As a preface to this article, it should be noted that I come in with a heavy bias. I listen to a very wide variety of music, but throughout the course of the year I tend to ignore artists I haven't particularly liked in the past, as per my own tastes, as I'm sure most of you do as well. In preparing a 'best of' list, I've made an effort to seek out albums I missed and/ or ignored to have a fair and balanced view of the music landscape that was 2009. That said, there's every possibility I've missed a few key albums. Their exclusion from this list does not speak against their quality, but rather, my interest in them. Now on to the meat and potatoes.
10- Spinal Tap - Back From The DeadAs part of the 25th anniversary of the release of This Is Spinal Tap, the group reunited and rerecorded many of the original tracks, giving the world what it so desperately required, complete and fully mastered versions of the original tracks from the movie. Tongue and cheek aside, this is a surprisingly good album. There are a number of original tracks included, with the
occasional guest appearance by a Steve Vai, John Mayer, and a few others; not to mention several re-imaginings of the original classics, such as a Funk version of Sex Farm and a Reggae version of (Listen To The) Flower People.
The thing that's so great about them, and sets them apart from contemporaries such as Steel Panther, is that as satirical as they are, they tread the line so well that you forget they're not a REAL rock band. At least not in the sense that they're constantly creating and touring. They have the musical pedigree to deliver and they do. The recurring Jazz Odyssey is proof enough of that. It's only when you hear them talk about the Druids of Stonehenge or listen to the lyrics in Big Bottom that the line is no longer blurred. My only complaint is that the album goes a
mite bit long.
They rocked me too hard.
9- Alice In Chains - Black Gives Way to Blue
It's been 14 years since their last effort as a group, the self titled Alice In Chains, and 7 years since the death of front man Layne Staley. After reuniting for a benefit concert in 2006, the group began touring and recording material with new singer William DuVall.
It's eerie. He sounds like Layne. But he doesn't. The music is all at once modern, but unchanged. This album is a natural progression from their previous work, which is unexpected. At least to me. My expectation was that of a stagnant sound, from a band that's been on hiatus for over a decade coming to terms with replacing a member and all the growing pains that come along with that. I've never been happier to be wrong.
Taking Nostalgia out of the picture does nothing to lessen the impact of the album. Cantrell delivers brutal riffs, as evidenced on A Looking In View and Check My Brain, and subdued rhythm on When The Sun Rose Again. DuVall's wails float through this soundscape with a deep level of maturity that pulls one in by the heart strings and doesn't let go. This IS your daddy's rock and roll.
8- The Dead Weather - Horehound
Of the two Supergroups to put out records this year, The Dead Weather delivered the most satisfying sound this year. While Them Crooked Vultures has the novelty of putting Dave Grohl on drums again, it comes across as another Queens Of The Stone Age album, which isn't bad in and of itself. In fact, it's a quality album. Just not a top ten contender.
One could make the argument that having Jack White on drums is a novelty all unto itself, as well. However, that argument is moot, as he is known for his virtuoso guitar playing, despite starting out as a drummer, and plays both on the album. Round the Group out with The Kills Singer Alison Mosshart, The Raconteurs' guitarist Jack Lawrence, and Queens of the Stone Age bassist Dean Fertita and you've got a variety of viewpoints and influences. The ensuing sound is both experimental and a pleasure to listen to. It's hard to imagine this album was laid out and recorded in two and a half weeks.
This frenetic pace is evident in the unrelenting attack of the tracks, one after the other, on the auditory senses. Hang you From the Heavens is straight rock and roll as one comes to expect, carried by a catchy drum beat. The sound expands from there, incorporating synthesizers and a Tennessee sound, familiar to fans of The White Stripes. This is the sound I miss from Jack White. He gels so well with Mosshart, Lawrence and Fertita. You can tell they're all having a blast.
7- Nat King Cole - Re:Generations
I owe Facebook a debt of gratitude for introducing me to this album. Yes, it's intrusive to have the site market to me through their ads by pulling information from my profile and postings, but they hit the nail on the head with this suggestion. While Cole has been dead for over 4 decades, his impact on music is palpable. The 13 tracks on this remix album allow different producers, DJs, and groups to pay homage to someone who influenced them by reintroducing him to a new generation and adding a bit of their own flavor to his sound.
The opening track, Lush Life, is Cee-Lo, of Goodie Mob and Gnarles Barkley fame, placing Cole's smooth voice over a Hip-Hop beat with bangin' results. The pairings are brilliant. Brazilian Girls take the Spanish track El Choclo and give it their own spin while also providing a new chorus. The album also features appearances by NaS, TV On The Radio and Cut Chemist.
As a whole, there's not a bad track to be found. Whether you like Jazz, lounge, Hip-Hop or Soul, this album does not disappoint.
6- DJ I.N.C & The Soul People - Tha Afterset Sessions, Vol. 2
No top ten list would be complete without a pretentious pick of an album few people have even heard of. Outside of Chicago, it's doubtful that anyone knows who DJ I.N.C is. I came across this album through a website that I frequent that offers up suggestions for Soul, Funk, Electronica, and in this case, Acid Jazz.
