Best of 2009: Top Songs: #20-11

20. "Deep South" - Cartel



A song about just wanting to be home and having pride about where you come from. Given that these guys are from the Bible Belt, I have to wonder if some of the lyrics allude to God. A powerful chorus and style unlike what we've previously seen from Cartel.

from Cycles
"Deep South"


19. "Teach Me How to Jerk" - Audio Push



This is probably the best beat put together in 2009, and I sincerely hope these young guys have more up their sleeve. They dance, they mix and they sing and they rap. And they've a great sense of humor.

"Teach Me How to Jerk"


18. "My Life Would Suck Without You" - Kelly Clarkson



I'll admit it: I judged this song based on its title before I heard it. While I still think it's a dumb title, it's a testament to the fact that a great, versatile voice never goes out of fashion.

from All I Ever Wanted
"My Life Would Suck Without You"


17. "Happy" - Leona Lewis



Speaking of an amazing voice, does this girl have PIPES or what? A beautiful and heart-wrenching piece. My favorite part is the huge hit "So what if it hurts me..."! Oh yeah, that one gives me goosebumps.

from Echo
"Happy"


16. "Weightless" - All Time Low



All Time Low ruled punk-pop in 2009 and it was well deserved, even if just for this song. The #1 optimistic song of the year.

from Nothing Personal
"Weightless"


15. "Boys and Girls" - Pixie Lott



This song is the dance party mix essential. The funky horn line keeps the beat up and Pixie's energy drives it. Is it just me or does she sound like Christina Aguilera at some points?

from Turn It Up
"Boys and Girls"


14. "Two Left Feet" - Anya Marina



Most of Anya's stuff has some sexual undertones, but this one is just so playful. The song starts off by introducing the four important music elements: the clapping-like rhythm, the tambourine, the bass, and her voice. The way each of these fit together makes for a really interesting sound even if it does sound eerily like Bloc Party's "The Prayer".

from Slow and Steady Seduction: Phase II
"Two Left Feet"
I'm really frustrated now because I can find a video or audio anywhere. Oh well. just drop a line at MusicSequitur@gmail.com if you're interested and I'll get it to you.

13. "Marchin On" - OneRepublic



It's the same cold OneRepublic vibe, but the back up vocals have the sickest lick in the entire song and warm your fingers and toes just the tiniest bit. A truly beautiful song "for those days we felt like a mistake."

from Waking Up
"Marchin On"


12. "Pull My Heart Away" - Jack Peñate



The beautiful sound of the guitar nails the mood Jack's lyrics set up. Going 180 from his last album, Peñate let his voice drive the songs rather than the guitar and it paid off.

from Everything is New
"Pull My Heart Away"


11. "Shark in the Water" - V.V. Brown



Ok, I'll admit it, this is my song of the moment (along with Plan B's "Stay Too Long"), but c'mon this is such an amazing song. The swooning back up vocals, the quick strums of the clean and clear guitar and the powerful voice of Ms. Brown is a genre mash-up. And a very successful one at that.

from Travelling Like the Light
"Shark in the Water"

V V Brown - Shark In The Water

VV Brown | MySpace Music Videos

Sorry about this ridiculous change of format guys, but if you're interested in some of the songs/artists, drop a comment or drop me a line at MusicSequitur@gmail.com

So after you've seen the 40 other songs, who does that leave...?
TOP TEN COMING UP!

Best of 2009: Top Songs: #40-31

Ok, same rules as last time, but just to reiterate:

1. This list will only include songs that were released in 2009.

2. I deliberately only chose one song per artist.

3. This list has gone through several drafts. The songs you see really have passed the test, however if you don't agree with something, drop a line in the comments box. I'd love to discuss it with you.

Also, I can't get enough of this song. The most awesome mix of soul and rap (by the same guy) ever, and none of you will believe me until you actually hear it. So go actually hear it.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, Numbers 40 through 31:

40. "Man of the Hour" - Norah Jones



An absolutely adorable riddle in song form. Norah Jones describes this sweet, meat-eating man that she's chosen because he's not a "vegan or a pot head." It's her dog of course, and the bark at the very end of this song (also the very end of her album The Fall as this is the closing song) is the perfect touch to this simple song that only Norah Jones and her beautiful voice could convey.

from The Fall
"Man of the Hour"


39. "Tell Me I'm a Wreck" - Every Avenue



This song is a wonderful example of this band. Not as quirky and clever as a lot of their stuff on their first album, Shh. Just Go With It, "Tell Me I'm a Wreck" is a song with a simple formula and great vocals.

from Picture Perfect
"Tell I'm a Wreck"


38. "Always Like This" - Bombay Bicycle Club



The bass line alone is a fantastic lick, and everything else is beautifully controlled. The lead singer, Jack Steadman, gets points for playing the xylophone. Great song from this band's first album.

