Consequence of Sound's Top 100 Albums of 2009

Consequence of Sound's Top 100 Albums of 2009

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1.

January 6, 2009
Critic Score
92
37 reviews

The boys of Animal Collective have mapped out some previously uncharted waters, producing a style of music that could belong to no one else; a distinctive, flawless fusion of the semi- automated and the wholly organic. 

2.

May 19, 2009
Critic Score
76
29 reviews
Like it or not, this record will stay. It’s musically solid and it has enough individuality to make even the most pretentious crowd happy, while carrying plenty of hooks to give the mainstream kids something to dance to, as well. It’s a win-win situation.

3.

September 29, 2009
Critic Score
74
18 reviews
As long as they keep doing what they’ve done so well: singing honestly about the journey — the roads they take, the people they know, the beauty and disappointment met…and for goodness sake, busting a few banjo strings along the way — we’re along for the ride.

4.

March 24, 2009
Critic Score
72
33 reviews
Unlike many contemporary concept albums and rock operas (whichever title best suits this LP), the narrative doesn’t harm the sequencing, the running time, or the quality of any song. When the extra layers are assets instead of hindrances, you know the band succeeded in its execution.

5.

May 26, 2009
Critic Score
81
30 reviews
It’s immaculately polished, melodic and often too funky, much like the band’s previous albums — but that’s what makes it all exciting.

6.

March 31, 2009
Critic Score
80
35 reviews
This new direction sounds fresh, creative, and original from the band.

7.

Kittens Ablaze - The Monstrous Vanguard
February 10, 2009
Critic Score
90
1 review

8.

Wale - Attention Deficit
November 10, 2009
Critic Score
76
17 reviews

On Attention Deficit, Wale has put together a great debut full of excellent signs that there will be a bright future ahead.

9.

March 3, 2009
Critic Score
82
27 reviews

With a combination of atmosphere and lyricism, The Antlers’ Hospice is one of the best albums of the year so far.

10.

July 14, 2009
Critic Score
71
32 reviews

Horehound is just that: An enigmatic, original album that sounds as weird as its cast members would look sitting court side at a Bull’s game. It doesn’t always work, but when it does, look out.

11.

May 26, 2009
Critic Score
86
38 reviews

This is pop music at its finest ... here, in its grandiosity, Grizzly Bear has found a perfect balance and created an album well worth investing in.

12.

May 5, 2009
Critic Score
69
11 reviews

13.

May 5, 2009
Critic Score
80
30 reviews
Clark avoids a sophomore slump by building on her debut’s template and branching off, always staying within her limits.

14.

June 9, 2009
Critic Score
86
38 reviews

From its sharp cover to the very last note, the record never hits a dull moment ... In the end, I’d be shocked if there were a better album to come out this year.

15.

June 30, 2009
Critic Score
65
33 reviews

16.

April 7, 2009
Critic Score
78
24 reviews

The album’s mind-bending concept and intelligent lyrics ironically hold the thing well above water. This is a strong grouping of songs. Tracks refer back to one another, reinforcing the album’s continuously challenging themes, and make for a great listen.

17.

September 8, 2009
Critic Score
81
10 reviews

18.

August 17, 2009
Critic Score
84
28 reviews

In less than 40 minutes of music, The xx have managed to offer an unforgettable debut and an album that deserves recognition come time for 2009’s year-end lists.

19.

July 7, 2009
Critic Score
60
19 reviews

20.

August 18, 2009
Critic Score
84
11 reviews

This is one man’s quest for making sense out of chaos, hitting a wall, and accepting the immensity for what it is. In the end, Elverum proves that we don’t need an answer after all; all we really need is Wind’s Poem.

21.

November 3, 2009
Critic Score
70
27 reviews

This is a big step for a guy who’s always been seen as “the frontman.” However, Phrazes for the Young changes all of that. Not only does it cement Casablancas’ as the driving force behind The Strokes, it presents him as the innovator: the guy willing to take chances.

22.

March 23, 2009
Critic Score
74
25 reviews

23.

April 7, 2009
Critic Score
79
34 reviews

24.

David Thomas IV Owen - Solace My King
July 14, 2009
Critic Score
100
1 review

26.

November 17, 2009
Critic Score
75
28 reviews
The band is unlikely to be permanent, but it’s really an outstanding collaboration, and definitely one to be remembered. The only problem is that, from the get-go, you knew this stuff was going to be good.

27.

June 9, 2009
Critic Score
78
30 reviews

The Ecstatic is artistic, in a time when the genre needs it more than ever.

28.

September 22, 2009
Critic Score
72
23 reviews

Backspacer stands as an important footnote for a band whose initial genre has long since decomposed. They’re a rock ‘n’ roll band who loves what they’re doing, and as long as they’re smiling, so are we… and possibly chanting a few “Yeah, yeah, yeah”s, too.

30.

March 24, 2009
Critic Score
81
25 reviews

Rather than being a band content to cover itself and pump out albums every year to increasingly lukewarm praise, Mastodon demonstrates on Crack the Skye not just a commitment to prog, but to progress.

31.

October 5, 2009
Critic Score
65
10 reviews
By refusing to be hip and letting their corny sincerity settle into their bones, Kiss has reclaimed their title as the hottest band in the land. Next time we hear “you wanted the best and you got it!”, we can all rest assured that this time, they actually mean it.

32.

February 3, 2009
Critic Score
72
24 reviews

34.

March 9, 2009
Critic Score
79
18 reviews

It’s been a long time since you could come across an album made out of sheer intuition, and that is why Jewellery can be such a rewarding and genuinely compelling listen — just don’t get too into it.

36.

October 13, 2009
Critic Score
76
33 reviews

Embryonic goes in a lot of new and interesting places but lands nowhere in particular.

37.

September 8, 2009
Critic Score
68
28 reviews
Jay-Z still loves rap and we love him. His new album may not be his best, but it is another window into the fascinating life of rap’s greatest of all time.

38.

May 5, 2009
Critic Score
79
22 reviews

Compared to In The Absence Of Truth, Isis have taken some major leaps forward in their expressive musical personalities as well as their concepts.

39.

March 24, 2009
Critic Score
73
18 reviews
When DOOM does what he does, he’s impossible to ignore. He’s fun, he’s impressive, he’s damn entertaining.

40.

May 15, 2009
Critic Score
67
27 reviews

In closing, 21st Century Breakdown doesn’t have the surprises and left field advantage that saved American Idiot, but it’s one hell of an album that should satisfy even the worst of the pessimists. It’s highly unlikely anyone will call out Mike Dirnt after a show, either.

41.

Third Eye Blind - Ursa Major
August 18, 2009
Critic Score
64
5 reviews

44.

Jonathan Johansson - En hand i himlen
March 1, 2009
Critic Score
78
2 reviews

45.

k-os - Yes!
April 14, 2009
Critic Score
73
3 reviews

48.

April 21, 2009
Critic Score
72
28 reviews
Maybe this is just the opinion of another lovable (hopefully), nerdy (definitely) dude, but Argos’ antics never get tiring. After listening to Art Brut, I always come away hoping for more stories of what a silly, dorky life Argos lives.

49.

June 23, 2009
Critic Score
75
31 reviews

In its parts ... Farm shines, excelling over the middle tier of the band’s discography by capitalizing on this spunky, almost Pavement-like swagger that made Beyond such a success. What’s remarkable here is that these three continue to put out killer songs that never sound embarrassing.

Original Source: http://consequenceofsound.net/2009/12/cos-year-end-report-the-top-100-albums-of-2009/
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