SPIN'S 20 GREATEST ALBUMS OF 2009 ... SO FAR

Below is Spin's top 20 record of '09 (thus far). Its quite the conundrum considering they've left off some obviously good records of '09. Not to mention, we still have five months left to the year. Makes one wonder what Spin's true intentions were for doing this so early. Perhaps they wanted people to see just how irrelevant they truly are. I'm actually surprised Dave Matthews didn't make it on the list personally.

SPIN'S 20 GREATEST ALBUMS OF 2009 ... SO FAR
Ida Maria - Fortress Round My Heart
Peter Bjorn And John - Living Thing
Blk Jks - Mystery
Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
Mastodon - Crack The Skye
Amadou & Mariam - Welcome To Mali
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
Regina Spektor - Far
Mos Def - The Ecstatic
Glasvegas - Glasvegas
Jarvis Cocker - Further Complications
Bat For Lashes - Two Sun
Mavado - Mr. Brooks... A Better Tomorrow
Wilco - Wilco (The Album)
Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
Sa-Ra Creative Partners - The Age Of Love
Antony And The Johnsons - The Crying Light

Here's a few of my favorites so far, but I'm not making any top 20 lists til the end of the year.

Fever Ray - (Self Titled)
Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
Bibio -Ambivalence Avenue
Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer
Dinosaur Jr -Farm
Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career
Dark Was The Night -(Various Artists)
Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
Dntel - Early Works for Me If It Works For You II

La Roux - La Roux

La Roux is a British synth-pop duo that is slowly (not really that slowly) coming your way. The hype that precedes them is actually gargantuan and has that unmistakably corporate taste to it. They're slogan is Synth-Pop: This Time withe Even Less Soul! Ok, not really...

Don't get me wrong because I see the appeal. I love to dance (as my girlfriend can certainly attest) and I love the great upbeat, yet apathetic, feel that is usually present in synth-pop, but La Roux just feels like something hastily thrown together to me. Elly Jackson's voice leaves a lot to be desired as it dips and wavers through the tracks and more often than not she fails to fully show any desparation which is a hallmark of great synth-pop. They may have incredible amounts of emotion coming off the stage, but it does not come accross on record. Surely, there are some gems present, but I don't feel like they have the legs to warrant mention 10 or even 5 years from now.

I kept:
In for the Kill
Quicksand
Bulletproof

Grade: 5.6

Lee Mayfield & the Expressions - My World

It seems like most my music conversations recently have been complaining about how there have been no truly great releases this year. While I wouldn't call My World a great release, it is tolerable enough to where I do not want to turn it off and I can listen to the entire record several times in a row (which is rare). It is a true soul record in a time of souless music and I think that is what appeals to me most about My World.

Nicknamed "the Little J.B." in the 70s, Lee Mayfield has been making music since 1969 (there's another 40-year anniversary for you Apollo Mission!). Turntablists renewed interest over the last several years and Mayfield went into the studio with a new band, the Expressions, consisting of studio musicians who have recorded with everyone from Amy Winehouse to TV on the Radio to record a new record. They have created an organic and deep soul record for the new age. Mostly ballads, the record is full of emotion and genuine feeling. Mayfield's voice is incredible and evokes a time that I, and most of us missed, regrettable missed. It was a true time of Change and cultural revolution. When people said things and backed up their words with action. I think about the movie Dead Presidents or Baadassss! as inspiration.

Thanks to Peanut Butter Wolf and Stonesthrow Records who have unleashed this gem on us.

I kept the whole album, because I want to continue to hear it. I'd recommend "Honey Dove," "My World is Empty Without You," & the title track "My World."

Grade: 8.2

Bibio - Ambivalence Avenue

I'm always keeping tabs on Bibio and his unusual amalgam of Boards of Canada infused Folktronica. He's got great ideas and amazing soundscapes imbedded in his music, yet, for some reason, he's really fallen victim of being a one trick pony over the years, or at least until now. With Ambivalence Avenue, we've got a whole new Bibio. We still hear Stephen Wilkinson's trademark guitar lines and ambience (field recordings/found sounds) buried within, but now we see a much more diverse artist begin to emerge. Infusing elements of glitch-hop, psychedelic folk, and even funk into the mix, we start to see the limitations once hindering this creative soul dissolve. From the opener "Ambivalence Avenue", we're given an upbeat, folk-driven (yet very melodic) psychedelic track that just hints at what's to come. As we get to "Jealous of Roses" we're introduced to the funkier side of Bibio. Border-lining on something you'd hear on a Ween album, this track is definitely one of the more unusual pieces on the record, but honestly it works with its low-fi production and syncopated beat. "All The Flowers" is the next tune and it’s a complete change from the past two. Both short and sweet, this little ditty could almost be confused for a Simon and Garfunkle song. As we approach "Fire Ant", we get a glimpse into Bibio's latest influence, glitch-hop. Perhaps because this is Bibio's Warp Records debut, or perhaps he because he’s just has taken a liking to some of the other artists on the Warp label like Prefuse 73 and Jackson and His Computer Band, we’re hearing a much more upbeat and glitchy record than Bibio’s predecessors. The next track, "Haikuesque (When She Laughs)" is by far my favorite on the record. Both soft and melodic, this track flows beautifully and will leave you craving more by the time its over. As the tracks progress we keep getting new surprises. "Sugarette" has to be one of the more experiemental tracks here with its breakbeat feel and syncopated drum sounds (think Aphex Twin Windowlicker). "Lovers Carvings" is probably my least favorite on the record. It’s a short and sweet folky, guitar ditty that turns into poppy tune about 1:29 into the track. Its decent enough but did little to move me emotionally like many of the other tracks did. On "Abrasion", we hear the Simon and Garfunkle folk sound so prevalent in earlier songs. It's melodic but again nothing fancy. "S'Vive" is another brilliant glitch-laden track with funky bass sounds and vocal samples (I can almost dance to it). By the time we reach the last few tracks we approach "Cry ! Baby !". A mellow, alt rock slow jam that soon becomes quite psychedelic with deep synths driving at the chorus. The last track on the record "Dwrcan", sounds the most reminiscent of Boards of Canada on the album. The track is downtempo, dark and carries a cinematic feel to it. All and all this is a really intruiging piece of work by Bibio. If Ambivalence Avenue is the address to Bibio's newfound creativity let’s hope he doesn’t move for a long, long time.

