My Favorite Albums of 2009

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1. Humbug - Arctic Monkeys

Alex Turner's lyrical wit certainly remained present as the Sheffield quartet dug into a dark, atmospheric sound heavily influenced by their producer Joshua Homme (Queens of the Stone Age). Unlike with their previous records where every track was an aggressive explosion of garage punk, Humbug presents a band calming down, opting for a more expansive sound with denser arrangements.

It's less bang and more sizzle. Tracks like "Cornerstone" and "Dance Little Liar" show off Turner's superior talent of examining the complexities of human nature. The Arctic Monkeys' schtick is still intact, even if they're not throwing it all at you at once.


2. The Resistance - Muse

Yes, The Resistance is cheesy. Yes, it's overblown. Yes, Matt Bellamy might have bit off a little more than he can chew. But with all its apocalyptic themes and symphonic arrangements and soaring falsettos, the album just works.

Matt Bellamy is trying harder to achieve an "epic" sound than anyone else in the industry. Hiring a 40-piece orchestra to record the three-part "Exogenesis: Symphony" that closes the album, Bellamy is pushing the limits of what is considered rock n' roll. The symphony is a beautiful piece of classical literature, a 12-minute thrill ride that will make you tear up and head bang at the same time.

With all their fun moments and dramatic moments, it is clear Muse deserves a place in the 2000's alternative scene, and The Resistance is certainly a benchmark album.


3. Merriweather Post Pavilion - Animal Collective

Merriweather Post Pavilion is, hands down, Animal Collective's most accessible album. But it's really not accessible at all. Critically acclaimed for years, they've been a band people want to like. Everyone realizes they're innovative, but they still can't sit through half an album without having to take a break to let their ears recover. There's so much going on each track that after an hour or so of music, most people feel overloaded.

But this changes with MPP. It's the rare combination of a piece of art that's extremely fun to listen to at the same time. Whether it's the ultra-catchy "My Girls," the percussive "Brother Sport," the introspective "Bluish," or the bouncy "Summertime Clothes," the album is an indie masterpiece, one that catapults Animal Collective into the deserved spotlight.