2009 Top 10 Tag Team: Aaron Yarborough & Matt Murphy
Posted 12/30/2009 06:01AM by Rick Gebhardt as Top 10
Aaron Yarborough's Top 10:
1. P.O.S. - Never Better
P.O.S. has put out an album that stayed in my cd player for most of the year. The lyrics are real, and the message continuously hit home with how I was feeling and what I've been going through. It still rings true and when the words and the music just seem to strike a chord is when I feel I am truly able to appreciate an album. This is an amazing punk/hiphop release that should cross-over all genres and really leave a mark as one of the best of 2009.
2. Evergreen Terrace - Almost Home
Always have had a soft spot for Evergreen Terrace but with this previous album it seemed as if they were still attempting to find their groove and really write that one album that puts them in their own league. They finally were able to accomplish this with Almost Home, the music is top notch, the clean vocals are superb, and well just altogether this album is by far their best record to date. One can only hope they notice they've found their prime spot and continue to tour and put out more records like this.
3. A Day To Remember - Homesick
When we first got the promo of this album in early January and threw up an early review it was already a leading contender for album of the year, here we are making lists and it's still holding steady in my top10. It seems as if bands have tried before to capture the whole hardcore/pop/punk thing but have fallen flat on their face. With the push/help from Victory Records ADTR really stood out in the genre and made their mark as one of the leading bands pushing this new sound forth. Their future is extremely bright after the success and praise this album has garnered.
4. Propagandhi - Supporting Caste
It's Propagandhi at their best with one of their best albums to date. Fast, in your face punk rock the way it should be. Supporting Caste really stood out as one of the best punk rock albums this year and its definitely the highest ranked punk on my list for good reason.
5. Rebelution - Bright Side of Life
Never being much a fan of reggae, Rebelution's Bright Side of Life came out at the right time for me. Looking for solid positive music with good vibes really gave the end of the Summer a very bright note for me. A lot of changes were taking place and this album always managed to pick me up and put my mindset into a much better spot everytime I felt down. It's rare for albums now-a-days to really uplift but this is one album that is worthy of all the praise and should definitely be experienced live. Get into them now because it won't be long before they're taking over.
6. As Cities Burn - Hell or High Water
As Cities Burn never cease to continue to grow as a band. This new album showed such maturity from their previous albums as they pushed further away from their screamo sound and more into a strong uplifting form of rock. Buried deep in this Christian roots this album spoke to me and really connected me with the band and their emotions. Hell or High Water seemed to flow from song to song and eventually made me a huge ACB fan. I'm glad they decided to end their hiatus and continued to make music because this album is solid.
7. Closure In Moscow - First Temple
Not often does a new band burst onto the scene and make such a slash as Closure In Moscow have this year. I wasn't much of a believer in their album until I caught them live a few times as they passed through San Luis Obispo and it immediately changed my impression. Their passion live was what really brought me back to revisit this album over and over and I'm glad I did, definitely one that should not be missed.
8. The Grouch & Eligh - Say G&E
There's usually a hip-hop album in my top10 every year so this year is no different. The Grouch & Eligh are from Living Legends but they got together for this duo album and really managed to put out one of the best underground hip-hop albums of the year. With special guest appearances from Gift of Gab, Pigeon John, Mister F.A.B. Check out "Old Souls" or "All In" and you'll be hooked just like I am.
9. Alexisonfire - Old Crows / Young Cardinals
After bursting onto the scene by signing with Equal Vision and putting out Watch Out! in 2004, Alexisonfire have only continued to grow and get better. Crisis hit in 2006 and was certified platinum in Canada making them one of Canada's bigger bands. Alexisonfire returned with Old Crows / Young Cardinals this year and changed up their sound going a little more punk rock with the lead vocals and while some were afraid of what might transpire after the title track surfaced they managed to create one heck of a record. "Born and Raised" is one of my favorite tracks and helped this album land in my top 10.
