411's Best Albums of 2009: Part 2, #30-16

Posted by Brian Berry on 12.22.2009

411's Music writers unveil more of their favorite albums as we get closer to the #1 album as voted on by the staff. Check to see if your favorite albums made it on our list of 2009's Best Albums!

We're back with the bridesmaids to our Top 15, #'s 30-16. We've already seen many album of the year contenders show up (Click here for Part 1), including Bruce Springsteen, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Grizzly Bear. You'll be able to cross a line through many of your other guesses for the top of our list today. Our eclectic tastes reflect on this list as the best in alternative, hip-hop, metal and indie duke it out for the top spot…

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#30	Method Man & Redman Blackout! 2
		Chart History: Released May 19 #7 Billboard 200 Singles "A Yo" (#38 Hot 100, #13 R&B/Hip-Hop, #11 Rap) "City Lights" "Mrs. International"
" In the mid-to-late 90's, Wu-Tang's Method Man and Def Squad's Redman were on top of the world. They were making hit records, guesting on other people's singles, and starring in movies and TV commercials. Of course, that was before the abysmal failure of their sitcom sent them straight to irrelevancy. The both of them have continued to crawl back since, and albums like this show that they're moving back in the right direction." - Phil Watts Jr. "Many fans fondly remember the original Blackout! album for its smoked-out feel and the union of two of the most distinct voices in the hip-hop game. The sequel, 10 years in the making, lives up to the namesake of the original and is some of the best work both men have done in years. With an interesting blend of funk and gritty New York style beats, the album sounded exactly like a combination of the two MCs favored styles in the early days of their careers. Not to mention the duo, both approaching 40, sounded just as fresh and confident on the mic as they did back in the 90s. Whilst they may not be as aggressive as they once were, I feel that their more relaxed approach largely mirrors their status in the hip-hop game today – icons who aren't out to prove anything and are there to have fun. For those who feel the current hip-hop scene is stale, check out this album for a breath of fresh air (ironically largely inspired by the fact that it is a throwback to the 90s sound)." - Patrick Robinson

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#29	Monsters of Folk Monsters of Folk
		Chart History: Released September 22 #15 Billboard 200
"Monsters Of Folk: The indie music version of the Traveling Wilburys had the pedigree, but supergroups often trip up on their pedigree and slay themselves on their artistic differences. Luckily, the guys didn't try to outshine one another, but instead formed a geniune band, where everyone had their proper musical place. Songs like "Say Please" and "The Right Place" are so Beatle-esque that they could pass for Fab Four outakes, to say nothing of pure pop-folk masterpieces like "Map Of The World" and "Man Named Truth." " - Paul Hollingsworth " I suggest you look past the cloying in-joke of a name, lest you miss this amazing collaborative work from Conor Oberst, M. Ward, Jim James and Mike Mogis. Each artist has so much talent individually that they could create a Top 30 album by accident and even the less standout tracks here are strong. Liberated from the expectations of their main projects, each artist takes full advantage of their freedom, resulting in some unexpected tracks like the sexy R&B groove of the album opening "Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)." More typical tracks like "Baby Boomer" recall the sloppy fun of supergroup forefather The Travelling Wilburys. The melancholy "Sandman, the Brakeman and Me" is another highlight." - Michael James