from I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose
"Always Like This"


37. "Mountain & the Sea" - Ingrid Michaelson



The first lines of this song, "You called me a mountain/and I called you the sea," set the tone for the entire song. The metaphor is both sweet and dynamic with the obligatory ukulele strumming and happy clapping rhythms.

from Everybody
"Mountain & the Sea"


36. "Time For Me" - Holiday Parade



There is an upside to breaking up! Holiday Parade put out a really great album this year, one punk-pop fans can be proud of, and this song is particularly catchy. The chorus is a completely different tone than the rest of the song, but then again it's all about being resolute in finishing a relationship.

from Tickets & Passports
"Time For Me"


35. "Teenagers" - Hayley Williams



While I'm not a HUGE fan of Hayley Williams' voice on a lot of her stuff with Paramore, this sounds kind of awesome.

from Jennifer's Body Soundtrack
"Teenagers"


34. "It's My Time" - Fabolous ft. Jeremih



Fabo doesn't need an awesome beat to create one of the best pump up songs of 2009.

from Loso's Way
"It's My Time"


33. "Outta Here" - Esmée Denters



Justin Timberlake's protogé from the Netherlands has a really, really fantastic voice and this song is chock full of crunchy chords and powerful vocals.

from Outta Here
"Outta Here"


32. "Just Say Yes" - Snow Patrol



You don't need to be in a special place to listen to good music because good music like this creates that special place.

31. "No You Girls" - Franz Ferdinand



The first few lines of this classic Franz Ferdinand song are priceless. "Oh, kiss me/Lick your cigarette, then kiss me/Kiss me where your eye won't meet me/Meet me where your mind won't kiss me/Lick your eyes and mine and then hit me/Hit me with your eyes so sweetly/Oh, you know you know you know that yes I love - /I mean I'd love to get to know you." 'Nuff Said.

from Tonight: Franz Ferdinand
"No You Girls"


BONUS:
"No You Girls (Trentemøller Remix)"

You might wanna give this one a listen; it's nominated for a Grammy!

Best of 2009: Top Albums: 5-1

5. One Love - David Guetta



David Guetta is a genius at a turn table. This album is particularly monumental because as a French DJ producing music that has never been popular in the United States, David Guetta broke through. Not to mention he's wracked up 4 Grammy nominations for "When Love Takes Over."

Highlights:
"When Love Takes Over," "Sexy Bitch," "Memories"

"Memories (ft. KiD CiDi)" - David Guetta


4. Love Like This - The Summer Set



The Summer Set truly delivered on their first LP, after 3 successful EPs. Great, catchy songs, but it's also intelligent. These guys have a lot of spunk and I'm hoping they'll be around for awhile.

Highlights:
"The Boys You Do (Get Back At You)," "Chelsea," "Girls Freak Me Out"

"Girls Freak Me Out" - The Summer Set


TOP THREE

3. Lungs - Florence + the Machine



Florence Welch has such a fantastic voice. Ethereal yet powerful, and everywhere in between. Her expression and sense of humor are dynamic and make this album the third best album of 2009. When I listen to this album, I don't skip a single track

Highlights:
"Howl," "Kiss With a Fist," "Drumming Song," "Blinding"

"Blinding" - Florence + the Machine


2. Far - Regina Spektor



Colorful, imaginative, fantastically written. Regina Spektor was the best storyteller in 2009.

Highlights:
"Laughing With," "Eet," "Dance Anthem of the 80s," "Genius Next Door"

"Dance Anthem of the 80s" - Regina Spektor


1. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - Phoenix



This band found itself in Indie Heaven with "1901," but their entire album was fantastic. Every song is like an orchestral masterpiece. And they've got some awesome influences. Mozart, for one. And they even wrote a song about Franz Liszt! How awesome is that?!

Highlights:
"1901," "Lisztomania," "Countdown (Sick for the Big Sun)," "Love Like a Sunset (Planetarium)"

"Lisztomania" - Phoenix



Well, that wraps up the albums!
Songs of 2009 are coming up...

Best of 2009: Top Albums: 15-6

15. Man on the Moon - KiD CuDi



"Day N Nite" was a fantastic single to get the world hyped up about new-to-the-scene KiD CuDi. Unfortunately it did nothing to foretell the clever story that is Man on the Moon. Definitely worth the listen and definitely one of those albums you have to listen to in its entirety and in order.

Highlights:
"Day N Nite (Nightmare)," "Alive," "Up, Up and Away (The Wake and Bake Song)"

"Alive (ft. Ratatat)" - KiD CuDi


14. Cycles - Cartel



Cartel has had a steadily successful career so far, and Cycles is both a fan-pleaser and gives Cartel a real chance at gaining a lot more attention through the radio waves.

