2009 has been and gone, and it seems just about every half-way decent site has been giving us their run down of 2009. There Goes The Fear, liking to be a bit different, has done things a bit backwards – we gave you our “10 of 2010″, the hottest 10 bands to watch out for in 2010, in early December. Now that we’re actually in 2010, why not look back at the year that was 2009….
Albums wise, it was a pretty impressive year full of quality talent both new and old. Below are my favourite 10 albums of 2009, or you can catch Jess’ 9 albums of 2009. Unfortunately we haven’t had time to write a review for all of them, however
1) Mew (pictured top) – No more stories…
Without a doubt my album of the year – a strong collection of creative masterpieces, quiet and chilled in places and a euphoric celebration in other places. A gem in this small Danish band’s crown that everyone should listen to at least once. Jess reviewed it here
2) Temper Trap – Conditions
Okay, nobody could miss the ubiquity of “Sweet Disposition” in the second half of 2009. However, many people missed the aceness of the whole album, packed full of pop hooks.
3) Idlewild – Post Electric Blues
Their seventh studio album, and the Scottish band return to form after two albums in the doldrums. Not quite as good as “The Remote Part”, but nonetheless a fantastic collection that they should be proud of.
… and the best of the rest:
4) Boxer Rebellion – Union (read review or read the interview)
5) Marmaduke Duke – Duke Pandemonium (read review)
6) Tegan and Sara – Sainthood
7) Silversun Pickups – Swoon
8 ) Noah and the Whale – The First Days of Spring (read the review)
9) Frank Turner – Poetry of the Deed
10) Metric – Fantasies
Gigs wise, I’ve popped my top 10 of 2009 below. Mary reviewed her best gigs of the year here. It’s been a mixed year, with plenty of quality live music (below), as well as a few that I later think “errrr, what was I thinking???” (see: The Enemy, Official Secrets Act etc)
Top 10 gigs of the year:
1) Mew at London’s ICA – Thursday 16th July
The first time I caught the fantastic Mew live, and took me from a casual fan to a
2) Silversun Pickups at Oxford’s O2 Academy 2 – Monday 6th July
I went in expecting not much, I left very much impressed. Professional, amusing, fun, but above all great tunes from an unassuming American band.
3) Radio 1 Big Weekend at Swindon’s Lidiard Park – Saturday 9th May
Okay, so the sets were a bit on the shorter side of things, but nowhere else could we catch Doves, Friendly Fires, Basement Jaxx, Florence and the Machine (pictured right), Temper Trap and more in one place. Plus, it introduced us to Stornoway, one of 2010’s brightest hopes.
… and the best of the rest:
4) The Temper Trap at Bristol’s Thekla – Tuesday 22nd September
5) Bloc Party at Reading Rivermead – Friday 30th October and Bloc Party at Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall – Sunday 1st February
6) Muse at Teignmouth’s Den – Saturday 5th September
7) Keane at London’s O2 Arena – Thursday 12th February
8 ) Joshua Radin at Oxford’s O2 Academy 2 – Wednesday 22nd July
9) Delphic and Two Door Cinema Club at Southampton Joiners – Tuesday 27th October
10) Idlewild at Oxford Academy Sunday 18th October
We’ll be back in full from Tomorrow, Monday 4th January, with next to no more looking back at 2009 now. Thanks for reading us in 2009, and we look forward to spending 2010 with you.
Times seem to be hard, as the number of tours and shows being announced at the moment seems to have dwindled rather a lot in the past week or so. Scary stuff, but hopefully times will pick up soon.
By Phil Singer on Thursday, 18th February 2010 at 9:00 am
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