Best Album
Caethua “The Long Afternoon of Earth” (Preservation)
I don’t like to attribute the term ‘best’ to anything, but I’d definitely say “The Long Afternoon of Earth” was one of my favorites in 2009. The album is really two EP-length sessions, but each is a world of charm by itself. The first disc, “No Man’s Land” is my favorite, with cleverly-penned and memorable tracks from start to finish. With literally every listen, I will often say to myself upon the beginning of each track, “oh yeah! i LOVE this one…”. Clare Hubbard’s voice is unmistakably candid, and so appropriate for every word she sings.
Best Song
“Pata Lenta” from Norberto Lobo’s “Pata Lenta” (Mbari Music)
To be honest, this entire album probably ties “The Long Afternoon of Earth” for my ‘favorite’ in 2009. BUT in an effort to play by the rules, I picked only one favorite and then in consolation, here is most definitely the best song I’ve listened to all year…over and over and over. Everything I love about Lobo’s style and approach to music is expressed in this one song. It is emotionally rich, technically engineered to the last detail, and just a fun song to listen to repeatedly.
Best Debut
Silver Bullets “Free Radical” (Stunned Records)
I’m sure it won’t be hard to find folks who will agree with this nomination, and so I hope I can leave some explaining out. These guys blew my mind seconds after popping this little green nugget in and hitting PLAY. Eastern-tinged stoned-jams whirling around and around, electric guitars rich with wah and fuzz, and lots of jittery tambourine. This plus that magical ingredient I call ‘mystique’—the fact that this band materialized basically from thin air. Only pain alongside the pleasure of listening is wondering when they will drop another album!
Best Reissue
Dave Bixby “Ode To Quetzalcoatl” (Guerssen)
To be entirely honest, I don’t keep up much on reissues, and often if I am listening to a reissue, I’m totally oblivious to the fact that the album is in fact a reissue. Anyhow, this one is a magical ride through the Christian mind of Dave Bixby, man of God. It’s an often chilling album, but also sweet and honest. I think the druggie-turned-penitent is a bit of a cliché at this point in time, but Bixby defies the cliché and creates something that’s too well-written to write-off. Taking his faith with a slight grain of salt, it’s hard to dismiss the epic subject matter that he’s going after in some of the songs (“666″ in particular). I think if this record wasn’t so soaked in religious subject matter, it would have some seriously broad appeal outside of the cult realm.
Best Vinyl Only
Emeralds “Emeralds” (Wagon/Gneiss Things)
In a world of eternal mp3s and instant-ripping, it’s hard to put any weight on a vinyl-only release. BUT I think of note this year for me was definitely Emeralds eponymous LP. This, for me, is the record that I’ve been waiting for this band to make. I’ve always thought it strange that most of the Emeralds stuff I’ve heard prior to this does not sound like an amalgamation of the three members’ solo acts. On this LP, I got exactly what I wanted. McGuire’s polyrhythmic guitar, and the two synth warriors’ unmistakable arpeggios and lush analog drones, all here together. No bullshit boring drone here—just straight-up space-tripping via splattery green wax.
Best CD-R Only
Analog Concept “Listen Already Today To The Music Of The Past!” (Stunned Records)
When it comes to innovations in electronic music, this guy has got my vote! There were a lot of great things happening within the ‘genre’ this year, but this album in particular piqued my interest. Where a lot of previous Analog Concept jams have been bigger, sprawling pieces, or otherwise a series of minimal jams, this one is a tidy little collection that spans the whole gamut. He takes dated samples and churns out a fresh sounding 3-minute romp. There are still remnants of the old Alexey, but overtaking the stage is this new, far more adventurous persona. Bits and pieces of 90′s and 80′s electronica nostalgia are buried along the way, and I think that’s the icing on the cake for me. I like to reminisce, and this album makes it possible.
Best Cassette Only
Sean McCann “Midnight Orchard” (Roll Over Rover)
No question that Sean is one of my favorite musicians working at the moment and in the midst of his perpetual gush of tapes this one naturally elevated above the others. At this point in time he has a kind of ‘signature style’, but I think that style first became obvious to me with this tape. Bending tones from bowed strings are what guide us down the river. “Midnight Orchard” is a totally pleasant journey and one of my favorites to flip around and around.
Best Live Show
Ajilvsga, Scott Tuma, Bone Patrol U.S., Drunjus, Loop Retard @ Willy Street Pub, Madison, May 2nd
Well to be honest this is one of the only shows I attended this year due to my new role as father, BUT I think even if I’d have seen a few dozen more shows, this one would still trump em all. This show gave me a chance to meet Brad and Eden, Nathan, discuss family and writing music with Scott Tuma, and of course see Madison native nice guys Tony, Woodman and Luke. Oh and very nice performances also. Ajilvsga+Tuma in an unexpected collaboration was the perfect preface to Brad and Nathan’s rumbling synth/pedal performance.
Quick ‘Catch-All’ List of Favorites
Caethua: Long Afternoon of Earth
Norberto Lobo: Pata Lenta
yo la tengo: popular songs
emearlds: s/t
thomas koner: la barca
silver bullets: free radicals
sean mccann: midnight orchard
mountains: choral
super minerals: clusters
peaking lights: imaginary falcons
rameses iii: i could not love you more
seasons (pre-din): your eyes the stars and your hands the sea
luke vibert: we hear you
tricorn & queue: ashes wander
