Best of 2009 - Guest List - Class Actress

As the year winds to an end, we've asked some of our favorite artists to select their five favorite releases of 2009. Class Actress is the brainchild of Brooklyn based artist Elizabeth Harper, and she is poised to breakout in a big way in 2010. Her debut ep Journal of Ardency is scheduled for a February 9th release on Terrible Records, the new offshoot from Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor. If you haven't yet, get the leadoff track "Careful What You Say" below. Harper took time out from her busy schedule to share her favorite things of the year.

2009 In no particular order.

Girls - "Lust for Life" (single)
A warm, honest hug from the friend you wish you had who'd admit they were as fucked up as you.

Mariah Carey - "Obsessed" (single)
Nobody does it like Mariah, she just makes hooky, bitchy, diva pop hits.

Cass McCombs - "You Saved My Life" (track from Catacombs)
Epic love song. Seeing him play this live at the Bowery Ballroom was beautiful. I have a crush on him.

Patrick Cleandenim - "Telephone Song" (track from Orange Moonbeam Floorshow)
I listened to this song for a month straight. Maybe because I had a crush on him, maybe not.

Chairlift - "Evident Utensil" (video)
I was tied up limb for limb to a tree in the woods, whipped by Victor (Boy Crisis/Das Rascit) and then baptized in a river.

Bat for Lashes - "Daniel" ( live on David Letterman).

Das Racist - "Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell" (track)
Kinda genius.

Major Lazer - "Pon De Floor" (Video)

Robert Pattinson

Girl Crisis

Let the Right One In (film)
still and romantic

FULL YEAR-END COVERAGE HERE

Best of 2009 - Guest List - The Antlers

As a precursor to our impending year-end list, we've asked some of our favorite artists to select their five favorite releases of 2009. The Antlers have quietly become the breakout band of the year. Their third album Hospice has shown up with high placing on year-end lists such as The Music Slut, Stereogum and NPR's All Things Considered. And just last night they headlined a sold-out Bowery Ballroom. I think you get the point - the album is amazing!

Here are The Antlers' six favorite songs of the year, according to drummer Michael Lerner:

(In no particular order)...

Bon Iver - "Bloodbank"

Justin Vernon's soul/folk picked up right where he left off with For
Emma, Forever Ago. Beautiful melody and imagery here.

Sharon Van Etten - "I Wish I Knew"

Can a song be both fragile and powerful at the same time? Absolutely!
Just a gorgeous song. Sharon's live shows are also a must see.

Phoenix - "1901"

I feel like I heard this song everywhere this year and it still
continues to dominate my iPod. It completely succeeds in striking the
perfect balance between pop and rock.

Grizzly Bear - "While You Wait for the Others"

Such a great song! The verses slyly creep along before exploding into
the soaring chorus. The harmonies in that chorus are amazing! Also
great is the way the downbeat is dropped and lands on the 2 - Love
that!

Dirty Projectors - "No Intention" / "Stillness is the Move"

Ok, maybe I am breaking the rules by choosing both of these songs here
instead of just one, but I don't care - they are both that good!
2 of the best songs you'll never hear on Hot 97 but totally could/should.

FULL YEAR-END COVERAGE

Best of 2009 - Guest List - Frankie Rose

As a precursor to our impending year-end list, we've asked some of our favorite artists to select their five favorite releases of 2009. As a past member of bands like Vivian Girls, Crystal Stilts, and Dum Dum Girls, Frankie Rose has quite the midas touch. Now she blazes ahead with her new band Frankie & The Outs, just another vivid chapter in the Frankie Rose saga. The new band plays "Beach Party" on New Years Eve at Cameo Gallery with fellow "Guest List" band Beach Fossils, as well as Surfer Blood, and We Are Country Mice. Flier and Frankie Rose track below.

Here are Frankie's picks:

Moon Duo - Killing Time (ep)

Grass Widow - s/t

Pearl Harbor - Something About the Chapparals (ep)

Best song - Atlas Sound (ft. Laetitia Sadier) - "Quick Canal"

Best new NY band - STARRING

FULL YEAR-END COVERAGE HERE

Best of 2009 - Guest List - Lauren Flax

As a precursor to our impending year-end list, we've asked some of our favorite artists to select their five favorite releases of 2009. Worldwide DJ sensation Lauren Flax adds her two cents to our year-end "Guest List" series. Flax as DJ has spent the last few years, spinning with or alongside acts like Fischerspooner, Moby, The B-52's, and Yelle. Her picks here are sparse and abstract, not unlike say, minimalist techno? Some picks are spot on, some fantastic, but not 2009, and others are just left to interpretation.

