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.







“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




“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.



“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.




“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.



“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.