My list of the best music of 2009
Dec. 18th, 2009 11:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
zoanthropicIn keeping with my annual tradition, I present my list for the best albums of the year. (Along with a few new categories)
Comeback of the Year: PHISH
We saw Creed and a few other bands reform this year, but the biggest and most important was Phish. It began with three shows at Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia on March 6th, 7th and 8th. It was a bit rough, but the fans were ecstatic to have them back. Not only that, they recorded those three shows and gave them away for FREE for two months. They released a new studio album (Joy) went on a massive tour, and even headlined Bonnaroo. Not bad for a band that broke up in 2004.
Comedy album of the year:
Bill Engvall - 'Aged and Confused'
Bill Engvall makes himself relevant again with this hilarious album of the joys and pains of getting older. Abandoning the 'here's your sign' gimmick didn't hurt him at all as he tells of the changes he sees in himself. In fact, you laugh so much you don't even miss him saying "here's your sign"... and that's a good thing.
Reissue of the year:
Def Leppard - 'Pyromania [Deluxe Edition]'
There were a LOT of reissues this year (including a deluxe edition of Pearl Jam's 'Ten' album), but this album was by far the most deserving, mainly because it was LONG overdue. Remastering 'Hysteria' first made sense because it was more successful, but 'Pyromania' was where the ride really began for the band. 'Mutt' Lange's work molded the band's songs into chucks of rock that were easily accessible and made for killer videos. ("Rock of Ages", "Photograph" and "Foolin") The album sounds clearer and heavy as ever, and it includes a killer bonus - A show recorded at the LA Forum in 1983. Check out the cover of "Travelling Band" featuring Brian May of Queen on guitar.
Box set of the Year:
Liquid Tension Experiment Live 2008
After years of wanting even one live song from these guys, Mike Portnoy delivered in a big way! The box contained CDs and DVDs of complete shows in New York and Los Angeles, a Blu-ray version of the LA show, a CD of the 'jam' show in Chicago, a bonus CD and a 24 page book. If you didn't get one, you are S.O.L. - the box is sold out.
Pop album of the Year:
Depeche Mode - 'Sounds of the Universe'
Pop acts of today should look to these guys to see how it's done. (Definitely not to Duran Duran, as their last album sucked!) DM stuck to the formula that has worked so well in the past, only using outside writers on the songs David Gahan contributed, and came up with a collection of songs that are catchy, dark and still very DM. Not bad for a group of guys that started the electronic pop trend in the 80's.
Live album of the Year:
Iron Maiden - "Flight 666"
Whoever said heavy metal is old hat is definitely not an Iron Maiden fan. As this album attests, it's not only alive and well, it's enjoying a hell of a following. Recorded all over the world during the band's "Somewhere Back in Time" tour, it is an essential document of the band's popularity. Their concerts sold out everywhere... this album shows the reason why.
Hard rock album of the year:
Lacuna Coil - 'Shallow Life'
Lacuna Coil is that rare band that gets constantly better with every release. This album takes the best point of their last album, 'Karmacode', and does it one better with heavier yet more accessible songs. They also made some damn good videos for the tracks on this album, which always is a plus.
Heavy Metal album of the Year:
Slayer - 'World Painted Blood'
I will admit... I am biased when it comes to Slayer. But I have every reason to be. The band has always done things their own way, ignoring trends and making music they want to make. Their latest is more focused than their last album, containing more melody while still retaining the signature Slayer heaviness and attitude. Fans have compared it with 'Seasons in the Abyss', and reviews feel it's their best album since that one.
Breakout and "Must Have" album of the Year:
Muse - 'The Resistance'
This is the year that the US finally caught up with what the rest the world knows - Muse is awesome. Their combination of rock and classical elements can throw you for a loop, but once you listen, your jaw drops to the floor. These guys can do just about anything, and every sing track on this album is listenable and catchy as hell. If you don't get this album, you are missing out on a great musical experience.
Side Project of the Year:
Seventh Void - 'Heaven is Gone'
Kenny Hickey and Johnny Kelly of Type O Negative put together a slab of gloom and doom that will tide TON's fans over until the next release. It's like a slap in the head and a kick in the balls... one that you actually enjoy from start to finish.
