Popcraft

2009 is pretty much over, and now it is time to talk about that, because if there is one thing on everyone’s minds in December it is the question “what have I been listening to this whole time, anyway?”

Don’t worry, I’ll tell you.

This was a pretty dope year for tunes, you guys.  For the next few days I’ll be sharing some of my favorite albums, as well as other albums I think are noteworthy in some way.

15) Peter Bjorn and John – Living Thing

After the inescapable success of “Young Folks” I was pleased to find that nobody whistles even once on Living Thing. Peter Bjorn and John create a deep, dense sound where whistles probably couldn’t even survive, stomped out by bass drums and guitar riffs(???).  This doesn’t mean their melodies are any less delicate, in fact they benefit greatly from having such a heavy foundation to drift over.

14) Asobi Seksu – Hush

I think Asobi Seksu secretly recorded a Christmas album, then just changedthe lyrics and song titles and called it Hush. I had difficulty getting into this album for most of the year, probably because it felt completely out of season, but the day it started snowing I instinctively knew where to go for dreamy sleigh bells and chilly vocals.

13) I Was a King – I Was a King

I’ve always loved Teenage Fanclub’s perfect Beach Boys harmonies and shimmering guitars, but felt they were a little too tightly wound.   I’ve always loved Dinosaur Jr’s aggression and controlled chaos, but felt like they had a tendency to let it fall apart at times.  I Was a King make me feel the same way, maybe, because they took everything I love about both of those bands and recorded one of the better Summer soundtracks in recent memory.

12) The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

I get way frustrated every time I read about The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart (Which I have done!  Like twice).   More than anything, bloggers seem super concerned with who this band is taking their influences from, because they seem to be some perfect stew of all the forgotten critical favorites that didn’t get much attention during a decade that fetishized the best 80’s pop acts.  Who cares?  Who cares. This album is aggressively pleasant, and I just want to take it at face value.  Watch me get some other blogger mad, somewhere:  This band sounds like The Smiths, just a little.  The end.

11) Felix – You Are the One I Pick

Oh my god this album is so pretty. You Are The One I Pick is a dusty attic of an album, so comfy, a hot drink in the cold.  Lucinda Chua’s domestic lyrics and warm vocals sound like they come from an alternate universe where Regina Spektor isn’t trying as hard as she can to sound annoying.