Since the year is halfway over, and since people are impatient and like to make lists, I present the best songs and albums of the year so far. You can probably find everything on iTunes, if you want to check it out.
Best songs of 2009 (so far):
Alela Diane – Lady Divine
Andrew Bird – Anonanimal
Animal Collective – Bluish
Bob Dylan – I Feel A Change Comin’ On
Elvis Perkins In Dearland – Doomsday
Fiction Family – Look For Me Baby
Jars of Clay – Scenic Route
Manchester Orchestra – Shake It Out
Passion Pit – Sleepyhead
U2 – Cedars Of Lebanon
Wilco – Bull Black Nova
A few great albums released so far:
Wilco – Wilco (The Album)
Wilco, in my opinion, is the greatest band in the world. And this album is no disappointment. It’s fast, concise, and one of the most pure and beautiful albums this band has recorded.
U2 – No Line On The Horizon
They’ve still got it.
Elvis Perkins In Dearland – Elvis Perkins In Dearland
There’s an abundant of riches in this album. Elvis Perkins is a fantastic singer/songwriter and the whole album is exciting and fun.
I would of made a movies list, but I don’t even think I’ve seen enough this year to make a top three, let alone a top five.
’tis the season for half-year lists. Good list. Here’s how mine would shake out for the entertainment half-year:
Best Albums:
1. Limbs and Branches–Jon Foreman
2. 21st Century Breakdown–Green Day
3. No Line on the Horizon–U2
4. Together Through Life–Bob Dylan
5. The Long Fall Back to Earth–Jars of Clay
(I have not heard the Wilco album yet; hope to pick it up soon).
And let’s just throw in movies, since that’s what I do for a (semi)-living:
1. Dear Zachary–A Letter to a son about his father (technically a 2008 release but didn’t hit here until 2009 and even then on DVD)
2. Up
3. Away We Go
4. Star Trek
5. Watchmen