Best of 2009 List and More Music Videos

Hey all,

Not a ton of time to comment, but I thought that you might enjoy some music videos. Here are a few that I have found various places:



Bonnie "Prince" Billy - "I am Goodbye"



Great Lake Swimmers - "Pulling On A Line"

Here's the list of my favorite albums of 2009 so far:

1. The Deep Dark Woods - "Winter Hours"
2. Phosphorescent - "To Willie"
3. William Elliott Whitmore - "Animals In The Dark"
4. Great Lake Swimmers - "Lost Channels"
5. Jon-Rae Fletcher - "Oh Maria"
6. Timber Timbre - s/t
7. Neko Case - "Middle Cyclone"
8. M. Ward - "Hold Time"
9. Vetiver - "Tight Knit"
10. The Handsome Family - "Honey Moon"

So far it has been a strong year for established bands. With the exception of The Deep Dark Woods and Jon-Rae Fletcher all the albums that I have really liked so far have been from acts that I knew and liked. I have been especially impressed by the new M. Ward album. I didn't love She & Him and I was afraid that Ward would continue with a solo album of retro-pop of the same ilk. However, Ward came back with a great rock album that could be a top summer album. The Great Lake Swimmers also turn up the intensity, delivering a more uptempo, consistent indie rock album then they have ever made before. "Pulling On A Line" is a complete gem and "Concrete Heart" is emotionally devastating, but the album is good from beginning to end. The Deep Dark Woods album is just a great Americana album. It mixes folk and country elements perfectly. "Two-Time Loser" is my song of the year so far and shouldn't be missed.

If you have any questions about the albums discussed above or just want to comment, drop me a line. Look for more postings as summer rolls around and I have more time. Also forthcoming albums by Bill Callahan and Eels will definitely merit a blog post or two...