I don’t think anyone will dispute that 2009 was a mediocre (at best) year for music. When Animal Collective’s 5th best album is topping charts, you know you are in for a world of hurt. That said, a few bands managed to get it done in the preceding calendar year. Here is my top 5:
1) The Reigning Sound - Love and Curses
2) Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
3) Phoenix - Wolfgang Amedeus Phoenix
4) The Black Hollies - Softly Towards the Light
5) Bat for Lashes - Two Suns
The rest of the year’s releases, jeepers creepers.