Why do we bother with lists? I think it has to do with taste, as if when we collectively choose the same items, it means we all have highly developed critical faculties. These days, I see “best-of” lists as being pointless. Yes, there are “good” movies and “bad movies,” and “popular” doesn’t always equal good. Instead, I’ve abandoned “best” for “favourite,” because things that make an album or record “good” goes way beyond the aesthetic qualities, and extends to how it interacts and influences life itself. Your life.
In some ways, it’s like the band “The Editors.” They’re not a great band, but there’s something in their spirit I connect with, and find compelling. Critically I can’t defend everything they do, especially their new record, “In This Light and on This Evening,” which at times is downright embarrassing.
Or U2. Sure, some people loved the band when they were good (when they were teens/adults listening to half-decent music in the eighties), but a lot of people love the band now, despite Bono and co. being a dreadful foursome these days.
So here goes my theory: if you are checking out the band on their “Blackberry” tour (or whatever it is), you may go and think it’s the greatest concert in years. I won’t disagree with your feelings (because doing that is pointless and stupid), because odds are it might be the only concert you have been to in years. But like I said, I have no qualms with anyone who enjoys U2 or Nickelback, because your thing is your thing and that’s cool.
And that’s why I like to stick with “Favourite.” Because in the age of the internet, all anyone needs to do is download a best-of list of whatever Pitchfork posts online, and BAM, they have “good taste.” Which is why there are so many frat boys at National concerts.
So anyways, here’s the list of albums I loved and listened to this year that were “new,” in 2009. If you haven’t heard of them, check out their myspace, or hit up a record store like Rotate This, Soundscapes or Sonic Boom in Toronto, and grab any of these albums. I’m kind of curious what I’ll go back and listen to 10 years from now (Hello, “Kid A” and “Things We Lost in the Fire”).
- “A Mountain is a Mouth” by Bruce Peninsula
- “In Deference to a Broken Back” by The Daredevil Christopher Wright
- “Merriweather Post Pavilion” by Animal Collective
- “Bitte Orca” by Dirty Projectors
- “Now I am Champion” by Sister Suvi
- “The Life of the World to Come” by Mountain Goats
- “Beware” by Bonnie “Prince” Billy
- “Dragonslayer” by Sunset Rubdown
- “Farm” by Dinosaur Jr.
- “Embryonic” by The Flaming Lips
- “Music for Men” by The Gossip
- “Begone Dull Care” by Junior Boys
- “Born on Flag Day” by Deer Tick
- “Heavy Ghost” by DM Stith
- “Potential Things” by Canaille
- “Gospel” by the Schomberg Fair
- “Phrazes for the Young” by Julian Casablancas
- “Pegatively Nositive” by Blankket
- “Mating Calls” by Eatoin Shrdlu
- “Other Truths” by Do Make Say Think