ThugginInDelaware's 2009 Top Ten
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1.
RX Bandits - Mandala
I believe Rx Bandits are first and foremost a live band and I believe this record is their best mission statement in regards to the different styles and sounds they can bring to the table. Technical groove rock with elements of punk, blues, jazz, and reggae.
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2.
Animals As Leaders - Animals As Leaders
I had never heard of Tosin Abasi before this album and he may not be the best technical guitarist out their but this was one of the few instrumental albums I heard this year that kept me engaged thoughout the whole album. He can get very technical at times but their always is a melody attached which makes it much different then Psyopus or Behold....The Arctopus which tends to just sound like structured noise or free-form jazz.
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3.
The Number Twelve Looks Like You - Worse Than Alone
This to me is probably their most consistent album they have released. It might not be their most technical album but throughout these 10 tracks they blaze through every genre possible and still are able to make the whole thing flow perfect together unlike a Mr. Bungle record. The Garden's All Nighters has the catchiest jazz breakdown I've heard all year.
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4.
Irepress - Sol Eye Sea I
A creative post-metal album that really suprised me.Equally beautiful and harsh at the same time thisis an album that needs to be heard. I still enjoyed Caspian, From Monument to Masses and IfThese Trees Could Talkthis yearand they each had a few strong songs but thisinstrumental record wasthe most consistent for me.
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5.
The Flaming Lips - Embryonic
The Flaming Lips took a risk with this record instead of making another psychidelic pop record full of repetitive songs like "Yeah Yeah Yeah" they made an album that is trully experimental and a return to form unlike anything they have done since the early 90s. Its not the easiest album to listen to but after a few spins this record just clicks with me more then anything the Animal Collective have ever released.
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6.
As Tall As Lions - You Can't Take It With You
This record to me beat out Dredg and The Dear Hunter for best art-rock album and that is no small feat because those two bands are probably two of my favorites and As Tall As Lions was a band I had never heard of until this year.
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7.
Karnivool - Sound Awake
This album took a while to grow on me but once it did it just clicked an I still spin thisrecord atleast once a week. This Progressive rock band really stepped it up this time and noticeably improved their sound compared to their previous record. One can can hear elements of Tool and Dredg in their sound but they are able to put all these stylings together that is trully their own.
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8.
Converge - Axe To Fall
I have a soft spot in my heart for Converge and I know a lot of people think they are just noise but to me they make art. Their is a more progressive metal slant to the guitar playing similar to artists like Mastodon and High on Fire but this still is a Converge album. Their albums just have a certain energy that few bands can mimic or create.
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9.
Brand New - Daisy
This is probably their weakest record lyrically but vocally and musically speaking they are stronger then ever. I could probably say that this record was the biggest suprise of the year for me since I expected The God and the Devil part 2 or for them to move in a more post-rock direction and they went in a darker direction. Gasoline is one of my toptracks of the year and look forward to whatdirection they will take in the future.
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10.
Between The Buried And Me - The Great Misdirect
In comparison to Colors this record was aslight dissapointment but after a few more spins I can say in confidence that this is still a strong release and for a lesser band this record would probably be their crowning achievement. This album is all over the place but none the less an extremely entertaining album from beginning to end.
