Mister Bill’s Favorite 2009 Releases

I find it hard to call out The Best Albums of 2009. I just don’t like the concept. Lots and lots of new music is released each year, and any one of us only listen to a small fraction of it. Then add in factors for differing tastes and even differing moods, and it seems awfully presumptuous to declare something “The Best Album” of 2009.

But I can tell you My Favorite 2009 Releases!

Dan Auerbach – Keep it Hid
You know him as the fantastic guitar player with the garage blues-rock duo, The Black Keys. When I heard about this solo album, I assumed it would simply give Dan a chance to display his soft side. But I found that it really gave him an opportunity to spread his wings. It has a great flow – starts with an aching acoustic Trouble Weighs a Ton and ends with a really sweet tune – Goin’ Home, which well captures my feelings of “home.” In between there are a dozen great tracks – each with a unique vibe.

While many songs have that great Black Keys feel, the arrangements provide more variety of sound and tempo, ranging from the sublime orchestration of When The Night Comes to the grungy blues rock of The Prowl. This album has a real nice flow, I’ve listened to it many times over the past year and six of the tracks are in my 5-star rotation. (That’s a lot for me!) If you are a fan of The Black Keys, you will definitely want to get this album. If you are not, this album could turn you into one! madisonmusicreview: dan-auerbach-solo-debut-keep-it-hid

Portugal. The Man – The Satanic Satanist
“Discovering” new bands is always fun. MMR receives a lot of band promotion, and almost every new band is touted as the “Next Big Thing.” I saw P.TM perform at The Majestic and they put on a really fantastic live show. It’s worth turning up the volume on this 2009 release.
madisonmusicreview: PortugalTheMan-Majestic-100909

The Fiery Furnaces – I’m Going Away
Simple: I love this band. Love this album. And loved their show.
madisonmusicreview: preview-fiery-furnaces





Wilco – Wilco (the album)
madisonmusicreview.com: review-Wilco






The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love
madisonmusicreview.com: Decemberists-preview2009





Bonnie “Prince” Billy– Beware
madisonmusicreview: BonniePrinceBilly/review2009





Vetiver – Tight Knit
madisonmusicreview: Vetiver/tightknit.html






Grateful Dead – To Terrapin: Hartford ‘77
You know that I’m an old-school deadhead. This is certainly one of the definitive live recordings. Some claim it was the Dead’s best live show of their career. madisonmusicreview: GratefulDead/toterrapin


Mungolian Jetset – We Gave It All Away… Now We Are Taking It Back madisonmusicreview: MungolianJetset/WeGaveItAllAway