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.