As yall know from the popular website calendar.blogspot.com, the year 2k9 only has 2 months left. The annual music cycle is ‘officially over’ and will be dormant until the first major indie album release in 2k10. This means ‘we’ as an altosphere need 2 do our best to reflect on the year that we just lived, and try 2 analyze which album/artist/mp3 we want to be the embodiment of 2k9. Each alt website has a responsibility to select a ‘best’ artist, which may not actually ‘be the best’, but instead will represent ‘how they think 2k9 should be remembered’, and convince u 2 ’stay on board with us, cuz our perception of the indiesphere is really genuine and down2earth in a hi-level kinda way.’
I will make a list of potential ‘Best’ Artists/song writers/album makers/meme generators of 2k9, and evaluate the evaluation process of each product.
/////WHAT WILL BE THE BEST ALBUM/MP3/SONG OF 2K9?
Animal Collective - I feel like websites that select AnCo as their #1 album will end up doing the usual AnCo ‘Journalism’, which addresses ‘the hype bubble’ on the internet, but then switches to a ’serious tone’ that refocuses on the ‘brilliance/textures/genius’ of the album. It seems like this is a ’safe pick’ which will keep your readers happy, and feeling relevant. Possibly ‘too boring’ of a selection for some readers, but also possibly ‘the correct decision.’
Grizzly Bear – It seems like their album Veckytemmy was ‘very well received’, but people only really learned 2 evaluate them in comparison to AnCo. Maybe this is more indicative of the flaws in the US Educational System, not really teaching kids how to evaluate and analyze products for ‘what they are.’ Instead, we can only ‘compare’ stuff/events/people/places/nouns/ideas to ‘what already exists.’ It might be a ’somewhat controversial’ selection to put them at #1, but also possibly ‘bold’, like u could really ‘get ur music journalism on’ in an impassioned blog/blurb. The product seems transcendental of eras, so it might be the sort of album that does better on a ‘best of decade’ list, as opposed to a ‘best of year’ list (This does/does not make sense).
Atlas Sound - I feel like I ‘enjoyed’ this band/album, but wonder if it was ‘overrated.’ Feels like it followed the model of having 2.5 ‘obviously good songs’, then sorta just existing in positive chillspace for the rest of time, with a few ‘kewl sounding parts.’ Possibly music that appeals to college students who need some ambient shit 2 study 2, then they have a ‘positive memory’ of the album, since it helped them get a B+, even though they ‘only studied the night before.’ It still seems ‘very good’, but feel like we are possibly entering an era where most semi-conceptual artists can poop out this kind of album every 6 months. Feel relieved that Panda Bear ‘takes his time’ on his personal albums. Really preserves his brand. I feel like another positive blurbing tool when blogging about Atlas Sound, is that u can say something like ‘Georgia-based frontman Bradford Cox is also the mastermind behind indie rock band Deerhunter’, or a similar sentence.
Neon Indian - It’s kinda weird how u can have a ‘good band’/'good song’/'good album’, but not every product is worth paying attention to, or convincing people that it is ‘worth their time’ to say that they are a ‘fan.’ Now that Neon Indian has reached the point where ‘every1′ likes them and ‘knows about them’, they could enter a backlash phase where their original fans [via blogCulture] are reluctant to ‘commit to them’ as a band that they will cover for the next 5-20 years. It’s always scary to commit urself to a band that was once only ‘buzzworthy’, and say ‘I am looking forward to looking forward to this band in the future’ and ‘I will consider overhyping their next album.’ I don’t think Neon Indian really ‘resonates’ enough with music criticism aged bros, but will do well in emerging consumer demographics (so u can’t really leave them out of ur top 10).
VEGA - I wonder if electro bros would select Vega as ‘electro’s last hope’, or if critics would rather just ‘focus on Neon Indian’ since that aesthetic is ‘way cooler/coverable’ now. Seems like it would be ‘kewl’ to say ‘Yeah, I liked Vega before Neon Indian’ in 2-4 years when Neon Indian has to go into conceptual hibernation.
Passion Pit - I wonder if we ‘expect greatness’ from this band, of if they are they have an existence where they aren’t really ‘expected to be great’, but we ‘know what we get from them.’ Seems like they might be the new type of festival band that can sort of just chill indefinitely as long as their music stays positive/poppy and they don’t get too ‘dark.’ Feels like they are a band who ‘u got 2 see for free’ and then u ‘became a big fan of theirs.’
The Very Best - Don’t really want to cover/think about the type of people who ‘love’ this band/album/mp3.
Here We Go Magic – I feel like these bros were probably ‘the best’ of the conceptual-core flareup of mid-2k9, and people might select them as a ‘hey… remember this was kinda good’ way (not as #1).
Washed Out - possibly ‘too chill’ to feel like a ‘historical selection’ to listmaking music bros, but could be ‘very definitive’ based on your perception of what happened this year.
Girls – If I owned a major publication in San Fransisco, I would require my Indie Journalism writers to make Girls the #1 artist of the year, in order to make it seem like San Fransisco’s scene was hella important. I feel like Girls are sorta like ‘chill out music’ for those Gen X alts who like garage rock. It seems like it might be ‘cool’ to know about them, but I don’t know if your readers will value your list if you pick them #1, unless they are over-40 and looking for something ‘cool, but not isolating.’ I think they ‘look like a band’ to it might be sweet to have a picture of them on your blogpost/article.
