Best Music of 2009 (1-5)

1-5

96-The Airborne Toxic Event-The Airborne Toxic Event

Best Track: Sometime Around Midnight

This is my favorite album of the year. The Airborne Toxic Event combines catchy, talented music with soul-gripping, heart-wrenching lyrics. “Sometime Around Midnight” is my favorite track, because every guy has been there or will be there sometime in his life. “Wishing Well “, “Gasoline”, “Innocence” and “Happiness Is Overrated” are also top notch. I will eagerly anticipate their sophomore release, whenever it comes.

92-Dave Matthews Band-Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King

Best Track: My Baby Blue

I was never a big fan of DMB, but I became a huge believer after this disc. From the full brass of “Why I Am” to the rock of “Seven” to the whispering, gut-wrenching, heart-on-a-platter “My Baby Blue” Dave wins at every attempt. I am now a fan. “Funny The Way It Is”, “Squirm”, and “Alligator Pie” are also great tracks.

89-Muse-The Resistance

Best Track: Exogenesis: Symphony, Pt. 3: Redemption

I love anything epic: thunderstorms, Sigur Ros, home crowds, panoramic landscapes, that F# from Whitney Houston in “I Will Always Love You”, etc. Muse is epic. Muse was one of the breakthrough artists of 2009. With song names like “United States of Eurasia” and “Exogenesis: Symphony, Pt. 2: Cross-Pollination” how could they not be? It’s a bold sound, and one that wins. My favorite songs are “Uprising”, “Guiding Light”, “I Belong To You”, and all three parts of the “Exogenesis Symphony.” I imagine they’re fantastic live.

85-Ingrid Michaelson-Everybody

Best Track: Are We There Yet?

Why do I love Ingrid so much? To start with, she’s got a great voice, and writes catchy melodies. What really gets me is her ability to write songs that are sentimental and sappy, but still somehow dark and rooted in actual life. Here are a few examples: “The battle with the heart is not easily won, but it can be won.” “They say that home is where the heart is, I guess I haven’t found my home. Are we there yet?” “Then I will take the chain from off the door.” “Happy is the heart that still feels pain, darkness drains and light will come again, swing open your chest and let it in, just let the love, love, love begin.” I guess we share a similar outlook on love and relationships: irrationally hopeful at every turn yet fully aware of the realities of life. Her music slays me. Yup, I’m a huge fan.

84-Dashboard Confessional-Alter The Ending

Best Track: Hell On The Throat

This was one of my favorite albums of the year. They just have a sound that I love. “Everybody Learns From Disaster”, “”Belle Of The Boulevard”, “Even Now”, “Water And Bridges”, “Hell On The Throat” are the best ones, highlighted by “Even Now” and “Hell On the Throat.”