All Over the World

Song: All Over the World

Artist: Pet Shop Boys

Album: Yes

Best of 2009

It was an electro-pop year, and who better to make one of the best electro-pop records of the year than the kings of electro-pop, the Pet Shop Boys. 80's survivors that continue to make great pop music even if they have lost the pop audience they once had. "Fundamental," their last album was a critical success, but I never connected with it. "Yes," their tenth studio album was less loved critically, yet it contained some of their best pop to date. Singles "Love Etc." and "Did You See Me Coming?" were pure P.S.B., and album tracks "Pandemonium" and "Vulnerable" proved that they are album artists through and through.

My favorite track was recent single (and Tchaikovsky sampling) "All Over the World." While 2009 ushered in many new pop acts to the electro scene, the Pet Shop Boys proved once again why they are elder statesman.

Enjoy.

All Over the World

Did You See Me Coming?

Beautiful People

Four Letter Word

Song: Four Letter Word

Artist: Gossip

Album: Music for Men

Best of 2009

When I first heard Gossip a couple years ago, it was Beth Ditto's powerful voice that I was most taken with. At the time they were doing sort of unremarkable lo-fi punk rock with a punchy beat, but her voice... and the intensity, were undeniable. But when "Standing in the Way of Control" came out, it was clear that this band was just getting their footing, and were about to take off. So for their release this year they called upon Producer-du-jour Rick Rubin for their major label debut. "Music For Men" to me, is the culmination of everything they've been building upon since their inception. I've actually been shocked that this album hasn't made more of a splash and/or more best of lists. It's an emotional tour-de-force that's catchy, current, and just all around great.

Singles "Heavy Cross" and "Love Long-Distance" were amazing, but the album is chock full of killer tracks. Ditto hits the homo-political disco with "Men in Love," one of my favorite tracks of the year... and toward the end she writes the heart-breaking "Four Letter Word," lyrically clever, emotionally powerful... this one cuts deep and hard. Do yourself a favor and get this record.

Enjoy.

Four Letter Word

Men in Love

Love Long Distance

Not Fair

Song: Not Fair

Artist: Lily Allen

Album: It's Not Me, It's You

Best of 2009

Lily Allen's debut album "Alright Still" hit me immediately. I fell in love with the pop-ska sound and her wicked sense of humor. That album was one of my favorites from that year, so I was eager to see what the girl would do next, especially after the success of the debut. Thankfully, Allen decided not to do a re-tread of her debut, but to skew more electro-pop for her sophomore record. The change in sound didn't strike me as much initially and I'll admit that I thought the record was just okay when I first got it. But over time it became one of my most listened to albums of the year as song-for-song, it's just very very strong.

What Allen was able to do with this record was expand her sound as well as mature, taking on more serious subjects without taking the fun or cheeky humor out of the music. Lead single "The Fear" as well as opener "Everyone's At It" and "I Could Say" showcase this elevated subject matter. My favorite tracks include the deliciously bratty, political, and infectious "Fuck You" as well as the faux-Country ditty "Not Fair."

Allen has stated that she is taking a break from music starting early next year and has no plans to make another record. Ever. This is unfortunate, and I hope she does begin to realize her talents, and her role in the pop music landscape.

Enjoy.

Not Fair

22

Fuck You

Standing on the Shore

Song: Standing on the Shore

Artist: Empire of the Sun

Album: Walking on a Dream

Best of 2009

My favorite out of nowhere band of the year. I stumbled across this album from a blog, and aside from it playing on my personal stereo, I heard NOTHING about Empire of the Sun. Anywhere. Yet, the band won no less than seven AIRA Awards (Australian Recording Industry) for their debut "Walking on a Dream." Usually there is a little cross over from both Down Under and the UK over here by hipster DJ's, but I didn't hear any Empire of the Sun.

