Favorite Music Finds of ‘09

I pretty much shout from the mountain tops I’m addicted to music. Last year, I took to the blog to talk about some of my favorite tunes of ‘08, and I decided (that’s right, it’s my blog, I can do this kinda stuff if I wanna ) to make it an annual thing.

So here it is. While I’m at it, I’m gonna share each one of these albums with you by introducing you to Lala.com. This site does for music in 2009 what Pandora did for music in 2007. As in, GIVES US ENTIRE ALBUMS TO LISTEN TO FOR FREE. Seriously, if you haven’t already, spend 5 minutes on that site and try not to fall in love with how it works. If you decide you love Lala too, make sure to find me on there (search for Gail W.) and I’ll share all sorts of music with you in 2010. ‘Cause that’s what I love to do. You know, share. Lots.

Oh and make sure to hit me with some of your fave tunes of 2009 in the comments section ‘kay?

(EDITED: If you’re viewing this post in a feed reviewer (like Google Reader), the Lala track lists that let you listen to the music may not show up. So try clicking on the entry to see ‘em and you’ll be set!!)

10. Monsters of Folk by Monsters of Folk
This is an album created by some of my favorite artists — Jim James from My Morning Jacket, Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes and M. Ward. I pretty much KNEW before I even heard it that I’d love the thing and yup, the boys did NOT disappoint!

FAVE TRACKS: Baby Boomer (oh M. Ward, I love your voice), Ahead of the Curve, The Sandman, The Brakeman and Me

9. Bitte Orca by Dirty Projectors

I’m not usually one to fall hard for experimental music. But there was just something about this group that stuck with me. Upon first listen, I didn’t like this album. At all. But the more I gave it a chance, the more rewarding I found it. Beautiful harmonies, crazy dissonance, and awesome guitar picking add up to a really really unique sound. Oh, and a really cool album cover!

FAVE TRACKS: Temecula Sunrise, Stillness is the Move

8. Manners by Passion Pit

Oh this band is just fun. FUN. FUN. FUN. This album became my go-to listen when I needed a pick-me-up. You know, to get ready. Or to clean the house. Or just to find the energy to power through one more hour of editing at the computer.

FAVE TRACKS: Make Light, Little Secrets, The Reeling

7. Middle Cyclone by Neko Case

This is a woman who can do no wrong in my book. Every song on this album is just exquisite. She has a beautiful twang to her voice and I love the way she experiments with the arrangements of her music.

FAVE TRACKS: This Tornado Loves You, The Pharoahs, People Got a Lotta Nerve (I’m a man, man, man eater – great lyrics

6. Strict Joy by The Swell Season
What is there to say about Glen and Marketa that I didn’t already sum up in this post? I feel blessed to have watched this act perform live in ‘09. I will never forget it. Passion to the core, those two.

FAVE TRACKS: Low Rising, In These Arms, I Have Loved You Wrong

5. Oh My God, Charlie Darwn by The Low Anthem
I had never heard of this band before this year and I have Paste Magazine to thank for the find. Beautiful lyrics to their music, a lush sound, and yet, a band that can let loose too. I almost got to see these guys live in Indy. Fingers crossed for 2010.

FAVE TRACKS: Charlie Darwin, To Ohio, To the Ghosts Who Write History Books

4. First Day of Spring by Noah and the Whale

I loved this Brit band’s first album from ‘08 so much, I couldn’t wait to hear what they had in store for ‘09. I expected pep, but this album instead is one of the most beautiful break-up albums I’ve ever heard. When I needed to just “step back” from life this year, I turned to this album a lot. It gets better with every listen.

FAVE TRACKS: The First Days of Spring, Stranger, Blue Skies

3. Lungs by Florence & The Machine

This gal is No. 1 in the U.K. and I feel like she’s about to hit it big here in the states. Incredibly talented. Like, helllooo pipes. There is just so much to love about this album and Florence Welch’s voice, I don’t even know where to begin. Other than to say, if I COULD sing, I’d want to belt it out like her. Sexy, sultry, powerful. Uh huh.

Fave Tracks: Kiss With a Fist, Dog Days Are Over, Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)

2. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix

Who in 2009 DIDN’T fall for this band? Their music was everywhere and rightfully so. I don’t think I’ll be able to hear “1901″ again without envisioning myself cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway. That song was a perfect soundtrack for my trip to L.A. this fall. Love EVERYTHING about this album. It’s pop-alt perfection.

FAVE TRACKS: Lisztomania, 1901, Love Like a Sunset Parts I & II

1. I And Love And You by The Avett Brothers

I hate being a bandwagon fan to music but whatever. I’ll jump on board while the jumpin’s good I feel like these guys are the 2009 version of Kings of Leon. Really good for a long time, playing small gigs, then get big and everybody is all, “They sold out!” Folks, if selling out sounds like this, I’ll have more please. And when I see ‘em in February live, I’ll do just that

FAVE TRACKS: I And Love And You (this music video is SO beautiful), January Wedding, Slight Figure of Speech, Kick Drum Heart, Ill With Want

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