Top Ten Albums of 2009 (part II)

Yes. It’s that time again! Sorry it has taken so long!

I’ve listened to all the albums over and over and amazingly, my player still works. I guess you could say, these albums have helped me get through this year, which was something of a mission in its own right.

I would be thrilled to hear your comments on your Top Ten Albums of 2009 as well. Just drop a comment in the box at the bottom of the post and let your voice be heard. So, bringing you my Top Five albums of 2009, without any further interruptions or emotional posts, here it is!

Number #5:

“The Fray” by The Fray

Not the most imaginative of album titles, The Fray have certainly put all that would-be-wasted ingenuity into the real music production. From their first multi-platinum studio album “How To Save A Life” – still one of my favourite albums of all time – the band has kept to doing what it does best. Fusing their own brand of pop-rock with piano-driven melodies and awe-inspiring lyrics, The Fray is a great follow-up album. It should also be noted that their lead, Isaac Slade, has one of the most incredible and instantly recognisable voices in today’s ever-expanding rock genre.

Some of the highlights on the album, consisting mainly of the single releases – the thought-provoking “You Found Me” which they performed at the 2008 American Music Awards and “Never Say Never” which featured on the soundtrack of Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen and “Say When” which is definitely my favourite song on the album.

Some really striking lyrical work can be heard in the track “You Found Me”. It deals with the plain abandonment of people in need by God:

“I found God
On the corner of First and Amistad
Where the west
Was all but won
All alone
Smoking his last cigarette
I said, “Where you been?”
He said, “Ask anything”.”

Noted as a Christian band, Isaac also remarks in an interview on their official website how this song had been written during a difficult phase of his life that he is still dealing with. A Christian band questioning if God exists? This is the incredibly refreshing message that the band is managing to convey… they’re a gospel band for ordinary people.

Reaching people on a much more spiritual level that most mainstream bands, The Fray has moulded its own place in the hearts of its fans. They have surely helped me through many difficult times in my own life. Great album!

Number #4:

“The Blueprint III” by Jay-Z

Only second to Relapse (and possibly Detox…but you never know with the Doc) as hip-hop’s most eagerly anticipated album of the year, Jay-Z’s eleventh studio record is something of a masterpiece in the now bland art gallery of hip-hop. The studio he recorded at must have shone like the sun from all the bling that hung around the star-studded production crew’s necks. Jigga has made sure that critics put their notebooks and pens safely back in their bags after hearing this album.

Incredibly, this album shipped 476 000 copies in its first week of release and claiming yet another number one (his 11th) on the Billboard 200… To put this into perspective, he now overtakes Elvis and is only second to The Beatles for most number one albums in the history on the Billboard 200 chart. Masterpiece? Need I say more?

This is the Jay-Z of the Blueprint years gone by, the old East-Coast king of swagger. From the RocNation-army lead “Run This Town” to the awesome nostalgic “Empire State of Mind” with Alicia Keys and another epic beat from Timbaland in “Venus vs Mars“, this album caters for all types of listeners. It somehow manages to bring back the true essence of rhyme-spitting while moving beyond the simpleton mixtape made in a hopefuls garage. Of course, I’m forgetting this is a Jay-Z album! I recommend you have a look at the track list… I’m only here to whet your appetite!

This is a definite addition to your 2009 Album List. If you don’t have it, you’re missing out on a part of hip-hop history and indeed, American music history too. Absolutely epic album! I wonder if he will eventually surpass The Beatles…

Number #3:

“21st Century Breakdown” by Green Day

Have you noticed all the rock albums on my list this year? Albums like these are changing peoples perceptions of the genre in so many ways. Green Day, although not an authentic rock band, are specialists in its sub-genre of punk. You may even want to include them in the causing-ripples-in-society group as well. These guys are not just the epitome of the rebellious teenager. Even though their second studio is another rock opera, they highlight growing problems in today’s society, more specifically, the American society. Their lead singer, Billie Joe Armstrong, is a lyrical genius, having written all lyrics on the album – he effectively wrote an entire story spread across the eighteen tracks. It is sheer brilliance!

21st Century Breakdown tells the story of an American couple, namely Gloria and Christian, as they face the many troubles in their homeland during George W. Bush’s presidency. In the general spectrum, the album tends to criticise the slice of population that give up without trying to make a positive difference in the world. The concept works well, in the sense that every song follows on from the last one’s message. This is an album that you have to listen to from start to finish though, as the message will be lost if any song is played by itself.

Not the most radio friendly of recordings, there are a few good standalone tracks. Notably the very catchy “Know Your Enemy” and the hit radio track “21 Guns“.

This is an album not everyone will appreciate, but there’s no questioning that Green Day have made a truly incredible record here. This is a worthy successor to American Idiot, an album that many thought could not be bettered. I think Green Day have just proved those people terribly wrong. My number three.

Number #2:

“One Love” by David Guetta

David Guetta is an artist you either love or hate. There is no middle ground at all here. If you are one of those people who rejoice each time you hear a track of his, enjoy these next few lines, but if you’re one that can’t stand those hard thumping house beats, it’s time that I try and convince you otherwise.

Hailing from the beautiful city of Cannes on the French Riviera, this 42-year-old’s fourth studio release is an absolutely epic dance record. If you need a party starter, this is the disc you reach for… you may even want to smack it on loop and play it all night! Yes, it is that good. Each track could easily be a number one hit, as his two single releases “When Love Takes Over” and “Sexy Bitch” have proved. What’s truly unique about this particular album however is the inconspicuous  way he mashes up hip-hop artists into dance track voiceovers. It is awesome!

The shimmering guest list includes Kelly Rowland, Ne-Yo, Kid Cudi, Estelle, Dirty South and Wynter just to name but a few. My favourite track has to be “Memories“, a great mellow-tempo house track with lazy lyrics courtesy of Kid Cudi. Somehow, Guetta and Cudi just work in this track. It’s a great combination and makes fo an even better after-party jam!

Next time you’re in a music store, do yourself a massive favour and add this album to your shopping cart. I promise you, it will come in handy. Even if you don’t throw many parties, you’ll be sure to dance around in your room with the music turned right up! Definitely one for the Capetonian summer!

Interested what my Number One will be? Drop a comment and tell me which album you would give this prestigious honour to!

My Number One will follow shortly!