Best Records of 2009

This year two of my friends put out excellent records. David and Joanna put on a great show at the Bottom of the Hill for the Record release show. Monkstrap the nom de plume of my friend Rich also released Bentfolk this last November. It was also wonderful. This leads me to my two basic guidelines for choosing the ten best Records of the year. Friends are not eligible for the list. So if Eddie Vedder ever becomes my friend Pearl Jam records will be disqualified from the list. The second guideline is I have to have obtained a copy of the entire record. This will explain why Chuck Profit's record is not included because I haven't bought it yet.

10 Dinsour JR Farm www.dinosaurjr.com
A very good Dinosaur Jr album featuring Lou Barlow and Jay Mascis. I saw the live show on my birthday. Jay Mascis in front of three count them three Marshall Stacks! Way to be an actual Guitar Hero

9. Pearl Jam Backspacer www.pearljam.com
A fine effort. However, they have to compete with their other albums and everybody else. The End was my favorite song and the Tom Tomorrow artwork rocked. They also put on a top two show at outsidelands. Plus their turtle won!!
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/greatturtlerace-map/

8. Brendan Benson My Old Familiar Friend www.brendanbenson.com
He just writes the best pop songs that no one hears. If you haven't bought Lapalco yet what are you waiting for.

7. Camera Obscura My Maudlin Career www.camera-obscura.net
I will never be able to get Tracyanne's voice out of my head. An excellent record and great follow up to Let's Get Out of This Country.

6. Sonic Youth The Ethernal www.sonicyouth.com
They still have it after all these years. I can't wait for the show in January.

5. Mando Diao Give Me Fire www.mandodiao.com (Import)
This Swedish band is one of my favorites. This is another in a great series of records. This one was a bit hard to find. I had to buy the import but it was worth it.

4. Hope Sandoval and The Warm Inventions Through The Devil Softly www.hopesandoval.com
There's were she went. That voice. Ah wonderful!!

3. The Dead Weather Horehound www.thedeadweather.com
Jack White is GOD well one of them anyway. This album is great and the live show is even better.

2. Them Crooked Vultures Them Crooked Vultures www.themcrookedvultures.com
Putting the super in supergroup. From John Paul Jones slide bass to David Grohl on drums this band rocks. Mind Eraser, No Chaser

1. The Blue Seeds The Blue Seeds www.theblueseeds.com
Since I first heard this band on Radio LaGrosse I haven't been able to stop listening to this French Canadian band. They make me want "sing softly to the moon"


Honorable Mention
Regina Spektor Far
Gaslight Anthem 59 Sound
Julianna Hatfield How to Walk away

Tracks
That Night in Amsterdam Blue Seeds
Mind Eraser No Chaser Them Crooked Vultures
Horseshoes and Hand Grenades Green Day
Blanchard Hope Sandoval
Antenna Sonic Youth
A Quick Killing in Art Blue Seeds
Machine Regina Spektor
The End Pearl Jam
Honest I Do David and Joanna
Earn Your Scars Monkstrap

Joyeux Noel

Gathering storms of greed
battering the calmness of the city
walking away the dread
with a pretty little ditty
bouncing around my head
Washing away the need

to be at the mercy of fear
letting my fancy roam
to the corners of the verse
a second home
a stage to rehearse
the play of life and cheer

Happy to be alive and well
with friends like you

Happy Holidays to all and a wonderful New Year