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#28	Green Day 21st Century Breakdown
		Chart History: Released May 15 #1 Billboard 200 #1 UK Singles "Know Your Enemy" (#28 Hot 100, #1 Alternative, #1 Rock, #21 UK) "21 Guns" (#22 Hot 100, #3 Alternative, #5 Rock, #36 UK) "East Jesus Nowhere" (#18 Alternative, #24 Rock) "21st Century Breakdown"
"After the political outrage vented on American Idiot, it was interesting to see how Green Day would react to the post-Bush world, having only newly hung their hat on being a punk protest band. Turns out having a new guy in office didn't do much to calm these guys down. 21st Century Breakdown is another blistering and enjoyable concept album, which Green Day has now proven twice doesn't have to mean you can't have good individual songs. Another homerun for the "serious" Green Day." - Mitch Michaels "A lot of people have given this record a lot of stink because of its similarities with 2004's American Idiot, but personally I don't see that as a bad thing. The album is packed with great songs and whilst it does admittedly drag at times, there are moments here that are a treat to behold. Tracks like "21stCentury Breakdown," "Christian's Inferno," "East Jesus Nowhere" and "21 Guns" are just pure gems and while there are unquestionably similarities between this and the band's previous record, I think that the band took the best parts of American Idiot and brought them to this album, where they then proceeded to turn the volume and make everything bigger and better." - Daniel Wilcox

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#27	Depeche Mode Sounds of the Universe
		Chart History: Released April 7 #3 Billboard 200 #2 UK Singles "Wrong" (#24 UK, #1 Dance, #12 Rock) "Peace" (#57 UK) "Perfect" (#1 Dance)
" Depeche Mode sped things up a little from 2005's Playing The Angel and also gave full vent to seemingly every electronic means of making music they could get their hands on. In the wrong hands, this sort of thing sounds like Lady GaGa. However, saying it's in the right hands with Depeche Mode is like saying the Batman franchise is in the right hands with Christopher Nolan, while GaGa and others (save for MGMT) employing this sound now would be the figurative Joel Schumacher. The comparison is easy to make - many newer acts that delve in electronic music now is all style and no substance, while Depeche Mode continue to know and employ songcraft and well-written lyrics to generate an emotional response. Sounds Of The Universe is more of the same from Depeche Mode - and those that try using electronic to sound fashionable could stand to take notes." - Michael Melchor "From its eerie intro to the pounding dark industrial groove of its last song, Sounds Of The Universe is a captivating album loaded with cutting edge, dark electronic songs that will take you on the emotional rollercoaster ride of your life. Martin Gore proves once again that he is a master of dark poetry as he paints vivid pictures of love, lust, temptation, frustration, and surrender. The opening track "In Chains" details the pleasure of worshipping a loved one as a submissive captive. "Corrupt," featured in a promotional video for the season two finale of HBO's True Blood, brags wickedly of the power to lure, defile, and emotionally trap a sweet, naive temptress. "Peace" preaches the earnest effort to begin living life with an optimistic attitude, but is contrasted heavily by a dark shadow of doubt created by the eerie tone of the track's music and vocal harmonies. "Wrong" is a haunting anthem for the misled, misguided, unwanted, and rejected souls who have been made to feel that everything they've done or ever will do is reprehensible. Lead vocalist Dave Gahan not only lends his amazing vocals to Gore's brooding lyrics, but has also contributed three excellent songs to the project as well. One such track is "Hole to Feed," a song that exposes an insatiable desire to fill a self-created, imaginary emotional void over a soundtrack of exceptional electronica, pounding percussion, and interesting rock elements. Sounds of the Universe is a fantastic collection of powerful songs that fully engages the listener using provocative lyrical themes, innovative electronic music, and haunting vocal harmonies. It will make you feel lost, excited, helpless, and intrigued every time you listen to it. Don't let 2009 end without experiencing it." - Mark Ingoldsby

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#26	Atlas Sound Logos
		Chart History: Released November 7 #182 Billboard 200 Singles "Walkabout"
" Raw and captivating, Logos is the second album from Atlas Sound, the solo incarnation of Deerhunter frontman, blogger, and all-around music aficionado Bradford Cox. Just like with the best Deerhunter work (namely last year's Microcastle, this album excels in quirky and experimental pop with Cox exploring different sounds and ideas; you get the idea he's trying out something different just for the hell of it, but the great thing is he ends up with an album full of intriguing songs. Best among them are "Quick Canal," which features Stereolab's Laetitia Sadier, and the album's standout "Walkabout." Teaming with Animal Collective's Panda Bear, "Walkabout" is a bit of sunny pop music that emerges out of the haze that is the rest of Logos. But even in that haze, it's clear the Cox knows what he's doing even if he's still experimenting. " - Andrew Moll "Brandon Cox is one of the most talented musicians recording music today, whether with his proper band, Deerhunter, or this, his solo side project. Cox is full of intoxicating, liberating energy, and that energy is extremely contagious. Very few records released in the last year have felt as alive or as vibrant. " - Paul Hollingsworth

