Another "Top 10 of 2009"
Paul Jensen
1. Fight Like Apes: "Fight Like Apes and the Mystery of the Golden
Medallion"
This year, no other album came close to this one for offering a fresh new
voice and sound. You can tell this band is just having a blast making these
tracks. The songs are energetic, fun, silly. Totally infectious. Whenever I
needed a pick-me-up, or to let off a little steam, this album delivered the
goods.. over and over and over..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9KFT5ImlxA
2. Camera Obscura: "My Maudlin Career"
Here's another artist who sets sad songs to wonderfully upbeat music. The
band continues to develop their signature sound on this sublime album - lots
of strings and lilting, swooning vocals. A great addition to the band's
impressive catalogue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhSanTYPm2g
3. Marissa Nadler: "Little Hells"
I have been mesmerized by Marissa Nadler's music for a few years now. She's
a young artist with an old soul. "Little Hells" continues her exploration of
all things sad and dark (or as one music critic called it: "existential
despair") - but she does this in such an ethereal and haunting way, I love
getting lost in the world she creates.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vS3gO6gKyE
4. El Perro del mar: "Love is not Pop"
I love pitchfork.com's description of her as the "sad-eyed Swede". The
juxtaposition of her delicate, sad voice set against upbeat music is very
unique. Makes you want to dance and cry at the same time. This tiny 6-song
album packs a punch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmVjsTgLdvg
5. Miranda Lee Richards: "Light of X"
It's taken more than 8 years, but Miranda Lee Richards finally has TWO
albums under he belt. It's about time. This long-awaited follow-up to her
knockout debut does not disappoint. Miranda has one of the most effortless,
beautiful voices ever. There's something very authentic about her music - it
feels familiar, but never gets old. She conveys such emotion in her voice -
her control is flawless. I hope we won't have to wait another 5 years for
another album from her.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_lO-iAjUZM
6. Imogen Heap: "Ellipse"
Imogen gives us another batch of poetic pop-gems, delivered with her
incomparable, ethereal voice. I think "Ellipse" shows a lot of maturity,
lyrically and musically, from her last album. She's an Artist (with a
capital A) I look forward to following for a long time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax84xcaLfHs
7. Riceboy Sleeps (self-titled)
Listening to this album is like floating in a sea of beautiful noise. The
music requires some attention - lots of subtle layers and gentle shifts in
mood and melodies as songs progress.. "Riceboy Sleeps" can take you to some
deeply emotional places, even though there are no lyrics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsegiQuS9to
8. Amanda Zelina
Who knew a random musician from Myspace with an 8-track EP out would make my
top 10?! This woman is incredible.. She's like Norah Jones with more of an
edge, or Cat Power with more optimism. :) This is a mature, bold album from
genuine rising star. Wonderful!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzJTycuY-jg
9. Tori Amos: "Abnormally Attracted to Sin" and "Midwinter Graces"
Tori blessed us with TWO albums this year. Both are strong efforts with some
great tracks. I love the subject matter she explores in "Abnormally..." -
while not terribly personal, it's dark and mature.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riCoTRnkSXE
10. Owl City: "Ocean Eyes"
Total ear-candy from rural Minnesota. His songs are sunny little things that
make you want to get up and dance. I don't care that tweens love him - I
loved him first!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr9EKJatJvA
Other albums I greatly enjoyed this year:
A Camp: "Colonia"
Fever Ray (self-titled)
Gaba Kulka: "Hat, Rabbit"
Alela Diane: "To Be Still"
Scarlett Johansson & Pete Yorn: "Breakup" (I wanted more Scarlett on this
album - Pete was hogging the spotlight!)
Orenda Fink
God Help The Girl (self-titled)
Robin Guthrie: "Carousel"
Norah Jones: "The Fall"
A few disappointments:
Au Revoir Simone: "Still Night Still Light" (yaaaawn!)
Maria Taylor: "Ladyluck" (too polished)
Florence & The Machine: "Lungs" (I really want to like her, but she seems so
loud and shouty... can't get into it!)
Hope Sandoval: "Through the Devil Softly" (yaaaawn!)
Mika: "The Boy Who Knew Too Much" (really thought this would be a more
mature album, but it doesn't show much progression from his last
Nellie Mckay: "Normal as Blueberry Pie" (yaaawn! - a real shame, since I
adore Nellie!)
Regina Spektor: "Far" (too heavy-handed, lyrically, for my taste.. really
turned me off!)
Paul
--
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"This is the time.
And this is the record of the time."
-Laurie Anderson
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