2009 was a pretty awesome year musically, which made selecting its best songs, albums and shows quite difficult. To help me out in assessing what to pick as the best of the best, I made good use of my last.fm page. On 1 January 2010 I checked my profile, clicked on the feature displaying what I'd listened to in the last 12 months and noted down the results. It's always interesting comparing what you think your favourite song or album is compared to what you actually physically listened to the most.
Here are the results!
1. Bat For Lashes (236)
2. Phoenix (225)
3. Grizzly Bear (210)
4. Patrick Wolf (206)
5. Metric (204)
6. Tori Amos (196)
7. Bon Iver (195)
8. Neko Case (193)
9. Andrew Bird (171)
10. Yeah Yeah Yeahs (159)
10. Sarah Blasko (159)
1. Bon Iver - Flume (30)
2. Bon Iver - For Emma (26)
2. Phoenix - 1901 (26)
4. Florence + The Machine - Dog Days Are Over (25)
5. Phoenix - Lisztomania (23)
6. Bat For Lashes - Glass (20)
6. Phoenix - Rome (20)
6. Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks (20)
6. Metric - Blindness (20)
6. Phoenix - Fences (20)
6. Phoenix - Love Like a Sunset (20)
Interesting to note that all songs on the list were from albums released in 2009, with the exception of the top two - both Bon Iver songs from my favourite album of 2008, For Emma, Forever Ago. Glad to see it's still holding up after all this time!
So, having looked through those lists, let's compare them to my vote in triple j's Hottest 100 for the year.
1. The Basics - With This Ship
2. Bat For Lashes - Daniel
3. Sarah Blasko - All I Want
4. Bon Iver & St. Vincent - Rosyln
5. Fever Ray - When I Grow Up
6. Florence + The Machine - Dog Days Are Over
7. Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks
8. Metric - Blindness
9. The National - So Far Around The Bend
10. Phoenix - 1901
The two lists only share three songs, mostly because I didn't want to double up for one particular artist (that artist being the one that dominated my most listened to songs on last.fm list, with a whopping FIVE entries). It also matches up pretty nicely with my top ten listened to artists, but I had to include The Basics (With This Ship made me insanely miss Gotye... pleasepleasePLEASE release a new album in 2010 Wally!) and make sure that the best/most indie movie soundtrack and compilation of 2009 were represented (Twilight: New Moon and Dark Was The Night, respectively). And Fever Ray of course. Have you seen the videoclip? So incredibly creepy and cool.
That brings me to what I chose as my ten favourite albums of 2009 for the end of year BMA issue (which was written in early December, well before the last.fm stats were collated so I had no idea what my most listened to albums would actually end up being). So, let's see how it all matched up! Scroll down to see my favourite albums of 2009 + accompanying descriptions... Could the winner have been anything else? ;)
1. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
I was ashamedly a latecomer to the Phoenix bandwagon, but as soon as I heard the opening plinks of Lisztomania I knew this album was going to be something special. It’s short, but that directness ensures there’s no time for filler and every track is a standout. Brilliant and extraordinarily catchy.
2. Bat For Lashes – Two Suns
Natasha Khan goes from strength to strength on her sophomore effort. She maintains an aura of mystique throughout the duration of the album, while the songs waver from the achingly beautiful (Moon and Moon) to the sparse and haunting (The Big Sleep). This lady is definitely an artist to watch.
3. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
If you like harmonies, this album is definitely for you. This Brooklyn quartet sure give Fleet Foxes a run for their money in that department. Big single Two Weeks exudes so much charm it almost bursts at the seams. Believe the hype!
4. Metric – Fantasies
Metric’s fourth album is as consistently awesome as their previous three. There’s plenty to love here – their brand of infectious Canadian indie rock is extremely pleasing to my ears. Highlights include Gold Guns Girls, Blindness and Waves.
5. Fever Ray – Fever Ray
I never did fully understand why Karin Dreijer Andersson’s voice was so warped in her work with The Knife. In its purest form, it’s such a beautiful asset – the mind boggles why you would want to distort that. It’s in full flight here, complimented by tunes that are simultaneously foreboding and captivating.
6. Florence + The Machine - Lungs
Everything there is to like about Florence + The Machine can be summed up by their rollicking album opener Dog Days Are Over. Soulful female vocals, hand claps, stomping drums and delicate harp flourishes all combine to wind their way towards a howling crescendo. Bliss.
7. Neko Case – Middle Cyclone
Apart from choosing to close this album with half an hour of cricket chirps, Ms Case didn’t do much wrong with this album. She gets the awards for best album cover and best lyric of the year (“I love your long shadows and your gunpowder eyes.” Mmm.).
8. Sarah Blasko – As Day Follows Night
I might be making an unpopular statement here, but Blasko’s last album didn’t do much for me at all. So it’s with great relief that I say welcome back Sarah! She is at her adorable (see We Won’t Run) and haunting (likewise All I Want) best.
9. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz!
It’s Blitz! is the album where everything came together for me and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. There’s a sufficient mix of ballsy attitude, raw energy and passionate emotion that creates the perfect balance for a great album.
10. La Roux – La Roux
I must have a thing for redheads. So far in this list there’s Florence, Neko and now pint-sized Brit Elly Jackson of La Roux rounds out the trio. This album is ‘80s-inspired candy-covered calypso-electro fun, with a LOT of falsetto thrown in for good measure. Great for dancing around the bedroom in one’s undies.
Albums that JUST missed the cut:
Andrew Bird - Noble Beast
Bachelorette - My Electric Family
Bertie Blackman - Secrets and Lies
The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love
Fischerspooner - Entertainment
The Gossip - Music For Men
Passion Pit - Manners
Patrick Watson - Wooden Arms
Patrick Wolf - The Bachelor
Peaches - I Feel Cream
Regina Spektor - Far
Röyksopp - Junior
St. Vincent - Actor
The xx - xx
Bon Iver @ Forum Theatre, 19/1/09 [I still get chills thinking about this show...]
School of Seven Bells @ Corner Hotel, 25/4/09 [Their album translated particularly well live. Can't wait for new material!]
Phoenix @ Palace Theatre, 3/8/09 [Pretty much flawless.]
Metric @ Billboard The Venue, 2/10/09
Sarah Blasko @ Forum Theatre, 4/10/09
Fischerspooner @ Forum Theatre, 16/10/09 [A performance in the true sense of the word.]
Tori Amos @ Regent Theatre, 12-13/11/09 [You can't get a better experience than having your seats upgraded to front row and then hanging out with Tori in her dressing room backstage after the show!]
Patrick Wolf @ Prince Bandroom, 14/12/09 [Patrick definitely saved the best for last on his last show of The Bachelor tour.]
Lamb @ Prince Bandroom, 30/12/09 [I'd been waiting for a chance to see Lamb for a while and they blew everyone away. So much love inside the Prince that night. Andy left in tears. And I got to touch his arse as he crowd surfed over me! Win.]
Well... *deep breath* THAT'S IT! But now for the most fun part - what did you think? Was 2009 a great musical year for you? What did I get right/wrong? Not enough Animal Collective for you, eh? What were your gigs of the year? I wanna know!
Here are the results!
Top 10 listened to ARTISTS in '09 according to last.fm (with the play count in brackets):
1. Bat For Lashes (236)
2. Phoenix (225)
3. Grizzly Bear (210)
4. Patrick Wolf (206)
5. Metric (204)
6. Tori Amos (196)
7. Bon Iver (195)
8. Neko Case (193)
9. Andrew Bird (171)
10. Yeah Yeah Yeahs (159)
10. Sarah Blasko (159)
Top 10 listened to SONGS in '09 according to last.fm (with the play count in brackets):
1. Bon Iver - Flume (30)
2. Bon Iver - For Emma (26)
2. Phoenix - 1901 (26)
4. Florence + The Machine - Dog Days Are Over (25)
5. Phoenix - Lisztomania (23)
6. Bat For Lashes - Glass (20)
6. Phoenix - Rome (20)
6. Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks (20)
6. Metric - Blindness (20)
6. Phoenix - Fences (20)
6. Phoenix - Love Like a Sunset (20)
Interesting to note that all songs on the list were from albums released in 2009, with the exception of the top two - both Bon Iver songs from my favourite album of 2008, For Emma, Forever Ago. Glad to see it's still holding up after all this time!
So, having looked through those lists, let's compare them to my vote in triple j's Hottest 100 for the year.
Ten Votes for triple j's Hottest 100 of 2009 (alphabetical order):
1. The Basics - With This Ship
2. Bat For Lashes - Daniel
3. Sarah Blasko - All I Want
4. Bon Iver & St. Vincent - Rosyln
5. Fever Ray - When I Grow Up
6. Florence + The Machine - Dog Days Are Over
7. Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks
8. Metric - Blindness
9. The National - So Far Around The Bend
10. Phoenix - 1901
The two lists only share three songs, mostly because I didn't want to double up for one particular artist (that artist being the one that dominated my most listened to songs on last.fm list, with a whopping FIVE entries). It also matches up pretty nicely with my top ten listened to artists, but I had to include The Basics (With This Ship made me insanely miss Gotye... pleasepleasePLEASE release a new album in 2010 Wally!) and make sure that the best/most indie movie soundtrack and compilation of 2009 were represented (Twilight: New Moon and Dark Was The Night, respectively). And Fever Ray of course. Have you seen the videoclip? So incredibly creepy and cool.
