Looking back on the past year, there are a couple of bands and albums that stood out as my soundtrack for 2009 - they were on heavy rotation on my iPod and I couldn't get them out of my head. In no particular order:
- Quantic and his Combo Barbaro: totally great mixture of Latin, African and Middle Eastern sounds. I wish I could be driving in a convertible down the beach on a summer evening with this on my stereo.
- Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska: I know this album is more than 20 years old, but I recently downloaded it and made me realize that I don't hate Bruce. In fact, this album is totally stark and moving and unlike anything that I had associated Bruce with. Thanks eMusic.
- Under the Covers: A two disc covers album with Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs, lead singer of the Bangles. Some of the covers are pretty straightforward, but I love Susanna Hoffs' voice and I can't get enough of it.
- Metric: This was Metric's year. "Help I'm Alive" was an earworm for me for almost a month straight. I blame it on @djacobs.
- Cut Copy: Poppy electro disco perfection.
- The Pains of Being Pure at Heart: I think this was in every hipster's playlist at some point this year. But there's a reason why! Twee, endearing vocals, with a sugary pop coating.
- Darker Than Blue: Soul From Jamdown 1973-1980: I was never a huge reggae fan but this album has made me change my mind - the music on here is deep, powerful and yes, dark.
- Neko Case: Because she's brilliant and I always need my dose of countrified alt rock.
- Thao: This album recently made it into heavy rotation - I constantly download female singer/songwriter type music with high expectations but often they blur together. Thao has a really unique sound that just grabs your heart and makes her stand out from the rest.
2:39 AM
You cannot escape the Gaga. Also, I am going to marry Neko Case. Don't tell Jori.
3:37 PM
1. The Boss? Really? You're so Jersey. I know you like to fight it, but honestly, if Bruce Springsteen is on a list for anything and it's meaningful for you, you're from the Garden State. I had to laugh, just a little bit.
2. Lady Gaga. Um, she's a year younger than I am. Whaaat. But her songs are really catchy...I still kind of like "Just Dance." That was really popular here last year.
I should also make a list of my soundtrack songs for this year...as per usual, it's a random mix.