indie

Best of 2009 selected by yours truly. Including Real Estate, In the Country, Bill Callahan, Ducktails, Steve Lehman, Celer, Ahleuchatistas, King Midas Sound, Om, Black Cobra, Vijay Iyer Trio etc.

Making a best of list has been considerably harder for 2009. Here are our mentions in random order. Fedayi Pacha, Bibio, Wye Oak, Liechtenstein, BLK JKS, Crystal Antlers, Proudpilot, Yagya, The XX, OPN..

I’ve processed some of the best of lists in my bookmarks folder. Here are some of the more interesting and/or diverse ones. I’m trying to wrap up my own list, but damn these lists always give you lots to catch up.

Squeezed out of our inbox in the last couple of weeks, this two part edition for Nov 09 has some great tunes. The first part is consisted mainly of indie / indiepop / folk stuff, which makes up about 80% of our inbox. Brown Bird’s new release on Peapod Records. Sticklips’ debut. LA Singer songwriter Yael Mayer and Tristeza.

My last.fm says I’ve listened to this particular song for 26 times, something I seldom do. I truly can’t stop listening to this one, and FOR ONCE I even care about the lyrics of an indie rock song. Sing along with the Real Estate who’re releasing one of the best LPs concieved this year, and this one comes from a an indie-rock/hipster sceptic. Out soon on Woodsist.

Lefse Records have released a freebie compilation of hazy lo-fi rock & psychedelic folk. Includes tracks from the upcoming Neon Indian record, Julian Lynch and new signings Sunnybrook. Liner notes & Myspace links to all artists found here.

“The Knot” is the second effort by Maryland duo Wye Oak. Heard them before on a split and thought that they were your run-of-the-mill indie/folk crossover. Yet “The Knot” has much in store both in the songwriting department as well as the sound.

Tortoise’s back in form with their latest offering Beacons of Ancestorship. We’ve got the music while Time Out Chicago has the track by tracks.