Tops of 2009

This is a little late but here are some of my tops of 2009.  We’ll start off with some music first.  Even though the “industry” might want us to believe that the album is dead, it’s still alive and kicking and lighting up all the pleasure centers in my brain.  Here are my top 10 of 2009:

1. Future of the Left - Travels With Myself and Another

This album was perfect for all occasions in 2009, whether it was blasting it in my car with the windows down cruising down Cambridge St. on my way home from Allston or blaring it through my home stereo while I played along in fuzzed out bass bliss. Future of the Left has hit on something great with their second effort. The songs have some of the same humor and bite I loved in Mclusky and some of the new found swing they’ve discovered with the inclusion of Kieran on bass (the one member who differs from the Mclusky line-up). Right from the get go, “Arming Eritrea” hits all the stops: a rhythmically interesting (i.e. “mathy”) yet quiet intro, Falco (that’s Andy Falkous for the uninitiated) screaming about some guy Rick (taking the place of Mark Foley, Colin and Alan the Cowboy Killer) and an crushing sing-along chorus. While hard to top such a strong opener, the second track “Chin Music” opens with the following lyrical winner: “I knew it only happened because I couldn’t stop drinking, it only happened because I couldn’t drink more” and goes on to describe what I have determined is a physical fight. Sound like what might happen if I don’t get more Future of the Left.

2. Joan of Arc - Flowers

Flowers is a return to eclectic form after flirting with more traditional (for Joan of Arc at least) folk-oriented songwriting on their last 2 albums. If this is what it sounds like when the “band” (can we just call them a collective already?) gets together in different groupings without their traditional instruments and records some music, can someone please rob Joan of Arc and lock them in a house for a few years? “The Garden of Cartoon Exclamations” is the highlight with its in/out hyperventilating backing vocals and humorous lyrics. Normally a polarizing entity in independent music, this release has the ability to draw in new fans and might even change the minds of some critics.

3. The Points North - I Saw Across the Sound

Chris, Regina and Dylan are workhorses. They played 70 or so shows in 2009, released an LP (yes, it’s on vinyl) and managed to get great press for their efforts. In addition to all of that, all three members are sweethearts who are excited about what they are doing and happy to infect others with that excitement. Making good music will only get you so far; making good friends will take you farther.

4. Black Heart Procession - Six

The best thing I can say about this album is how I managed to acquire it.  In a rare after work record buying binge, I was grabbing albums at the local Newbury Comics.  I scoped out the new release section and saw the gorgeous book bound packaging of Six for a paltry $9.99.  I had heard of the Black Heart Procession before and vaguely recalled playing a song or two on my radio show back in the earlier part of the decade and not being totally offended.  I grabbed the album and continued perusing.  I listened to the music coming from the speakers in the store.  I liked it.  It reminded me of TV On the Radio in one song.  Whatever it was, it caught my fancy.  Lo and behold as I got to the counter, the CD in the Now Playing stand was none other than Six by the Black Heart Procession.  I was sold.

5. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion

This review will be done via word association:

Beautiful. Sweeping. Happy. Girls. Breakfast. Space. Ocean. Forest. Green. Purple. Blue. Radiant. Sunshine. Moonlight. Dawn. Dusk. Life.

6. Metric - Fantasies

I had heard the name Metric during my days in college radio and have danced to their songs at Boston’s infamous Pill dance night. Until I saw this up for download on the wonderful No Data, I had never paid more attention than that to Metric. Their combination of Mazzy Star melancholy and 80’s synth pop sugar impressed me enough to see them live, which solidified my belief in the band. Emily Haines was the quirkiest female vocalist/sex symbol I’d seen and there were surprising changes to songs such as “Twilight Galaxy” (with a wonderful freak-out rock ending). Go Canada!

7. Orbis Tertius Presents Things You Comprehend - Various Artists

Bringing together tracks from many of my favorite local acts (including yours truly), this compilation does what I love best: it documents a time and a place in music history.  Yes, it’s a tiny place (Boston) and it’s only one year (2009) but the friendships I have made within this scene of musicians in the last several months will last for a long time.

8. Dr. Responsible - Dr. Responsible

A surprise find from my short stint performing with some bands from IL, Dr. Responsible takes what I’ve been striving for in my own solo work and turns it inside out, upside down and shakes it all about.  Bryce (aka Dr. Responsible) is a quiet man who wields a big guitar.  Or rather, a big guitar sound.  The looped and reverberant washes that make up his pieces easily dupe you into spending 12 minutes really listening to a song.  Bravo, good doctor, bravo.

9. Streight Angular - After and Before

In the making for what seems like years, After and Before showcases the strong work ethic of Albert Polk (guitar, vocals) and Theresa (drums, vocals).  In the course of working on this album, Streight Angular progressed from a quirky and cute pop duo to a sextet of rock power.  This album is a wonderful companion to that transition.  Hearing songs like “Washing Machine” and “Empathetic Environmentalist”, one cannot doubt this band knows how to write (and perform the hell out of) a catchy rock song.  It’s the re-invention of songs such as “Open Your Eyes/Take A Picture” and “Are You Ever Satisfied?” that really make this album stick out.  The latter has morphed into a new wave/goth/80’s/robot song that truly makes one question if Al or Theresa are ever satisfied.  Oh, did I mention they’re married?  Genius.

