I caught up on a lot of movies in December. I also began reviewing this year's album releases early in the month instead of waiting until January.
10. God Help The Girl - God Help The Girl
The side project of Belle & Sebastian frontman Stuart Murdoch.
Utilizing three different female singers, Murdoch created his version of a 60's girl group with catchy pop harmonies mixed with 80's synch.
9. Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future - The Bird and the Bee
Los Angeles synth pop duo's second long player, with a cool vibe of loungy sounds.
8. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - Phoenix
Even though this band has been around for a while, they blew up after their June SNL appearance. I came in Monday morning and the office buzz was all about "did you watch Saturday Night Live and who the fuck was that band?" By the end of the year, Cadillac was using "1901" in their TV spots.
7. Middle Cyclone - Neko Case
This didn't even make my list until I did a year-end review of all the 2009 releases. The fact that it sounded so great 6 months after its release changed my mind.
6. Incredibad - The Lonely Island
This album is just jam-packed with with damn good songwriting and has everything modern rap lacks: a sense of humor. Recalls the days of UTFO, Kurtis Blow and the Sugar Hill Gang.
5. Far - Regina Spektor
Shimmering, catchy pop.
4. My Old, Familiar Friend - Brendan Benson
To Hell with the Raconteurs. Stay solo Brendan, stay solo.
3. The Rebirth of Venus - Ben Lee
I love Ben Lee. He's not afraid to get everyone clapping and singing along. His music is all about having FUN.
2. Hold Time - M. Ward
Fresh off the brief break of his other musical endeavor, She & Him, Ward makes an even better solo album.
Paddy McAloon's long lost Sprouts album. A collection of demos recorded 17 years ago and rejected by the record label, McAloon's manger convinced him to dust off the demos and have them cleaned up. It's likely that even if you like everything else on this list, that you'll hate Prefab Sprout. They've got an extremely loyal cult folowing, but non-fans will probably think they're too "easy listening". McAloon's influences are George Gershwin & Brian Wilson, and it shows.
Keep an eye for my next post in the new year with my top ten flicks of 2009.
Ron Lim is Associate Creative Director at ATTIK. His work has been recognized by the One Show, British D&AD, Addys, Ad Age, Adweek, Creativity, the London International Advertising Awards, Luerzer’s Archive and the Effies. Ron collects Spider-man stuff, comic book art and movies. He was born, raised and still lives in San Francisco with his wife Sharon and his son Frank.
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