The XX - Selecting the XX as the #1 ______ of the year would be very bold. The band hovers on the ‘fringes’ of ‘indie greatness’, but it is probably a more logical decision to ‘hype them’, encourage people to consider them a ‘band 2 watch’, then ‘gush’ over their future releases, whether or not they are as good as/better than their debut. They physically ‘look like’ a relevant band, and their music is also easy to explain/’gush’ about in a generic indieblurb way so those are huge pluses for your blog/magazine layout. Wonder if any indie debut could ever be considered ‘album of the year’, or if indie websites have an established hierarchy/progression of buzz that no band will be able to shatter. How long does it take for a band to ‘change the aesthetic of relevancy’? (How long has AnCo been a band?)
Yacht – Seems like this album really went ‘in one ear and out the other.’ Probably ’sounded kewl’ or something, but seems ’shameful’ to select as a seminal album of 2k9.
Dirty Projectors - I feel like the people who select the Dirt Projjies as #1 probably ‘believe in their decision’ the most. They think that there is a ‘right answer’ to “Who is the Best _____ of 2k9?” and they are the only bros to truly understand the criteria and have the critical thinking skills to come to this decision. But it seems like it is ‘easier to enjoy’ AnCo than it is to enjoy the Dirt Projjies, so you don’t want people 2 h8 ur alt website/magazine if they buy the album, and it is just these people ‘wailing’ over complex guitar stuff. It still seems plausible to describe/pan the DirProjjies as ‘a Jack Johnson-sounding bro with broads wailing in the background.’
Phoenix - ‘I really want to remember 2k9 as being a peppy, poppy time.’ I feel like this is a ‘feel good’ album to put into your top 10, like you want people to say ‘oh ya… that was a lil fun… totes love phx… great pop music.’ Probably something that female blogger would put at #1, but most male music journalism bros ‘need to seem like they are yearning 4 more’ than what Phoenix gives them.
St Vincent - I am not sure if her latest album was really ‘that identifiable’ to men or women. It seems like if it was, she would have ended up with a Feist-like existence, since she is potentially younger and more attractive than Feist. I am proud of Feist for becoming the ‘gold standard’ for indie female artists.
Fever Ray - I feel like this product is ‘too dark’ to ever be an ‘album of the year.’ No1 wants to select a gothy product as being ‘definitive’ of an entire year/era. It seems like society approves of ‘escapist’ art, but doesn’t want stuff that sounds ‘too dark.’
Bat for Lashes - Never really listened, but seems like it would be ‘acceptable’ to be the lone female in your year-end list. If you have a top 10, it seems healthy to have no more than 2 female singers/artists, since the majority of your readers are men.
Wavves – The Wavves Bro might have been the ‘human meme’ of the year in terms of the zany headlines that he generated 4 the altosphere. Hope he ‘keeps it up’ in 2k10. His music is also ‘theoretically memorable’, but I think his genre is not really era-defining. It sorta just will ‘exist forever.’
The “Dark Was the Night” compilation - Think that this was a ‘big deal’ and ‘for a good cause’ or something. I feel like it might be worth mentioning again if you feel like ’seeming like a good person’ based on the brand of your website/magazine. This probably appeals to people over the age of 28. ‘Know ur audience’ -music journalism editors when coming up with their lists
The Big Pink/Florence and the Machine - I am not really sure who these bands are, but it seems like something a UK publication would select. Seems like those bros always ‘try to take credit’ for top American artists, but also ‘hype up their own shitty bands/comedians’etc. Wish we could set up some sort of artistic trading guidelines with them. Wonder if the Spice Girls/The Office were ‘good imports.’ Worried about Amy Winehouses, etc.
Julian Casablancas - Wonder if bros who pick this solo-debut to ‘define 2k9′ are the kind of bros who ‘are too impatient’ to wait to excessively value the next Strokes album.
Kings of Leon - Can’t believe they are ’s0 mainstream’ now. Wonder if it would be ‘cutting-edge’ to write some indie journalism about ‘why we should still appreciate them’, or if u should just pretend they don’t exist n e more [via Nickelback].
Lady Gaga - It seems like it might be trendy/cutting edge to select her as an ‘artist of the year’ if you had an altWEbsite, then talk about her art/concept/ability to create pop Art, or something.
///////////
/////////Did I miss n e 1?
/////////////////
Can’t believe 2k9 is done. U were a good year, 2k9. U did ur best.
What/who do u think should be remembered as ‘the Most 2k9′ album/song/mp3 of 2k9?
R u gonna miss 2k9? Will 2k10 be any better or any worse?
What is the ‘most likely’ artist to be pitchforked to the #1 spot?
What is the ‘boldest’ album of the Year selection?
What is the ‘fucking obvious’ album of the Year selection?
Are ‘lists’ the future of music journalism since they get ’so many eye balls’/it is easier for normal readers to ‘catch up’ with new music on an annual basis?
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IAmCarles.com
104 Comments
Does it really matter?
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//////////Reply by d00dz
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
@Nick, wtf is this shit! u r only supposed to say ‘First!’
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//////////Reply by paul
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 2:27 am
HEALTH – GET COLOR
HEALTH – GET COLOR
HEALTH – GET COLOR
HEALTH – GET COLOR
HEALTH – GET COLOR
HEALTH – GET COLOR
HEALTH – GET COLOR
HEALTH – GET COLOR
HEALTH – GET COLOR
HEALTH – GET COLOR
HEALTH – GET COLOR
HEALTH – GET COLOR
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//////////Reply by tonka
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
@paul, TRUTH! HEALTH IS !!!!
