The end of the year is here… and you accumulate a selection of songs throughout the year that
resemble somewhat your favourites for said year.  … Well that didn’t come out very well… did it? 

So anyway, I’ve done up a little list of my favourite songs for 2009.  I didn’t get far…
only 18 tracks.  I’m going to list them, one by one… and the reason for their inclusion.

I must clarify beforehand that 2009 hasn’t been an ‘awesome’ year for music. 
Most of my favourite albums for the year were released LAST year. 
I guess that’s why there are only 18 tracks.

Oh and they’re in no order. 

1.     Two Weeks – Grizzly Bear

This Brooklyn based outfit have created something pretty wonderful in this
song.  Amazing drums, simple yet kind of haunting piano work, it reeks
of undercurrent pop America.  My favourite type of genre.  Whether they
intended their anti-folk style of songwriting to come out so clean smelling
is another story, but for this harmony sucker… ‘Two Weeks’ is mintox.
Oh… and Jesus Christ… check out the video.  Holy crap.

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

2.     I and Love and You – The Avett Brothers

From a Brooklyn based band to a song about Brooklyn, this next track is by
Scott and Seth Avett.  It’s another genre bending pop song about the
inspiring state of New York.  The Chorus bellows, ‘Oh Brooklyn Brooklyn
take me in, are you aware the shape I’m in? My hands they shake my head
it spins, oh Brooklyn Brooklyn take me in’.  The whole song is very much
downplayed, but absolutely worth the listen… wow.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj8HDe5M-Jo

3.     Brother Oh Brother – Bob Evans

I only heard this song recently and just loved it.  Kevin has taken a bit more
of a rock approach to his 2009 album ‘Goodnight Bull Creek’.  Genius
name that, too.  He said it was inspired partly by the ‘Sorry’ speech given
to the Aussie Stolen Generations, but pretty much took on a broader meaning.
  Incidentally, I’m so glad I got to include some WA music on this list; makes
me proud.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_OiKrpB4eo

4.     Come and Go – Bleu

For those who don’t know, Bleu is a mate who took time out of his busy
schedule in the States to come and mix my album earlier this year.  He’s a
phenomenal talent who is to this day an unknown in Australia and undervalued
in the States.  This is the biggest crime of the Naughties.  As soon as he got
back to the states from mixing here, he released ‘A Watched Pot’ and his
first single ‘Come and Go’ which is just breathtaking.  After watching the
clip, you’ll be ordering your copy for sure… actually… I’m going to say it,
THIS is my favourite song of 2009.  There.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onqMRScrt2E
 

5.     Relator – Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson

Here’s a track that took me by surprise.  Surprise mainly because I didn’t
think that Scarlett Johansson could sing… and sing damn well.  Mr. Yorn
 has put together a whole collaborative album with Miss. Johansson and
hasn’t exactly blown the world away.  The album is patchy at best, but this
 song is killer; and seriously how bad can a song be that rips lyrics from
‘All My Loving’. The link I've included is a live version, that I think is more
fun than the actual filmclip.  Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCx5sOj7SlA 

6.     Broken Leg – Bluejuice

This is the only track on the list that would haggle for a number one spot
next to Bleu.  I was in Esperance earlier this year when I heard this for
the first time late in the night on Rage.  I thought it was American because
the production was so damn amazing; until I heard the pronounce ‘Broken’
like proud Aussies.  I hope this album wasn’t a fluke studio tricks, as I
saw them live on Tele, and it was very loose… but I think that’s probably
the appeal of them too.  They’re just having too much bloody fun with it all.
A guitarless band with an amazing keyboard player and a fresh take on
dual lead vocal duties with crazy fourth harmonies to boot.  This..song..rocks..
P.S. I've just noticed it's being played EVERYWHERE now.  I love it when
the radio stations pick up good music. 

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

7.     Head Of The Hawk – Bluejuice

The title track from their 2009 album, not a whole lot more can be said. 
They’ve started the album off with a bang.  Get the album.  Get it last week. 
As this isn't a single the link is just for an 'audio only' YouTube clip. 
It's still worth the listen.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzAFjoa59eA

8.     Boy Meets Girl – Bleu

My second favourite track on his album ‘A Watched Pot’. 
Once again, GET. IT. NOW. The clip is a live rendition, from one of his
gigs in the states.

