emenel

Dinosaur Jr’s new album “Farm” is one of their best yet. They’re able to take the signature Dino Jr sound and continue to evolve it in interesting ways, while still making amazing albums that I can listen to over and over.

A few of my top picks for 2009 are new albums by old bands… they just seem to have something that a lot of new bands don’t. I can’t really explain it, but the new albums from Dino Jr, Sonic Youth (will post this one soon), and Mission of Burma have an energy that I don’t hear in a lot of newer bands…

Listen on Grooveshark

Continuing my top music from 2009 are a couple bands that are a bit of an acquired taste, Agoraphobic Nosebleed and Sunn O))).

Agoraphobic Nosebleed is an amazing thrash band, most songs clock in at ~1 minute and the lyrics are either obscene or roughly about Doctor Who.. I love it, but a lot of you won’t :)

Sunn O))) is probably even harder to get into. They play ~15 minute long drone metal songs, with chanting, choirs, and loud distorted guitar drones. I also love this, but it takes a special kind of music lover to appreciate it. Hopefully there’s somebody out there that agrees with me about how awesome this album is. Their 2009 album, Monoliths & Dimensions is their most accessible, but that’s not saying much.

Listen on Grooveshark

Telafon Tel Aviv’s album “Immolate Yourself” is a great example of how to take influence from the 80’s and move forward with it. You can hear The Cure, Cocteau Twins, and many more in this album, but none of it sounds purely derivative. A great listen all the way through, and by far their best album to date.

Listen on Grooveshark

Top albums 2009 - Mission of Burma “The Sound The Speed of Light”

This album proves one again that Burma are still in top form. They still sound like old, classic, Burma, and have steadily evolved their sound. It doesn’t sound dated, this is a modern album…but you can still hear the distinct styles of Roger, Clint, and Peter that were so clear on their classic albums form the early 80’s.

There’s only one track from this album on Grooveshark, so here it is. If you want more I highly recommend buying the record.

Listen on Grooveshark

This is the video of my talk at Ignite Toronto 2 back in November. Here’s the summary:

Throughout history, ritual has played an important part in society. It is sought out by individuals in many different ways, from the profound to the mundane. How do designers working on new products and services tap into the desire for ritual to improve engagement and enjoyment?

Ignite Toronto 2: Matt Nish-Lapidus - Design for Ritual on Vimeo (via Vimeo)

This is part one of my top 2009 albums.  First up, easily one of my favourites of the year (even the past few years), The Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca. This album mixes David Byrne inspired lyrics, vocal virtuosity, mind bending guitar magic, and some of the best sounding drums since Zep. The Dirty Projectors are one of the few bands that are still really playing with pop music and pushing it in entirely new directions.

Linked here are my four favourite songs form the album.

Listen on Grooveshark

This Heat were an incredible experimental band from London in the late 70’s.  They are loosely affiliated with the post-punk movement spear headed by bands like Wire and PIL.  Their album Deceit is a classic of the genre, and a must listen for anybody interested in experimental music.