A Top Ten to be Thankful For (2009 Edition)

So lots of time on the road last week, which means a bonus list for you all...not to mention a long day in the studio makes me want to write about someone else's music, before focusing on mine again tomorrow. After that expect those " best ofs", first 2009, then the decade.

Honorable Mention: Symphony of Science
A first in my lists, but this is most definitely worth it. Lectures and Discussions by world famous physicists auto-tuned and set to some really great ambient electronic music. Mostly Carl Sagan's "Cosmos", but it makes you ponder your place in the universe...and want to sing along. Too bad he only has three songs as of yet, but they are all free!
1. "Six Demon Bag" by Man Man
First of all it takes a lot to "out crazy" Gogol Bordello. And these guys have succeeded in spades. The album starts with a piano tune that builds and leads into "Engrish Bwudd" where they turn the crazy up to 11 and break into their characteristic group falsetto. Kind of muppets style. Every song sounds like it could be (and might be) sung by a bar full of drunks. In a good way. I dare you avoid singing along. Most played: "Van Helsing Boombox", "Engrish Bwudd", and of course "Black Mission Goggles" (best sing-a-long)
2. "July Flame" by Laura Veirs
My first proper album review of 2010. Haunting in a beautiful kind of way (almost ghostly), like Rae Spoon. Considering how similar their vocal style is, though Rae Spoon's "Come on Forest Fire, Burn The Disco Down" is among my favorite songs EVER. I can't believe I haven't been listening to her all along. She sounds like Colorado/Portland's answer to Christine Fellows lyrically. Most played: "July Flame" (most Rae Spoon-like), "Life Is Good Blues", and "When You Give Your Heart"
3. "Let's Build Something To Break" by After Midnight Project
Blame Kirsten for this one. Love the guitars and vocals, very Rise Against indeed. Only change out the socially conscious lyrics for ones about loathing Los Angeles. Weak at a couple points, but a really strong debut album. Then again it was produced by one of my favorite producers, John Feldmann of Goldfinger. You know I'm a music junkie when I have favorite producers. Most played: "The Becoming" and its beautiful spoken word interlude, "Backlit Medley", and "Hollywood"
4. "For Emma, Forever Ago" by Bon Iver
The perfect soundtrack to a long nighttime drive on a clear winter night (on Thanksgiving Day). Then again, it was written/recorded in a cabin in the woods during the winter. Too bad "Blood Bank" (his best song) wasn't on it, even though it was recorded with it. Most played: "Blood Bank" (it counts to me), "Flume", "Blindsided", and of course "Skinny Love"
5. "Third Eye Blind" by Third Eye Blind
I had a flashback to the first good music I heard on the radio in my early teen years, and never realized how solid this album was. Not too-grunge like much of the early 90s, and not to alternative like the later part. A good balance to stand the test of time. Most played: "Jumper", "Semi-Charmed Life", and "How's It Gonna Be?"
6. "Say Anything" by Say Anything
Same shit, different songs. Still genius lyrics "There are babies with guns, beheading their friends...yet somehow the Kings of Leon, still find time to write songs about girls". Most played: "Mara and Me" (lyrics), "Ahh...Men" (mainly the part after the 2 minute build up), and "Eloise"
7. "Swoon" by Silversun Pickups
The warm buzz of the distorted guitars on this album is a crackling fireplace in a winter cabin. I could listen to the guitars here all day, especially after skiing. People keep comparing them to Smashing Pumpkins, but I don't see it--they have no rage, just forlorn reflection.
8. "Our Darkest Days" by Ignite
If Rise Against were fronted by a Hungarian they would like this, echoes of System Of A Down here. You can't avoid it, a political band with an Eastern European singer. It's weird to hear them talk about the terrors of communism along with the usual stuff. Most played: "Fear Is Our Tradition", "Let It Burn", and "Bleeding"
9. "Playmate of the Year" by Zebrahead
While not up to the artistic level as the rest, as you might from a band that calls itself "rapcore", but I was feeling retrospective. They may not be Muse, but they are still fun. I can't help but have high school radio flashbacks. Most played: "Playmate of the Year", "Now or Never", and "Subtract You"
10. "Aim and Ignite" by fun.
Another driving album, this time the drive over (with rain). I feel kind of bad to call an album this good filler, but I just needed something to pass the time. Most played: "The Gambler", "Barlights", "At Least I'm Not As Sad (As I Used To Be)