The Obligatory "Best Of" Posting

These are my favorite albums of 2009. The ones that were on repeat nonstop for sometime throughout the year, the ones I came back to when I wanted to be in a good mood or sing along. I started this list in January in a simple Google Doc where I noted when I could tell an album was beginning to pull on me in some way or another. Is it like I couldn’t remember later which ones supposedly stood out to me throughout the year? Frankly, yes. It’s like when someone comes up and asks you what’s good that’s new, or what they should be listening to right now, or what’s my favorite album right now… my mind goes completely blank.

This sort of list requires some thought, and this list is important enough to me that I didn’t want to accidentally leave out a single one (you know how when you’re packing for a trip and you get there and you realize you left out something really important like your underwear…), hence the Google Doc. I almost didn’t even do a year end list, though. When all the magazine, blog, radio best of lists started coming out, I get tired of reading slightly different versions basically the same lists, but it’s nice to reference back to the year as a whole, and be able to start anew in 2010.

So here it is… and when any of you ask me what my favorite albums/songs of ’09 were (or any of the above questions) I’m going to tell you to read my blog.

I decided to just list them here, in no particular order, without descriptions or reasoning of why I loved them so much—I’m fairly sure I did a pretty good job gushing about each one at some point on my blog in the past year, so if you need backup, click on through to the other side.


Andrew Bird - Noble Beast


Neko Case - Middle Cyclone


Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix


Bad Veins - Bad Veins


The Flaming Lips - Embryonic


Amazing Baby - Rewild


Peter Bjorn & John - Living Thing


Metric - Fantasies


White Rabbits - It's Frightening


Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures


*PS* I'm thinking of putting up a Favorite Songs of '09 list as well (since I just realized I started a best songs Google Doc, too, and there were some good ones!).

What do you want for your birthday? A month full of your favorite concerts? Done.

Here we are... December. While it marks the beginning of a cold, snowy winter (which I hate), it's also turning out to be a month full of concerts from some of my favorite bands, which is perfect because it's also the month of my birthday! Happy birthday to me!

It all started with the announcement of the Flaming Lips/Phoenix/Pete Yorn show at Allstate on the 11th; you'd be hard pressed to find a more Mich-perfect bill.

Then, Andrew Bird announced that he would be playing a bunch of "Gezelligheid" (that means "cozy," i.e. small) concerts at Fourth Presbyterian Church. I didn't go for any of those tickets bc I would have felt greedy after getting to see him at The Hideout last year, the Black Cat DC show AND Schubas, but a special someone nabbed a couple guest list spots for us :)

And then last week, there was this curious announcement of Metric playing, of all places, Cubby Bear. They were just here in June, playing a sold out Metro, and did I mention Cubby Bear is a sports bar across from Wrigley Field??? But, the myth has been verified by Tankboy--apparently the show is a part of Q101 partnership with the bar called "Q-Up" and it's serving as the station's official after-party for their "Twisted" holiday concert. Whatever, I get to see Metric at a bar.

Lets see, what else... Tonight we start the month with one of my favorites of '09, Winter Gloves (luckly) returning to Chicago after playing to a nearly empty room in May. And on top of it all, local friends Hey Champ and Tom Schraeder are playing this month too. (I keep telling Tankboy that the only way this month could get any better is if Spoon announced a last minute Chicago show).

So here's to December. It's going to be busy between concerts, holiday parties and unpacking a new home, but hey, I can breathe in January.

Reviews: Complete

After a jam-packed weekend of music I had a lot of writing to do, and I've finally finished my reviews of Metric and Phoenix & Amazing Baby. Im proud of both of them, but hey, it's easy to write about shows this good!

Another Big Weekend On Tap

Another big weekend on the horizon.  First off, Ribfest.  Surprisingly, this street festival that takes the namesake of barbecue, has a pretty kick-ass band line up.  I'll be there tonight for Tom Schraeder and the return of OFFICE.  Check out the whole lineup in my preview on Transmission.  Pray that it doesn't rain anymore.  

(Tom Schraeder)

Secondly, two concerts that I am super pumped for that I almost didn't get to go to, but luckily, things worked out and I will be covering both for Gapers Block.  Phoenix and Amazing Baby on Saturday night, and Metric on Sunday.  Look for those reviews early next week (along with a few other previews I am planning).  

So, another jam-music-packed weekend.  Here's to hoping that the weather cooperates.  Seriously, pray that it doesn't rain anymore, I'm not joking, I can't take it anymore.