Best Songs of 2009

I gotta admit, in retrospect I'm disappointed with my 2008 list, particularly the second two thirds of it. (All Nightmare Long at #10? Papa Roach? In Your Eyes?) It falls way short of my 2007 roundup, but I'm determined to raise the bar this year. Hell, I've got vampires, Jersey, pretty girls, and a Greek island. How could it not be better than last year? Without further ado, onto the list.

My Top 20 Songs of 2009

1. The Bones of You, from The Seldom Seen Kid, by Elbow

I just can't understand why Elbow toils in mainstream obscurity while Coldplay vies for the title of "the biggest band in the world." Chris Martin on his best day still wishes he was half as interesting to listen to as Guy Garvey on his worst day. This song is Garvey on his best day.

2. That Man I Shot, from Brighter Than Creation's Dark, by Drive-By Truckers

Based on a story told by a soldier to Patterson Hood, this is hands down the best song ever about the war in Iraq. While Hood doesn't agree with everything in the song, he gets the voice of the guy spot on -- "the voice of a struggler, and maybe a sinner, but not a loser". The haunting lyrics match perfectly with the sludgy, relentless rock underneath Hood's vocals.

3. Grounds for Divorce, from The Seldom Seen Kid, by Elbow

The typically dark and introspective indie band shows off its blues chops, with the volume turned up. Dark, introspective, bluesy, and loud. Is it any wonder why this song made my list?

4. Dead and Gone (ft. Justin Timberlake), from Paper Trail, by T.I.

A young man reflects on a life of bad choices and decides to turn his back on his old ways. Easily one of the more poignant and personal hip-hop songs I've heard in a long time. The theatrical beat and production are top notch too.

5. Poker Face, from The Fame, by Lady Gaga

Like there was any chance this wasn't going to make the list. If you're a Gaga fan, be sure to also check out the video for Bad Romance. It's completely insane, in a genius sort of way. She's the most interesting (and possibly the best) pop star since Madonna was good.

6. Dull Life, from It's Blitz, by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

The YYYs issue another great album that defies simple classification. Is it nu-disco, is it pop, is it glam punk, or is it rock? Who knows, and when it's this good, who cares? Really, this choice is just a placeholder for the whole album. It could just as easily have been Heads Will Roll in this slot.

7. Mykonos, from Sun Giant, by Fleet Foxes

It wasn't until I saw them live that I fully appreciated Fleet Foxes. They aren't my normal cup of tea, but these folk rockers with a Beach Boys-esque talent for harmony are impressive. Mykonos is simply gorgeous, and damned if you can't help but picture the sun-drenched Grecian isle when you listen to it.

8. 15 Step (as performed live at the 2009 Grammys), from In Rainbows, by Radiohead

This recording with the usc trojan marching band is much better, IMO, than the album version. The live cut has a much fuller, bigger sound that really sets off Yorke's voice and gives the song much more dynamism. (Thanks Brandon.)

9. Closer, from Only By The Night, by Kings of Leon

Sex on Fire and Use Somebody are bigger hits, but Closer is the more mature, more dynamic song. Vampires are SO overdone in 2009, but this song succeeds despite that.

10. Lucid Dreams, from Tonight: Franz Ferdinand, by Franz Ferdinand

This track starts as typical Franz Ferdinand -- high energy synth-pop with razor sharp guitars -- and slowly devolves into "a shuddering acid house freakout". Both halves are excellent. Live, this song is absolutely explosive.

11. The '59 Sound, from The '59 Sound, by The Gaslight Anthem

A Springsteen-influenced punk/Americana anthem. This band is the best musical export from New Jersey since Bon Jovi. I was late to the party on these guys, but they're a band to keep an eye on.

12. Beggin', by Madcon

From Digital Spy: "On paper it sounds fairly horrendous. Madcon, a Norwegian hip-hop duo who've appeared on their country's version of Strictly Come Dancing, are chancing it on these shores with a cover of an old Frankie Valli hit... But, against the odds, this version of Beggin' pretty much hits the spot. [Madcon] have given this old chestnut a fresh, funky reworking... It's far from life-changing, but this is sure to do the business at Sunday afternoon barbeques."

