9 Best Albums of 2009

I haven’t talked music much lately, but there has been some good stuff this year. Here are my nine favorite albums of 2009:

09 – Forest Sun – Walk through Walls – This was a surprise to me, but this blues infused southern folk features great songwriting, an original sound and catchy tunes. The album is only $6.99 at Amazon right now.

08 – Jason Gray – Everything Sad is Coming Untrue – Another surprise. I was given a free copy of this to review, and I didn’t have the highest of expectations. I was surprised, what it lacks in originality it makes up for in quality songwriting, catchy tunes and quality production.

07 – Buddy and Julie Miller – Written in Chalk – The best country singer/songwriter team working today. The husband and wife team has it all, great songwriting, great music, great stuff.

06 – Joe Henry – Blood from Stars – Long time singer songwriter puts out another exceptional album. Speaking of which…it’s available for only $5 at Amazon right now.

05 – Southeast Engine – From the Forest to the Sea - The boys from Athens, Ohio put out a worthy album full of exceptional songwriting and creative musical arrangements. Take a listen to the song Black Gold:

04 – The Felice Brothers – Yonder is the Clock – This album contains my favorite song of the year in “Cooperstown”…a great and unique work with exceptional songwriting and great atmosphere, this one is exceptional. Do yourself a favor and watch the “Cooperstown” video:

03 – Manchester Orchestra – Mean Everything to Nothing – You have to love the Georgia punk rock band with exceptional, searching lyrics, driving vocals and great songs throughout the entire album. Here’s one that isn’t getting a ton of play, but is one of my favorites:

02 – Brandi Carlile – Give up the Ghost – I normally feel sexist because I’m rarely a huge fan of a female artist for whatever reason, but Brandi Carlile is a huge exception. This album blows her last out of the water. Do yourself a favor and check it out:

01 – The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You - I was worried this one wouldn’t live up to my expectations, and while this one is different…more refined and stripped down…than their previous releases, it still took the prize for best album of the year in my book. Here’s a sample: