The Best of 2009 (a fantastic, shitty year)

When 2008 mercifully drew to a close, my personal life was an absolute shambles. I took considerable comfort from the fact that I had gotten through a very trying year, and surmised it could not get that much worse in 2009. Unfortunately, 2009 was even more emotionally excoriating for me. BUT Luckily, there were some amazing musical highlights to help me through it (I will spare you the Dickens quote). Accordingly I will set aside my oak-aged hemlock and remember what was, at least in musical respects, a fantastic year.

Album of the Year
Carbeth by Trembling Bells:
Probably the best of album of the decade as well. My initial review is still dead-on after several months with the album. Hard to categorize, other than absolutely brilliant, this record defies expectation at every possible turn. Trembling Bells are strongly influenced by 70’s British folk-rock (Pentangle, ISB, etc.,) but this album is always progressing in unexpectedly quirky and beautiful ways. The songs are endlessly beautiful and innovative, swerving off in unexpected directions from the noise-folk (Garlands of Stars) to a post-modern sea shanty (Seven Years a Teardrop) and yet it all seems natural and unforced, setting it apart from the forced strangeness of a lot of their contemporaries. It is an innovative brew extracted from traditional structures that is absolutely unique, but this can make for a challenging listen. Those expecting another Pentangle or Fairport may be put off, as may those expecting another Bonnie Prince Billy or Frightened Rabbit. Taken on its own merits, Carbeth is astounding and endlessly rewarding.
Short-listed (in no particular order):
Espers III
Broadcast and the Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age
Miranda Richards – Light of X
Alasdair Roberts – Spoils
Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions – Through the Devil Softly

Reissue of the Year: L.A. Turnaround by Bert Jansch

Bert Jansch, Mike Nesmith and Red Rhodes. All three are brilliant, so my expectations were high, but this was bloody transcendent! Where has this been all my life (oh, wait, I was alive when it was released on vinyl!)

Best Concert of 2009: Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions, Sixth and I Synagogue, Washington DC
I may well be rationalizing since I opted to go to this show over the Broadcast show at the Black Cat. Still, Hope Sandoval’s performance forced me to rethink what makes a great show. Is it energy, the crowd or perchance a well-stocked bar? No (but they CAN help!) The concert provided an intimacy that was perfectly suited to the ‘gogue as a venue. All the elements combined to cast a spell of quiet, understated beauty. Unbelievably dim stage lighting and film projection created an atmosphere that was distinctive and perfectly matched the music. For all of Hope’s legendary ‘shyness’, the show felt incredibly warm, open, personal and intimate. The limited stage light erased any line between performer and audience. She sang like an angel, put her whole self out there and it was a wonderful evening.

Music Event of the Year: Gryphon at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, London

This one-off reunion gig from the sadly underappreciated and innovative masters of Medieval-Prog-Folk featured material from their first two, and best albums. If only I could have gone, it really would have been fantastic to meet other Gryphon admirers.

There you are, ffryndiau! Here’s to 2010 not being shite!