Top 10 of 2009 - Music

4.Julian Casablancas - Phrazes for the Young

I wrote about this one here, a month or so ago and my feelings haven't changed at all. I'd put the first three tracks of this album up against any first three tracks on any other album ever made.

Also, SPIN put this album in their top 40 (at #30...) and they listen to much better music than I do (and also much more pretensious music too), so that's gotta count for something.

Them Crooked Vultures made Spin's list too, ranked higher than I did at #29.

Here's track 3 from Phrazes for the Young, "11th Dimension," an amazing synth-driven rock song:

	Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension
	Found at skreemr.com

This song contains the best lyrics of the year.

Goldline

"Do you like apples?"
"Yea. Why?"
"I just bought my gold from Certified Gold Exchange instead of Goldline, how do you like them apples?
-Fin

Actor Scott Winters, for Goldline

Top 10 of 2009 - Music

5. Brand New - Daisy

Brand New are the opposite of New Found Glory. While NFG still purposely seek out that which made their early work stand out, Brand New reject their past flat out. And it's this rejection of their past work, especially the beloved Your Favorite Weapon, that makes their growth as musicians stand out. There really is no more polarizing band to see live.

Daisy continues down the progressive path they started with Deja Entendu in 2003, using both soft and loud sounds to convey anger, and piano keys juxtaposed with crunching guitars as chaos. While the album as a whole never quite gels the same way as their previous release The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me,this record still has what it takes to be top 5.

Top 10 of 2009 - Music

6. Weezer - Raditude
2009 marked the first time since 01-02 that Weezer put out records in consecutive years. But more than that, Raditude represents a shift in the band's collective demeanor. Once considered recluses by some, Weezer are now more visible then ever, and whatever it was that caused that changed allowed them to really let loose on their music, writing some of their best to date.

This record is so good that even the poppier songs, such as their collaboration with Lil' Wayne on "Can't Stop Partying" seems like just an ironic way for Rivers' to prove he can write songs better than anyone else.

Let's have a listen:

	Weezer - Can't Stop Partying
	Found at skreemr.com

Top 10 of 2009 - Music

7. Coconut Records - Davy
I wrote about this record earlier in the year, but what I'd add to that post is that Davy is just a quick half hour of Schwartzman-pop goodness and an improvement on his 2007 debut. Many of the songs would fit well in the next Wes Anderson film.

	Coconut Records - Microphone
	Found at skreemr.com

Top 10 of 2009 - Music

8. Them Crooked Vultures

As far as I'm concerned, anything Dave Grohl touches turns to gold. But that didn't stop me from being cynical about his new "super group" Them Crooked Vultures, specifically because I'm not a fan of Josh Homme's (Queens of the Stone Age) vocals.

This formula works here, though. Maybe it's John Paul Jones' leadership that keeps the pieces together, but this album makes me appreciate Homme's voice. Overall, the album is the only straight punch-you-in-the-gut rocker I listened to this year. No gimmicks, no pop copouts, and as a result it's been a staple of my collection throughout, and one of my favorite "gym albums."

What do they sound like? A mixture of Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, and John Paul Jones, of course. And that could only be a good thing.

	Them Crooked Vultures - No One Loves Me & Neither Do I
	Found at skreemr.com

Top 10 of 2009 - Music

9. New Found Glory - Not Without A Fight
...in which the stalwart pop punkers try to stay relevant in the now diluted genre they helped create, and do so with moderate success. Produced by Blink-182 frontman Mark Hoppus, and (shockingly) more mature as a result, though I don't suspect the aging group can justifiably play this kind of music much longer.

In the category of "Best Album Artwork of '09" it comes in 1st.

Here's the albums best song, "Listen to Your Friends:"

Top 10 of 2009 - Music

10. Cartel - Cycles
Cartel was a slightly above average pop/rock band out of Atlanta who happened to catch on at just the right time with their debut Chroma. At the time, their genre of music was catching on with the kids, so MTV picked them to star in "Band in a Bubble," a genius idea that put Cartel literally in a bubble where they were not allowed to leave until their second album was written. The result, a self-titled album, was an utter disaster.

Cycles ends up tenth on this list as just an honest, decent attempt by Cartel to remove the stigma they attached to themselves by ever signing on to "Band in a Bubble" in the first place. Not quite redeemed, but close.

Here's the opening track, "Let's Go"

Inglorious Bastards

You can bet that at least one person in the world will be getting the wrong dvd this Christmas.

Christmas Lights

Icicle lights. Clearly a game changer in Christmas decorating.

Anyway, the following article is completely worth the read: Gizmodo's Brief and Strangely Interesting History of Christmas Lights