Best Albums For 2009 [Top 10]
2009 was a big year for The Album Project. With the goal of recommending good music to people, we put out not one, but two free digital compilations full of lesser known, yet amazing bands on top of the album reviews and daily recs. It has been a year of good music and besides listing just the top 10 records for the year I’ve also included some other favorites, let downs and random facts. Thanks for the continued support.
Most Read Full Review: John Meyer – Battle Studies
Least Read Full Review: The Starting Line – Somebody’s Gonna Miss Us
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Top 10 Albums
10. Needtobreathe – The Outsiders
Like I said in my review, there is something about good southern rock that, when done right, is hard to resist, no matter your musical preference. Needtobreathe stepped up their game with ‘The Outsiders’.
Full Review
Favorite Song: “The Outsiders”
[Listen] [Buy Album
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9. Ace Enders & A Million Different People – When I Hit The Ground
Whether with The Early November or his solo act, Ace Enders really is proving to be one of the truly talented musicians that can excel with whatever he does. This record is a good time the whole way through, starting with the spine chilling “Reintroduction”.
Full Album Review
Favorite Song: “Reintroduction”
[Listen] [Buy Album
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8. Asa – Self Titled
You could compare her to Jack Johnson musically, but Jack Johnson doesn’t mix it up with songs in another language. There is a definite fire and passion running through this record that is exciting to see played out in both the softer tracks and the more upbeat ones.
Full Review
Favorite Song: “Fire On The Mountain”
[Listen] [Buy Album
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7. MUTEMATH – Armistice
Although not as spectacular as I was hoping for, Armistice still lived up to its hype and proves this is one of the best bands out there performing today, no question about it.
Full Album Review
Favorite Song: “Backfire”
[Listen] [Buy Album
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6. Rubik – Dada Bandits
With melody busting out of every crack on this album, Rubik can easy be called infecsious with this offering. “Wasteland” is able to bring the same anticipation and pay off that anthems like Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” does. Find this album and listen to it!
Full Album Review
Favorite Song: “Temple Of Doom”
[Listen] [Buy Album
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5. As Cities Burn – Hell Or High Water
This album is diverse, but still flows so well. I love the coherence between the hard and soft moments which even occur in the same song. Although a shame the band has broken up, this was a great album to go out on.
Full Album Review
Favorite Song: “Pirate Blues”
[Listen] [Buy Album
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4. Paper Route – Absence
This record carried a lot of what drew me to MUTEMATH on their first album, but Paper Route adds their own slightly more electronic elements and style. From Start to finish this is an album that the band can be proud of.
Full Album Review
Favorite Song: “Dance On Our Graves”
[Listen] [Buy Album
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3. Sherwood – QU
QU is basically the perfect Sherwood record. They took all their strengths and made songs which cut right to the reason you listen to any song over and over again.
Full Album Review
Favorite Song: “Not Gonna Love”
[Listen] [Buy Album
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2. Freelance Whales – Weathervanes
I did not see this band or album coming when it blindsided me out of nowhere. If you were looking for infectious music that blends a folky style with electronic pieces this is it. Literally this is exactly what you’re looking for.
Full Album Review
Favorite Song: “Generator First Floor”
[Listen] [iTunes
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1. Thrice – Beggars
This is another album I wasn’t expecting much from, but it is hands down the best offering from the band to date. Thoughtful rock has never been so good.
Full Album Review
Favorite Song: “In Excile”
[Listen] [Buy Album
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Best EP (7 Songs or Less)
5. Until June – The Sound Of Defeat [1 Liner]
4. Sunbears! – Dream Happy Dreams [1 Liner]
3. Jack’s Mannequin – Dear Jack EP [1 Liner]
2. Mae – (M)orning [1 Liner]
1. Andy Zipf – Our Voice Is A Weapon [1 Liner]
Best Unsigned Band/Artist
3. American Standard
2. Farewell Flight
1. The Fold
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Best Album Artwork/Layout
1. Sleeping At Last – Storyboards
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Favorite Song
1. Ace Enders & A Million Different People – “Reintroduction”
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Best Movie Soundtrack
1. Where The Wild Things Are [Karen O]
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Most Disappointing Albums
3. Tinted Windows – Self Titled [Review]
2. The Higher – It’s Only Natural [Review]
1. Family Force 5 – Christmas Pageant [Review]
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Most Anticipated Albums of 2009
5. Blindside -TBA
4. Lifehouse – Smoke & Mirrors
3. Ted Leo + Pharmacists
2. The Ataris – TBA
1. Copeland’s possible album??
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Let us know whether or not you agree [respectably please] or just leave your top 10 list for 2008.