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#25	Heaven & Hell The Devil You Know
		Chart History: Released April 28 #8 Billboard 200 #21 UK Singles "Bible Black"
" The last album Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Vinny Appice recorded together, Dehumanizer, was decent, but definitely a little underwhelming. For their first studio album in 17 years, the foursome slowed the pace down to craft some old-fashioned doom metal. There are a few fast numbers sprinkled around ("Eating The Cannibals"), but the band is much more calculating in their sonic attack. Dio has never sounded better, Iommi still plays guitar 95% more than everybody else, and Butler/Appice is the ever-reliable rhythm duo. "Bible Black" is one of my favorite songs of the year and closer "Breaking Into Heaven" is the definition of ‘epic'." -Dan Mariscano "It's kind of amazing that anyone outside the metal world could get worked into a frenzy at a new album by Black Sabbath that didn't include Ozzy, but Dio and the guys did it. First they went on the road, then they issued that Dio Years Sabbath album - all a way of reminding us that they didn't need the Prince of Darkness up front all the time to make great music. Was it a clever marketing ploy or just the natural progression? Hard to say, but either way, the aging rockers delivered with one of the toughest metal albums of the decade. Ronnie James Dio's vocals continue to astound, even in his later years, and what can you say about Iommi and Butler that hasn't been said? Are The Tony Martin Years far behind?" - Mitch Michaels

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#24	Bat For Lashes Two Suns
		Chart History: Released April 6 #141 Billboard 200 #5 UK Singles "Daniel" (#36 UK) "Pearl's Dream" (#173 UK) "Sleep Alone"
" Fans of Kate Bush and Bjork take notice: Natasha Khan (aka Bat For Lashes) is the best thing going in moody, avant-pop today. Her 2nd album feels like a numbing walk through a neon lit cemetery, with her breathy, reverb laden vocals and use of synthesizers and strings as the centerpieces to guide the tour. Two Suns is chilling from beginning to end. No doubt about it, Khan has emerged as one of the more evocative songwriters this year with a haunting batch of bittersweet mood tracks, especially "Sleep Alone", "Daniel" and "The Big Sleep" (featuring underground musician Scott Walker)." -Brian Berry "It hasn't taken long for this English-Pakistani solo artist to really take off. Yes, Natasha Khan IS "Bat For Lashes". Up until recently I just assumed it was the name for a band. I heard "Daniel" in passing and it caught my ears. BFL has a beautiful voice that could sing you to sleep, but is haunting enough to give you uncomfortable dreams. Any dark electro song about Daniel [LaRusso]from The Karate Kid is cool in my book, but her voice stabs at your core in "Sleep Alone". This album has proven to be pretty successful via sales and reviews. It's only a matter of time before Bat For Lashes drones her way into the hearts of everyone. Well, at least everyone who shops at Hot Topic." - Mikey Migo

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#23	Flaming Lips Embryonic
		Chart History: Released October 13 #8 Billboard 200 Singles "See The Leaves"
"While this certainly isn't an album that everyone can get into, if you get it, you'll realize its genius. It takes psychedelic space-rock to a whole new level, its multi-layered instrumentation making for a complete and utter mind-fuck of music. Embryonic comes fully recommended and cements The Flaming Lips as a truly iconic band in alternative rock. " -Daniel Wilcox "I'm not sure how Wayne Cone translates his view of the world into such amazing songs, but I hope his powers of alchemy aren't exhausted anytime soon. Few bands last long enough to move from one period of their careers to the next, and rarer still is an album which takes the listener by the hand as the band moves forward. This album is not so much a step forward as a leap, and that leap resulted in some of the best work of The Lips' career." - Paul Hollingsworth

