Best of 2009

So far, and according to Spin (sorry, SPIN) (sorry, SPIN) magazine and NPR. Here's a link to the SPIN list, and here's a round-up of the NPR list.

As you well know we here at DCRC love lists. We love to read them and then say things like, "the absence of [insert band name] on this list really calls the whole thing into question." Potsy and Jumbo Slice love passing off tired and hackneyed catchphrases as their own, so they'll give you something like, "No [band name]? Really?" followed by "I'm Rick James, bitch/where's the beef?" Myself, I like to make lists, then preemptorily accuse readers of stupidity if they dare disagree with me. It's like a cloture vote in the Senate, it cuts off debate. As Steve Buscemi said in Fargo, this is not a debate. I'm not going to debate you, Jerry.

You can read the lists in their entireity on your own, but here's the breakdown:

• Commonalities: Animal Collective, Antony and the Johnsons, Bat for Lashes, Dirty Projectors, Grizzly Bear, Mos Def, Neko Case, Phoenix, Regina Spektor, Wilco, Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I have the Animal Collective album and true to what people initially told me, it's grown on me with each listen, after a lackluster first impression. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs album is also really solid. Who's Phoenix? Does anyone know anything about them?
• Outliers: SPIN included the Beatles of blind husband & wife Senegalese bands, Amadou and Mariam. Also the new Jarvis Cocker, which longtime Pulp and Jarvis fans seem to hate, but I like. Also, who the fuck is Sa-Ra Creative Partners? Is that a brand management agency? NPR likes the Decemberists (they would, wouldn't they?), M. Ward (the musical equivalent of untoasted white bread slathered in margarine), and Sonic Youth, which to me sounds pretty good from what I've heard. NPR also included U2, Silversun Pickups and Bob Dylan. Throw in Metallica, Neil Young and Springsteen, and we've got the foundation of a Rolling Stone magazine best of list, don't we?
  
• Songs: Only NPR did a best songs list, but here's a few highlights. "The Wanting Comes In Waves/Repaid," The Decemberists--I like this as well, great rock sound from a wimpy band, which makes for an interesting mix. "Zero," Yeah Yeah Yeahs--top tune. "This Tornado Loves You," Neko Case--love Neko but this one puts me to sleep. "The Fear," Lily Allen--she could use an ass-whupping but I must admit she makes good songs. "Daniel," Bat for Lashes--cool voice, I like her (is Bat for Lashes a single person, like Jethro Tull, or Led Zeppelin, or a group of people, like PJ Harvey? I must know).
• Left Outs: Commentors at Stereogum were largely indignant that SPIN left off Fever Ray (although NPR did not). Who are these guys, are they any good? Also missing, and this does not necessarily consitute a personal endorsement: Sunset Rubdown, NOMO, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Antlers, Akron/Family.
• Go Away: was it not enough that Bill Callahan wrecked my favorite team? Of course Jon Gruden knew all your fucking plays, you tit, he coached the team the year before, and you didn't change the schemes at all. And now you've got an album out. Well, this is one Raiders fan telling you to FUCK OFF AND DIE.
  
• Future of the Left: some commenters lamented the FOTL oversight on the SPIN list, but commenter "john" noted that "...a few people seem to like Future of the Left. I haven't listened to the record but based on their Siren performance, I'm glad they're not on here. Total butt-rock. They should hook up with Daughtry." Not sure I agree but I applaud the zinger.
  

Anyway, that's my take on things. Love a good list.