NPR // Best Albums of 2009…..So Far
M. Ward
I like the M. Ward, Andrew Bird and Laura Gibson albums. U2’s album????? Thoughts?
NPR Top 10 Albums:
1. The Antlers: Hospice
2. The Decemberists: The Hazards of Love
3. Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavilion
4. Laura Gibson: Beasts of Seasons
5. M. Ward: Hold Time
6. Jason Lytle: Yours Truly, The Commuter
7. Andrew Bird: Noble Beast
8. Dan Deacon: Bromst
9. U2: No Line on the Horizon
10. Mirah: Aspera
Follow Rollo & Grady on Twitter (Click Here)
February 27th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
might as well add neko case (middle cyclone) right about now.
February 28th, 2009 at 2:16 am
No doubt, Jeff. Dan Auerbach and Neko have put out the best two albums of the year. I’m blown away by Middle Cyclone
February 28th, 2009 at 5:44 am
Longtime U2 fan here… a lot to like on the new CD, several moments spent in that higher plane, especially big moments on songs “Unknown Caller” and “Breathe”. It’s not the U2 record I always dreamed of, but I’ve been complaining about Eno/Lanois since Unforgettable Fire. I’d say it’s their best CD since Zooropa. I haven’t written my full, song by song review yet, I mean, I’m not supposed to have this thing until Tuesday, right! What do you think?
February 28th, 2009 at 9:54 am
I truly appreciate the attention NPR (MPR’s The Current esp.) has brought to non-poppy commercial music and this list is a good selection of the acts floating on the indie/alt surface but I think Jason Isbell, Dan Auerbach and K’naan are overlooked here. But I’m happy to see Laura Gibson get a little attention. If this first two years are setting the pace I think the caliber of releases this year will make up for last years spotty contributions.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Yeah, where’s the Auerbach love?
Oh, that’s right, it’s at the 9:30 Club tonight in just a few hours in DC and i’m going to be there.
And sometimes, all is right w/ the world.
February 28th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
great call on dan auerbach; new album is terrific.
i am liking the new u2 a bit more with each listen, but there is something, for total lack of a better production type adjective, ‘light’ and ‘thin’ in the overall sound. it’s not a deal-breaker but it’s odd. it needs more thickfreakness!
February 28th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Auerbach’s album should definitely be on this list. I can’t wait to see him in a couple weeks. I’d also say the Handsome Furs deserve some recognition. Face Control is a great album and Dan Boeckner is sensational.
I can’t stand U2 and I hope they don’t ruin Outside Lands in SF this year. I don’t want them anywhere near Golden Gate Park this summer.
February 28th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Watts–I expect a full write-up Wednesday. I will give it a 2nd listen. I’m just a little over Bono and Co.
February 28th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Emma,
I agree with you on the Laura Gibson pick. I love her album.
February 28th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
CD-
Let me know about the show. I’ve heard that the shows have been fantastic.
February 28th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Acerbic Bubblegum:
I haven’t given much attention to the Handsome Furs album. I will give it a spin.
February 28th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
[...] « NPR // Best Albums of 2009…..So Far [...]
March 2nd, 2009 at 5:21 am
[...] picks its 10 best albums of 2009 (so far) already…didn’t take [...]
March 4th, 2009 at 11:08 am
John frusciante- the empyrean deserves to be up there i think!
March 4th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Here you go RG:
http://watts4u2.blogspot.com/2009/03/u2-no-line-on-horizon-review.html
March 7th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
I find it interesting that three of the top 10 picks so far are produced by the talented Tucker Martine of Portland, Oregon: The Decemberists, Laura Gibson, and Mirah.
March 7th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
I think it’s that tasty Portland water.
March 14th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
what about alela diane’s new album? it’s beautifull.
March 15th, 2009 at 12:17 am
Naked feet..this is NPR’s top 10. Here’s mine http://www.rollogrady.com/rollo-grady-best-albums-of-2009/
Alela @ #7
March 15th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Best albums? Some forthcoming….
Bell Orchestre “As Seen Through Windows” (Arts&Crafts)
Upsilon Acrux “Radian Futura” (Cuneiform)
Univers Zero “Relaps: Archives 1984-1986″ (Cuneiform)
Diagonal “Diagonal” (Rise Above) (2008/2009)
Aethenor “Faking Gold & Murder” (vhf records)
Miriodor “Avant!” (Cuneiform)
Mono “Hymn To The Immortal Wind” (Temporary Residence Limited)
May 28th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Not sure about the rest, but THE DECEMBERISTS – HAZARDS OF LOVE…is an album that will endure the passage of time.
June 7th, 2009 at 8:36 am
People have been completely missing probably the best album of the year (and one of the best hip-hop albums of the decade): “Never Better” by P.O.S.
Fantastic, creative hip-hop album!
June 19th, 2009 at 6:38 am
Fair list for the most part, though I’d swap out The Decemberists with Grizzly Bear’s Veckatimest.
July 13th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
For sure on “Hospice”, Blue Flowers debut is coming out soon and should surely find a place on there.
July 15th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Boring!
I clicked on this entry hoping to find something different from the same top 10 lists everyone else has, but I see it’s more of the same. I’m sure these are all fine albums (except Animal Collective, who I think are horrifyingly bad), but it would be great to see some other genres besides What-Most-People-Think-Is Indie represented!
July 17th, 2009 at 9:57 am
i agree on animal collective thats for sure, the album they just put out is truley spectacular.. but U2? i own No Line On The Horizon and i mean it has some moments but not enough to be on any list in my opinion. some artists that you should check out are Grizzly Bear, Dave MAtthews new record, Portugal the Man, and Rx Bandits are about to release Mandala which is a very solid album… and im dying to here Muse’s and Flaming Lips releases in the fall, only good things to come
January 3rd, 2010 at 1:40 pm
mermen’s new In God We Trust, shimmering guitars rock like the ocean.