ARTICLE JUMP
Every year there are a few albums that just don't get reviewed. Sometimes it is due to the staff being lackadaisical about reviewing them. Other times, we just don't know how to put into words how an album rates. So here are five albums from 2009 that we skipped over, for whatever reasons.
1. Fake Problems - It's Great to be Alive
I'm not really a fan of the folk-punk sound. I don't know what it is about Fake Problems, but I really dig this record. It's punk, but in a quirky, fun kind of way. I enjoyed this record way more than I ever thought I would, but am glad to have heard it and gotten to see them live in 2009.
2. Sonic Youth - The Eternal
When you've helped pioneer a genre, there isn't much else that can be expected of you. And yet, with almost three decades into their existence, Sonic Youth are still banging out top tier rock records. The Eternal may never reach the level of status that albums like Daydream Nation or Goo have, but it is definitely a must own record.
3. Placebo - Battle for the Sun
Placebo is a band that I've only followed on a casual basis for the past few years. But the release of Battle for the Sun was one that I actually kept tabs on and it certainly delivered. "For What it's Worth" was probably my favorite song of 2009.
4. Brand New - Daisy
After impressing music lovers with 2006's The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me Brand New furthered their experimental output with their fourth full-length release. With their latest the band infused even more left-of-center influences into their repertoire, ranging from Radiohead to Fugazi. The result was one of the most talked about records of 2010.
5. Russian Circles - Geneva
Geneva slipped below a lot of radars. It was a rather low-key affair, for some reason. I definitely slept on it. With their new album Russian Circles definitely upped the ante from their sophomore effort, which was widely looked upon as a disappointment compared to their debut. I think they've redeemed themselves with this record, so if you were holding off because of the lackluster predecessor I suggest you give Geneva a try.
(Michael)
