The year in music

Let me start this off by saying I suck at rating things. So I'm not going to rate these. And I'm certainly not going to post some sort of BEST ALBUMS OF THE YEAR, AGREE OR DIE list because, well, let's be honest. I didn't listen to all of the music that came out this year. I still haven't gotten my hands on the new Sufjan album (which is a terrible shame, I know) and, having listened to NPR's top picks and the listener's picks, I've realized there are quite a few albums I missed out on that I now need to hunt down.

(As an aside, if anyone wants to send me this year's albums by Lost in the Trees, Tallest Man on Earth, Jónsi, Local Natives, Buke and Gass, Jeremy Messersmith, Broken Social Scene, LCD Soundsystem, and the aforementioned album The Age of Adz, I would love you forever.)

BUT. There were quite a few very good albums that didn't show up on their lists, or didn't place well, that I thought deserved to be mentioned here. So, here are my favorite albums of the year.

The New Pornographers - Together
I came to this band late, I'll admit. This was the first album of theirs that I had heard more than a single track from. And oh my is this one catchy album. I love the bass in the opening track, I love the vocals and the lovely melodies, and I love how much fun it is. Seriously, if Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk doesn't make you want to bounce around the room and sing along, then I'm sorry but there's something wrong with you.

Sea of Bees - Songs for the Ravens
Usually, the cutesy little girly voices like this drive me crazy (and that, of course, is the main reason I can't listen to Joanna Newsom). But Julie's voice grew on me, which I'm really glad for, because her lyrics are lovely, and the music is so dark and rock-y and gorgeous. Give Gnomes a listen if you haven't heard this band yet. Or if you have and are as addicted to this album as I am.

Meursault - All Creatures Will Make Merry
Normally, melody is the most important factor in whether I will like a band/album/song. If it doesn't have a strong melody, I usually won't give it a second listen. All Creatures Will Make Merry is much more ambient than my usual tastes, but there's something wonderfully haunting about the stark, ambient melodies and vocals on this album. I've been talking about Sleet for a few months now (and sadly, can't find a youtube link to the album version, but it's close enough), so if you've somehow managed to avoid hearing it, give that a click.

Menomena - Mines
Finally, a new Menomena album! My god I love this band. This album is a bit mellower than their previous ones, and isn't my favorite of theirs (that honor goes to 2007's Friend and Foe), but it's very well-written all the same, and possibly a little more personal and grown up. Killemall gets me every time.

Girl Talk - All Day
I'll admit, I had never listened to Girl Talk before this album. And I don't expect to listen to it again, honestly, because what I loved the most was the joy of discovery that happens every minute when the mix of songs shifts to something new. I listened to this album one day while at work, and I had to keep from laughing out loud and confusing everyone around me, so I settled for a stupid grin instead. This album is really one single track, so I can't really link you to one single part of it, but it's all available for a free download at his site.

Dr. Dog - Shame, Shame
It would be impossible for this band to live up to the incredible debut that was 2008's Fate, in my opinion, but their second album is a fun one all the same. Shame, Shame is folky, bluesy, and yet full of rock at the same time. Later is one fine example of this combination.

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Honestly, it took a long time for this album to grow on me. I miss the complex and compelling instrumentation of Funeral, and it's hard for me to accept that Arcade Fire may not ever make an album like that again. This album is a bit more dance pop than I expected it to be. But I love an album with a story, and this one tells one hell of a tale. Music as social commentary isn't something you see much of outside of reggae fairly trite political punk groups, which tend to beat you over the head with a message, but The Suburbs is a true work of art. Even if I don't like it as much as some of their earlier work, I can't help but recognize how impressive and ambitious it is. If you somehow have been living under a rock and didn't hear this album yet, try the title track.

Mumford and Sons - Sigh No More
Oh. My. God. I hope this band continues to make music like this forever. And ever. I honestly don't know what else to say. This is one epic album, and the fact that it's a debut album makes that fact even more shocking. They're going to have a hell of a time following this one up. The only flaw this album has isn't the band's fault at all - this album is so goddamned catchy that I'm now extremely tired of hearing "The Cave" to the point of me not wanting to listen to it, because it's one of the most overplayed singles of the year. Besides, there are so many tracks on this album that are even better. Dust Bowl Dance, for example, gives me goosebumps. Wow.

