PDA

View Full Version : Favourite albums of 2009



BlueStar
January 5th, 2010, 07:09 PM
This thread is for you to look back on your favourite (and even, if you like, your not-so-favourite) albums of 2009! Make it fun and include a video of one or two of your fave songs from that album.

This is not the complete list. I will add more when I get the chance. Hope you guys will join in too!

“TWO SUNS” - Bat For Lashes

Perhaps my favourite album of the year. For some reason the sounds, textures and mood totally captured me. Bat For Lashes is the recording name of Natasha Khan a very talented girl from Brighton, who has been dubbed the ‘next’ Kate Bush or Bjork (although I personally prefer her voice to either). I love it, it’s exceptionally atmospheric, varied and mysterious. Not quite mainstream enough to make her a real chart presence, although lead single ‘Daniel’ (my favourite song of the year) deserved to have been a massive hit.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_gyv2ZuGPE


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRMQLYSX0Qk


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMzua0mwrVk

“WAIT FOR ME” - Moby

Although the first quarter is a bit uneven (mainly because of ‘Study War’, which overuses an annoying preacher sample). The rest of the album is wonderful, smooth, sad, mournful, restrained and very beautiful. Moby does sad, downtempo music like no one else. One of his best albums


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKTwvqR6BiI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3HyxnWKhDU

“MESSAGES” - Blue Stone

Blue Stone is, for me, the new Delerium and I’ve enjoyed their most recent two albums more than anything than Delerium has released in a decade. There isn’t the same revolving door of guest singers, but this gives it a very cohesive (if occasionally same-sounding) feel, making it sound like a proper album rather than just hastily-cobbled together compilation. ‘Messages’ is a subtle album, it took a few listens before I got into it, whereas their previous release ‘Worlds Apart’ grabbed me instantly. This is a very enjoyable album though, very lush and atmospheric, with a rich and enigmatic vibe. It’s perfect both for background listening and for putting on the headphones and immersing yourself in. Immersive is a very good word for it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO1Gc4kjP_o

“RICE BOY SLEEPS” - Jonsi and Alex

Jonsi is the lead singer from Sigur Ros and, with his boyfriend Alex, has created one of the most beautiful ambient albums I’ve ever heard. It sounds a little similar to SR’s quieter, more reflective moments. ‘Ambient’ is a word that’s thrown around a lot, but to me this is a proper ambient album; no percussion, few discernable melodies, just gentle waves of sound and atmosphere. Very beautiful, heart-melting and fresh.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o9biAcKy1s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnNOVvLre9Q

“UNDER AN ENDLESS SUN” - Balligomingo

It was a massive wait for this - 7 years since Balligomingo’s excellent debut. It’s an enjoyable listen, but maybe a little disappointing. I don’t mind the acoustic push, but the production isn’t quite up to scratch on some tracks and the song-writing isn’t to the standard of the first album. Still worth a listen though, with some standout tracks.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbgXf2cax24

“PLATINUM COLLECTION” - Enigma

Although met with some consternation with some fans, this is nevertheless a worthy compilation. I love having most of Enigma’s singles on one disc in radio edit form, although the omission of any tracks from A Posteriori is unfortunate. Haven’t given much listen to the remixes, as they have never been my favourite aspect of Enigma. The Lost Ones are actually rather enjoyable, with only one or two clunkers. For demos and discarded ‘sketches’, they are extremely listenable and the Enigma spark is definitely in evidence. This disc reminds me of Moby’s ambient and B-side albums. My favourites are definitely tracks nine and the hauntingly melancholic eleven. Some tracks were just begging to be made into full album tracks.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c670uqLOMWw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bqeyT0aQ0g

Lion Spirit Walker
January 5th, 2010, 07:22 PM
I appreciate your having shared the tracks from the new Enigma release.
Tyvm my friend.

