Steady Clappin'

2009 brought some great music. Because I have little to no imagination of my own, I decided to make a list of my favorite albums of this past year. Just like every other website out there in these series of tubes. It is crazy hard to try to number them in any kind of hierarchy without employing some sort of staff of Guatemalans working ’round the clock. I’m one man. And how dare you for presuming that I’d be putting forth more than the minimal effort necessary to get this done. I haven’t even showered since Saturday. So instead of being fancy, I give you the Ikea experience. Here they are, in three parts, in no particular order. You put it together, smarty pants.

Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion

A true gem from this band. Fantastic, ethereal soundscapes with pop and dance sensibilities. Pitchfork, eat your heart out. I can come up with smart sounding sentences too. Bonus: the album cover makes you vomit!

Stand out track: My Girls

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Thunderheist – Self-titled

Bass-heavy synth beats from Grahm Zilla and slick delivery by MC Isis gives this duo great results. Plus they’re from Canada, which is the land of my ancestors and is America’s hat.

Stand out track: Slow Roll

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Wale – Attention Deficit

Wale’s been up on the internet killin’ it with mixtapes for quite some time. He’s the MC of social media. He finally delivered an actual album this past October and it was great. There’s some nice introspective tracks on here as well as some fun jauns. Well done. It’s nice when something so anticipated actually delivers.

Stand out track: Contemplate

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The XX – XX

There’s not much I can say about The XX that hasn’t already been said. The album is phenomenal. It’s just sexy. It’s makeout music for the cool kids.

Stand out track: Shelter

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

TO BE CONTINUED