Greatest Albums of 2009. #10. - #6.

Continued from Part Two

10. Volcano Choir - Unmap (September 22, 2009)
(Experimental/Folk/Ambient)
Justin Vernon's Volcano Choir, contrary to popular belief, actually outdates his vastly more famous Bon Iver project. It dates back to the summer of 2005, when Justin Vernon's DeYarmond Edison toured with Volcano Choir's other members under the moniker of Collections of Colonies of Bees. Unmap sees a return by Vernon to his long-running project and with it a return to the more experimental side of his songwriting. If you thought Bon Iver was an experimental project - Volcano Choir will give you no choice but to rethink. Volcano Choir make ambient post-folk, accompanied by the clinking of glasses, shutting of doors, and echoes of the wind, coated in note perfect five-piece choral harmony. Beautifully cluttered instrumentation drifts over harmonics and intermittent vocal cries; Volcano Choir sound like a choral jam-band - Fleet Foxes combined with the wisdom of ambient folk bands such as Mountains, or even parts of Bon Iver's own work. Unmap is the collection of these stunning recordings - to make quite clearly one of the best experimental releases of the year.

Volcano Choir - Husks And Shells (MP3)

Unmap on Amazon

9. The Antlers - Hospice (August 18, 2009)

(Folk/Indie Pop/Ambient)
Hospice is the second full length studio album from New York's Antlers, originally released in March, but re-pressed by Frenchkiss Records in August after the initial release sold an overwhelming number of copies. Lead singer Peter Silberman wrote the first album In The Attic of The Universe alone in his Brooklyn flat in 2006 - and later recruited Michael Lerner and Darby Cicci to help with EPs Cold War and New York Hospitals. Hospice is a concept album telling the story of a man losing a loved one to cancer. Through the medium of airy indie folk, lo-fi recordings and ambient, shoegazing background noise Silberman delivers his epic story with falsetto vocals and catchy, minor key melodies. Two, even if a little predictable, is The Antlers' masterpiece; Weighing in at nearly six minutes, it is both their catchiest and their most honest - with enough desperation to make it clear song of the year material.

The Antlers - Two (MP3)

Hospice on Amazon

8. Passion Pit - Manners (May 19, 2009)(Indie Pop/Electronica/Dance)

Passion Pit were easily one of the most hyped bands heading into 2009; their Chunk of Change EP (originally a Valentine's Day gift from lead singer Michael Angelakos to his girlfriend) came out in September of 2008 and gained a huge amount of media attention. The subsequent album 'Manners' saw the re-release their runaway lead single Sleepyhead, and it quickly became one of the most overplayed songs of 2009 - but no-one was complaining. Manners is more of the same from Passion Pit, falsetto electronica/dance music with sunny melodies and huge synthesized beats. Passion Pit completely coined their own sound - there's not really many comparisons that can be drawn. Manners is simultaneously both an album of radio-friendly falsetto synthpop songs, and at the same time an album of sleek, futuristic advert music which at no point betrays its own ideals. Moth's Wings is the third track, and about as grand as a synthpop band will probably ever sound.

Passion Pit - Moth's Wings (MP3)

Manners on Amazon

7. Fever Ray - Fever Ray (March 24, 2009)(Electronica/Darkwave/Dance)

I introduced Fever Ray on the blog back in January as one half of Swedish duo The Knife, pointed out the incredible Fuck Buttons remix of If I Had A Heart, and finally, branded Karen Dreijer Anderson's new project a 'disturbing electronic mumble.' I still stick by this description, almost a year on. Fever Ray make smooth beats and scatty synth lines accompanied by Karen's brooding and heavily accented vocals. Even when this album is upbeat it remains as shadow pop with a darkened and terrifying edge. Its not just the tribal, ritual sound of the music which keeps you looking over your shoulder - the lyrics perfectly match the mood. There's a quite clear Knife influence which shines through the songs throughout - but an unnerving rigidity through which a sinister message is uncovered. Album-opener If I Had A Heart was covered by Florence and The Machine at Glastonbury 2009, and the bemused crowd didn't at all know what to make of it - download the mp3 below and see what you think.