1) Azari & III
2) Burial
3) Telepathe
4) Classic House
5) Brooklyn

Lauren Flax recently released her debut single "You've Changed", featuring Sia on vocals:



FULL YEAR-END COVERAGE HERE

Best of 2009 - Guest List - Callers

As a precursor to our impending year-end list, we've asked some of our favorite artists to select their five favorite releases of 2009. Today we have Sara Lucas, lead singer of Western Vinyl band Callers. Callers have toured with Here We Go Magic, Glass Ghost, and have the luxury of a 7.8 rating for their debut album on Pitchfork.com. The band has just completed their follow-up, due early-mid 2010 and from their performance at our last showcase, we're really excited about this release. Sara's not above it all, though. In fact, she of all the contributing artists here, is by far the most meticulous. She hit me up multiple times to make adjustments to her picks. This, I love, and fully respect! Here are Callers' well thought out picks:

Light Asylum - myspace.com/lightasylum
As of yet they are "unreleased"- it's only a matter of time. Shannon and Bruno are incredible. I saw them live this summer and it was one of the best shows i've seen in New York. Shannon is also in A Rose Parade and toured with !!!.

Here We Go Magic - Here We Go Magic
Some of the most original songwriting and transcending live performances. Not categorizable and always gorgeous.

Dark Dark Dark - Remix 7" - (check out Snow Magic from Blood Onion Records/Supply and Demand Music, 2008) These are remixes of songs off of their full-length, Snow Magic, released last year. Lovely people, lovely music. Look out for the film, "Flood Tide," (for which they compose the music and act) filmed during their Swimming Cities of the Switchback Seas days.

Tim Wehrle - Howler, self-released LP, vinyl only
Also goes by the name Blonde Ramone. Lives in Burlington, IA and makes beautiful art. I've been listening to his music for years.

Stagger Back Brass Band - LP Pattysounds - They are an exploding circus blender of horns, accordion and drums. The writing by Patrick Farrell sounds like nothing else out there. If a filmmaker were to create a visual manifestation based on their compositions, every motion of the human experience would be encapsulated without ever digressing from their sound.

Also (there are too many!) releases from: Javelin (Thrill Jockey), Why Are We Building Such A Big Ship? (Domino Sound), and Midnight Masses - Rapture Ready.

FULL YEAR-END COVERAGE HERE

Callers at the "Secret Garden" from hoovesontheturf on Vimeo.

Best of 2009 - Guest List - Luiza Sa of CSS

As a precursor to our impending year-end list, we've asked some of our favorite artists to select their five favorite releases of 2009. Today we have Luiza Sa, guitarist for Brazilian band CSS. We're a longtime fan of Luiza's - she gave us our very first interview back in 2007. Since then we've kept close tabs on our girl. CSS are currently writing songs for their third LP, due next year.

Fever Ray - Fever Ray
Who doesn't love The Knife? I can't believe these people are this talented. It feels like a new sound. The future is in Sweden, maybe it always was. The show is a life experience. And the videos...

Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
Yellow House (2006) was a pretty good record, but I have to say Vecaktimest is even better. The production is perfect, the right amount of acoustic vibe. And I don't know many bands that could make this unique, beautiful, unexpected music and play it live perfectly. The voices are something. The video for "Two Weeks" is amazing.

GIRLS - Album
This band brings us back to the truth of the simple songs. Songs like Velvet Underground's songs. San Francisco feeling. Just makes me happy to listen to this band, but real happy - not phony happy. I wasn't paying much attention and I got addicted.

THE XX - XX
This is a beautiful combination of things that maybe we've seen, before but not together. Lovely guitars that can remind one of a Portland scene mixed with New Order's sounds and topped with nicely spoken vocals. Maybe dark, but just a bit. Very good for a first record.

Lady Gaga - The Fame Monster (ep)/Bad Romance (single)
I could speak of Beyonce's not so great double album (maybe good if it wasn't a double!), yet amazing "Single Ladies" video, or the really good Jay-Z track with Alicia Keys, "Empire State of Mind" - but if I'm gonna pick the pop song of the year, I have to pick Lady Gaga. Her album is a good one and I'm not sure if it's going to last or be a 2009 thing, but her "Bad Romance" single that followed - it's even better. So, as much as anyone would like to forget about her, there's just no way.

FULL YEAR-END COVERAGE HERE

Best of 2009 - Guest List - NITE JEWEL

As a precursor to our impending year-end list, we've asked some of our favorite artists to select their five favorite releases of 2009. Continuing the series are Nite Jewel, who put out one of my absolute favorite records this year. I raved about them at SXSW back in March. Most recently, they released a 12" on Italians Do It Better, the label responsible for Chromatics, Glass Candy, and the amazing After Dark compilation. Check out Nite Jewel's year-end picks:

Throbbing Gristle - Live in SF 23 april 2009
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Reminiscences EP
Tickley Feather - Hors d'oeurves LP
Pearl Harbor - Something About The Chapparals EP
Little Dragon - Fortune track

And a new (old) favorite:

Steely Dan - Aja LP (clearly not from 2009, but really got into it this '09)



FULL YEAR-END COVERAGE HERE

Best of 2009 - Guest List - NATUREBOY

As a precursor to our impending year-end list, we've asked some of our favorite artists to select their five favorite releases of 2009. Natureboy blew my mind this year. I don't think I've spent more personal, alone time with any other record this year. So, I am humbled and gracious that Sara Kermanshahi, the brainchild, songwriter and vocalist behind the band, would share her favorite recordings of the year with us.

