Best of 2009
Aventura, “The Last”
Two months after its release (June of 2009), Aventura’s “The Last” LP, was certified double platinum and tracks from the album till this day remain on top of the Billboard charts. The Bachata singing group has shattered record sales and is currently selling out venues across the U.S. The songs are beautifully crafted lyrically and musically and songs like “Dile Al Amor” (Tell Love), “Su Veneno” (Her Poison) and “Peligro” (Danger) have cemented their status as Kings of Bachata. There is no doubt that “The Last” is not only one of the best Latin albums of 2009 but also one of the best across genres. Bravo, Aventura, bravo.
Corn Mo’s .357 Lover, “Diorama of The Golden Lion”
Corn Mo’s “Diorama of The Golden Lion” is one off the quirkiest, epic sounding albums I’ve listened to in a long time. This album has stadium rock written all over it and I couldn’t help be reminded of Queen and the Hedwig and the Angry Inch soundtrack while listening to them but with a fresh twist. From tracks like “Event Horizon” to “German Lady Special” and then to “Maybe Tonite” the album is just hit after hit of rock-opera goodness. Expect great things from Corn Mo’s .357 Lover.
Electric Valentine, “Automatic”
Within seconds of Electric Valentine’s lead off track “Body To Body” I knew this duo had something special. The track, “Body To Body,” like the rest of the album makes you want to get up and dance. The 13-track dance album is so infectious that the duo should have called it “13 Reasons why this album will rock” each track symbolizing a different reason. Stand out tracks: “Automatic,” “Body To Body,” “Beat Drop” and “Faster.”
Elizabeth & The Catapult, “Taller Children”
In Elizabeth & The Catapult’s opening track “Momma’s Boy” off their release “Taller Children” Elizabeth sings, “If you want a girl to be your mother go find another, go find another one. You only call me when your life’s going under, I’m not just a cover, not just a cover up. But you’re a grown boy, a grown boy, don’t expect the world to clean up for you cause they don’t have to, don’t expect the stars to line up or shine right past you. You seem to think you’ll always get exactly what you ask for but I’m not your mother.” The album’s theme is clear, “we’re all just taller children in the end.” The album is a delight to listen to and is currently on heavy rotation on my ipod. Stand out tracks: “Taller Children,” “Race You” and “Momma’s Boy.”
Kathy Griffin, “Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin” (Audiobook)
Had I actually read the book version of comedian Kathy Griffin’s memoir “Official Book Club Selection” I would have called it a page turner but since I’m too lazy to read most books I downloaded (I purchased it people don’t get your panties in a bunch) the audiobook version and man am I glad I did. Since she’s a comic and we’re use to hearing her perform it was refreshing to hear her actual voice narrate tales from her early childhood as well as her ups and downs in Hollywood. The comic is brutally honest about her family and numerous plastic surgeries. The audiobook plays out like a performance or a one woman show. Sadly we miss out on the visual aids that the book comes with; I’ve heard her book comes with great photos including ones of her old nose as well as her new one. Kathy Griffin’s “Official Book Club Selection” is not for the faint of heart, it will definitely have you laughing, gasping or thinking, “Oh no she didn’t” so please don’t listen to it on the subway cause people will definitely be staring.
Kiss, “Sonic Boom”
Sonic Boom marks Kiss’ first release in 11 years. The album was released on October 6th and has a lot of that energy and sing-along ability that only Kiss can deliver. The 11-track album was produced by the band’s Paul Stanley in Los Angeles and among favorites is the track “Russian Roulette” whose guitar riffs and infectious chorus had me singing along “ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah” for days. Other killer tracks include: “Never Enough,” “Yes I know (Nobody’s Perfect),” “When Lightening Strikes” and “Say Yeah.” The album undoubtedly will have you screaming “Oh yeah!”
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, “Kitty, Daisy & Lewis”
Their influences range between R&B, swing, jump blues, country and Western, blues, Hawaiian and rock n roll and all of these influences can be heard on the trio Kitty, Daisy & Lewis self-titled US debut album. Their cover of “Going Up The Country” is irresistible as are tracks, “Honolulu Rock-A-Roll-A,” “I Got My Mojo Working” and “Ooo Wee.”
