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It’s really no surprise Lady GaGa had such a phenomenal 2009. She possessed just the right amount of scandal and outrageousness to take our minds off of a pretty uncertain year.
While the economy continued to crumble and unemployment lines grew – we could block it all out with a good pair of headphones and a nonsense tune ringing in our ears.
That’s why most of the albums I gravitated towards this year were light on the self-loathing, heavy on the fun. They held me together – especially the day Avril and Deryck broke up.
10. Wilco | Wilco (The Album)
Despite featuring a song about a man who killed his girlfriend (“Bull Black Nova”) this is the happiest sounding and most accessible CD Jeff Tweedy has put his name on in a long time.
9. Regina Spektor | Far
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Quirky Russian pianist Regina Spektor may sing with a child-like voice, but on "Far," she doesn’t shy away from very grown-up issues like God, faith, heartache, and alienation. It all goes down easy though, as she weaves the songs together with haunting cello and piano.
8. Passion Pit | Manners
The New England-based electronic rockers produced a CD that is heavy on computerized blips and bleeps – without skipping out on the melody. If the beats don’t lighten your mood, the children's chorus joining in on songs like “Little Secrets” and “The Reeling” should give you that fuzzy feeling.
7. Them Crooked Vultures |Them Crooked Vultures
If anyone was ever looking for a never-fail recipe for an eardrum-popping rock album, this would be it. Supergroup Them Crooked Vultures, comprised of Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), combine their talents for loud, epic, sexy, and, at times, psychedelic songs that kick your ass thoroughly for 13 tracks.
6. Paramore | Brand New Eyes
The Tennessee band has proven that slickly produced pop punk doesn’t have to be boring. Lead singer Hayley Williams uses internal band strife and other personal issues as material for “Brand New Eyes”, but the emotional lyrics are balanced out by some good old fashioned head-bobbing beats.
5. Neko Case | Middle Cyclone
Case's latest album sounds like it was recorded on an extended camping trip. References to birds, tornadoes, summer storms – they’re all here. The album’s piano, string and acoustic arrangements are stunning in their simplicity – giving way to the star instrument of the album – Case’s rich and sultry voice.
4. Jay-Z | The Blueprint 3
Jay-Z blew out 40 candles on his birthday cake earlier this month, so it’s no surprise hip hop’s elder statesman’s latest “Blueprint” installment is more mature and sees him taking stock of a long career. He reflects on his past (“So Ambitious”), at times laments hip hop present ("Death of Auto-Tune"), but most importantly – looks ahead to the future with the help of his friends (Kanye, Rihanna, Kid Kudi) without losing any of his swagger.
3. Lily Allen | It's Not Me, It's You
As was the case with Allen’s 2006 debut Alright, Still, listening to her latest CD is like reading a juicy diary you can’t put down. Allen is honest and reflective, but never loses her sense of humour (see “F**k You” as evidence.)
2. The Dead Weather | Horehound
Jack White’s other side project, The Dead Weather, play a kind of bluesy garage rock that gets more interesting and addictive the more it’s listened to. “Horehound” is gritty through and through – with dark, menacing vocals from Alison Mosshart, and fierce, fuzzy guitars. This new band’s sound is so raw and explosive; it makes you wonder if Jack will ever go back to Meg (or any band missing a bassist).
1. Noisettes | Wild Young Hearts
Every once in a while, an album comes along that makes me wish I dropped out of university, put down my pen, and picked up a guitar instead. “Wild Young Hearts,” the first full-length album from this British trio, is fun and spunky – with singer Shingai Shoniwa’s Billie Holiday-esque vocals adding some serious soul. When this band came to Toronto back in 2006, they played to about 30 people at Lee’s Palace. This album should ensure tickets will be harder to come by next time they’re in town.