Fixed/Aperture

Well after my 2009 review revealed itself (even to me) to be one giant Hot Chip congratulation in disguise, I figured why not keep the ball rolling.  The band has a fantastic new album out. It really hits on all cylinders. Give it a few listens, at first I was rather agnostic to it, the number of 5 star rating I've given to songs in the album is just ever increasing since there.  'Hand Me Down Your Love' is a great, stompy starter track. It rbings the earnest electro that we've come to expect and adds just the right amount of funkism. A new, extended, version of 'One Life Stand' graces this album. Compared to the one leaked last year we get some harder beats and kettle drums but the same vulnerable plea to be someones one life stand.  'We Have Love' seems at first to be the evil  reincarnate of Eiffel 65, but undfolds to be a floor ready shaker that you know will never end up there with such vulnerable lyrics.  I think that's where the true appeal of Hot Chip is. The opener 'Thieves in the Night' has such geeky techno and trembly voice-cracking teenish boy vocals you almost get embarresed for the singer. The lyrics and vocals are relentlessly un-macho; authentically open, almost off-puttingly sincere.

They can't even be outdone in emotional tuggings by current hipster band of the moment Grizzly Bear.

Boy From School - Grizzly Bear (.mp3) 

I like it, but it comes off seeming…

I'm declaring 2009 the year of the remix. In many ways remixes became as important as the original songs this year, sometimes even eclipsing the popularity of the original. Style, beat, genre can all be flipped, adding, or subtracting from the original. Most times remixes end up less than, and much less sucessful than the original. But these few I selected all change that. Oh. And you can probably now dance to all of these songs. Def. Plus.   

#10  Anthonio - Annie (Fred Falke Remix)

What remix list would be complete without something Fred Falke has done?  Singlehandedly bringing back any warm fuzzy feelings we might be able to muster for disco, Falke's MO might get a little boring from time to time, but when he gets it right its sonic gold.  Annie icy Sweedish vocals work well to counter the warm back beats and synthy fuzz added by Falke. Shes consitently been the muse for remixers from crystal castles to girl talk, yet hasnt really broken into the mainstream on her own. Maybe 2010.

#9 Help I'm Alive - Metric (The Twelves Remix)

So you may have noticed that even after all the praise I heaped Metric's videos this year neither a song nor album from these indie rock mainstays made it into my other superlative lists  at year end.  Overall they were a tad disspointing and made music that wasn't really all that catchy or that had a lot of meat. Thank jesus the Twelves stepped in…

2009 was a great year for new music. Many of the acts on this list debuted this year, or at least saw their first full length album in 2009. Genres accepted by the indie rock mafia continued to expand: discoelectronica, hip-hop inspired autotune, hazy guitars, ambient rock, 80's nostalgia, SanFran Lo-Fi,  and new percussion all reigned supreme. Above all else was the rise of the remix. Obscure and popular, if your single wasn't remixed by at least 4 people, it sucked.  While most of these remixes were synthy crap, a few were mindblowing and have been complied in my top 2009 remixes list due out a little later.  At the end of the list there will be a .zip with all the songs in it.

#10  Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear

This song is pretty much perfect all the way around. It has a dizzying intricacy when dissected but sums to simple beauty when taken as a whole. This track is what so many of the others on their albums strive for, but even if they only achieve a single like this one, they can die happy. Beyond the music lies some expert songsmiths, I put forth 'a routine malaise' as best written/sung phrase of 2009.

#9 Lisztomania - Phoenix  

I'm not really sure how a french band could get the 80s American nostalgia feel so well but Phoenix hit a bullseye. The song sounds like the title track off the breakfast club or ferris bueler's day off. Who the hell cares what the song's near…