Album Highlights from 2009

2009 provided a bit of a ho-hum year for new music releases. As most artists toured in support of strong albums from 2008, last.fm listening stats reflected that. However, beyond the shortage of new offerings from established artists, 2009 provided some pleasant surprises as well as introductions to new artists.

In no particular order, here are the album highlights from 2009:

Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix


Even as I preface by saying "in no particular order", to this listener Phoenix had the most listenable album of the year. Behind the strength of first single "1901" Phoenix broke into the "mainstream" in 2009. Follow-up single Lisztomania provides perhaps a clearer window into the mid-tempo groove that this album provides through its 8 seamless tracks.

Phoenix - 1901


Phoenix - Lisztomania



The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love


One of the most highly anticipated albums of the year, The Decemberists released The Hazards of Love in follow up to 2006's nearly flawless The Crane Wife. A concept album, The Hazards of Love follow the story of young Margaret who falls in love with a shape-shifting forest dweller named William, much to the resentment of Williams mother, the Queen. While the story can be a bit confused at times with Colin Meloy adopting the narrative of several characters, this album is best listed to live as concert-goers had the opportunity to do so during the Decmberists' 2009 tour. Backed by the strength of guest vocalists Becky Stark (Lavender Diamond) and Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond), The Hazards of Love overcame some early mix reviews to establish itself as one of the Decemberists' strongest releases to date.

The Decemberists - The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid


Tegan & Sara - Sainthood


For their latest release, Tegan & Sara attempted something that they had never done before - writing songs together. The identical twins from Calgary packed up and shipped off to New Orleans where they would spend several weeks penning songs for their new album. Ultimately when they returned to Canada to record their album the collaboratively written songs were systematically cut. The only song which had made the grade, "Sainthood" ultimately had to be scrapped as well as the twins were unable to secure copyright clearance for the sample they used in the song. The result - Tegan & Sara provide us with their most plugged in and riff-heavy album to date with an album named in honour of that song and those early collaborative writing sessions.

Tegan & Sara - Hell

Tegan & Sara - The Cure


Bonus song - Tegan & Sara provided vocals for Tiesto's 2009 Kaleidoscope Release "Feel You in my Bones"

The Antlers - Hospice



Perhaps taking a page out of Justin Vernon's Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago, Antlers' Peter Silberman locked himself in relative seclusion to pen Hospice. Another concept album of sorts, Hospice, follows the story of a man losing a loved one to cancer and having to witness her death first-hand. Depressing? Yes. Sonically pleasing? Absolutely. Tip: Listen to this albums on high quality headphones to get the aural illusion that Silberman is whispering his heart-felt lyrics directly into your ear.

The Antlers - Bear


Junior Boys - Begone Dull Care


The Junior Boys continue their unique brand of indietronica with Begone Dull Care. Album highlight and lead track Parallel Lines holds a tight beat as Jeremy Greenspan's icey falsetto vocals pick up the slack. Perhaps darker then previous releases the poppier "Bits & Pieces" and lead single "Hazel" provide a balance and make the album more accessible to a broader audience.

Junior Boys - Parallel Lines


The xx - xx


London newcomers The xx produce one of the most unique and coolest sounding albums of the year. Co-vocalists Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim croon back and forth on top of a minimalistic blend of indie rock and electronic elements. With a rolling basslines that rarely achieve a bpm beyond that which can be considered an crawl, this album leaves the listener wanting more.

The xx - Night Time

The xx - VCR


Dark was the Night



A benefit compilation album, Dark was the Night provided funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS while providing listeners with rare and unreleased offerings from such indie superstars as Sufjan Stevens, Feist, Justin Vernon, Ben Gibbard, Spoon and the Arcade Fire.

Grizzly Bear and Feist - Service Bell


Fever Ray - Fever Ray


Fever Ray is the debut solo album from of Karin Dreijer Andersson (The Knife). Heavy on the vocal effects, Fever Ray is dark and weird in all the right ways.

Fever Ray - When I grow up


The Whitest Boy Alive - Rules


The Whitest Boy Alive provide funky baselines, riffy guitars, tight drumming and keyboard punches all in the name of dance music.

The Whitest Boy Alive - Island


Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!


Yeah Yeah Yeahs release another quality album highlighted by singles, "Zero" and "Heads will Roll." Adopting a more synthy sound with each progressive release, the YYY's are better for it as they grow as artists out of New York's garage rock scene from which they got their start.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll



Peter Bjorn & John - Living Thing


A grossly under-appreciated album at this time of year, even by this listener's standard, Living Thing was a great follow-up to 2006's Writer's Block. This album was quirky and fun and somewhat darker than one might expect. Living Thing was on heavy rotation early in the year when there was a lack of other new material from which to get excited about.

Peter Bjorn and John - It Don't Move Me



Honourable Mentions:

Matthew Good - Vancouver
Silversun Pickups - Swoon