Ten Albums I Like That Came Out In 2009
Beware
Bonnie “Prince” Billy
Country Rock
How have I missed out on this guy’s music the last ten years? Beau Brummels-style vocals and the perfect L.A. country rock sound grabbed me on first listen; his melodies and weirdness kept me coming back all year.
Blood from Stars
Joe Henry
Pop
This is the album Elvis Costello wishes he released this year (not that Secret, Profane, and Sugarcane wasn’t good – but note it didn’t make my list). Henry’s sound is like a confident solo cabaret, if that makes any sense. Traditional jazz and blues standards inform these songs, but never dominate – his questions and concerns come through loud and clear on every track.
The Bright Mississippi
Allen Touissant
Jazz
Nothing less than perfection, really: Touissant keeps the music of Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet, Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt, and more alive with the assistance of an A-list backing band and a nod to the ongoing tragedy inflicted by Hurricane Katrina.
The Hazards of Love
The Decemberists
Pop
Moving closer to a full-blown stage production, The Decemberists keep the prog-pop progression going with this narrative concept album featuring shape-shifting demons, dead babies, and medieval gardens. Heavy rock recalls Grace Slick’s vocals, Deep Purple’s guitars.
Hold Time
M. Ward
Pop
Even when the guy puts out a crap album, it’d probably still find its way onto my top ten for the year – he’s that interesting. Keeping the mood going without breaking too much new ground, Ward entertains with wit and warmth. Lucinda Williams and Zooey Deschanel join in on the fun.
Middle Cyclone
Neko Case
Rock
Part familiar, part unique, and all passionate, “Middle Cyclone” sounds like an album I’ve been enjoying for twenty years. Most likely it’ll be spinning another twenty. Ending with a half-hour of crickets though?
Monsters of Folk
Monsters of Folk
Pop
Irony noted: they can call themselves “folk” all they want, but this is pure pop fun. M. Ward, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, and Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes have created a Traveling Wilburys-like collection, weaving their influences together and apart.
Noble Beast
Andrew Bird
Pop
I’ll go out on a limb and say it’s just about impossible to dislike this album. Or, better – if you don’t like sunny, bright tunes with plenty of whistling and poppy melodies, then just get out. I’ll enjoy it on my own.
Ready for the Flood
Mark Olsen & Gary Louris
Americana
The next best thing to a Jayhawks reunion. It’s great to hear these voices harmonizing again after ten years apart – and the songs aren’t half-bad, either. Warm and welcoming.
Black John
The Soul of John Black
Soul
A recent passenger in my car asked, “Don’t you have anything with rhythm?” Well, yeah, I do. Miles Davis & Fishbone sideman JB Bingham brings down the house with this slice of retro soul/funk. Just contemporary enough and hardly lacking in substance. Dig it.
Tags: music
