End of the decade, end of the year-Best/Worst of 2009, Pt. 2 Jan 08 '10    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Music The Dirtchamber Sessions, Vol. 1 by The Prodigy From $11 Jersey Boys [Original Broadway Cast Recording] by Original Broadway Cast From $8 The Bottom Line No babbling, let's keep moving... TOP 10 SONGS OF 2009: 1. "Uprising"-Muse: One of my favorite bands released perhaps the most perfect song to represent all the political chaos of the year. A rebellious, take-no-prisoners, "fight the insanity" Nine Inch Nails-esque number with awesomely eerie synths, handclaps, and football chants of "OI!" Whenever I felt stressed out watching the news and dealing with other various issues these last few months (which was often), this was my release. 2. "Magnificent"-U2: Of course, leave it to another of my favorite artists, U2, to reassure that all was not lost. One of the reasons I've always loved these guys was because of the hope and optimism that always came out in their music, and this song was no exception, claiming that love and love alone can unite us and get us through the tough times. Add in the classic U2 sound-galloping, anthemic rhythms against sparkling, bright, shiny guitars, and you can't go wrong. 3. "Airstream Driver"-Gomez: I actually thought this was Liam Finn at first-the vocals sounded rather similar. But anytime you hear a song that makes you want to keep listening to the radio to see if they tell you who did it obviously has something special, and this is an example. I love this one for the same reason I love Guster's "Satellite" from a few years ago-whereas that one made me picture driving along an open, dusty road late at night, this one makes me picture the same thing, just in the afternoon sun instead. I always like it when songs allow me to conjure up imagery in my mind. Add in the excellent guitar work, the way the song's sung, and the little breakdown in the middle, too, when the instruments drop out for a bit, and voila! The ingredients to a great tune. 4. "Grapevine Fires"-Death Cab For Cutie: Gorgeous musically-heavy on the slow, shuffling piano and floating harmonies, always a sucker for that stuff. Lyrically, however, one of the most depressing, heartwrenching songs I believe I've ever heard. "But I couldn't think of anywhere I would've rather been/To watch it all burn away". Yeeeeeeah, stick that knife in further, Ben Gibbard! The song may on the surface be about a devastating fire, yet its overall theme of loss is one that everyone can relate to at some point, and despite the sadness, this is a terrific song from the band's latest album. 5. "No, You Girls"-Franz Ferdinand: Ah, the vintage Franz sound. First heard in a commercial for one of those IBlackTwitFace whatever thingamabobs, and easily one of the best songs off the band's new album. Punchy, catchy as hell chorus, tongue-twisting verses, strutting, sexy beats, and a neat little end twist to the seductive lyrics. All this adds up to awesomeness. 6. "The Great Defector"-Bell X1: Man, for a while there this song could not get out of my head. Hothouse Flowers meets mid-80s Talking Heads, with a chorus so bouncy I dare you not to want to dance and sing along. Who cares if there's a bizarre line at one point where the guy says he loves the way a girl's underwire bra sets off an X-Ray machine? 7. "I Don't Know"-Lisa Hannigan: From the former collaborator for Damien Rice, first heard on Stephen Colbert's show. I love the lyrics in this one, so sweet and charming. Lisa's object of affection is a mysterious character, but if he's interested, she'd love to learn more about his little quirks and habits and interests. And Lisa's gentle, shy voice just adds a dreamy, adorable factor to the whole crush story. Another one I can easily relate to. 8. "Mykenos"-Fleet Foxes: Colorado had some nice radio stations while I was there, introduced me to stuff like this gem. Absolutely beautiful, stunning song, with an eerie, ghostly, flickering chorus of harmonic "Oooooh..."s that I love-who knew a wordless chorus like that could sound so gorgeous? And the way it segues into a CS&N-style number later is seamless. Just truly a lovely song. 9. "Candy"-Paolo Nutini: Took a couple of listens to appreciate this one, but it definitely grew on me. I quite liked his first album, am glad to see he's come back with more great music. This one's got an incredibly sweet, old-fashioned romance to it-you can picture a longtime couple slow dancing to this, and I love that. And then it also has a hot as hell, intensely sexy video to boot! 10. "The Man Who Can't Be Moved"-The Script: Seem to have a thing for the Irish-U2, Lisa Hannigan, Bell X1, and now this. Sorta Feeling-esque, which is always good, and interesting lyrically. He'll wait for his love to return! He will not move until she comes back! I'm still not sure if that's sweet or bordering on stalking... Ah, well. Still a nice song. #11-20: 11. "Just Say Yes"-Snow Patrol: Shimmering, sparkly, electro-pop U2-y beauty from this band. I just think it's really pretty. 12. "Nothing To Worry About"-Peter, Bjorn, and John: Bizarre, quasi-tribal, spooky song, complete with slightly demented children's choir chants! Vast difference from the infamous "Young Folks", but just as good. 13. "That's Not My Name"-The Ting-Tings: "Oh, Mickey, you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind..."-wait, wrong song. But definitely in the vein of that '80s classic, with its cheerleader stomp and chanted chorus. I like her attitude on this group's songs, she's, in the words of Lou Grant, "got spunk". Just don't get her name mixed up... 14. "I And Love And You"-The Avett Brothers: Sorta in the vein of the Finn Brothers, this one. Another that took a bit of warming to, but who can beat those harmonies? 