Top 25 songs of 2009

2009 has been a great year for music. There have been a ton of breakout artists who've emerged this year as well some killer records cut by ones already established. I found myself downloading more music in 2009 than probably any other year in my life. So I figured I'd compile a list of, in my opinion, the 25 best songs of the year. This was determined by making a ratio between how well written the song is vs. the amount of time I spent listening/singing along to it. I'm sure you could argue that there were some better crafted songs, but if my year were made into a movie, these are the 25 that would be on the soundtrack.

25) "Islands" -- The xx
Where as "In the Waiting Line" by Zero 7 was totally the Indie make-out-with-your-boyfriend song of 2004, "Islands" picks up that slot for 2009

24) "When They Fight, They Fight" -- Generationals
I love the kind of retro Beach Boys sound of this track. A sweetly underwritten and simple song with a catchy clap track and Ooo-ooo chorus.

23) "Heads Will Roll" --The Yeah Yeah Yeahs
This song makes me want to grab my glow sticks and head to a rave. Orrrr myabe just run on a treadmill.

22) "Fables" -- The Dodos
My sister has been all about The Dodos for the past couple years but it wasn't until I heard this track until I totally fell for them.

21) "Cannibal Resource" -- Dirty Projectors
The Dirty Projectors are always super innovative (if not exactly accessible), but this album and track in particular are their most successful as far as musicality without sacrificing their inventive edge.

20) "LA" -- Gabriel Kahane
Gabriel is probably my favorite under-the-radar find of the year. More specifically his self-titled album has been among my top played of the year, but that was written in 2008. I recommend him to everyone, especially my theatre friends as his songwriting seems to be very lyric and story driven.

19) "And the Hazy Sea" -- Cymbals Eat Guitars
I'm not usually a heavy metal dude, or even a metal dude at all, but this song is killer! Currently the alarm on my phone as well as the awesome background music for my Urban Shorts: Cleveland video

18) "Blood Bank" -- Bon Iver
Bon Iver's debut album FOR EMMA, FOREVER AGO was undoubtably my #1 album of 2008. I was so glad to see that he was able to crank out a few more amazing songs as an EP for 2009. A macabre yet somehow romantic song.

17) "Empire State of Mind" -- Jay-Z (feat. Alicia Keyes)
I wouldn't count Rap/R&B in my top favorite genres, but come on! This song has an inescapably hummable hook and a HOT verse that gives ole Frank Sinatra a run for his money when it comes to New York tunes.

16) "One Day" -- Matisyahu
I can't believe this song isn't huge right now, or at least the soundtrack to Pepsi commercial or something. I mean, regardless of who you are you're going to be obsessed with this one.

15) "Speechless" -- Lady GaGa
I never thought I'd be as gaga about the Lady as I've become, but after watching her mind-blowing videos, articulate interviews and jaw dropping red carpets, she is truly one of my favorite new artists. I love how good her vocals are on this track and after hearing the backstory to the song it's quickly turned into my favorite on the album.

14) "Blow Away" -- A Fine Frenzy
Every year there's some awesome chick folk singer that I'm a little obsessed with and this year it's Alison Sudol of A Fine Frenzy. Her cheery tunes and whimsical lyrics make her one of the most promising singer/songwriters of the year.

13) "Lust for Life" -- GIRLS
GIRLS debut album made just about every top 25 list this year and it's not hard to understand why. Their music isn't overly orchestrated or pretentious, they're just freaking good old songs. I read in Rolling Stone that the lead singer escaped a cult when he was 16 and had been living on the streets prior to his success. Fair enough. Well, if that leads you to writing fun pop songs than sign me up! Or not.

12) "Summers" -- Loney, Dear
As I've learned this year, the Swedes know how to make some damn good music. This beautifully layered track is my fav from Loney, Dear's most recent offering.

11) "Cool Yourself" -- Thao
An energetic song with an infectious chorus that topped my iPod playlist for the 2 months that I spent in Texas.

10) "Tenuousness" -- Andrew Bird
Laid back and chill with acoustic originality. Another widely anticipated album that really delivered with this track.

9) "Party in the U.S.A." -- Miley Cyrus
HATERS, Back off! Hehe, okay let's just all come clean and admit that this was our guilty pleasure of the year. Say what you will but every time this song came on the radio (which was about every 15 minutes) I couldn't help but smile and sing along. And what can I say? I'm a sucker for a good story song!

8) "I And Love And You" -- The Avett Brothers
No year would would be complete with out that heart-wrenching Indie love ballad. I suspect this song will make it on the more Top 25 lists than any other on this list. It's the song we all love to love.

7) "Two Weeks" -- Grizzly Bear
The Brooklyn band that took the Indie-rock scene by storm three years ago managed to surpass all expectations with their new album, VECKATIMEST. This track is truly a triumph with it's harmonious vocals, inventive orchestrations and pop catchiness.

6) "All the Pretty Girls" -- fun.
I came across this song because it was offered as a free download on eMusic. I'd never heard of the band and figured if I got a couple listens out of it it'd be worth the effort to transfer it to my iPod. Little did I know it would become my official song for my time in Minneapolis. Like the name of the band, this track's pure fun. Period.


5)"Meddle" -- Little Boots
While this song might not be hailed as earth shattering song writing, I defy you to find a better beat. I'd like to dedicate this song to my abs as they've gotten their best workout while blasting this song on my iPod. Brian admits to putting this song on whenever he starts feeling fatigued at the gym and it never fails to give him that final burst of energy. Absolutely one of my favorite finds of the year.

4) "Animal" -- Miike Snow
Big thanks to the Urban Outfitters sampler CD for leading me to this one. It has the perfect workings with some great pop writing, a completely unique synth sound and a killer lead vocal. Do yourself a favor and buy this song. In fact, but the whole CD! I guarantee this band is going to be huge!

3) "Folding Chair" -- Regina Spektor
As a fan of Regina's back to when you couldn't even find her CD at Barnes & Noble, I was so proud of the impressive level of production on her newest release. Her song writing is miles beyond everyone else in her field and the let's face it; the girl can freaking jam. This is probably my fav song off of her new CD. With it's quirky lyrics and adorably catchy tune, it wasn't hard to be made into my official Summer anthem.

2) "Never Forget You" --Noisettes
It was really hard to choose a number 1 song for the year, and honestly, if I went by play count alone, "Never Forget You" would have taken the gold. Like a blend between Amy Winehouse and The Supremes, The Noisettes brought an infectious 60's pastiche charm that made them impossible not to fall in love with. I knew every word to this song the day after downloading it and somehow still get excited every time it comes on one of my playlists.

1) "Lisztomania" -- Phoenix
Alright, here's my #1. I heard this song for the first time when Phoenix played on SNL and I was like "Holy shit! These guys are freaking good! NOBODY sounds good on SNL!" This song has made guest appearances as my Blackberry ringtone, background music on my blog and on just about every mix I've made for anyone this year. With epic orchestrations and strangely catchy lyrics, WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART is truly one of this year's greatest masterpieces.