Your top 10 albums of the year & top 20 of the decade - Printable Version
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Your top 10 albums of the year & top 20 of the decade - direwolf74 - 12-09-2009
Well, it's that time of year again, folks. Hard to believe another year has already gone by, and it's even harder to believe that the decade is almost over. I always look forward to reading everyone's lists at the end of the year, so take your time and have fun. I'll start us off:
My top 10 albums of 2009:
1. Heartless Bastards- The Mountain
I've probably listened to this album at least once a day since I bought it a month ago. A wicked concoction of classic hard-rock, blues, alt-country, garage-rock and Appalachian folk music. Almost like a female Robert Plant, Erika Wennerstrom's passionate wail and expressive lyrics sail atop a ferocious backbeat and grungy guitars cranked to 11. I can't get enough.
2. Pearl Jam- Backspacer
Their best album since "Yield", and one of the best rock albums I've heard over the last decade, period. Every song just explodes with energy, passion, and melody. This is arguably some of the best songwriting they've ever done, and the kick-you-in-the-nuts rhythm section of Jeff Ament and Matt Cameron has never sounded better. I freakin' LOVE this band.
3. Ron Hawkins- 10 Kinds of Lonely
One of Canada's most under-appreciated singer/songwriters pulls out all the stops once again and releases the best record of his career. It's an absolute crime that this guy isn't more well known. This is a stunning piece of work that deserves to be heard beyond the borders of Ontario and Buffalo. Sadly, the likelihood of that happening is slim to none. I strongly encourage everybody here to check this album out, if you haven't already. You'll thank me later.
4. Joel Plaskett- Three
A ballsy move on Joel's part. A sprawling triple album full of great songs, killer melodies, and whip-smart lyrics. Self indulgent? You bet. But with this many brilliant songs, who gives a crap? I can't think of one single dud on this beautiful Canadian epic.
5. The Tragically Hip- We Are the Same
A 70s rock album for the modern era. Layers of keyboards, strings, background vocals, mandolin, trumpet, and an epic three-part 9 ½ minute song sequenced right smack dab in the middle of the album. From a songwriting standpoint, this album ranks right up there with their best material. Not many bands can make an album like this and actually pull it off. Kudos to the Hip for doing just that. For my money, these guys are still the best rock n' roll band on the planet, and I can't wait to hear what they have in store for us next.
6. Them Crooked Vultures- Self-Titled
What happens when you take Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme and throw him together with Led Zep's John Paul Jones and the mighty Dave Grohl on drums? 66 minutes of delicious ass-kicking rock n' roll goodness, that's what.
7. Neko Case- Middle Cyclone
Another brilliant and moody collection from the always reliable Neko. Once again her songwriting is top notch, her lyrics are cool and quirky, and that gorgeous voice of hers just washes over you. It's hypnotic as hell.
8. Cuff the Duke- Way Down Here
One of Canada's finest young bands, these guys just keep getting better and more confident with each release. Wayne Petti's gorgeous songs, soulful croon, and heartfelt lyrics perfectly match the rustic live-off-the-floor nature of the production (courtesy of Greg Keelor). Long may they run!
9. Cracker- Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey
Great record! Best thing they've done since "The Golden Age", and featuring some of Dave Lowery's finest moments as a songwriter. Not to mention a healthy dose of Johnny Hickman's kick-ass guitar work. "Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out With Me" is easily one of my favorite songs of the year.
10. Tom Waits- Glitter & Doom Live
The next best thing to being there. The 2nd disc, "Tom Tales", is worth the price of admission alone. it's basically 35 minutes of brilliantly funny stage banter, odd stories, weird facts, and anecdotes taken from his 2008 tour. The 17-track live album on disc 1 is equally awesome of course, and gives us stunning versions of Waits classics like "I'll Shoot the Moon", "Get Behind the Mule", and "Dirt in the Ground", among others. This album is absolutely essential for any hardcore Waits fan.
My top 20 Albums of the decade (this was quite difficult):
1. The Weakerthans- Left & Leaving
2. The National- Boxer
3. Wilco- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
4. Drive-By Truckers- The Dirty South
5. Tom Waits- Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards
6. Sarah Harmer- You Were Here
7. Johnny Cash- American IV: The Man Comes Around
8. The Hold Steady- Boys & Girls in America
9. Neko Case- Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
10. The New Pornographers- Twin Cinema
11. Ryan Adams- Heartbreaker
12. Wintersleep- Welcome to the Night Sky
13. Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros- Streetcore
14. Warren Zevon- Life'll Kill Ya
15. Steve Earle- Transcendental Blues
16. Arcade Fire- Funeral
17. The Tragically Hip- Music@Work
18. Pearl Jam- Backspacer
19. Joel Plaskett- Three
20. Green Day- American Idiot
Re: Your top 10 albums of the year & top 20 of the decade - downie_24 - 12-10-2009
Don't take this the wrong way, but I was wondering how your number one album from this year does not appear on your top albums from the decade, but your number 2 album does? Just something I noticed.
