Stewart Mason’s Top 10 Albums of 2009
By Stewart MasonWhat I liked about 2009 musically was that it seemed about evenly split between younger acts making their first big splash and more mature artists who finally made that one album that crystallizes what make them special. You need both of those things -- Wavves releasing his second LP only four months after his debut AND Bill Callahan delivering a latter-day Leonard Cohen-style masterpiece 13 albums into his career -- to have a truly vibrant, interesting music scene. Just one or the other wouldn't be as much fun.
But in a year where beloved musicians seemed to die every third day, I chose the benefit tribute Stroke: Songs For Chris Knox as my number-one album because Knox -- a longtime favorite of mine who suffered a debilitating stroke last June -- has always celebrated life, and its attendant small joys and complications, in his music. That more than 30 acts joined forces to record Knox's songs in his honor is a powerful testament to love and community. That the album opens with a track by Jay Reatard -- now dead way too soon -- is a grim reminder that we'll need those things this year too.
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 Stroke: Songs For Chris KnoxVarious ArtistsDespite its unfortunate circumstances, a most effective introduction to an artist who has always deserved wider exposure >> |
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 HandsLittle BootsEarly '80s synth pop in a thoroughly modern pure-pop context >> |
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 Middle CycloneNeko CaseSeven albums into her career, former alt-country siren fully delivers on her promise. >> |
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 The Hazards Of LoveThe DecemberistsAn unabashed and entirely successful concept album >> |
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 Ray Guns Are Not Just The FutureThe Bird And The BeeA fizzy, intoxicating fusion of '60s sunshine pop, bossa nova rhythms, surprisingly substantial lyrics and twinkly electronics >> |
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 VeckatimestGrizzly BearAmbient meets acoustic in a bewitching sonic space >> |
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 Sometimes I Wish We Were An EagleBill CallahanMore Leonard Cohen than Jackson Browne. >> |
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 WavvvesWavvesOccasionally daunting noise pop leavened with submerged '60s-derived hooks >> |
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 My Maudlin CareerCamera ObscuraWinningly winsome melodies and sparkling pop-savvy vision >> |
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 Mama TevatronJohn SouthworthCult Canadian singer-songwriter changes musical directions for the better >> |
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