Top 20 Albums of 2009
by J Matthew Cobb
(February 9, 2009)
Ever looked at some of those end-of-the-year “best of” endorsements and thought that those magazines and newspapers had an uncontrollable lust for virtual unknowns. Ever told yourself after reading those publications from Rolling Stone, Spin. Pitchfork and Slant and said “They’ve got it all wrong.” Well you’re not alone. A good bit of those underground, virtual unknowns get their albums distributed through file-sharing resources, independent music stores, mix tapes and lots of word-of-mouth. Since the death of record shops, good albums have been pushed into the sea of forgetfulness and replaced with Now! compilations and quick one-button clicks of your favorite single on MP3 web sites. Because this blood-sucking cancer continues to eat at the fabric of music industry’s core while making it harder for new arrivals and beloved veterans to put out great albums, we’re quick to assume that these write-ups are a waste of virtual space. But before you get a good laugh in at those indigenous “best of” lists (half of the time, they’re probably on point) and start to believe the better albums came from pop stars with one or two Top 40 hits, you might want to check out our wise selection of terrific albums from 2009.
Our Top 20 Albums of 2009 wish list, unlike some unfair countdowns, features a nice warm, versatile set of musical styles including pop, R&B, rock, jazz, adult-contemporary and even a smidgen of gospel. One or two in our list had a few radio gems in 2009, but you may be surprised to read that a good bulk of the year’s better albums came from upcoming talent. Make it a habit to not be so surprised with newbies. These days it’s becoming more and more traditional to believe the better stuff actually comes from the underworld.
So gander through our selections and if you’re interested (which we hope you are), and check them out when you get a chance. Reminisce of those good ole days - entering into your local record shop and hearing that door entrance bell rattle upon walking in. And being greeted with a warm hello with the best of Southern hospitality and good customer service. Of course, the feeling won’t seem the same. But with a little imagination, you can go a long way.
Links to owning digital and hard copy versions have been enclosed for your convenience.
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Entirely subjected to mellow ballads, Matt Cusson's self-titled debut proves he’s a true romantic trimmed with golden honors on his self-titled debut. His calm mystique, a little less subdued than Brian McKnight and his need to soak sweet-nothings into John Mayer-like melodies, feels like cool jazz, sweet soul and AC-ish pop intertwined together in perfect harmony. |
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Another band cutting their teeth on Southern blues and R&B. Also hailing from Canada, the Groove Kings are out there to prove they know a thing or two about the blues. Take the guitar soul of B.B. King and mix it in Irene Marc’s lead vocals - matching the sweetness of Corrine Bailey Rae and the grittiness of Bonnie Raitt - and you’ve got a good depiction of what this band is all about. |
| 18 |
Fame Monster
Lady Gaga
(Interscope/Cherrytree)
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BUY:
 Amazon
 iTunes |
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The self-made glam superstar released an album (The Fame) that would ultimately give her the distinction of being our generation’s version of Madonna. Sure Gwen Stefani and Fergie tried out some of the same dance beats and did a fairly good job, but Lady Gaga and her love for grungy disco rhythms on songs like “Pokerface,” “Just Dance” and her latest radio sensation “Bad Romance” along with her taste for provocative lyricism adds up to be nothing less than unapologetic fun. Fame Monster, a small EP from the ubiquitous superstar, continues that rollicking momentum. |
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Tower of Power alum distinguishes himself with hip jazz/R&B ensemble East Bay Soul; ultimately creating a delicious mix of contemporary jazz and funky R&B amped up with funky guitar riffs and horn blasts parallel to Jerry Hey’s creations. |
| 16 |
Battle Studies
John Mayer
(Columbia)
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Not as explosive as Continuum, it’s still a fine work focused on laid-back Mayer tackling more heartbreak ballads and bluesy pop. He’s a smart musician that knows what works for him and refuses to compromise his style for what reigns at radio. Folk are certain to pin the musician to the adult contemporary format, but Mayer wastes no time in transporting super cool (and sexy) vibes from the blues and alternative rock into his tailor-made sound. |
| 15 |
I Look to You
Whitney Houston
(Arista)
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With a decade tucked into silence from the record industry, the Voice emerges from the ashes, a bit dimmer than usual, with an incredible set of pop-friendly radio jams perfectly selected from macho hitmaker Clive Davis. The right producers and songwriters (Alicia Keys, R. Kelly, Stargate) help create the kind of a potpourri that makes ordinary singing sound timeless. Where Whitney falters, the music uplifts her to safety. Even without the Grammy snubs, I Look to You is a success of a modern album blueprint. |
| 14 |
The Blueprint 3
Jay-Z
(Roc Nation/Atlantic)
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BUY:
Amazon
iTunes |
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Hip-hop just didn’t have a good year in 2010. Blessed elements of the genre may have giving edge to radio singles provided by the Black Eyed Peas, Kanye West and Drake, but dirty hip-hop, as a whole, is falling into its own grave. Jay-Z dons his cape and costume for another Blueprint episode and proves he’s far from a retired old emcee and gives hip-hop some needed life support. “Empire State of Mind” takes hip-hop back to the early days of rap and gives New York one of the coolest anthems since Odyseey’s “Native New Yorker.” All together, Blueprint 3 is smartly calculated and sports the charm and energy of his first Blueprint project. |
| 13 |
Fearless
Taylor Swift
(Big Machine/Universal)
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BUY:
Amazon
iTunes |
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She’s cute, a Southern girl, young and knows how to write a sensational pop song. She may not have the vocals to wow a listener at first listen, but Fearless is one of those albums that reveals an artist zoning in on their best potential. As time marches onward, Fearless could very well be Swift’s magnum opus. |
| 12 |
A Strange Arrangement
Mayer Hawthrone
(Stones Throw)
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BUY:
Amazon
iTunes |
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A riveting debut that remarkably celebrates vintage soul while giving Mayer Hawthorne the free lane to prove his indelible worth to soul music’s evolution. Say what you want to sat about the blue-eyed soul novice: his contribution is the right kind of momentum to keep soul purists optimistic for more flashbacks to come. |
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Embedded in the coolness of Luther Vandross and Freddie Jackson, Marcell & the Truth's Symbols uses meaningful lyricism, romantic vibes and sweet balladeer serenades to keep grown-folks R&B moving in the right direction. Luther’s passing may have been the final curtain call on R&B’s golden era, but Marcell & the Truth, amid wonderful ballads like “Just to Be Loved” and “You Saved Me,” may be its resurrection. |
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