As my readers may know, I have a deep love for music, especially good music. Channeling my inner Pitchfork, I’m posting a list of the ten best songs of 2009. This was not an easy list to compile as there was some amazing music released this past year. So here we go…
1. Passion Pit – Little Secrets
I’d venture to say that Passion Pit was by far my favorite band of 2009. I saw them twice: Once at the First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia, in a sweaty basement, and once again with Phoenix (see #4, below) in Central Park in September. Some would say Sleepyhead is a better track, but I disagree. Little Secrets has it all, but the best part may be the youngsters from P.S. 22.
2. Karen O and The Kids – Hideaway
You may remember Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s. If you don’t, then you’ll certainly remember her as the heart of the Where the Wild Things Are soundtrack. Fantastic song that I will forever associate with Maurice Sendak.
3. Jay-Z and Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind
City anthem of the year. If I was a Yankee fan I’d consider replacing “New York, New York” with this as the Yankees’ victory theme.
4. Phoenix – Love Like a Sunset, Pt. 1
They’ve been around for a while, but 2009 was the year of Phoenix. After releasing Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, a highly anticipated follow up to It’s Never Been Like That (which features my favorite Phoenix song of all time, Long Distance Call), this French band has been everywhere. This song however, while not as popular as Lisztomania or 1901, is an instrumental masterpiece.
5. Dirty Projectors – No Intention
A Pitchfork favorite, this Brooklyn-based band is slowly becoming a favorite of mine. I admit, I wasn’t keen on them initially, but the hype has changed my mind. Sometimes, that’s a good thing. In this case, it is.
6. Atlas Sound – Walkabout
The brainchild of Bradford Cox of Deerhunter, Atlas Sound put forth a highly addicting jingle in 2009 – Walkabout. I first heard this song on my second favorite XM-Sirius station (XMU 43) earlier this summer. Really, a very fun track that makes me feel like I’m in the 1960’s.
7. Hot Chip – Take it In
Pop-synth group Hot Chip come back in late 2009 with Take it In. If this song is any indication of what the rest of the album will likely be, I’m really excited for 2010.
8. Neon Indian – Deadbeat Summer
Even if the word “summer” wasn’t part of the title to this track I would have to say that this song was one of the best summer anthems of 2009. (See also Yacht, #9).
9. Yacht – Psychic City (Voodoo City)
So just like Neon Indian above (#8), Yacht’s Psychic City is another summer song that I had trouble forgetting. Much like the other songs on this list, it’s just fun to listen to. Nothing redeeming, just enjoyable.
10. Matt & Kim – Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare
My sister had another Matt & Kim song (Daylight) as her ring tone, and while it’s still a great song, I think I’ve heard it enough. Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare, however, is just as different as it is similar to Daylight. Does that make any sense? I’m not sure it does, but take a listen and let me know what you think. Also, if you’ve watched the show Community on NBC, you’ll recognize some of Matt & Kim.