My Top Three Album of 2009 – Annie Lin
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – S/T
This Brooklyn quartet received as much critical acclaim for their music as flak for their seven-word band name. If you can forgive the band for naming itself “The Pains of Being Pure at Heart,” you may fall in love as I did with their fuzzy indie pop riffs and ebullient, winsome lyrics and titles, like “This Love Is F**king Right!” RIYL The Cure and My Bloody Valentine.
Sonic Youth – The Eternal
Yes, they played on the TV show Gossip Girl this year. Yes, they have a new album. Yes, you have probably already heard about how awesome it is. The rumors were true: the album is worth downloading. I’m looking forward to seeing them at the Fillmore in January.
Califone – All My Friends Are Funeral Singers
“All My Friends Are Funeral Singers” is an apt title for an album from a band with a tragic history. Califone’s albums are epic alt-Americana soundscapes with dust-worn vocals from singer/guitarist Tim Rutili, whose former Red Red Meat bandmate Glynis Johnson died young in 1992. This is the first album from Rutili and his bandmates since 2006, and while it is leaner than “Roots and Crowns”, it is every bit as moving.
Top Albums of 2009- Brooke
Noble Beast – Andrew Bird
The pop, singer songwriter creates catchy songs and incorporates the violin that is just as natural as roping on a different guitar. This album includes two CDs – one instrumentals and another with vocal tracks –ensconced in beautiful packaging.
Hazards of Love – The Decemberists
A musical in the make, this album’s only fault is I wish the songs were longer. The storytelling lyrics and instrumentation create a musical story filled with sorrow and spiting hatred. Its’ evil and beautiful at the same time harkening back to Medieval Ages when losing a child in labor was common. Next stop Broadway.
Nordic – Nordic
A refreshing mix of bass,mandolin and Swedish harp. No vocals with instruments that take you to another land.
My Top Picks
Grizzly Bear’s Veckatimest. I love this album for all its perfectly sonically sounding pop, rock and earthly impressions. Seemingly, a labor of love for these Brooklyn-based boys. “Foreground,” you complete me. Big thumbs up!
For some, the Temper Traps’ Conditions did not quite make the list. I disagree. The songs are airtight with lovely melodies and rhythms, each track different from the other really giving perspective on how wide their range is. Saw them in SF in October and was blown away by their live performance. Top pick off this album would be Fools, a union of Bee Gees and early Radiohead.
My 3rd pick – The Resistance. My Favorite band – Muse. This album is a complete triumph. It’s no doubt that Muse wants us to feel, and with this impulse being so genuine, listeners are left with exactly that. The album is masterfully uplifting. Hard to pick a favorite, but “Unnatural Selection” has been on repeat for some time now 
Zach Hurd “Strange”
Hailing from Bath, Maine, experimental pop/rock/soul singer-songwriter Zach Hurd made the move to NYC to establish himself as a solo artist. The move sparked the birth of “Strange.” This single comes off of his debut full-lenth album “Changing Landscapes.” With smooth and soulful vocals, Hurd’s voice on “Strange” reminds us of other artists we love, like Andrew Bird, Jamie Lidell and James Taylor.
The Rights Workshop at SXSW 2010
The Rights Workshop is excited to be presenting a panel on music licensing at SXSW Interactive 2010. The title of the panel is Music Licensing for Emerging Media: Apps, Widgets, Viral Videos.
We are now looking for people and companies (startups, gaming companies, ad agencies, etc.) that have been licensing and using music in new, creative and fascinating ways for emerging technologies, such as apps, games and widgets. Speakers sill get a free badge. More information about the panel session and the conference is here.
Do you know anyone who fits this description and might be interested in coming to Austin in March? Please chime in, as we’d love to hear your ideas.