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#22	Dethklok Dethalbum II
		Chart History: Released September 29 #15 Billboard 200
" I have to take a moment here to quote my seldom partner-in-crime (something we need to fix) Ben Czajkowski from his review of this piece: With this album, Dethklok proves that they are not a fictional band anymore, if they ever were to begin with...they have evolved into something well beyond that. Dethklok, as a musical unit, has gone from a extended marketing plan for a popular cartoon to a raging, violent metal standard that can no longer be denied. Dethalbum II isn't a gag or a fluke - it's a sadistic, non-stop mugging that leaves ears bleeding and bodies in pieces. That this is the work of only two men - Gene Hoglan (Fear Factory, Strapping Young Lad) on drums and series creator Brendon Small (on everything else) - is absolutely amazing." -Michael Melchor "I've spoken volumes for this album since its release earlier this year. And my opinion hasn't changed since. With this black diamond, Brendon Small has nothing left to prove about his "cartoon band". Dethklok is now a real band, and this album blows most of the rest of these albums out of the water with a hatred-powered bomb. It's almost one hour of some of the most brutally eviscerating lyrics and instrumentals to ever be recorded. If you're looking to give a family member, friend, or coworker the gift of hate this year, make it Dethalbum II." -Ben Czajkowski

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#21	Dream Theater Black Clouds and Silver Linings
		Chart History: Released June 23 #6 Billboard 200 #23 UK Albums Chart Singles "A Rite Of Passage"
"Has Dream Theater put out stronger albums than Black Clouds And Silver Linings? Sure they have. Not by much, mind you, but it still feels like they've almost gotten comfortable and complacent being the most technically proficient band on earth. While last year's Systematic Chaos and a couple others in their catalog could top this one, not many rock albums out there - in any year - could do the same. Dream Theater getting "comfortable" after 20 years sounds a hell of a lot better than many others who have not been at this as long - and even better than some who have been at this much longer. " - Michael Melchor "The main problem with Dream Theater is that their flawless instrumental execution distracts both haters and fans. Haters think instrumental indulgence is all the band focuses on, and fans drooling all over John Petrucci's guitar skills and Mike Portnoy's hyperactive drumming may forget to pay attention to the rest of what's going on in the music. Black Clouds and Silver Linings is testament to the ever-improving craft the band has worked so hard to maintain. Not only are the obvious flashes of instrumental wizardry stunning, but the melodies and riffs on display are monumental, breathtaking architectural feats of progressive devotion. Add to that an epic scope in storytelling and you have a collection of songs with more than enough beef for your ears and mind to savor. A true aural feast served on a silver platter." -Aaron Mayagoitia

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#20	The Horrors Primary Colours
		Chart History: Released May 30 #25 UK Singles "Sea Within A Sea" "Who Can Say" "Whole New Way"
"Since its release this summer, I was certain that Primary Colours was the record of the year…and it is. Forget where this album is on our list, this is, unequivocally, the best release of 2009…by miles. My love for this album is so intense that I threatened to quit the 411 staff if it didn't end up in our top 50. This is the consummation of everything indie rock has ever attempted as a genre, finally condensed into one piece of absolute perfection. Primary Colours recalls - and somehow ends up better than - scores of records that came before it; records by bands like Echo and The Bunnymen, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and every half-assed indie group to fall by the wayside in recent years. I have never struggled to do a write-up on an album as much as I have with this one, because it is so hard to sum up complete satisfaction in pages worth of writing, let alone a single paragraph. This is a shimmering, haunting piece of art (and it is art), and it is better than your favorite record." - Mac Scarle "It takes a brave band to name themselves The Horrors, and it takes an even braver band to abandon the goth-punk novelty act status of their debut and move toward a more arty-psychodelic rock sound. That second decision resulted in the most suprising album of the year and the knowledge that even in a post-post everything musical world, straight ahead rock will always have a place and always find an audience." - Paul Hollingsworth