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

9.     When The Lights Go Out – Bleu

Sorry to bug you, but have you heard about this chap named Bleu? 
I might have mentioned him once or twice.  This song… completes me.
The link this time will take you to Not Records in the states, the best site
for rare powerpop records.  Buy the album, get the bonus (which is
mintox) and then you can brag to your friends how you're so novel
and arty because you've discovered new music.... ok well all that
aside, just buy the fucking album already... it's incredible.

http://www.notlame.com/BLEU/Page_1/CDBLEU4.html

10.     Garbage Day – Brendan Benson

I got put onto this song by my brother Kieran; like most great music
I get into.  We both fell in love with his ‘One Mississippi’ release way
back in 1996.  But since, I haven’t really followed him as closely. 
I know he did some great work with Jack White in The Raconteurs
or The Saboteurs (depends on where you’re from apparently…) but
I lost interest somewhat.  His new album though… PRETTY damn good.
This one's a live in the studio clip.  Very polished version.

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

11.    My Girls – Animal Collective

How’s this for having my blinkers off?  Most of the time I like my pop
toasty with some a decent spreading of harmonies drizzling all over it…
 but this little unusual Electro-dance-pop thing had me intrigued the
whole way through.  The production is headphone worthy.  Give it a
try, it won’t bite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zol2MJf6XNE

12.   Empire State Of Mind – Jay-z Featuring Alicia Keys

Once again, blinkers firmly put away for a sec.  I saw this first on the
 MTV awards I think.  When rap is done right… it’s great.  Jive away
 in the verses and then be blown away in the chorus by Alicia.  It might
 also be that currently, I’m in love with anything that relates to New
York.  This screams it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjsXo9l6I8
 

13.   I’ve Got Friends – Manchester Orchestra

Another American act…  OOH alliteration! WOO!  These dudes are
 from Georgia this time.  Very fantastic rock with a hooky harmony in
 the chorus.  This song tests me for ‘hardness’, but it’s kinda hard to
overlook that killer chorus.  Check it out… please.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuixT3IGClY    

14.  Never Enough – Kiss

KISS!!!  This is the first studio album for Kiss in 11 years… and also
their 19^th.  With what sounds like a very charged up and still energetic
Paul Stanley at the helm we were always going to be in for a
ride back to the big haired 80’s; but SO WHAT!?  This song is pure
80’s rock, without a shadow of embarrassment.  Listen to it… and
NOT smile… dare you. Just an audio only clip this time too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71JLhdqOOKM

15.   All I Was Looking For Was You – Fastball

Do you remember ‘The Way’ by Fastball back in 1998? 
Yeah, I know… who remembers stuff that long ago… well quickly go
away and YouTube that track to reacquaint yourself with this amazing
Austin Texas outfit.  Their 2009 album ‘Little White Lies’ is nothing
short of brilliant and this, the opening track, is indicative of its brilliance. 
I think we all should Re-love Fastball. 
Here's a live rendition of the song, as I couldn't find the official filmclip.
It's a bit loose, I guarantee the recording is so sweet and polished.

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

16.    Like It Like That – Guy Sebastian

With the absolutely ridiculous radio saturation this song received this
year, as well as being on EVERY five minutes this Telethon, it’s hard
to revisit this song without cringing at the moment.  We need to breathe
before we can comment right?  Well all that aside, this song will and
should be a modern Australian classic.  It’s from the brain of one of
our MEGA megastars in music… and damn nice guy to boot.  Give
it a couple of months without thinking about it, and you’ll love this
again, and never want it to leave your side.  Next winter 2010, you’ll
be sipping your coffee on your way to work on a rainy Monday
morning, and you’ll need … something.  This song will be that elixir. 
Mark my words.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS5mzKTvdJk

17.     Don’t Let Me Down – Eskimo Joe

Ooh right on, another WA song.  I remember having a chat with Joel
from the Eskys about who I should get to mix my album, and he asked
who I used for horns on my album.  The next thing I saw was, their
album was out (so much sooner than mine) and my dudes were playing
horns on THEIR album.  I felt a little bit proud that I’d pushed ‘em in
the right direction.  This is the second single off ‘Inshalla’ and a pretty
killer cut... and check this filmclip out, it's hilarious. Well done lads.

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

18.    Little Lion Man - Mumford & Sons

A little late in the year to make my favourite list, but this little gem makes
up the only British song on my faves list.  Sad?  Yeah, well says something
doesn’t it?  This little raucous folk number popped out of nowhere to be a
bit fun.  It’s sweaty and silly and too easy to listen to.  Like bacon frying in a pan.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLJf9qJHR3E

There you have it kids.  My favourite picks of 2009.  Buy ‘em, whack ‘em on a disc
in your car, and go nuts.

So is this blog long enough to make up for my absolute lack of activity on the
site of late?  I hope so.

Oh… and Happy New Year. 

Love Court.