a.m.p.m.'s Best of 2009

Like Marc, my initial 'best of' playlist for 2009 was big enough for two albums (and then some). After painstakingly cutting selections to narrow it down to a sub-80 minute collection, here's what I came up with. I think it works pretty well in the order presented, but that's just personal taste. Click on the artist for the MySpace page, the track name for the mp3.

1. jj - things will never be the same again

2. Japandroids - Sovereignty

3. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Young Adult Friction

4. Wild Beasts - This Is Our Lot

5. Lightning Dust - Wondering What Everyone Knows

6. Bibio - Lovers Carvings

7. Mew - Beach

8. St. Vincent - The Strangers

9. Julian Casablancas - Glass

10. The xx - Crystalised

11. The Very Best - Kamphopo

12. Girls - Lust For Life

13. The Antlers - Sylvia

14. Mos Def - Priority

15. Animal Collective - My Girls

16. Fever Ray - Seven

17. The Cribs - Cheat On Me

18. Grizzly Bear - While You Wait for the Others

19. Phoenix - Armistice

20. Handsome Furs - Radio Kaliningrad

21. The Rural Alberta Advantage - In the Summertime

Grab the whole thing here as a zip file.

I'll post the runners-up as a separate mix shortly.

G.R.O.'s Best of 09

Does anyone remember the naysayers who boldly predicted that 2009 would be a thoroughly disappointing year in musical history? That theory collapsed in a heap after only a few steps into the year when "Merriweather Post Pavillon" dropped. This year it's felt like a Mensa sponsored compilation to arrive at my favourite albums and mix of songs to soundtrack the year. Here's my final entry:

Favourite Albums of 09
10. The Joy Formadible - A Balloon Called Moaning
9. Cymbals Eat Guitars - Why There Are Mountains
8. Metric - Fantasies
7. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion
6. Bill Callaghan - Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle
5. The Pains of Being Pure At Heart - The Pains of Being Pure At Heart
4. Grizzly Bear - Vecktamist
3. Fever Ray - Fever Ray
2. The xx - The xx
1. The Antlers - Hospice

Best of 09 Mix - Download
1. Camera Obscura - French Navy
2. The Pains of Being Pure At Heart - Young Adult Friction
3. The Drums - Let's Go Surfing
4. The Antlers - Two
5. The Joy Formadible - Cradle
6. Jamie T - Sticks 'n' Stones
7. Silversun Pickups - Panic Switch
8. Jack Penate - Be The One
9. Django Django - Storm
10. The Molotovs - Flowers
11. Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard - Broken Broken Broken Heart
12. Local Natives - World News
13. Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks
14. Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man
15. Wild Beasts - Hooting & Howling
16. Animal Collective - My Girls
17. Slow Club - Our Most Brilliant Friends
18. Bill Callaghan - My Friend
19. The xx - Crystalised
20. First Aid Kit - You're Not Coming Home Tonight