Fever Ray - If I Had A Heart (MP3)

Fever Ray on Amazon

6. The XX - The XX (August 19, 2009)

(Post-Punk/RnB/Indie Rock)
The XX formed in 2005 after attending the Elliot School London (famous for schooling Burial, Four Tet and Hot Chip) and took four years to release their debut album, XX, on Young Turks. It was recorded at XL studios London, mostly at night, over the winter of 2008/9. XX is an album of dark, whispering boy-girl vocals muttering RnB influenced melodies over trip-hop and post-punk melodies. Most of the subtly picked guitar work is very simple, and, coated in heavy reverb, the whole album has a very withdrawn and personal feel to it. Stunning chillout vocals are dubbed low in comparison to the heavy bass riffs which leave a definite 'less is more' vibe about the songs. There are a lot of well placed silences on this album - which make this, as well as being a beautifully written pop album, a very sentimental and personal listen.

The XX - Crystalised (MP3)

XX on Amazon

Click here for (#5 - #1)

Top Ten EPs of 2009

10. Meursault - Nothing Broke EP

The follow up to one of my favourite albums of 2008 Pissing on Bonfires/Kissing with Tongues, the March-released Song, By Toad records Nothing Broke EP is a calm and collected 4-track reminder that Meursault haven't disappeared off the folk radar entirely. They've just released William Henry Miller singles, with a couple of re-recorded versions on a see-through vinyl, which you can purchase straight from Edinburgh through the Song, By Toad store. This is an EP filled with lush folk melodies and one of the most unusual voices (supplied by Neil Pennycook) you'll ever hear - check out the original review from July here.

Meursault - Nothing Broke (MP3)

9. Boys Noize - Starter EP

Boys Noize has been relentlessly touring and remixing since 2008's Oi Oi Oi, and the Starter EP, containing two tracks Starter and Jeffer, is a not very polite reminder that he is still recording fresh material and developing as an artist. The new tracks have the signature Boys Noize sound to them - with all the adrenaline that he's always given us. Starter and Jeffer are easily two of the best dance tracks of 2009 and despite forming only a two-track, the latest from Alex Ridha definitely deserves a mention on this list.

Boys Noize - Starter (MP3)

8. Animal Collective - Fall Be Kind EP

It's been a huge year for Animal Collective, Spring saw the release of their most successful release yet - Merriweather Post Pavilion, which saw them alienate some of their more long term fans, and gain some equally enthusiastic new ones. The fact is, that even if you call that album their most mainstream yet - it's still not even close to radio-friendly. All of this year's releases are catchy in a very revolutionary kind of way - and the Fall Be Kind EP is no different; it's already being championed all across the internet music media. Bleed takes the more ambient sections of Merriweather and expands them beautifully into this Autumn's haziest psychedelic track.

Animal Collective - Bleed (MP3)

7. Burial & Four Tet - Wolf Cub & Moth

Burial & Four Tet was always going to be one of the most hyped releases of the year, and with the characters of the two artists, particularly Burial, it was always going to be one of the most secretive. There was word of this two-track release for a while beforehand, but this was only finalised and formally announced a matter of days before. It ran a very limited vinyl/mp3 only print which quickly sold out, with the vinyl's matt black finish encased within a blank black sleeve, bearing only the words Burial & Four Tet. The two tracks run at around 9 minutes each, and range from ambient dubstep to underground dance. There are clear elements of both artists in this groundbreaking collaboration - you can read my original post on this link.

Burial & Four Tet - Moth (MP3)

6. Beirut - March of the Zapotec/Holland EP

I've always been a fan of Zach Condon's work with Beirut ever since I first heard Gulag Orkestar, but to hear such an extreme change of sound from side one to side two of an EP for me cemented Beirut's place on the end of year list. Condon has moved from Balkan Orchestral music into the realms of synthpop - in one of the most innovative and bold musical steps of this year. Side one of the double EP (March of the Zapotec) contains backing by The Jiminez Band, and features a collection of recordings inspired by his recent trip to Mexico. Side two, Holland, contains dance/electronica accredited mainly to Condon's pre-Beirut project Realpeople. Together, this makes for an incredible EP recording easily ecletic enough to warrant a mention in the best of 2009 list.