15. "Poker Face"-Lady GaGa: My personal favorite of her singles from this year. I love the seriously heavy '80s feel, definite new wave sort of sound-it reminds me of a song by someone from that era, but I can't think of who offhand. Intriguing take on the concept of a "poker face", and incredibly fun to dance to. 16. "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To"-Weezer: I heard somewhere this takes off on the beat from the Jam's "A Town Called Malice" (and it does indeed sound a bit like that song), so got to applaud the taste in references. Always liked Weezer and their nerd rock, this is another great song by them. The video's pretty cute, too. 17. "Never Forget You"-The Noisettes: Britain loves that 1960s soul/R&B sound, don't they? Another in the latest of the retro sounds, a breezy, charming tune, the Supremes' vocals mixed with the music of the Style Council. 18. "Spaceman"-The Killers: Video for this is weird as hell-spiky outfits, Mad Max apocalyptic setup, is that it? Not sure how it relates to spacemen. Song's good, however, continuing the '80s new wave sound, hooray for that. 19. "Your Heart"-Donovan Frankenreiter: Love the music in particular in this one-can picture a little villa somewhere with girls in flowery dresses dancing while mariachi bands perform. I have a bit of an affinity for mariachi sounds, and those are a nice touch for this song. 20. "Chasing Pirates"-Norah Jones: I just realized that she reminds me a bit of Bic Runga, a New Zealand singer-songwriter I'm a fan of, so yay. I love her typical jazz sound, but it's cool to hear her change things up a bit. Simple, short, and it's nice to see intelligent, talented female artists popping up again a bit on TV. HONORARY MENTIONS: Never seen the "Twilight" movies or read the books, but from what I've heard, the musical taste of all involved in both ventures is pretty good. I enjoyed Death Cab For Cutie's "Meet Me On The Equinox"-it's the band doing the dark, moody sound they've perfected. Paramore's been getting some notice, and I liked their song "Ignorance", it's a snotty little number, especially given the story behind the lyrics. I recommend hearing the song in an acoustic version a la "MTV Unplugged"-it sounds particularly great in that form. The Dead Weather's "I Cut Like A Buffalo" was the latest featuring busy man Jack White, and it's quite funky, bordering on dangerous and creepy, and has a sort of Beck feel to it. No clue what Jack's on about in the lyrics, though. Colbie Calliat and Jason Mraz teamed up for a sweet, pleasant duet called "Lucky", and a young woman interestingly named Anjulie came out with an exotic, disorienting, "Girl From Ipanema"-esque film noir song called "Boom" that stood out from some of the stuff played on MTV. And though it's been played a lot, count me in for those who find Owl City's "Fireflies" charming (not to mention, he's from an area of Minnesota that's not that far from where I used to live in Iowa. Midwesterners unite!). TOP ALBUMS OF 2009: Only got three albums this year, all from bands I like, so I'm just going to rank those three. 1. The Resistance-Muse: For its sheer ambition alone-what a strange, haphazard, confusion of an album this was! It mixes the non-commercial experimentation of the band's 2001 effort Origin Of Symmetry with the more commercial pop of 2006's Black Holes & Revelations, and yet it still sounds ultimately like an album from the Cold War era. There's a 12-minute, Danny Elfman-esque symphony ("Exogenesis, Pts. 1, 2, & 3"), Queen and U2 sonic references and theatrics, French singing, a bass clarinet (those last two both from "I Belong To You",a song which still cracks me up-seriously, you have to hear this one if you check this album out), inspiration from Orwell's "1984" ("Resistance"), lyrics about CIA mind control and battles with Eurasia, and a partridge in a pear tree. But somehow, it all works. This album definitely takes a few listens to wrap your head around, but it's worth the effort, and I'm hoping the U.S. will continue to warm to this otherwise globally noted band. KEY TRACKS: "Uprising", "Resistance", "Undisclosed Desires", "I Belong To You" 2. No Line On The Horizon-U2: My personal favorite of the band's three releases from this decade. There's hints of the group's past three decades worth of work in here-the experimental '90s sound ("Stand-Up Comedy"-lame title, excellent, funky sound), their passionate '80s era ("Magnificent"), and this past one's pop side ("I'll Go Crazy..."), as well as some new and beautiful, intriguing ventures (the baptismal "Moment Of Surrender" and the haunting beauty of "White As Snow"). And all the while the band still brings the hope and optimism as well as the political commentary (see the excellent closing track) that made them famous. Another album that is a bit of a grower, and as U2 mark 30 years (!) of being a band, I look forward to hearing what the next decade will bring from them. KEY TRACKS: "Magnificent", "Moment Of Surrender", "Breathe", "Cedars Of Lebanon" 3. Tonight-Franz Ferdinand: Brings back more of what these guys do best, which is making songs for girls to dance to. Mission accomplished, and the slight experimentation in songs like the Zombies-ish "Send Him Away" and the trippy, lengthy, western-synth-drenched "Lucid Dreams" make for a curious listen. I do miss the more literate sophistication of the lyrics that showed up in songs from their previous albums, but given that this album is more about a night out on the town partying (and getting high, even-see "Ulysses"), the lyrics make more sense here. And this is indeed a record fit for a night out with friends. KEY TRACKS: "Ulysses", "No, You Girls", "Send Him Away", "Lucid Dreams" And there we have it! My admittedly not overly varied take on the last year of the first decade of the new millenium. I don't know how much longer it'll be before I'm writing regularly again, but hopefully it won't be too long. In the meantime, I hope everyone else had a good year, and may 2010 and beyond bring more positive things, musically and otherwise. Happy new year, everyone!

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