2009 will be remembered as a great year for music. Lots of fantastic releases. And lots of stuff that i've got around to discovering, as well. I've had some great recommendations. I'm going to lump em all together here.

Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavillion
Yeah a shame i never listened to these guys before now. 9th album? wow. but i had a listen to some of the others. and this latest one seems to be the best. The first five or 6 songs i think are the happiest i've ever heard. Fun. more than fun, what a wonderful release, such exuberance, infectious giddyness. The happiest stuff i've heard in a very long while and I can't wait to see them live in a month.

Grizzly Bear: Veckatimest
At a first listen this album sadly seems like a poorer cousin to 'collective's album. But it's not like that at all. It doesn't reach the same heights, but this album is a lot more consistent overall, I think it will have a lot more staying pwer, and it sounds great to listen to 'as an album'. Standout is Two Weeks, the first single, sadly used in an advertising campaign somewhere (not sure where) and "ready, abel" which sounds full of echoing shimmery goodness (1:46 onwards). These guys are in australia for what seems like all of Janurary, you, readying this, will probably have a good chance of seeing them at some point.

Silversun Pickups: Swoon
All those references ot the smashing pumpkins arn't really fair. This is a better album, and they've evolved. I actually compare this a little to magic dirt, but this is more commercial, catchier, tighter. And theres a wall of sound here, as good as any rock i've ever heard. So it's not ground breaking music, but give a fuck, its powerful, its strong, and it's a great listen at full blast. the first 5 tracks imparticular, they are fucking unstoppable.

The National: Boxer
i spent a good portion of 2008 listening to Alligator, the first album of theirs that every really grabbed me, never really could find some affinity with the others. and i listened to it for as much as anyone can listen to anything. and this year, somewhere while i was travelling i rediscovered 'sad songs for dirty lovers...' which was great again. and now, finally, 2 years after its release, i've completely come around on 'Boxer'. its easily the best of their albums, melt-into beautiful, lush, mesmerising. theres less melodrama with 'boxer' - there's more of a quiet confidence and contentment. its hard to pick a standout favourate, although fake empire and 'ada' imparticular are very special. all the songs are just amazing. and i can see their 'arc' now, their progression. Its really great to see a band keep on getting better and better with each album release. i've never seen them live, (just missed them last time), i'd really like to. and there's a new album in march of next year.

(i've spent most of the evening letting 'boxer' fill the walls of this empty apartment, his voice fills all the rooms, the warm sound heartens everything)

Various: Dark was the night
The most stunning compilation cd i've heard in many years, curated by one of the members of the aforementioned bad, I'd really like to thank everyone who reccomended this, I can see why, its quite an incredible collage. standout contributions from dirty projectors, the national, sharon jones, the books, my morning jacket, the new pornographers, and plenty more. a very high standard throughout. its also served as an excellent eyeopener for a bunch of bands i'd somehow missed.

I've already dedicated a few posts to Neko Case. I still love her, loved seeing her in chicago, and will especially love seeing her as part of the sydney festival.

Oh, theres a bunch more albums ive been listening to over the last few weeks. I've tried to listen to as much stuff as possible. So, just some first thoughts on these:

Air: Love 2.
Theres about three good tracks on here which isnt enough for an album. And theres a couple that are really annoying, make you want to skip past. I always end up going back to Moon Safari, La femme De argent, now that is just amazing. this is not.

Phoenix: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Really catchy, smooth, good stuff. Not surprised to hear they formed in 1999 as the backing band for 'kelly watch the stars' by Air. I think they've surpassed Air now, they have more instruments and more cohesion. And they have a great sound.

The xx:
Remind me of the whitest boy alive. OK i guess, but not substantial. Like fast food, just seems like theres no nutritional value.

Bat for Lashes: ooh thats good! damm how did i miss that

Florence and the Machine: Lungs - No. I dont think so. I don't see anything to go back to listen to, its not beautiful nor original.

The New Moon Soundtrack - I'm going to get mocked for saying this but its actually a nice collection of songs, I just have to avoid the cover art and forget about the associated movie/product, whatever it is.

Misatbishi - Drop: The best DNB album released in aaaaaages. Nice work NHS!

Other good listenings, but they havnt quite broken through yet: Department of Eagles, Amadou & Mariam (Welcome to Mali) Dirty Projectors, Spoon, Andrew Bird (actually, Andrew Bird is well on his way), Bertie Blackman (yes!) ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead.

The best thing I've heard this year? Would be Beiruits 2007 album 'the flying cup club'. But that needs a whole other post.

Theres a lot of other stuff I've been listening to, but I havnt really formed thoughts around these things yet. Towards the end of the year, i'll post a rundown of my favourate stuff. Theres a lot of good stuff to choose from. Its been a great year.