Top 10 CDs 2009

It's been officially 2010 for almost 24 hours now, so it's about time I turn in my official best of list for the year. There was a lot of juggling position this time out, and a few things that were on and off multiple times but I think it's pretty accurate now. So here's the list along with a few words about each selection. Enjoy! I did.

1. U2-No Line On The Horizon
-Hands down the best CD of the year. Not too many bona-fide hits, but as a complete work it's about as good as it gets. Experimental, soaring music with lyrics to match and a few just for fun numbers thrown in as well makes this one well rounded CD. And "Moment Of Surrender" gives me chills every time.

2. Cheap Trick-The Latest
-Another fairly experimental CD from a slightly unexpected source. The disc is supposed to call into mind "Abbey Road" by The Beatles, with a lot of full songs mixed with short connecting songs to make one complete work. While it's nowhere near the fab four's masterpiece it works, though in a different way. It almost feels as though the guys have been doing this so long that the shorter songs are just economizing-here's the good part and that's all you get. Recommended for CT fans and anyone who likes a good dose of pop rock now and again. Which sets us up nicely for...

3. Tinted Windows-Tinted Windows
-The first "supergroup" on the list, Tinted Windows is formed from the likes of the aforementioned Cheap Trick, Fountains Of Wayne, Smashing Pumpkins and Hanson. Most critics dismissed it as pop rock by numbers with no real artistic merit to it. Which is exactly what it is...and good thing too. This is a tribute to band like The Knack, Slade, T. Rex, the list goes on. I listened to it all summer long. Catchy and fun.

4. Patterson Hood-Murdering Oscar (And Other Love Songs)
-Solo record by Drive-By Truckers head honcho has a similar feel to that band's work. These songs are a little different in that Hood allows himself to explore areas both musically and lyrically that show sides of himself that DBT really doesn't allow. A little sweeter in some places, yet a lot darker in others, observational yet personal and served up with a definite Southern sense of humor throughout. Quality stuff for the Alt-Country/Rock crowd.

5. Anti-Flag-The People Or The Gun
-Best punk record I've heard in years. Combines the angry political tirades of early English and California punk (Clash/Dead Kennedys) with Dropkick Murphys style sing ability and a touch of early Minor Threat for good measure. The result is something familiar and modern at the same time. Now, politically these guys are almost too Liberal-even for me. But that's okay, good punk should have something to say and be as uncompromising as possible when saying it. Great record.

6. Cracker-Sunrise In The Land Of Milk And Honey
-Cracker has always been just under the radar for most people, with only a few minor hits along the way. This CD won't change that but it should. The band plays a mix of indie/alternative rock mixed with country, blues, soul, and whatever else they can sneak in there. The rock is definitely in the spotlight here (some of it is borderline punk!), but there's enough variety here that everyone can enjoy. Also Patterson Hood guests on it which makes it that much cooler.

7. Reverend Horton Heat-Laughin' and Cryin' With The Reverend Horton Heat
-Always good to hear something new from the Rev. This is probably as close as he'll ever get to a bona-fide country record, and it's a fine one. Personally, a few more of his standard "Psychobilly" style songs would have been welcome (and raised it up the list a little), but most of what's on the disc is gold.

8. Monsters Of Folk-Monsters Of Folk
-Another supergroup, this time a bunch of guys from indie rock bands, most notably Bright Eyes and My Morning Jacket. This is a CD that's great for relaxation time or those early morning drives when you needs to ease into the day. There are some interesting ideas here, both musically and lyrically, and more than one listen is required to take it in. Okay, so it's not exactly folk music-in fact only a few songs are anywhere near folk, but it's still good. Improperly named, but good.

9. Them Crooked Vultures-Them Crooked Vultures
-Egad! Yet another Supergroup! A trio formed by Josh Homme of queens Of The Stone Age, Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters, and John Paul Jones from Led Friggin' Zeppelin, there was very little chance that this wouldn't be on the list. I must admit that at first I was a touch disappointed in that I expected something much different than what I got. I wanted it to have a little more pop flair from the Foos side of things, and maybe Jones would put in a few blues based numbers. Instead I got what sounded like basically a stripped down QOTSA album. But then I hit repeat and opened my ears. It's still heavy on the QOTSA, but the expected input of the other two is there if you really listen. It's weird, but it rocks.

10. Wayne Hancock-Viper Of Melody
-Wayne "The Train" Hancock sounds more like Hank Williams than Hank III could ever hope to. His voice is uncannily similar, the music sounds like vintage Hank, with a little Ernest Tubb thrown in, even the arrangements are done in the same style(no drums). But make no mistake, this is no rip-off artist at work. Nor is it mindless nostalgia. Hancock is about preserving the tradition and keeping the travelling hillbilly minstrel music alive. Not only is it alive, but it's doing quite well, thank you, and there to be enjoyed by those lucky enough to seek it out. This is the kind of music that you have to be in the right frame of mind for but when you are it will definitely get to you.

RUNNER UP:

Chickenfoot-Chickenfoot
-If not for the last minute entry by them Vulture fellas, this would have been on the list. A mega-supergroup featuring Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani and Chad Smith, the Cd is highly enjoyable and full of good stuff. My chief complaint is that there seem to be too many mid-tempo numbers on one disc. A few more fast songs would have made all the difference. Also, I think Sammy kinda half-assed the lyrics. I mean, it's not like the guy's a poet or anything, but he's proven that he can do better. It seems as though once news broke about the group that they felt a little pressed for time and maybe another few weeks in the studio would have done them some good. Anyway, I like more of it than I don't and it's certainly worth the 10 bucks that Best Buy charged for it. Not a top ten-but a definite eleven.

OTHER STUFF I LIKED:
Riverboat Gamblers-Under The Owl, Silversun Pickups-Swoon, Wilco-Wilco (the album).

STUFF I MISSED:
Neko Case-Middle Cyclone, Mastodon-Crack The Skye, Pearl Jam-Backspacer
Meant to get them. Didn't. Not sure why.

LIVE CD OF THE YEAR:
Drive-By Truckers-Live From Austin, TX

DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE YEAR:
Bruce Springsteen-Workin' On A Dream
-Not that it's bad, there are about 5 songs I think are excellent. It's just that the rest don't come anywhere near the quality level one would expect. Especially since his last disc, "Magic" was so good. this just doesn't measure up.

Okay, that's the roundup for this year. Feel free to leave a comment and tell me how crazy I am.