10. Set Your Goals - This Will Be the Death of Us
I think you either get Set Your Goals or you don't. Some people argue they're terrible, bad singing, good music, but nothing to write home about. After listening to this album for the better part of 2009, I do kind of agree the vocals could be better and that may be why they decided to enlist so many guest vocalists on the album but you can't deny that their songs are darn catchy. The musicianship has stepped up a ton since their first release and landing in the final spot on my list based solely on the amount of play I gave this album they're worthy of that spot.
Honorable mentions:
Inhale / Exhale – Bury Me Alive
August Burns Red – Constellations
A Rocket to the Moon – On Your Side
Oh Sleeper – Son of the Morning
A Wilhelm Scream - EP
Matt Murphy's Top 10:
Ironically, in a year that will no doubt be remembered as the year that we lost music’s biggest icon, 2009 provided more stellar new music than any year in recent memory. For example, I gave two different albums five star reviews this year (Napalm Death’s Time Waits for No Slave and Converge’s Axe to Fall), and neither one made my top ten list. From indie to rock to metal to electronic to pop, it seemed like each week a new album had found its way into my permanent music rotation. It could be that, thanks to the growing accessibility of music via the Internet, listeners have the opportunity to track down better music simply by listening to a higher volume of artists and songs; however, I prefer to think that there is a burgeoning creativity within the music world that is constantly pushing artists to excel. To reach our generation, weaned on instant gratification and blessed with ADHD-like attention spans, it takes more than the casual song to pique our interest. With the sudden dive-bomb taken by the music industry, we’re at a juncture where artists can afford to take risks, to push boundaries, to try something new. Here’s to hoping that the level of quality and innovation bestowed upon us in 2009 continues well into the next decade, and beyond.
1. Mew – No More Stories Are Told Today
Far and away the best album of the year, Mew continues their pattern of creating music that is just as beautiful as it is unique. “Introducing Palace Players,” “Beach,” “Repeaterbeater” and “Hawaii” are just a few of the standout tracks from an album that is mesmerizing from start to finish. Impossible to describe to non-listeners, do yourself a favor and track this album down.
2. Katatonia – Night is the New Day
Though The Great Cold Distance occasionally flirted with greatness, Night is the New Day expands upon the success of that album and then some. The group’s finest release since Brave Murder Day, this album displays the excellent songwriting and beautiful, melancholic atmosphere the band has been working towards since day one.
3. Slough Feg – Ape Uprising
Slough Feg recovered gracefully from their slight missteps on Hardworlder to release what is undoubtedly the catchiest metal album released this year. Solos galore, superb vocals and a concept album based on an ape rebellion– what more could you ask for? Also, did I mention the solos?
4. code – Resplendent Grotesque
Though generally labeled as black metal, code really offers so much more. Pushing the boundaries of extreme music, Resplendent Grotesque finds the group stretching their talent and creating a listening experience sorely lacking in the metal world since the departure of Arcturus. Fans of forward-thinking, progressive extreme music would be remiss to pass on this album.
5. Dinosaur Jr. – Farm
The retro rockers have done it again. Following up their tremendous return to form on Beyond, Dinosaur Jr. shows that the quality of that album wasn’t just a fluke. With a sound that is instantly identifiable, infectious and rocking at the same time, Farm is arguably the best indie album released this year and perfect no matter the time, day or place.
6. Ulcerate – Everything is Fire
A swirling maelstrom of sonic devastation, Ulcerate now carries the torch originally held by the forward-thinking metal gods Gorguts. Throw Deathspell Omega and Immolation in a blender and the end product would likely resemble the churning beast of an album that is Everything is Fire. Death metal album of the year, hands down.
7. Silversun Pickups – Swoon
Impossibly catchy and immensely heavy, Swoon should solidify Silversun Pickups’ position as staples of the alternative rock charts. Sure, they sound a little bit like The Smashing Pumpkins, but the growth this band has shown over the course of only two albums has them poised for stardom. No other mainstream release came close to touching the excellence of this album.
8. Cobalt – Gin
Much like code, Cobalt is stretching the boundaries of what listeners refer to as black metal. The duo excels in writing hypnotic, expansive songs that go in multiple directions while retaining a cohesive sound throughout. The drumming alone on this album is worth the price of admission.