13. Peeled Apples, from Journal for Plague Lovers, by Manic Street Preachers

Starting with a creepy audio clip of Christian Bale from The Machinist, the song launches into some bone-crushing hard rock. They tell me the Preachers were an important band 15 years ago. I dunno anything about that, but they're definitely an important band right now.

14. Pretty Girls, from Attention Deficit, by Wale

D.C. finally gets an M.C. worthy of some R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Heavily influenced by the city's native go-go sound, this anthem for the District gives Jay-Z's Empire State of Mind a run for its money.
Attention Deficit, an excellent debut album, has got a ton of standout tracks including Contemplate, Diary, and 90210. I'm still just cracking the surface of this album.

15. Dying is Fine, from The Rhumb Line, by Ra Ra Riot

Based on an e.e. cummings poem, this slice of chamber pop goodness manages to be upbeat and hopeful while meditating on death. A young band to watch, they're like a pop-ier version of Arcade Fire.

16. Astronaut: A Short History of Nearly Nothing, from Who Killed Amanda Palmer, by Amanda Palmer

To basically plagiarize Em Wylie, Astronaut's beautiful production and crashing riff are an emotional testimony to those who lost loved ones in the Columbia shuttle disaster.

17. Atlantic City, from War Child Presents Heroes, by The Hold Steady

Much as my love for The Hold Steady is no secret, neither is The Hold Steady's love of Bruce Springsteen. Here The Hold Steady covers Springsteen's beloved and low-key song for an all-star charity album and gives it a Springsteen-esque big-rock treatment. The result? I love it.

18. Whatever You Like (T.I. cover), by Anya Marina

Possibly the best indie cover of a rap song ever. It isn't kitschy or ironic. Instead, Marina's breathy, sexy voice provides a new perspective on familiar song, which is what the best covers are supposed to do. The video also puts the song in a whole new context.

19. Born For This, from The Final Riot!, by Paramore

Don't dismiss this band just because teen girls love them and they show up on the Twilight soundtracks. Diminutive Hayley Williams can belt it out with the best of them and the rest of the band can absolutely shred. On this live album, their straight-forward enthusiasm is even more infectious.

20. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You, by Frankie Valli

This one goes out to my babe. Thanks for a great 2009.

Boom goes the dynamite! Elbow, T.I., and Frankie Valli--what a gloriously incongruous trio--all make the list twice (if you count covers), but the real winner is New Jersey which landed four songs on the list. It is the least I could do for the state after it gave us the epically awesome Jersey Shore this year. Biggest loser? Ryan Adams, who barely missed making the list for a record fourth straight year.

I hope you'll enjoy all these songs; I know I did. You can download the top 20 songs here, along with a few extras in this pack. (These files are meant to be samples and not to be kept permanently. Please buy the artists' music if you like them. If you own the rights to any of these songs and would like me to take them down, please email me and I'll be happy to do so.)

As always, please let me know what music moved you this year; my thirst for new music is unquenchable.

Bonus List: My Top 10 Live Performances of 2009

1. Elbow, at 9:30 Club

2. Franz Ferdinand, Virgin Free Fest at Merriweather Post Pavilion

3. The Hold Steady, at 9:30 Club

4. Jersey Boys, at The National Theatre

5. Fleet Foxes, at 9:30 Club

6. Public Enemy, Virgin Free Fest at Merriweather Post Pavilion

7. Drive-By Truckers, at 9:30 Club

8. Weezer, Virgin Free Fest at Merriweather Post Pavilion

9. Ra Ra Riot, at 9:30 Club

10. Sugar Ray (with special guest), RIAA/ESA's Bread for the City Holiday Party at 9:30 Club

Elbow ranks with the best shows I've ever been to. Franz Ferdinand was mind-blowing and might have been #1 except I only caught about half the set (because I was suffering through Blink 182's awful performance.)

Extra Bonus List: The Shows I Had Tickets To In 2009 That I Regret Missing The Most

1. Neko Case, at 9:30 Club

2. Metric, w/Sebastien Grainger, at 9:30 Club

3. Lucero, w/Amy LaVere, at 9:30 Club

4. The Ting Tings, at 9:30 Club

5. Jenny Lewis, at 9;30 Club

6. Son Volt, at 9:30 Club

Ugh. That's a lot of tickets to a lot of good shows that I just threw away. Oh well, there's always 2010.

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy New Year, and all the best to you and yours!

Q