Top Ten Albums 09-01-09: More Mellow Stuff

1. "Aim and Ignite" by fun.
The new band from Nate Reuss of The Format. Imagine that band with orchestration, sexy right? You're damn skippy it is. It has some great syncopated rhymes, especially in "The Gambler" Most Played: "The Gambler" (violins!), "Walking the Dog", and "Take You're Time (Coming Home)"
2. "Manners" by Passion Pit
My new synthesizer band of the now. But deeper than most of the other ones. Not just bubble gummy fun, but good for you too. One of them went to Emerson and the other Harvard. Organic bubble gum maybe. Most Played: "Little Secrets" (give it a listen, thank me later), "Eyes As Candles", and "Folds in Your Hands"
3. "Lungs (Disc 1)" by Florence + the Machine
The only thing that bested this album in the UK for it's first five weeks was a single Michael Jackson. And it's nominated for the Mercury Prize. It came out in July, and is that good. Laura Marling style (that's female crooner style). Most played: "Kiss With a Fist", "Drumming", and Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up)
4. "Always a Bridesmaid" by The Decemberists
Technically three EP, but I'll let it slide. New Decemberists, whats not to like? And they put in political commentary like "16 Military Wives", only this time commenting on the Valerie Plame/CIA scandal Most played: "Valerie Plame" and "I'm Sticking With You"
5. "The Process of Belief" by Bad Religion
I finished reading The God Delusion by Dawkins, so I felt like rocking the BR. Classic rationalist/secular humanist punk rock. Most played: "Materialist", "Destined For Nothing", and "Sorrow"
6. "The War on Errorism" by NOFX
Can't have a political punk rock flashback without them, and the 18-minute super song "The Decline" wasn't cutting it. Most played: "Franco Un-American", "Idiots Are Taking Over", and "Regaining Un-consciousness"
7. "Reunion Tour" by The Weakerthans
After all that punk rock I needed some more chill stuff. Most played: "Utilities", "Reunion Tour" and "Big Foot"
8. "No Really, I'm Fine by The Spill Canvas
Do I even need a reason? Fine, I was feeling some angsty love songs. Plus his voice is cool. Most played: "Reckless Abandonment" (duh!), "Connect the Dots", and "Lullaby"
9. "(What's The Story) Morning Glory?" by Oasis
One of the quintessential albums of all time, even though Liam is an asshole and kicked Noel out...again last week. Most played: "She's Electric", "Don't Look Back In Anger", and "Wonderwall" Dammit I tried to avoid including the last (and Champagne Supernova) but they are just too enticing.
10. "Troubadour" by K'Naan
Even though he's been promoted by MTV, he still rules. He's on the shortlist for the Polaris Prize, so it's gotta be good. Most played: "Bang Bang (feat. Adam Levine)", "Take A Minute", and "Wavin' Flag"