Standout Tracks: "Haikuesque (When She Laughs)", "Fire Ant", "Sugarette", "S'Vive", "Cry ! Baby !", "Dwrcan"
Grade: 8.2

Most Over-Hyped Album of '09

Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
This album has won the praise of both Stereogum and Pitchfork (9.2!). Stereogum has even proclaimed it to be, possibly, the best album of 2009.
The problem: The song structure is often dull and repetitive (the woozy 3 part vocals becomes an easily redundant element in the bands jam-band formula), the guitar riffs are often reoccurring and uninspiring, and the songs themselves lack any real direction. This album is more of a collage of sound than a cohesive album build upon the idea of good songwriting. The hippies may like the looseness of the tracks and the tribal feel of the raw, spare beats but I personal don't wear patchouli.

Jason Lytle - Yours Truly, the Commuter

I remember Grandaddy, do you? Of course you do and if you don't then you were blacked out like Dash Snow was for most of his life. If you're a Loney, Dear or Andrew Bird fan then you're in luck and will have a new favorite singer/songwriter. I really should emphasize the songwriter. That's better. Fans of Earlimart's lighter tunes and heavier Elliott Smith will also rejoice. Lytle's smooth, etheral style is extremely uplifting and is really a breath of fresh air in a, frankly, mediocre summer of schmindie music.

What really elevates Lytle's music is the dramatic changes that take place in his best songs despite that relatively few of the songs seem to really go anywhere. Maybe the climaxes just do pay off enough as the record inevitably does: a song called 'It's the Weekend' Really?

His ability to write great songs and progressions isn't in question or in doubt as Jason Lylte has a true gift. It's more about the execution and the development of that one great theme that is in your head (like Ben Gibbard has done). Every song seems to have that moment of brilliance, but somehow it never really makes up for the low points.

I kept:
Yours Truly, the Commuter
Ghost of My Old Dog
Fürget It

Grade: 5.7

Elizabeth & the Catapults - Taller Children

I heard some grumbling about this band a while back and thought I'd try them out. Mike Mogis produced the record, which is always a great start for me, that was recorded at his home studio in Nebraska where so many other great artists have plied their trade. Elizabeth Ziman's voice is wonderfully pleasing but I don't think the band really pulls it off on this, their major-label debut, record. Her vocals possess a bit of Amanda Palmer's (Dresden Dolls) theatrics, but not near as much cleverness or shocking direction; her lyrics contains a bit of the emotion that made Fiona Apple so appealing as well, but not the edge; and the band's poppiness is sprightly but not as compelling as the Bird and the Bee. The range of styles on the record is the most impressing aspect of the record, but they just aren't there yet. Hey, everyone has to start somewhere. I hope they are given the chance to continue growing.

I kept:

Momma's Boy

Right Next to You

Grade: 4.2

Sunset Rubdown -Chop Suey 06/27/09

Sunset Rubdown (featuring Spencer Krug of Wolf Parade)

I understand the logic behind marketing a not so well known band with a well known front man of another well known band (in this case Wolf Parade) but the thing I can't quite understand is why Wolf Parade is more popular than Sunset Rubdown. Spencer Krug is known for being in a plethora of bands but in my personal opinion Sunset Rubdown is far superior in both songwriting and musicianship compared to his other endeavors. Saturday night at Chop Suey was no exception to the bands obvious potential. Besides being very rehearsed, Spencer's jarring delivery grabbed the attention of every person in the building. The band brought a huge sound to the stage employing just the right instrumentation to recreate their catalogue of dynamic songs, which sounded as good if not better than their actual CD's. Seriously, it would have made an excellent live CD but I imagine all their shows are on the same caliber. This is why I bring up the question as to why Sunset Rubdown isn't the band Wolf Parade is. After a show like this, the only thing I can hope for is that more people go out to see the band for the wrong reasons and come out as new disciples to their unique blend of meticulously crafted indie pop.