PJMixer best music of 2009

I downloaded and listened to a ton of music this year and also went to more concerts (21, 31 artists) than I have in many years.  There are a few friends and fellow concert photographers that enjoy the same music as I do, however my tastes are quite varied and I'm finding more than ever, that perhaps my music is not on everyone's radar screen of what's good or popular in music today.  However, I do hope that you'll agree with some of my choices for 2009 and more importantly I hope you'll find something new in the lists below that appeals to your ears and rhythm.  


1. Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum.  Driving riffs, beats, and sing-a-longs across the majority of the tracks of this fantastic record - first time I heard it I knew is was going to be my number one (shortlisted for the 2009 Mercury Prize, and was named Best Album of the 2009 by Q).  The only thing missing is a North America tour !  pjtracks: Underdog, Fire and Where did all the love go ?



2. K'Naan - Troubadour.  Somalia born and now based in Toronto, K'Naan conjures up a modern blend of hip hop, rap, pop and African beats with very personal and political story telling.  Fabulous.  The album was shortlisted for the 2009 Polaris Music Prize. A remix of Waving Flag has been selected as the official song of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.  pjtracks: Dreamer and Take a Minute.



3. Jamie T - Kings & Queens.  Quirky voice singing our clever, perky and potent lines make the blend of upbeat pop, rap, hip hop with a few ballads irresistible.  pjtracks: Sticks 'n' Stones and Chaka Demus.




4. The Temper Trap - Conditions.  Fantastic surprise when we saw these Aussies bring the house down at The Horseshoe Tavern a few months ago.  Credit to Suze20TO for the find, must-see live act, overflowing with energy and chart potential.  pjtracks: Science of Fear and Love Lost.



5. U2 - No Line on the Horizon.  When I first got this album I wasn't immediately impressed.  However, after quite a lot of listening, the quality of the songwriting and the music is what we've come to expect from U2 - perfect.  But what got them on the list this year was their concert performance.  Best show of the year and maybe an all time top 10, big thanks to Scotty H for the comp tickets and getting the chance to see the biggest band in the whole up-close.  pjtracks: I'll Go Crazy If I Don't go Crazy Tonight, Magnificant and Moment of Surrender





6. Champion - Resistance.  This second album from Montreal DJ and guitar gang takes much more of a rock path, but the beats from Max always get you moving and then the guitars and catchy keep you in the moment.  Superb live show a must-see.  pjtracks: Alive Again, Resistance (Skool) and Backing Off.

7. The XX - XX.  Wonderful mellow minimalist, electronica perfect for late night listening.  Thanks to Rob S for the tip on this one.  pjtracks: Crystalised and VCR.

8. Florence and the Machine - Lungs.  A voice that at times reminds me of Kate Bush (and on other tracks can really belt it out), lovely layered and varied tracks on this rather unique sounding album. pjtracks Rabbit Heart (Raise it up), You've got the Look and Kiss with a Fist.



9.  White Lies - To Lose My Life.  A great example of the renewed 80's sound found in quite a few albums this year.  Lyrics are a little dark, but the synth layers are warm and the beats and buildups are top draw. pjtracks: Death and E.S.T.



10. Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career.  Light, fair-weather tunes that put a smile on my face, but don't seem to fit our current sub-zero conditions.  Another recommendation from Rob S. pjtracks: You Told a Lie and James.



Other 2009 releases that I played a lot this year, but didn't quite make the top 10 include: The Clientele, Jet (pjtrack: She's a Genius), Manic Street Preachers, Coldplay (the live LeftRightLeftRightLeft), Sam Roberts (pjtrack: The Pilgrim), Franz Ferdinand, The Streets (pjtrack: Heaven for the Weather) and Cut Copy (pjtrack: Lights and Music).

There were a flurry of releases later in 2009 (or in the case of Metric weren't available via my regular download channel), that I've begun to listen a lot to and are very promising and perhaps would have made the list if I'd found them earlier or monopolized the stereo for the last few weeks: John Mayer (pjtrack: Heartbreak Warfare), Norah Jones (pjtrack: Chasing Pirates), Metric, Jay-Z and Timbaland (pjtrack: Timothy where you been, feat. Jet).



My picks for songs of 2009 are:

1. Kasabian - Where did all the love go ?
2. Kasabian - Fire
3. K'Naan - Take a Minute
4. K'Naan - Dreamer
5. Peter Doherty - Last of the English Roses
6. Arctic Monkeys - Cornerstone
7. U2 - Moment of Surrender
8. Jay-Z - Empire State of Mind (feat. Alicia Keys) (and with all the shots of NY in the video, on first viewing, this becomes my favourite video of 2009)
9. Jamie T - Sticks 'n' Stones
10. White Lies - Death


And to finish off the lists for 2009, a few odd tracks from other artists that got a lot of iPod playtime: Deadmau5 - Ghosts 'n' Stuff; Reverend and the Makers - No Soap in a Dirty War; Madelaine Peyroux - Instead; The Enemy - Sing When You're in Love; Junior Boys - Work; and last but not least, what 2009 list would be complete without Dizzee Rascal's Dance Wiv Me.