KristeenYoung, “Music for Strippers, Hookers and the Odd On-Looker”
The title alone put a smile on my face, KristeenYoung’s upcoming release “Music for Strippers, Hookers and the Odd On-Looker” is uniquely guitar-less and fully piano-based. The 14-track musical odyssey oozes raw emotions backed by Kristeen’s powerhouse pipes and pounding of the piano keys. The album aims to put piano-rock back on the map and it does. Among favorites are: “You Must Love Me,” “Everyone Wants Me To Cry,” “Stop Thinking,” and “That’s What It Takes, Dear” a duet with Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump.
Lady GaGa, “The Fame Monster”
Released as a 2 Disc re-release containing 8 new tracks Lady GaGa’s “The Fame Monster” is a reboot of her debut album “The Fame” which was an incredible album to begin with and catapulted GaGa to the mainstream with hits like “Just Dance,” “Poker Face” and “Love Game” now this new release features some of the most electrifying tunes in pop music today including the uber catchy “Bad Romance,” power ballad “Speechless” and delectable “Monster.” Lady GaGa is an unstoppable force that with her songwriting ability and show stopping appearance alone should withstand the test of time.
My Cousin, The Emperor, “A Long Way From Home”
My Cousin, The Emperor’s debut album has southern written all over it. The opening track, which is bears the album’s title, “A Long Way From Home” is downright fun to listen to. The guitars have a certain twang that gives you the sudden urge to hike up your cowboy boots, dust off your cowboy hat and button up your plaid shirt. It’s clearly a country album but with a hint of Blues, which is exactly what these Brooklyn-based young men are trying to create a blend of “Country R&B.” Standout Tracks: “Montevideo,” “Vanity on Decline” and “A Long Way From Home”
Rihanna, “Rated R”
Although released late in the year Rihanna’s “Rated R” made enough of an impact to make its way onto our Best of 2009 List and here’s why: Rihanna beckons listeners “To come on in” on intro track “Mad House” the sound is darker and the organs give a spooky element to the track, “to those of you who are easily frightened we suggest you turn away now. To those of you, who think you can take it we say welcome to the Mad House,” states a sinister male voice before Rihanna croons, “Come on, come on in.” The track is followed by “Wait Your Turn” where the songstress sings, “Sometimes it takes a thousands tries to win, the wait is over.” Not only is she declaring her return to the music scene but she’s acknowledging the turbulent year she’s had. It’s hard to separate the darker moodier tracks and honest lyrics with the headlines that rocked the singer’s life. On track “Stupid in Love” she sings, “My new nickname is you idiot, that’s what my friends call me when they see me yelling into my phone. They telling me “let go he is not the one.” I thought I saw your potential guess that’s what made me dumb. “Rated R” is a blend of confessional, dark and even hopeful lyrics. So don’t worry about Rihanna she’ll be just fine cause “Baby [she's] a rock star!” Key tracks: “Rock Star,” “Stupid in Love,” “Wait Your Turn” and “Fire Bomb.”
The Lonely Island, “Incredibad”
The Lonely Island’s debut album, “Incredibad,” is comedic gold. Featuring hits like “Dick in a Box,” “Jizz in My Pants” and “I’m on a Boat” (all featured at one point as SNL digital shorts) has paved the way for this trio to really shine. Aside from the lyrics being laugh out loud funny, (You can’t help but sing along to some of the most absurd lyrics, “I gotta vendetta, it’s against your jeans/Gonna put my knuckles up against the seams/They can be on your legs or on the clothesline/But when I see the zipper and cloth, it’s go time!/ And I’m zeroed in, I got the tunnel vision/ Gonna cover you in shit like a ton of pigeons/ Man I hate your jeans, I’m gonna bruise that denim/ It really doesn’t matter as long as you’re in em/ yo we’ll punch your jeans, we’ve said it before/ best believe this is not a metaphor/ Better watch your back, cuz we’re on the creep/ And we won’t stop till your jeans are six feet deep!”) the songs are well crafted, their hooks are catchy, upbeat and fun. The reason why the album works is because the artists don’t take themselves too seriously. They may be serious in making the music work and the personas they take on in the tracks are serious or “as real as it gets” but they know their audience and play to them well. The album features cameos from Jack Black (“Sax Man”), Natalie Portman (who rapped in her now famous SNL digital short titled “Natalie’s Rap” the rap where she claims she, “don’t sleep motherfucker off that Yak and the durbnin’/ Doin’ 120 getting head while [she's] swerving) and Norah Jones (“Dreamgirl”) among others. Stand out tracks: “Boombox,” “Like A Boss,” “Punch You In The Jeans,” “Santana DVX” and “Who said We’re Wack?”
