The year in music 2009, another list to fill out list season here on ENS. Your humble admin of Each Note Secure had an interesting year to say the least. But one of the main things that stayed consistent was great music. Each and every year since I started this site back in 2003, albums have encouraged me, surprised me and at times made me contemplate lots of things. This year was no different, with records I knew I would fall for like M. Ward’s Hold Time and the latest album from Wilco.

And of course records that snuck up and demanded my attention like O + S and Neon Indian. It’s hard to rate this years releases too closely to albums from previous years yet, but I have a feeling that quite a few on this list will stand the test of time. Below, enjoy the list of my favorite albums of 2009, with brief commentary.

25. Cymbals Eat Guitars – Why There Are Mountains
One of the most in your face honest debuts I have heard in a long time.
24. The XX – S/T
Simple, yet complex and addicting.
23. O+S – S/T
Orenda Fink and Cedric LaMoyne piece together a complex puzzle of sound to create one of the most pleasant surprises of the year.
22. White Rabbits – It’s Frightening
The debut was good, It’s Frigtening is great.
21. John Vanderslice – Romanian Names
Quite possibly the best Vanderslice album to date.
20. Bad Veins – S/T
Cincinnati duo sees all their hard work come together and pay off big time.
19. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
This album even made me an AC fan, true brilliance.
18. Bat For Lashes – Two Suns
Natasha Khan realizes the potential we all saw on her debut. A 2009 Kate Bush and Sinead O’Connor.
17. White Denim – Fits
Gritty, dirty soulful rock n’ roll that gets better with age.
16. Richard Swift - The Atlantic Ocean
Swift channels his inner McCartney for his best album yet.
15. Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson - Summer Of Fear
More consistent second album still shows the lyrical transparency the debut introduced.
14. Monsters Of Folk – S/T
Super group lives up to the hype, delivers a strong collective effort.
13. St. Vincent – Actor
Combining Disney like pixie charm with guitar shredding tendancies and spot on instrumentation.
12. These United States – Everything Touches Everything
Hardest working band in America creates their most complete work to date.
11. Neon Indian – Psychic Chasms
It’s like dusting off a bunch of electronic physc records from the 70′s.
10. Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca
Another band that won me over in 2009, this album was a favorite all year long and was worth the hype.
9. M. Ward – Hold Time
Help from lots of guests plus timeless sound and talent help M. Ward do it again.
8. Wilco – Wilco The Album
Poppiest and shortest album since Summerteeth is also the most fun the band has had in years.
7. Yo La Tengo – Popular Songs
Incredible talent and calculated turns help this album feel effortless.
6. The Twilight Sad – Forget The Night Ahead
Still selling real emotion in their songs, and I’m still buying.
5. Dan Auerbach – Keep It Hid
Better than the last two Black Keys albums combined.
4. We Were Promised Jetpacks – These Four Walls
My favorite debut of the year, this album of hard hitting lyrics and sound is beyond intoxicating.
3. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeaus Phoenix
Everyone finally realizes how great Phoenix is this year, heres hoping their back catalogue gets some attention now too.
2. Grizzly Bear – Veckitmest
Carefully crafted songs that will stand the test of time from a band that is still rising.
1. Doves – Kingdom Of Rust
The most complete album I heard this year from a band that is sadly overlooked here in the states. I’d encourage you to revisit Kingdom Of Rust if it didn’t hit you straight away, it’s worth another listen.

My favorite albums of 2008
My favorite albums of 2007
My favorite albums of 2006
My favorite albums of 2005

About Joe Long

Joe started ENS in 2003 after most people he wanted to talk to about music were worn thin by his ramblings. The outlet this site provided helped out, and somehow is still going 9 years later. After a four year stint as a WOXY DJ, Joe returned to Cincinnati and continues to pioneer ENS. In addition to the overall look and feel of the site, Joe provides regular reviews, and kinda makes sure this whole thing stays afloat.