Friday, January 01, 2010

Musical Justice's Top 10 CDs of 2009

Been a little while since we've posted, so I've got a couple of recaps first. Here's the wrap-up of 2009's best:

TOP 10 CDs OF 2009

1. Art Brut - Art Brut vs Satan

Some of the buzz may have worn off this band, but Frank Black helps distill this band to the essence of its' cheeky charm.


2. Wilco - Wilco (The Album)

Not their best, but this record is leavened with a lighter touch and the self-awareness you'd expect from a self-titled opening track like "Wilco (The Song)". Wilco will love you baby. Indeed.


3. Pearl Jam - Backspacer

"The Fixer" is Vedder and company's best rock single in a decade. A welcomed return to form.


4. Matthew Ryan - Dear Lover

Intensely personal and cinematic in scope. Shimmering at times, scruffy others. Criminally under-the-radar, Ryan's been one of the most consistent and prolific songwriters of this generation.


5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz

A little less punk, a little more danceable. A matured effort that probably left some old fans behind. That says more about those fans' narrow view of the band IMHO.


6. Neko Case - Middle Cyclone

Neko's most commercially successful work, hitting #3 on the pop charts. Uncompromising though -- she did it on her terms.


7. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart

This year's model with 10 great high-energy tracks like "Young Adult Friction" and "This Love Is Fucking Right".


8. U2 - No Line On The Horizon

A failure only when judged against the substantial yardstick of their own best work. Still "Magnificent", "Boots" and "Crazy" are worthy additions to the canon.


9. Metric - Fantasies

The lead track, "Help I'm Alive" is undeniable and relentlessly catchy. This band might be a record away from huge.


10. Dinosaur Jr. - Farm

The 2005 comeback continues with this band's best since their indie label days.





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