//////////Reply by messedup
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
@paul,
Health > All these others bands
//////////Reply by Sam
//////////Posted November 13th, 2009 at 9:37 am
two words: WILD BEASTS
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boom boom huck jam
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you listen to fckn mainstream indie music carles. wack choices for numero unos
third
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//////////Reply by MEMEs
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
@PSEUDONONYMOUS FREE,
very indie of you to say …
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uuuuuuuuuuuur the maccabees
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got 2 say the XX broad (halloween costume) significantly increased my opinion of the XX brand. Sorta feel like U should pick the XX solely because of that halloween costume. Think it would be smart to not include WAVVES in yer top 10. Think that due to Washed Out being covered in The Rolling Stones it would be important to rank them below Neon Indian. Think it would be a “fucking shame” if you put dirty projjies in yer top 10.
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//////////Reply by fullscale008
//////////Posted November 11th, 2009 at 2:48 am
@EFF G.Gillies, isn’t there a chance that broad wore an X because it was architecturally sound on her bod? That it has nothing to do with the XX? That she’s too spaced the fck out to even tap into that sorta shit.
I mean, H’s aint gonna work. O’s leave all sorts of shit out.
Only an X is gonna work out on a youngin’
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Passion Pit + Friendly Fires?
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//////////Reply by daffy
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
@mateooo, def frriedly fires
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BTW – p4k will prolly pick lady gaga or kanye west as their best album of 2k9. think that it shows while they are still committed to be “indie/alt” that they can appreicate mnstrm music in a manner that mnstrmrs cannot. Also – think that it might be affirming 2 diversity 2 pick kayne after kaynegate and all the racist sympathy 4 taywhore swift.
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//////////Reply by Scott Curtis
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
@EFF G.Gillies, kanye west didnt have an album u fucktard
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//////////Reply by lastnightsfartie
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 8:28 am
@Scott Curtis, nvr thought racists like u would read HRO. H8 that u r a racist. H8 even moar that u know about HRO. H8 U SO MUCH. fucking racists.
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feel like all brklyn based blogs will have 2 honor J. Fuchs death by putting maserati in their top 10s.
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Dirty Brojectors win for the sheer babe-to-bro ratio. Gotta have equal rights yo.
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AnCo > Dirty Projies, but
Bitte Orca > MPP, but
Summertime Clothes > Stills is the Move.
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//////////Reply by shitonmydick
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
@kbiz, ‘oh, [how u just] inverted [my] world’! fuck.
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//////////Reply by shitonmydick
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
@shitonmydick, also:
‘And So I Met You From Afar’ somewhere ‘up there’
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passion pit, pains of being pure at heart, deastro, empire of the sun, discovery, mirah, cass mccombs, faunts.. all had good albums worth considering.
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lol ” Seems like it would be ‘kewl’ to say ‘Yeah, I liked Vega before Neon Indian’ ” <- nortex people already say this all the time
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Islands “Vapors”
The Beets “Spit in the Face of People Who Don’t Want To Be Cool”
Cold Cave “Love Comes Close”
These Are Powers “All Aboard Future”
Health “Get Color”??
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//////////Reply by Scott Curtis
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
@arnie grape, ur taste is shit. leave hro.
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da justice is da best artist in da world duh
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Black Moth Super Rainbow – Eating Us
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//////////Reply by PowerofTao
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
@w, i only know of them because of their pittsburgh roots
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//////////Reply by Sasha
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
@w, They should defs be up there at least, great band
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//////////Reply by tonka
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
@w, kind of glad a great band like BMSR are not on this roster. Lets keep that gem hidden and preserved.
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//////////Reply by HOMOSAPIEN_FUCK
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
@tonka, That’s stupid. It’s like baiting people to check them out. Sounds like a band to go to college to.
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GET COLOR!!!!
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//////////Reply by AstroCandy
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
@AM, correct!
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//////////Reply by kbiz
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
@AM, that album gave me nightmares.
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“It seems like if it was, she would have ended up with a Feist-like existence, since she is potentially younger and more attractive than Feist.”
lol wut…
LIES
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//////////Reply by Mr. Jeffers
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
@Stephan Colbert, she kinda looks like she is straight out of a concentration camp
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//////////Reply by ryan dicks
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
shut up bitch
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//////////Reply by Mr. Jeffers
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
@ryan dicks, i think shes sexy
//////////Reply by ryan dicks
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
for real……..
white denim
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//////////Reply by Zee
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:05 am
@gnar sesh, yes. absolutely.
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Dan Deacon?
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//////////Reply by Mr. Jeffers
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
@Polkapitshit, dandeerage maybe, def not solo
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//////////Reply by tonka
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
@Polkapitshit, fuck that
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//////////Reply by Scott Curtis
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
@Polkapitshit, i did enjoy that record bro(mst).
But as the year went on better albums came out. Girls, The xx, AnCo, Griz Bear
Possibly: Japandroids, Memory Cassette, PPit, Maj Lzr, Yacht.
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//////////Reply by arnie grape
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
@Scott Curtis, nice choices, preened right from the p4k list, the majority of which blow and/or are incredibly overrated, including: Girls, XX, Grizzly Bears, Memory Cassette, and ppit. I will give you Mpp, and pitchfork.
That Japandroids album sounds like they might be the biggest No Age fans there are, and that’s being generous.
