HAD's Top Records Of 2009

You didn't think we'd forgotten, did you? Granted, it's New Year's Eve and we're not much for best-of lists. Still, we couldn't help but think that you, dear readers, might just like to know what we had picked as our creme de la creme for the year. So, without further ado, we give you the HAD Best Records of 2009! Happy New Year!

1. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix:
If this entry surprises you, then one of two things is true: either you don't read HAD regularly, or you're just plain not paying attention. We've been drooling over Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix since before it's release, and frankly never stopped. There's no question that 2009 has been Phoenix's year, and we had the pleasure to catch them on the way up. Given that it was three years since their last record, our only disappointment is that we may have to wait just as long for the next one.

2. Kurt Vile – God Is Saying This To You...
Kurt Vile has had a ridiculously prolific year: two full length records and an EP, to be exact. Still, it's this record - the first we heard from Vile - that really stuck with us when push came to shove. God Is Saying This To You... takes hold of all of Vile's strengths, combining them simultaneously into a whole that is greater than its parts. There's atmospheric ambience, pop songwriting, and killer instrumentation. In short, it's a masterpiece that he has yet to best, although we have little doubt that he will.

3. BLK JKS – Mystery EP/After Robots
BLK JKS exploded on our musical consciousness seemingly out of nowhere, offering up a killer blend of sonic influences that is simply unparalleled in the US music scene. Hailing from South Africa, the band has a sound that is unmistakably unique, and moreover, completely exciting. The compositions are loaded with layers of melodies and rhythms, many of which only reveal themselves after repeated listens. We're often searching for sounds that are unfamiliar or unique, and in BLK JKS we found them without question. With the band just having released their first video, we frankly can't wait to see what comes next. (And if you have any question in your mind about what high quality vinyl pressings sound like, pick up the band's Mystery EP. The pressing is a marvel of analog science.)

4. Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca
It goes without saying that Dave Longstreth has been writing some of the most exciting compositions out there for the better part of a decade. Still, 2009 was the year when he took his game to town, and delivered it to the masses. Assembling a ridiculously tight band for both the studio and the road, Longstreth managed to create a body of compositions that somehow fulfill a ridiculous duality. Not only are they some of the most groundbreaking works of the year, but also somehow unfathomably accessible. Listening to the effortless intricacy makes you realize that there are simply some bands that were meant to push the envelope, and that Dirty Projectors are one of them.

5. Japandroids – Post Nothing
Post Nothing fell upon us like an unexpected breath of fresh air. The record is, quite simply, a balls to the wall, blood on the tracks, heart on the sleeve, rock and roll record. Never mind that it's only two dudes making all that noise, or that they employ an amazingly honest DIY work ethic. The fact of the matter is that this record has some of the most heartfelt lyrical content we've heard in a long time, and that friends, is called soul. "Will be find our way back home? I don't know..." Neither do we, but you can bet we'll be glad to have a Japandroids record for the journey.

6. White Rabbits – It’s Frightening
Talking about this record without mentioning its producer is painfully difficult, especially given how much we love the guy. But it's absolutely necessary, because White Rabbits deserve their moment in the spotlight. Not only did the band create this amazing record, but they backed it up with a painfully bulletproof live show that demonstrated their musical prowess without compromise. It's Frightening is the sort of record that will be stuck in your head for days after you've heard it, and that's definitely a good thing.

7. Julian Casablancas – Phrazes For The Young
No, it's not a Strokes record, but we're okay with that. The fact of the matter is that Julian Casablancas the solo artist manages to create a world that he controls completely, and that means that you're seeing his vision to perfection. The end result is an album that is many things at once: controlled but chaotic, dancey but rock-y, angry but laughable, earnest but sly. In short, Casablancas has managed to take his persona and elevate it to another level, with an album to match. Phrazes takes quite a few listens to truly "get", but once you do, it's every bit as rewarding as any offering from Jules so far.