Re: Your top 10 albums of the year & top 20 of the decade - Phantom51 - 12-10-2009
I was thinking the same thing. Nice list though for the most part.
Re: Your top 10 albums of the year & top 20 of the decade - mojo_mattv - 12-10-2009
I can't believe some of these records are from the aughts (specifically the Johnny Cash (definitely his best album), Sarah Harmer and Music@Work). It seems like these albums have been around forever! I'd just like to remark that American Idiot is far too often overlooked by music snobs simply because of the fact that it was so successful in the mainstream. It's an EXCELLENT piece of music.
Re: Your top 10 albums of the year & top 20 of the decade - zoppo - 12-10-2009
Favourite albums this year
Richmond Fontaine - We used to think the freeway sounded like a river
The Tragically Hip – We are the same
Dinosaur JR – Farm
Bill Callahan - Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle
James Yuill - Turning down water for air
Cass Mccombs - catacombs
The Black Crowes - Before The Frost / Until The Freeze
Bon Iver – Blood Bank (EP)
Not that many records that i really liked this year. We are the same has some suberb songs (including my favourite song of the year...'morning moon') but also has songs like 'frozen in my tracks'...so as an album not good enough to make it to this list:
Favourite albums of the decade (favourite song)
1. Pedro the Lion – Control (rapture)
2. Low – Drums and Guns (murderer)
3. Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago (flume)
4. The Postal Service – Give Up (such great heights)
5. Smog – A river ain’t to much to love (rock bottom riser)
6. Wilco – Yankee Foxtrot Hotel (ashes of American flags)
7. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky (either way)
8. The Shins – Chutes too narrow (flume)
9. Arcade Fire – Funeral (wake up)
10. The National – Boxer (racing like a pro)
11. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes + EP (Mykonos)
12. The Thermals – Fuckin A (how we know)
13. Midlake – the trails of van Occupanther (head home)
14. Josh Ritter - The animal years (monster ballads)
15. Interpol – Turn on the Bright Lights (obstacle 1)
16. The Tragically Hip – Music@work (the completist)
17. Band of Horses – Cease to begin (marry song)
18. Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (rhythm & soul)
19. Casiotone for the painfully alone – Etiquette (bobby malone moves home)
20. Loney, Dear – Loney Noir (sinister in a state of hope)
i got a bit carried away with the favourite song of each album, but i'm trying to quit smoking and this helped me not to think about that for at least an extra 10 minutes :-)
Re: Your top 10 albums of the year & top 20 of the decade - zoppo - 12-10-2009
13. Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros- Streetcore
Good call! i kinda forgotten about that album (and Global a Go Go)
Re: Your top 10 albums of the year & top 20 of the decade - sean.bonner - 12-10-2009
I'll have to do decade later.
Tops of 09 in no particular order.
Neon Indian - Psychic Chasms
Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
The Tragically Hip - We Are The Same
Bob Dylan - Together Through Life
Paolo Nutini - Sunny Side Up
Joel Plaskett - Three
Heartless Bastards - The Mountain
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz
Tom Waits - Glitter and Doom Live
Matthew Good - Vancouver
Re: Your top 10 albums of the year & top 20 of the decade - HandsInTheRiver41 - 12-10-2009
There's no way I can whip up my favourite albums of the decade. It'll probably take until 2010 or 2011 before I can let it all set in and see which albums held up.
As far as 2009 goes, since all albums are fresh and on a level playing field I don't feel as bad listing them when the year isn't even over yet! I won't rank them, but here's my top 10 in alphabetical order:
Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
Andrew Bird - Noble Beast
Cuff the Duke - Way Down Here
John Doe & the Sadies - Country Club
The Dutchess & the Duke - Sunset/Sunrise
Hayden - The Place Where We Lived
Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer
The Tragically Hip - We Are the Same
The Wooden Sky - If I Don't Come Home You'll Know I'm Gone
Yo La Tengo - Popular Songs
Overall, wasn't that exciting of a year... definitely doesn't live up to 2008. Good number of Canadian bands in there though.
