copy & paste

First off I just wanna add a little disclaimer: in no way am I the least bit caught up on the contemporary music scene, so if I miss a great album, which i inevitably will, don't get yer panties in a knot (I'm only picking three anyway).  These are just some albums I happened to come across this year that I felt deserved a couple words of praise.  Read on if you care to know which musical productions of 2009 suit my fancy...

Follow up:

Pearl Jam - Backspacer

I couldn't have asked for a better album from these boys.  Right from the get go these guys are fired up and ready to sweat and bleed all over this record.  The energy man, thats what really gets me.  It's fast, short, and to the point. For a band that's been around for over a decade and seemed to have been slowing down, this is the last thing I would've expected to come out of them.  It's full of energy and tasty licks, and includes some of the best vocal performances I've ever heard come out of Eddie ('The Fixer' is a perfect example).  Eddie's soft side comes out pretty well too; 'Just Breathe', sounds like a song from the same vein as the music he did for the soundtrack to Into The Wild, but still seems to fit pretty well on the album. I don't really have much else to say about Backspacer, I think it's definitely in the same League as albums such as Ten and Vs, and will be remembered as one of the best Pearl Jam albums.

Them Crooked Vultures (Self Titled)

What can i say, this album is fuckin awesome.  Usually that's all I would bother to say about an album this good, because the proof is in the music, and you gotta hear it to understand.  However, I'll elaborate a bit to introduce the band and tell you why I think they're so great.  The band is composed of Josh Homme (the frontman of Queens of The Stone Age) on guitar and vocal duties, Dave Grohl (Nirvana's drummer, frontman of the Foo Fighters) on the skins, and the one and only John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin's bassist/pianist) on the bass and keys.  Additional guitarist Alain Johannes also helps fill out the sound on guitar for live shows.  Unlike some other so-called supergroups that have formed in the past, most being formed likely in an attempt at making some big time cash, these guys are in it for the music and it shows.  Their musical roots are clearly distinguishable on the record, but somehow they've managed to create a totally new and distinct sound out of the collaboration.  This sound doesn't just pop up sometimes, it penetrates every song, letting you know these guys werent just thrown in a room together to pump out a Queens of the Led Fighters album.  They've truly created a fresh, original vibe on this album (and trust me, their live shows are a true statement to this sound, you can tell they were aiming for a certain style and i think they nailed it).  Before I move on to the next album though, I think I still need to take some time to rant about what I believe to be the best song on this record.

Reptiles

I love everything about this song, from the dual weaving guitars in the intro, to the primal howls let out from Homme, the timing changes, the intriguing guitar tones, the crazy bass licks from JPJ...

This song refuses to leave my head.  It may be a pretty bold statement but i think this is one of the most original and fresh songs ive heard come out of the period of time since i started actively listening to music (say, mid 90's?).  Speaking of fresh and exciting sounds, how 'bout these guys...

Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

I don't really know too much about  Grizzly Bear, it's members or it's backround, but I can tell you one thing: Ive never heard a band that sounds anything like these guys.  I guess the theme to this 2009 collection would be one of freshness; listening to this one makes me feel like the nestea guy taking the plunge.  I really like the atmosphere of this album and the way soundscape is slightly bare, but still somehow full and bright.  Everything on this album is right where it should be, nothing seems out of place.  The vocals are the band's strong point; so smooth and relaxing (along with most of the instrumentalization actually), and the harmonies/backround vocals are amazing (I need to find out who did the producing for this one cause it is so goddamn perfect).  Another thing I love about this album is that the songs are all really catchy without being insistent, and without having to conform to a formula or a mainstream sound.   It's hard to compare Grizzly Bear to other bands, sometimes I get a Beach Boys vibe from the tight harmonies, but thats about all the comparison I can draw to these guys.  I think these guys definitely found a great original sound on this record.

Well, I guess the year ain't over yet, so if I find a new favorite I'll add it (was actually hoping for something from the Strokes, maybe next year). Post yer favorites of the year in the comment section aswell if you feel so inclined...