With the holidays approaching, the end of the year is looming before us–which for many avid music devotees means to reflect on 2009 and pick your favorite albums of the year. For me, 2009 offeres a plethora of awesome, as many veteran bands and new acts emerged producing solid, distinguishing albums. It seems that the “indie” scene  in 2009 was a year of solo projects and collaborations that resulted in, what I hope, will be sustaining projects that evolve into 2010.

5. Neon Indian–”Psychic Chasms” A solo effort by Alan Palomo, which also has other projects such as VEGA and the ephemeral Ghosthustler, that all started from regretting not taking acid with a friend. The first Neon Indian song was created for a friend, which is appropriately titled “Should Have Taken Acid With You.”  I feel that this album is an easy listen and is fresh without trying too hard. You leave with a feel of pleasantness, good beats in your head, and (hopefully) good memories from Summer 2009.

4. Julian Plenti–”Julian Plenti is…Skyscraper” Frontman of Interpol, Paul Banks, enlists the help of an alias/alter-ego Julian Plenti, to facilltate his first solo album. Being an Interpol fan, it was quite difficult not to associate Julian Plenti with Interpol; but I managed and now realize that Julain Plenti stands strong on it’s own and should not be compared to his Interpol contributions. Although Banks did use his creative license with much success (listen to “Skyscraper”), I feel he could have pushed it a little further.

3. Atlas Sound–”Logos” Bradford Cox does it again. Already the leading man for the popular and established band, Deerhunter, Bradford Cox’s second solo album is definitely re-affirms that Cox creates beautiful music. For an album that was fueled by Cox being “bored with introspection,” as a listener you get a feeing of a personal, intimate creation that is humbly downplayed by Cox. As if it gets any better, even the collaborations on the album do not disappoint; the track “Walkabout” features Animal Collective’s Pand Bear which result in harmonious pop bliss.

2. YACHT–”See Mystery Lights” I just have to start off by saying–mind-blowing. YACHT takes 2009 to another level as if they are living in their own paranormal world. Originally, YACHT started as Jona Bechtolt’s project, but now has, full-time, enlisted his pal Claire L. Evans. From start to finish “See Mystery Lights” is a must own/listen due to the infectious, dance inducing rhythmic electronic melodies.  Their preoccupation with triangles and phenomena such as the Marfa Lights seem to be a fantastic influence, so do what you have to do YACHT to keep this going.

1. Animal Collective–”Merriweather Post Pavilion” One word: perfection. Being a proud, biased Animal Collective fan, they can already do no wrong, but this album just reaffirms my love for good music. Their most accessible album to date, “Merriweather Post Pavilion,” is the result of three guys enormous talent and it shows that Avey Tare, Panda Bear, and Geologist can only offer and evolve their music into a grand, pioneering feat. Each track on the album stands strong by itself which is important to the collectiveness of the album. I look forward for new material (actually there is already an EP in the making!).

Just acknowledge the other great albums of 2009:

6. Discovery–”LP”

7. Fever Ray–”Fever Ray”

8. Grizzly Bear–”Veckatimest”

9. Dan Deacon–”Bromst”

10. Yeah Yeah Yeah’s –”It’s Blitz!”

–Ashley Perez, Intern, ZOMG Radio