HIGH ROTATION 2009: My best of the year mix

So, here ’tis! My best-of-2009 mix!

In other words, this is a tracklist of my highest played that just squeaks in under 80 mins. Keep in mind these are my fave tracks of the year. For fave albums, see below High Rotation under “Top 10 Albums of 2009.”

High Rotation 2009 – By Lena

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And here’s what I have to deal with when I’m listening to/writing/reading/watching stuff online:

Cat steals chair!

Huff…

Anyway, Top Ten Albums of 2009 – According to me:

(And yes, they are in a specific order)

1.) Fever Ray – Fever Ray

In a word: Magic

Perfect for: Creating art/self expression. This album is a glimpse into the mind of a true artist. I always put together a great outfit if Fever Ray is playing while I’m choosing clothes. Karin Dreijer Andersson, you make me amazing!

2.) Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest

In a word: Brilliant

Perfect for: Listening/writing. The organic, enveloping nature of this album makes it a completely faultless listening experience. Gets the creative juices flowing.

3.) Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz! (Deluxe Edition)

In a word: Emotional

Perfect for: Experiencing all the highs and lows of love. I laughed, I cried, I hurled.

4.) Bibio – Ambivalence Avenue

In a word: Optimistic

Perfect for: Thinking/nodding head. The mixture of folk and electronic is stimulating to the mind. I’m excited about the future of music based on this album.

5.) Memory Tapes – Seek Magic

In a word: Kinetic

Perfect for: Transportation, either forward or backward. Drive, bike, bus, walk, think with this on. Mentally transport yourself back to times you were happiest/saddest and live there for a bit.

6.) Sunset Rubdown – Dragonslayer

In a word: Warm

Perfect for: Analog time. Sitting in a sunbeam wrapped up in a blanket; toasting in front of a fire with good book/magazine; generally feeling fuzzy towards oneself.

7.) Junior Boys – Begone Dull Care

In a word: Playful

Perfect for: Getting ready to go out! Or, simply staying in and singing and dancing in front of the mirror (if you’re into that). Have fun with it.

8.) The xx – xx

In a word: Sexual

Perfect for: Sexy times/daydreaming on bus about sexy times. Not that I’ve done this, ever.

9.) Atlas Sound – Logos

In a word: Shy

Perfect for: Walking around all dreamy and introspective-like; being watched from afar.

10.) Major Lazer – Guns Don’t Kill People … Lazers Do

In a word: Manic

Perfect for: Twisting and jerking yourself awake on dark, freezing winter mornings – oh, and shakin’ what yer mamma gave ya on the dance floor, too. Commagain!

In four words: GO BUY THESE PLEEZ!

All photos by me.

LIVE ACTION: The xx at Zulu Records – Thurs Nov 26

The xx played their first show in Canada to a packed record store Thursday, and LR was there drinkin’ it all in.

Their live performance delivers just as much plusating sexual tension as their self-titled album, which with both shyness and sincerity I can attach the visual sketch, “baby-makin’ music.”

Named after the fact that all band members were 20 years old at the time of their album’s release, the xx are unabashedly young and unexpectedly sincere. Their album was recorded in a shoebox room at XL Recordings – the studio responsible for “In Rainbows” by Radiohead.

The band’s self-titled brings forth slow, building electronic beats paired with silky male and female vocals reminiscent of Lovage’s “Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady By” and Sade’s “Lovers Rock” (and it blows both outta the water).

They also hail from South London, and they do look the part. Singer-guitarist Romy Madley Croft sports an undercut and tuff-girl chains around her neck forming a stark contrast to her smooth, envelopingly womanish vocals.

When she sang “Shelter” (with the lyrics: “Maybe I had said/ Something that was wrong/ Can I make it better/ With the lights turned on”) I had flashbacks of several sensual experiences — some recent, some indecent, some long-forgotten.

Goosebumps abound!

Not only was their performance watertight, I have to give more kudos to these guys for playing THREE shows in one night: a show at Zulu before their sold-out show with Friendly Fires at The Commodore and their subsequent DJ set at Venue.

Fewf.

Nice work exes.

Buy The xx on iTunes.

And check The xx cover diva techno smash, “You’ve Got the Love.”

Image courtesy of blog.qbox.com