borborygmus 2009

Well, it's that time again - it's the annual (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) borborygmus track list - songs from record albums released in 2009 (or from 2008 which did not hit my radar until 2009). This should give a pretty good overview of what I've enjoyed this year. The list length and style is derived from a CD I make each year for a select list of recipients (mostly people who ask).

1. Sweet Disposition
The Temper Trap from Conditions
2. Beating the Bounds
Jon Boden from Songs From The Floodplain
3. To Ohio
The Low Anthem from Oh My God, Charlie Darwin
4. Daniel
Bat For Lashes from Two Suns
5. Ambulance Man
The Felice Brothers from Yonder is the Clock
6. Bluish
Animal Collective from Merriweather Post Pavilion
7. Summer Morning Rain
The Duke & The King from Nothing Gold Can Stay
8. This Tornado Loves You
Neko Case from Middle Cyclone
9. Secret Door
Arctic Monkeys from Humbug
10. Midnight at the Movies
Justin Townes Earle from Midnight at the Movies
11. The Testimony of Patience Kershaw
The Unthanks from Here's The Tender Coming
12. Two Weeks
Grizzly Bear from Veckatimest
13. Little Lion Man
Mumford & Sons from Sigh No More
14. Look into the Light
Graham Coxon from The Spinning Top
15. Seven-Mile Island
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit from Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
16. Open Up Your Door
Richard Hawley from Truelove's Gutter
17. You Never Know
Wilco from Wilco (the album)
18. One Horse Down
Baskery from Fall Among Thieves
19. Swooping Molly
Martin Simpson from True Stories
20. A Rose for Emily
The Zombies from Odessey and Oracle

I am still an album buyer, rather than a downloader of single tracks. So these are indicative of favourite albums, rather than just individual songs. I try and pick tracks which are both well-liked, and also representative of the band - or even just the catchy song. Certain things restrict choice; sometimes tracks are too long to fit on the CD, for example.

I bought nine of these albums on CD, the rest are legal downloads. I saw eight of these acts live during the year.

We saw The Temper Trap at Glastonbury, and were reasonably impressed. Their record has become a family favourite, and this track a great start to the compilation. I wrote about Jon Boden on the previous post; choosing one song from him was tough. The Low Anthem's CD is a lot more diverse than this track suggests. They are a group of three multi-instrumentalists.

Bat for Lashes are reminiscent of Kate Bush, which is no bad thing. Second appearance for fabulous The Felice Brothers, whose gig in London was awesome, despite a crap venue. Surprising elements of urban music in their Americana set. The Animal Collective album was critically acclaimed, and though not as accessible as some, is an interesting listen.

The Duke & The King comprises one of the Felice siblings, gone to try pastures anew. Another great record from Neko Case, such an accomplished singer and songwriter. Every year we love what Alex Turner is doing - the Arctic Monkeys record was a development on from the first two, and they did a storming gig in Birmingham for us this autumn.

Justin Townes Earle is the son of long term fave Steve Earle. Steve released an album of Townes van Zandt covers this year, which I thought was just OK, but Justin (whose middle name reveals his father's devotion) put out a very good record of mostly original stuff, giving his Dad a run for his money (this year, at any rate). The darling Unthank sisters have a unique take of British folk music, with exquisite harmonies. This song is based on the testimony of Patience to a government enquiry in 1842 into children working in coal mines. Grizzly Bear are fine in a year without Fleet Foxes.

Mumford & Sons have a punk-folk sensibility with great vocals. The guitarist with Blur, Graham Coxon's solo record was inspired by Bert Jansch, and shows his hitherto unknown acoustic styles. Jason Isbell and his band made a fine southern rock record; I still expect bigger things from him.

Sheffield star Richard Hawley brings his dulcet tones to another excellent record, vying with Coles Corner. Wilco's CD was a bit poppier this year, but not disappointing for all that. Baskery: I had to have this! We saw them at Glastonbury - three Swedish sisters playing stand-up bass, guitar and slide-fuzz-banjo whilst hitting a bass drum foot pedal at the same time, and all singing super harmonies. Oh, and they are blonde and beautiful.

The Martin Simpson track is a bit of a space filler - I crammed in this delightful instrumental because I could, and he's a much better guitarist than singer. Finally, the re-issue of the year is by The Zombies - the title of which bears the original mis-spelling!