- The album was released in 2009.
- Only full lengths make the cut.
- We had to review it.
#50
Great Lake SwimmersLost Channels
Nettwerk Records [2009]
Lost Channels is the Great Lake Swimmers fourth album and it was their best to date. It took forever to get the song "Pulling On A Line" out of our head and the groups modern early R.E.M. sound is infectious throughout the entire record. The Great Lake Swimmers are just another band in the long list of Canadian groups that should be more well known but Lost Channels hopefully helped that a little bit.
Great Lake Swimmers Review [3/27/09] @ The Fire Note
#49
Black Joe Lewis & The HoneybearsTell 'Em What Your Name Is!
Lost Highway Records [2009]
It takes no time to realize Black Joe's intentions on his debut Tell 'Em What Your Name Is! and they are to rock you out old school! With his super energy and the sound of classic artists like James Brown and Otis Redding this album is a non stop train ride that is as fun as it is cool. This one came straight from Austin and always seemed to find its way back into the rotation!
Black Joe Lewis Review [3/26/09] @ The Fire Note
#48
Bad VeinsBad Veins
Dangerbird Records [2009]
It was hard to imagine that this record was made by two guys because it has the full sound of a new eager indie quartet. The Cincinnati duo's record was the complete package with stick in your head melodies that were all contained within tight musical grooves and were planted within different tempos. In just 38 minutes, Bad Veins swag and stroll with a perfect pace that never drags and completely pulls you into their memorable lyrics and melodies.
Bad Veins Review [7/20/09] @ The Fire Note
#47
The Dutchess And The DukeSunset / Sunrise
Hardly Art Records [2009]
The road influenced The Dutchess And The Duke's sophomore record because Sunset/Sunrise was made with the idea that it could be reproduced live without relying on anything else except the duo of Kimberly Morrison and Jesse Lortz. Compared to last years excellent debut, Sunset / Sunrise left out the raw sounding instrumentation and had a more campfire folk strumming vibe that was not as immediately infectious but with repeat spins crept onto this years list.
The Dutchess And The Duke Review [10/2/09] @ The Fire Note
#46
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic ZerosUp From Below
Vagrant Records [2009]
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros were off our radar for quite some time this year and really earned their spot in the Top 50 over the last several months. It was because of multiple excellent live appearances that made us revisit the album and the single "Home" that secured its place. Formed and led by Alex Ebert (Ima Robot), this 11 piece collective released their debut record Up From Below, that went in several different directions but aimed to re-create the spirit of the 60's and 70's with big sprawling psychedelia and folkish anthems. It succeeded on different levels and puts them on the watch for a follow up!
Edward Sharpe Review [7/31/09] @ The Fire Note
#45
David BazanCurse Your Branches
Barsuk Records [2009]
David Bazan's voice has never sounded better then on this batch of 10 songs and they are probably some of his strongest. The former Pedro The Lion frontman instills a real balance on Curse Your Branches that along with his faith, Bazan deals with alcoholism and all the evils that go along with it. This puts fourth thought provoking lyrics combined with foot tapping tunes, that only equates positive praise for Bazan's full length debut under his own name!
David Bazan Review [8/28/09] @ The Fire Note
#44
Florence + The MachineLungs
Universal Republic [2009]
Here is a record that was receiving tons of praise from the UK and guess what? It totally lived up to the hype. Florence and the Machine accomplish having a dynamic style that at times emotes garage rock anthems like The White Stripes, while retaining the pureness of an Annie Lennox siren type vocals. This is a win-win combo that is deadly infectious and was a great surprise that we are still jamming to in the office!
Florence + The Machine Review [10/16/09] @ The Fire Note
#43
The Avett BrothersI And Love And You
American/Columbia Records [2009]
I must admit that we were all concerned a bit that The Avett Brothers made the leap to a major label but after checking out the Rick Rubin produced album I And Love And You, most of that reservation went away. The record was not immediately a hit with us but has been a real grower. The Avett Brothers posses a true talent and this will probably not be the last time we talk about a Top 50 record from them!
The Avett Brothers Review [9/25/09] @ The Fire Note
#42
Heartless BastardsThe Mountain
Fat Possum Records [2009]
Not many bands can crank out the dirty blues like the Heartless Bastards. Erika Wennerstrom's howling vocals combined with an expanded instrumentation that included strings, mandolin, banjo and pedal steel, helped The Mountain stay in our rotation all year long and seemed to rock harder on each consecutive play. This album sounds as fresh today as it did back in January so it was a must in the Top 50!
Heartless Bastards Review [1/30/09] @ The Fire Note
#41
P
assion PitManners
Frenchkiss Records [2009]
After last years excellent debut EP, Passion Pit's full length debut was a record that we couldn't wait to hear. The record was a let down at first, as it wasn't a number 1 of the year but after spending more time with Manners, the groups expanded take on their already excellent electro-indie dance pop starts to take hold. Some new tricks included using a children's choir but Passion Pit would be nothing without the soaring falsetto of vocalist/songwriter Michael Angelakos, which commands attention on every track here with his range and talent for changing tempos mid-stream. It wasn't everything we wanted but it still was pretty good!
Passion Pit Review [5/20/09] @ The Fire Note
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