Tall Tales of the Flying Radio Gnome: December 2009

25. NEON INDIAN

"DEADBEAT SUMMER"

oct.13.2009.

It's hazy without being fuzzy and electronic with out being dancey. It sounds exactly what a neon indian summer would sound like or if "The Drums" used samples. This electrochill-pop band bloomed just a little too late be in season but its still gets my pick.

24. NEKO CASE

"NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON MOTHER EARTH"

feb.28.2009.

Female singer-songwriter of the New Pornographers fills up the room with her chamber-twang. The forceful vocals' volume is soulful and soothing to rope in those country fans.

23. TURBO FRUITS

"MAMA'S MAD COS I FRIED MY BRAINS"

sept.29.2009.

What the Be Your Own Pet boys sound like grown up and without Jemina Pearl. All the fun without the teenage angst. Ok, well maybe some.

22. THE THERMALS

"NOW WE CAN SEE"

april.7.2009.

Spunky power-pop punk that still remains mature. It's like a damn good sweater: always warm and fuzzy.

21. HEALTH

"IN HEAT"

sept.8.2009.

Entirely unpredictable psychedelic noise. Fast high pitched, clangly synth riffs against loud, low sludge-metal tones over airy vocals packed inside 1 minute 48 seconds. All before ending with a drum machine noise solo. Yup.

20. TIMES NEW VIKING

"I SMELL BUBBLEGUM"

sept.22.2009.

Loud, extreme lo-fi that's powerful enough to turn catchy rock into clangy, abrasive noise. They are creators of Shitgaze: This is the new neo-punk.

19. MODEST MOUSE

"RAT KING"

july.31.2009.

Likely to be best known for the role-reversal music video directed by the late Heath Ledger in which fish are on a boat "people-ing", Rat King sounds as though it was off anything "Good News..." or later rather than their more recent works. Less polished and more quirky tones exhibit the old Issac Brock, making this the prominent track.

18. MY HEART TO JOY

"OLD CAPITALS"

may.12.2009.

Connecticut hardcore post-punk spawn from Guided By Voices like lyrics and Explosions in The Sky derived drum rolls and guitar builds. Begins with jumpy, screaming vocals and ends with a controlled melodic, shrilling emotional epic to create one of the most complete, versatile songs off the album.

17. THE MAE SHI

"R U PROFESSIONAL?"

feb.3.2009.

Not to discredit The Mae Shi in the slightest bit, but the best thing about this track was the fact that it became a hit on youtube less than 24 hours after it was written. The day after the audio of Christian Bale's outburst at a director was released, this swarmed the web. Although it isn't typical of their former songs, it's crafted to gratify massive youtube fans in addition to the previous followers. With bits of Bale's diatribe infused into witty movie references, this becomes the epitome of an archetypal internet success.

16. DAS RACIST & WALLPAPER

"COMBINATION PIZZA HUT & TACO BELL REMIX"

june.8.2009.

Hilarious. Mind-Numbing. Whatever the definition, this is a undebatable novelty hip hop song of 2009 poking fun at fat, dumb Americans on their cell phones which makes it point within the first 20 seconds of the song; a point which one might say, "umm that's racist".

15. OF MONTREAL

"BRUSH BRUSH BRUSH"

oct.22.2009.

Although this track is directed at an audience about 17 years younger than me, it's still a top favorite. Along with Of Montreal, a slew of other indie artists including The Shins, I'm From Barcelona, The Roots, and more came together to sing songs on the kid T.V. show, "Yo Gabba Gabba," hosted of course only by the former hip hop artist, Biz Markie. Still distinctly Of Montreal, this song makes brushing your teeth so motivating and easy! All songs are under two minutes. Just like the attention span of the audience. One of the best lyrics of 2009 is certainly found here:"My toothbrush never lets me down".

14. LIGHTNING BOLT

"S.O.S."

oct.13.2009.

They are in a genre of their own called, freakin' loud! For some, this may be a song better to see live than hear on record but regardless there is no noise like this. My boyfriend brought me to one of their concerts when I had mono; As painfully exhausting it was to watch, I don't regret it. This song particularly brings out the extreme darkness created from slams and shrills.

13. YEA BIG KID STATIC

"STOMP THE PEDAL"

july.14.2009.

