2009: The Year In Music

2009 – The H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, causes a global pandemic. US Airways Flight 1549 successfully lands in the Hudson River with no fatalities, also known as the “Miracle on the Hudson”. Michael Jackson’s death triggers a global outpouring of grief. The first ever Bitcoin is mined. A rollercoaster of news this year … so let’s hope the music is more consistent!

I’ll be looking at the popular and highest-rated songs / albums of the year, giving my opinions on their musicality and longevity as well as an overall verdict for the year as a whole.

Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:

Billboard Top 10 (Popular) Singles

Source: Wikipedia

10 – Gives You Hell (The All-American Rejects)

Cringey title and lyrics, annoying vocals, tacky production. “Gives You Hell” is already a front-runner for my least favourite song of the year.

9 – Heartless (Kanye West)

“Heartless” is a famous Kanye song that I only discovered recently – it’s a banger!

The autotuned vocals are a bit of a turn off, but otherwise the whole thing is so catchy.

8 – Single Ladies [Put a Ring on It] (Beyoncé)

Easily one of Beyoncé’s most iconic songs.

“Single Ladies” has one of the great music videos and is also a bop in its own right.

7 – I’m Yours (Jason Mraz)

Very chill and laid-back. It’s a bit overplayed but “I’m Yours” is heartfelt enough for me to look past that.

6 – Right Round (Flo Rida)

A cover / sample / remix of “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)”.

Usually I’d lambast such a lazy reworking of a classic song … but “Round Round” is annoyingly catchy.

5 – Love Story (Taylor Swift)

I remember when “Love Story” came out and all the girls in my school fell head over heels for Taylor Swift. Even now I get PTSD from listening to the song.

It’s corny and her voice is too young and nasally for my liking.

4 – I Gotta Feeling (The Black Eyed Peas)

“I Gotta Feeling” was inescapable back in 2009 – it played on every radio and music TV channel, and I’m pretty sure it was in the charts all year.

I don’t hate it, but it’s definitely a song I’ve heard too many times in one lifetime.

3 – Just Dance (Lady Gaga feat. Colby O’Donis)

Lady Gaga was arguably the biggest star of 2009.

“Just Dance”, as well as the next song coming up, cemented her as a Pop icon straight out the gate.

2 – Poker Face (Lady Gaga)

“Poker Face” used to be one of my favourite songs as a kid. Not many Pop songs have that illustrious honour.

Gaga brings the swagger and flair, and the whole track is so iconic.

1 – Boom Boom Pow (The Black Eyed Peas)

… Why is “Boom Boom Pow” the number one song of 2009?

It’s one of the worst Pop songs of the new millennium. I can’t help but cringe every time I hear it.

FAVOURITE – “Single Ladies [Put a Ring on It]” (Beyoncé)

LEAST FAVOURITE – “Boom Boom Pow” (The Black Eyed Peas)

Top-Rated Songs

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

10 – Day ‘N’ Nite [Nightmare] (Kid Cudi)

Slight spoilers for the top five albums list … how did “Man On The Moon” not make the list? It’s one of the most ground-breaking albums of 2009!

“Day ‘N’ Nite” isn’t the flashiest Kid Cudi song, but the subdued tone and hefty bass give it some serious weight.

9 – In The Flowers (Animal Collective)

“In The Flowers” is the opener to “Merriweather Post Pavilion”. It doesn’t hold any punches.

It’s hypnotic, unsettling and utterly psychedelic.

8 – Kettering (The Antlers)

Very tender. Like if the ASMR genre was condensed into a song.

The second half of “Kettering” is much flashier – the production really grabs your attention.

7 – Summertime Clothes (Animal Collective)

There’s an entrancing bounce to “Summertime Clothes” that sucks you into the rhythm.

It’s one of the most whimsical songs on the album.

6 – Intro (The xx)

With over 700 million Spotify plays and a spot in this top ten highest-rated songs list, I can’t help but wonder how a two minute instrumental got so much acclaim.

It’s not a bad start to the album by any means, but “Intro” acts as more of a teaser of what’s to come.

5 – Epilogue (The Antlers)

The final song on “Hospice” is my favourite.

The lyrics of “Epilogue” are morbid and haunting, and the subtle acoustic guitar works well.

4 – What Would I Want? Sky (Animal Collective)

“What Would I Want? Sky” is on a different EP to the other Animal Collective songs this year.

The first half is so trippy and bizarre, but that percussion anchors it. The second half is much groovier and more “normal”. The whole package is very memorable.

3 – Two Weeks (Grizzly Bear)

I immediately fell in love with those stabbing piano chords and the dreamy vocal harmonies.

“Two Weeks” is one of my all-time favourite songs – it’s absolutely gorgeous.

2 – Pursuit Of Happiness [Nightmare] (Kid Cudi feat. MGMT & RATATAT)

That screeching synth already makes “Pursuit Of Happiness” one of the best songs of the year.

Those choruses are haunting.

1 – My Girls (Animal Collective)

“My Girls” is one of the best songs I’ve ever heard. It’s structured brilliantly, the production always hits, and it still has that Animal Collective weirdness and charm.

What sets it apart from other Animal Collective songs is the lyrics – the story of a man wanting nothing more than a fulfilling life with his wife and daughter is really touching.

BEST SONG OF 2009 – “My Girls” (Animal Collective)

Top-Rated Albums

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

5 – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (Phoenix)

Bright, Poppy, and yet still Alternative, “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix” is Alt Rock at its catchiest.

The album starts strongest with “Lisztomania” and “1901” – I hear Strokes and Postal Service influences. I imagine they went on to influence Two Door Cinema Club.

4 – Veckatimest (Grizzly Bear)

I quite like how experimental and out-there “Veckatimest” is … but I’d be kidding myself if I said I liked any track half as much as “Two Weeks”.

It’s a shame when an awesome song overshadows the rest of an otherwise good album.

3 – XX (The xx)

I talked about how “Intro” was quite underwhelming compared to other songs in 2009 … and the rest of “XX” feels underbaked as well.

It’s all quite atmospheric and chill, but I need a bit more bite to my music.

2 – Hospice (The Antlers)

The Antlers seem to have a knack for switching between tender ballads and all-out insanity.

“Hospice” definitely caught my ears’ attention. It’s too subdued for my personal tastes, but the production is a winner.

1 – Merriweather Post Pavilion (Animal Collective)

“Merriweather Post Pavilion” is one of the most engrossing albums I’ve heard in a long time – I put everything else on hold to play it front to back.

It has one of my favourite songs ever with “My Girls”, and other tracks like “In The Flowers”, “Summertime Clothes”, “Bluish” and “Brother Sport” deserve all the plaudits.

BEST ALBUM OF 2009 – “Merriweather Post Pavilion” (Animal Collective)

Final Thoughts

Pretty average hits, and some of the albums didn’t do it for me … but overall 2009 was a pretty entertaining year.

Overall Grade: C+

BONUS – The Decade Reviewed

The 00’s had some fantastic years and some average ones. The hits are noticeable getting worse, but the real artists are still making an impact.

Decade Grade: B-

Aaaaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my latest blog posts below: