Top 100 Albums of 2009

Lindstrom & Prins Thomas – II (2009)

“Scandinavian disco kings Hans-Peter Lindstrm and Prins Thomas are set to release the follow up to their widely acclaimed eponymous debut this year.

The duo have had quite a journey since the release of their debut three years ago, with Thomas completing countless remixes and seeing his Full Pupp stable go from strength to strength, whilst Lindstrom went on to release his solo cosmic disco opus, Where I Go You Go Too. Both of them have been busy in the studio together during their time back in Oslo, and the fruits of their labour are now finally ready for release.

Whilst Lindstrom has always been one for using live instrumentation in the studio, Thomas’ gradual shift into using more and more live elements in his solo work has meant that their second collaborative album, entitled II, has a much looser, anic feel than the first record. The original intent stands, however, as they merge their italo, Krautrock and disco influences into a lush singular whole, imbuing them with their characteristically warm production sheen. Released just in time for summer, it looks as if the Nordic duo are looking to compete for part of your personal sunshine soundtrack this year.” -pressrelease

Allen Ginsberg – Howl and Other Poems (1959)

“…some of the strongest American poetry of the latter 20th Century. While Kaddish remains his strongest work of poetry, his much more famous poem “Howl” still carries more of a raw, exhilirating anger. Written to be read aloud, Howl is basically a cry against the conformity of 1950s America but the anger found within still reverberates almost half a century later.” -amazon reviewer

Fuck Buttons – Tarot Sport (2009)

brain-melting, spaceship-powering tribal tr(d)ance jams from the future / adrenaline pumping, ear purging slab of towering, pristine noise / swirling atmospherics and percussive gunfire / ‘rarely have two men sounded so much like the end of the world’ / new wave of intelligent, literate British pop music / iridescent synths, psychedelic drone, distorted vocals and tribal rhythms

Emeralds – Emeralds LP (2009)

“Brand new full length from Cleveland’s Emeralds recorded Aug-Sept 2008. Proper follow up to their debut LP ‘Solar Bridge’, ‘EMERALDS’ takes the thick drone sound of that LP and transforms it into an even more abstract and strange place. Visual music that lifts the listener up and transports them through tubes of sound occasionally to be swept into the opposite direction by an unexpected entrance into another world entirely. An intense journey that drops you off in a place just beyond death.”

Sir Richard Bishop – The Freak of Araby (2009)

middle eastern, flamenco, gypsy, fingerpicking, instrumental, experimental

“Richard Bishop was a founding member (along with brother Alan) of Ethnic-Improv pioneers and DIY tricksters Sun City Girls, who during their 26-year reign had over 50 full length albums, plus over 20 one-hour cassettes and a dozen 7” records. That being said, Richard has spent more than a quarter century perplexing, amazing, and alienating audiences exactly as planned. In early 2005, Richard (as Sir Richard Bishop) began extensive touring as a solo artist, performing throughout Europe, Australia, and the United States. Though the good Sir is known mostly for his acoustic playing, he has been using electric guitars in his most recent solo performances. Sir Richard’s guitar explorations often reflect the shadow worlds of India, North Africa and the Middle East, and other points along the Gypsy trail, though many strange and experimental forms have crept into the live shows as of late.”

“Bishop’s latest record, The Freak of Araby, was released by Drag City in 2009. This one features 5 original pieces and 5 traditional Middle Eastern songs all with electric guitar, bass and percussion.” – his myspace

Julian Lynch – Orange You Glad LP (2009)

tropical, psychedelic, falsetto, lo-fi, experimental-pop, fuzzy folk, organ/synth drones, the psych guitars, wobbly electronics

“As a member of Ducktails, one would no doubt expect a rather wave washed approach to pop to seep into Julian Lynch’s solo work. As such Orange You Glad does trade in a certain gasoline haze that seems to coat much of the Duck’s work as well but Lynch sways further from the sunny veneer of coastal jams that flow from Mondanile’s guitar. Instead Lynch replaces the rays of euphoria with a calm melancholy overcast that feels as comforting as days spent watching rain on window panes from the dry comfort of a favorite chair. Softly psychedelic and bringing a subtle edge of comfort to the lo-fi landscape, Lynch’s songs hit like a feathered hammer just when you need it. Though barbs and edges of gritty guitar occasionally sneak their way through the one cushioning constant is Julian’s honey and heat voice that brings sweet relief every time. A welcome addition to the gauzy stable of summer records piling up on the tails of ’09.” -ravensingstheblues.blogspot.com

Zombi – Spirit Animal (2009)

“thematic instrumental rock
…epic builds and extra layers of instrumentation
any progressive rock band with synths” -theneedledrop, context-less quote snippets/adjective plunder

Zombi is a space rock duo from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, consisting of Steve Moore on bass and synthesizers and Anthony Paterra on drums. The group makes use of looping to create multi-layered compositions. They have toured with Don Caballero, Isis, Orthrelm, The Psychic Paramount, Daughters, Red Sparowes, These Arms Are Snakes and Trans Am.

Maserati – Passages (2009)

“Maserati’s reputation varies depending on who you ask: They are either one of dance music’s most viscerally addictive live performers, or underground rock’s most ingenious hybrid of U2’s guitar heroics, Pink Floyd’s arena-ready psych rock, and Daft Punk’s head-slamming, club-burning rhythms.”

Bullion – Young Heartache EP (2009)

“BEATS / DOWNTEMPO / WONKY”
“Wonderfully well-made psych-soul productions from Bullion, combining chopped-up digitised hip hop with an ear for warped pop narratives. The EP’s title track leads the way with disorientatingly high levels of compression and sliced-up, pitch-scrambled samples. For all its eccentricities the production retains a solid song-like focus, maintaining a heavy duty beat in the process. Another EP highlight is the gauzy, altered-state disco of ‘Time For Us All To Love’, which has a magical Boards Of Canada-visit-Studio 54 feel. Highly recommended.” –