In case you missed it, my pick for album of 2009 can be found here.

As an addendum, here are 3 records that might have also deserved the album of the year title, but didn't quite make my personal pick. Still, these are albums you shouldn't miss.




Converge: Axe To Fall

In 1996, Converge released "Petitioning The Empty Sky". A record seemingly influenced by every possible style of metal, hardcore, and punk music all stitched together through their high-pitched distorted vocalist's neurotic screams. And it was good.

In 2001, Converge unleashed "Jane Doe". An album that caught the ear of heavy music critics and fans worldwide. Jane Doe presented a heavier and more mature version of Converge; grown-up but still unpredictably insane. And it was good.

In 2009, Converge has given us "Axe To Fall". And it is good. Very good. With nothing to prove, and following a couple of passable releases since "Jane Doe", Converge have once again taken their unique undefinable sound and re-disorganized it with masterful musicianship and a creative passion rarely found in the works of their hardcore comrades. Axe To Fall sounds like Jane Doe on expert mode; everything I love about this band has resurfaced in all the right ways. If like me, your relationship with hardcore has been lacking in recent years, Axe To Fall might just be the little blue pill you've been waiting for.



Them Crooked Vultures: Self Titled

Yes, everyone is already talking about this album, but just in case you haven't heard the news, don't feel obliged to care. Contrary to the hype, it really doesn't matter who's in this band after all. Them Crooked Vultures require absolutely no help from their immeasurable heritage in order to appreciate the tremendous accomplishment that spans their debut self titled record. In a decade plagued by dance-club-albums-masquerading-as-rock-and-roll (I'm looking at you, Franz Ferdinand, Hot Hot Heat, and The Killers), Them Crooked Vultures finally delivers on a no-frills rock sound that puts all of our record collections over the last 9 years to shame. And thank god. All three of them.







The Hidden Cameras: Origin:Orphan

I'm a sucker for good sound production. The Hidden Cameras "Origin:Orphan" sounds like something Brian Wilson may have produced had he been born 30 years later, gay, and even more depressed. Usually known as whimsically delightful, singer/songwriter Joel Gibb has produced his most powerful work to date. Refreshingly, the best entries on Origin:Orphan are the least catchy; Ratify The New, Walk On, and the title track. The almost Gregorian way that Gibb proclaims "Who in the world put me here to be all on my own?" exemplifies the eeriness of the whole record. Origin:Oprhan is the first Hidden Cameras record that demands to be heard by an audience outside of the usual indie enthusiasts, and it definitely should be.

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