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#19	Phoenix Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
		Chart History: Released May 26 #37 Billboard 200 Singles "1901" (#87 Hot 100, #5 Rock) "Lisztomania"
" It wouldn't be surprising if "1901," an infectious surefire hit overshadowed the rest of Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix but thankfully that isn't the case. Phoenix's fourth album contains nine other songs that are equally danceable and full of hooks, from the great opener "Lisztomania" to the thrilling "Countdown," where singer Thomas Mars proclaims "We are the lonesome!" If that's the case then at least we all have a great album to play together while being lonesome. The songs on Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix are so immediate that you'll find yourself humming them before they're even over; the choruses are so perfect and each instrument has such sheen to it that you'll be replaying this album for years to come to sit back and enjoy or get up and dance to. "1901" may have brought Phoenix to the big time, but Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix proves that they have more than just one great song up their sleeve, no matter how great that song is. " - Andrew Moll "The term "pop music" makes no sense as a denotation of genre. People complain about indie all the time, but pop manages to fly by under the radar in terms of genres that make no sense. Not that any do, I guess. But the point is, pop is short for popular. Music made for the masses to take in and love due to its simple, usually stupid (I mean that in a benevolent way) sounds and words. But sometimes along comes a sound that is, without question, pop, that somehow eludes mainstream domination. Such is Phoenix. Arena synths, bouncy keys, catchy choruses...this is pop music at its core. Throw in the fact that it does it better than anything that does rock the charts, and you really have to wonder why this doesn't. It must be the classical music jokes. Oh well, here's hoping Phoenixmania comes next. " - Lucas Wesley

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#18	The Lonely Island Incredibad
		Chart History: Released February 10 #13 Billboard 200 Singles "Dick In A Box" "Jizz In My Pants" (#72 Hot 100) "I'm On A Boat" feat. T-Pain (#56 Hot 100) "Like A Boss"
" I've been a fan of Andy Samberg since pretty much everyone else. It was that witty and too catchy for its own good "Lazy Sunday" that did it. Since then, we've had "Natalie Portman's Rap", "Dick In A Box", "Jizz In My Pants", and other musical sketches that have pretty much egged the house of pop culture relevance. All four of the songs I mentioned are on the debut album "Incredibad" by The Lonely Island crew and then "some" (by "some", I mean "like fifteen"). "I'm On a Boat", "Like A Boss", "We Like Sportz", "Ras Trent", "Space Olympics", and so many other fun tracks make this really easy to keep listening to. Most of the time a comedy album like this is purely novelty, but in this case it's pretty damn good. The music is pretty good, but the wit of the album is within the lyrics. I've not enjoyed a musical comedy album this much since Adam Sandlar's old classics like "Piece of Shit Car" and "Hanukah Song". One can only hope this is the first of many albums by the Lonely Island trio. " - Mikey Migo "My girlfriend and I went on vacation to California this summer. After spending 3 days in San Fran, we rented a car and did a weekend circuit all the way up north through the Napa Valley and the Redwood forests to Eureka; then, we cruised down the coastline back to San Fran. I had burned several CDs for the rental car, but my two metal mixes and one hip-hop mix didn't burn right and were un-listenable. So, we ended up just listening to Incredibad like, 5-6 times through on that road trip. The album reeks of hilarity on SNL classics such as "Dick in a Box" and "Jizz in My Pants;" there's also some great lesser-known ones like "Santana DVX" (a song about Santana's dope-ass champagne) and "We Like Sportz" (a song that reminds me of people I know who take sports way too seriously). Plus, the production value and (at times) wittiness of the lyrics really come out and surprise you, being way better than they should be." - Aaron Titan

