happyknappy11's 2009 Top Ten

  1. 1.
    Daisy Brand New - Daisy

    I really would like to say that there is no emotional bias involved in this choice, as they are a band that I have held so dearly to myself, but I would also have to admit to being in total denial. Regardless, I listened to this album nearly six times in a row upon first getting a hold of it, which probably annoyed anyone that lived near me. A monstrously raw effort, Brand New pushed the limits of its loyal fans as they drove some away, pulled them in closer, or scared off anyone who heard about them and decided to give this album a shot. Singer Jesse Lacey brings his voice to a shrilling scream throughout most of the album, as the entire ensemble produces their heaviest and spookiest disc to date with songs like “Vices”, “Sink”, and “You Stole.” This will only confuse fans even more when they think of what will come next.

  2. 2.
    New Junk Aesthetic Every Time I Die - New Junk Aesthetic

    Thank God! Every Time I Die has finally created that disc we have all been waiting for since Hot Damn! I know, The Big Dirty was a great release, but it doesn’t even come close to the depth of New Junk Aesthetic. ETID goes heavy, with face crushing break downs, nasty, shredding riffs, and singer Keith Buckley’s ferocious scream takes center stage as it is more biting a fierce. It also highlights a more vulnerable Buckley, as he ditches his manly bravado and takes on a more confessional side in his lyrics. New Junk Aesthetic will certainly hold me over until the next release, and certainly has me chomping at the bit to see this album live (not meant to be a Gutter Phenomenon reference).

  3. 3.
    Eyelid Movies Phantogram - Eyelid Movies

    While this album has only been released in Europe, I was able to get my hands on the tracks, as well as seeing all of these songs played live by the band. The duo of Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel make me feel proud to live where I do, as they hail 15 minutes from my hometown in Saratoga Springs, New York. You know the place with the horse track where Seabiscuit was filmed? Yeah, that’s the place. Anyways, this genre trail-blazing group mixes hypnotic, bombastic beats, throbbing synth, and a little bit of guitar played by Carter. Making a sound that would make most listeners believe there are at least four members, Barthel’s heart-melting vocals and Carter’s panicked lyrics make for a very haunting release. Just try and pin down a description, as the refer to themselves as streetbeat/psych.hip-hop, because you might just be clawing for similarities to acts like Portishead, Radiohead , J Dilla, and maybe My Bloody Valentine. I highly recommend you check them out in their shoegaze glory.

  4. 4.
    Humbug Arctic Monkeys - Humbug

    All it took was one strange, life changing trip to the desert with Queens of the Stone Age mastermind Josh Homme to get the Arctic to completely change their style, and I am very thankful for it. It might just be my affinity for Homme and the Monkeys, but Humbug takes you on a psychedelic journey that seems unusual for the group. Stepping away from the norm, the Monkeys put their dashingly quick punk flavor and add a more slowed down spaghetti western style with noodley guitars, and a heavier focus on the low-end. It is an album that has given the band more confidence in exploring a more spooky side as singer Alex Turner drops his vocals a few octaves, becoming more of a crooner every day.

  5. 5.
    Mean Everything To Nothing Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing

    Being a highly anticipated follow-up to Like a Virgin Losing a Child, there was a lot riding on Mean Everything to Nothing to be an epic release. Luckily enough, it proved to be just what a lot of people were looking for. Emotionally, this album grabbed me due to the conviction that could be heard through singer Andy Hull’s voice. His shrill overpowered each track and the music itself took a darker turn. His stories of his fear of being on the road, and the high octane intensity on tracks like “Pride” and “Shake it Out” make this album one of my most listened of the year.

  6. 6.
    Brother's Blood Kevin Devine - Brother's Blood

    I’m very happy that this was able to stay in my top 10, because after my first listen I was all ready in love. Tracks like “Time to Burn”, “Carnival”, and “Brother’s Blood” really set the standard for a quality album. Kevin Devine proves he is a fantastic songwriter and completely shreds on many of these tracks, proving he’s more than just an acoustic guitar guy. A highly diverse album, the range goes from barn burners, to ballads about dead pets. Did I mention how amazing this guy is when it comes to lyrics? His intelligence is constantly on display, as well as his passion. It is a disc that begs for people to give him more attention.

  7. 7.
    It Hates You He Is Legend - It Hates You

    I really wasn’t sure about this album, whether I was sold on this new sound. Well I think the transition came subtly as I realized I was constantly playing this album and loving every minute of it. There were no room for fillers, and while many feel that the direction is all over the place, the mood of the album is kept intact track after track. Songs like “Everyone I Know Has Fangs”, “The Primarily Blues”, “Mean Shadow” contains that poppy, yet tumultuously grungy. Guitarist Adam Tanbouz impresses many with his sometimes trippy, but majorly crunching guitar tone, and singer Schuyler Croom finds a happy medium with his vocals as he hits those high notes but keeps a bit of rasp underneath. Let’s hope they somehow come back from this hiatus.

  8. 8.
    Conditions The Temper Trap - Conditions

    What an impressive debut from Australia’s very own The Temper Trap. While I was over in Australia, I heard “Science of Fear” constantly on their video music channel, and instantly was grabbed by the sound. Singer Dougie Mandagi possesses a very unique voice that is impossible to emulate. Best described as soulful, it is the staple of an all ready magnificent album. A few anthemic songs such as the euphoric “Sweet Disposition” and “Resurrection” keep things interesting, but that doesn’t mean one part of this album is boring. Be on the look out for these guys, they’re meant for big things.

  9. 9.
    The XX The XX - The XX

    I’m kicking myself so much for not catching these guys on tour with Friendly Fires, but you can’t win em’ all. In the realm of the shoegaze tunes produced by Phantogram (whom they’ve actually played with), this band creates a very sensual yet eerie atmosphere. Vocalist Romy Madlry Croft keeps things quiet where she sings almost to a whisper as she does duets with Oliver Sim. The xx is a band known to throw samples into the mix in songs like “Heart Skipped a Beat” and “Infinity”, focusing heavily on the beat. This music is perfect for slow dancing in a dark room, and will be perfect for the moments you decide to brood in your room, or you know, have sex.

  10. 10.
    Bad Luck Trophy Scars - Bad Luck

    I wish this band was better known, because they have yet to put out a bad release, and their current is their most ambitious one yet. Alphabet. Alphabets. was by far their most inventive album, and somehow they found a way to top it with an almost lounger version of that disc. Singer Jerry Jones’s growl is littered all over the album, but he keeps the screaming to a minimum. The always impressive Brian Ferrara drives the songs along with his ever impressive drumming, as John Ferrara grinds out compelling solo after solo. There is so much creativity flowing out of this band, it is a shame their popularity hasn’t sky rocketed yet. Songs like the Spanish flavored “El Cowboy Red”, and the cabaret-like “Toronto” prove this band has the chops to stand up with the best of them.

Last Updated: 12/30/2009 01:07PM