The Scenestar

The Scenestar’s Top Albums & Shows of 2009

It’s the end of the year, which for The Scenestar means it’s time to look back at what made us move to the groove in 2009. With such a diverse group here at The Scenestar, those of us who were brave enough decided to make lists of our favorite albums, shows, photos and songs of 2009 for you to dissect and evaluate at your leisure!

The end of the year also means it’s time for The Scenestar to thank YOU the reader for motivating us to bring you the music news that gets you out to your favorite record store or iTunes to scoop up some new music or go see a band we recommend. We believe that through music, we can connect as a city and also as friends. We hope you enjoy reading our lists, and Happy New Year from your friends here at The Scenestar.com!

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs Reveal It's Blitz! Album Cover

 

There you have it folks. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs have revealed the album cover for their upcoming release It's Blizt. It looks like one of those album covers you just want to get on vinyl and hang it up on your wall right?  It's Blizt is scheduled for release April 14th via Interscope. No local shows announced yet outside of their Sunday Coachella appearance but a tour should be announced closer to the album release date.

Tracklisting:
1. Zero
2. Heads Will Roll
3. Soft Shock
4. Skeletons
5. Dull Life
6. Shame and Fortune
7. Runaway
8. Dragon Queen
9. Hysteric
10. Little Shadow

The Scenestar Top 5 Best Albums of 2008

2008 was another great year in music, particularly for impressive debuts. In fact, three of The Scenestar’s Top 5 albums of the year are by new artists.

As with last year, the staff lists varied quite a bit, with choices ranging from Tha Carter III by Lil Wayne to The Slip by Nine Inch Nails ... and everything in between.

But in the end, The Scenestar selected as our No. 1 2008 album the debut from Seattle-based Fleet Foxes, who got our attention with EP Sun Giant and further surprised us with the band’s stunning self-titled. Here’s to more great music in 2009.

LadyHawke: LadyHawke

BY KATIE SEATON

LadyHawke
Self-Titled
Modular/Island

LadyHawke has made it her goal to take the world back to the ’80s, where pop music’s lyrics were simple and the rhythm dramatic. She succeeds by providing a solid 45-minute flashback on her self-titled LP debut, out Nov. 18.

Eagles of Death Metal: Heart On

BY MYCHELLE PETERSON

Eagles of Death Metal
Heart On
Downtown Records

Admittedly, it’s tough to take a band seriously who partners with Denny's on a breakfast platter. But hey, who needs to take everything so seriously? If nothing else, listening to the Eagles of Death Metal is a good time. No need to interpret the lyrics, no need to decipher hidden meaning or dig for layer upon layer of musical genius. Nope, with EODM, what you see is what you get. And that’s pretty fun in most cases.

The Little Ones: Morning Tide

BY LIANE CHAN

The Little Ones
Morning Tide
Chop Shop Records

The debut album by Los Angeles-based indie pop band The Little Ones is chockfull of happy melodies and upbeat harmonies. The opening title track is a good example of the poppiness of the album, offering an infectious beat and catchy chorus. The lyrics about the morning tide rising and falling are both clever and poetic. “Ordinary Song” is lightly harmonized, with a sing-along chorus and chiming sounds that give it a happy, dreamlike feel.

“Boracay” is a fun romp that has a bouncy beat and happy vocals about playing on the beach. “All Your Modern Boxes” is another upbeat song that shows off the Little Ones’ talent for wordplay and clever lyrics. “Tangerine Visions” has a distinctive guitar and keyboard riff that hooks the listener to the lyrics about the warmth of the sun. “Gregory’s Chant” is a well harmonized song, where the chorus is made of sounds rather than actual words.

Asbury: Under the...

BY LIANE CHAN

Asbury
Under the...
Semi-Content Music

Asbury is a music project from the mind of David Franklin, who creates mysterious and haunting songs that range from lo-fi instrumentation to more layered and intricately crafted music. “Distance is the Difference” opens the album with sounds reminiscent of a city playground and goes into whispered vocals and quiet instruments that include tinkling xylophones. It goes into more familiar guitar and repeated choruses as the song progresses, though it continues to capture the listener’s attention as it returns to its opening noises of laughter.

TV On the Radio: Dear Science

BY KATIE SEATON

TV On the Radio
Dear Science
Interscope

Though not yet a household name, TV On the Radio boasts a consistently solid catalog of releases, including 2004’s Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes, which offers such blistering songs as “Staring at the Sun” and “Dreams.” With an all-encompassing sound that touches upon many genres—from rock, hip hop and rap to jazz and electronica—TV On the Radio certainly doesn’t shy away from experimentation. After the critical acclaim of 2006’s Return to Cookie Mountain, which Rolling Stone named the No. 4 album of the year, to say the follow-up album was highly anticipated would be an understatement. Luckily for fans, TV On the Radio has returned with an equally impressive, critically lauded album, Dear Science.