Majsjus Top 2009 albums

[Majsju]

Ok, normally this kind of thing should be posted closer to New Years, but there is nothing interesting released in what remains of 2009, so might as well go there now. Maybe giving someone ideas for christmas ;D

 

In no particular order...

 

Kent – Röd

 

Having been Swedens most popular pop/rock group since the mid 90s, they are now heading more and more into electronica land. This is probably what Depeche Mode wanted to sound like when they tried to update their sound with the fairly unsuccessful Sounds Of The Universe.

 

 

Thåström – Kärlek är för dom

 

Swedens leading rockstar since 1978 continues to do whatever he bloody wants. After his last mostly acoustic album he now brings the electric instruments back. It is a broken, desolate soundscape that echoes of Einstürzende Neubauten, with lyrics about death and lost love.

 

Axel Landqvist park

 

Khaled – Liberté

 

The undisputed king of raï comes with one of his strongest albums to date, continuing the trend from the last album of moving towards a more coustic and organic sound. But there are still a few songs that can make a dancefloor sweat.

 

Raikoum

 

Bat For Lashes – Two Suns

 

The “British Björk” comes with the difficult second album, and is one of those lucky few who manages to make one even better than the debut.

 

 

Röyksopp - Junior

 

Norwegian electro-duo returns after the not so successful 2005-release The Understanding, and the wait has done wonders, as Junior is a nearly perfect album. Scandinavian cool meets the urban dancefloors of London and Paris, a fusion that will leave a mark in history.

 

 

Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

 

For decades, French pop was all about Serge Gainsbourg. Even a genious like Sebastien Tellier failed to shake that heritage. Then Phoenix came, and everything changed. Taking everything they like, from shoegazer pop tofunk to Ed Banger- electronica, and blending it to an album that could be the soundtrack of Europe 2010.

 

1901

 

Vitalic – Flashmob

 

With Daft Punk on a break, French (and European) electro called out for someone to come and point out the new direction. Vitalic returned from a 4-year hiatus to answer that call, and the result is an album that could start revolutions.

 

 

Fever Ray – Fever Ray

 

Karin Dreijer from The Knife releases her first solo album. Her unique voice, and some of the sounds immidiatly tells you where she comes from, but this is far darker than The Knife. Parts of the album sounds like the soundtrack for an acid-inspired nightmare.

 

 

Lily Allen – It’s Not Me, It’s You

 

At first glance, Lily Allen might seem like just one of all those pop-wannabees spun out by the Idol-factory. Until you start to really listen. Behind the cute voice and catchy melodies, the lyrics show a chick that is far more related to PJ Harvey and Ani DiFranco than to Britney Spears.

 

Not Fair

 

Taken By Trees – East Of Eden

 

Victoria Bergman left pop-collective The Concretes when she grew tired of the industry, and started the solo project Taken By Trees. This is her second album, where she went to Pakistan to record with local sufi musicians. The fusion of Swedish pop and Pakistani folk music is an amazing journey.

 

Watch The waves

 

 

Almost there

Morrissey - Years Of refusal

 

Not a bad album, some good melodies, some great lyrics, and Moz just keep singing better and better. Unfortunatly, all this is completely drowned out by guitars, guitars and more guitars. With a decent producer, could have been one of his best albums ever.

 

I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris

 

 

[Corki]

I didn't realise Röyksopp has released a new album. One to add to the list then.

[Farcrie]

You forgot Crack the Skye by Mastodon

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBAGqkc2Qkk

 

this is one of my favorite songs from the album

[Majsju]

There is no way in hell I would ever listen to an entire album by mastodon. And if you insist on a metal album for such a list, Slayer released a new album this year, and they are about a universe better.

 

Corki, dude, Röyksopps album was an early spring release. So early that the first single was released in 2008.

[Corki]

Really? Oh well...I was probably asleep and didn't notice.