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I know it's been a while since my last best albums of 09 post, but I've been busy. Any-who, number seven on my list, hailing from France, is Phoenix. At first, I didn't get what all the fuss was about. But I listened to the album 4-5 times, and finally it just hit me. This album has it all. The first two tracks, "Lisztomania," and "1901" start the album off on an upbeat, catchy as hell note, letting the listener know their are in for a real treat. I found myself singing, possibly out loud, "Think less but see it grow/like a riot, like riot, oh" many times while talking to and from class. But, as well as these two electro-pop gems, songs like "Love Like a Sunset," are simply beautiful. The song has a slow, xylophone led, build-up, until eventually breaking into a guitar and synth filled climax, and ending with more guitars and vocals from Thomas Mars. The song actually reminds me of a real sunset, as you see the sun slowly setting, until it is gone, and only some fleeting rays remain in the sky, reflected off the clouds. Other highlights include "Rome" and "Fences," though the whole album is amazing. It was nominated for the Best Alternative Music Album for the Grammy's, so hopefully it wins.
I told you something would come up. This spot was originally for the Avett Brothers I and Love and You album, but Animal Collective came out with this EP last week or so, and it is WAY to good for me to keep off the list. (Still check out the AB though, the album is beautiful). Anyways, this album, although only five songs long, is still incredible, right up there with Merriweather Post Pavilion in terms of vocal harmony and musicianship (a bit of foreshadowing there). The opening track "Graze" starts off with a swirl of strings and David Porter and Noah Lennox showcasing their vocal talents. The song builds up steadily with the strings and vocal, eventually exploding into a kind of Peruvian flute masterpiece. "Bleeding"contains the vocal harmonizing and layering which is to be expected from AC. The standout track however, is certainly "What Would I Want Sky", which samples the Grateful Dead's "Unbroken Chain" the first ever licensed Dead sample. Like "Graze" the song requires considerable build up, but boy is it worth it. At about the 3:10 marker, the sample kicks into gear, with Porter singing "Old glasses clinkin/and a new orders blinkin/and I should be floating/but I'm weighted by thinkin." The sample works to perfection with the rest of the song, as well as presenting a more accessible AC. Overall the album is nearly flawless, and it should be interesting to see what 2010 brings for AC.