Re: Your top 10 albums of the year & top 20 of the decade - Joe - 12-10-2009
Top 20
1)The Tragically Hip- In Between Evolution
2)The National- Alligator
3)Arcade Fire- Funeral
4)Neil Young- Greendale
5)Wintersleep- Untitled
6)Gord Downie- Coke Machine Glow
7)Joel Plaskett- La De Da
8 )Radiohead- Kid A
9)Radiohead- Hail To The Theif
10)The National- Boxer
11)Pearl Jam- Pearl Jam
12)Dan Mangan- Nice, Nice, Very Nice
13)Tool- 10,000 Days
14)Modest Mouse- Good News For People Who Love Bad News
15)Holy Fuck- Holy Fuck
16)Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes
17)Eddie Vedder- Into The Wild
18)The Tragically Hip- Music @ Work
19)The Weakerthans- Left and Leaving
20) Neil Young- Dreamin Man Live '92 (I've always wanted to hear the Harvest Moon tracks live, and Neil being the god he is, awnsered my prayers)
Re: Your top 10 albums of the year & top 20 of the decade - lewismac91 - 12-10-2009
Of 2009
1.We Are The Same- The Tragically Hip
Why? the warmth
Key track - the depression suite
2. Three- Joel Plaskett
Why? 27 songs and no filler
key track- the sum of it is greater than its parts but i'll go with new scotland blues
3. Wilco (the album)- Wilco
Why? It showcases what wilco's about
Key track- One Wing
4. Backspacer- Pearl Jam
Why? the precision.
Key track- unthought known
5. No Line on the Horizon- U2
Why? the scope of it
key track- breathe
6. The Things We Left Behind- Blue Rodeo
Why? the ambition and reemergence
Key track- All the things that are left behind
7. Working on a Dream- Bruce Springsteen
Why? though rushed and perhaps contrived it has it's goosebump moments
key track- life itself
8. Happy in Galoshes - Scott Weiland ( i think it was 2009)
Why? the conviction
key track- missing cleveland
9. Vancouver- Matthew Good
Why? It's loneliness
Key Track- The Boy who could explode
10. Fork in the Road- Neil Young
Why? Cut and release feel, and the relevance
Key track- just singin a song
The Decade
1.Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco
2. We are the same- Hip
3. Sky Blue Sky- Wilco
4. In between evolution - Hip
5. A ghost is born- Wilco
6. World Container- Hip
7. In Violet Light- Hip
8. Music @ Work- Hip
9. Cardinology- Ryan Adams
10. Prairie Wind- Neil Young
11.Magic- Bruce Springsteen
12. La de Da- plaskett
13. Three- plaskett
14. ashtray rock- plaskett
15. Modern times- bob dylan
16. Saturday nights and sunday mornings- counting crows
17. accelerate- rem
18. Fleet Foxes (self titles LP)
19.Devils and Dust- Bruce Springsteen
20. Riot Act- Pearl Jam
Re: Your top 10 albums of the year & top 20 of the decade - direwolf74 - 12-10-2009
downie_24 Wrote:Don't take this the wrong way, but I was wondering how your number one album from this year does not appear on your top albums from the decade, but your number 2 album does? Just something I noticed.
Yea, I know it seems weird. I had the Heartless Bastards record on my top 20 of the decade originally, but I ended up dropping it in favor of the Joe Strummer album, which I forgot came out in 2003 (I kept thinking it was late 90s). Joel Plaskett's "Three" and Pearl Jam's "Backspacer" also made my top 20 list, and I didn't want to have too many 2009 albums on there. In retrospect though, I probably should've kept Heartless Bastards on the list.
Re: Your top 10 albums of the year & top 20 of the decade - direwolf74 - 12-10-2009
Joe Wrote:6)Gord Downie- Coke Machine Glow
Good call! Can't believe I forgot to put that one on my list.
:thumb:
Re: Your top 10 albums of the year & top 20 of the decade - mojo_mattv - 12-10-2009
Joe Wrote:Top 20
20) Neil Young- Dreamin Man Live '92 (I've always wanted to hear the Harvest Moon tracks live, and Neil being the god he is, awnsered my prayers)
How can you place an album that was released on Tuesday in your top 20 of the decade :?
Re: Your top 10 albums of the year & top 20 of the decade - Joe - 12-10-2009
mojo_mattv Wrote:Because it's Harvest Moon (A CD I listen to religiously) live! I know and love the songs, the live feel makes it that much better by letting you see them in a new light. I could change out Dreamin Man Live '92 for Harvest Moon for the 20 spot, but live music is better. (bumper stickers should be issued.)Joe Wrote:Top 20
20) Neil Young- Dreamin Man Live '92 (I've always wanted to hear the Harvest Moon tracks live, and Neil being the god he is, awnsered my prayers)
How can you place an album that was released on Tuesday in your top 20 of the decade :?
Re: Your top 10 albums of the year & top 20 of the decade - mojo_mattv - 12-10-2009
Joe Wrote:mojo_mattv Wrote:Because it's Harvest Moon (A CD I listen to religiously) live! I know and love the songs, the live feel makes it that much better by letting you see them in a new light. I could change out Dreamin Man Live '92 for Harvest Moon for the 20 spot, but live music is better. (bumper stickers should be issued.)Joe Wrote:Top 20
20) Neil Young- Dreamin Man Live '92 (I've always wanted to hear the Harvest Moon tracks live, and Neil being the god he is, awnsered my prayers)
How can you place an album that was released on Tuesday in your top 20 of the decade :?
Well put. :music