Top 10 Albums of 2009

Alright. New Year, new music. 2009 was an amazing year for music. Here I shall count down my top 10 favourite albums of 2009. Maybe next time I'll do top ten songs. Without further ado...

10. Noble Beast- Andrew Bird: If you have the deluxe version you know why. Bird's catchy melodies, poetic lyrics, and beautiful instrumentation (I have a thing for violins) make this double album one of my favourites of 2009.
9. Fantasies- Metric: Fantasies was a highly anticipated album from Metric after a four year hiatus. The band's sound remains firmly rooted in high energy indie pop. A solid return gives Metric the number 9 spot on my list.
8. Family- Think About Life: One of my favourite albums to dance to in 2009, seeing them live was also an awesome experience. They put on a great show that was highly theatrical and had everyone dancing.7. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix- Phoenix: I love Phoenix. One of France's greatest exports musically Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix built on what It's Never Been Like That started: well-crafted and catchy as hell songs that you want stuck in your head.
6. It's Blitz- Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Is Is was not sufficient enough; the more I listen to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the more I want to listen to them. That being said, It's Blitz was awesome.
5. Popular Songs- Yo La Tengo: Yo La Tengo has been around for decades and are still making amazing music. Popular Songs embodies the characteristics that make them so great. A plethora of musical stylings ranging from pop, funk, blues, shoe-gaze, and a lot in between creates an interestingly diverse album.
4. Bitte Orca- Dirty Projectors: I cannot possibly fathom how the Dirty Projectors write their music. It is so calculated and complex that all you can do is listen in awe. Bitte Orca is surrealy beautiful.
3. Logos- Atlas Sound: Bradford Cox's solo project is just as delicious as Deerhunter. It's a newer release but with songs like Criminals, Kid Klimax, and Walkabout I just keep liking it more and more the more I listen to it.2. Veckatimest- Grizzly Bear: Veckatimest was easily the most beautiful album of 2009.
1. Merriweather Post Pavilion- Animal Collective: It was almost a year ago since the release of Merriweather. I almost overlooked it because of this, but then I considered how many times I listened to it on repeat, and had to make it number 1.

Have you noticed... Summer music time

So. I am one week shy of being on summer vacation for two months. 'Awesome!' may be the initial reaction but... it's been bittersweet.

Sad fact 1:

I have no job. I've been looking, applying like CRAZY since before READING week. I officially hate this 'recession' business.

Sad fact 2:

living at home can be hard. Like you can NEVER be alone and you have to be more aware of people in your house (ex my mom wakes up easily. She's not to happy about my coming home in the am's).

Sad fact 3:

I miss London friends, house, and parties/dance places. That is something I for sure have taken for granted over the last 3 years. (HOLY CRAP THREE YEARS!)

Happy fact 1:

Dundas friends are AWESOME, I love my family, and I get to travel more for cheaper (hi nine dollar ticket to Toronto).

Happy fact 2:

I get to do more things I WANT (reading for fun, making stuff for fun ETC).

Happy fact 3 (and here's where music comes in):

AWESOME CONCERTS. I've seen some pretty awesome shows so far this summer. OH! Fest in London was SUPER awesome. Animal Collective at Sound Academy was amazing (but some of the crowd SUCKED (what Animal Collective has more music than just Merriweather Post Pavilion?!)). MOREOVER this week I get to go see Grizzly Bear at Pheonix, as well as Lovely Feathers with the Ghost is Dancing at Lee's Palace. Lovely Feathers are FINALLY releasing their new album. If you're in the GTA come to the show on Saturday. It's only eight dollars and I promise it will be awesome. This kind of brings up the topic of summer music.

I tend to listen to certain music during certain seasons. For example Bloc Party and Arcade Fire are winter bands to me. The Shins and Matt Pond PA are fall bands. Spring music... is... I can't think of any... maybe because spring is a weird mix of all the other seasons. But Summer, summer is a new story.

Summer music is some of my favourite, because I find it the easiest to tie memories too (super cheesy right?!). Last summer was MGMT, Thehoodinternet.com (LOVE), Andrew Bird, and some others. Previous 'summer' bands have been Modest mouse, gorillaz, Crystal Castles, Girl Talk, Delgados... I think you get the picture. So... does nyone else do this? Am I the only one who makes soundtracks in my mind?

Well this summer will have a DAMN good sountrack. I was inspired to do this post by Vivian who brought Think about Life's new album (oh god so good. I need to start listening to them again) to a BBQ lat night. I think that'll be one. Also Yeah Yeah Yeah's It's Blitz is making my life complete. I'm anticipating more Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, Lovely Feathers love OH AN MOST SERENE REPUBLIC. Ok. I think thats enough.

Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss.