PLAYLIST :::: Releases 2009

So as its almost half way through the year, i thought I'd have a look back at some of the releases that caught my attention the most.

First, 'It's Blitz'. The YYY's seem to have matutured fantastically, and this was an early candidate for record of the year for me.

Animal Collective were perhaps hyped too much as this years MGMT. I dont think theyve got a riff catchy enough to recreate the 'anthem' status 'time to pretend' achieved. That is no bad thing at all, although being far more accessable than so its no surprise that so many new fans have been aqcuired.

Metrics new album took some time for me to get used too. I'd be surprised if it grew on me more than 'Live It Out' but still seems a good effort.

I've heard the 'Hazards of Love' being described as the Decemberists going prog, and to be fair I think thats a valid point. The album hasn't taken me as much as their past albums to be honest. Maybe it needs more time, it's certainly is hard to pull one track out on its own because it most of them would feel out of context.

There are a couple of tracks from EPs ion the list. Bon Iver's 'Blood Bank' is not amazing in my eyes, but its not half bad either, same with Deerhunter's effort. I guess its hard to make an EP on the same par as an album, but then again it is possible! For example ATDI's 'Vaya' or Oceaniseze's 'Music for Nurses'.

Dark was the Night, is a simply fantastic compilation. The collaborators for this record is a whos who in indie music right now, (albeit with a skewed demographic towards North America). Its all done for a good cause too so everyone wins.

My album of the year so far is not on spotify so you'll have to make do with youtube. It only came out this week although (surprise surprise) has been leaked for aaaaaages. 'Veckatimest' by Grizzly Bear has grown on me like a rash in the best possible way.