Top Ten Albums of 2009: #9

Superdrag - Industry Giants

One of my more disappointing experiences of 2009 was chatting with Tom Fuller during his cursory and dismissive first spin of Industry Giants. Yes, the album features some true duds (“You’re Alive,” “5 Minutes Ahead of the Chaos”) and sure, you could make a case that it’s the worst Superdrag album. However, none of that changes the fact that hearing this band - the original lineup, no less - once again run through a rousing opener (“Slow to Anger”), captivating rock songs (“Everything Will Be Made Right,” “Deathblow to Your Pride”), and gorgeous ballads (“Live and Breathe,” “Try”), with a dazzling reggae-tinged rocker (“Aspartame”) thrown in for good measure, makes for one hell of a good time.

Top Ten Albums of 2009: #10

The Twilight Sad - Forget The Night Ahead

I first became acquainted with Scotland's The Twilight Sad through Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters, their solid but very unremarkable debut. The difference this time around is that, with the exception of a few well-placed ballads, blistering guitars now propel every track. The result is an album that doesn't feature any mind blowing numbers but is nonetheless thoroughly engaging from start to finish.

Top 25 Songs For October & November

25. Phoenix - Armistice
24. Beck - End Of The Day
23. Phoenix - Countdown (Sick For The Big Sun)
22. The Twilight Sad - The Room
21. Girls - Lust For Life
20. Phoenix - Girlfriend
19. Girls - Morning Light
18. Built To Spill - Nowhere Lullaby
17. Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit - However Long
16. Girls - Hellhole Retrace
15. Volcano Choir - Island, IS
14. Beck - Lost Cause
13. Volcano Choir - Still
12. The Twilight Sad - I Became A Prostitute
11. Beck - It's All In Your Mind
10. The Twilight Sad - Made To Disappear
9. Built To Spill - Life's A Dream
8. Built To Spill - Tomorrow
7. Pearl Jam - The Fixer
6. Phoenix - 1901
5. Built To Spill - Aisle 13
4. Okkervil River - For Real [Live On Austin City Limits]
3. Phoenix - Rome
2. Phoenix - Lasso
1. Phoenix - Lisztomania