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//////////Reply by Scott Curtis
//////////Posted November 12th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
@arnie grape, ud be s00 right except that I blogged and backed Girls, The xx, ppit, japandroids before p4k.
They even linked to me and called me a ‘beacoup blogger’ and said they weren’t that sure about the xx at the time.
So there’s that. fucktard x2 (not via the xx).
//////////Reply by arnie grape
//////////Posted November 12th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
@Scott Curtis. Pitchfork shouldn’t be sure: the grating, pretentious vocal delivery and repetition of that album weighs, after about song six, when it becomes clear, that record pales in comparison to so many.
But you seem to have located your genre, along with P4k, which will be who knows where, in two weeks: It’s so hard being fashionable when everything is so ephemeral.
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Raekwon’s OBFCL2 deserves to be on the list as well. The Antlers’ Hospice was a pretty good conceptual album, also.
LOL at someone mentioning POBPAH, you’ve gotta be kidding me. their album was okay but they won’t be relevant in 1 year
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//////////Reply by boards
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
@jay, that was me. and i’m sorry i thought we were doing possibilities for top albums of 2009 not top albums of bands still relevant in 2010.
and you’re wrong.
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//////////Reply by jay
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:19 am
@boards, i stated my opinion that the pobpah album was only ok as the reason why i don’t think it should be considered in the album of the year discussion. the relevancy issue is just my general two cents about the band.
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//////////Reply by boards
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 2:32 am
@jay, man, i know, sheeeet. i gots my degree from a liberal university. still think you’re wrong. POBPAH is straight up rock n roll. no crazy production/song structure (grizzly bear), limited electronics (pp, anco). and personally i feel like people are just dropping names of bands that didn’t even actually release “full albums”. to me POBPAH had a very solid front to back album. lots of these other bands would find it extremely difficult to make 40 minutes worth of music that was “listenable”.
i’m arguing this point for no point really. i don’t even think POBPAH had the best album but they at least did a better job than some of the bands people here are suggesting.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
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owl city was(is?) my n#1 but iam confused after that pitchfrk review. i feel like i have to reevaluate/rebrand my taste in music. (via shitting on owl city)
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//////////Reply by PayRon
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
@Uil, owl city is no good
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//////////Reply by brobro
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 4:10 am
@Uil, Sry, they have gotten the deadly ‘p4k pan.’ They can no longer have a relevant existence.
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carles hates rap
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//////////Reply by ace
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 7:49 am
@J, carles hates black people!
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//////////Reply by daffy
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
@J, rap is cliche
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johnny frusciante (via the empyrean)
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Third Eye Blind
Weezer
Squarepusher
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//////////Reply by tonka
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
@teh, squarepushers last release was a failed attempt to go back to his roots. it sounded sloppy and poorly produced. maybe im just still high off of ultravisitor.
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//////////Reply by teh
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 10:15 am
@tonka, sory, i forgot about embracing the (teh?) personal brand of Carels, and co-opting portions of it to seem hip/fit it.
The SqurePushers = Squarepusher when filtered through the ironic linguistics of HRO (’yall?)
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//////////Reply by tonka
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
@teh, what the hell does that have to do with squarepushers last shitty release?
//////////Reply by chong
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:22 am
@teh, gotta stop mixin alcohol wit pharmacuticals
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forgot surfer blood, mem tapes, and lil wayne. lists are dumb newayz, carles. rap is alt too brah. feel like ‘indiesters’ have tarnished Brooklyn’s rap legacy.
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woods
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Miike Snow
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La Roux
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Friendly Fires!
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Did FEADZ release anything this year?
was thinking a FEADZ edit of a kings of conveniee tune. don’t know if that exists in our blogosphere as of yet.
I also feel partial to the XX brand because of that Halloween costume. Thought they were just a one mp3 band on my ipod/zuney but am curious 2 see what the XX broad will do to solidify their brand.
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//////////Reply by OMGURBNOUTFTTRS
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
@1000freeipods, yee dem azn robots be the dank jontz
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bat for lashes or the xx ftw!
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YYYs, The Invisible, Japandroids, Fuck Buttons, The Antlers, Wild Beasts. Could all fit onto a hip list very well.
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Forgot about Clues…by far the best album of the year.
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Grizzly Bear has sold out (via Veckatimest debuting at #8 and collaborating with mnstrmr Michael McDonald).
My vote is for Girls – think they are the most authentic act to debut in 2k9 (I am substantially younger than 40, however). Jesus Christ (The Indie Band) also has serious alt credibility.
Think Owl City needs to go away – far, far away. They are from my home state – feel ashamed of where I live.
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//////////Reply by gentleman
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
@funky_rutabaga, and i bet you are from taint paul and do not realize that we all want you to go away
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Elliott smith – “basement” tapes unfinished
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lol, good post carles. nice take on the music.
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Daisy!
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//////////Reply by chong
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:27 am
@peonted, that album made me give up on jesse lacey for best human
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//////////Reply by Lauren
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 2:00 am
@peonted, lol
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Was Fleet Foxes 2k8? Can we vote them again anyhows? No one in 2k9 comes close.
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//////////Reply by kbiz
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
@Blackface Killah, Then I’m voting in Hissing Fauna because it would beat out Grizzle bears.
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//////////Reply by Blackface Killah
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
@kbiz, thought Hissing Fauna was 2kSevs. I’m all mixed up. Think Skeletal Lamping was too conceptual/had too many catchy hooks that u couldn’t sing in public or peeps would think ur ghey to make a best of 2k9. Besides, I think it was 2k8. Pretty sure 2k9 was fkn pathetic overall.