1. Masterface Freedom Tower
Seamless, new, innovative and irie. "Excuse Me Girl" is one of my favorite songs of all time.

2. Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavillion
Seemingly effortless yet brilliant vocal melodies.

3. Discovery LP
Trippy, really catchy electro/pop. Lots of arpeggios.

4. Sharon Van Etten Because I Was In Love
Strong and moving songwriting, very full and realized record. Gorgeous voice.

5. Werewolves Dance Raincoat Glass
Garage/punk/psychedelic converge to create impassioned, muse-driven songs.

FULL YEAR-END COVERAGE HERE

Best of 2009 - Guest List - SHARON VAN ETTEN

As a precursor to our impending year-end list, we've asked some of our favorite artists to select their five favorite releases of 2009. Next we have Sharon Van Etten, who has had an absolutely amazing year. When I first hung out with her at SXSW last March, she seemed confident, yet altogether unsure of what the outcome of her new LP would be. Weeks later, the staggering Because I Was In Love was released and the blog world was stunned. What a shockingly sparse, honest, and cohesive album she had up her sleeve! All the major players cited her with positive remarks - Pitchfork, Gorilla vs. Bear, Spinner - and if that weren't enough, she popped up on The Antlers' Hospice LP, an album that is in serious contention for record of the year. And now she's laying her own claim on best of lists, just yesterday topping Said the Gramophone's Best Songs of 2009 list. Yes, she came in at #1! And just to add more fuel to the fire, she shows up on Earfarm's Top Ten Bands To Watch in 2010. I think I've said enough. Here are Sharon's top 5 selections for 2009...

#1 - The Antlers - Hospice - They've worked really hard. They are genuine, sweet, honest people and every time I put the record on, I am reminded of that.

#2 - She Keeps Bees - Nests - Jess and Andy are amazing together. They have the best rock show hands down I have ever seen - and her voice SLAYS. Be on the look out for a light coming your way through blues methods.

#3 - Natureboy - Natureboy - Her arrangements are STUNNING and her songwriting is classic. Gets stuck in my head every time. And Sarah's voice reminds me of Betty Serveert which was one of my favorite bands in high school - so I get SUPER reminiscent.

#4 - Glass Ghost - Idol Omen - Another really hard working ny band. I got to play with them a few times and it is so exciting to see them go further and further. I have been looking forward to this one for over a year now. Crazy mix of hip hop, indie, jazz, spoken word. David Byrne reincarnation - no doubt.

#5 - Rain Machine - Rain Machine - Kyp Malone is the most balls out, risk taking, honest, blunt writers I have ever met and have been lucky enough to know and to play with. I played with him when he was still playing these songs solo. To see them grow (organically) with his friends - to see his ideas brought to a whole new level is so exciting to me. It's rare to get this kind of honesty in music these days... and to hear and understand his incites has always been inspiring to me.

FULL YEAR-END COVERAGE HERE

Best of 2009 - Guest List - BEACH FOSSILS

As a precursor to our impending year-end list, we've asked some of our favorite artists to select their five favorite releases of 2009. Kicking off the series is Christopher Burke of Beach Fossils, an up and coming Brooklyn band who are recording their debut LP for release in 2010. Beach Fossils have two of the greatest tracks of the year. If you're unfamiliar, please do yourself a favor a stream the tracks "Vacation" and "Daydream" on myspace. Burke is also a member of Psychic and Kegs of Acid.

CHRISTOPHER BURKE (BEACH FOSSILS/PSYCHIC/KEGS OF ACID)

In no particular order:

PC Worship - NYC STONE AGE
Lo-fi weirdo friends of mine who make truly bizarre music. Designed to be challenging, absurd outsider shit that also has its moments.
Check out "So Denied" and MAYBE you'll get what I mean.

Woods - Songs of Shame
Really good songs, really cool people.

The Beets - Spit In The Face Of People Who Dont Want To Be Cool
Awesome ultra-short pop jams played on buzzy acoustic guitars by three shouting Queens natives. Cool with a good sense of humor.

Air Waves - EP
Five gems.

Rainbow Bridge - Big Wave Rider "7
This is only a single, but everything about it came together well. Executed by some Bay Area kids.

WHOO! There were also good releases by Prince Rama of Ahodhya, Gary War, Real Estate etc. etc.


Chocolate Bobka: Beach Fossils - 'Vacation' from Ray Concepcioñ on Vimeo.