I’m the last man standing at hearsay this year, so sorry for the poor year-long and end-of-year showing. But I wanted to share my picks all the same, here they are.
topomodesto’s favorites 2009:
01. Diamond District – In The Ruff [mixtape sampler]
Released, at first, for free in order to grab attention; the fantastic boom-bap production, athletic lyricism, and all-together undeniable cohesion was well deserving of the amount that it got from the hip-hop blogosphere, though it should have gotten much more. If you haven’t been bumping this in your car or on your ipod in the subway, download it and do it now.
02. Tap Tap – On My Way [sample]
From it’s simple melody introduction to the all out promise to keep promises of “Half Moon Street,” Tap Tap’s second album seems to eclipse their debut in so many ways that it was a shock to the system. Witty and memorable lyrics centered around the travails of single-life and failed relationships, backed by some of the catchiest guitar-centered brit-pop of the decade. Get it mail-order if you have to.
03. Lattimore Brown – Nobody Has To Tell Me [sample]
An undiscovered gem that is a testament to the power of a well-informed and researched music blog, Lattimore Brown was rediscovered as a living should-have-been legend by Red Kelly of The “B” Side (and The “A” Side). Worth it for the liner notes alone, these unheard and barely-heard tracks from the 60s and 70s are collected here in a way that Numero would approve of and that would make TimeLife drool. They could sell it through infomercials and it would still be a must-buy.
04. Finale – A Pipe Dream And A Promise [video]
The most unique and exciting rapper since Busta Rhymes or Ludacris just happens to be from the already ridiculously solid Detroit scene. Oh, and his (essentially) debut album? Amazing.
05. Dan Deacon – Bromst [video]
Even the insane explanation for the album’s inspiration couldn’t take away from this being a fantastically experimental yet approachable album of spaz-pop dance tracks.
06. The Antlers – Hospice [video]
No other album was this emotional, this well considered, or this meaningful. Even if you aren’t necessarily into the emotional but orchestral rock of The Antlers, this album will touch you and stick with you.
07. J Dilla – Jay Stay Paid [sample]
How does an artist who passed away in 2006 still have this depth of material lying around unreleased? Only J Dilla could still be challenging hip-hop this way, 3+ years after leaving us. Turns out he never left.
08. Surfer Blood – Astro Coast [sample]
People finally complained about the last few Weezer albums enough that somebody listened. A catchy and fun, hip-shaking rawk, of which there wasn’t a whole lot of this year.
09. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion [video]
Completely deserving of the hype it received. And that is a tall task to manage.
10. Julie Doiron – I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day [sample]
If you would have told me last year that there was a chance of me ranking a folksy female singer-songwriter above Neko Case’s upcoming album, I would have called you crazy. And weakly slapped you before running away crying. Lo and behold, Julie Doiron’s latest is an amazing work of confident artist; with a wide variety of moods, but always centered around her delicate but strong vocals.