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//////////Reply by kbiz
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
@Blackface Killah, It was 2k7 but It was way better than GB. Skeletal Lamping was great for singing in grocery stores/shopping malls. Then people know your not ‘afraid of the boundaries.’
//////////Reply by funky_rutabaga
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
@Blackface Killah, Feel Fleet Foxes – and, similarly, Bon Iver – are two of the best groups of the decade. Feel Girls and Here We Go Magic are the best new groups of 2k9, and should be allowed in the special legion of best artists of the decade. Think AnCo may become mnstrm (via Grizzly Bear’s transformation) in 2k10.
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yo all deez bands be soo 2009. we gotsa make listz bouts whoze h@wt in 2k10 ya’llz! im tinkin bandz in 2k10 will hav namez like ‘neon light surfers’ and ‘couchsurfingwavebroswithguitars’ and ’stork’ (cuz eveyr yr got dat one band wit a syllable). manng we gotsa hype up bands that DONT EVEN EXIST YET.
yee son
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//////////Reply by gramercy riffs
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
@OMGURBNOUTFTTRS, …bro…
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//////////Reply by chong
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:29 am
@OMGURBNOUTFTTRS,
r u ali g?
ur way funnier than bruno
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//////////Reply by hmm,
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 9:37 am
@OMGURBNOUTFTTRS,
u type like my ex-gf.
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people will say the Flaming Lips
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all of this music is irrelevant to my brand.
where’s the piano hook for my addyverts?
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//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
@Steve Jobs, :)
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really feel like carles hit the nail on the head with his forecast of hooting@theblowfish.
was listening to ‘let her cry’ during barry obammy’s inauguration/michael jackson’s funeral/balloon boy’s ‘confession’
soundtrack of 2k9 yall
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//////////Reply by hey anony anony
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 12:54 am
@anonyt, listened 2 “i go blind” during town hall coverage (via cracked rear view)
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//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
@hey anony anony, LOL
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Most authentic performance of 2k9 – Wavves (via ‘the breakdown’).
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dam-funk? nosaj-thing? 2526?
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//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
@chilisfan, bibio? jj? flying lotus?
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//////////Reply by AstroCandy
//////////Posted November 11th, 2009 at 12:12 am
@SilverTell, both of you are gay as shit. never come back here.
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Animal Collective – Strawberry Jam is the best album of 2k9.
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The Raekwon record
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the spirit of 2k9:
captures how you imagine your brothers and sisters perceived 2k9
1. Anco’s MPP
(a very distant) 2. The Very Best’s Warm Heart of Africa
3. Matt and Kim’s “Daylight” tied with Wale’s “New Soul featuring Yael Naim”
the best new band of 2k9:
freshest sounding, lots of hits, might have potential
1. The xx
2. Pashy Pit
3. The Neon Indian
most over-hyped:
not just hyperbole but also disappointing
1. tie between Dirty Projies and The Julian Casablancas
2. Wavves
3. Atlas Sound
most accessible:
most immediately enjoyable, catchiest,
1. Phoenix’s Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
2. Grizzly Bear’s Veckatimhsakjdakksjhmest
3. Think About Life’s Family tied with Camera Obscura’s My Maudlin Career/ idk
most likely to listen to with your parents:
1. Grizzly Bear’s Veckatimest
2. Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros
3. Dark Was the Night
album of the year:
1. Delorean’s Ayrton Senna
2. MPP
3. The xx
4. Rules by The Whitest Boy Alive
5. The Drums
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//////////Reply by chong
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:32 am
@SilverTell, Deloreon ftw!
2 bad its only an ep
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//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
@chong, i know :( i want them to win so bad’ that i’m willing to bend and break the rules.
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//////////Reply by Poser#2
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 8:47 am
@SilverTell, “pashy pit” were the hype band of 2008, not 2009 yo. and “Dirty Projies” were appropriately hyped
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//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
@Poser#2, Just went to wikipedia so I can sound authoritative. Though “sleepyhead” came out on in September on Chunk of Change, it was only an ep. Manners, the “album”, came out in May.
blah blah blah
if eps count, i agree with u. if eps don’t count, they belong in 2k9.
could an argument be made that the preponderance of the hype/buzz — blog posts, tweets, fb shares — happened in 2k9?
dirty pros bore my brain. i concede that there’s lots of genuine, passionate fans. i don’t want to belittle them or their passion. i just can’t listen to dirty pros. their noise annoys me. trust me, i want to like their music– it would bring me closer to my bros and baguettes– but alas i cannot.
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//////////Reply by B2D
//////////Posted November 11th, 2009 at 1:19 am
@SilverTell,
More on ep v. albm:
The Drums have only released an ep. No album. That said, they fuckin’ rock… but were written about in RS. Not cool.
The Loud Wars is totes in my top 10 (postioned at 3 or 4) mostly because I’ve seen them like five times [via living in Saint Louis].
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//////////Reply by kbiz
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
@kbiz, unofficial spur of the moment official list:
Diry Projies
AnCo
So Many Dynamos
Neon Indian
The Flaming Lips
Throw me the Statue
James Husband
Alec Ounsworth
YACHT
Simian Mobile Disco
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Where can I get band merch (tees, posters, etc.)?
Artists that YOU guys like (HRO, Pitchfork, Stereogum, gvb)
Preferably a Canadian website. US site is fine too.