Chicago Hip Hop duo's electronic and futuristic beats are all over the place, it's amazing Yea Big can keep up with what Kid Static's putting down. What's most impressive is the juxtaposition between the lighthearted and raw spirit.

12. BLACK FEELINGS

"ETERNAL BAD TRIP"

oct.13.2009.

Abrasive, repetitive, psychedelic noise from Montreal that draws the listener in, demanding more. Despite the track's raunchy, and standoffish sound there's a slight clash of 60's jangly soul protruding throughout.

11. CAMERA OBSCURA

"FRENCH NAVY"

april.20.2009.

Seems as though the song could be straight off of a classic 1950's female pop-rock album next to a Chordette's or Marvelette's record yet feels just as modern as anything else released in 2009.

10. A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS

"IN YOUR HEART"

oct.6.2009.

My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus and Mary Chain inspired industrial thundering noise marathon from Brooklyn. Ambitiously makes any room to sound larger than it actually is.

9. ATLAS SOUND

"RUBEN (TRADITIONAL)"

oct.19.2009.

Deerhunter's Brandon Cox creates ambient folk capable of putting one into a lullaby trance. So sweet, it rings with sadness.

8. WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS

"QUIET LITTLE VOICES"

july.7.2009.

First, that's one of the best band names to come out of 2009. Second, it deems to be one of the most energetic post punk to come out of Scotland this year, especially when touring with friends and distinctive influences, The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit. Although the track holds it's own alone, the band remains to fulfill everything you'd expect from the Scottish scene (such as A Sunny Day in Glasgow or even in a few ways, Camera Obscura): engaging, undulating, and passionate.

7. THE BOOK SLAVE

"ROY ORBISON"

oct.25.2009.

Connecticut twins, the Katz bros, are far, far ahead of their age and the times. Their My Bloody Valentine influence infused with lo-fi punk makes for haunting noise and intensely sincere lyrics. The minimalist, drummer-less two-piece proves you can be loud even when you're brilliantly simple.

6. ELVIS PERKINS

"SHAMPOO"

march.10.2009.

"Ash Wednesday" certainly took the cake over "In Dearland" for me - except for this one track. I am a sucker for any tune beginning with singing birds, flutes, or lullabies only to dramatically shift into a dark, nostalgic tone (such as last years' "Son of the father" by Fucked Up). "Shampoo" is a perfect folk companion to any misery.

5. GRIZZLY BEAR

"TWO WEEKS"

may.26.2009.

This song is unescapable whether your a Veckatimest fan or not. I was in a McDonalds bathroom at a Rest-stop off of I-95 and this is what was blasting over the loudspeaker. It's just one of those songs fitting for winter, spring, summer, or fall weather.

4. PICTUREPLANE

"GOTH STAR"

aug.4.2009.

Minus the bellowing sliced up samples for vocals, it sounds like the ending of 80's teen drama. However, the incredibly catchy and pleasing, yet ominous loop does lead me want to gitter-ize everything.

3. GROOMS

"THUMBS"

oct.20.2009.

Rhythmic builds and dissonant rifts distinguish this thick, noise-pop from the rest of the recently released indie. Catchy and comfortable without being too derivative. Accessible without being dull nor dancey. Pure.

2. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE

"MY GIRLS"

jan.20.2009.

Merriweather Post Pavillion absolutely exploded at the start of the year as a favorite by many. The twinkling synth over distant, dreamy vocals makes it a standout track from one of the most respected 2009 albums. More poppy than psychedelic conformed new Animal Collective fans while keeping the veterans satisfied and enchanted.

1. LIARS

"SISSORS"

dec.8.2009.

If this single is anything like their yet to be released album, Sisterworld, then I am surely looking forward to the new year. The minimal, ominous beginning creates a beautiful juxtaposition between the chaotic and unpredictably crass chorus.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Manchester Orchestra- "The Only One"

Fruit Bats- "Feather Bed"

The Lovely Feathers- "Long Walks"

Lady Gaga- "Bad Romance"

Kurt Vile- "Hunchback"

Fucked Up (ft. Andrew W.K., GZA, Vampire Weekend, David Cross & more) - "Do They Know It's Christmas?"

The Dirty Projectors- "Remade Horizon"