BlueStar
January 5th, 2010, 07:29 PM
“JUNIOR” - Royksopp

Very enjoyable album from Royksopp...one of the few ‘dance’ albums of the past few years that I’ve actually liked. Far superior (IMO) to ATB’s lacklustre ‘Future Memories’ album, this has a fresh vibe and deftly mixes uptempo and downtempo.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIWRYwCGEF4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcoKxYv8NCQ

“BACK TO LIFE” - Sandra

A very uneven album from Sandra, containing some excellent songs as well as some of her worst. The problem is the production and songs are generic and manufactured teen pop and are totally impersonal, some of the lyrics are totally inappropriate for Sandra (including ‘Who I am’, which appears to be a lesbian coming out song). Her voice is also not in good shape thanks to years of smoking and is now totally unsuited to ballads, although she fares well on the uptempo numbers.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3LQkSUUry4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdCibAZPJlw

“NO LINE ON THE HORIZON” - U2

Although not so much into rock now, there are some bands I will always keep up with. This isn’t U2’s best, I actually preferred Atomic Bomb...but it’s still a very good listen. I guess the problem for me is there are too many throwaway tracks, including first single ‘Get on your boots’, which just lack depth and are rather pointless. The two standout moments for me are the Magnificent ‘Magnificent’ and the stunning ‘Moment of Surrender’, which is about as poignant and powerful as anything they’ve ever released...7 minutes of perfection.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYqpCgPnM9E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5StJhm5tv0

BlueStar
January 5th, 2010, 07:31 PM
I appreciate your having shared the tracks from the new Enigma release.
Tyvm my friend.

You are welcome Michael! If you haven't heard them they are all on youtube I think :)

BlueStar
January 6th, 2010, 07:26 PM
“CELEBRATION” - Madonna

The Definitive Greatest hits collection, spanning her entire career and wow, WHAT a career at that. The most successful female artist in history and it’s a near-impossibility to pack all of her hits onto a mere two discs, and as a result there are a few unfortunate omissions (including at least 2 UK number one hits), including True Blue, Deeper and Deeper and a lot of her great ballads such as You’ll See, This Used to Be My Playground, Power of Goodbye and anything from Evita. That said, if you’re only going to have one Madge album this is the one, as it’s a great collection and the older songs have been remastered to sound as fresh and crisp as they’ve ever been heard. The classics include Holiday, Like a Prayer, Into the Groove, Hung Up, Music, Ray of Light, Express Yourself, Justify My Love, Dress You Up, La Isla Bonita, Who’s That Girl, Frozen, Take a Bow, Live to Tell, Cherish...the list goes on. New song Celebration is a fun and uplifting old school dance hit, while Revolver is a more hip-hop styled track which isn’t my favourite style but is still surprisingly catchy nonetheless.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk8JamlG6l4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6raRue2VNo

“LUNGS” - Florence + The Machine

One of my favourites of the year and also one of the biggest selling albums of the year (the two don’t often coincide!). I fell in love with the exhilarating Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up) and quickly fell in love with the album too, although there are some tracks I am not so keen on and tend to skip (Kiss with a Fist, Girl with One Eye and I’m not all that keen on her cover of You’ve Got the Love, even though it’s been getting a lot of airplay). The songs I like are so great they balance things out - Howl, Cosmic Love, Dog Days Are Over, Drumming Song and Blinding are all exceptional. Florence’s voice might not be to everyone’s taste, but once you get used to it you might just fall in love with this album too.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF6kBNLTvaU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfBY96qxVRQ

“LABYRINTHINE HEART” - Sleepthief

I wasn’t all that struck on Sleepthief’s first album, but I really do like this one (although it took a few plays to get into it). It’s very much in the vain of Delerium’s vocal tracks and even pinches a number of Delerium-featured singers, including Kristy Thirsk, Joanna Stevens, Kirsty Hawkshaw and Jody Quine from Balligomingo. At times the production is a bit overlayered, but generally its a very enjoyable album, with some standout tracks (World Gone Crazy, A Cut From the Fight, Reason Why, I Know There’s Something Going On and Here I Confess).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg2KrSfo26g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kT-A2sfBM0