10. Ladderlegs - Climb Well

DISCLAIMER: I recorded this album. But regardless of my involvement, it is still one of my favorites of 2009 because Ladderlegs was one my favorite bands of 2009. Not only are Ben, Eric, Olivia and Patrick good people but they are a musical force to be reckoned with.  This recording, through very little help on my end, perfectly captures the rawness of the band. When finished with the recording session and listening back to the tape (yes, this was recorded using a 2 track 1/4″ tape machine), Olivia said “I want to give this to people.” I want to give it to people too.

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Now there’s that other side of music, the sweaty, visceral live show.  Here were my favorite live events from 2009 (in chronological order):

Every A Bit Much Show

Ed Masuga, Murder Boats + Josh Dean & A Thousand Ships @ Walker Street Kitchen - February 7

Javelin @ O’Brien’s - February 13

Fest Weekend (Polkfest, XFest, Birthdayfest) - February 27-March 1

My First Ever Solo Show @ Tavern at the End of the World - April 9

Harris’ Last Show @ Middle East Downstairs - April 18

Melvins @ the Paradise - May 16

Wet Hot American BBQ (The Sinbusters, Ladderlegs, Hangman’s Alphabet & Radio Control)  @ Friendly Square - June 20

Big Bear & Ketman @ PA’s Lounge - July 10

Future of the Left @ TT the Bear’s - July 17

The Woodrow Wilsons, Ladderlegs & the Soil and the Sun @ the Whitehaus - August 1

Why I Must Be Careful @ the Whitehaus - August 9

Streight Angular CD Release @ Tavern at the End of the World - August 13

Orbis Tertius Compilation Release - August 29

The Points North LP Release - October 1

Ralph Eats Dynamite’s Last Show - October 2

Mission of Burma @ MIT - October 4

Bearded Tour - October 7-9

Doin’ It Together Fest - October 10

Future of the Left @ TT the Bear’s - November 1

The Bleeding Tongues, Boy Without God, Owl Stations & Kite Party @ the Sock Hop - November 7

The Jesus Lizard @ the Paradise - November 14

Metric @ House of Blues - November 19

The Mountain Goats @ the Wilbur Theater - November 29

Polk Records Winter Ball @ Cambridge YMCA Theater - December 19

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Most Played Artists of 2009

1. Boards of Canada - what can I say, I like sleeping to Scottish electronic music

2. Joan of Arc - Flowers was one of my tops for 2009 and their strong back catalog always leaves more to be discovered

3. Future of the Left - Creators of my favorite album of 2009 and my #1 pick for play alongs in my room

4. Black Moth Super Rainbow - It all started with Mark showing me “Forever Heavy”

5. The Lot Six - Many thanks to Olivia for reminding about this late great Boston gem

6. Mission of Burma - Even though I thought their newest album was their weakest to date, MOB is still a perennial fave

7. Animal Collective - How did I miss the boat on these guys? Now I’m making up for lost time.

8. Melvins - These guys release so many albums a year it’s hard for them not to crack the top 10

9. Sonic Youth - The Eternal didn’t perk up my ears but these stalwarts have plenty of classics for me to enjoy

10. The Pixies - I listened to their entire discography the day after the June 20 Friendly Square show

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Best Recipes/Dishes of 2009

I have always loved cooking but 2009 saw me enter a new renaissance in my personal culinary explorations. I had spent many years as a vegetarian, flirted with eating fish and then poultry and pork, then went raw for a very short stint (one week), and have now settled on a vegan diet. Through out all of these changes, I have come up with some dishes which I both enjoy making and eating. Here are a few of the ones I made in 2009 (in no particular order):

1. Shepard’s Pie w/ Mushroom & Cashew “Meat”

2. Black & Pinto Bean Chili w/ Crumblers & habanera peppers

3. Tahini Encrusted Salmon

4. Vegan Mac and Cheese or Alfredo

5. General Tso’s Spicy Tofu Puffs w/ stir fried vegetables and jasmine rice and scallions

6. Banana, Ginger, Mango, Kiwi, Flaxseed, Wheat Germ and Soymilk Smoothie

7. Raw Salad w/ Olivia’s Organics Herb Mix, tomato, carrot, avocado, onion, mushroom, goat cheese (or vegan cheese substitute), grilled tempeh, walnuts, dried cranberries and homemade dressing (lemon, Bragg’s Liquid Aminos, flax seed oil, black pepper and ginger)

8. Tofu Scramble w/ assorted veggies

9. Veggie Stew w/ potatoes, onions, carrots, celery, beets, kale, lentils, barley and marinated tempeh (or whatever else you want to toss in)

10. Vegan Eggplant Parmesan