Nikki’s Top 10 Albums of 2009
| 1. Animal Collective -Post Merriweather Pavilion | |
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Animal Collective are meticulous. From selecting Kitaoka to design their album cover and Vermilyea and Von Nau to animate and edit their video for My Girls, it’s apparent that they put effort into every aspect of their musical circus. Merriweather serves as an exemplar for their creative style, mysterious lyrics, and innovative, experimental sound. Despite being released in early 2009, it was immediately apparent that their album would make top-ten lists of even the most discerning listeners.
Favorite Tracks: My Girls, Daily Routine, Taste |
| 2. Camera Obscura -My Maudlin Career | |
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Campbell’s vocals are astoundingly appropriate for Camera Obscura’s melodramatic musical style, and simple but effective lyrics, with verses such as: “Are my eyes the coldest blue? You said once this was true. If it is, I don’t know what I’ll do, ’cause I’m stuck on them, but they’re stuck on you.” Listening to this album makes me feel like I’m falling in love and getting my heart broken at the same time.
Favorite tracks: French Navy, You Told a Lie |
| 3. Andrew Bird -Noble Beast | |
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Once again, Andrew Bird displays his efficiency as a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and lyrical genius. Noble Beast is orchestral and sophisticated, but doesn’t leave me feeling overwhelmed. I feel as though it’d be most appreciated by the bookish crowd.
Favorite track: Not a Robot, But a Ghost |
| 4. Discovery -LP | |
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This album seems essential for a recreational drive with the sun roof open. It’s reminiscent of So This is Goodbye by The Junior boys, but it’s more upbeat. It’s light and airy, fun, and full of catchy hooks and inventive electronic sounds.
Favorite track: Orange Shirt |
| 5. Heartless Bastards -The Mountain | |
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Timeless. It would’ve been as apropos for the 60′s and 70′s as it is now. Erika Wennerstrom’s passionate vocal style reminds me of that of Janis Joplin.
Favorite track: The Mountain |
| 6. Atlas Sound -Logos | |
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Versatile. Shares similarities to Merriweather Post Pavilion, with upbeat, experimental-rock songs such as “Walkabout” and “Criminals” that are counterbalanced by slower, ambient-rock songs such as “My Halo” and “Attic Lights”.
Favorite Tracks: Walkabout, Kid Klimax |
| 7. Russian Circles -Geneva | |
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A masterpiece of post-metal/rock. This album is dark, beautiful, and at times, unsettling. I wouldn’t change anything about it.
Favorite Track: Geneva |
| 8. Metric -Fantasies | |
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Sexy, melodic, and fun. I feel as though it’s best classified as mature pop.
Favorite Track: Help, I’m Alive |
| 9. Devendra Banhart -What Will We Be | |
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What Will We Be is more jazzy and sophisticated than Banhart’s previous albums, but still retains the elements of folk that he is recognized for. The end of “Maria Lionza” is painstakingly beautiful, proving that he has the ability to capture the soul and express it in music.
Favorite Track: Maria Lionza |
| 10. Anamanaguchi -Dawn Metropolis | |
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An essential chiptunes album. I assume it will solidify the genre and set a standard, earning Anamanaguchi a placeholder among chiptune’s most artists. Favorite track: |
