2009 Music (So Far)

Since so many of the music websites I look at have done a best-of (so far) for 2009 I thought I should as well. To be fair I don't buy a lot of music and when I do it is usually based on the previous years' best of lists. So this list is probably incomplete.

I've heard a lot of great stuff so far this year, but some of it like Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, and Blitzen Trapper came out in 2008. So what I offer are the top five albums (released in 2009) that I have listened to. Since I don't work for a music magazine I sadly don't get my music for free so I haven't listened to most of the albums that came out in 2009. Looking over the best of (so far) from the Paste Magazine editors, for example, I haven't heard most of the albums listed. But I guess I can do my best with what I have heard...

Top Five (in no order) - (albums released January-June 2009):

1. Andrew Bird - Noble Beast - Probably is my favorite album of 2009 so far. Every song is great.
2. The Decemberists - Hazards of Love - A love story - Wonderful album
3. Various/Compilation - Dark was the Night - It's a comp so it probably doesn't technically fit the standards for best album, but I can't stop listening to it. Especially The Giant of Illinois (Andrew Bird) and Sleepless (The Decemberists). All the other songs are great as well.
4. Iron and WIne - Around the Well - Not new songs - Mainly B-sides and rarities - Still some great stuff - Especially Dearest Forsaken and The Trapeze Swinger
5. M. Ward - Hold Time - Another good album - Very diverse musically - Deep (spiritual/religious) lyrics

Other Albums I have enjoyed (in no order):

1. The Audreys - When the Flood Comes
2. Anthony and the Johnsons - The Crying Light
3. Blood Bank - Bon Iver
4. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

Albums I am looking forward to (in release date order) - (albums releasing July-December 2009)

1. Derek Webb - Stockholm Syndrome - Though the official release date is September 1 beginning tomorrow, July 7, pre-orders are available at Derek Webb's website with immediate digital download...Including the controversial track
2. Magnolia Electric Co. - Josephine - July 21
3. The Monsters of Folk - September 21 - A super group composed of Jim James, M. Ward, Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis. I'm really looking forward to this album.
4. The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You - September 29.

Concerts in 2009.

I was hoping to make it up to Chicago for either the Pitchfork Music Festival or Lollapalooza this year, but that seems doubtful. At this point the most likely show I'll make it to is Andrew Bird and St. Vincent at The Orange Peel (Asheville, NC) on October 9.

My favorites might change by the end of 2009. I'm sure I'll hear more than the four albums I'm looking forward to. If I had to guess Andrew Bird will remain on my best of list. Dark Was the Night I'll take off but put some songs from it on my favorite songs of the year list. I imagine that Monsters of Folk and The Avett Brothers have a good chance of making my year end list as well. If Josephine is anywhere close to as good as Songs:Ohia (2003) it will be on the list as well.

All in all this has been a great year for music so far. It will only be a bonus if it gets better.