Published at 7:00 AM on June 27, 2009

By Austin L. Ray

Best Music of 2009 (So Far): Austin L. Ray, Web Editor

List of the Day

To celebrate the half-way point of 2009, this week Paste staffers are counting down their favorite albums and songs of the year (so far). Check out all of our lists here, and share your own favorites in the comments.

There are more than a few things I'm not proud to say I've yet to put my ears on this year. Mos Def, I'm looking in your direction. People are telling me you're back. That you quit messing around and remembered what you're good at. They say Madlib helped. I'm looking forward to it. Elsewhere, there are so many hyped-up albums I just don't get. Grizzly Bear, you take the cake in this category, I'm afraid. Your live presence has, well, livened, I think, but your records still leave me cold. Bat for Lashes, Wavves: I tried. Really, I did. Other records still, I can feel bubbling up. St. Vincent, J Dilla: I'm willing to bet we'll be seeing each other at the end of the year.

I could go on and on, but (thankfully, for your sake, dear reader), I won't. Let's focus on the good of right now. It's been a half year of scrappy garage tracks, sexy beats and occasional country croons for yours truly. A half year of cover songs and punk rock, though usually not at the same time. A half year of seven inches. It's been a good half year. Look:

Albums

1. Mika Miko - We Be Xuxa

2. Junior Boys - Begone Dull Care

3. Zero Boys - Vicious Circle

4. Phosphorescent - To Willie

5. Jay Reatard - Watch Me Fall

6. Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele - The Good Feeling Music of...

7. The Strange Boys - And Girls Club

8. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca

9. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Beware

10. Condo Fucks - Fuckbook

Songs

1. Animal Collective - "My Girls"

2. Soulja Boy - "Turn My Swag On"

3. Mika Miko - "Sex Jazz"

4. Stolen Hearts - "Heart Collector"

5. Phoenix - "Lisztomania"

6. Black Lips - "Drugs"

7. Cam'ron - "Never Ever"

8. GG King - "Adult Rock"

9. Dirty Projectors - "Stillness is the Move"

10. Black Mountain - "Lucy Brown" (Update: An intrepid reader pointed me to a download at this link. Thanks, Adam!)

List of the Day

Best Music of 2009 (So Far): Steve LaBate, Associate Editor

List of the Day

Seven Great Websites for Out-Of-Context Concerts

9 Comments

Click to leave a comment.

By David on June 28, 2009

Not my favorite list by any measure -- but you do have a band on their I've yet to listen to: Mika Miko. I hear ya on the Grizzly Bear. Except, just over the last couple fo week I put their newest album on -- with a giant high end pair of old-school headphones, at night, and really listened. I started to enjoy it -- a lot now. As for St. Vincent ... well, that album ... I can't see how anyone can't love it on first listen. It's pretty darn good. Thanks for the "best of" lists ... These things are great to read and fun to bitch and moan about.

By so on June 28, 2009

so you don't like grizzly bear. It's OK

Personally I haven't heard an album as fresh as theirs in ages, but to others they want some Junior Boy sand Jay Reatard. It happens. all the time.

By caren on June 28, 2009

"Lisztomania"! Finally!

By ultradamno on June 29, 2009

My list so far

JG Thirlwell - Venture Bros. OST
Emmy The Great - "First Love"
Dengue Fever - "Sleepwalking Through The Mekong" OST
Those Darlins
Serge Gainsbourg - "...Melody Nelson"
King Khan & The Shrines - "What Is?!"
The Bats - "The Guilty Office"
Neko Case - "Middle Cyclone"
Seppuku Paradigm - "Martyrs" OST
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "It's Blitz"

By KRM on June 29, 2009

Not moved by Veckatimest?? Then you need the paddles, boy. I agree that some of the hipper, more adventurous musical stuff can leave one cold and can be somewhat soul-less, but not this one. Good golly.

By firewhale on June 29, 2009

Thanks much for the Black Mountain link. I had missed any mention of this so this is a real treat.

By Valerie Paschall on July 9, 2009

I'm with you on Grizzly Bear, Austin. Although their live show is impeccable, Veckatimest puts me to sleep. Also, completely forgot that Mika Miko released something this year. Getting on finding that, now. Also glad to finally see someone mention St. Vincent and show some love to the DIrty Projectors.

By dave on August 6, 2009

soulja boy? no, really.. soulja boy? you've got to be kidding me.. of all the hip hop out there and you choose this kid who desecrates the genre.. honestly, i realize paste may concentrate on folk/indie a lot but good lord pick a decent rapper for once.. i honestly stopped reading your list once i saw that.. no respect.

By Schyler on September 21, 2009

What about Sleepy Sun or Pink Mountaintops?