Beirut - My Wife (MP3) (March of the Zapotec)
Beirut - My Night With The Prostitute From Marseille (MP3) (Holland)

5. The Drums - Summertime EP

I introduced The Drums on the blog a couple of weeks ago as 'a rather erratic indie dance band' - and I stick by that statement. They combine indietronica of the Ra Ra Riot/Friendly Fires variety with the sounds of Beach Boys influenced surfer pop to create a highly original sounding creation - the Summertime EP. It's laid back and summery and danceable, and ultimately fashionable of next year's developing musical tastes. NME have just confirmed them on their UK Tour next year alongside The Big Pink, Bombay Bicycle Club and The Maccabees on the strength of this EP their recent US popularity. The EP is definitely not one to miss - and next year we should all be seeing a lot more of this band.

The Drums - Don't Be A Jerk, Jonny (MP3)

4. No Age - Losing Feeling EP

No Age's latest installment is even louder than last year's - the main track on the follow up to Nouns, You're A Target, is a soaring punk anthem, and just about sums up the No Age duo inside 4 minutes of recording. Their verging on a-tonal punk sensibility comes from just two members, who built up a massive following from the L.A underground in these last few years by touring relentlessly and releasing some of the most infectious guitar music in the area via FatCat and Sub Pop. The Losing Feeling EP is a little mid-summer treat from No Age which also happens to contain some of their strongest material yet.

No Age - You're A Target (MP3)

3. Saintseneca - Saintseneca EP

Saintseneca are a folk band I can safely assume that, unless you are a reader of this blog, you probably haven't heard of. They are a small band from the Columbus, Ohio music scene who released their 4-track EP on Paper Brigade on September 1st of this year. Its an album filled with stomping ukulele tunes and huge rhythms, accompanied by the frail but beautifully constructed vocals of every member. God Bones is the single from the EP and I can confidently say is one of the best songs of this year. Please, read my original post on this band, and grab the mp3 below.

Saintseneca - God Bones (MP3)

Saintseneca EP on Amazon

2. Pains of Being Pure At Heart - Higher Than The Stars EP

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart are without a doubt one of my favourite discoveries of this year - they released their self-titled debut album on Slumberland in February, and following a whirlwind of hype, they more than lived up to the expectation. Their early 90s inspired take on shoegaze pop won them countless new fans, and their autumn EP release saw a slight development in sound away from the guitar heavy tones of the February release. Higher Than The Stars features far more electronic experimentation, but keeps their simple, and very catchy shoegaze formula intact. Read my original posts, and pick up the mp3 below.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Higher Than The Stars (MP3)

Higher Than the Stars EP on Amazon


1. Bon Iver - Blood Bank EP

Justin Vernon never ceases to amaze me, and his Blood Bank EP is no different. Released on January 20th of 2009, I have no shame in calling it my EP of the year. Vernon's beautiful mellowed out folk music transcends anything else out there at the moment, and probably ever - there is no-one i've ever come across who puts so much feeling, yet at the same time so much reflection into his music. Blood Bank sees pianos and voice layering to the same extent as Volcano Choir - and certainly exposes a more experimental side to this man, which is increasingly making its way into his releases. Blood Bank was as strong a follow up as anyone could have wished for to For Emma, Forever Ago.

Bon Iver - Blood Bank (MP3)

Blood Bank EP on Amazon

Bon Iver - The Park Stage (Glastonbury 2009) - LIVE REVIEW

I've never left a musical performance in such stunned silence, and i wasn't the only one. People who see Bon Iver are genuinely affected by him, nearly without exception. There's just something about the intimate delivery of Vernon and the modesty which sees him set up his own pedals beforehand which leaves his crowds with the mutual realisation that they have stumbled upon something quite special.

