Top Albums of 2009

Here are my favorite albums from the past year:

Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest

Few albums end up being as cohesive as Grizzly Bear's second outing. After watching this video continuously for a month, I was worried that I would be disappointed by an album that wasn't just "Two Weeks" on an endless loop, but the songs on Veckatimest are dreamy and full of texture. That also sets the album apart from its excellent predecessor, which lacks a little bit of the oomph on Veckatimest defined by their abilty to maintain their curtain-of-layers sound while embracing addictive melodies ("While You Wait For The Others," anyone?).

Matt & Kim – Grand

2009 was the year that the mainstream noticed Matt & Kim, much to our chagrin here in Pittsburgh, as we now worry they won't repeat their 2008 visit here at the University of Pittsburgh - easily one of the best concerts I've attended (why is Pittsburgh like some kind of space warp that sends awesome bands directly away from it?). They played an amazing, enthusiastic, high-energy show for somewhere between 50 and 70 people; and they seem to play this way whether they are at some college or on MTV's Woodie awards.

Neon Indian – Psychic Chasms

Feels like the '80s, but as remembered through a lo-fi dream machine that records fuzzy musical memories. The wistful pulse and Blade Runner background synth of "6669 (I Don't Know If You Know)" is what clinched it for me.

Gil Mantera’s Party Dream – Dreamscape

Dreamscape represents a push away from their more rock-influenced Bloodsongs, into the more new-wave electronic feel frequented by bands these days. While that could have made Dreamscape sound dangerously uninspired, it shows its power in songs like "Get Sirius" and "Ballerina," my personal winter jams. These new songs fit their euro-trash inspired striptease live show a little better, as well. Plus, we could all learn a few things from Gil's dance moves right??

Telefon Tel Aviv – Immolate Yourself

Released just before the untimely death of band member Charles Cooper, Immolate Yourself is also a departure for Telefon Tel Aviv into new-wave land, but with their trademark stutters and blips it becomes something else entirely: impactful, atmospheric, dream-dance numbers.

Honorable Mention:

Passion Pit – Manners

It's a great album, I just think it's missing the rougher edge and dancefloor feel found on the Chunk of Change EP, or that it got lost in the high production polish of Manners.