As I mentioned in my blog post, I have really enjoyed 2009. Narrowing down the amount of records I liked to ten was really really really really really difficult. There are about 25 or 30 albums that deserved a spot on this list (a list I will expand on in the next couple days, hint hint). Four records battled for the number one spot. However, I managed to create an accurate representation of my favourite records of the year, and this is what I came up with:

2009, a year I would say was defined by the newcomer; true, most of the releases on this list are follow ups, but the sheer number of surprises that were thrown at our ears from every angle was monumental – to note some freshmen that did not make the list but helped assuage the great missteps of bands we were hoping better of; Ambassador Gun’s When In Hell , The Armed’s These Are Lights, The Binary Code’s Suspension Of Disbelief, Pianos Become The Teeth’s Old Pride, MiRthkon’s Vehicle, Embryonic Depravity’s …

1. Paramore – Brand New Eyes
I’ll admit, I was basically predisposed to thinking this album was going to be my album of the year before it had even come out. That being said, as high as my expectations were for it, it still blew me away.
2. Converge – Axe to Fall
This album just took everything I love about Converge and expanded on it and then some. Absolutely crushing with some different twists.
3. Mew – No More Stories…
Mew have this knack for writing albums that are similar to everything else they’ve …

1. Converge – Axe To Fall
All I have to say is, damn did I call it. Not that that’s much of a revelation, considering Converge have managed to dwell on the top 5 of every extreme music publication, since the prolific Jane Doe tore through the virgin asshole of the extreme music scene, and gave it something it will never forget. But this time they’ve really done it. They’ve really done it, and it shows. Playing shows with Mastodon and Dethklok is a pretty big deal for a bunch …

2009 was, to be frank, a goddamn good fucking year for music at large.  But where I ended up drawing the pick for the top cream of the crop from was out of my past when my all-time favorite band Thrice (who I hadn’t really listened to much since the release of Vheissu in ‘07) manage to blow my brains out of my skull with its sheer level of awesome.  As the tired adage goes, this album literally pisses excellence.  They cover the gamut from bluesy piano-driven romps in “Doublespeak” …

1. Little Foot Long Foot – Harsh Words
From the get-go, this is a band that grabs you from the shoulders and screams “Agggghhhh! Fun time!” Or, something to that effect one would suppose. They are a band with country swagger married with traditional garage rock sounds that are sure not to take themselves too seriously as they skew topics [of various subject matters. Quite simply, this album is full of dirty guitar that’s just trying to have some fun. This duo of Toronto natives deserve …

Ah, Top Ten lists. Will there ever be a more difficult process in the realm of criticizing music? 2009 has brought with it many achievements and many unexpected surprises in the world of organized sound. Picking out a top ten was tough, but this year might just be the best year of music this decade has experienced. I wholly look forward to enjoying every one of these releases for years to come. Let’s hope you do too!

1. He Is Legend – It Hates You
“It Hates You” has everything I like about He Is Legend amalgamated into a fresh new silver bullet. From post-metal, to doom, to shoegaze, to southern rock, this CD has a song for everyone. It’s a shame these guys aren’t trucking on.
2. Portal – Swarth
Probably the most interesting death metal band out right now. They’ve been around for nearly a decade, however, the newest release, “Swarth”, is pushing them to the next level in extreme music. I could best describe their sound as …

If you are into the music covered on Hearwax (hardcore punk, indie, metal, etc.) to the same extent that the posters – including myself – are, it is hard to deny that 2009 was one of the best years for music in a really long time.  Regardless of mood, there seemed to be something fitting.  For punk fiends; Converge, Pulling Teeth, New Lows, Magrudergrind, War Pigs, and Mother of Mercy (among many others).  Indie kids; Grizzly Bear, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The XX, Camera Obscura, …