“ALPINISMS” - School of Seven Bells

It’s hard to describe School of Seven Bells...the best I can come up with is Enya on a cocktail of narcotics, including amphetamines and LSD! It’s a fresh and fun album, recalling the best of Cocteau Twins. Mystical, unearthly, euphoric and a little weird...I really like it and look forward to their next album, which is due out this year.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt-SNwyxsBM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw_WcaZZj0o


“MY ORACLE LIVES UPTOWN” - William Orbit

I hadn’t actually checked out much of William Orbit’s work outside of Madonna’s ‘Ray Of Light’ and I am now seeing what I’ve missed. This is a great album, fresh, upbeat, invigorating and yet chilled...a lot of the dance and electronic music that’s being churned out these days is ugly-sounding, uninspired and insipid, but this has an irresistable spark and zest. I love it! Definitely recommended.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfSrcJhgrO4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjwHdxk-L1w

Lion Spirit Walker
January 7th, 2010, 03:27 AM
A definate favorite for myself is "The Annie Lennox Collection". Available as a CD and a Limited Edition release that includes a DVD of 13 of her videos. The CD is comprised of 14 tracks of her solo works from her debut with "Diva" to two new tracks. Her genre is rythem and blues. And she does it as only she can. Her wonderful charisma and style comes acrossed well in this collection. And I would strongly recommend it to anyone. Several of the tracks on the release have already been posted as videos by myself, such as "Sing", "Lost", etc.
A haunting track available in this collection is "Love Song For A Vampire" FROM THE MOVIE "Brahm Stoker's Dracula"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21RK73kaX3I
Another track which is an excellent example of her style is "Dark Road", originally released on her 2007 CD, "Songs Of Mass Destruction".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ

Genesis
January 7th, 2010, 04:11 AM
Light - Matisyahu.

Hadisic Influenced Regaee Rock - Hip Hop Alternative done with the best production I've heard in recent years. Lyrics chucked full of meaning and reflection for anyone living between their spirituality and humanity. I love Light. Everyone should.


"We men of nature we are made from the earth . At the end of my eighty I'll return to the dirt."


6wjsfiMUZfE

Narnia
January 7th, 2010, 01:30 PM
Rory - your efforts in making this thread astound me ... as always. Marvelous work my friend!! :)

Excellent choices everyone!! Lots of good listening to do to make the day go by! Thank you!

BlueStar
January 7th, 2010, 05:41 PM
Thanks for joining in folks (would be a bit embarrassing if you hadn't hehe), keep your fave albums/songs of the year coming, I think I've just about covered all mine. Look forward to watching more vids and discovering more cool artists!

Will have to check out the Annie Lennox collection Michael, I have always been an admirer but for some reason haven't followed her that much in recent years. She's awesome though and actually comes from Aberdeen which is quite near to where I live, so that makes her even cooler of course! ;)

Lion Spirit Walker
January 7th, 2010, 10:24 PM
Very cool my good friend. :)
If I may add a short bit regarding U2's release.
..."Stop helping God acrossed the road like a little old lady."
LOL. I loved that.
p.s., should anyone be interested in "The Annie Lennox Collection", the limited edition release with the DVD is packaged in an 'eco-friendly' manner.

Genesis
January 8th, 2010, 05:29 AM
I'm really digging Sleeptheif. Thanks for sharing it! Whereas you thought it was overly produced.. i think i loved the layers!
I thought of a few more that came out this year. The first mention goes to my boy.. I just love him.. saw him in November...



Idan Raichel Project - Within My Walls

Idan Raichel is an Israeli Composer that makes some of the most beautiful world-fusion I've heard. He works with an esamble of singers and musicians in which he titles his escapes as a "project" and in this release ( I believe it's his third now) is just as stable a record as any other he's put out. Some songs that immediately sent gooseflesh through my body was "Maisha", "Other People's Dreams" and the Arabic lullaby " From the Day You Left."

-j9bpSQNYw4
h_ChoT-AFkQ

mary
January 9th, 2010, 08:13 PM
Wow!!! quite a list everybody!!! last year I was so into old songs I forgot to catch up in music... so thanks everyone... I'll catch up now... and if you think/feel those were the best then more than better to me :girl_yes3 (1):