Category Archives: The Best of 2009

7. Richmond Fontaine – We Used to Think the Freeway Sounded Like A River

Richmond FontaineThe most poetical title of a record this year comes from Richmond Fontaine. This Portland OR, band gained a lot of attention in 2002 in rock press around their fourth album Winnemucca. But I did not pay too much attention to their music until their work from this year. Storytelling lyrics are accompanied with melodic arrangements and dramatic riffage, creating a rounded, well thought of concept feel for the whole album. Two songs towards the end of the album occupy my attention in particular Lonnie and Two Alone. I will have to go back and revisit some of their earlier stuff.

8. Outrageous Cherry – Universal Malcontents

Outrageous CherryThis glammed out, rocking piece of plastic is the best yet by the venerable Detroit rockers fronted by local freak Matthew Smith. They re-package the British glam and the us power-pop in an unexpectedly fun release that will make your feet stomp and your body move. Their snotty blunt statement that if it ain’t rock’n’roll then they won’t like it could be also a motto of this radio show. Smtih and his band know the formula and they use it.

9. Krayolas – Long Leaf Pine

KrayolasTexmex rock’n’roll attraction from Austin, Krayolas is no stranger to power pop and roots rock. All these musical threads coexist interleaved in their sonic tapestry. Long Leaf Pine follows up their album La Conquistadora from last year and it definitely helps that one of the notable guests on the record is legendary Augie Mayer, Sir Douglas’ keyboardist. Perhaps the best example on what Krayolas are capable of pulling out is the second song on this LP, Corrido Twelve Heads In A Bag, a cinematic story of a drug cartel battle on the border with Mexico. Rock’n’roll has always been a bold mixture of traditional American genres and Long Leaf Pine is more than a respectable representative in that sense.

10. Regining Sound – Love and curses

Regining SoundGreg Cartwright established himself as one of the most respected rock’n’roll characters in the recent years. His records are consistently great and he took several bands under his wing to help out, produce and write a few songs. At the same time, he continues to put out great music with his own band Reigning Sound. Although I prefer the riotous stomp of their previous album Too Much Guitar, the new album Love and Curses definitely has its charms and as always, takes Greg into new places, a guy who keeps self-developing with every new record.

11. Soulsavers – Broken

SoulsaversMore project than a band, Soulsavers is a musical collective that got head started by electornic music producers Rich Machin and Ian Glover, but has grown into a pure rock’n’roll deal once the American rockers Mark Lanegan and Will Oldham joined in as songwriters and performers. This year’s Broken is their strongest album thus far. It’s great to see that electronic musicians, whatever that means, still keep their interest in pure, live-music-driven rock’n’roll. The highlight of this album is a cover of Gene Clark’s song Some Misunderstanding is a perfect homage to the songwriting rock era of the seventies and one of the greatest albums of that time No Other. Accidentally or not, this is also the only major label album on our year end list!

12. Amy Allison – Sheffield Streets

Amy AllisonDaughter of venerable jazz legend Mose, Amy Allison has made her own name in the songwriting world with a series of very good albums. This years Sheffield Streets is my favorite. Her music will remind you on the greatest Victoria Williams moments but what will take you by surprise is the wide range of melodic styles that Amy tackless through the album. Every song on the record is a small lesson in good songwriting. Track five is also very interesting, it’s a cover of her father’s song Monsters of the Id, performed together with Elvis Costello.

14. Buddy and Julie Miller – Written in Chalk

Buddy and Julie MillerBuddy and Julie got married twenty years ago and have three albums together. Before they started recording together, their careers went separately, each making their name in the roots rock and country circuits. Their first album together in 2001 brought them some success on the US country charts, but this year’s Written in Chalk represents them in their peak. This genre spanning album will take you through all traditional American genres and will do it in a gorgeous way. One part rock, two parts roll to paraphrase one of the songs on the album. The sound is flawless, it will leave an impression that the band is right there in the same room where you’re sitting and Buddy and Julie’s vocals match like a glove on songs that they perform together.

15. Dinosaur Jr – Farm

Dinosaur JrWhen Dinosaur Jr reformed in their original line-up, it smelled like a money grabbing opportunity. First album in of the reformed line-up was a disappointment. Nobody expected much of the second one. However, when the sounds of Farm hit the Internet this summer, I had to re-examine my point of view regarding the new found companionship between the former foes Mascis and Barlow. Farm, just like Mission of Burma’s On Off On, captures an old band in a new found artistic height. Songs are wonderful, long, solos are gorgeous. An hour of pure pleasure is augmented by the extra disc (look for that exclusive release), where Dinosaur JR cover The Zombies and revisit old J’s acoustic pastiche Little Ethnic Song.