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. I'll be posting the top singles list in groups of 10 over the next few days so check back to see what makes the grade. At the end of the list there will be a .zip with all the songs in it.
#40 Games for Days - Julian Plenti
#40 comes from Interpol frontman Paul Banks under his solo psuedonym Julian Plenti. The song keeps the driving bass of interpol but drops the melancholy for a more frantic art-rocky stomp. The music is lush against Banks's 5 note baritone range, complicated just enough to not appreciate everything in one listen. The super interesting/sexy video with Emily Haines of metric doesn't hurt either: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1aoW6nPUrc . Too bad the whole album ended up on my biggest disappointments list.
#39 The Girl and the Robot - Royksopp (feat. Robyn)
This one is all about comebacks. Scandanavian comebacks. 2008 saw Sweden's Robyn return like phoenix from the glitter ashes of the 80s. Here she helps her fellow Norwegians out by laying down vocals for Royksopp. I've always liked Royksopp, but felt their songs were missing an instrument; like they has vocal parts that were going unsung. Well here they fixed all that. Great upbeat electro song.
#38 Love, Long Distance - The Gossip
Well Beth Ditto, you are crazy, disgusting, loud, and insane, pretty much the fat lesbian Lady Gaga. But damn you can sing and make some catchy beats. This song reminds me of rollerskating, probably because i first heard it at down and derby. Its typical of the disco vibe that leached back into synthesizers in 2009, but still interesting and fresh.
#37 I'm in Love with a Ripper - Yacht
I want to like YACHT more, I really do. I think they just need to mature a bit and stop thinking they are better then they are. This one song shows they have lots of promise, funky hooks with great beats and song progression that really builds. Watch for these kids in the future, they can only get better.
#36 Feel it in My Bones - Tiesto (feat. Tegan and Sara)
Oh Tiesto. Loved and loathed by club kids the world over. Who would have thought you would have brought in a bunch of indie rock juggernauts to collab with you on your album. For the most part its uninspired, but there are a few highlights. Most notably with Bloc Party and this thumping anthem with the sisters Quinn.
#35 1901 - Phoenix
From relative early 2000s french obscurity to soundtracking non-stop Cadillac Commercials, this has truly be the year of Phoenix. They've even performed on every late night show, (check them out on youtube, Letterman really seemed to dig them). They are one of the feb bands placing multiple times on my top 40 list. Theres really nothing wrong with this song, sure the lyrics are a little non-sensical (but they're frenchmen), but you can put the single on repeat and not get bored, it can't get much better.
I posted about this band as my first 'Sonication' music post. Their undeserved obscurity is part of what pushed me to restart my music blogging. Born out of the ashes of Le Tigre, MEN combines great song writing with intelligent lyrics. I loved them from the moment I heard them at the Warhol in Pittsburgh. It's been pretty hard to come by a full album and this single may actually be part of their demo. Either way, enjoy and share them, they deserve it.
#33 Love of an Orchestra - Noah and the Whale
My mutual love of Noah and the Whale cemented my friendship with Charlotte, the British bombshell taking the Yale Medieval studies. I had some reservations about their most recent album until seeing them live in NYC. They music was great, the show was great, and above all the guys were awesome. We actually ended up spending the night with them, chilling at the spotted pig in Chelsea. (thanks again label for paying for all that booze).
#32 Osaka Loop Line - Discovery
Number 39 comes from a supergroup combining Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend and Wes Miles from Ra Ra Riot. The whole album landed itself on my best of 2009 list, featuring guest vocals from Ezra Koenig and some girl from Dirty Projectors. The albums is heavy on synths, high-hats, twerks, and hand claps all translated through some strange hip-hop aspirations. Understandably annoying to some, I love it. This single may drop a little of the hip-hop influence, but it really encompasses the dreamy sparkliness covering the whole album.
#31 Bits & Pieces - Junior Boys
This one is the hands down best track off of Junior Boys' follow up to 2006's 'So This is Goodbye" which I will argue is one of the sexiest albums ever produced. Here we're brought more restrained, breathy, electroluxe songs that want to be happier than they are. The single is tight and instantly mood setting.
There you are, numbers 40-31! Right click save as for the ones you don't have. Check back tomorrow for the next 10!