We're more than halfway through 2009 so, hey, why not a little list? That's what the people over at SPIN are thinking: They just put together what they consider "The 20 Best Albums of 2009 ... So Far." It isn't in any order, but each entry comes with a brief declarative writeup explaining why the record was chosen. For instance, "[BLANK] throws herself into every song as if it's all a big finale, which makes for an auspicious beginning." Or, "[BLANK] won't double as anyone's dance-party playlist. But it's an uneasy, bracingly honest soundtrack to life after fame." And, "With the economy tanking, homes being lost, and folks switching to survival mode, America may need [BLANK]'s back-to-nature fantasias more than ever." Any ideas? (Hint: That last one is not Sarah Palin.) Before we get started: Your favorite bookmarks of the such and such is > than such and such are both here. And there are a couple Mercury Prize 2009 nominees. Of course, the accompanying image ought to be helpful, too.
Ida Maria - Fortress Round My Heart
Peter Bjorn And John - Living Thing
Blk Jks - Mystery
Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
Mastodon - Crack The Skye
Amadou & Mariam - Welcome To Mali
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
Regina Spektor - Far
Mos Def - The Ecstatic
Glasvegas - Glasvegas
Jarvis Cocker - Further Complications
Bat For Lashes - Two Sun
Mavado - Mr. Brooks... A Better Tomorrow
Wilco - Wilco (The Album)
Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
Sa-Ra Creative Partners - The Age Of Love
Antony And The Johnsons - The Crying Light
See the list in its contextual photo gallery with accompanying blurbs over at SPIN.