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#17	Lamb of God Wrath
		Chart History: Released February 23 #2 Billboard 200 #25 UK
"Lamb Of God continued to grow their sound to favorable result while staking their claim as the second coming of Pantera. Wrath starts with an instrumental intro, "The Passing", that's more mellow than what fans are used to. And then the pleasantries end there, as Blythe, Morton, Campbell, and the brothers Adler immediately go back to the business of beating listeners senseless. Relentless drums, a barrage of guitars, a rhythm section tight enough to turn coal to diamond, and a voice that could scare most MMA fighters - all working in unison and precision in brutal, technical brilliance. Wrath may not get the attention or acclaim of albums such as Ashes of The Wake or Sacrament, but it quietly adds to Lamb Of God's resume of metal dominance." -Michael Melchor "I really wouldn't have envied Lamb of God as they entered the studio to record the follow-up to 2006's Sacrament. It was their most critically-acclaimed, well-received, and accessible album to date and they had a lot at stake figuring out how to record their fifth album and widen their fan base even more. Really, they could have brought Machine in to produce for them for a third time in a row and went with the super-produced route once again, but fuck that (no offense to Machine and his obvious talents in the studio). Lamb of God decided to make one of the heaviest-sounding, ferocious albums of 2009. This album starts out ascending the tracks with the eclectic "The Passing" and then drops with a bang on "In Your Words." Other tracks that really stand out – though the whole album is extremely amazing – are "Set To Fail," "Contractor" (my personal favorite song of 2009), "Dead Seeds," and the epic 7-minute "Reclamation," which is what I feel Satan would blast in hell once his armies have taken you there and eaten your heart whilst jamming "Omerta" from Ashes of the Wake. Also, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler truly shine on this album, while it's usually Chris Adler's drumming that's at the forefront of Lamb of God talk, though he's never been a slouch at all. Great metal album for any metalhead! Nuff' said! " - Aaron Titan

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#16	Dinosaur Jr. Farm
		Chart History: Released June 23 #29 Billboard 200 Singles "Over It" "Pieces"
" Hooray for the return of navel-gazing! Dinosaur Jr. - in their original, proper lineup of J Mascis, Lou Barlow, and Murph - stayed together to record a how-to manual on being the best power trio since Cream. (Kurt Cobain was way too serious and self-absorbed for Nirvana to have earned that distinction, in case you're asking.) Farm takes it back to the days of Where You Been with a heavier sound that's still accessible because of addictive hooks and melodies that nest in the brain for days at a time. Dinosaur Jr. still sound sludgy like an '89 Jeep Cherokee in dire need of an oil change, but the clarity of their sound and talent still manages to shine through. If this what a Mascis/Barlow reunion is about, they should have done this long before now." - Michael Melchor "What can I say about this album? It's awesome. It's full of blissful, unforgettable moments that'll stick to your brain like hot wax. The emotional charge of J Mascis' wailing guitar may be the album's fuel, but the chemistry bassist Lou Barlow and drummer Murph provide are what makes the mix ignite. A lot of great albums came out in 2009, but only a few were as special as Farm. Get a hold of it any way you can." -Aaron Mayagoitia

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Tomorrow we will unveil our #15-1. With powerhouses like Phoenix, Green Day, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs out of the way, who will claim the #1 spot on our list? Check back to find out!

Voting panel: Brian Berry, Chris Crowing, Ben Czajkoswki, Dan Haggerty, Paul Hollingswoth, Mark Ingoldsby, Michael James, Dan Mariscano, Aaron Mayagoitia, Alistair McGeorge, Michael Melchor, Mitch Michaels, Mikey Migo, Jeff Modzelewski, Andrew Moll, Fred Richani, Patrick Robinson, Mac Scarle, Paul Schofield, Marshall Slayton, Aaron Titan, Phil Watts Jr., Lucas Wesley, Daniel Wilcox, and Ian Wright.