2009 New Music Sampler

Below are 5 choice tracks from my 5 favorite records of 2009.

1. Mother Hips - Third Floor Story
This is one of those Hips songs that's been around a while and finally made it onto a record. Maybe someday "Mountain Time" will make it into the studio?

2. Danny Barnes - Pizza Box
I really love this album and I almost feel like I'm a part of it. (hey, my name is in the credits!) Nearly every tune has been a favorite sometime during the past several months but "Bone" is a great example of Barnes' sonic vision and amazing songwriting.

3. The Heavy - The House That Dirt Built
Their first album is one of my favorites from the decade. This second release is extremely well crafted... every song on it stands out on it's own. How long before everyone is the world is listening to these guys from the UK? It's soulful and indeed HEAVY. "Love Like That" is my personal favorite track from Dirt.

4. Flaming Lips - Embryonic
A lot of newbie Lips fans who loved their recent "pop" albums are scratching their heads. This record is trippy and weird, just how we love them. The first few times through, you almost think the entire record is a variation of 2 songs... but keep listening and the tunes really open up. This selection "Powerless" is the centerpiece of the record. Interestingly, what I believe to be the BEST stand-alone song on Embryonic is only available on the Amazon mp3 download version - "Anything You See Now - I Believe You."

5. Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
This band's incarnation came right from my own rock-n-roll fantasy. The record is BADASS!! It rocks so hard it can be exhausting. "Scumbag Blues" is one of many favorites --- they are all favorites --- but this track features a signature John Paul Jones keyboard solo that fans of Led Zep's Physical Graffiti will appreciate. If you aren't listening to TCV, you've gone soft and that's all there is to it. Don't go soft... get crooked.