Part 3: MUF’s Top 100 Songs of 2009 (40-59)
Our third installment from our top 100 just keeps getting better by the track. To stop reading our list now would be a sin, so without further ado, here are 20 more tracks you need to have in your music library!
59. Julian Casablancas – 11th Dimension (buy)
Why: Hearing JC speak beyond The Strokes was refreshing, and while we would rather his main group to do the releasing, “11th Dimension” provided a grand scope to the mind behind the man. This exudes pizazz, prep pop and the precision you expect from Casablancas as well as some not-so-Strokesishly flattering amp juice.
58. Letting Up Despite Great Faults – So Fast: You (buy)
Why: Blips and bleeps are not in a language we can understand, but LUDGF builds it all up in a seemless fashion which almost translates into something we can breathe and understand. With an over-pronounced beat in the background this track is one of a few very spectacular electronica offerings from this LA group.
57. Islands – Tender Torture (buy)
Why: While Arm’s Way drew Nick Diamonds’ Islands out of the crowd, Vapours was what should keep them on the forefront of the prog-rock/synth-pop movement. Behind this album a bunch of major players arrived, but “Tender Tortures” provided the most intuitive look at how they keep streamlined beats on the bench and induce a cosmic coma at every refrain.
56. The Angel Pier – Align The Seas (buy)
Why: Over the past few years The Angel Pier have grown alongside us and with their recent split, this track carries a heavy weight. “Align the Seas” has so much hope laced throughout we can’t help but feel apart of their journey thanks to Darragh Nolan’s tender lyrics and some fine instrumental play around him. We wish all the members the best in their futures and hope to hear their names pop up again.
55. Junior Boys – Bits & Pieces (buy)
Why: When a spastic, bass-dropping menagerie comes across the speakers, it is no surprise that many outlets are used, whether a workout playlist on an iPod, a sub-woofer strong car or your work headphones are on that end. Begone Dull Care displayed such a captivating EP, this track couldn’t be skipped.
54. Hurricane Bells – Freezing Rain (buy)
Why: Need we say more than Steve Schiltz – the name should ring a bell if you’ve followed one of our more adorned bands, Longwave. Here Schiltz is back at it with more country sound as this album Tonight Is The Ghost wanders across your imagination as if his newfound side-project is on a new journey themselves.
53. Eulogies – Is There Anyone Here? (buy)
Why: Eulogies’ Here Anonymous was practically transparent from ‘best of’ lists for 2009, except on our list. Not only did we find this album heavy with typical lacings of simple guitar melodies we dig (particularly at 2:15 into the song), but Peter Walker’s nonchalant vocal style is what gave this all of the credit it deserves.
52. Athlete – Light The Way (buy)
Why: Depending on who you talk to, this song is either the best on the album or a quiet afterthought. Luckily, we feel both ways, so it comes in near no. 50. The first minute calmly sets the groundwork for this jump around the room ballad-laden Euro-rock hit. No one spot in this song stands out as every instrument unleashes in an orderly, hit the floor manner.
51. Vib Gyor – Church Bell (buy)
Why: Electic, harmonious, transcending rock. Vib Gyor has done it time and time again with his first LP. With more artistic influences we can shake a stick at, this album rises and falls like a swelling sea. “Church Bell” is fantastic, particularly in the keyboarding. For lack of a better comparison, Keane, Radiohead and many of our other groups we fall head-over-heels for seem to be all intertwined here.
50. Gliss – Lovers In The Bathroom (buy)
Why: We haven’t heard much Gliss in our days, but this one hit us like a shot to the head. Its tough to even place this song at our #50 song given to how loud you can play this one, but the grunge and killer drum beat were more than enough to place this on our top list. A must-have single, no matter what style of rock you enjoy.
49. Feist and Ben Gibbard – Train Song (buy)
Why: In terms of acoustic songs or duets or even two indie worlds colliding here, Feist and Gibbard have combined their skills quite well. The first few listens had me casting this track off as just another indie collaboration, especially considering its placement on one of the most touted indie collections of the year on Dark Was The Night But alas, this one is well deserved to be at 49 on our list. Just give it a listen if you haven’t already.
48. David Byrne and Brian Eno – Strange Overtones (buy)
Why: We’re reaching further into our bag of tricks here, and Brian Eno (and Byrne as well) always seems to get it just right. Eno, the producing master he is, still has what it takes to make a monster track fit for your livingroom or your favorite bar. This song could easily be ahead of its time, or fit for another decade as we haven’t heard anything just like this.
47. Filthy Dukes – Nonsense In The Dark (buy)
Why: Our remixing friend, Filthy Dukes combined a surprise hit in late 2009 combining the vocals of Orlando Weeks (The Maccabees) with some slick beats carved oh-so-well. When you mix them together, you have something bouncy and light enough for a walk in the park or for your next party.
46. We Were Promised Jetpacks – Quiet Little Voices (buy)
Why: Where would we be without some fantastic Scottish rock. Something dark, yet hopeful rings in this song, and in many others from this album. As the standout track from These Four Walls, “Quiet Little Voices” is as close to an anthem as it gets for our friends across the pond. Well done here to say the least.
45. The Jezabels – Hurt Me (buy)
Why: Perhaps the best first minute in all of the songs we’ve heard this year. The buildup is tremendous, the guitar and piano couldn’t be timed in rhythm any better and The Jezabels are brand new on our radar as of 09′. Hayley Marytops it all off with some fantastic female vocals. Not much more you could ask for right here.
44. Grizzly Bear – While You Wait For The Others (buy)
Why: Grizzly Bear comes off as an instant classic with “While You Wait For The Others” and that’s what makes this list. There’s a large amount of quality and timelessness that lie within this song. There is really no classic format, but something unpredictable and repeatable drives this song all the way home.
43. The Bravery – Slow Poison (buy)
Why: Much like The Killers’ “Spaceman”, “Slow Poison” carries an other-worldly spice. The Bravery shakes in a melancholic fashion behind the ominous vocals of Sam Endicott, John Conway’s spacial keyboard or the preying guitar of Michael Zakarin, thus creating the cohesive keystone of Stir the Blood.
42. Hurricane Bells – This Year (buy)
Why: Our second track from Hurricane Bells is just as signifigant as the first. The accapella backup vocals are soothing and the overall buildup of the song sells itself. Hurricane Bells are up there with our newest favorite groups of 2009 and his is one of a few reasons.
41. The Cribs – Cheat On Me (buy)
Why: The UK trio grew up quite a bit with their latest album Ignore The Ignorant, but fell right back into theiir Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs Whatever album we loved so much with this track. There’s still quite a bit to explore here, so if you enjoyed this one, we recomment checking out an impressive 18 track album.
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[...] Part 1: MUF’s Top 100 Songs of 2009 (81-100) Part 2: MUF’s Top 100 Songs of 2009 (61-80) Part 3: MUF’s Top 100 Songs of 2009 (41-60) Part 4: MUF’s Top 100 Songs of 2009 (21-40) [...]