2009 Year-End Favorites

Since 2009 is now completely over, I decided to check out my Lastfm charts for the albums that I listened to the most this past year. I think they accurately reflect my favorite albums, even the ones, such as Dave Rawlings Machine's debut, that came out later in the year. So, listed in terms of number of listens, here they are:

1) Wilco - Wilco (The Album) - Of course it would be Wilco, my favorite band of all time. Tired of hearing all the critics say that Tweedy's sunnier disposition makes for weaker albums. Love this band and love this album.
2) Vetiver - Tight-Knit - I had an opportunity to meet Andy Cabic earlier this year and compliment him on his maturation as a songwriter. Even though it was released during the coldest months of winter, this album makes me think of warm summer breezes and being barefoot.
3) 7 Worlds Collide - The Sun Came Out - Tweedy and Marr (along with Liam Finn and several members of Wilco and Radiohead) made this charity album one of the most pleasant surprises of the year, especially the track "All Comedians Suffer".
4) A.C. Newman - Get Guilty - Newman is catchy, plain and simple.
5) Andrew Bird - Noble Beast - I didn't like this album nearly as much as his previous two releases, but this ranking is still a testament to how good he is.
6) Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Beware/Funtown Comedown - I decided to pair these up and have been listening to these consistently all year. Will Oldham even found time to collaborate with Brian Harnetty on a Califone-influenced album of found sounds and blips. The guy just churns out great stuff!
7) Elvis Perkins in Dearland - Elvis Perkins in Dearland - The beefed-up instruments augmented his already stellar songs.
8) Jay Farrar and Benjamin Gibbard - One Fast Move or I'm Gone - Made up for the less than adequate new Son Volt album and Gibbard was decent on this one, too.
9) Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion - From one of my posts way back in the beginning of this blog, people can tell I thought Sung Tongs was one of the worst albums these ears had ever heard. They finally got it right and I was glad to give them the second chance.
10) Mark Olson and Gary Louris - Ready For The Flood - I kept listening to this album, hoping it would be a Jayhawks record, but it ended up growing on me in a completely different way. I hope they continue working together.
11) Dave Rawlings Machine - Friend of A Friend - I had the opportunity to see them twice this year and will stand behind Rawlings as the best acoustic player around these days.

Okay, I'll stop at eleven but I definitely have to say this was a good year for music and look forward to hearing what 2010 has to offer.