Favourite albums of 2009

My listening habits have changed a lot over the past years. I used to immensely enjoy "sharing" music, listen to music with friends at home or in clubs and bars, play stuff to each other and talk about it. And dance to it. But that doesn't happen any more. No scene. No time. No energy :( Nowadays I mainly listen to music on my mp3-player - in buses, planes, airport lounges...in transit. Sometimes in the car.

Last year, on Christmas Day, I was talking to Ralph Boch, who asked "Do you notice more and more people in our age age group are into soundtracks?" I hadn't...(lack of context...blabla...see above), but nodded and mumbled"mmmh" because I am.

Sound.

Bottom line: Music has by and large lost a social context for me - which may or may not mean something in regard of my favorite albums of the year.




Martyn / Great Lengths
If I had to name my number one of 2009 it would be this one. Labelled "dubstep"...yet I am inclined to call it pop. Dark and melodically adventurous. Like watching the spokes of a moving car's wheels that seem to flicker backwards and forwards, buoyant, weightless and hovering in place.






2562 / Unbalance
Drum & Bass is not dead. This one also runs under the label "dubstep" in 2009 but the out-of-touch listener in me whispers "D&B". Lacks the warmth and soul of Martyn but makes for an exciting machine-sound counterpart. Give it a name. I can't.







Chris Joss / Sticks
Frenchman Chris Joss goes for refinement in lieu of branching out into other genres. He's so good in his vintage groove thing that staying focused on his style helps rather than hinders in development. Fans of funky downtempo, old funk and sitars are very happy.






Lord Newborn & The Magic Skulls / s/t
The US equivalent to the Chris Joss album: Money Mark, Shawn Lee and Tommy Guerrero have come together for a funk-inflicted collection of beats n' breaks, wrapped-up in a sunny West Coast musical tortilla that's smothered in as much jazz and prog-rock as it is in soulful psychedelia.







Gui Boratto / Take my breath away
An artful dose of melody and very imaginative minimal techno and tech-house. Guitar infusions make for excursions into something resembling noise pop territory that appeals to the indie kid in me.







Fuck Buttons / Tarot Sport
The Fuck Buttons play feverish, electronic trance rock. I hear bits of Stereolab, Chrome and Underworld yet it's all much more epic and majestic. Instrumentals rule. Did I say I love Instrumentals?








Gilles Peterson / Brazilika (Compilation)
A bouquet of swirling, swinging and uplifting latin sounds. Delightfully weird and trippy.









Brendan Benson / My Old, Familiar Friend
Not his strongest album but still good enough for my top of the year picks. Some people call it Power Pop









Camera Obscura / My Maudlin Career
The Midnight Records mail order catalogue in the 80s listed performers like Camera Obscure under "Adult Pop". String-laden, innocent-at-heart pop ballads. Camera Obscura is (rightfully) often compared to Belle & Sebastian but on this one I hear a lot of Mazzy Star, too.







Big Boss Man / Full English Beat Breakfast
Over the years I've grabbed every hammond-driven, high-speed, 60s-informed R&B instrumental album I could get my hands on. In recent years my interest has waned a bit as the sound has become a bit repetetive for my ears. The new Big Boss Man release, however, is excellent: tight, super-groovy and surprisingly variable in style. I dig it. Cover is disgusting, though :)




Felt / Felt 3 (A Tribute to Rosie Perez)
Slug and Murs never let down but this album is my winner because of Aesop Rock's production. He once again provides beats made from a fine mix of dark guitar-riffs with industrial tones and heavy drums. Sonically very satisfying and far, far away from mainsttream hip hop.








It wasn't a good year for Rock&Roll (my musical staple). Lots of so-so releases but nothing exciting. Disappointment #1: The Dead Weather. I'd been looking forward to that one very much but except for "hang you from the heavens" and "3 Birds" a letdown...