Tags: best of 2009
December 6th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
I reallllllly hope Copeland comes through and makes one last album.
December 6th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Interesting list. It’s very diverse. A lot of these aren’t really my cup of tea, but I’m sure they’re very good.
I’m really picky and only buy music that I LOVE, so according to my iTunes,the only 2009 albums I spent any large amount of time listening to were Deas Vail’s “Birds & Cages”, Owl City’s “Ocean Eyes”, MuteMath’s “Armistice”, and Mae’s yearlong project. I’m still warming to Paper Route’s release. I can tell that I’ll like it someday, I’m just not there yet.
December 7th, 2009 at 4:05 am
I’m liking the inclusion of #5 on the albums list. I think a lot of people who initially liked that record forgot about it by this time in the year (maybe because there was never a supporting tour?), and the people who didn’t like it only cared about “Come Now Sleep” But “Hell Or High Water” was one of the best albums of the year, no question. Songs like “Errand Rum”, “Capo”, and especially “Made Too Pretty” really made this record something distinctive and masterful. It is a shame the band broke up, but while I’m hesitant to call it their best offering overall right now, it certainly was one of the best offerings of 2009. I also have Sherwood in my top ten, but I ranked both them and ACB a little lower. Stay tuned for JFH’s top ten lists!!
December 7th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Oh, I forgot about As Cities Burn! (Probably because I don’t own it… just listened to a stream online, but anyway…)
I’m happy to see Needtobreathe on the list. It was definitely one of my top favorites of 2009. Just the opening strum of “The Outsiders” fills me with joy. =)
December 7th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Really like your top ten list. Its quite close to my own with maybe the Cartel, Owl City and the Nural cds put in.
December 7th, 2009 at 9:38 am
everyone should leave their top 10 list in the comments if they’re ready
December 7th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Hey, love your site and appreciate EVERYTHING you do, but you forgot some big ones this year.
Best of 2009:
All The Day Holiday – The Things We’ve Grown To Love
Anchor & Braille – Felt (Christian and Aaron nailed this album)
Deas Vail – Birds & Cages
The Dangerous Summer – Reach For The Sun
The Hoodies – A Place on Solid Ground
Person L – The Positives
Relient K – Forget & Not Slow Down
As Tall As Lions – You Can’t Take It With You
Fun – Aim & Ignite
Letdowns for 09:
Owl City (he could have kept the tone of his near perfect Maybe I’m Dreaming album and still blown up- instead he sings about going to the dentist- but I am still impressed with Ocean Eyes, especially Tidal Wave)
Can’t wait for in 2010:
Motion City Soundtrack (Minneapolis, represent!)
FAIR (hello again, Aaron Sprinkle)
Minus The Bear
The First Joke (from former This Day & Age dudes)
The Graduate (yes!)
Jack’s Mannequin?
The Starting Line?
Lydia
Good Old War
Jason Mraz – Will he ever figure out how to use his immense talent to make an kick ass album from start to finish?
Brighten
Wolftron or Daphne Loves Derby
Damien Rice – please make another album!
Jimmy Eat World?????
Sufjan Stevens, time for that MN album
December 7th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Top 10 Albums of 2009
10. John Mayer – Battle Studies
9. M. Ward – Hold Time
8. Wilco – Wilco (the album)
7. Jamie Cullum – The Pursuit
6. Andy Zipf – Our Voice Is A Weapon
5. Ben Gibbard & Jay Farrar – One Fast Move or I’m Gone
4. Thad Cockrell – To Be Loved
3. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
2. Pete Yorn – Back & Fourth
1. The Damnwells – One Last Century
Top 10 Songs of 2009
10. Charlie Mars – Listen to the Darkside
9. Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band – White Shoes
8. Cedars of Lebanon – U2
7. The Civil Wars – Poison & Wine
6. John Mayer – War of My Life
5. Jamie Cullum – Wheels
4. The Avett Brothers – Laundry Room
3. Last Train Home – David Mead
2. The Damnwells – Dandelion
1. Blood Bank – Bon Iver
December 7th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Top Albums of ‘09
10. All Time Low – Nothing Personal
9. A Love Like Pi – Atlas and The Oyster
8. Paper Route – Absence
7. Needtobreathe – The Outsiders
6. Relient K – Forget & Not Slow Down
5. Thrice – Beggars
4. Owl City – Ocean Eyes
3. Nural – Entitlement
2. Cartel – Cycles
1. MuthMath – Armistice
Biggest Disappointment – Mayer – Battle Studies
2010 Wishlist –
Acceptance getting back together (Please?)
