So remember how last year I did a top 5 albums of the year for 2008 post?
No...?
Get out. Now.
Ok, if you're still here then I'll tell you that I am back at it with a new Top 5 albums post for good 'ol 2009. I'll remind you that I harbor no delusions of grandeur as to my muscial knowledge. So I won't even go as far as to say that these are close to being the best albums of the year. No, these are just my personal favorites from the last 365 days, music that I listened to and enjoyed enough to pass along. I did my best to include a variety of video and audio clips for each artist, so if you do want to dig a little deeper there is plenty to enjoy. And with that I give you:
#5- 'Zee Avi' by Zee Avi
Zee Avi is certainly a musical discovery story for the modern era. Originally from Malaysia, she was relatively unknown in the United States until videos from one of her performances in Kuala Lumpor were posted on You Tube and found by someone associated with Brushfire Records, an american record company. Brushfire signed Zee Avi and brought her brand of minimal ukulele and guitar infused folk/pop to the states. Thank goodness they did, as this album and this artist are absolutely too good to miss.
Also, watch this great 3 song "tiny desk concert" which includes Honey Bee, First of the Gang (Morissey cover) and Just You and Me.
Ok, so my number four got onto this list on a bit of a technicality. Although this album did in fact come out in 2009, ninety percent of the songs are from Alexi Murdoch's 2006 album "Time Without Consequence." Oh well though, these songs were all new to me and they are so good (as was the movie) that I really couldn't leave them off my list of best songs of the year. In fact if these were songs that were all genuinely new this year, this album could easily have been my number one.
K'naan was born in Mogadishu, Somalia and the experiences of his life there amidst a bloody civil war are the driving force behind his art and his music. Part hip-hop, part reggae, K'naan moves effortlessly between styles as all of his songs seem infused with a passion and earnestness not often seen in the commercial music world. Regardless of whether this is a type of music you usually enjoy I think that this album has a unviersal appeal that transcends the typical genres. In fact his song "Waving Flag" was chosen as the offical anthem for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Also, this is a live version of the World Cup version of Waving Flag. And this "Tiny Desk Concert" has the songs "Take a Minute", "Fatima" and "Waving Flag".
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The album Dark was the Night is notable for a few reasons, first being that it is a compilation from a variety of musicians, and second being that I actually stumbled upon this album based on a suggestion in the comments of last years top 5 albums post. (Good work Nicole!) The deal with this record it is that it was organized and compiled by the members of the band The National in order to raise funds for Red Hot Organization – an international charity dedicated to raising money and awareness for HIV and AIDS through popular culture.
So anyway, obviously there is not one unifying "sound" throughout this album as so many different musicians are involved but believe me these 31 all original songs are not to be missed. If you enjoy Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, Jose Gonzalez, Iron and Wine, The National, Grizzly Bear... and on and on, you'll find them all here plus lots of other great bands. Really... truly... do not miss out on this record, it is a stunner.
Click on the arrows to hear full versions of some of the best songs:
I'll tell you one thing folks, you won't find an album, a band (or a band name) like this one anywhere else. They are unique, dynamic, entertaining, unpredictable and, at times, quite odd. It's a pretty impressive combination and when you put all the pieces together you get the music that is, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. This group is my number one not just because their sound is unique, but because it is completely irresistable. I defy you to listen to their song 'Home' and not be whistling and toe-tapping along. This album is the perfect blend of very different and very good, and that is why it is number one.
Also, watch this "Tiny Desk Concert" including songs Janglin', Home, and 40 Day Dream.
Favorite Song of the Year
Honestly this was no real contest. Sure I loved Knaan's Waving Flag, Tightrope by Yeasayer and the Sufjan Stevens and Buck 65 collaboration We Are the Blood: Part 2, but in the end nothing really came close to Edward Sharpe's Home. It has become our family's unoffical theme song during this last year complete with impromptu dance parties by young and old alike. And in this day and age I have given this song what is possibly the greatest of all endorsements: it is currently my ringtone.
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