Best Music of 2009

As 2009 comes to an end it's not just the end of the year, but also the end of the decade. Before moving forward it's natural to look back at the year that have passed. In this article I will look back at what I feel was the best albums to be released in 2009. As with any year, 2009 saw lots of terrible music, lots of good music and a few instant classics.

Fever Ray - Fever Ray
Fever Ray is the solo project of Karin Dreijer of Swedishelectronica phenomenon The Knife. When first listening to Fever Ray the connection to the Knife is obvious. Fever Ray takes the music to a darker and moodier place than the Knife ever does. Dreijer's voice effortlessly expands to a darker and more chilling sound. The result is a cold and haunting album that solidifies Dreijer as one of the most exciting names in indie music.

Girls - Album
In the social media landscape of 2009, music is quickly becoming more democratic with new bands drumming up blog and facebook followings left and right. Out of this blog universe Girls emerges as a band that truely deserve the huge Internet buzz. The San Fransisco based duo delivers a debut album of excellent Beach Boy like pop. The pot and drug fueled California pop stays upbeat and positive with a lazy hippie feel throughout the album. Strong melodies and great chemestry lands this album as one of the very best of 2009.

Dinosaur Jr. - Farm
The early 90's icons Dinosaur Jr. returned to glory in 2007 with a surprise comback hit album Beyond. Building on this Farm is possibly the best of Dinosaur Jr. 9 studio albums. This alone is ample reason to get this album as soon as you can get your hands on a copy. Often imitated, Dinosaur Jr. still sounds as unique as ever. The most impressive feat of Farm is that the album sounds like you are back in 1992 without feeling stale or old. The album is full of vintage Dinosaur Jr. catchy yet sprawling. Even when they tail off into 8 minute long rants, the album stays focused.

Wilco - Wilco (The Album)
Through their long career Wilco has been notoriously difficult to pin down. Their style has been shifting to say the least, weaving through several different sub genres expending the bands sound. Their latest album in many ways ties it all together in a less experimental total package. Some fans might feel that the return to a more accessible sound is a step backward, but for me this album is one of Wilcos very best. The band is showing off their artistic maturity and skill in perfectly crafted music. They never go astray even in the most complicated textures and arrengements. The album shows a band that has found itself and is not trying to push outside of what they have set out to do.

Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion
Unsurprisigly, the latest Animal Collective album grabs the final spot on the list. The reseption of this astonishing album is as close as one is likely to ever get to a unanomous decission for album of the year. Animal Collective have slowly crafted their own way to view music refusing all convention in music as well as in the consept of a group. The lineup is as lucid as their sound. On Merriweather Post Pavillion they draw their unique style into the landscape of pop music and the result is absolutely brilliant. While the album is more accessible and listener friendly than anything they have ever produced before, the sounds is still 100% original and recognizeable as Animal Collective. The end result is fantastic and stands out as the album you must buy if you only buy one album from 2009.