pacificlectic : concert reviews & eclectic music news

This is sort of a precursor to my “official” Favorites of 2009 blogs.  Up later this week, I’ll post my favorite vocal and favorite instrumental albums of 2009, as well as my favorite artists of the decade.  Anyway, on with the music pimping…

Favorite EPs of 2009

1. Celldweller – Wish Upon a Blackstar Chapters 1 & 2
2. Emily Wells – Dirty
3. Puscifer – C is For…
4. Anakronic Electro-Orkestra – The Yiddish Part
5. Eisley – Fire Kite
   hm: Ellery – Down, Down, Down
   hm: One Eskimo – Tour EP

Favorite Vinyl of 2009

1. Symphony of Science featuring Carl Sagan – A Glorious Dawn 7″
   (best song of the year, too)
2. Holy Fuck & Off the International Radar – Hot Lips 12″
   (playable at 33 & 45)
3. Reptet – Agendacide 7″
   (great jazz from Seattle)
4. Sufjan Stevens – The BQE special edition
   (luscious packaging)
5. Melt Banana – initial t. 5″

Favorite DVDs of 2009 (I didn’t really get many)

• Michel Gondry – Videos 2
• Dollhouse: Season One
• Bill Maher’s Religulous
• Criss Angel – Mindfreak: Collector’s Edition
• Secret Chiefs 3 – Live at the Great American Music Hall 2007

Favorite Internet Only Releases of 2009

• Jenny Owen Youngs “Hot in Herre”
• Anakronic Electro-Orkestra – The Yiddish Part
• My Brightest Diamond – Shark Remixes
• Celldweller – Wish Upon a Blackstar Ch’s 1 & 2
• Eisley – Fire Kite EP
• Glen Phillips “Little Bunny Foo Foo”
• Talking Snakes – Nonogram Zen
• Puscifer – C is For…
• Ellery – Down, Down, Down
• Kim Taylor – Little Miracle

Favorite Live Albums of 2009

• Over the Rhine – Live from Nowhere, Volume 4 (’08 Reunion Taft show)
• Noctaluca – Unplugged
• Ani DiFranco – the Saratoga and Chicago shows
  

Favorite Audiobooks of 2009

• David Cross – I Drink for a Reason
• Richard Dawkins – The Greatest Show on Earth
• Ricky Gervais, Steve Merchant, and Karl Pilkington – The Guide to… (series)

Favorite Podcasts in 2009 (they’re free, yo!  Search for them on iTunes)

• George Hrab – Geologic Podcast
• Keith Olbermann’s Countdown on MSNBC
• The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC
• Bill Maher‘s New Rules
• Kevin Smith & Scott Mosier – SModcast
• The Adam Carolla Podcast
• The Skeptics Guide to the Universe

Best Cover Art in 2009

• Celldweller – Wish Upon a Blackstar Chapter 1
• Nellie McKay – Normal As Blueberry Pie
• John Zorn – O’o (designed by Chippy)

Worst Cover Art: Tori Amos – Midwinter Graces

Best Packaging in 2009 (de-lux!)

• Sufjan Stevens – The BQE (gorgeous double-gatefold layout, super hero comic book, fun stuff)
• Porcupine Tree – The Incident (deluxe edition: sturdy hardback book with arty photos)
• Steven Wilson – Insurgentes (deluxe edition: sturdy hardback book with arty photos)
• Fanfarlo – Reservoir (deluxe edition: complete with a small board game)
• John Zorn – Femina (standard size, but nice clear slipcase and 52 page booklet.  Tzadik has been kicking it up a notch!)

Favorite Local Releases in 2009 (PacNW represent)

• Douglas Detrick – The Turning Point (Eugene jazz)
• Hashem Assadullahi – The Strange Neighbor (Eugene jazz)
• I didn’t get jazz trio from Portland Trio Subtonic‘s CD yet… but soon…

Best Greatest Hits Releases of 2009

• Iron & Wine – Around the Well (tons of b-sides and new songs)
• Incubus – Monuments and Melodies (ditto)

Best Re-issues in 2009

• Radiohead – vinyl re-issues (I got the Drill EP on vinyl)
• Radiohead – Capital Special Collector’s Editions (2 CD + 1 DVD for their first 6 albums)

Best Surprise / Adaptation in 2009

• Despite the horrible cover art, Tori Amos‘ holiday album Midwinter Graces was quite delightful

Best Late-Getter in 2009 (something that came out before 2009)

• Ronin – Holon (from 2008)

Favorite iTunes iPhone Apps

• Facebook
• Lose It
• BeatMaker
• I Am T-Pain
• Veg Out (Around Me for Vegetarians)
• Veggie Passport (international translator specific to vegetarian concerns)
• Vegan Yum Yum (like Epicurious for veg only)
• Vegan Xpress (find veg items on national chains menus)
• Shop Saavy (bar-code scan and price shop)
• Dragon Dictation (speak an email or text message)

So, yeah, this was the catch-all post… check back tomorrow for the more traditional year end wrap-up festivities…

My Other Favorites of 2009 Recaps:

• Fave Concerts of ‘09 are recapped *HERE*
• Fave Vocal Albums ‘09 are coming soon
• Fave Instrumental of ‘09 are coming soon
• Fave Artists of the Decade are coming soon
• Old Years: 2008I, 2008V, 2008ep, 2008C, 2007V, 2007I, 2007C, 2006, 2005

~Dan – np: Mike Patton – Crank High Volume Soundtrack