Something Corporate getting back together (Please?)
New Album from Anberlin (That doesn’t suck like New Surrender)
Anything from the Postal Service. Anything!
Anything from the Ryan Adams. Anything!
December 7th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Like your picks, but I’d include Mat Kearney, Cartel, and Eye Alaska as honorable mentions. p.s. Not sure why you never mention OneRepublic on the site, they make some kick-ass music and it really fits in with a lot of the other bands you recommend.
December 7th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
LOVE that Sherwood’s QU is on the list. I fell in love with them this year and have seen them 7 times in concert this year. They are even better live. Lots of energy!
December 8th, 2009 at 9:02 am
I don’t have a complete list yet but here are some likely contenders
The Dangerous Summer-Reach For the Sun
Taking Back Sunday-New Again
Manchester Orchestra-Mean Everything To Nothing
Thursday- Common Existence
This Time Next Year- Road Maps and Heart Attacks
The Fray- S/T
Say Anything- S/T
The Swellers-Ups and Downsizing
Set Your Goals-This Will Be The Death of Us
The Almost- Monster Monster
Sherwood- QU
Polar Bear Club-Chasing Hamburg
Anchor and Braille (surprised to not see this on your list)
Closure In Moscow-First Temple
And as for next year:
AVA
Blink
Motion City Soundtrack
Amber Pacific
Jimmy Eat World
Big If
FFTL
Valencia
The Audition
The Wonder Years
Driver Side Impact
Number One Gun
The Ataris
The Classic Crime
The Color Fred
Envy On The Coast
It’s gonna be another great year for music.
December 8th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Hey no big problem with the list just one comment… How come canvas waiting didn’t make it into your best unsigned bands?
December 8th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
1. Sleeping At Last-Storyboards
2. Kevin Devine-Brothers Blood
3. Grizzly Bear- Veckatimest
4. Propagandhi- Supporting Caste
5. Lucero-1372 Overton Park
6. Fun- Aim&Ignite
7. Every Time I Die- New Junk Aesthetic
8. The Dangerous Summer- Reach For The Sun
9. All The Day Holiday- The Things We’ve Grown To Love
10. Broadway Calls- Good Views, Bad News
December 9th, 2009 at 8:25 am
10. Future of Forestry – Travel
9. fun. – Aim & Ignite
8. Dave Matthews Band – Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King
7. MUTEMATH – Armistice
6. Future of Forestry – Travel II
5. Gabe Dixon Band – Gabe Dixon Band
4. David Crowder Band – Church Music
3. Thrice – Beggars
2. The Canvas Waiting – A Season’s Change
1. Mae – (M)orning
I was also surprised not to see The Canvas Waiting mentioned,
they’ve been one of my favorite bands since their first album.
December 10th, 2009 at 12:57 am
once again, Gavin Castleton’s masterpiece “Home” is nowhere to be found. Sad.
December 11th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Thank you, thank you, thank you for putting ACB’s Hell or High Water on your list. “Made Too Pretty” was my favorite song of the year.
I thought Showbread’s Fear of God was a great album. And my favorite Album Project recommendation of 2009 was easily Castevet. I can’t get enough of it.
December 11th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Grizzly Bear- Vecktamist
Passion Pit- Manners
Phoenix- Wolfgang Amadeus
The XX- XX
Thrice- Beggars
Matthew Good- Vancouver
Pearl Jam- Backspacer
Athlete- Black Swan
Franz Ferndinand- Tonight
Julian Casablancas- Phrazes for the young
Animal Collective- MWPP
MuteMath- Armistice
Metric- Fantasies
A mixed bag for sure. Those are some of my faves from the year! I want to check out Paper Route and Sherwood from your list! Thanks for posting!
December 16th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
I feel like So Long Forgotten’s Things We Can See And Things We Cannot deserves an honorable mention.
December 30th, 2009 at 12:48 am
great list i have it a little different but i love yours this is mine for 2009
10.Wilco- Wilco(the album)
9.Between the Buried and Me- The Great Misdirect
8.MUTEMATH-Armistice
7.Rx Bandits Mandala
6.Surrogate-Popular Mechanics
5.As Tall As Lions-You can’t take it with you
4.Grizzly Bear-Veckatimest
3.fun.- Aim and Ignite
2.Death Cab for Cutie-Open Door EP
1.Thrice-Beggars
January 1st, 2010 at 9:25 am
thanks for putting Asa =) More power!
January 6th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
What about The Antlers “Hospice”
I thought that was a fantastic album