Part 3 (only 2 months late)

Okay. Here we go. No particular order here but these are the rest of my favorites for 2009:

One of the other Portland's many fine musicians, M. Ward made more of his good style of music, with his album, "Hold Time". I loved "Post War" so much that I have a hard time imagining too many albums coming along that will be as good. But this album is excellent in its own way, too. His low key folk does it for me most every time.

M. Ward from the album "Hold Time" - Shangri-La.mp3

The next band has gotten all the rave reviews, and although I really did enjoy "Merriweather Post Pavilion" and listen to it a lot in '09, I wasn't one of the folks that felt this album was next level. Very enjoyable and original though.

Animal collective - My Girls.mp3

Next up is one of my new favorites. His last album, "Armchair Apocrypha" is still tops in my book and as with M. Ward, Andrew Bird has made an excellent album in "Noble Beast" but not quite one that reaches the heights that Armchair did. Still a very enjoyable album.

Andrew Bird - Masterswarm.mp3

An album that just grew and grew on me, with its weird textures and moody isolation it isn't a super friendly first listen but it continues to fascinate me. Enjoy a remix of Fever Ray's song from the self-titled debut (Fever Ray is a side project from one of the members of the group "The Knife". That's her in the face melt mask accepting an award at some Swedish music awards show or something):

If I Had A Heart (Familjen Remix).mp3

I've posted previously about Califone and they were on my list a few years ago with their previous album. This one again doesn't match up to the previous album but what does that mean really? This one is really cool, and original. Look over these guys discography and they are all good. Listen up:

Califone - Giving Away the Bride.mp3

Next up is Major Lazer with "Guns Don't Kill People, Lazers Do". Taste makers Diplo and Switch take a break from producing Baile Funk and Baltimore club music to do their version of dancehall reggae, more like digital dancehall. Listen for yourself:

Major Lazer - Hold The Line feat. Mr. Lex & San.mp3


I've posted so often about Beirut that I don't think I need to say more except that this time he recorded half the album with a 16 piece mariachi band from Mexico and the second half is his electronic alter ego, Real People. Recommended:

Beirut - La Llorona.mp3

Some honorable mentions go to "The Very Best" and their album "Warm Heart of Africa. Which is excellent. Kings of Convenience's album "Declaration of Dependence" is excellent as well.

Enjoy!!