I know, I know. Another top 10 list? Haven’t we had enough already? Well, maybe, but I figure one more can’t hurt. Plus, I don’t like the arbitrary limit of 10. And I don’t agree with many of the “best of 2009” lists I’ve read.
In no particular order, here are my favorites of the year. Please chime in if you agree or disagree, or share your favorites.
Wilco – Wilco (The Album)
Though not as compelling as their 2007 masterpiece, Sky Blue Sky, their 2009 release is still better than a lot of music out there these days. For the first time in a long while, the band lineup has stayed the same, and as a result, this interplay between Jeff Tweedy’s vocals and the rest of the band is tight and focused. Not known for their humor, they lead off with a funny ode to their fans, Wilco (The Song).
Key Tracks
One Wing
Bull Black Nova
Country Disappeared
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Meshell Ndegeocello – Devil’s Halo
She is one of my absolute favorite artists, combining amazing technical prowess and pointed lyrics, blending jazz, hip-hop, rock, funk, folk, and everything in between. This is her 8th release, and she manages to push the envelope; no small feat considering her adventurous recordings over the past 5 years. This record is full of heartache and yet offers hope that things will get better. It’s a short song cycle (37 minutes) that is more of a complete musical statement than many recordings twice the length.
Key tracks
Lola
Love You Down
Die Young
Crying In Your Beer
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Steve Earle – Townes
Townes Van Zandt was one of Steve’s musical heroes, and he decided to record an album’s worth of covers as a tribute to him. What’s interesting about these songs is that Steve did not try to add his own style or reinvent the songs – instead he tried to recreate the songs as he remembered Townes performing them live in the 70s. Since there are few recordings of Townes performing at the top of his game, this is Steve’s way of preserving the songs and honoring his mentor. I was fortunate to see Steve perform a few of these songs live in a Seattle radio station, and it was evident that Steve really believes that Townes is among the best American singer-songwriters. He put a lot of passion into these songs, and wants others to discover this largely ignored musical genius.
Key Tracks
White Freight Liner Blues
Colorado Girl
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Rickie Lee Jones – Balm in Gilead
I have a love/hate relationship with Rickie’s music. I respect her artistry, and yet sometimes have difficulty enjoying her songs. The last record I really enjoyed was It’s Like This in 2000, partly due to Joe Jackson’s involvement. Balm in Gilead is wonderful. It’s accessible and musical and joyful. Her voice is smooth and she seems more relaxed than in recent years.
Key Tracks
Wild Girl
Remember Me
The Blue Ghazel
The Gospel of Carlos, Norman and Smith
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U2 – No Line on the Horizon
Sure, they may be one of the biggest bands in the world, but that doesn’t mean they can’t put out great records from time to time. This is easily their best release since 1991’s Achtung, Baby. The songwriting is more adventurous than anything else they’ve done in a long time, and Bono’s voice soars once again. It’s hard to believe there are a dozen or so additional songs that were cut from these sessions that will be released in 2010 for another record. Here’s hoping it’s as good.
Key Tracks
No Line on the Horizon
Moment of Surrender
Fez – Being Born
Cedars of Lebanon
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Neko Case – Middle Cyclone
Her voice is as clear and strong as anyone I’ve heard in years. Though not quite as accessible as 2006’s Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, it’s a strong album full of nature-based imagery. Though many critics have ridiculed the 32-minute closer Marais La Nuit (featuring chirping frogs outside her rural house) , it’s really a farewell to nature in the developed world. If you aren’t into frog music, stick with the first 14 tracks, and you will not be disappointed. She is a pop singer with great musical sensibilities.
Key Tracks
People Got a Lotta Nerve
Magpie to the Morning
I’m An Animal
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Harper Simon – Harper Simon
Eldest son of Paul Simon, Harper finally released his debut recording at the age of 37. He’s a well-versed guitarist and good vocalist. Yes, he sounds a lot like his dad, but that doesn’t mean this is an entirely derivative recording. And even if it was, that’s not a bad thing. This is an album I play over and over.
Key Tracks
Wishes and Stars
Shooting Star
Cactus Flower Rag
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Miguel Zenon – Esta Plena
After years of recording with the San Francisco Jazz Ensemble, Miguel has been releasing a few solo recordings. Esta Plena is a Latin release, and showcases his songwriting and soloing abilities. Definitely one of the most promising saxophonists of the decade, we will hear much more from Miguel over time.
Key Tracks
Villa Palmeras
Esta Plena
Residencial Llorens Torres
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Van Morrison – Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl
40 years after its initial release, Van returns to this landmark album in a live setting. Playing the entire record with a full band and orchestra, he is in total command of the stage, and manages to recreate the magic and spontaneity of the original recordings. His voice has mellowed over the decades, and it suites the material well. He reordered the songs, and added a couple of other songs to the concert to round out the show. It is an unequivocal success. While some of his peers performing their signature songs today sound like a parody of themselves, Van continues to make great music.
Key Tracks
Astral Weeks
Sweet Thing
Madam George
Check it out
Sadly, this isn’t available for web streaming. But here are 30-second samples.
Lala
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Ben Harper and Relentless7 – White Lies for Dark Times
Freshly invigorated with a new band, he rocks harder than he has in years. Ben’s slide guitar playing is great, and there is an urgency and excitement to these songs that is simply wonderful.
Key Tracks
Up to You Now
Lay There & Hate Me
Fly One Time
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Mos Def – The Ecstatic
After a few mediocre releases, Mos Def returns to form on this excellent release. Great beats, great MC work, and great production make this one of the best hip-hop releases in 2009.
Key Tracks
Twilite Speedball
Auditorium
Revelations
Casa Bey
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Prince – LOtUSFLOW3R
Prince returned to the spotlight by releasing a triple album this year. Lotusflower features his amazing guitar rock side, MPLSound features his R&B side, and Elixer, a mostly forgettable disc, features his latest protégé, Bria Valente. Of the three, I find Lotusflower the most enjoyable. His guitar playing is simply incredible, and many of the songs on this release rival his earlier work.
Key Tracks
Crimson and Clover
Colonized Mind
Wall of Berlin
Check it out
Sadly, this isn’t available for web streaming.
Buy
Amazon
Pearl Jam – Backspacer
As much as I enjoyed their 2006 self-titled release, I think Backspacer is a better record. What sets it apart from the last several releases are Eddie Vedder’s impressive lyrics. The band has great energy, too, and the relatively short record lacks any filler.
Key Tracks
Gonna See My Friend
Just Breathe
Amongst the Waves
Check it out
Sadly, this isn’t available for web streaming.
Buy
Rocco DeLuca and The Burden – Mercy
Rocco is a blues-rock musician boasting a powerful voice who also plays the Dobro (aka resonator guitar). He was the first artist signed to Kiefer Sutherland’s label, Ironworks Records. Daniel Lanois produced this record full of scorching songs. Don’t let the gentle and brilliant first song fool you. It’s a rock record.
Key Tracks
Mercy
I Trust You To Kill Me
Any Man
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Amazon
Neil Young – Dreamin’ Man Live ‘92
OK, I’m cheating a bit on this last one. It was produced and released in 2009, but was recorded in 1992 during a solo tour. Neil was trying out some new songs before they were released on the Harvest Moon record. Captured in a simple acoustic setting, these performances provide a “bare bones” backdrop for the studio sessions to follow. It’s pretty interesting to hear these solo recordings so long after the official record was etched into my brain.
Key Tracks
Such a Woman
Natural Beauty
War of Man
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Amazon
Honorable Mentions
Not solid enough for me to call out as the best, but these are worth checking out…
Living Colour – The Chair in the Doorway
The Low Anthem – Oh My God, Charlie Darwin
Elvis Costello – Secret, Profane and Sugarcane
Dave Rawlings Machine – A Friend Of A Friend
Prince – MPLSound
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