8. Vetiver – Tight Knit
After releasing a covers record, we were kind of secretly wondering if Vetiver had it in them to follow up the stellar To Find Me Gone. Tight Knit answered that question with a resounding yes: the record is packed to the seams with amazing instrumentation, fantastic songwriting, and killer arrangements. What's more, for a band whose strong suit is subtlety, they manage to deliver a rock solid, upbeat live show. In short, Vetiver has clarified that not only are they here to stay, but they're delivering some of the best sounding records around.

9. Fuck Buttons – Tarot Sport
We were sort of lukewarm on Street Horrsing, so we were pretty surprised when Fuck Buttons delivered a record of this caliber. Quite simply, Tarot Sport manages to take electronica to a new place, and it's one that we're quite happy to be. The pair manage to employ a range of synths and samples to create a sound that is immediately accessible and at the same time totally holds its own against some of the best electronic experimentalists today. It's been a long time since we've been completely won over by a record driven by DJ's, but we're happy to say that Tarot Sport delivers.

10. The Takeover UK – Running With The Wasters
What can we say? We're suckers for amazing pop records, and this one is exactly that. Yes, it's an amalgam of influences, but the fact of the matter is that Running With The Wasters is a record of pure garage rock perfection, with a shiny veneer on top of it all. Sure, we know it's not cool to love a record this clean, but that doesn't change the fact that every time we listen to it the melodies are stuck in our head for days afterward. What's more, the band is a sight to see live, and has the chops to deliver exactly what the record promises. Throw it on, sit back, and relax - this record's about as fun as they get.

Well kids, there you have it - our best of 2009! Now we're off to enjoy a snowy New Year's Even in New York, and we hope you're doing the same, wherever you are. See you next year!

Japandroids Played Mercury Lounge - Review, Pictures, Setlist

We've been drooling over Japandroids' record for a while now, so we were psyched when we learned the Vancouverites would be in New York. Last night at Mercury Lounge we caught the duo delivering a scalding hot (and extremely early) show to an enthusiastic crowd. The show had been added after their first date sold out, and judging by the heavy attendance last night, it was the right call.

To call the set frenetic would be an understatement: these guys are a blistering ball of energy that's every bit as loud, exciting, and heart-on-sleeve as the record. What's more, they manage to surpass the energy on the record, which, frankly, we would have thought impossible. To say the least: we likey. Very much.

The band's set, while short due to time constraints, was actually quite diverse. While they could have stuck to the "play the album" formula and made everyone happy, they instead made a concerted effort to mix it up. This included a new track, a cover, and the closing track of the show, which apparently is from a compilation. In short, the band delivered a setlist that was unexpected, which was nice to see when they've got one album to work from. Our only disappointment was the absence of "Wet Hair". It's a fave track on the record, and it was conspicuously absent.

While the show ended at 8:30 PM, we walked away from Mercury Lounge last night not only satisfied with our experience, but also satisfied that Japandroids live up to what's on the record. With such simple tunes and straight ahead production, there was a lot of potential for the live experience (especially from a duo) to be a let down. Last night's show was exactly the opposite: Japandroids delivered in spades. Get out there and see them.

Japandroids Setlist
--
Heart Sweats
Sovereignty
New Song (7" coming this fall, "Here's The Money Back"?)
Rockers East Vancouver
The Boys Are Leaving Town
Cover (McCluskey? To Hell?)
"Stage Jam"
Young Hearts Spark Fire
--
Crazy/Forever
Unknown Track

Many more pictures at the HAD Archive

Japandroids Remaining North American Dates
09/28/2009 Buffalo, NY Big Orbit's Soundlab
09/29/2009 Hamilton, ON Casbah
09/30/2009 Peterborough, ON Montreal House
10/02/2009 Montreal, QC Le Divan Orange (POP Montreal)
10/03/2009 Ottawa, ON Maverick's
10/04/2009 Quebec City, QC Le Cercle
10/05/2009 Boston, MA Great Scott
10/06/2009 Philadelphia, PA The Barbary
10/07/2009 Pittsburgh, PA Garfield Artworks
10/08/2009 Cleveland, OH Now That's Class
10/09/2009 Chicago, IL Schubas
10/13/2009 Dallas, TX The Cavern
10/14/2009 Austin, TX Emo's
10/16/2009 New Orleans, LA One Eyed Jack's
10/17/2009 Atlanta, GA 529
10/18/2009 Chapell Hill, NC Local 506
10/19/2009 Washington, DC Rock and Rock Hotel

