Keagan Ilvonen's Blog

Finally finished, Hopefully people like it.

Top Albums of 2009

1. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest



Look no further for 2009’s album of the year. Grizzly Bear have captivated fans since their 2006 release Yellow House and have had everyone hanging on the edge of their seat for a follow up. That follow up finally came and what a follow up they created. Veckatimest is everything you could ever want out of this band. Grizzly Bear have created an album that not only reaches out to the hardcore indie elite, but also the mainstream kids who feel like they need to fit in. This album is a huge grower as it wasn’t what I was expecting or wanted after listening to Yellow House for so long. But as time went by I began appreciating and dissecting the music with every listen, and finding the simple and complex beauties within. With pop sensibilities and vocal arrangements fit for the grandest of occasions, Grizzly Bear has reached all star status without your typical charades. This New York four piece are the new kings of everything. Indie rock, pop, psychedelic, you name it and Grizzly Bear can perfect it. Just don’t dare them to try because all hope would be lost for everyone else.

2. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion



Titling a record the “Album of the year” and “Album of the decade” is quite a statement for something to be released the first week of a new year. But somehow Animal Collective lived up to the hype in an undermining fashion. After dabbling in various different forms of music Animal Collective have final found their niche, psychedelic pop music. Sure they have basically done that from the beginning but Merriweather Post Pavilion is their masterpiece. No matter how great this album is people are going to hate on it because that’s human nature. But if you put all biases aside this is one awesome piece of work and will be looked back upon as one of the defining albums of this decade..

3. Fun. - Aim and Ignite



Nate Reuss should be regarded as one of the new kings of pop. The man just gets melody and harmony. First he won fans over with one of my personal favorite bands, The Format. Then when that journey came to an end another started in the shape of Fun. Aim and Ignite has everything that a pop masterpiece needs. The song structures and compositions on this record are beyond basically every other pop act out there. Then you throw Nate’s distinct vocal style on top of that and you have one hell of a time.

4. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca



This was one album I didn’t expect to land in my top ten upon the initial listen but over time it slowly became one of my favorites. Led by Dave Longstreth, Dirty Projectors take you on a spastic artsy ride that many expected. From the extremely talented set of pipes by the female supporting cast to Longstreth’s avant-garde guitar work, there is something everyone can appreciate. When everything is said and done, you still can’t pin point the Dirty Projectors sound, but you’re okay with it.

5. The Antlers - Hospice



Again. Another album came out of left field for me. I bought The Antlers Hospice on a whim and ended up falling in love with a masterpiece. The Antlers tell a story of man finding a woman at his cancer ward in which he falls in love with. The album switches from first to second person narrative as it tells the heartbreaking story of the man falling in love with the woman and watching her die. This is probably one of the most emotional albums I have ever experienced and is a must listen for anyone with a heart.

6. St.Vincent - Actor



While St. Vincent’s debut album Marry Me was solid in it’s own right, nobody was ready for the album she had cooking over the past two years. Actor improves on everything Marry Me wasn’t. The indie pop quirks are still there, just in a more abrasive form. With time this album continues to grow on you, showcasing multiple highlights that are never expected. If the year had been any longer this could have possibly been a contender for the album of the year, but at the end of the day it still holds it’s own.


7. The xx - xx



All kinds of hype had been surrounding this English pop group for awhile before the release of their debut album xx, but needless to say they lived up to the hype. The xx delivered one of the most relaxing yet upbeat albums of the year. Whether you feel like zoning out in your room, or driving around town this album fits all needs. The band makes a perfect mix of indie/trip hop/and dream pop that anyone can enjoy.

8. The Flaming Lips - Embryonic



Not that there aren’t artists out there doing it, but Wayne wanted to create an album that you can’t just pick out songs. He wanted to create an album in the traditional sense that it’s made to be listened to front to back. Embryonic is that album. Two discs of straight up Flaming Lips quirkiness that may be the bands best work yet. Pushing the limits of the indie psychedelic rock, Embryonic dares listeners to dig through its complex layers and find new meaning behind every note. Right now this album is just considered great, but down the road this will be considered a classic in the historic legacy of The Flaming Lips.

9. The Dear Hunter - Act III



So what is there to say about Casey and the crew that hasn’t been said? Casey continues to be one of the best musicians out today. Whether it be creating masterpieces known as Between The Heart and The Synapse, or drawing out a multiple album concept story that involves wars, prostitutes, and love, Casey continues to prove his worth in the ever changing music scene. Act III is the follow up to the other masterpiece Act II which left listeners wanting more. Well Casey didn’t fail yet again. Act III delves into more luscious instrumentation and an overall greater production feel as the story starts to come into focus. It’s safe to say as time goes Casey just gains fans because when you make music like him it’s pretty damn hard to lose them.

10. The Pains of Being Pure At Heart - The Pains of Being Pure At Heart



It’s weird that out of all places for me to fall in love with an album, I fell in love with this one at work. I was working before the store opened and decided that I would give it a shot based on all the praise it had been getting and I was hooked instantly. The Smiths being on of my favorite bands I’m always looking for something to compare, and while no one ever does, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart are pretty damn close. Think of The Smiths from America, mixed with My Bloody Valentine and you have The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.