A Round of Sound

Well, with 1Q 2009 (that’s first quarter of 2009 for you non-business savy) in the books, its time to highlight some of the releases so far this year that deserve mentioning.  It’s been a semi-disappointing year to this point, but there have been a few excellent releases.  Here’s a few that were released in the first 3 months of ’09 that are sure to stand out when all is said and done for this year.

The Antlers

The Antlers – Hospice

For me, any talk of the best albums so far this year has to begin with this haunting album from the Brooklyn based 3 piece, The Antlers.  A concept album of sorts, Hospice tells the story of a relationship forged in a hospital, which inevitably ends in sadness, and the effect it has on the protagonist from there on out.  It is truly one of the most emotional albums I have heard in quite some time, and while it does tend to come off as slightly pretentious, after a few listens that mindset fades away and the gravity of the songs really set in.  Musically, Hospice is an immensely dense and atmospheric album with gorgeous production thanks to the inspired work from Peter Silberman, who is the heart and soul of The Antlers.  The backstory of this album is similar to Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago and the results are just as heartbreakingly beautiful.

[“Bear” – Hospice] – Download this track free from The Antlers website by clicking here.

[“Two” – Hospice] – Download this track free from The Antlers website by clicking here.

Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion

In what is sure to garner numerous album of the year awards by the time 2009 is over, Merriweather Post Pavilion is possibly the best of Animal Collective’s 9 full-length releases.  I’m probably not the best source for saying something like as the only other album of theirs I have is 2007’s Strawberry Jam, but the consensus on MPP is that it is indeed their best.  However, there’s no arguing that this album definitely was their most anticipated.  The hype surrounding this album pretty much won it album of the year before it was even released (Pitchfork’s 9.6 didn’t hurt either).  I wouldn’t call myself an avid Animal Collective fan, but I do enjoy them to a degree and there is no denying that this is a fantastic album; much more accessible than what I’ve heard in the past.  Who knows where it will rank in my list, but it is certainly deserving of the hype. (Old People don’t agree)

[“My Girls” – Merriweather Post Pavilion]

Antony and the Johnsons – The Crying Light

To say Antony Hagerty’s voice is an acquired taste is an understatement.  And considering I didn’t quite get the hype behind 2005’s breakout I Am a Bird Now, but now find myself coming back to it over and over again, I guess I have acquired that taste.  Now here we are four years later and Hagerty has finally released the follow up with his much anticipated The Crying Light. Hagerty gets help from Nico Muhly with the musical arrangements which is an added bonus, but the star here is still Hagerty’s haunting voice.  Hagerty has created another beautiful and engaging album with The Crying Light, one that is sure to go down as one of the best of ’09.

[“Her Eyes are Underneath the Ground” – The Crying Light]

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Last year M83 filled the void for 80’s indie pop retro bands, but this year The Pains of Being Pure at Heart has decided to step in.  However, whereas Saturday=Youth was more electronic and synth based, Pains is straight up guitar pop with some synths sprinkled in.  The New York City four piece is set to be this year’s indie darlings with their self titled debut full-length.  It’s rare for a debut album to show this much confidence and the group shows a very good knack for songwriting while still having room to grow.  It’s more shoegaze than what most indie-poppers might be looking for, but for those looking for a mix of shoegaze and twee-pop, Pains has pretty much nailed it.

[“Young Adult Friction” – The Pains of Being Pure at Heart]

Laura Gibson – Beasts of Seasons

With her second album, Gibson has created another intimate masterpiece full of her gentle folksinging that helped launch the All Songs Considered’s Tiny Desk Concert series.  Gibson is to be appreciated in an intimate setting and as a way to showcase that intimacy, All Songs invited her to perform at the desk of Bob Boilen.  That is how I was introduced to Gibson and Beasts of Seasons hasn’t disappointed one bit.  Her voice reminds me of a less crackly and quirky Joanna Newsom, while also not being nearly as freak-folk as Newsom.  It’s not easy to stand out as a folk singer-songwriter, especially based out of Portland, but with her subtle musical nuances and lyrics, Gibson is able to pull it off.

[“Spirited” – Beasts of Seasons]

Other Notables:

The Decemberists – Hazards of Love

It’s pretty ballsy for a band on a major label to create a “rock-opera” concept album with only one real radio song on it, however Colin Meloy had been dabbling in prog rock for a while now so it was about time.  But The Decemberists pull it off and while it is their worst album, that’s more of a compliment to the Portland band’s previous 4 releases.  This is still an epic release.

[“The Rake’s Song” – The Hazards of Love]

Neko Case – Middle Cyclone

Middle Cyclone doesn’t do it for me as much as Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, but it is still classic Neko Case.  And that voice…oh, that voice.

[“People Got a Lotta Nerve” – Middle Cyclone]

Andrew Bird – Noble Beast

Bird is easily one of the most talented musicians going today and Noble Beast does plenty to showcase that.  However, for me the length of this album holds it back.  It’s just a little too long…a few unnecessary tracks.

[“Oh No” – Noble Beast]

M. Ward – Hold Time

Another fine release from the Portland folk singer (yes, again Portland…are we seeing a theme here?).  It’s a shame that She & Him is how he was introduced to the masses, because his solo stuff has and always will blow that project out of the water.

[“Never Had Nobody Like You” – Hold Time]