The Final Countdown

If you've been following this sporadic blog since its inception, you've surely come to realize that I am a fiend for countdown lists. Although I've been mastering the art of the hiatus as of late, you had to have KNOWN I'd be back for my end of the year picks. Considering how I randomly decided to cover my "best-of-decade" picks in mid 2008, I am going to stick with my gut, and not torture you with yet another best of 2000-2009 mess. You can chalk this post up as either an isolated entry or an addendum to all that was great from 2000 - August 2008. It's your call.

Without any further adieu, here it goes -- The 10 Best Albums of 2009:

Honorable Mention I. Rodrigo Y Gabriela - 11:11

The highly anticipated followup to their breakout 2006 self-titled record, this one is an homage to the duo's forbears. Each track pays tribute to the respective artists that has helped paved the way for these former metalheads. Have no fear -- the blazingly fast rhythmic guitar from their "reptile" album is reprised on 11:11, which makes this arguably the best instrumental album of the year.

Honorable Mention II. Pearl Jam - Backspacer

As I detailed in one of my few posts this year, this is THE definitive Pearl Jam comeback album. Ditching the major record labels, Pearl Jam opted to self-release this bad boy and sell exclusively through Target stores. With label chains now broken, it appears a new creative spark has been restored for Eddie and the boys. Leadoff single, "The Fixer" is the most infectious tune the band has released in fifteen years. The rest of the record -- the band's shortest -- ain't half bad either.

10) Them Crooked Vultures (Self-Titled)

A project that had supposedly been in the works for years finally blitzed us earlier this fall. First there was the shady online viral campaign. Next, there were tour date announcements and sold out shows before any material was even leaked. Finally, we got an album out of nowhere in mid-November. I remember thinking this would be an utter failure or a resounding success. This just goes to show that when you place three proven musical geniuses in a room together, you sometimes get the results you expect. Put quite simply, Them Crooked Vultures is the musical melting pot of Led Zeppelin, Foo Fighters, and Queens of The Stone Age. You literally hear elements of each legendary band in each one of this album's blistering tunes. Here's to hoping this is not just a one-off gig.

9) Jay-Z - The Blueprint III

Yeah, yeah. I know. For hardcore Jay-Z fans, this album doesn't hold a candle to some of his earlier work (The Blueprint, Reasonable Doubt, The Black Album, etc.). Yes, my music integrity is questioned for even ranking this album based on the almost universal poor reviews. Sadly, this was the year I finally discovered Jay-Z, and although I will agree that I have no right to critique hip-hip, I enjoyed the hell out of this record. Before becoming the official Yankee World Series anthem, "Empire State of Mind" was the most-played song of the year on my iPod.

8) Wilco - Wilco (The Album)

I consider Wilco to be the modern day classic-rock band. Aside from having legions of fans who happen to be in that traditional classic rock band-loving demographic, Jeff Tweedy's vintage leathery vocals paired with the band's easy-going vibe make these guys seem from an era they're not from. Hell, they even had the audacity to name their 7th album eponymously. If that's not good enough for you, they took it to another level here by, yes (you guessed it), naming a song "Wilco". That's right -- now you can have three consecutive lines on your iPod that bear the name Wilco. The last time I saw this was with Bad Company.

7) The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You

I think this is the first time a (mostly) bluegrass album is making its debut on OTM. After releasing the 2nd part of their two-part Gleam series of EP's last year, the Avett Brothers impacted more than just the indie-folk comfort zone. This 7-song set turned the heads of the heavyweights -- most notably Rick Rubin. The rock producer was so impressed by their offering, that he signed up to produce their major-label debut. Preserving the formula that carefully blends painfully heartfelt lyrics with organic folky music, this record is the perfect follow-up to the Gleam set. The band has gained so big so fast that they've already graduated on to the larger venues that usually pass on the bluegrass/folk scene.

6) Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!

When it comes to album cover of the year, there is no contest. The artwork for It's Blitz! beautifully summarizes the band's explosive energy in all its breakfast mutilation glory. Shedding the guitar aggressiveness from their previous efforts, the YYY's third full-length album is a tribute, nay love-fest, to the electronic music the band has flirted with throughout its career. It appears Nick Zinner has traded in his Fender for some pretty sweet synth gear. Indie-dance being all the rage these days, you can certainly count on Karen O. being ahead of the curve and taking it to the next level. The band is able to claim its stake on a new musical realm, while holding onto the elements that make them the best garage punk band in the world.

5) Sonic Youth - The Eternal

Maybe it's pure coincidence that Sonic Youth's first indie album in twenty years just happens to be arguably the best (the band signed with Matador after being on Geffen since 1989). Or it could just be that this band gets better with age and experience. Sonic Youth released their first album before I existed, and for nearly thirty continuous years have been writing (and rewriting) the indie rock textbook for the poseurs they will surely outlive. The Eternal expands on the mature sound of 2006's Rather Ripped, yet still continues to unleash the signature tricked-out-tune fury of the band's literal arsenal of guitars. Kim Gordon, now in her mid-fifties, has adopted a growl that perfectly complements the beautiful noise this band masterfully creates.

4) Passion Pit - Manners

Passion Pit started the year as nobodies, and are now playing three sold out nights at Terminal 5 next month. That's the kind of year it's been for these Boston locals -- another trendy outfit that has opted to shun the guitar for layered synth. More importantly, Passion Pit makes it okay for suburban white kids to dance. Manners is chock full of hooky anthems that will creep up your iPod's play count. Frontman Michael Angelakos' distinctively soprano vocals had me convinced for several months that there had to have been at least one female in this band.

3) Neko Case - Middle Cyclone


Known mostly for her efforts as one of the many members of indie-rock supergroup The New Pornographers, it's pretty apparent that Neko is doing just damn fine on her own, thank you very much. Who needs to share the spotlight with seven other band mates when you can create your best work on your own. Well, that's not entirely true. Ms. Case has help from everyone from Garth Hudson to M. Ware on her fifth and, hands down, best solo disc. Withdrawing some of the experimentalism of the Pornographers, Neko backs this smattering of poppy mainstream gems with her unmistakably soaring voice. First single "People Got A Lot of Nerve" is quite possibly the single of the year.

2) Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion

Before 2009 even dawned, insiders were suggesting that Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion would be the album of the year -- possibly decade. When this monster was finally released on vinyl the first week in January and two weeks later on traditional formats, it's almost as if the party was over before it started. Critics far and wide declared this the winner. It seems silly to consider MPP the album of the year because it feels like this one came out over a year ago -- that's how long it's been on our radar. This album is an "ear orgasm" -- the kind of record people will be using to test the quality of their sound systems for years to come. Resonating everything from Kid A to Pet Sounds (most of the time simultaneously), you don't have to be a skinny jean-wearning Brookynite to pretend to like this.

Yes. This one also takes home the illustrious prize of "album cover of the year that gives me a headache". Last year's winner was Death Cab for Cutie's Narrow Stairs.

1) Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

An universal best album of the year pick, this French quartet solidified their fate at this year's SXSW festival. When everyone returned from Austin this past March, all the buzz was surrounding these guys -- as if they were new to town. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is actually the band's fourth LP, which proves that a little perseverence can pave the way to success. Soon enough, the band played SNL and even managed to score a gig on every major late night show. The album, which combines 2001-era Strokes with today's Passion Pit-esque synth trends, is the perfect amalgamut of the decade -- combining the stripped down elements of the early decade with the decadent computer-assisted production of today's up-and-coming bands.