The Best Albums of 2009
- Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion It’s always boring to go with the consensus choice, but what can I do? It’s probably one of the top three of the decade. I was not an AC convert prior to this record, and part of me was kind of proud for being a holdout. Turns out I was just being stupid. Still don’t like Feels though.
- St. Vincent – Actor Just so thoroughly great from start to finish. Our generation so badly needed somebody to make Disney songs from hell.
- Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest This was by far my most eagerly anticipated record of the year. And while it might not be the complete, unparalleled classic I’d hoped for, it’s still ridiculously good.
- Girls – Album Simple, catchy guitar pop on the surface, but the album reveals surprising depth with repeat listens.
- Neko Case – Middle Cyclone Best overall release by a New Pornographer in 2009, and that’s actually no small feat when you consider Dan Bejar put out one amazing, epic single and A.C. Newman had a solid solo LP.
- Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca Ends on kind of a weak note, but a really impressive breakthrough for these guys regardless.
- The Flaming Lips – Embryonic Some hate it, and it’s not exactly and easy listen, but it’s so much better (and so much more Flaming Lipsy) than everything they’ve released since Soft Bulletin.
- Washed Out – Life of Leisure EP A very rewarding, appropriately brief collection of intimate bedroom synthpop.
- Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix Not every song is a standout, but when these guys are on they’re making some of the best pop music you’ll ever hear.
- Neon Indian – Psychic Chasms Kind of like Washed Out, but a little more angular and goofy. I mean that as a compliment.
Tags: 2009, albums, animal collective, merriweather post pavilion