It's too bad, but maybe their 80's-inspired, lush electro-pop just isn't what's happening here. And honestly... when I listen to the album, I do hear a little Lite FM vibe, like days gone by. But, that shouldn't distract from the album which really is pretty great. First single "Walking on a Dream" was an attention grabber, and further singles "We Are the People" and "Standing on the Shore" proved they had a particular sound they had developed. Lush, sweeping pop on the grand scale. And despite the goofy name, and AWFUL cover art, Empire of the Sun don't go over-the-top in their fantasy movie inspired schtick.

If you haven't checked this out yet, do yourself a favor. Fun record.

On second thought... after taking another look at their videos... they are WAY over the top. But it's good.

Enjoy.

Can't embed these video's, but link to them below, see the TRAILER to Standing on the Shore directly below.

Standing on the Shore

Walking on a Dream

We Are the People

Without You

Soft Shock

Song: Soft Shock

Artist: Yeah Yeah Yeah's

Album: It's Blitz!

Best of 2009

Given the way music trends can come and go it's no wonder that many artists and bands lose their shit when trying to follow a style or give their audience what they think they want. Weezer put out another album of catchy dumb rock songs, once again making their early fan base moan while they try to re-create their most popular single, "Beverly Hills," over and over again. In the case of the Yeah Yeah Yeah's, they decided to stray a bit away from their rock sound and go a little electronic. "It's Blitz!" was just as that sounds and yet it was nothing but a Yeah Yeah Yeah's album. It's filled with their trademark sound, Karen O's wailing, emotionally confusing lyrics... this time with a dance beat.

Well, it's sort of like that. But like everything else the Yeah Yeah Yeah's have put out, it's just sort of amazing. The album is front-loaded with the attention grabbing singles, "Zero" and "Heads Will Roll" but further in you get the left of center rock of "Dull Life," the sludgy "Shame and Fortune" and of course... it wouldn't be a Yeah Yeah Yeah's album without one jaw-dropping rock ballad. For "It's Blitz!" we get "Soft Shock" which is a much quieter storm than the previous selections in this category, "Maps" and "Cheated Hearts." But it's beautiful, and one of their best songs.

Along with this amazing album Karen O also wrote the pitch-perfect soundtrack to "Where the Wild Things Are" in 2009. Cementing her as one of the musical voices to pay attention to in the coming years.

Enjoy.

Zero

Heads Will Roll

Soft Shock

Cult Logic

Song: Cult Logic

Artist: Miike Snow

Album: Miike Snow

Best of 2009

I got out of the drivers seat a bit this year in terms of music. My usual MO in terms of music is to try to listen to everything, hear all the albums, and be "up" on anything that is being well received either critically or by the public, but this year I just let the music come to me. I just paid attention to things that grabbed my attention, and stuff I just wanted to listen to over and over. As I took a look at my iTunes for the year and all the stuff that I listened to most it became clear that I have gone more pop, less rock. And a bit maybe... less adventurous in my tastes. Good or bad it is what it is... and that's just how music is.

So for the rest of the month into early next year, I am going to highlight my personal favorite albums and songs of the year in no particular order.

When I read that production duo Bloodshy & Avant were making a record, I was excited to see what the beats behind many of Britney's biggest hits would bring to their own album. I half expected a Basement Jaxx-style, many vocalists standard producer type album, but what they made, as Miike Snow, was very different. Much more downbeat and missing the pop hooks of tracks like "Toxic" and "Radar," Miike Snow was a sexier dive into electronic pop that skews a little indie, but all pretty excellent. Loved first single "Animal" but my favorite track was the also semi-upbeat "Cult Logic." Swirling synths and a hopping beat fit the cryptic lyrics about loneliness and isolation... thoughts as icy as the music. But in the end the music engulfs you, just as he says "and it's like I'm diving into emptiness, but at least there's something beating in my chest." Nice.

I really recommend this entire album. It reminds me (slightly) of Junior Boys, though much driving. I do find the music sexy, and appreciate the restraint that these guys used for this project. While they didn't bring out the super hooks and banging beats they use for Brit, I am compelled to point out they did produce and Miike Snow-style song for Brit that she left off her new album called "Trouble." It's a great track, you can listen below.

Enjoy.

Animal

Black & Blue

Trouble - Britney Spears