Catching Up
I was sick for a while, so I’ve fallen behind, but here’s the stuff I’ve been listening to lately.
Forward and Back
The best five 2010 albums I’ve heard so far, followed by my five favorite albums of 2009. All noted without comment.
Jay Reatard tribute
I’ve been listening to SPIRITUALIZED and CAN a lot lately, so initially I planned this week’s list to be dedicated to one or the other group or both. However, JAY REATARD’s death this past Wednesday made me reevaluate those plans and what I’ve come up with is a tribute to him.
Unlike many others, I won’t speculate on the cause of death or say anything else of that nature partly because I didn’t know him personally and partly because that’s less important than the incredible music he made before he left this earth at the way too young age of 29. I will say that I’ve enjoyed his records and his live show immensely over the past few years, as anyone who knows me or who reads this blog can ascertain.
And with that, here’s this week’s list. This isn’t just a list of 10 records or songs or shows per se (though all of these are mentioned), bur rather 10 moments involving Jay that are memorable to me.
10 Albums From the ‘Aughts
Rather than attempting to compile a list of the best albums of the past decade (who am I to decide such things, especially when I eschew so many of the artists, from ANIMAL COLLECTIVE to M.I.A., I’m “supposed’ to appreciate?), I decided to put together a list of albums released between 2000 and 2009 that had the most impact on me personally. This is by no means a list of every artist I discovered and fell in love with), nor is it a list of every artist who made an album that’s become a favorite. Instead these are the albums, listed alpha by artist, released in the last decade that opened my ears and my mind to new sounds, or previously undiscovered talents, or in some way have continued to influence my listening. Maybe they’ll affect readers the same way. In that spirit, I’d love to hear what aughties albums had a similar impact on you.
Top 10 Albums of 2009
Holy crap, was this hard. Despite the constant whining and bitching about the decline of rock and pop music, when it comes time to compose a top 10 list, it’s a struggle to keep the number down. The records making up the top half usually speak loudly enough to be obvious choices, but once I get into the nitty-gritty of the second half, I start to feel guilty about leaving off so many worthy albums. I could make a list of runners-up, but it would be a damned long document, so I’ll spare you. Just remember that the ten records listed here are by no means the only great records released this year. Ignore Billboard, American Idol and the radio and you’d be surprised how much excellent music is out there. This is some of it.
Top 10 records of 2009
Honorable Mention, in order from 11-30: Neko Case, Natural Snow Buildings, Oneida, Dinosaur Jr, Baroness, Espers, Papercuts, Teeth of the Sea, James Blackshaw, Black Math Horseman, Omar Souleyman, Kylesa, The Fresh & Onlys, Sonic Youth, Wolves in the Throne Room, Wilco, Magnolia Electric Co, Harvestman, Lord Cut-Glass, Pissed Jeans
My Favorite Live Shows of 2009
This is in chronological order, not order of preference. Honorable mentions include PATTON OSWALT at the Keswick Theater, JAY REATARD with SCREAMING FEMALES and WOMEN at Johnny Brenda’s, DEAN AND BRITTA at the Arts Bank and NEGATIVE APPROACH at the First Unitarian Church.