The Top 10 Albums of 2009
The past 10 years have upturned the music world, and we’re all better for it. A countdown of the year’s best music, and the artist of the decade is named.
Music
A collection of 210 issues
From Cover to Cover
Music connects to memories, and so do album sleeves. From ELO’s spaceship to Róisín Murphy’s see-through top, the covers that made one writer a fan.
Making the Bird
To entertain themselves and their friends, two brothers formed a band, Birdhead. Now one traces the history of “the critically acclaimed power duo from Rancho Cucamonga.”
Is Rapper Kanye West Dead?
Suspicious lyrics and other clues suggest something may be amiss among the hip-hop royalty.
Same as It Ever Was
Following up with targets of the infamous Rock Critical List, an anonymous, highly personal screed that sparked a firestorm.
The Pleasures of Saudade
A year in Lisbon teaches you more than how to select a decent vinho verde. An ode to the uniquely hopeful, desperate music that’s missing from the usual American fare.
The Fiery Furnaces Visit the Department of Motor Vehicles
The brother-sister duo’s narrative inclinations take over during a license renewal.
OK Genius
Apple’s iTunes software claims to be a Genius at making mixes. We beg to differ, knowing how mixes should be made, and propose a duel of “Fingertips.”
DJ Premier: Hope to the Underground
The turntablist now known as DJ Premier got help at critical moments in his rise from a piano-playing childhood in Houston, and these days he’s looking to spread the love.
Music Bloggers Redux
The music industry’s devil and savior bear the same name: the web. Five years later, we reconvene our panel of music blogfathers for a look into the future.