Some Tasty Japandroids Video For Your Thursday Morning

The above vid is a tasty little video from the CBC (that's Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, it's like the BBC for Canada) meeting up with Japandroids and shooting the shit. Not only do you get to see the band's rehearsal space (tiny) and hear them talk about their inspirations (Axl, Satan), but you also get to hear their funnily authentic Canadian accents. Well worth a watch.

mp3: Japandroids - The Boys Are Leaving Town

Japandroids: Post Nothing

First, go get a copy of this record. We'll wait.

Back? Turn the volume to ten, and press play. That should be about right.

In short: believe the hype. Japandroids' Post Nothing has been on our "too listen" pile for a while. As it's been sitting there, we've heard a range of opinions from those who thought the band was a mythological creature from Vancouver, to those who thought they were the greatest thing ever, to those who had never heard of them. Put differently, there was such a range of opinions, we had to sit down and listen for ourselves.

When we did, we discovered a record that is everything that we love about rock and roll: crushing guitars, billowing beats, and vocals that cry with passion and agony. It's shocking that a duo can get a sound this big; and it's big in every possible way. It could be described as a sonic assault, and that would get halfway there. But the reality is that there's a solid dose of subtlety as well: the band has mastered dynamics, and knows when to pull back into the quiet moments. Those moments serve not only to underpin their louder ones, but also to show a band that's got a fair bit more going on then the straight ahead post-punk that the album title casually tosses aside.

Thankfully, the band's talents don't stop with sonic excitement: the instrumentals are just one piece of the pie. As we listened to the tunes, we found ourselves continually drawn in by emotionally frank lyrics. There's a degree of the sly humor that defines MGMT, but there's also a fair bit more. It's a level of honest emotion in these lyrics that gives the listener a true sense of youth adrift in the world, and a genuine desire to escape confusion in favor of a carefree clarity that isn't appearing as easily as it should be. All of this combines to give the music a depth and relevance that reveals itself more and more on repeat listens.

If it sounds like we're more than a little eager to dole out praise on this record, then you're getting the idea. From the moment we gave Post Nothing a spin last week, we've been listening to it on repeat, and still haven't tired of it. That just makes us all the more excited that the band is in the midst of a North American tour that will find them in New York next Thursday at Mercury Lounge. We plan on being there, and hope you do to. Meanwhile, satisfy yourselves by listening to this record again, and again, and again. We promise - it'll be well worth your while.

mp3: Japandroids - The Boys Are Leaving Town

Japandroids Fall 2009 Tour Dates

09/16/2009	Urbana, IL	Pygmalion Festival
09/17/2009	Detroit	Magic Stik
09/18/2009	Guelph, ON	Albion
09/19/2009	Toronto, ON	Horseshoe Tavern
09/21/2009	Columbus, OH	The Summit
09/24/2009	New York, NY	Mercury Lounge
09/28/2009	Buffalo, NY	Big Orbit's Soundlab
09/29/2009	Hamilton, ON	Casbah
09/30/2009	Peterborough, ON	Montreal House
10/02/2009	Montreal, QC	Le Divan Orange (POP Montreal)
10/03/2009	Ottawa, ON	Maverick's
10/04/2009	Quebec City, QC	Le Cercle
10/05/2009	Boston, MA	Great Scott
10/06/2009	Philadelphia, PA	The Barbary
10/07/2009	Pittsburgh, PA	Garfield Artworks
10/08/2009	Cleveland, OH	Now That's Class
10/09/2009	Chicago, IL	Schubas
10/13/2009	Dallas, TX	The Cavern
10/14/2009	Austin, TX	Emo's
10/16/2009	New Orleans, LA	One Eyed Jack's
10/17/2009	Atlanta, GA	529
10/18/2009	Chapell Hill, NC	Local 506
10/19/2009	Washington, DC	Rock and Rock Hotel