Top 10 Albums of 2009
First off…yes yes, I know, this is a month late. But, to be fair, I was trying to compile my list of the top 100 songs of the decade simultaneously, and that was quite a feat. So, until I get that finalize, I figured it was time to let you know the Top Albums of 2009. Besides, now that you’ve seen all the other lists, you can now see the best one out there!
Secondly, I am also aware that this seems very Pacific Northwest centric. Three Seattle-based hip hop artists in one top ten list? Absolutely! I may live in Seattle, but I have been doing a radio show for over 12 years, and because of it I am exposed to all of the best music out there. For that reason, I am proud to say that Seattle is doing quite well for itself right now. And on to the list….
10. Mash Hall (Formerly They Live!) – They La Soul
Seattle hip-hop duo Mash Hall (known as They Live! until just a few weeks ago when they were forced to change their name because of trademark concerns) released this album just under the gun. It came out at Midnight on Christmas Eve/Christmas Morning. Featuring Gatsby (of Cancer Rising) and Bruce Illest (a.k.a. djblesONE), along with new addition Janae Jones, they perform their own unique brand of hip hop…I’d call it weed hop. Laid back, with strong production, Mash Hall shows the LA/West Coast upbringing of those involved with the project. Expect bigger and even better things from these guys in the future. Soon enough, they will be a household name.
Mash Hall – WHITNEY (feat. THEESATISFACTION)
Mash Hall – PANCAKE SANDWICHES PT. 1
9. Girls – Album
Back in 2006, Christopher Owens and Liza Thorn formed a music project that they dubbed Curls. However, when Liza left the group to focus on her new band BRIDEZ, Owens brought in fellow San Francisco based artist Chet “JR” White and became what we now know as Girls. After a series of singles that dropped in 2008 and the first half of 2009, we finally saw the release of their debut album, and with it we were given twelve songs of jangly, indie pop goodness. Girls isn’t for everyone, but those who aren’t into it just don’t get it. Part twee pop, part 50s and 60s surf-pop, this album screams San Francisco…and after a few listens, you will be screaming it too!
8. D.Black – Ali’Yah
Sportn’ Life’s own D. Black has been getting some good press for awhile now, especially after appearing on a track on Jake One’s White Van Music. Thus, it was not that surprising when D.Black’s sophomore release Ali’Yah dropped, the album blew the faces off of hip hop fans all over the West Coast. The release itself was a joint project between Sportn’ Life and San Francisco based MVX Music and features production from the likes of Jake One and Vitamin D. With this release, D. Black has proven that he is one of the up and coming big hitters in a Seattle Hip Hop scene that will soon be one of the most acclaimed in the country!
D.Black – I Believe (ft. Spaceman)
7. Jay-Z – The Blueprint 3
The third (and final) installment of the Blueprint Trilogy, TB3 features such producers as Kanye West, Timbaland, and The Inkredibles (who seem to have producing a track for everyone under the sun for the last two years). You’ve probably been living under a rock if you haven’t heard any of the tracks off this album…Run This Town and Empire State of Mind seem to have been on regular rotation on the radio for quite some time. All of that being said, this album seems to have really hit the mark for some people and to have entirely missed the target for others. The only thing I could have really asked for is that maybe an album that proclaims the death of autotune shouldn’t finish off with a song that heavily relies upon autotune…no matter how good that track might be.
Jay-Z – D.O.A. (death of auto-tune)
Jay-Z – Young Forever (ft. Mr. Hudson)
6. The XX – Self Titled
The XX are an indie trio from London who play a slow, synth laden style of indie rock featuring dueling male/female vocals (sung in a hushed, wistful manner) and sweetly dysphoric low end (under)tones. As simple as the song are, you are left tangled in an intricate web of sugary, yet sour, pop. In short, this album is hauntingly good. This debut release more than pleases the listener!
5. Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…Pt. II
The widely acclaimed follow up to his 2005 release Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Raekwon teamed up with executive producers RZA and Busta Rhymes (although, over the four years of recording the album, Busta no longer became a part of the project and is not listen as an executive producer) to finally put out this much anticipated album. It had been so anticipated that when it finally came out, it was pretty surprising that it met those expectations. However, with tracks produced by the likes of RZA, J Dilla, Pete Rock, and Dr. Dre, and featuring guest emcees like Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Busta Rhymes, and Slick Rick, it is really not surprising. In a time when it seemed like maybe the Wu-Tang Clan were falling behind, the Wu is back!
Raekwon – House of Flying Daggers(ft Inspectah Deck, Ghostface, & Method Man)
Raekwon – Black Mozart (ft RZA & Inspectah Deck)
4. Hard Girls – Hello EP
I really hate this EP. Pretty odd that a release that I hate would be on my Top albums of 2009, isn’t it? But ask me why I hate it, and you may begin to understand…Hard Girls is the conglomeration of two of my favorite bands: Shinobu and Pteradon. And the better Hard Girls get, the less we will hear from two bands that combined take up more time in my headphones than most others. Throw in one part math rock, and another part post-punk, and you are left with a band that resembles Pavement sprinkled with Hot Snakes and a tad bit of Rites of Spring. This is what indie rock should be. So head on over to the Quote Unquote Records’ website where you can download it in its entirety for free here (and, if you feel so inclined, donate to the label for it)!
3. Andrew Jackson Jihad – Can’t Maintain
Can’t Maintain, the second Andrew Jackson Jihad full length to be released on Asian Man Records, may very well be the surprise record of the year. Having consistently release solid albums, split releases, and 7”s over the last five years, Can’t maintain takes it to a new level…going beyond acoustic guitar and stand up bass, to include electric guitar, horns, and strings. This doesn’t mean that we don’t get any amazing acoustic tracks; simply that they have matured into one of the best artists in the country!
Andrew Jackson Jihad – Love Will Fuck Us Apart
Andrew Jackson Jihad – Heartilation
2. Dear Landlord - Dream Homes
Hailing from the Midwest, Dear Landlord is two members of the Copyrights, and two members of the now defunct-Rivethead. This album mixes driving guitars and melancholic lyrics under the guise of punk rock laden with pop melodies. Somehow, it is not surprising to me that one member of this band is in the band that made the best album of 2008 (Off With Their Heads). From the opening notes of “I Live in Hell” to the almost Jawbreaker-esque “Goodbye to Oakland,” this album delivers on track after track. Put it in and turn it up!
Dear Landlord – Three to the Beach
Dear Landlord – Whiskey and Records
1. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Vs. EP
Macklemore (née Ben Haggerty) has been a mainstay of the Seattle hip hop scene for quite some time now. He first became widely acclaimed upon the release of 2005’s Language of My World, which featured such breakout songs as “White Privilege” and “Claiming the City”. After some time away, the Unplanned Mixtape dropped in 2009, showcasing how Macklemore had grown as an artist (yet continuing to include some of the more goofy and endearing tracks that he puts out, including “American” and “And We Danced”) and showing once again why he is one of the best emcees in the Pacific Northwest. However, it was upon the release of The Vs. EP, which was produced by Seattle producer and photographer Ryan Lewis, that we see Macklemore reach his full potential. In terms of style, the Vs. EP takes many risks. In general, I am not necessarily a fan of artists who change too much from track to track. And yet, here, where you can hear influences everywhere from backpacker to Second Wave rap, it works. Each track on the EP samples a different indie or mainstream artist, from Beirut to the Killers. While this lends a certain hipster cred to the album, the way Lewis has blended the samples into the beat make it seamless and actually quite amazing. For example, Otherside (which may be the song of the decade) uses a sample from a Red Hot Chili Peppers song that I absolutely detest. But coupled with the raw passion of Macklemore’s lyrical delivery, the track is transformed into an emotional rollercoaster that both sucks you in and leaves you wanting more. This isn’t unique to that track…the entire EP resigns the listener to yearning for more. Luckily for you, the EP is available for free. (But, please do donate for the release, or at the very least, buy one of the other Macklemore releases available here).