It’s time for the 2nd annual list of my favorite albums of the year. Some of these are from 2009, I don’t get a hold of music as quickly as I used to. Enjoy!
Kevin Max – Cotes d’ Armor
Kevin Max is by far the most talented former member of DC Talk. Over the last decade he’s released albums spanning genres the likes of experimental pop, emotional rock, bluegrass, brit pop, and with Cotes d’ Armor, he jumps into the realms of synth and electronica driven rock. Highlights include the bizarre yet catchy “On Yer Bike!”, the almost humorous apocalyptical “Out of the Wild”, and the deeply emotional “Walking Through Walls” and “Even When It Hurts.” He records a beautiful new version of “Your Beautiful Mind,” a song that balances deep angst and grappling with God with an adoration of Him like few I’ve heard before.
Derek Webb – Feedback
This was by far my favorite album to design to this year. Derek Webb abstractly interprets The Lord’s Prayer instrumentally in three movements. Stylistically, it is the next step along the road from Stockholm Syndrome, balancing a mix of analog and digital instrumentation. The album was further interpreted by a painter, photographer, and filmmaker, creating a contemporary transmedia interpretation of one of the most powerful passages of scripture.
Manchester Orchestra – Mean Everything To Nothing
As much as my musical likings have expanded over the years, I still love listening to album likes this. It’s heavy, beautifully written, emotional rock done as good as I’ve ever heard it. Hull spends much of the first half of the album struggling with the fundamentalist culture which he was raised in. The album opens with Hull saying “I am the only son of a pastor I know who does the things I do, but if it was you I don´t think that it would matter.” The album moves to Hull sharing how he found meaning by loving someone who “means everything to nobody” but him and the album’s most powerful track, “The River” ends with Hull borrowing from the hymn, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” and screaming “Oh God I need it, well I was wrong again, take me to the river, and make me clean again.” It’s an album that’s certainly rough around the edges, but a beautiful divine relationship shows through in the end.
Passion Pit – Manners
This album goes down sweet and smooth like a bag of Skittles. Passion Pit’s wonderful unique blend of warm guitars and synths overlaid with Angelako’s falsetto vocals is a joy to listen to. Every track brings a unique variant on their sound. I saw them play live in September, and I was pleased in how well they sound live, reinforcing how much talent these guys from Massachusetts have.
Lights – The Listening
I make a lot of late night drives, and this was my favorite album to keep me company. Lights plays synth pop, but the kind that is rooted in a song that holds it own with just her and a guitar (proof). The album is mature yet charming, filled with meaningful lyrics and creative synth lines and programming. Oh, and she likes The Chariot too.
Honorable Mentions
Imogen Heap - Ellipse
Vampire Weekend - Contra
Deas Vail - Birds & Cages
Tyrone Wells - Metal & Wood
Starfield - The Saving One