The Band Who Stole 2009

I reviewed the year and after reflecting on it for a few days I realized I didn't mention...or failed to expand on the best story of the year. Thomas Mars, Deck D'Arcy, Christian Mazzalai and Laurent Brancowitz played as a backing band for the great French duo known as Air. In 2000, Phoenix came to life on their own releasing United. Also in 2000, Air composed the soundtrack to a great movie The Virgin Suicides, which stars one of my biggest celebrity crushes Kirsten Dunst, in the soundtrack is an amazing track called "Playground Love" which is where I first heard about Phoenix after some research into the soundtrack.

The years past and Phoenix saw some commercial success hitting my radar again with the release of It's Never Been Like That with a great track "Long Distance Call". But, 2009...more specifically the latter half of the year Phoenix rose to startling fame into the mainstream and have now hit the media circuit like mad! In May, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix was released and generated instant buzz, rightly so, it's an awesome album.

The album received high praise from Pitchfork, SPIN and NME, among others. As the year went on the album and the band began to steam roll along and saw the track "1901" played in car commercials which is as we all now know the arena where new music is discovered by the masses.

More recently the Grammy's gave the nod to Phoenix as a nominee for Best Alternative Music Album. They are in some tough competition against Brian Eno and David Bryne's album Everything That Happens Will Happen Today and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs It's Blitz. With the media buzz around the band at the moment, they are great front runners to win.

The web has also been a buzz with the band with some great stripped down sets on La Blogothque's Les Concert A Emporter (The Take-Away Shows) which are amazing and have destroyed my sleeping patterns as I go through all the amazing videos. Sigur Ros, The Kooks, Jason Mraz and Grizzly Bear are some of my other favorites.

http://www.blogotheque.net/Phoenix,5176

As well, SPIN just posted an acoustic set by the band.

http://www.spin.com/articles/phoenix-unplugged-spin-hq

As many media sites have stated this is Phoenix's year. The guys have hit the mainstream and people have fallen in love with their up tempo sound. The albums that were released this year were stunning and it was probably one of the best years in recent memory with artists like Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Grizzly Bear, Animal Collective all releasing brilliant albums. But, then Phoenix rose up right at the last to steal this year and finish it off as the most talked about band going into the new year. I expect good things from them in the future and from their current discography I don't think I will be disappointed.

Year in Review

2009 is almost over and I can't wait. Honestly, this year hasn't been a good year, probably one of the worst years I have ever had. I lost both my grandfathers (neither of which I was that close to), I moved to a city and immediately (and still kinda) hate. I left all my friends and immediate family and came to a city which I kinda knew, but wasn't prepared for the cultural impact and the isolation I encountered.

But, this year wasn't all bad. I discovered a lot of new things, grew closer to family and was able to step back and realize the appreciation I have for friends like Di and Nayyer who were my anchors in Toronto and put up with me while I went insane and was severely depressed. They were my regular escape, made me home cooked meals and listened to me rants.

My Aunt Esther and Uncle Brian who let me stay in there place, taking over their peaceful life and invaded there home. They welcomed me so warmly and supported and stood by me and helped me adjust to life in the big city. We grew closer and they are amazing people who I could never express into words how much I love them.

My work friends who became my friends as they left and those still there. Andrew, who gave me a social life in Toronto and became my running partner. Michelle, who I could share our mutual love of music with and experienced a magical concert with Dan Auerbach. Ashely, who is my partner in venting and support at work. Keays, who gave me a place to stay in Chicago and a smile on my face every day with her positive attitude. Candice, who is the realist person I have met in Toronto and was able to tell me when I was being an idiot from my freak outs. Christine, who is my partner to go to movies and frightening concert experiences. And of course Leslie, who gave me a great friend to drink with and who writes the best blog and who will eventually write a book that will be amazing.

All my friends and family mean a lot to me! If I didn't mention anyone specifically, don't get upset I love you all, I was just highlighting a few.

At the end of the year it is an amazing time to look back and too often those people that impact your life either positively or negatively are not given the credit they deserve and more often then not, it is so hard to say your thanks and appreciation to their face, so that's what blogs are for.

Another positive thing that came out of 2009 is the music. Oh the music! It has been a while since all those things I have looked for in my musical appetite have been satisfied. My music blog has suffered, not being updated as often as I would have liked, but a new site with some ambitious new elements is under development and I am hoping, once the site images are designed will launch in early 2010. I have few categories I will give my top picks in and give some brief write ups on those that had the most impact to me.

Best Concert
3. Dan Auerbach - Phoenix Concert Theatre
2. Camera Obscura - Lee's Palace/Phoenix Concert Theatre
1. Weezer - Molson Amphitheatre (Not the Blink-182 side of this show)

Best Pop/Rock Album
3. Fearless - Taylor Swift
2. Only By The Night - Kings of Leon
1. My Maudlin Career - Camera Obscura

I know, I know this is a odd top three for a dual genre category. And I know I have to explain why Taylor Swift is on my list. Quite frankly, it's a good album. Good melody, solid vocals and a genuine sound. There are thousands more who agree with me so shut up! Kings of Leon is pretty obvious, it was a great album although their earlier records are great as well. Finally, Camera Obscura who I saw live twice this year put out just an amazing album from start to finish.

Best Rap Album
3. Troubadour - K'Naan
2. Tounge N' Cheek - Dizee Rascal
1. Blueprint 3 - Jay-Z

Not much to say, these are just awesome albums.

Best Indie Album
3. Merriweather Post Pavilion - Animal Collective
2. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - Phoenix
1. Veckatimest - Grizzly Bear

So hard to choose the top three, there was soooo much good music out this year. If you don't own these three albums you should.

Best Album Overall
3. My Maudlin Career - Camera Obscura
2. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - Phoenix
1. Veckatimest - Grizzly Bear

Best Music Site
3. Stereogum (www.stereogum.com)
2. I am Fuel, You are Friends (www.fuelfriendsblog.com)
1. Pitchfork (www.pitchfork.com)

So many things happened in the music world this past year. We lost some amazing artists, many new bands released their debut albums and EP's that were amazing like Japandroids. Groups took time off to release stunning solo albums like Dan Auerbach's Keep It Hid and Pat Carney's group Drummer with their self-titled debut.

2010 will be a great year. There are albums coming out that I can't wait for like She and Him Volume 2. The White Stripes box set of their cross Canada tour comes out in March. It is going to be a great year!!!!

Till next year. I will announce on here when the new site goes live and I hope everyone has a great holiday season. Thanks for reading.

-- Dave