A new kid's top ten records of 2009
Let's get this out of a way - as a lover of all things dance-punk and blog house, 2009 was a god-awful year for music. Although there were some records of note, there wasn't very much in the way of things that pulse and hum at 120 beats per minute that made my hips twitch. I had a really hard time coming up with 10 solid records this year; and it's been a long time since we've had a year this devoid of ingenuity and great new bands. I can't say there's been a full-length that I've played out with the fervor and tenacity of something like Cut Copy or Friendly Fires. Nor has there been a great band with nearly as much alliteration this year as those two.
Here we go.
Let's get this out of the way - this record is on this list solely because "It Doesn't Have To Be Beautiful" is the best pop song of the year, hands down. Although the rest of the record isn't bad, this song is what cements its presence on this list.
My favorite band to come out of CMJ this year, Neon Indian brings personality and pop sensibility to a genre populated by Animal Collective and Panda Bear clones who all take themselves far too seriously. Neon Indian is what you get when these guys all lighten up a little bit.
8. jj - n2
I am really sick and tired of listening to people debate whether or not jj's "Ecstacy" is a tribute, parody, or straight up rip-off of Lil Wayne's "Lollipop." I don't see why anybody would care about this vapid turd of a track when the rest of the album is full of loosely constructed jungle pop that will rip open cumulonimbus clouds on dreary says and blast your sad ass with sunshine.
7. Fischerspooner - Entertainment
Once you've heard one Fischerspooner record, you basically know what you're in for: dramatic, over-the-top scores akin to electroclash on Broadway. But the way in which this record shines above previous Fischerspooner efforts is that it doesn't lock you in to 12 tracks of good songs that sound very similar; like the soundtrack to an Andy Warhol painting. Fischerspooner has finally learned the gift of musical diversity, and it pays off in spades on this record.
6. Zoos of Berlin - Taxi
When Pas/Cal was around, I liked them just fine. When they broke up, I didn't really care all that much, until I heard Zoos of Berlin - the proverbial Falcon Heene that was hiding in the band's attic all along that's composed of some of the old Pas/Cal guys. A lot of the songs aren't immediately accessible like Pas/Cal was, but spend some time listening to this record (I've had this on loop for the past four days now), and you'll be rewarded. A true grower in every sense of the word.
5. Discovery - LP
It takes a lot for me to think anything is good that is even remotely connected to Vampire Weekend. After much gnashing of the teeth, here it is. This is probably as close to The Postal Service as sympathetic synth kids will ever see. And that's okay, because this Japanese-influecned glitch pop record is pretty great.
4. Vitalic - Flashmob
The best electro record of the year, Vitalic's long-awaiting follow-up to OK Cowboy loses some of the grime and cocaine-laden Gran Turisimo appeal, replacing it with some robotic vocals and hints of gay disco. These changes are fine and dandy, as Vitalic still dances the line between stressful and groovy rather beautifully.
3. Riceboy Sleeps - s/t
I was really skeptical when I heard Sigur Ros frontman Jonsi Birgisson was embarking on a side project. I was even more surprised when Riceboy Sleeps' debut album turned out to be better than 2008's Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust. Fans won't be disappointed by Riceboy Sleeps' debut, and newcomers to the genre will likely be overwhelmed by the record's ethereal qualities.
2. The Drums - Summertime!
Innocent pop record of the year, and probably *the* band to look out for in 2010. That's all.
1. Faunts - Feel.Love.Thinking.Of
There's very little that separates Faunts and The Drums from top billing on my list; but the key element is that when it comes down to it, The Drums are unabashedly fun, but can almost never be taken seriously. Faunts' Feel.Love.Thinking.Of is a pop record that runs you through the emotional gammut in a way that doesn't seem at all cheeky and insincere. Sure, maybe they borrow from The Cure a little too much at times, but that's okay when every single song on your record is memorable and fantastic.
WORST RECORD OF THE YEAR
Wavves - s/t
If you like this record, you're probably living off the interest of your parents' massive trust. Go to hell. Also, this.
2009, ben, best-of lists, top ten records, wavves is the worst ever 
Reader Comments (2)
Crap. I was just made aware that The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart record came out in 2009, and not in 2008 like I thought - likely because the songs have been available forever.
I would've ranked that record at #5.
Love Vitalic! Good choice.