2009年 12月 24日 木曜日 12:48
This list is a run-down of my most scrobbled albums that were released in 2009. There are obviously albums not featured in this list. Those released early in the year obviously have a statistical advantage, but hey.
If you want to try this out for yourself, then you can do by using this dude's code (it takes some time to work it all out, so just be patient): http://lastfmstats.livefrombmore.com/albumoftheyear/
20. Wilco - Wilco (The Album)
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/174s/29271853.png
Released 26/6/2009
Wilco are one of my favourite bands of all time and I think they are generally underrated. Within the genre, Jeff Tweedy is probably the most well-rounded composer aside from the late Elliott Smith. However, this record generally didn't stand up to the calibre that I would expect from Wilco and whilst it just makes it on to my top twenty scrobbled albums, it would also probably feature quite prominently in a 'disappointment of 2009' list.
19. Lymbyc Systym - Shutter Release
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/174s/36692101.jpg
Released 3/11/2009
Their 2007 release 'Love Your Abuser' left high expectations for this 2009 release, and I must say they didn't disappoint. A truly stunning amalgamation of ambient, folk, post-rock, IDM, indie…etc. Needless to say, Arms & Sleepers' 2009 release titled Matador probably pips this record to the post in this field, but unfortunately I only got hold of that a few weeks ago so it hasn't been officially scrobbled enough for the all-mighty stats chart (although it has been basically on repeat for a fortnight).
18. Bibio - The Apple And The Tooth
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/174s/36534899.jpg
Released 9/11/2009
One of the busiest men in music during 2009, aside from perhaps Tim Hecker and Aiden Baker. This record adds a couple of interesting songs to the Bibio repertoire but crumbles under the behemoth of Ambivalence Avenue. Whilst I like Bibio's remix of Clark's Ted, the remixes on this LP are generally dull.
17. The Mars Volta - Octahedron
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/174s/30082191.jpg
Released 22/6/2009
After some truly awful releases, one of my teenage favourites comes up with something that's not entirely crap. Horray.
16. Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/174s/36954577.jpg
Released 16/11/2009
The 'super group'. I harboured little expectation for this record but it has proverbially slapped me in the face. Reasserts Grohl as one of the best contemporary drummers ever in existence, Holme as a consistent composer, and that other one from Led Zep is okay and all.
15. The Appleseed Cast - Sagarmatha
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/174s/24071421.jpg
Released 17/2/2009
2009 saw the (relatively late) discovery of Appleseed Cast and they have rapidly become one of my favourite bands. Whilst Sagarmatha isn't their strongest release, I have been playing a lot of AC.
14. A Place to Bury Strangers - Exploding Head
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/174s/33258181.jpg
Released 5/10/2009
The guy behind Death By Audio guitar pedals writes an interesting, dynamic and engrossing album that betters their stellar début: go figure. I saw these guys live this year as well. I still don't know quite how he makes these noises - and I'm sure most listeners will probably categorise it as just that, noise - but it comes together cohesively in to something ultimately powerful.
13. Luke Vibert - We Hear You
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/174s/33462687.jpg
Released 10/8/2009
The in-and-out Vibert sound never seems to change. Solid but unimaginative and uninspiring. Following Milanese down a wop-wop-de-pssssh dubstep route probably won't work either Luke.
12. Nathan Fake - hard islands
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/174s/29997351.jpg
Released 27/4/2009
Stunningly different to DIASOL. Most probably thought this was a lazy turn for the poorer; I disagree. Keeping 8 minute four-on-the-floor lo-fi techno interesting isn't easy.
11. Prefuse 73 - Meditation Upon Meditations (The Japanese Diaries)
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/174s/36157907.jpg
Released 25/4/2009
Another gigantic IDM discovery for me this year. Beautifully bridges the gap between IDM and hip-hop without being too reliant on stealing funk samples.
10. Crime In Choir - Gift Givers
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/174s/24577287.jpg
Released 29/1/2009
Probably the most difficult album ever to get hold of. Not sure what the record label were playing at with this one. Either way, the band pull something out of the top-drawer in an unwavering assault on the haters of prog and synth rock's love child.
9. Clark - Growl's Garden
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/174s/24862715.jpg
Released 23/3/2009
Soooo much anticipation for Clark in 2009. Turning Dragon wasn't exactly my cup of tea following Body Riddle. Growl's Garden didn't bode too well, but holy hot hell did Totems Flare deliver.
8. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/174s/37289403.png
Released 11/1/2009
This is probably on everyone's list. Even my dad owns this record.
7. Bibio - Vignetting The Compost
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/174s/24338623.jpg
Released 3/2/2009
Potentially the last truly 'folk' record from Bibio. Kinda sad to see the end of what is a uniquely distinctive sound that he has tailored to perfection. Not quite sure how he could have continued doing what he was doing on Warp though; and who says no to Warp?
6. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/174s/36830211.png
Released 25/5/2009
If anyone asks me whilst in an inebriated state during the festive period what my favourite album of 2009 is, I'll probably blurt out something about Grizzly Bear (trying to pronounce the album title will pose as somewhat of a challenge I fear). Further thought might lead to some other close contenders (see this list), but over all this wouldn't be a terrible place to lay my head.
5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/174s/39360953.png
Released 8/3/2009
Unbelievable. Where the hell did they pull this one out from? This is how all indie-pop should sound. Forever.
4. Bibio - Ambivalence Avenue
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/174s/29759841.jpg
Released 22/6/2009
1. Sign to Warp
2. Write one of the best IDM records ever
3. ?
4. Profit!
3. The Flaming Lips - Embryonic
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/174s/35253997.png
Released 12/10/2009
A good year for Wayne and the boys. Reaffirmed themselves as one of the best live bands I've ever seen on the back of an 18 track double album that never lags. It sounds like they've been at the bathroom cabinet again. Those who like hearing The Flaming Lips on adverts for continental beers might have heard the last of them.
2. The Strange Boys - And Girls Club
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/174s/26350439.jpg
Released 3/3/2009
Released 2009, sounds like 1969. These incredibly strange boys have taught me a thing or two about the power of music production. Probably not an eclectic sound - out of tune vocals and 'jangly guitars' doesn't do justice - but some truly fantastic songs on there. Another from the never-ending pool of quality music of Austin TX none the less.
1. Clark - Totems Flare
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/174s/29295099.jpg
Released 24/6/2009
Number 1 unsurprisingly. The local lad done good.
Created using OnDistantShores's Album Of The Year journal generator.