Simply put, I.N.C stands for 'I Need Cash.' The double meaning is there in Incorporated, but the bare bones of it is he's a struggling DJ, trying to make it to a bigger platform.
The Steppin' Scene is big in Chicago, and he seems to have created an anthem for it on the second track, Steppers Swagger. He brings the HEAT with his use of live instrumentation and turntables. It's got an old school feel to it, fusing a great many sounds together, mainly from the Soul and Funk pool, but without losing it's Hip-Hop vibe. Don't sleep on this album. It has
quickly become one of my favorites.
5- Mos Def - The Ecstatic
His best album since his 1999 debut, Black On Both Sides. This is a return to form for Flaco, bringing middle eastern sounds and combining them with afro-beats for a purely Mos sound. This one took me by surprise. I heard it when it first came out and abandoned it as indulgent and unimpressive. This album definitely needs multiple plays in order to sink in. Once it does, you'll kick yourself for having thought differently in the first place.
The beat on Auditorium hits on all cylinders, with a surprise appearance by Slick Rick, who just kills it on his verse. No Hay Nada Mas is this album's Umi Says with Mos exploring his singing voice, this time in Spanish. His style is eclectic and uplifting. This is what Hip-Hop should be. His lyrical poetry is a nice change from the meaningless club anthems and voice box laden tracks that dominate mainstream Hip-Hop.
Mos Definitely a necessity in anyone's music library.
4- Maxwell - BLACKsummers'night
The first in a trilogy of albums, all with the same name, after an eight year absence on the music scene. This is the BLACK album, with the next being the SUMMERS' album, and so on. While not hitting the same heights as his first album, Urban Hang Suite, this album still delivers a solid dose of SOUL. While it borders on pop, his voice is enough to keep it tethered firmly to his roots.
Unlike Prince, who released a trio of albums all at once this year, Maxwell has chosen to space his out, whetting the appetite of the music going populace and keeping the quality of his tracks high. He may have cut off his locks, but he hasn't lost any of his sound. The single Pretty Wings is vintage Maxwell, providing a soundtrack to bring a woman into your arms. There are funkier tracks, as well, providing a nice balance of slow and upbeat. Cold is driven by the drumming and superb bass line. The head bobs come naturally.
Well worth the 8 year wait. With two more albums on the horizon, it doesn't look like we'll have to wait that long again for a while.
3- Raekwon - Only Built For Cuban Linx... Part II
2009 has been a good year for the Wu, with quality releases by both Ghostface and Method Man, who teamed up with Redman for a second Blackout. But these were both trumped by the coming of Raekwon. After innumerable delays, one of the most anticipated albums of 2007 has finally hit the streets. This album has literally been in limbo for YEARS, being passed from label to label. Much of the hype comes from the title alone. Most Hip-Hop heads will tell you readily, if you don't own the first Cuban Linx, your case is missing major cred.
This is no Lex Diamond Story II, thank God. It's nice to see the concept of an album taken seriously and a story being told, rather than having a collection of singles loosely thrown together, (Jay-Z, I'm looking at you.) Ghostface is prominently featured, with guest spots by Meth on such tracks as New Wu, the first single.
II differs from the first disc in that the production has shifted from RZA alone to Dr. Dre, J Dilla, and several others lending a hand, giving the album a new flare while maintaining it's classic Wu sound. Rae may share the stage with some big names, but it's HIS stage.
2- Rodrigo Y Gabriela - 11:11
It's hard to drop the World Music label when you're an acoustic guitar duo from Mexico based out of Dublin. However, this album is a step in the right direction to accomplish that.
RyG are heavily influenced by metal, with Metallica being cited as one of their biggest influences, having covered the song Orion on their previous effort. The cover songs are gone this go around. Instead, we're left with 11 instrumental tracks, each one specifically aimed at paying homage to artists who've influenced either Rodrigo or Gabriela's playing, ranging from Carlos Santana to Dimebag Darrell. To accomplish this feat they've incorporated wah pedals and invited friends to play alongside them, thus expanding their sound.
Gabriela's rhythm playing continues to amaze, with her drumming and tapping style. And Rodrigo's melodies are flawless. The beauty of listening to their music is that the excitement of their playing translates onto the recording and gets your blood pumping. Just listen to the Dimebag tribute Atman.
1- The Mars Volta - Octahedron
Described by the band members as 'as close to an acoustic album (as they're going to make.)' This album is the most subdued TMV have played and as such, has made it the most fan friendly, mass appeal album they've released. It's a drastic change after the nonstop assault that was The Bedlam In Goliath.
It's great to see a different side to them, and I dare say this is their BEST release to date. Since it's been released, I can't even count the number of times I've listened to it all the way through. It's just solid from beginning to end.
The Led Zeppelin inspired Since We've Been Wrong starts the album on it's course, leading to possibly the best song on the disc in Teflon. Familiar sounding songs such as Cotopaxi will keep the diehard fans at bay, with it's high energy and bombastic drumming. At 8 tracks and 49 minutes, this is TMV holding back. Only one song goes above the 8 minute mark. They've strayed away from using a unifying concept for this record, and the album is better for it.
Mellow Cedric and restrained Omar = Melodious and Range
A nice departure.
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