Year review: In Music

Lots of goodies happened to this years music scene and while this is usually a space for my thoughts on the sporting world, I thought that I'd switch it up a bit. I've started to really get into the music scene a little over a year ago when I finally discovered The Current and I haven't changed my dial since. The great thing about The Current is that they do not play commercials (as they are a member supported radio station. Yes, I am a member) and they play great music most all of the day. Obviously there are songs/bands that I don't care for but that is the price you pay for greatness. With that, I wanted to give you my top 10 albums and songs of this past year...

Top Ten Albums of the Year
10. Rural Alberta Advantage - Hometowns
This little group is out of Canada and they use their fast paced drum beats to push their album along. Overall it's a nice little album that is worth a listen

9. P.O.S - Never Better
Local act P.O.S. steps out of the shadow that Atmosphere has cast and produced a very listenable album. Also, P.O.S. quotes a Mitch Hedberg joke in one of his songs which seals the deal for me.

8. Avett Brothers - I & Love & You
The Avett Brothers came out of no where this year to make one of the better albums of the year. The CD has picked up steam lately but my friend's brother was on to them in the middle of the summer so kudos to you Jackson.

7. Eels - El Hombre Lobo
It took me one listen to this CD for me to love it. If you just got dumped and/or got your heart broken then this CD is definitely for you, trust me. Good stuff though.

6. Mason Jennings - Blood of Man
Mason Jennings has cranked out cd after cd but perhaps Blood of Man is his best. We get to see a more rockin' side of Jennings that we have not seen before and it works very well for him. I also have tried many times to download this cd but I can't find it anywhere. If you can, you should help me out.

5. Metric - Fantasies
I was introduced to Metric in early spring and have been a fan since then. All of the songs on the cd are singable and if you ask me to sing them I just might...they are that good.

4. Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zero's - Up From Below
Good cd which is why it is all the way up at #4 in my countdown. 'Nuff said.

3. The XX - The XX
The XX is a group that I just started listening to but I like their cd so much that it's in my top 3 for the entire year. Their music is very simple and easy but that is what makes it so good. The tag-team speaks of love and hate and all that comes with it beautifully and they make it work well on their self titled cd.

2. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Phoenix kicked off the year with a bang in releasing Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. Saw these guys live and they put on one of the best shows that I've seen yet to date. The cd is packed with music to move your feet to and I can assure you that I have done so.

1. White Rabbits - It's Frightening
C'mon, like it would be any other cd? Of course that the White Rabbits made the best cd of the year. Hands down.

Top Ten Songs of the Year
10. White Rabbits - "Percussion Gun"
I start my top ten with the first White Rabbits song that I ever heard. The song basically sums up what the band is. Face-melting.

9. M. Ward - "Never Had Nobody Like You"
M. Ward could potentially the most boring singer/songwriter in the biz today but everyone wins when Zooey is on board.

8. Jason Lytle - "Yours Truly, the Commuter"
Very catchy, very singable, both very important when you are trying to decide the ten best songs of the year.

7. Glasvegas - "Geraldine"
This song falls into the same category as "Yours Truly, the Commuter" but it's a tad better in my mind. I always love when this song comes on the Current because I get to test my vocal range with the bridge of the song. Always a good time.

6. Grizzly Bear - "While You Wait for the Others"
Lots of people went gaga over the Grizzly Bear album but I am not one of those people, I really do like this song quite a bit.

5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Heads Will Roll"
This song just kicks ass. Not much else to say about it. They have came a long way since "Maps".

4. The XX - "Crystalised"
This is the song that got me hooked on The XX. Very simple, very rocking, very good.

3. Mason Jennings - "The Field"
The line that I love about this song is the line, "I don't want no victory, I just want you back". All of us has probably felt this feeling at some point of our lives and its a very true and telling line. Can you really win in the game of love?

2. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - "Home"
This song would be #1 if I hadn't stumbled upon the White Rabbits. I absolutely love this song and while it sounds cheesy, I want to be in love like the people in the song are someday with someone (preferably Jessica Alba)

And the #1 song of the year is.......

1. White Rabbits - "Lionesse"
Boom goes the dynamite. Listen to the crazy guy singing in the background of this Lionesse/Percussion Gun medley. What a weirdo. He must like the White Rabbits a lot.

There ya have it, my top tens in the music world for the year of 2009. If you don't agree, start your own blog and write about it.