9. Polvo – In Prism
Much like the 2007 Dinosaur Jr. release Beyond, In Prism shows that the group’s extended break only honed their talents and sharpened their songwriting prowess. Likely the most engaging album of their career, Polvo’s unique take on indie rock is instantly recognizable and engrossing even to listeners with less than a passing interest in the genre. The Merge Record heroes truly have returned.
10. Propagandhi – Supporting Caste
Simply put, this album shreds from top to bottom. Relative old-timers in a genre populated by bands of 20-somethings, Supporting Caste shows that the group has more than enough fire to write an album that easily blows away any competition in the punk arena. “Dear Coaches Corner” might just be the best song of 2009.
Honorable Mentions:
Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
Burnt By the Sun - Heart of Darkness
Converge - Axe to Fall
The Appleseed Cast - Sagarmatha
Blut Aus Nord - Memoria Vetusta II
Comments
San Borja, Lima, Perú
Mew album is beautiful indeed, didn't make my top 10 but certanly 20. Even tho there aren't much coincidences with mine, i think both lists are pretty solid.
Waterloo, Ontario
I still haven't checked out the new Alexisonfire album and I don't think I will in the near future. There's something about a band not putting full songs up on their myspace that makes me feel cheated. I'm not going to go out and buy their album based on a 20 second sample of a song. I think I'm starting to feel like Alexisonfire is the cheap, pussed out, Canadian version of Gallows.
Top Ten of 2009 http://www.decoymusic.com/users/3747/top_tens/2009
San Jose, CA
If any thing, Gallows is the Canadian band that's "pussed out." They rant and rant about selling out this and selling out that, then they go and sign a big deal with a major label. And, imo their music is awful. I'll always love Alexisonfire though, and I would definitely check out their new album. It's maturity - they take their roots and push it towards a punk sound, and the result is really neat. Album won't make my list, but it's still pretty solid. And Dallas Green is incredible.
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Minnesota
New Alexisonfire is pretty mediocre... at best.
Gallows are annoying. Their latest album is listenable, but their debut was garbage.
Great call on Katatonia and POS.
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Waterloo, Ontario
Gallows are English...
Top Ten of 2009 http://www.decoymusic.com/users/3747/top_tens/2009
Washington, DC
I really loved As cities Burn last two albums, but Hell or High Water just bores me. And Capo is the worst closer ever, especially for a band that does epic so well.
"Standing still is where we've gone wrong" - The dingees
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Milwaukee, WI
I really never liked Alexisonfire until this release (Also in my top ten). They have matured and turned into a much better band than the were. And I have no issue with a band not putting full songs on their MySpace. Just doesn't seem like a big deal to me.
The newest Katatonia is frigging fantastic. Love that disc.
San Jose, CA
Oops. My bad, I'm lame.
Aaron, good to see POS and As Cities Burn up there.
last.fm/user/thetsaiguy
Infinitely Inwards
Katatonia, Evergreen Terrace, Mew. Now that's what I'm talking about. Good picks.
Ever Forthright - Ever Forthright
Fallujah - The Harvest Wombs
The New Law - The Fifty Year Storm
ERRA - Impulse
Aborted - Global Flatline
Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning
Crippled Black Phoenix - (Mankind)The Crafty Ape
San Diego, CA
What's funny is that Gallows signed to a major label and released a heavier, more politically charged record than "Orchestra." The proposed artwork for "Grey Britain" was absolutely scathing; you can't fault a band for having a label veto something-they all do it. That doesn't sound like selling out to me.
Too old to bother, too young to give a shit.
Dubuque
It's nuts to see how everyone's list is completely different. I've only seen like 3 releases from my Top 10 on everyone else's.
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Boston, MA
That Polvo album is fantastic. I've listened to "Beggar's Bowl" and "City Birds" so many times this year and I'm still not sick of them.
Stereo Typing
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Atascadero, CA
Decoymusic.com (CEO/Founder)
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West Haven, CT
Why are Alexisonfire still making Cd's?
The Cityscape Burns Brighter By The Hour.
Minnesota
Don't know if I'd put that album in my top 10 or not, but it was a very solid effort, despite all the shitty reviews critics are giving it.
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