You can view their online zine here: http://indiependentmusic.blogspot.com/2009/12/best-of-2009-indiependentmusic-e-zine.html
2009 was good to me. I graduated from college, and got to stay in Never-Neverland (Athens,Ga.) by scoring a job at Team Clermont. I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many great writers, music directors, and bands. Working with records I’m passionate about is a dream. It was tough, but I put together some of my favorites, in no particular order.
Nana Grizol – Ruth (Orange Twin)
Maybe I’m biased since they’re friends but I can’t hear this record without smiling and moving. The lyrics are like finding a diary you never knew you wrote. The lineup varies, but includes members of Elephant 6 bands Elf Power, Music Tapes, and Defiance Ohio.
Bear in Heaven – Beast Rest Forth Mouth (Hometapes)
The driving rhythms and sense of urgency in the songs get me through bleary-eyed mornings and afternoon doldrums. These guys have had a whirlwind year. Pitchfork best new music, ABC World News feature, and heading out on tour with Cymbals Eat Guitars.
Hometapes is one of my favorite labels (tied w/ Orange Twin). Sara and Adam are so involved with every detail, and every record is a little keepsake piece of art in itself. My early Christmas was the box of vinyl they sent us. Every Hometapes release is fun to touch and hold.
Circulatory System – Signal Morning (Cloud Recordings)
I’m a big Elephant 6 nerd, and I love the folks in Circulatory System. I got a copy of this record about six months before it came out, and staying silent and not blaring it from the rooftops was my 2009 self-control exercise. I think it’s perfectly sequenced. There’s something triumphant about it.
Megafaun – Gather, Form And Fly (Hometapes)
These guys are amazing performers. They sing with their eyes and hands. They leap off stage and run around the venue. My favorite lunch of the year was taking them to a place in Athens called Just Pho (And More) for Phil’s birthday. Side D on the vinyl is an art etching for Phil & Brad’s grandfather.
Jookabox – Dead Zone Boys (Asthmatic Kitty)
Favorite houseguests of 2009. One of the most unique albums I’ve heard this year, and more accessible than the releases under the Granpall Jookabox moniker. The album has an underlying theme of white flight and urban blight (inspired by the neighborhood Moose grew up in) that manifests itself in zombie imagery, without being gimmicky and too halloweenie.
The video for “You Cried Me” and the song itself make me want to do my happydance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-PZ4rgOY1g&feature=player_embedded
Karl Blau – Zebra (K Records)
Just watch this video for Dark Sedan. It’s been stuck in my head all fall/winter.
Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
Grizzly Bear was one of my favorite live shows of the year. It was beautiful. Angelic even. The stage setup had simple mason jars with lights hanging from strings strategically glowing and fading with the music.
Half-handed Cloud – Cut Me Down & Count My Rings (Asthmatic Kitty)
46 b-sides and rarities… and they’re all consistently great. Trying to pick 3 tracks to emphasize for the college radio campaign was so hard!
Happy dancey single:
Phoenix – Lisztomania
If only I could master that Molly Ringwald dance…
Looking forward to:
A new Music Tapes record. (please please let me come out in 2010…) Julian is coming caroling at my house this month. Hurrah!
Neat new online music tool:
My friend Ben created www.livingroompeople.com, a house show forum connecting open houses, bands on tour, and show goers. I hope it takes off.
cheers!
Interesting list, Alyssa! I’m looking forward to giving Nana Grizol’s album a listen soon. Thanks for reminding me.