Daigle’s Top Five Albums of 2009

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So I know this isn’t exactly timely for the end of 2009, but after the jump, I’ll rank and briefly discuss my Top 5 alubms from 2009; mostly because my list is almost completely different from BVaz’s.  I only am doing five because I feel like after my top five, things get muddled.  Who is 6?  Who is 10?  Woods?  Real Estate?  Atlas Sound? Phoenix?! Are those albums even worth of a top 10 of the year?  Not sure!  The five I have listed here are all fantastic, though.  One thing is for certain - loved me some chill albums this year.  

I know I omitted some other people’s almost everyone’s choice for album of the year (Merriweather Post Pavillion), but this is my list, so deal with it.   

#5 – Grizzly Bear: Veckatimest

It would be difficult to overlook this utterly gorgeous record for anyone’s list, and the arrangements, depth and creativity of each of the songs on Veckatimest make this album a real stunner, and absolutely worth all of the pre-release hype that it got.  Going to SXSW last year, I didn’t know why so many people were so Grizzly Bear crazy, but after seeing them twice in 2009 and getting my hands on this record, now I know. 

Grizzly Bear – While You Wait for the Others from Veckatimest

#4 – Sunset Rubdown: Dragonslayer

Maybe this one slides into the four spot from a soft spot in my heart for Sunset Rubdown’s last album, Random Spirit Lovers, or maybe it’s because I love Wolf Parade so much, or maybe it’s because one time in Vegas I was telling people my name was Spencer Krug and that I’m in these bands called Sunset Rubdown and Wolf Parade (all true).  Whatever the reason, Dragonslayer (reviewed) retains much of the creativity and variety that blessed Random Spirit Lovers, yet threads each of the songs together with a focus and drive that was missing on that album.  Dragonslayer takes off and absolutely drives you from the very start all the way through the 8 tracks, while trimming the whimsy and distraction that somewhat plagued Random Spirit Lover. 

Sunset Rubdown – December Song from Dragonslayer

#3 – Andrew Bird: Noble Beast

I think Andrew Bird’s fantastic Noble Beast takes a bit of a hit from being a little too poppy, and althrough this album is exceptionally catchy and very easy to listen to, there also exists copious amounts of creativity, passion and emotion in these songs.  If you doubt it, give Souverian or The Privateers another spin in the iTunes.  The first half of Noble Beast is pop that excels with its skill.  The second half provides the emotion and a depth that is somewhat overlooked, but is absolutely present.

#2 The Antlers: Hospice

Hospice is not for everyone.  It is chill, it is slow, it is quiet, and it rarely gets excited whatsoever (the only exception may be with Two).  But the way this album drifts along and hooks the listener is an absolute clinic in how to weave together disperate sounds into one cohesive and impressive song.  Noise it is not; the elements become something more and something deeper.  Almost hypnotic, the elements clash and work together all at once, and it sounds fantastic.

The Antlers – Wake from Hospice

#1 The XX: xx

The XX use negative space in an even more impressive fashion than The Antlers use sound.  The silence on this record is in of itself a very tangible element to actually listen to and hear.  The songs pick their way around the voids with a carefully measured precision that is simply unmatched.  I have never heard such a deliberately thin, yet profoundly well done collection of songs.  xx also challenges Hospice on my list for chill album of the year, but this one grooves in a way that the Antlers never dreamed.

The XX – Crystalised from XX