Best of 2009, part 7

Eep! I only just realized how closely the end of the year looms upon us. So I'll be updating this more frequently...maybe at least twice per week? Who knows.

Download Here! (22:26)

Tracklisting:
1) Kevin Blechdom - Face the Music

One of the greatest pleasures I had this year was meeting Kristin Erickson, aka Kevin Blechdom. Had I not been introduced to her by Irene Moon (another great artist that I was fortunate enough to meet) and Jonathan Dean, I probably would have never discovered either her solo work, or her collaboration with Bevin Kelley as Blectum from Blechdom. Her latest album, Gentlemania, might surprise people who were expecting some sort of electronic music. Instead, this is a break-up album, seemingly directly influenced by Tin Pan Alley. Seeing her play these tracks live (several times, actually) could definitely be included in one of my favorite experiences of the year. This song was my favorite.

2) Atlas Sound - Quick Canal

I never really understood the hype for Deerhunter; however, the solo projects that Bradford Cox and Lockett Pundt have released I absolutely adore. This is probably my favorite track on Logos, the latest Atlas Sound release. Admittedly, I haven't heard the whole album, but this song gets stuck in my head. That might sound like a bizarre statement when you listen to the song - it seems to exist in the state between sleep and awakeness. The presence of Laetitia Sadler of Stereolab only gives it a more breathy quality. Hopefully, the rest of the album is as good as this track.

3)Zu - Obsidian

I'm having trouble determining if this disc came out this year or last year...either way, Carboniferous was my first encounter with the Italian jazz-metal trio Zu. Interestingly, they don't have a guitar player - they only have a baritone sax, bass, and drums (who also will play mellotron and synths). For only about 4 or so tracks on the album, they used a guitar player, this being one of them.

4) Julie Doiron - Blue

I had to begin and end with two songs of heartbreak. This is definitely another one of the best sad songs I've heard this year, even if it wasn't written by Julie. It's off of her album I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day, which is definitely worth a listen.