Highlights:
"Faster Ride," "Deep South," "Let's Go"

"Let's Go" - Cartel


13. Everybody - Ingrid Michaelson



Ingrid Michaelson, ever the optimistic and smart singer/songwriter, is back with a new batch of superb tunes. Complete with a string section.

Highlights:
"The Chain," "Mountain & The Sea," "Maybe"

"Maybe" - Ingrid Michaelson


12. Humbug - Arctic Monkeys



After their three year-long absence, Alex Turner and the Arctic Monkeys came back with a new style on Humbug. More mature, but so much like the Strokes in that they appeal to (yes, they try to) the youth. And they are still so good at it in their third album.

Highlights:
"Cornerstone," "Crying Lightning," "Dangerous Animals"

"Cornerstone" - Arctic Monkeys


11. Turn It Up - Pixie Lott



Pixie Lott, the newest young UK talent, writes, sings, and dances to all her music. And she's damn good at it. She's also 18 (19 on Tuesday). The US general population doesn't know what it's missing. Warning: Overtly Poppy.

Highlights:
"Mama Do," "Boys and Girls," "Here We Go Again"

"Mama Do" - Pixie Lott


MOVING ON TO THE TOP 10...

10. The Blueprint 3 - Jay-Z



Jigga came back with a bang and made a comeback from the disappointment that was The Blueprint 2. Great collaborations, sick beats, and Jay-Z at his best.

Highlights:
"Run This Town," "Empire State of Mind," "On to the Next One"

"Run This Town" - Jay-Z with Rihanna and Kanye West


9. Waking Up - OneRepublic



Aside from having a lot of success (and some scandal) in the producing arena, Ryan Tedder is back with the band churning out some really great songs with great beats, and even better cello riffs.

Highlights:
"All the Right Moves," "Secrets," "Marchin' On"

"Secrets" - OneRepublic


8. Everything is New - Jack Peñate



Peñate claims he had been listening to a lot of African percussion and beats, and you can see where it influenced Everything is New. I still want more Adele/Jack collabs.

Highlights:
"Pull My Heart Away," "Be the One," "Everything is New"

"Be the One" - Jack Peñate


7. Picture Perfect - Every Avenue



The singing and the guitar are what drives this band more than anything else. Dave and Jimmie of Every Avenue put together an awesome follow-up to Shh. Just Go With It.

Highlights:
"For Always, Forever," "Mindset," "Tell Me I'm a Wreck"

"For Always, Forever" - Every Avenue


6. Nothing Personal - All Time Low



All Time Low has achieved marginal success before Nothing Personal, but in 2009 they hit gold. And, honestly, it was well deserved. I won't make a bad joke about this being their "All time high." Promise.

Highlights:
"Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don't)," "Weightless," "A Party Song"

"Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don't)" - All Time Low


Cue the drumroll, people. The top 5 albums are on deck.

Best of 2009: Top Albums: 25-16

For the sake of time, I'm going to try to limit my comments on each album. :)

Also, as mentioned on Twitter, there are six honorable mentions. They are, in no particular order: Paolo Nutini, Sunny Side Up; We the Kings, Smile, Kid; Freelance Whales, Weathervanes; The Fray, The Fray; Muse, The Resistance; Taylor Swift, Fearless.

And now, on to the rankings:

25. Slow and Steady Seduction - Phase Two - Anya Marina



Lovely songs with thick waves of sexual undercurrents.

Highlights:
"All the Same to Me," "Afterparty at Jimmy's," "Vertigo"

"All the Same to Me" - Anya Marina


24. Armistice - MuteMath



The same guys who learned their parts backwards to film one of the best music videos ever made are back. Let's ignore the fact that they were on a certain vampire soundtrack and focus on the fact that it's still the good old, chaotic yet masterful music that pumps you up.

Highlights:
"Spotlight," "Goodbye," "Electrify"

"Electrify" - MuteMath


23. My Old, Familiar Friend - Brendan Benson



Raconteur, Brendan Benson is back with his seventh solo album. Great fun.

Highlights:
"A Whole Lot Better," "Eyes on the Horizon," "Poised and Ready"

"Eyes on the Horizon" - Brendan Benson


22. Tonight: Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand



Probably one of the best albums of early 2009, Alex Kapranos and the boys pull away from the clubby, dance rock and moves closer to a slightly more mellow alternative rock.

Highlights:
"Ulysses," "No You Girls," "Bite Hard"

"Ulysses" - Franz Ferdinand


21. It's Not Me, It's You - Lily Allen



The mouthy English girl is back with stuff resembling social commentaries, more personal frustrations and...then there's "Fuck You". She should have come up with a great hand dance for that song.