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//////////Reply by 1000freeipods
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
@Damaged,
damn.
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//////////Reply by chong
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:32 am
@Damaged,
i would check out the local hottopics
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FIRSTY:
So glad The YYY’s arent on this fucking roster.
SECONDLY:
Anco would definitely be a valid choice seeing that their popularity dominates the entire altscene. Colorful, childish, fun, playful, and beautiful. Panda Bear’s solo shit is just as potent. The kicker is that its ALL relevant and many other nigs from other scenes have digged on Anco’s shit. So for that, I give it to them.
THIRDLY:
There were a few others that were on the roster that showed true potential, like The XX, Neon Indian, and St Vincent. I just think its too soon to judge the entire 09 with those few acts that havent had a chance to prove their longevity. Anco is keeps producing, evolving, and spreading their sound across the board. Seems like most of the other choices only pay heed to a particular sector of the altdome.
FOURTHLY:
Grizzly Bear is over rated.
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//////////Reply by jjj
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 12:35 am
@tonka, who the fuck is grizzly bear and why do people keep listening to their music?
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noone is saying ANCO cause its an automatic default choice
merriweather post pavvy changed my life
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The Bat for Lashes.
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Feel like I should ‘enjoy Hornitos™ responsibly’ or sumthing.
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//////////Reply by tonka
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
@Bipster, going to a hornitos event tonight. going to be sickkk
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I DONT MEAN TO SEEM LIKE I CARE ABOUT MATERIAL THINGS LIKE SOCIAL STATUS
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The-Dream album was possibly the best.
I fucking hate that Grizzly Bear album.
For me it’s MPP vs The-Dream.
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//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
@on with the show, yeah 2k85 “There’s somethin you do that got me walkin’ on the moon” makes me feel like I’m at a middle school dance gettin my almost grind on.
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The broad Bat For Lashes’ album is my numero uno. At first I was all ‘it’s pleasant, but MPP pwnz” but now I get off to ‘two suns’ like every day.
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MPP is far and away album of the year, it’s not even open to debate!
Tarot Sport by Fuck Buttons is my second best though! Surprised nobody has mentioned this beast of an album.
Carles is spot on about Logos too.
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Bleach – Nirvana
srsly, crlzorz, probably 75% of ur readers were either not born or no older than 3 when this album came out..
just saying ya’ll!
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Seriously indie music is so ghey…try way to hard… what about the Black and White Years??? Only bands worth it from this list are AnCo and Washed Out rest decrease the pressure from my ass
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//////////Reply by lizard
//////////Posted November 9th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
K, Neon Indian is pretty dope
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sixty first!
i like HEALTH
dennis black instant classic 2kTENN
obvi aNYthng edB
grrltlk lulz
drrty pro’s?
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My top picks are: Neon Indian, Discovery, Girls, Jahdan Blakkamoore…
I’m pretty sure my opinion rules above all else.
if u semi agree but feel like i’m missing something let me know.
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//////////Reply by Repthashit
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 2:37 am
@bumbohole, Discovery sucks and ur missing BlackDice
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//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
@Repthashit, love Neon Indian, from Discovery only like “Swing Tree” and love “So Insane” , seems like I could get behind Girls, I had never heard of Jahdan Blakkamoore until right now I’m listening to “What You Know About This”
Maybe I could get behind Jahdan Blakkamoore in a drunk Major Lazer kinda way. I might not listen to it in any other context though.
BlackDice sounds noisy. I can’t get behind noise. Always feel bored/like I could be listening to something more enjoyable. What do you feel like when you listen to BlackDice, Repthashit?
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//////////Reply by Repthashit
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
@SilverTell, its the ultimate in subversive music they don’t give a shit about ’scenes’ or ‘hypes’ and i guess they give me the same feeling that ‘punk’ music gives 2 ‘punk’ kids
//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
@Repthashit, How do you feel about The Clash?
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//////////Reply by Repthashit
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
@SilverTell, Rock Gods via boring ppl who listen to them
I think the ‘best’ ‘indie’ album of 2K9 was Veckatimest by the Grizzly bros. But I would prefer to wait 4 Gorilla vs Bear to post their Best of 2K9 lists before I ‘commit’ to that. [GVB 'dig' the White Denims, so 'possibly' they had the 'best' album of 09, but dudes don't seem 'culturally relevant'/bloggable enough to be the 'best']. Also, I’m ‘pretty sure’ the latest on AnCo is that Merriweather Post Pavilion was ‘way overhyped, man’ and selecting it as the Abum of 09 would be too predictable/copying Pitchfork/being a ’sheep’.
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if salem had come out with an LP instead of EPs and singles it would be top 3 no question
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GIRLS…because they’re different from all the mgmt/anco/grizbear/passpit bullllllshit
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//////////Reply by chong
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:38 am
@bobfajita, did u just put mgmt/anco?
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//////////Reply by countbasie
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 2:09 am
@chong, nice cut-down assuming your cutting edge music taste warranted that retort.
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//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
@bobfajita, by bullshit did you mean “post Pet Sounds sounds” which includes sample based music, drum machines, etc?
what’s teh connection btw mgmt and anco?
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Didn’t DJ TIESTO Drop a new alby this year?
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//////////Reply by chong
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:40 am
@HOMOSAPIEN_FUCK, most of its real poppy bullshit, but some of the tracks r real catchy
just waitin for ISOS 8
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//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
@HOMOSAPIEN_FUCK, lol
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¡ LOV LON DON
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//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
@†®åπP, AHHH HOW COULD I FORGET!!!!
