Top 50 Songs of 2009: 10 - 1

Okay, friends! We're finally at the top of my list. (Sorry it was postponed for so long. Holiday festivities with the family have taken up time during the last few days.)

These songs are considered to be the Top 50 Songs of 2009 based on how much I played them on repeat or on sheer quality and credible musicianship.

I hope you enjoyed all the songs so far. I hope even more that you grabbed a few tracks you really loved and are playing them on repeat now. So without further ado, here are my top 10 songs of 2009!


10. Mp3: Little Boots - Stuck On Repeat

Little Boots first caught my attention when she chose to fully endorse this Japanese instrument called the Yamaha Tenori-On. Based on touch patterns, she would create music with just this high-tech toy by using it as a foundation for all her songwriting. "Stuck On Repeat" is a song of Little Boots' (aka Victoria Hesketh) that came to be thanks to Joe Goddard's (Hot Chip) interest. Her debut album was then produced by The Bird and the Bee's Greg Kurstin and it turned out to be this sparkling galaxy of electronica pop.


09. Mp3: Metric - Help, I'm Alive

Although Metric returned with more of a mainstream approach to songwriting, it was still a strong return and this song was the first one to catch my attention. After solo attempts, Emily Haines and her band came back with a vengeance through stadium hits with tracks like "Sick Muse" and "Gimme Sympathy."


08. Mp3: Dirty Projectors - Stillness Is The Move

Everyone either hated or loved this album from Dirty Projectors. Known for unusual yet beautiful arrangements led by Dave Longstreth, vocal harmonies were heightened and they even busted out this R&B song in disguise. In fact, Solange Knowles (Beyonce's sister) even did a rad cover of it. 


07. Mp3: Phoenix - 1901

Although considered too radio-friendly by some people, there's no use in denying that Phoenix's album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, had some great hits. Not only did this album open with three fantastic tracks (with "1901" being one of them), but the entire album seamlessly churned out great song after another. 


06. Mp3: Here We Go Magic - Tunnelvision

Luke Temple's project recorded under the moniker Here We Go Magic is probably one of the most underrated albums of the year along with The Wooden Birds' Magnolia. "Tunnelvision" sounds exactly as the title suggests and provided me with one of the best hazy textured-songs to wind down with. It's also one of the most gorgeous songs I've heard all year.



05. Mp3: Ducktails - Wishes

My immediate liking to this track by Matt Mondanile wasn't much of a surprise since I'm a huge fan of his band, Real Estate. Although the lyrics are fuzzed out, the psychedelia that makes this track swirl is what makes it lo-fi goodness.


04. Mp3: La Roux- In For the Kill

This electro synth-pop duo made up of androgynous vocalist, Elly Jackson, and producer, Ben Langmaid, has created one of the most enticing albums in their genre this year. Jackson's falsetto vocals stand out among other vocalists in the genre because although it's bright, it's definitely not frail. "In For the Kill" quickly climbed to the top of my most played songs list and I still blast it seven months later.


03. Mp3: Passion Pit - Sleepyhead (Neo Tokyo Remix)

Passion Pit didn't disappoint with their full-length as a follow-up to their successful EP, Chunk of Change. Although "Sleepyhead" can be considered as a 2008 song, its appearance on Manners only rejuvenated its popularity. This remix is my favorite version of the hit song. You can also hear a piano acoustic version of it here.


02. Mp3: Aushua - Tuck (How It Feels Away)

After putting their successful EP (No Harm Done) out, Santa Ana-based band, Aushua, released a great follow-up EP titled Limbo. Despite the title, the six-track collection is not stuck nor does it have boundaries. The track, "Tuck," is one of the most outstanding local songs of 2009.


01. Mp3: Local Natives - Sun Hands

Local Natives released their debut album, Gorilla Manor, in the UK. They've also recently announced that they'll be releasing it in the US. Come February 16, the rest of the States will be able to hear 12 tracks dripping with tight-knit harmonies and heavy percussion.  "Sun Hands" is a fantastic example of the band's ability to write songs that slowly build into phenomenal sounds of jumping bass lines, riveting guitar hooks, and flowing harmonies.


I hope you enjoyed my top 50 songs for the year! You can individually download the tracks by clicking on the song titles, or you can download the last ten tracks all at once by going here.

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