Kevin's Albums of '09 in Brief

My own personal favorite albums from 2009. In light of Tyler's dissertation below, I'll go the other direction and cut out the verbosity to give you just one sentence about why I like each.

10. Antlers - Hospice
For listeners who don't mind the heaviness it's dark, dense, gorgeous, and more accessible than their first album.

9. Karen O and the Kids - Where the Wild Things Are
All those feelings escape and yearning captured in a fantastic soundtrack by a woman who just can't screw anything up.

8. Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes - Up From Below
A superb, layered folk sound that rocks hard. (also, their music videos will blow your mind)

7. Regina Spektor - Far
Definitely her most accessible and catchy album yet, but still with all the classic Regina weirdness and lyrical genius.

6. Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
Shows just how much of a shame it is that the New Pornographers don't let her sing in more songs.

5. Julian Casablancas - Phrazes for the Young
Everything that was good about the Strokes, combined with everything that was good about disco.

4. Passion Pit - Manners
Soaring, danceable electro pop that you'll still respect in the morning.

3. Handsome Furs - Face Control
Wolf Parade frontman, his wife, and a drum machine unite to kick ass.

2. The xx - xx
Minimal, sincere, and impossible to get out of your head.

1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
It's bliss!

And without further ado, a mixtape of album cuts:

Handsome Furs - All We Want Baby Is Everything
Neko Case - This Tornado Loves You
The xx - VCR
Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension
Passion Pit - Moth's Wings
Karen O & The Kids - All Is Love
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes - Desert Song
Regina Spektor - Laughing With
Antlers - Two
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Soft Shock (acoustic)

Download the whole mixtape here.