Rock album of the Year:
Green Day - '21st Century Breakdown'
I always thought it would be difficult for Green Day to follow up their brilliant 'American Idiot' album. Boy, was I wrong! They took the energy of that album and somehow made it better. The songs are brilliantly crafted, showing influence from The Who, The Clash and others. ("Last Night on Earth" sounds like what The Beatles would have been making if they were still together!) I find myself listening to this album all the time, and I listen to the whole thing every time. If you can, try and find the bonus tracks. Their cover of The Who's "A Quick One While He's Away" is outstanding!
Progressive Rock Albums of the Year:
Dream Theater - 'Black Clouds and Silver Linings'
Transatlantic - "The Whirlwind'
Picking one album for this category was impossible. Both of these albums are so good they had to share. It also shows that Mike Portnoy may be one of the hardest working men in rock.
Dream Theater's 10th album is a little darker than the last one, but still has all the intensity and musicianship fans have come to expect. It contains six outstanding tracks of various lengths, including the finale to Mike's 12 Step saga. The deluxe edition contains a second disc of covers and a third disc of instrumental mixes of the album. It is also their most successful - it debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200, the highest charting album in the band's career.
Transatlantic returned in a big way... make that HUGE! The main album is a 77 minute (!!!) song, divided into 12 sections that combine their first two albums into one big showcase. It is definitely not for the fainthearted or those with a short attention span. The special edition featured four shorter songs by the band as well as four covers from bands that influenced them.
And now... the big one...
ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Porcupine Tree - 'The Incident'
Porcupine Tree's following and influence grows with every release the band makes, so it was no surprise that this was one of the most anticipated releases of the year. And did they deliver in a big way. The 55 minute title track is divided into 14 sections, weaving a very human picture of inhumane events and ways of looking at things. Steven Wilson and company have crafted a work that shows the evolution of Porcupine Tree as well as the influences of the band. (The section "Time Flies" could have been taken from the Pink Floyd album 'Animals'.) The four bonus tracks on the second disc are no less intense, thankfully included rather than being sold as a separate EP. PT have crafted an album that will continue to influence and challenge listeners for years to come.
Coming later... my favourite albums of the decade...
Comeback of the Year: PHISH
We saw Creed and a few other bands reform this year, but the biggest and most important was Phish. It began with three shows at Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia on March 6th, 7th and 8th. It was a bit rough, but the fans were ecstatic to have them back. Not only that, they recorded those three shows and gave them away for FREE for two months. They released a new studio album (Joy) went on a massive tour, and even headlined Bonnaroo. Not bad for a band that broke up in 2004.
Comedy album of the year:
Bill Engvall - 'Aged and Confused'
Bill Engvall makes himself relevant again with this hilarious album of the joys and pains of getting older. Abandoning the 'here's your sign' gimmick didn't hurt him at all as he tells of the changes he sees in himself. In fact, you laugh so much you don't even miss him saying "here's your sign"... and that's a good thing.
Reissue of the year:
Def Leppard - 'Pyromania [Deluxe Edition]'
There were a LOT of reissues this year (including a deluxe edition of Pearl Jam's 'Ten' album), but this album was by far the most deserving, mainly because it was LONG overdue. Remastering 'Hysteria' first made sense because it was more successful, but 'Pyromania' was where the ride really began for the band. 'Mutt' Lange's work molded the band's songs into chucks of rock that were easily accessible and made for killer videos. ("Rock of Ages", "Photograph" and "Foolin") The album sounds clearer and heavy as ever, and it includes a killer bonus - A show recorded at the LA Forum in 1983. Check out the cover of "Travelling Band" featuring Brian May of Queen on guitar.
Box set of the Year:
Liquid Tension Experiment Live 2008
After years of wanting even one live song from these guys, Mike Portnoy delivered in a big way! The box contained CDs and DVDs of complete shows in New York and Los Angeles, a Blu-ray version of the LA show, a CD of the 'jam' show in Chicago, a bonus CD and a 24 page book. If you didn't get one, you are S.O.L. - the box is sold out.
