b_myers's 2009 Top Ten
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1.
Brand New - Daisy
This album, from the first listen till now, has totally taken me by surprise. I've been a fan of their past releases, but nothing really struck the right nerve, until Daisy was released. It embraces such a broad spectrum of feeling and sound, and the vocal approach and delivery is so rich with raw emotion, it was difficult to not be attached from the first spinning of this record.
favorite track: "Bed"
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2.
August Burns Red - Constellations
This shouldn't be any surprise to people that know me, simply because I rave about this band and their abilities. If you listen to their general discography, Looks Fragile After All till current, it's amazing the strides they've taken to really refine and move forward with their sound. Being such a young band, I'm positive we haven't seen the most inspiring music from them yet, but in the meantime, I'll just sit back and enjoy this metal tour-de-force.
favorite track: "The Escape Artist"
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3.
Thrice - Beggars
Oh, Thrice! What a roller-coaster your career has been up until this point. Dealing with the praise and criticism of your albums by those that seemingly call themselves fans. Even though I haven't been as disappointed as some with their past few releases, I can still recognize a true gem when I hear it. That true gem would be Beggars. From start to finish, it's a beautifully executed example of a band at the top of their game. Their next album should be interesting...
favorite track: "Circles"
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4.
Architects - Hollow Crown
I've followed this band since their inception, but never really took to any of their albums, until Hollow Crown. The musicianship is top notch for its genre, as the band takes a progressive sound, throws in a bit of melody, and just rocks the shit out of your speakers! A great album that, if given the time, is sure to become a favorite of many.
favorite track: "Every Last Breath"
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5.
He Is Legend - It Hates You
This album is either going to be really good or really bad. That was my thought process going into the first listen. Knowing that this was the first album they'd be doing with only one guitar player, a new record label, and the "up in the air" status of Schuylar's voice, I had my suspicions that this might be a "one and done" listen. Even though I wasn't overly impressed after my first listen, I kept going back, and kept finding new things that I liked about the new(er) He Is Legend sound. There is a certain eeriness that this album has to its sound that I can't get over. I get goosebumps every time I listen to the bridge section of "Decisions, Decisions, Decisions" (track 8) that starts at 2:33!
favorite track: "Future's Bright Man"
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6.
32 Leaves - Panoramic
More people need to know about, and listen, to this band! They have an absolutely amazing sound, and should be more well known, but unfortunately, we all know the state of modern rock radio. Universal dropped them after releasing their debut album, Welcome To The Fall, and the band has since released this album on their own. It's hard rock with credibility.
favorite track: "Protocol"
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7.
The Devil Wears Prada - With Roots Above and Branches Below
Disclaimer: This album would be significantly higher had it been released in the second half of the year. With that said, it had my number written all over it from the beginning! The energy that this band accomplishes with this record is superior to 99% of all metalcore acts out their, and the fact that it is executed so meticulously makes it stand out in a crowd of genre clones.
favorite track: "Danger: Wildman"
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8.
Poison The Well - The Tropic Rot
I put this album on the shelf for quite some time, not really giving it the time of day. When I started sifting through this years albums in mid October, to see if there was anything I'd overlooked, this album popped up. I don't know what it was about my first impression that had me turned-off, but upon revisiting this album, I found what I'd been missing from this band since Tear From the Red. I'm really liking their approach with the clean singing and vocal melodies. If you can put aside what they did in their earlier years, and recognize them for who they are now, this album may just surprise you too.
favorite track: "Cinema"
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9.
Evergreen Terrace - Almost Home
This is my introduction to Evergreen Terrace; by introduction, I mean the first album I really like by them. I've listened to all of their past releases, but never actually made it through any of them completely. Almost Home just seems to have that perfect balance throughout that keeps me entertained. The heavy rhythms, the intricate leads, the great drumming, and the best of both worlds vocally, with the melodic and screamed lyrics.
favorite track: "Hopelessly Hopeless"
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10.
Tegan and Sara - Sainthood
The follow-up to personal favorite, The Con, at first lacked much of what I found so overwhelmingly listenable about their aforementioned 2007 release. But as time passed, and multiple listens ensued, my liking of this album became more and more evident based on my sing-alongs while driving to work. Just an ultra-fun album that sees the two sisters once again experimenting with new sounds, while showcasing some vocal and melody approaches that will have you singing along as well!
favorite track: "Alligator"
Honorable Mentions
Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
favorite track: "Foreground (Duyster Session)" (from the special ed. version)
