Hey remember 5 or 6 years ago when I said I would update the site with a blog-type post every week for a year, and I did just that until August or whenever it was when the site DIED (again) and was dead for a couple years? Well, that was one of my new year's resolutions again: to update the site once a week until I kill it. Let's begin!

I like music. Everyone who knows me knows this. In liking music, I like writing about music, and to be more specific here, to reflect on the year's past music, and write about it. I listened to a metric asston of albums in 2009...well, that's a bit of hyperbole--I'd say around 100 albums. In any case, a LOT, so shut up.

I thought I'd get this party started by counting down my favorite albums of 2009. You know, like a LIST. I haven't seen that done anywhere else, so I think that'd be kind of interesting. Unfortunately, I don't know what to make the cutoff...20 albums? 50? On top of that, I'm a little rusty on the whole "blog post" crap, not to mention writing in general. So to write a little ditty about each album on the list will take TIME. Time that could be better spent playing Modern Warfare 2, Dragon Age, or making snowangels.

Still, I am determined. In starting off on the list, I thought I would decide what NOT to include, and that's EPs and singles. So to get them out of the way, and to whet your whistle, here's my top EPs and singles of 2009, enjoy!(?)

My Top 3 Singles of 2009
3. Pulled Fences - The Wrens
The link explains everything, and if the next two songs weren't so damn catchy this might have been my #1.

2. All Yr Songs - Diamond Rings
I heard this through someone on our forum, Pitchfork, or both. Either way, as far as catchy, hook-filled songs about love go, it's easily one of my favorites of the year, and I hope if this wacky Canuck puts out an album it doesn't suck. Also, the video is pretty rad.

1. Free Energy - Free Energy
Thanks to Doc Cube for turning me on to this gem. In researching the band, I learned two things: 1) Some of them come from a band called Hockey Night that I both liked and didn't like because they sounded a bit TOO much like Pavement (and at the same time, not enough), and 2) Some people are already hating these guys. Their album is going to be released on DFA, so maybe people already hate them because they aren't as dance-punky as LCD Soundsystem, or maybe it's because it's possible they're going to hit it big (one of their songs is already being used for the Flip Video commercial), and why not start hating them before they get big? I don't care about that. The song starts off with guitar and cowbell, and only gets better. So I guess check them out before it's "cool" to hate them?

My Top 7 EPs of 2009
7. Blitzen Trapper - Black River Killer
For all intents and purposes, this EP shouldn't be on the list, because it's basically a compilation of pre-2009 stuff they would sell at their shows, but I like me some Blitzen Trapper, and if you do too, every song on here is a gem...just not a new, 2009 gem. Though I saw them live in 2009 so maybe that counts? Not really. Still, I put their EP here at the bottom of the list in case you didn't know about its existence. You're welcome.

6. Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears - EP
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears also put out an album in 2009 which I really liked. I have no idea if it will make my list, but I'm glad this list of EPs allowed me to mention them. This EP is worth it just for the song "Bitch, I Love You." Or maybe I should say that's the only memorable song on the EP, which is why it comes in second to last on my list.

5. The Budos Band - EP
If you like to GROOVE, or if you like your JAZZ to dance with your FUNK, you'll like The Budos Band. They're 10 or 12 New York dudes that put out afro-soul instrumental albums that make you bob your head and shake your ass, but unfortunately an EP was all we got from them this year. This song isn't off the EP, but it'll give you a good idea of what The Budos Band is all about.

4. Modest Mouse - No One's First, And You're Next
This is also kind of cheating, because most of this EP are unreleased tracks and B-sides from their past 2 (pre-2009) albums, but there's some new stuff, and most of the not-new stuff was new to me, so there.

3. Total Babe - Heatwave EP
Minnesota based group of gals and one guy. If you like your indie pop breezy and with beautiful female vocals then chances are you'll like Total Babe. This EP is a very nice taste of what's hopefully yet to come. That sentence came off sounding more naughty than I meant it to. Maybe because I'm thinking about sex.

2. Suckers - EP
One of the more unique bands I heard all year, and I wish this 4 song EP was a full-length album with more songs, because I want MORE, dammit! I'm having a hard time describing what they sound like, so just watch this video of them playing live, and save me the trouble. Thanks.

1. The Drums - Summertime!
It was tough deciding between this and Suckers for my #1, but this EP has 2 more songs, and every song is a keeper. Granted, quantity over quality is not the best criteria for judging material such as this, so it's a good thing the quality is top notch as well. That is, if you like your new wave synth-pop to go surfing. There seems to be an influx of indie bands fusing surf-rock into their sound, and I'm not complaining--I love me some surf-rock (maybe Untamed Youth will finally get some love), but I don't see The Drums being mentioned nearly enough, and that's totally not gnarly...or wait, is it gnarly? I can't remember, is gnarly bad or good? COWABUNGA!

Ok, hope to see you next week!(?)