La Roux "La Roux"

This is a fun album! I know, I know - Heaven forbid an "indie blogger" digs a record that you don't have to listen to with your headphones on and studiously extrapolate the hidden meaning of the deep, dark lyrics. La Roux doesn't break any new ground with this record but as a friend of mine once said, "It's a one girl dance party!"

Must hear: Bulletproof (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUsbpmQ9-mc)

(Release Date: 6/29/09)

The xx "xx"

Unlike some of the major players out there, I don't have the time or resources to listen to hundreds of albums per year. But I always pay attention to year-end lists to see what I missed and what I need to check out. One of these bands is The xx (Yes, lower case). NME ranked them #2 for 2009 and Pitchfork had them at #3.

This album is being classified as dream pop and it definitely has an atmosphere all it's own. It's a down-tempo pop. In the same ballpark as The Temper Trap's "Sweet Disposition". Just as broad and stunning too.

Must hear: Crystalised (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pib8eYDSFEI)

(Release Date: 10/20/09)

The Tracklist's Top 20 Albums of 2009

I created this blog in July to help put my thoughts into words when trying to recommend new bands to friends. I hope that I have succeeded to some degree in helping you find new music that you otherwise would have missed out on.

I reviewed 55 albums released in 2009, by far the most new music I have ever listened to. If The Tracklist is to keep growing, I know I must continue to grow that number and expand my own musical reach. I see big things ahead and I hope you will choose to grow with me.

Here are my Top 20 Albums of 2009, as a gift to you for sticking with me.


20. Cage The Elephant - Cage The Elephant


19. Owl City - Ocean Eyes


18. John Mayer - Battle Studies


17. Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown


16. (500) Days of Summer OST


15. The Fiery Furnaces - I'm Going Away


14. The Script - The Script


13. The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You


12. Real Estate - Real Estate


11. The Everyday Visuals - The Everyday Visuals


10. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest


9. Girls - Album


8. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!


7. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix


6. Regina Spektor - Far


5. Miike Snow - Miike Snow


4. Metric - Fantasies


3. Muse - The Resistance


2. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca


1. Passion Pit - Manners



*If your favorite album of 2009 didn't make my list, leave a comment!

Best of 2009: Songs

I know you're all waiting with bated breath for my list of the top albums of '09. I will have it up before Christmas (hopefully). To keep you satisfied in the meantime, I thought I would put together a mix of some of my favorite songs of 2009. It's a pretty wide array of stuff so everyone should be happy.

Download here
Playlist here

The Answering Machine "Another City, Another Sorry"

The easiest way to describe a new band to somebody is to compare their sound to that of other bands. It had been eating at me through the first half of this album but I finally figured it out. The Answering Machine sounds like Bloc Party without the synths. It's uptempo and the lyrics are delivered similarly but it's more pop than dance.

Must hear: Oklahoma (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmdBPsXVr1E)

(Release Date: 6/15/09)

Real Estate "Real Estate"

A good album to mellow you out. Similar to a lo-fi, Oh, Inverted World-era Shins. It works well in the 2 situations when most people listen to music. First, as background noise while they are working. Musically, this album is pleasant and non-disruptive so you can throw on some headphones and start writing that essay. Second, as a legitimate piece of art that one focuses on, mulls over, and thinks deeply about.

Must hear: Green River (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBhi-ekjYAI&feature=related)

(Release Date: 11/17/09)