Natty's Mixtape - Natty No-dread's 2009 Top 10 albums list

1. Elvis Perkins in Dearland - Elvis Perkins in Dearland - There were certainly more innovative, experimental and high profile records this year, but for me, none more lovable than Elvis Perkins' second record, and first with his precariously titled band In Dearland. A remarkably rich set of joyful songs with heartbreak looming on the edges, EPID is a minor masterpiece, lovingly written and perfectly executed. The band sounds comfortable and natural, whether dropping a funeral march or a horn-laden "la-la-la" celebratory coda. EPID befriends the lonely, comforts the sad, and pours a drink for all! Dig it... Key tracks: Shampoo, Doomsday (!!!), 123 Goodbye

2. Neko Case - Middle Cyclone - Woman vs. Nature. Or Woman as Nature vs. Man. Hard to say for sure, but Ms. Case is undoubtedly a force of nature, and on Cyclone, her wonder of a voice commands her strongest set of songs and best production yet, coming together for an engaging, exciting record, full of power, mystery and beauty. Key Tracks: This Tornado Loves You, People Got A Lotta Nerve, I'm An Animal

3. Metric - Fantasies - Pitch perfect from start to finish, the sultry voice of Emily Haines drives these excellent songs that rise above the dance-rock, synth-obsessed craze of this decade, while still being danceable and synthy. Catchy in all the right ways, Fantasies is widescreen in scope, with crisp, creative production, and soaring melodies galore. Key Tracks: Help I'm Alive, Twilight Galaxy, Gimme Sympathy

4. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - Not only did they have the best and most ludicrous album title, but Phoenix delivered one of the catchiest pop records of the year, with a surprising number of truly beautiful moments. Key Tracks: Lisztomania, 1901, Rome

5. Wilco - Wilco (The Album) - Anyone who knows me knows I love Wilco desperately. Their previous six albums are all major, major favorites of mine. W(TA) falls slightly short of the mark for me, as far as most of their past records are concerned, but still contains a number of songs that I absolutely love, and provided me with many, many hours of good listening. So there - Wilco on my top 10 list - big surprise. Key Tracks: One Wing, Bull Black Nova, Everlasting Everything

6. Julian Casablancas - Phrazes for the Young - The years biggest surprise. The erstwhile Strokes frontman delivered a confident, keyboard driven pop opus that did with 8 songs what many albums can't do with 15; it demanded your attention, made you laugh, made you think, made you dance, and made you immediately want to spin it again. The lyrics are the dark horse here. Read 'em - they'll probably surprise you. Key Tracks: Out Of The Blue, Left And Right In The Dark, 11th Dimension

7. Grizzly Bear - Veckatamist - Masterfully tuneful, this inventive, sensitive record is a grower, and a fine one at that. A winding road of fascinating vocal arrangements and CSN style harmonies set against synth stabs and subtle electronic manipulations, Veckatamist wowed me quickly, and kept beckoning me back to it for the rest of the year. Key tracks: Southern Point, Two Weeks (!), Ready Able

8. Antlers - Hospice - The saddest record on this list, Hospice is a hushed, uncomfortable record about death and loss, anchored by absolutely gorgeous melodic themes from front to back. This won't be your party record, but it could certainly be a bad day headphone-sympathizer. Haunting and beautiful, Hospice is a very singular, worthwhile listening experience. Key Tracks: Bear, Shiva, Wake

9. Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer - Restlessly creative, subversively catchy, rocking and intelligent, Dragonslayer is Art Rock for Indie kids. Or maybe Indie Rock for people who like Art Prog? I don't know - whatever any of that means, I think this album is awesome. Key Tracks: Silver Moons, Black Swan

10. Monsters Of Folk - Monsters Of Folk - This record is a charming set of rootsy tunes written by three of the more loved and respected American songwriters working today, bookended by two flat-out, unbelievable musical masterpieces. The record opens with Jim James' (My Morning Jacket) stunning "Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)" and closes with his almost equally amazing "His Master's Voice". In between is a cornucopia of different songs from James, M. Ward (She & Him) and Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) that cover so much ground, I'm not sure what to write about it all as a whole, but the three, along with multi-instrumentalist production guru Mike Mogis, work remarkably well together for a thrown together indie "Supergroup." An excellent listen. Key Tracks: Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.), Say Please, His Master's Voice

*caveat: I don't like to include live records on my top 10 list - it feels a little bit like cheating. That said, I love a good live album, and if it provided some inspired listening throughout the year, why shouldn't it be on the list? So here goes - two amazing live albums sort of on my list.*

11. Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid Live at Abbey Road - I love Elbow. The Seldom Seen Kid was my #3 record on last year's list (if I were to remake the 2008 list today, TSSK would undoubtedly be my #1.) This live recording from Abbey Road studios featuring a full orchestra and choir somehow manages to bring awesome sonic detail to this amazing album without feeling like a bloated mess. It inspires me to no end. "Starlings", "Grounds For Divorce" & "One Day Like This" receive the most love from the added musicians - when the entire ensemble comes crashing down during "Grounds For Divorce", hold on to your hats.

12. Tom Waits - Glitter And Doom Live - For some reason that I cannot understand, Tom Waits' music makes me feel warm and tingly inside. I love him. Glitter And Doom Live is everything I love about Tom Waits: bizarre story songs, percussive freak-outs, striking ballads, all delivered by his perfect backing band...not to mention that unreal, ever-evolving growl.


honorable mention:

The Black Crowes - Before the Frost... - Their finest record since the excellent Amorica - so close to making the list.

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - One of my favorite songwriters - he ups the ante on his Drive-By Truckers rep with a great backing band and new sonic flourishes - also so close to making the list.

Avett Brothers - I and Love and You - Charming, heartfelt Americana - the title track is awesome

Passion Pit - Manners - Every song is a perfect little electronic pop masterpiece - so dense and upbeat that I found it hard to listen to all the way through in one sitting, but any one song taken on its own could become your song of the year in a flash.

Bat For Lashes - Two Suns - Weird, beautiful, Kate Bush-like pop - "Glass" and "Daniel" were some of my favorite songs all year.

Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca - An unbelievably creative indie "pop" record, it inspired with its unexpected left turns and restlessly weird arrangements. Ultimately, there was a small lack of substance to sink my teeth into

Dark Was The Night Compilation - a surprisingly good benefit compilation featuring tons and tons of good artists