via//chicago

2009 Year in Review II: The EPs / The Various and Sundry

The look back at 2009 continues now with via//chicago's Top 10 EPs of the year, as well as the Top 20 releases that don't fall into out "album" category - compilations, live albums, soundtracks, etc.

First up, the top 10 EPs of 2009:
1. Animal Collective - Fall Be Kind (Domino)
They wrapped up 2009 with nearly as much hype as they began the year with, this time for a five-track EP that shows the band far from slowing down. Much of the attention was directed at the epic "What Would I Want? Sky" and its creative use of the first ever officially sanctioned Grateful Dead sample, but really each and every song is a worthy addition to the band's catalog.

2. Deerhunter - Rainwater Cassette Exchange (Kranky)
The two full albums released in late 2008 weren't enough to contain all of the excellent material under his Deerhunter moniker, so the hyper prolific Bradford Cox blessed us with this surprisingly poppy bonus EP early in the year.

3. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Higher Than the Stars (Slumberland)
These heavily hyped indie poppers already had a great 2009 going, thanks to their stellar debut long-player, and the heavenly slice of New Order inspired pop that was the title track was icing on the cake. This band is going to be fun to watch.

4. Washed Out - Life of Leisure (Mexican Summer)
I'm not sure yet just what I think about the whole "glo-fi" or "hypnagogic pop" movement, but I do know that "Feel It All Around" was a lovely piece of delightfully dizzy pop and the rest of this EP wasn't far behind.

5. Drake - So Far Gone (Young Money)
"Best I Ever Had' rightfully got all the attention for this Canadian rapper, but the balance of this EP (featuring appearances from Lil Wayne, Bun B, & Young Jeezy) showed off a multi-talented dude who has the potential to be a fixture on the hip-hop scene for years to come.

6. Modest Mouse - No One's First, and You're Next (Epic)
Even though it was a collection of outtakes from the band's two previous full-length sessions, this EP stood up well on its own terms and goes a long way towards proving what a great songwriter Isaac Brock has always been. "Satellite Skin" and "Autumn Beds" are worthy additions to the band's discography.

7. Spoon - Got Nuffin (Merge)
Sure, it was only three songs and eleven minutes long, but these guys have been on such a roll over, oh, their entire career, that I'll take whatever I can get. The title track is the obvious standout, but the other two tracks will also help tide us over until the new album drops in the new year.

8. Death Cab For Cutie - The Open Door EP (Atlantic)
Another stellar collection of outtakes, this time from the band's Narrow Stairs album. At least four of the five rightfully could have ended up on that album, but I'll happily take this little bonus. Between this and "Meet Me on the Equinox", DCFC had a stellar year for a band without a new album to peddle.

9. Wolves in the Throne Room - Malevolent Grain (Southern Lord)
Even though I've liked each of this ambient black metal band's two long-players, I don't think they've struck on a better feel than the one acquired on these two epic tracks. The vocals by Jamie Myers of Hammers of Misfortune on "A Looming Resonance" give me chills each and every time.

10. Bon Iver - Blood Bank (Jagjaguwar)
A more than worthy follow-up to For Emma, Forever Ago - I just wish it had been a little longer. Justin Vernon continued his thrilling ascent with this four song release.

And, the top 20 assorted releases of 2009:
1. Neil Young - The Archives Vol. 1, 1963-1972 (Reprise)
An absolute no-brainer for my number one pick. This long, long, long anticipated project finally saw the light of day with this first volume, eight discs compiling the first 9 years of Young's recording career. Album tracks, full live shows, rarities - it may not be perfect, but it really turned out beautifully, both in terms of packaging and material contained. Cannot wait for volume two.

2. The Beatles - 2009 Remaster Series (Apple)
Yeah, this is kinda cheating, but I'm not about to pick and choose amongst these. They really do sound absolutely fantastic and would have been a lock for my number one spot, but Neil beat 'em about by virtue of having previously unreleased material. Still, these things are downright essential for everyone.

3. Loop - The World In Your Eyes [reissue]/A Gilded Eternity [reissue] (Reactor)
Reactor wrapped up their wonderful reissue campaign for this criminally forgotten London band early in the year, packaging each album with a full disc (or two discs!) of bonus material. Long considered to be an also-ran to the Spacemen 3, for my money these guys were the superior group. Well worth checking out.

4. Big Star - Keep an Eye on the Sky (Rhino)
A lovingly crafted four-disc overview of the thrilling power poppers that inspired a legion of imitators, but somehow never seem to get the mainstream love they deserve. Packed with solo cuts, side project tunes, and a full live show in addition to their classic recorded output, this is a must own for any Big Star fan.

5. Leonard Cohen - Live in London (Columbia)
What more can really be said about Leonard Cohen at this point? The man is a legend. This two-disc live document proves that, even as a 74-year old, Cohen is a thrilling entertainer.

6. Nirvana - Live at Reading (Geffen)
Thrilling to finally have a great sounding release of this legendary show. Both the album and the DVD serve as a great reminder of why this band was, and remains, so beloved. A fantastic document.

7. The Drive-By Truckers - The Fine Print: A Collection of Oddities and Rarities (New West)
I just love a band that can toss out an odds and sods collection that still stands miles above the proper albums by other bands mining the same territory. Sometimes silly, sometimes depressing, but always rocking - the DBTs continue to prove themselves one of rock's all-time greats, even on the cast offs.

8. Death - ...For the Whole World To See (Drag City)
Talk about your awesome releases to come out of nowhere... this material was originally recorded by a proto-punk trio out of Detroit back in 1975, only to sit on the shelves until Drag City mercifully let it out into the wild. One can hear the similarities to their regional peers, mainly The Stooges and MC5, but these guys were a fierce force of their own.

9. Various Artists - Dark Was the Night (4AD)
How often do well-intentioned charity compilations suck? Pretty often, right? I can only think of a handful of exception (No Alternative springs immediately to mind), but you can add this one to the list of surprises. Of course, when your roster of musicians includes names like David Byrne, Bon Iver, Grizzly Bear, Yeassayer, Arcade Fire, Yo La Tengo, Cat Power, Sharon Jones, and The New Pornographers (among many, many others) - it'd be kinda hard to completely drop the ball.

10. J Dilla - Dillanthology 1/Dillanthology 2 (Rapster) /Jay $tay Paid (Nature Sounds)
Its not like Dilla was in danger of being forgotten, but these projects have done a great job of keeping his name alive by rounding up his various productions and remixes, as well as letting loose some previously unheard work. Let's hope the other posthumous releases live up to the high standards of these.

11. Pearl Jam - Ten [reissue] (Epic)
12. Iron & Wine - Around the Well (Sub Pop)
13. Circle - Taantumus (Ektro)
14. The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses [reissue] (Silvertone)
15. Zero Boys - Vicious Circle/History of... (Secretly Canadian)
16. Iron Maiden - Flight 666: The Official Soundtrack (EMI)
17. R.E.M. - Live at the Olympia (Warner Bros.)
18. The Vaselines - Enter the Vaselines (Sub Pop)
19. The Hold Steady - A Positive Rage (Vagrant)
20. Guided by Voices - Suitcase 3: Up We Go Now (GBV Inc.)