Best of 2009 (11-20)

11) Bell Orchestre - As Seen Through Windows


Horn-heavy orchestrated post-rock. Less doom and gloom than some of their contemporaries, it’s at times lilting, pastoral, and ethereal. Definitely more cohesive than their previous effort.

Seizure city:


12) Dinosaur Jr. - Farm


The original Dinosaur Jr. line-up once again prove that they're capable of sounding exactly the same as they did 20 years ago. And who doesn't need another Dinosaur Jr. record? But if you're a fan of Mascis's guitar solos, beware. This album only averages 1.5 solos per song.

Sk8rs:


13) Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career


This sounds nothing like Belle & Sebastian! Where do people get this stuff? It's a girl singing...come on, Belle & Sebastian have a guy singer. A little wimpy one. So what if they're both Scottish bands. Wait, you're telling me that that little twee turd photographed one of Camera Obscura's album covers? And Belle & Sebastian have girls that sing too? Hmm. Did Wet Wet Wet release anything this year?

John McVie stand-in:


14) M. Ward - Hold Time


Last year's She & Him record didn't hurt M. Ward's cause at all. Hold Time features Ward's familiar songwriting and production skills, with a couple of cameos from everybody's mind-mistress, Zooey Deschanel.

Slow motion accident:


15) The Flips - That Girl Stacey 7"


Fresh out of Brew City, these girls marry the 60's girl-group sounds of the Shangri-Las and Martha and the Vandellas with the lo-fi aesthetic of the Vivian Girls (but much more classy and charming).

16) Mulatu Astatqe & the Heliocentrics - Inspiration Information Vol. 3


Steeped in the Ethiopian jazz that Mulatu came to patent and popularize, and coupled with the funk backbone of the Heliocentrics, this album is reminiscent of the Ethiopian Quintet’s Afro-Latin Soul.

17) Implodes - everything I heard on myspace


They released a cassette on plustapes this year, but since I don't own a cassette player anymore, it did me no good. Shoegaze guitar tones for creaming jeans.

18) Zombi - Spirit Animal


If this album were a spirit animal, it would be a shark being eaten by a rhinoceros being ridden by Geddy Lee.

19) Other Animals - Other Animals


Debut from Chicago-area dudes sounds like Explosions in the Sky, but with less explosions and more sexy guitars.

20) Tyondai Braxton - Central Market


Battles meets 20th Century composing. Complete with Wizard of Oz munchkin vocals (and even some human vocals).

Dinosaur Jr.

I just came home from work to find out that Dinosaur Jr. have just signed to Jagjaguwar. This means, with almost utmost certainty, that Dinosaur Jr. will be releasing a new album soon. What this also means, with a lot less likelihood, is that there's actually the possibility that they'll go out on the road with new labelmates Richard Youngs and Oneida and get on stage for a rousing rendition of Sheets of Easter.

Back on reality planet, it's good to know that Dinosaur Jr. have decided to actually be a band again, and that 2007's Beyond wasn't just a one-off. Dinosaur Jr. had their heyday before I was really kicking it, so I'm quite pleased that they're still puking and crying their way into our hearts. I do remember when Q101 started playing "Feel the Pain" on the radio. It was one of a few good songs that they played then and now that it's 15 years later, it's the only good song that they still play. Man, that station stinks. Anyway, I doubt the new album will be another "You're Living All Over Me," but I'm sure it'll make a few "best of" lists (mine included).

Here's a video of them playing their 15-year single "Feel the Pain" on HBO:

And here's their cover of Peter Frampton's "Show Me the Way," which was originally on "You're Living All Over Me" but I think got pulled because of copyright or something.

Dinosaur Jr. - Show Me the Way (Peter Frampton cover)