One of the many things that I did poorly this year was keep track of my favorite tracks as the year progressed even though I knew that this list was looming in the future. Over the past few weeks I have racked my brain trying to remember that one particular track that I heard from that one band that’s off that one album with the crazy album cover. You can imagine how well that went. I’m sure that over the next few days, weeks and months I will be kicking myself with all the tracks that did not get considered in this list.
One thing that I have learned over the last few weeks is that it’s hard to rank albums and near impossible to rank singles. So the list you see below is in no particular order what so ever.
White Rabbits – “Percussion Gun”
This track is one of the more powerful tracks that I’ve heard this year. The pounding drums from beginning to end are what pushed this one beyond standard fare.
[audio:http://themuseinmusic.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/01-percussion-gun4.mp3]
Julian Casablancas – “Tourist”
I’m not particularly fond of this album but “Tourist” stands out as the best track on the LP. The lyrics are not the strong suit for the track but what I love about this song is that the intro presents one thing and the lyrical rhythm hits you with something completely different.
[audio:http://themuseinmusic.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/08-tourist.mp3]
Blitzen Trapper – “Furr”
I love a track that tells a story. Seemingly pointless lyrics are lost on me. “Furr” comes across as an old folk song that has been past down from generation to generation with it’s story of a boy that joins a wolf pack only to return to society because of the love of a women.
[audio:http://themuseinmusic.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/03-furr.mp3]
Crystal Antlers – “Andrew”
My love for modern psychedelic rock is pretty limited. Crystal Antlers adds enough fuzz in “Andrew” as to not over do it and make a really enjoyable track.
[audio:http://themuseinmusic.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/crystal-antlers-andrew.mp3]
Great Lake Swimmers – “Pulling On A Line”
“Pulling On A Line” is just a beautifully orchestrated, mellow folk track that doesn’t throw any frills or surprises at you.
[audio:http://themuseinmusic.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/03-pulling-on-a-line.mp3]
Iron and Wine – “The Trapeze Swingers”
There aren’t many songs that cause me to well up a little bit but this is one of them. The lyrics aren’t particularly moving but there is just too much beautiful music in this epically lengthed track. In 9:30 track there is no chorus just verse after verse. There is a return to a common theme but that’s as close as you will get to any repeat of lyrics.
[audio:http://themuseinmusic.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/trapeze-swinger.mp3]
David Gray – “Kathleen”
Standing on it’s own “Kathleen” is a decent track but add the vocals of Jolie Holland and you have the makings for a top ten track. This is one of the tracks of of Draw The Line that makes my soul ache.
[audio:http://themuseinmusic.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/05-kathleen.mp3]
Deer Tick – “Easy”
2009 was a good year for Deer Tick with the release of the critically acclaimed Born On Flag Day and “Easy” is, in my opinion, the greatest song that they’ve ever wrtitten.
[audio:http://themuseinmusic.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/deertick-easy.mp3]
Beirut – “My Night With The Prostitute From Marseille”
This album got quite a bit of flack from every angle and from music “authorities” but it still captured a high spot on my top ten list for the year. The electronica/pop sound was definitely something different for Condon but remember that The Flying Cup Club was also unlike anything that we had ever heard before either and it is definitely one of the best albums of the decade.
[audio:http://themuseinmusic.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/07-my-night-with-the-prostitute-from-marseille.mp3]