Pop album of the Year:
Depeche Mode - 'Sounds of the Universe'
Pop acts of today should look to these guys to see how it's done. (Definitely not to Duran Duran, as their last album sucked!) DM stuck to the formula that has worked so well in the past, only using outside writers on the songs David Gahan contributed, and came up with a collection of songs that are catchy, dark and still very DM. Not bad for a group of guys that started the electronic pop trend in the 80's.
Live album of the Year:
Iron Maiden - "Flight 666"
Whoever said heavy metal is old hat is definitely not an Iron Maiden fan. As this album attests, it's not only alive and well, it's enjoying a hell of a following. Recorded all over the world during the band's "Somewhere Back in Time" tour, it is an essential document of the band's popularity. Their concerts sold out everywhere... this album shows the reason why.
Hard rock album of the year:
Lacuna Coil - 'Shallow Life'
Lacuna Coil is that rare band that gets constantly better with every release. This album takes the best point of their last album, 'Karmacode', and does it one better with heavier yet more accessible songs. They also made some damn good videos for the tracks on this album, which always is a plus.
Heavy Metal album of the Year:
Slayer - 'World Painted Blood'
I will admit... I am biased when it comes to Slayer. But I have every reason to be. The band has always done things their own way, ignoring trends and making music they want to make. Their latest is more focused than their last album, containing more melody while still retaining the signature Slayer heaviness and attitude. Fans have compared it with 'Seasons in the Abyss', and reviews feel it's their best album since that one.
Breakout and "Must Have" album of the Year:
Muse - 'The Resistance'
This is the year that the US finally caught up with what the rest the world knows - Muse is awesome. Their combination of rock and classical elements can throw you for a loop, but once you listen, your jaw drops to the floor. These guys can do just about anything, and every sing track on this album is listenable and catchy as hell. If you don't get this album, you are missing out on a great musical experience.
Side Project of the Year:
Seventh Void - 'Heaven is Gone'
Kenny Hickey and Johnny Kelly of Type O Negative put together a slab of gloom and doom that will tide TON's fans over until the next release. It's like a slap in the head and a kick in the balls... one that you actually enjoy from start to finish.
Rock album of the Year:
Green Day - '21st Century Breakdown'
I always thought it would be difficult for Green Day to follow up their brilliant 'American Idiot' album. Boy, was I wrong! They took the energy of that album and somehow made it better. The songs are brilliantly crafted, showing influence from The Who, The Clash and others. ("Last Night on Earth" sounds like what The Beatles would have been making if they were still together!) I find myself listening to this album all the time, and I listen to the whole thing every time. If you can, try and find the bonus tracks. Their cover of The Who's "A Quick One While He's Away" is outstanding!
Progressive Rock Albums of the Year:
Dream Theater - 'Black Clouds and Silver Linings'
Transatlantic - "The Whirlwind'
Picking one album for this category was impossible. Both of these albums are so good they had to share. It also shows that Mike Portnoy may be one of the hardest working men in rock.
Dream Theater's 10th album is a little darker than the last one, but still has all the intensity and musicianship fans have come to expect. It contains six outstanding tracks of various lengths, including the finale to Mike's 12 Step saga. The deluxe edition contains a second disc of covers and a third disc of instrumental mixes of the album. It is also their most successful - it debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200, the highest charting album in the band's career.
Transatlantic returned in a big way... make that HUGE! The main album is a 77 minute (!!!) song, divided into 12 sections that combine their first two albums into one big showcase. It is definitely not for the fainthearted or those with a short attention span. The special edition featured four shorter songs by the band as well as four covers from bands that influenced them.
And now... the big one...
ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Porcupine Tree - 'The Incident'
Porcupine Tree's following and influence grows with every release the band makes, so it was no surprise that this was one of the most anticipated releases of the year. And did they deliver in a big way. The 55 minute title track is divided into 14 sections, weaving a very human picture of inhumane events and ways of looking at things. Steven Wilson and company have crafted a work that shows the evolution of Porcupine Tree as well as the influences of the band. (The section "Time Flies" could have been taken from the Pink Floyd album 'Animals'.) The four bonus tracks on the second disc are no less intense, thankfully included rather than being sold as a separate EP. PT have crafted an album that will continue to influence and challenge listeners for years to come.
Coming later... my favourite albums of the decade...