Highlights:
"The Fear," "22," "Fuck You"

"Fuck You" - Lily Allen


20. Tickets and Passports - Holiday Parade



Good, catchy, pop-punk didn't make too much of a splash this year, but Holiday Parade definitely showed up.

Highlights:
"Make it Count," "Where Did I Go," "Time For Me"

"Where Did I Go" - Holiday Parade


19. Echo - Leona Lewis



There were several big names that released albums this year that lacked a mega single (Rihanna, John Mayer). Leona Lewis had "Happy," and beyond that, she actually has a great album.

Highlights:
"Happy," "I Got You," "Outta My Head"

"Outta My Head" - Leona Lewis


18. All I Ever Wanted - Kelly Clarkson



Kelly Clarkson, also had a mega single on her 2009 album. Two, actually. Great pop is to be found on All I Ever Wanted.

Highlights:
"Cry," "I Do Not Hook Up," "My Life Would Suck Without You"

"I Do Not Hook Up" - Kelly Clarkson
Download

17. Attention: Deficit - Wale



I've said it before and I'll say it again: Wale is one of the best things to come out of 2009. Also, working with Lady Gaga was one of the best decisions he ever made.

Highlights:
"Pretty Girls," "90210," "Chillin' (ft. Lady Gaga)"

"90210" - Wale


16. The Fame / Monster - Lady Gaga



Both albums are placed at #16 because one album is the musical and artistic extension of the other, and, frankly I didn't want Lady Gaga to take up two of the top 25 spots. Crazy, ingenious, talented. I think it's a healthy dose of all three.

Highlights:
"Again Again," "Just Dance," "Bad Romance"

"Just Dance"



BONUS:

A Lady Gaga 2009 Costume Portfolio -


The next installment #15-6 is coming soon! Stay tuned!

Best of 2009: Top 5 EPs

I figured I'd start us off slowly by starting with 2009's best EPs.

Lost? Here's the EP Wikipedia Entry.

Keep in mind: If the band released an EP and THEN an album in 2009 (Passion Pit, Devendra Banhart), I didn't count it.


5. Extra Cheese - Ryan Adams



Nicknamed "The Valentine EP" because (a) it was released on Valentine's Day and (b) this was right before Adams tied the knot with Mandy Moore, so yes, there's some mushy content. But, surprisingly, it's also a LOT more intense than your average Ryan Adams. With 7 tracks, it probably qualifies as a mini-LP, and I'll be honest, Adams' announcement that he's taking an indefinite hiatus from music immediately after releasing Extra Cheese does make it a little more special. It also wins best EP cover award.

"Two" - Ryan Adams


4. Falling Elevators - The Early Hours



Eric James, the frontman of The Early Hours, makes really good music, with whatever band he forms. So, when I found out Eric James and the New Century broke up, I was at least relieved to find out he's still playing. This is the group's first release, and I hope there are many more to come.

"Good Day Radio" - The Early Hours


3. Coast to Coast - Hit the Lights



I had the pleasure of seeing Hit the Lights live this year, and they put on a really great show. Their EP, Coast to Coast is packed with fantastic songs and embodies what I love best about this band.

"Pulse" - Hit the Lights


2. Midsommar - U.S. Royalty



Another first-release for a band, and this is BIG. U.S. Royalty has the look of a stereotypical indie-folk band, but they produce some solid pop songs. Definitely give these guys a listen

"Where Are You Now" - U.S. Royalty


AND THE BEST EP OF 2009 IS...

1. Lady Luck - The Cab



The Cab is known to make really catchy pop songs, and I continue to support and love them because they're good AND because they still aren't getting the attention they deserve. The boys have been touring all year and I also got to see them in 2009 with the Maine and We the Kings. And don't get me wrong, We the Kings is a great band, but the Maine and the Cab stole the show. Let's hope 2010 has a full LP from the Cab in store for us!

"Lights" - The Cab

Awesome Track: Gabriel Ríos

Gabriel Ríos is one hell of a package. A Puerto Rican singer-songwriter living in Belgium and married to a Belgian supermodel is hard to beat. Especially when he makes songs like "Broad Daylight." We're currently waiting for his 3rd album.

Also, you know Michael Franti? The "Say Hey (I Love You)", social activist Michael Franti? He features Ríos on his album Yell Fire!. Just a fun fact.

"Broad Daylight" - Gabriel Ríos from his first album Ghostboy released in 2005.

New: Girl Power Pop

Allison Iraheta, 17, placed 4th in American Idol in the most recent season. I don't watch AI, but you'll want to hear this.

"Friday I'll be Over U" - Allison Iraheta


She's like Kelly Clarkson...in that she doesn't like to spell out "You".