That brings me to what I chose as my ten favourite albums of 2009 for the end of year BMA issue (which was written in early December, well before the last.fm stats were collated so I had no idea what my most listened to albums would actually end up being). So, let's see how it all matched up! Scroll down to see my favourite albums of 2009 + accompanying descriptions... Could the winner have been anything else? ;)
Top Ten Albums of 2009:
1. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
I was ashamedly a latecomer to the Phoenix bandwagon, but as soon as I heard the opening plinks of Lisztomania I knew this album was going to be something special. It’s short, but that directness ensures there’s no time for filler and every track is a standout. Brilliant and extraordinarily catchy.
2. Bat For Lashes – Two Suns
Natasha Khan goes from strength to strength on her sophomore effort. She maintains an aura of mystique throughout the duration of the album, while the songs waver from the achingly beautiful (Moon and Moon) to the sparse and haunting (The Big Sleep). This lady is definitely an artist to watch.
3. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
If you like harmonies, this album is definitely for you. This Brooklyn quartet sure give Fleet Foxes a run for their money in that department. Big single Two Weeks exudes so much charm it almost bursts at the seams. Believe the hype!
4. Metric – Fantasies
Metric’s fourth album is as consistently awesome as their previous three. There’s plenty to love here – their brand of infectious Canadian indie rock is extremely pleasing to my ears. Highlights include Gold Guns Girls, Blindness and Waves.
5. Fever Ray – Fever Ray
I never did fully understand why Karin Dreijer Andersson’s voice was so warped in her work with The Knife. In its purest form, it’s such a beautiful asset – the mind boggles why you would want to distort that. It’s in full flight here, complimented by tunes that are simultaneously foreboding and captivating.
6. Florence + The Machine - Lungs
Everything there is to like about Florence + The Machine can be summed up by their rollicking album opener Dog Days Are Over. Soulful female vocals, hand claps, stomping drums and delicate harp flourishes all combine to wind their way towards a howling crescendo. Bliss.
7. Neko Case – Middle Cyclone
Apart from choosing to close this album with half an hour of cricket chirps, Ms Case didn’t do much wrong with this album. She gets the awards for best album cover and best lyric of the year (“I love your long shadows and your gunpowder eyes.” Mmm.).
8. Sarah Blasko – As Day Follows Night
I might be making an unpopular statement here, but Blasko’s last album didn’t do much for me at all. So it’s with great relief that I say welcome back Sarah! She is at her adorable (see We Won’t Run) and haunting (likewise All I Want) best.
9. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz!
It’s Blitz! is the album where everything came together for me and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. There’s a sufficient mix of ballsy attitude, raw energy and passionate emotion that creates the perfect balance for a great album.
10. La Roux – La Roux
I must have a thing for redheads. So far in this list there’s Florence, Neko and now pint-sized Brit Elly Jackson of La Roux rounds out the trio. This album is ‘80s-inspired candy-covered calypso-electro fun, with a LOT of falsetto thrown in for good measure. Great for dancing around the bedroom in one’s undies.
Albums that JUST missed the cut:
Andrew Bird - Noble Beast
Bachelorette - My Electric Family
Bertie Blackman - Secrets and Lies
The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love
Fischerspooner - Entertainment
The Gossip - Music For Men
Passion Pit - Manners
Patrick Watson - Wooden Arms
Patrick Wolf - The Bachelor
Peaches - I Feel Cream
Regina Spektor - Far
Röyksopp - Junior
St. Vincent - Actor
The xx - xx
Best Gigs of 2009:
Bon Iver @ Forum Theatre, 19/1/09 [I still get chills thinking about this show...]
School of Seven Bells @ Corner Hotel, 25/4/09 [Their album translated particularly well live. Can't wait for new material!]
Phoenix @ Palace Theatre, 3/8/09 [Pretty much flawless.]
Metric @ Billboard The Venue, 2/10/09
Sarah Blasko @ Forum Theatre, 4/10/09
Fischerspooner @ Forum Theatre, 16/10/09 [A performance in the true sense of the word.]
Tori Amos @ Regent Theatre, 12-13/11/09 [You can't get a better experience than having your seats upgraded to front row and then hanging out with Tori in her dressing room backstage after the show!]
Patrick Wolf @ Prince Bandroom, 14/12/09 [Patrick definitely saved the best for last on his last show of The Bachelor tour.]
Lamb @ Prince Bandroom, 30/12/09 [I'd been waiting for a chance to see Lamb for a while and they blew everyone away. So much love inside the Prince that night. Andy left in tears. And I got to touch his arse as he crowd surfed over me! Win.]
Well... *deep breath* THAT'S IT! But now for the most fun part - what did you think? Was 2009 a great musical year for you? What did I get right/wrong? Not enough Animal Collective for you, eh? What were your gigs of the year? I wanna know!
Awesome blog, my south-hemi friend.
ReplyDeleteMy rock album of the year is Manchester Orchestra's "Mean Everything To Nothing". In a year where everything that made waves seemed to have a decidedly synthetic feel to it, Manny O dropped an absolutely epic, straight-forward rock album.
You should check it out!