Here’s my final Top Ten of 2009. Click on the album cover for any more coverage.
#1 Tigers Jaw “Spirit Desire” 7″ (Tiny Engines)
The second release from Tiny Engines, a label I co-run with two other guys. Shameless self-promotion? Sure, but I can honestly say I listened to this release more than any other in 2009. Indie rock and pop punk mixed ever so perfectly!
#2 Brian Bond “Fire & Gold” (Self-Released)
It takes an awful lot for me to get excited about a singer/songwriter but Brian Bond did just that. The fact that he resides in relative obscurity is a shame. And he’s got another album in the can for 2010 that is just as good as Fire & Gold.
#3 Golden City “Self-Titled” (Magic Bullet)
Eric Richter of Christie Front Drive returns with a brilliant set of songs. Imagine CFD crossed with JEW.
#4 Everyone Everywhere “A Lot Of Weird People Standing Around” 7″ (Evil Weevil)
The second coming of The Promise Ring…at least at times it sure sounds like it. The new songs these guys have recorded sound incredible.
#5 Superchunk “Leaves In The Gutter” EP & “Crossed Wires” 7″ (Merge)
Other than Sunny Day Real Estate, there was no greater welcome back party for me than to have Superchunk return with a new set of songs. On their first two releases in years the band puts forth some of their most energetic material since their early days.
#6 Annabel “Each And Everyone” (Count Your Lucky Stars)
Following up on their brilliant EP in 2008 Annabel nail their first full-length. Understated indie rock with just the right amount of pop and power.
#7 Touch Committee “Winter Beard” (Self-Released)
I love when bands come from completely out of nowhere to floor me. Touch Committee did just that with Winter Beard.
#8 Oceans “Nothing Collapses” (Copper Lung)
Sadly, Oceans called it quits shortly after this release. Nothing Collapses is one of the best post rock records I have heard in years. So, can we put the nail in the post rock coffin now?
#9 My Heart To Joy “Seasons In Verse”(Topshelf)
Intelligent and pushing themselves beyond any genre constriction, My Heart To Joy are like a raging hardcore version of Trail of Dead.
#10 Broadway Calls “Good Views, Bad News” (Side One Dummy)
Broadway Calls are the best current pop/punk band period. Bar none.