XTATIC TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XTATIC TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XTATIC TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XTATIC TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XTATIC TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XTATIC TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XTATIC TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XTATIC TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XTATIC TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Crystal Fighters ftw!
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JAPANDROIDS
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anco bites ass! They suck ass sooo much
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//////////Reply by hmm,
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 9:42 am
@ruzz,
yeah! like, with an ass! ahhhh!!111!! bite it!!
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sunset rubdown?
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//////////Reply by koalajr
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 3:10 am
@PayRon,
a fucking greed.
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//////////Reply by twomuch
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
@PayRon, silver moons makes me feelz good
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//////////Reply by oboi
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
@PayRon, dragonslayer ftw
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Black Dice yall
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whatevs u r so wrong about girls. can’t u c it is so socially relevent?
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Philip Glass – Glass: A Madrigal Opera
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SUNNY DAY REAL ESTATE.
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I care a lot, this is just the prelude to my year end last.fm blog post:
1. like really really drunk – bran 182
– I wrote this so I’m really into it.
2. lp – discovery
– Slightly more fun than Bitte Orca + just as listened to.
3. bitte orca – dirty projectors
– PWZ0Rs
4. aleph at hallucinatory mountain – current 93
– My first C93 album. I am a poser but a convert.
5. xx – the xx
– So sexy and so relaxing!
6. merriweather post pavillion – animal collective
– Its Animal Collective.
7. tonight: franz ferdinand – franz ferdinand
– So much better than their sophomore slump
8. psychic chasms – neon indian
– might buy this on vinyl eventually…
9. clues – clues
– not the unicorns, better than islands
10. jj no. 2 – jj
– the soundtrack to many a 4:20
If you want more, check out “woweezoweemagic” sometime in december.
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//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
@grant golland, i had never heard of bran 182, Current 93, or Clues
cheers
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THEE OH SEES
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//////////Reply by yuppers
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 2:00 am
@Zee, yyeeeesss, … although i do prefer master’s bedroom to help. the dog poison ep is phenomenal too. john dwyer is a legend.
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//////////Reply by skybeard
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 9:01 am
@Zee,
they have the potential to release enough albums in a single year so that one of them is bound to make ‘Best of’
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yo we already decided the best of 2k9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge1Frq3M-PU&feature=related
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//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
@kidsonaHoliday, long live Strawberry Bebop, kids
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HEALTH – GET COLOR
HEALTH – GET COLOR
HEALTH – GET COLOR
HEALTH – GET COLOR
HEALTH – GET COLOR
HEALTH – GET COLOR
HEALTH – GET COLOR
HEALTH – GET COLOR
HEALTH – GET COLOR
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stop reposting shit carles
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Girls, AnCo, Why?, PATRICK FUCKING WOLF.
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Kid Cudi wins this round muthafucka
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//////////Reply by nerdrage
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 3:27 am
@aw, fukk, yeah buddy
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//////////Reply by aw, fukk
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 3:30 am
@nerdrage, i just drank 16 oz of 2% milk. dont fuck with me.
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//////////Reply by b4hc
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 9:46 am
@aw, fukk, xxxxx
//////////Reply by aw, fukk
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 3:35 am
also:
‘Dream City’ by Free Energy = best song of the year??
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//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
@aw, fukk, i do love love love that song, but i’m thinking “Psychic City (Classixx Remix)” by Yacht as my rough draft soty
are you in philly?
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//////////Reply by aw, fukk
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
@SilverTell, damn are remixes allowed?
and naw, i live in the least relevant city, maybe
//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
@aw, fukk, remixes are totes allowed. we are the rules.
relevant metropolitan areas will matter less and less as our lives move on to the Internet/Matrix
i can see the future/can project current trends to their logical conclusions
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//////////Reply by aw, fukk
//////////Posted November 12th, 2009 at 1:50 am
after thinking about this for like a day
i think the Generationals win ‘baoth’ with “Con Law”
it is the only album that makes me feel s0 happy every time i listen to it
<3<3<3<3
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//////////Reply by adrianBROdy
//////////Posted November 12th, 2009 at 1:53 am
@aw, fukk,
2nd, seems like they are sweet
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What would putting “Jesus Christ.” (the indie band) at #1 say about you/your brand/your cultural relevancy in the indiesphere? Would ppl ‘get it?’
I would also like to nominate the 1980’s as the Decade that Best Represented 2k9.
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//////////Reply by teh
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 10:22 am
@brobro, ‘hip’ ppl would get it, but the rest of the world would just think you are ‘name dropping’ ‘obscure’ bands/artists to seem more ‘indie’ then the rest of the world.
End of year nominations are less abt cultivating your personal brand, and more about personal reflection. u shd focus less on what you are trying to become, and more about who u used to be.
its ok to nominate bands that you are “over” bcuz it is the equiavalent of saying “remember hula hoopz ‘yall?” for today’s modern youth.
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//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
@teh, “End of year nominations are less abt cultivating your personal brand, and more about personal reflection. u shd focus less on what you are trying to become, and more about who u used to be.” amen
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//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
@brobro, lol that made me happy
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not sure if these are ‘album of the year material’, but I liked the new Fisherspoons album, Jr. Bros ‘Begone Dull Care’, Sebbassy Tellier, Royksoooppp ‘junior’, handsome furs “face control”, and cam’ron “crime pays.”
