Top three albums of 2009 (so far)
3. Jarvis Cocker: Further Complications
Further Complications shows Jarvis Cocker celebrating his dirtier side, both lyrically and musically. The former frontman for Britpop group Pulp has always been known for his witty and highly suggestive lyrics, but here he has evolved into the consummate dirty old man in songs like “I Never Said I Was Deep” and “Fuckingsong.” Sonically, the album is by far the heaviest thing he has ever recorded—where keyboards may have dominated during his heyday, distorted guitars are now the instrument of choice. They drive his always catchy songs into noisier territory and make for one of his best albums yet—and one of the most memorable listens so far this year.
2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs: It’s Blitz!
On the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ third album, the band ditches their garage rock sound for a more polished dance-rock feel to make their most consistent and inviting album to date. Equal parts blitz and bliss, Karen O’s voice is in fantastic form, especially on “Skeletons” and the infectious “Zero,” where she sounds both entirely crazy and titillating at the same time. This precarious balance extends to the rest of the band and the music itself, but unlike past albums, the group never teeters too far to one side, and instead reconciles their strengths into one fantastic collection.
1. Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse Present: Dark Night of the Soul
Thanks to miles of red tape, this collaboration between big-name producer Danger Mouse and indie band Sparklehorse has yet to see an official release and possibly never will, but it is available online. The album features a ridiculous number of guest vocalists, including Iggy Pop, The Shins’ James Mercer, and The Strokes’ Julian Casablancas. The songs sound like typical Sparklehorse fare—both surreal and catchy—but the guests add their own dimensions to the music and bring them to a whole new level. One standout is “Revenge,” which features The Flaming Lips. Because of the quality of the material, and the myriad of amazing guest artists involved, this is definitely the best album of 2009 thus far, whether or not it is officially an album at all.
