IMPORTANT SONGS OF 2009 (In Autobiographical Order, one per week)
01/04/09
Dent May - You Can’t Force A Dance Party
When you want to bring out the best in your hometown it’s pretty frustrating when no one else really tries. It’s a good thing kissing is so fun. original post
01/11/09
Bon Iver - Blood Bank
Justin Vernon creates a sense of longing that, for me, can only be compared only to the likes of Joni Mitchell. original post
01/18/09
Built By Snow - Something In 3D
Awooo-awoooh-oooh-oooh! original post
01/25/09
Samantha Crain - Get the Fever Out
This song displays a confidence that’s both timid and brutal with an honesty few could rival. original post
02/01/09
Stephen Steinbrink - I Don’t Ever Want To Die
Quietly telling a story that anyone who has ever been afraid can relate to. Plus, I love it when the casio-keys join the bass line. original post
02/08/09
Mirah - Generosity
“more than I wanted to give… I am empty…” It’s been a long time since I saw Mirah in a small, upstairs record store in Bellingham but her devotion to poignant verse hasn’t waned a bit. original post
02/15/09
Bishop Allen - Don’t Hide Away
This simple song reminds me to get out more… even when I don’t really *want* to go to the party. original post
02/22/09
Coconut Records - Any Fun
Once I was asked, “Is the whole day going to be this sad? Because I could do something else.” This lovely little ditty reminds me of that question. original post
03/01/09
The Veils - Sit Down By The Fire
Whenever I wonder about the world’s ability to feel, I play a song by The Veils. Finn Andrews songs give me chills and help me remember what emotion really sounds like. original post
03/08/09
Akron/Family - Everyone Is Guilty
The first time I heard this song I’d pronounced it boring and unimpressive by the one minute mark… how wrong I was. Keep listening, it’s so so so worth it. original post
03/15/09
Julie Doiron - Spill Yer Lungs
Her sweet voice and that rough guitar make such a perfect couple. original post
03/22/09
The Wooden Birds - False Alarm
Andrew Kenny has perfected music that sounds so much like a quiet walk around a tiny town on a cloudy day that it doesn’t make you think, but instead lets you think. original post
03/29/09
Neko Case - This Tornado Loves You
No one writes a better song about feeling fucked up about your relationship than this woman. I dare you to try. original post
04/05/09
Pink Mountaintops - Holiday
The chorus vocals produced by this band are precisely why I had a very awkward gush-fest directed at Stephen McBean in Des Moines, Iowa that one night. original post
04/12/09
Mumford & Sons - The Cave
“I will hold on hope and I won’t let you choke on the noose around your neck. And I’ll find strength in pain and I will change my ways. I’ll know my name as it’s called again” Marcus, you’re so loving. original post
04/19/09
Telekinesis - Coast of Carolina
At minute 0:34, we learn why Chris Walla is still a force to be reckoned with and Michael Benjamin Learner has a wonderful imagination. original post
04/26/09
Jason Lytle - Your Truly, The Commuter
I bought Software Slump at Circut City in ~1998 because I liked the album cover. Me and Jason Lytle have been friends ever since. original post
05/03/09
Here We Go Magic - Fangela
I’m not sure what Fangela is exactly but those handclaps are infectious. original post
05/10/09
Andrew Bird - Effigy
The strings! The large vocabulary! Seriously, I looked up what effigy meant when I first heard it. No shame. original post
05/17/09
Justin Townes Earle - Mama’s Eyes
What a beautiful, biting, bitter song. His mama is Carol Ann Earle and his daddy is Steve Earle. original post
05/24/09
Grizzly Bear - While You Wait For The Others
I report with a heavy heart that I did not fully understand the brilliance of this album until May 24, 2009 but now I’ll never look back. original post
05/31/09
Nurses - Caterpillar Playground
These boys may go down in history as the best opening-band-I-didn’t-have-a-chance-to-lookup-before-the-show-and-was-pleasantly-surprised-by. original post
06/07/09
The Cave Singers - Beach House
I rarely take notice of drumming but this jangly, traveling song owes it’s brilliance to the high-hat. original post
06/14/09
Heartless Bastards - Be So Happy
She reunited her old band and took full advantage of the Texas soul she found in Austin. To me, this song sounds like a to-do list. We all need one of those from time to time. original post
06/21/09
Sky Larkin - Antibodies
This song has got moxie. But I can’t help but wonder if these lyrics were inspired by a school lesson all about blood cells; red cells, white cells, platelets, antibodies. original post
06/28/09
Au Revoir Simone - All Or Nothing
Adorable keyboard pop played by adorable New York residents. It’s enough to make your head spin. original post
07/05/09
Bombadil - Honeymoon
It’s a perfect story. Let’s hope the authorities don’t find out. original post
07/12/09
Julian Plenty - Only If You Run
This song brings back pleasant memories of the Interpol of yesteryear. To anthemic. So satisfying. original post
07/19/09
jj - From Africa To Málaga
The indie-reggae secret sensation is the best thing to come out of hiding this year. Catch them on tour with The XX in 2010. original post
07/26/09
The Joy Formidable - While The Flies
Just a few months ago this band introduced me to the style of music I never knew I loved but have always wanted to play. Maybe someday I’ll make it happen. There’s always next year after all. original post
08/02/09
Magnolia Electric Co. - Hope Dies Last
Seeing C. geek-out when we saw Jason Molina at Mama’s before the show made the night completely worth it. It also taught me I should have been listening to this man all along. original post
08/09/09
Generationals - Faces In The Dark
This song reminds me of a little-known band I’ve always loved, Papas Fritas. Instant smile. original post
08/16/09
David Bazan - Curse Your Branches
It’s so un-hip to let music remind you of the great unknown. Thanks, Mr. Bazan for helping my nerdy-ness reach a height I never thought possible. original post
08/23/09
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Home
Based on YouTube videos, the spoken portion of this song changes every night which makes it sort of perfect. Do they really love each other like the song says? I hope so. original post
08/30/09
Throw Me The Statue - Pistols
My #1 fear: pistols. This song, however, gives me warm fuzzy feelings. original post
09/06/09
A.A. Bondy - I Can See The Pines Are Dancing
My favorite on the *solid* (asterisks for emphasis) record by Auguste Arthur. This song documents a monumental occasion. original post
09/13/09
El Perro Del Mar - Change Of Heart
This isn’t the first time that my declaration that an artist is “sort of boring and over-rated” was followed with something fabulous. Perfectly groovy. original post
09/20/09
Cuff the Duke - Follow Me
Just a quintessential chord progression being used for something hopeful. Just as intended I believe. original post
09/27/09
The Avett Brothers - Ill With Want
This year these boys from North Carolina created an album more thought provoking than fun to listen to. Just sayin’. original post
10/04/09
Headlights - Dead Ends
It’s hard to read an interview with Erin without being reminded that this album was made up of hard times but that doesn’t change the fact that I relate to this song more than any other I heard this year. Here’s to a better year! original post
10/11/09
The Dutchess & The Duke - Let It Die
“Let it die and I’ll keep what’s left of me. I don’t wanna be here no more.”original post
10/18/09
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson - Death By Dust
The way this song begins to open up at 01:15 with the female vocals and the tambourine kills me and when the chorus begins at 02:05 makes me wanna cry. “You’re never escaping the sound.” original post
10/25/09
Dead Man’s Bones - Pa Pa Power
The keyboard line in this song is a wonderful use of a lame effect. original post
11/01/09
Hayden - The Place Where We Lived
Oh, Hayden, your albums make everyone who loves you wonder if they just might be the girlfriend/boyfriend that would stick around and make things alright for you, you little romantic you. original post
11/08/09
Tiny Vipers - Cm
Jesy will be there for you on that bad weekend. original post
11/15/09
The Swell Season - Feeling The Pull
These two will be there for you on that triumphant weekend. original post
11/22/09
Noisettes - Sometimes
Shingai will be there on that weekend where everything changes. original post
11/29/09
Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension
“Forgive them even though they are not sorry.” original post
12/06/09
Ramona Falls - Melectric
Probably the most perfect opening track this year. So many layers working perfectly together. If you’re ever wondering how this happens… there’s a YouTube video for that. original post
12/13/09
Emmy The Great - War
Dear Emmy, I hope your second love turns out a bit better. original post
12/20/09
Holopaw - The Art Teacher & The Little Stallion
Oh how I missed this delicate little vibrato. original post
12/27/09
Elvis Perkins In Dearland - Slow Doomsday
323 perfect seconds. Turn the volume up on this one. original post