 | 1) Russian Circles - Geneva (released 2009-10-20)
Holy moly. I think I might have found one of my all time favorite albums. This album teeters between waves elegance and hideous brutality. No words can describe this album. Go. Buy. Now.
|  | 2) mewithoutYou - It's All Crazy! It's All False! It's All a Dream! It's Alright (released 2009-05-19)
If this were a record or a cassette tape, I would have worn it out by now. While I love their earlier releases that are heavily influenced by hardcore, they are amazing at this folkier style. Beyond any religious implications, they are incredible storytellers, and not pushy. Drawing upon folklore and religion from across the world, they paint colorful lyrics throughout the record. This album can please all crowds (except Tom, hahaha). |  | 3) Thrice - Beggars (released 2009-09-15)
I adore the Alchemy Index, especially vols 3 and 4, but there is no doubt they were all over the boards stylistically - which was rather the point. This album however is extremely focused, potentially their most focused album to date. While their last few releases may have alienated some fans, this album has the potential to please fans of Thrice from their different styles and periods. I truly think that Thrice is an underground Radiohead in a way, in that they reinvent themselves with each new album. Whats next? |  | 4) Pearl Jam - Backspacer (released 2009-09-20)
umm, yeah. this album good... For SOOOO many reasons:
- The album was the group's first album produced by O'Brien since the 1998 album, Yield.
- It was the first time the band spent a considerable amount of time recording outside of Seattle, Washington since the band's 1996 album, No Code.
- Ament said, "There's a couple of great things that Ed brought in that could be real departures for us. Whatever wave Ed caught with [his soundtrack for] Into the Wild has taken him to different places."
- Vedder credited the election of President Barack Obama as inspiration for the optimistic lyrics.
- Backspacer is the first Pearl Jam album to feature lyrics exclusively written by Vedder since the band's 1994 album, Vitalogy.
I could go on and on and on.... But when you throw out comparisons to Vitalogy, No Code, and Yield (my fav 3 PJ albums), you know it has to be awesome.
|  | 5) Pelican - What We All Come To Need (released 2009-10-26)
I've always loved Pelican, from their powerful and unique debut, Australasia, to their more rounded City of Echoes - They are a unique powerful and emotional band that puts all their energy into the notes. If you poo-poo God Speed You Black Emperor, Neurosis, or Red Sparowes, you may not dig this. This latest release is another gem. Solid music all around. Not quite as experimental, variable, or mellow as City of Echoes, but well done. |  | 6) Murder By Death - Finch (soundtrack) (released 2009-11-24)
Wow, was this last minute genius! An author approached them about doing a soundtrack for a novel based on the emotion and atmosphere of the chapters. MBD locked themselves in their Bloomington, IN studio and experimented with new techniques and cranked this one out. It is completely instrumental, and they claim they have tried new things they never would have thought of before. MBD was really impressed with the sci-fi novel, and compared it to the classic Blade Runner (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?). Apparently the album can be bought with a special edition version of the novel and linear notes explaining the songs and how to listen as you read. AWESOME. |  | 7) Propagandhi - Supporting Caste (released 2009-03-10)
After a 4-year break, Propagandhi are back!!! with potentially their best album yet. Heavy on the political and social commentary as always, this one hits hard. THIS is what punk is all about. Paramore fans, please take notes. |  | 8) Regina Spektor - Far (released 2009-06-23)
Regina Spektor (Регина Ильинична Спектор) is a Soviet born wonder! All of her albums are really great, but this one is my favorite so far. Its brilliant piano-punk-folk-pop.... (call it whatever you want) Just check her out. |  | 9) Zao - Awake? (released 2009-05-09)
One of Zao's best album to date, IMO. While The Funeral of God was an interesting album and concept, with great songs, it was tedious to listen too. Past albums are hit and miss teetering on brilliant music, and very caustic vocals. Awake? smooths things out (without selling out) to reach a broader audience (not intentional, I think), but still keeps the intense music and thematic lyrics. If you liked anything Zao in the past, listen to this album. |  | 10) Silversun Pickups - Swoon (released 2009-04-14)
A friend described this as the best new Smashing Pumpkins album. HAHAHA, I have to agree (coincidence that the initials for both band are SP?). The sound is heavily influenced on early pumpkins, yet they keep their own indie flavor. Check out their MTV Unplugged performance too. | |
Honorable Mentions:
- This Will Destroy You / Lymbyc System - Field Studies (split EP). I obviously didn't include this because it wasn't a full album, but the TWDY material is more awesomeness. Love that band.
- St. Vincent - Actor. Cool indie artist I found on NPR.
- Thursday - Common Existence. This album quickly lost steam for me, and I get really bored with it. A few cool songs, but mediocre Thursday, IMO.
- Moneen - The World I Want to Leave Behind. This album has a fair amount of mellow material, but it follows the direction they took withThe Red Tree. When I first heard The Red Tree, I was unimpressed, but the tour EP - Saying Something You Have Already Said Before: A Quiet Side of Moneen, REALLY gave me a new appreciation for the band and the new material. TWIWTLB is just more of that, and they continue to grow as artists.
- Poison the Well - The Tropic Rot. Again, a huge improvement over their last albumVersions, It's still not as cool as You Come Before You, or earlier harder stuff. It's really good though, and if you like PTW, check it out.
- Imogen Heap - Ellipse. This gal does it all by herself!!! With recorded loops, and hand and mouth percussion, she creates a dense rich atmosphere of music. ...all by herself!
Disappointments:
- Tegan & Sara - Sainthood. Were they depressed or bored when they wrote this? bleh
- NOFX - Coaster. While not a coaster really, it will probably be the least played NOFX album to date for me.
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