The year in music

Let me start this off by saying I suck at rating things. So I'm not going to rate these. And I'm certainly not going to post some sort of BEST ALBUMS OF THE YEAR, AGREE OR DIE list because, well, let's be honest. I didn't listen to all of the music that came out this year. I still haven't gotten my hands on the new Sufjan album (which is a terrible shame, I know) and, having listened to NPR's top picks and the listener's picks, I've realized there are quite a few albums I missed out on that I now need to hunt down.

(As an aside, if anyone wants to send me this year's albums by Lost in the Trees, Tallest Man on Earth, Jónsi, Local Natives, Buke and Gass, Jeremy Messersmith, Broken Social Scene, LCD Soundsystem, and the aforementioned album The Age of Adz, I would love you forever.)

BUT. There were quite a few very good albums that didn't show up on their lists, or didn't place well, that I thought deserved to be mentioned here. So, here are my favorite albums of the year.

The New Pornographers - Together
I came to this band late, I'll admit. This was the first album of theirs that I had heard more than a single track from. And oh my is this one catchy album. I love the bass in the opening track, I love the vocals and the lovely melodies, and I love how much fun it is. Seriously, if Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk doesn't make you want to bounce around the room and sing along, then I'm sorry but there's something wrong with you.

Sea of Bees - Songs for the Ravens
Usually, the cutesy little girly voices like this drive me crazy (and that, of course, is the main reason I can't listen to Joanna Newsom). But Julie's voice grew on me, which I'm really glad for, because her lyrics are lovely, and the music is so dark and rock-y and gorgeous. Give Gnomes a listen if you haven't heard this band yet. Or if you have and are as addicted to this album as I am.

Meursault - All Creatures Will Make Merry
Normally, melody is the most important factor in whether I will like a band/album/song. If it doesn't have a strong melody, I usually won't give it a second listen. All Creatures Will Make Merry is much more ambient than my usual tastes, but there's something wonderfully haunting about the stark, ambient melodies and vocals on this album. I've been talking about Sleet for a few months now (and sadly, can't find a youtube link to the album version, but it's close enough), so if you've somehow managed to avoid hearing it, give that a click.

Menomena - Mines
Finally, a new Menomena album! My god I love this band. This album is a bit mellower than their previous ones, and isn't my favorite of theirs (that honor goes to 2007's Friend and Foe), but it's very well-written all the same, and possibly a little more personal and grown up. Killemall gets me every time.

Girl Talk - All Day
I'll admit, I had never listened to Girl Talk before this album. And I don't expect to listen to it again, honestly, because what I loved the most was the joy of discovery that happens every minute when the mix of songs shifts to something new. I listened to this album one day while at work, and I had to keep from laughing out loud and confusing everyone around me, so I settled for a stupid grin instead. This album is really one single track, so I can't really link you to one single part of it, but it's all available for a free download at his site.

Dr. Dog - Shame, Shame
It would be impossible for this band to live up to the incredible debut that was 2008's Fate, in my opinion, but their second album is a fun one all the same. Shame, Shame is folky, bluesy, and yet full of rock at the same time. Later is one fine example of this combination.

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Honestly, it took a long time for this album to grow on me. I miss the complex and compelling instrumentation of Funeral, and it's hard for me to accept that Arcade Fire may not ever make an album like that again. This album is a bit more dance pop than I expected it to be. But I love an album with a story, and this one tells one hell of a tale. Music as social commentary isn't something you see much of outside of reggae fairly trite political punk groups, which tend to beat you over the head with a message, but The Suburbs is a true work of art. Even if I don't like it as much as some of their earlier work, I can't help but recognize how impressive and ambitious it is. If you somehow have been living under a rock and didn't hear this album yet, try the title track.

Mumford and Sons - Sigh No More
Oh. My. God. I hope this band continues to make music like this forever. And ever. I honestly don't know what else to say. This is one epic album, and the fact that it's a debut album makes that fact even more shocking. They're going to have a hell of a time following this one up. The only flaw this album has isn't the band's fault at all - this album is so goddamned catchy that I'm now extremely tired of hearing "The Cave" to the point of me not wanting to listen to it, because it's one of the most overplayed singles of the year. Besides, there are so many tracks on this album that are even better. Dust Bowl Dance, for example, gives me goosebumps. Wow.