Bon Iver played two sets at Glastonbury 2009, one on the intimate park stage, tucked away at the back of Glastonbury (which also saw non televised sets from M. Ward, Animal Collective and Tunng & Tinariwen, as well as a special guest slot from The Dead Weather), and also on the other stage to the general public. We were in the third row, standing about 3 - 4 metres from Justin himself. I never predicted before heading down to the front following M.Ward that we would get quite that close.

He played a pitch perfect set, on 6 self-tuned guitars (might i add the sound check was one of the longest i had to sit through the entire weekend, weighing in at 55 minutes) with the album sound recreated perfectly, other bands members chipping in on backing vocals. Hearing Vernon speak calmly between each individual outburst of passionate performance was awe inspiring in itself, as was seeing Vernon oblivious to his incredible worldwide reception. He began the set by simply thanking the crowd for turning up.

He delivered most of the songs from the album, and all of the Blood Bank Ep except Woods (understandably if you've heard the.. complex vocal arrangement) and Brackett, W9 from the Dark Was The Night compilation. Although he finished with Lump Sum, the highpoint of the set was without doubt The Wolves (Act I And II), where audience participation in the outro for 'What might have been lost' led perfectly into screams of appreciation and applause around the packed park area. People were watching from as far back as we could see from the front, the sun had set, and torches and lights showed up against the low-lit onlookers.

Delivery of every song was faultless in every case, the album ambience was created perfectly with what looked like a fairly standard, but slightly heavy on the pedals stage set up. The hour wait we had for the start was worth it when you heard the result of the endless tunings, sounds and effects in set up. If there's one thing anyone takes from this article, i hope that it should be that Bon Iver shows are life changing.

Bon Iver - Brackett, W9

Bon Iver - The Wolves (Act I And II)

mp3s and disposable camera photos will follow, on the two conditions that they come out when i get them developed tomorrow despite the low light, and that i somehow get rid of this virus from my computer.

The Blood Bank EP - Review.

Bon Iver's innate ability to take such basic chord structures and simple reverbial melodies, and turn them into something eery and life changing is evident as ever on Blood Bank, the four track January release from Justin Vernon, Mike Noyce and Sean Carey. The cabin-recorded debut album 'For Emma, Forever Ago' is quite simply stunning, recorded deep in the woods of Wisconsin at various points throughout a soul searching four month stay for Justin Vernon. The first album is as introvertive as music gets, honestly recorded on a basic four track with ambient noises, foggy acoustic strums and a layered choral falsetto on a mindblowing expanse of folk music.

The Blood Bank EP sounds more like a man who has returned to the real world and is still quite confused by it all. There is a step up in recording quality and a fuller sound probably brought on by a real recording studio and the recruitment of Noyce and Carey for 2008's world tour. Bon Iver has sold out worldwide, and gone from a few forgettable folk music projects to a widely reported and respected band with one of the most emotionally intense live shows on the planet. The EP i'm glad doesn't reflect this new found fame. Bon Iver quite simply, hasn't let it get to his head.

There is a limited new incorporation of instrumentation, but everything retains the rawness and simpleness of the lightly strummed acoustic folk music Vernon has claimed his own. A piano rattles through the third track 'Babys' and either a radical new singing style or a revolutionary new use of a voicebox is on display in the finale 'Woods'. The song is almost entirely vocal, with a multitude of strong falsettos and the first of Bon Iver's arrangements with a substantial time period lacking instruments. The first hint of an experimental influence on Bon Iver occurred to me during the vocal intro to the track.

The first two songs however are the highlights for me. There is just something beautiful about the first track 'Blood Bank' from the eponymous EP which i don't think i can accurately describe. The distorted muffled sound of the guitars, dreamy, late summer vocals, and the choral build up to a turbulent finish makes for one of my favourite tracks of 2009 so far, on as ecletic a follow up to Bon Iver's debut as anyone could have imagined.

Buy (amazon)
Blood Bank (mp3)