Finally….. drum-roll….. The Top 10.

As hard as it was to come up with my top 40 songs of 2009, it was quite easy to pick the top 5 or 6.  They all come from albums that I would classify as the Top Albums of 2009  I would love to give my thoughts on each of the top 10 songs, but time is short and 2009 was so 2009.  Here are my thoughts on the top 4.

#1 – I was totally enthralled with the peace and love, country-folk-caravan-of-hippies trip vibe that was imagined by Alex Ebert, vocalist of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes and formally of the power pop group Ima Robot.  In a world that has seen it’s share of struggle this year, I was always able to clear my mind and go to a happy place with “Home”.

I little background on Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes (via Wikipedia) – After breaking up with his girlfriend, moving out of his house, and joining Alcoholics Anonymous, Ebert began work on a story about a messianic figure named Edward Sharpe. According to Ebert, Sharpe “was sent down to Earth to kinda heal and save mankind…but he kept getting distracted by girls and falling in love.”  I hope you fall in love with Edward if you haven’t already.

#2 – Phoenix dropped the “hottest” track I can remember in the last few years.  Just because music is “Good”, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s “Hot” and vice-versa.  “Hot” and “Good” are actually mutually exclusive.  However, in the case of Phoenix, 1901… this shit is “Hot” and “Good”.

With Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, Phoenix bridged the gap between Pop and Indie-Electro without becoming something empty and fake (ie Maroon 5).   Even though I have heard the song 100’s of times (mostly due to the Cadillac commercial) I still bounce my head and think to myself……. Damn this track is HOT!!

#3 – Where Phoenix crossed over to Pop with their Indie-Electro sound, Grizzly Bear almost did the same with their Indie-Folk style.  When Jay-Z starts pimping your jams and comes to your shows, you know you have crossed over something.  Veckatimest is arguably my favorite album of 2009.  Does that mean I argue with myself?  I do.  This album took some time to grow on me and then I just listed to it non stop for 3 weeks.  3 very good weeks of 2009.

#4 – When I argue with myself,  sometimes I say, “Passion Pit, Manners is the Best Album of 2009.”  And usually I win the argument.  Passion Pit laid down an album full of amazing tracks.  Eyes as Candles is my favorite of the bunch (make sure you listen for the sax riffs at the end.  Sick.)  Passion Pit may be our generations ABBA with the dance beats and falsetto pipes.  Happy music for everyone!!!!

1.  Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Up from Below

2.  1901 – Phoenix, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

3.  Two Weeks – Grizzly Bear, Veckatimest

4.  Eyes As Candles – Passion Pit, Manners

5.  No Intention – Dirty Projectors, Bitte Orca

6.  The High Road – Broken Bells, The High Road – Single

7.  Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap, Conditions

8.  Lisztomania – Phoenix, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

9.  Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.) – Monsters of Folk, Monsters of Folk

10. These Are My Twisted Words – Radiohead, These Are My Twisted Words – Single