Don’t think these are ‘great albums,’ but I found them pretty meaningful in 2k9
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//////////Reply by kobe
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 4:37 am
and Morrissey- “Years of Refusal”
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//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
@kobe, “Sebbassy Tellier, Royksoooppp ‘junior’ Don’t think these are ‘great albums,’ but I found them pretty meaningful in 2k9″ ditto
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//////////Reply by msp
//////////Posted November 13th, 2009 at 11:33 am
@SilverTell, royksoppp definitely had some of the most powerful dance singles of the year for sure. but yeah, the album as a whole wasn’t amazifying. and did they really leap out and grab a lot of tits? i think maybe: no.
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feel like you don’t even care anymore. this post reads like a 14 y/o “B.S.-ing” his/her way through a book report on a book he/she didn’t read.
did you listen to the music you listed all the way through, or did you put on the beginning of songs and read about it on the web by way of p4k?
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toro y moi june 2009 comp > xx/neonindian/washedout yo
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//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
@Poser#2,
<3 repeated by the longcut
<3 toro's chillwave remix
<3 toro y moi
toro y moi is definitely the most under-hyped member of the crls-created chillwave "movement"
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//////////Reply by yumm
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
@SilverTell, I second this tori y moi are sweet
I’d Swap the Dirty Projies For Chairlift
an Fever Ray for Psychic Ills
Real Estates-next grizzly Bros(needs better hooks though)
Old Men and Jay Reatard should of made it
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wow, thx guys for all these awesome whats hot, whats not, bands to search for on hypem. I feel like I have gained 30+ alt points.
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//////////Reply by aw, fukk
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
@sis, jesus
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//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
@sis, alt points! gotta catch em all!!!
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watagatapitusberry fo’ best mpthree!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR4X8VCk_jU&feature=player_embedded
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//////////Reply by SilverTell
//////////Posted November 10th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
@moarspaghetti, watagatapitusberry has that combination pizza hut & taco bell (wallpaper rmx) craziness to it. thank you, moarspaghetti. i had never heard that song b4 you posted it.
watagatapitsuberry ftw! (wish i spoke spanish, portuguese, watagatapitsuberryese though)
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MEMMY TAPES
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animal collective pwned this year
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Fuck you all, FUCKED UP is the best but it is 2k8. Fuck you anyway. the only album that matters is Dark Was the Night and artist WAshed Out, though he sucks but his style is chiilllll.
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//////////Reply by msp
//////////Posted November 13th, 2009 at 11:35 am
@Seabass, fucked up was great and if their freaking name wasn’t such a gurgle drain the nads of moms everywhere, they’d have exploded big. i don’t know whether to high five them for shooting their foot, or be sad faced at our country’s collective denial at the meaninglessness of four letter words.
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someone make me a cd :( the only thing ive listened to for the past year is MPP. check my lastfm stats
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I really liked 2k9, thought it was a transition for me to indie stuff.
Here We Go Magic/Manners were great.
Looking forward to new albums from VW and Ra Ra Riot in Oh-ten.
Emerging artists: Run Toto Run and the Sound of Arrows?
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there were no good albums in 2k9
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Owl City and Animal Collective are the only bands I like :/ Animal Collective is my fav, but I only like 3 songs on their newest album. Still my fav tho. Owl City and Neon Indian are about tied, I think I like Owl City’s music better but Neon Indians lyrics better. I only listened to the first 2 songs on Grizz Bear album and got bored. Maybe they should have put better songs to start like on Marry Weather Post Pavement or whatever it’s called.
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Regina Spektor – Far
Jay -z Blueprint 3
La Roux
AND Kid Cudi’s mixtape “a kid named cudi”
I liked the new Gaga, St Vincent, and
Yeah Yeah Yeahs shit also
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MEMMY TAPES! The Fever Ray joint is so solid. Feel like that will be an album to stand the test of time.
Loves the Washed Out.
Lindstrom & Prins Thomas II is teh space.
MMP is pretty chill for the springtime but the Animal Crack Box is a whole nother level.
What do yall think of the Dosco Boscuts?
Luke Vibert is weird but he’s taking shit to a new level.
Classixx is hott.
Bag Raiders doin it up.
Is Black Moth done?
DuckSauce sounds like a chill New Years party.
Lotus & MSTRKRFT NYE Philly yall!!
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Mew: No More Stories…
oh, wait… these bros ain’t fresh out of high school, are they still ‘authentic’ and ‘relevant’??
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Bibio
Letting Up Despite Great Faults
POBPAH
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//////////Reply by Sugar Rob
//////////Posted November 14th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
@Josh, Hell Yeah Bibio! Smoooooth.
Still gotta be MPP though – ain’t no denying.
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You are all forgetting Dogs Die In Hot Cars. by far the best band of 2009!
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I like that you said you wouldn’t want to know/cover people who listen to The Very Best. I think they might be pretty bad. I mean african music was kinda this cool thing that indie music has been drawing influences from for a while but now its just over saturated and over done and The Very Best embodies that. Pretty shitty music
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YACHT “See Mystery Lights”
Psychic City
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Dappled Cities anyone?
Has anyone in the US/UK/EU even heard Zounds?
They could be the next cool indie band that you were into of ‘way before any of your friends had even heard of them’.
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Okay here we are right here….My choices…
-Passion Pit-
-Mew-
-Washed Out-
-Animal Collective-
Maybe thrown in Big Pink? Hmmmm
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primary colours by the horrors
changed my life lol
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