Best Of 2009—Albums: By Julie Finley

This year was actually a MUCH better year than last year, in regards to album releases. Lots of anticipated stuff (at least for moi) came out, and made me quite positive and hopeful. Last year I was starting to wonder why I still bothered to pay attention, but this year made me bite my tongue. The only thing this year lacked regarding music? There weren’t enough concerts worthy of attendance; it seems those who released stuff that I liked didn’t play anywhere I could get to!

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Best Of 2009: By Emily Carney

Gogol Bordello at The Ritz in Ybor City, July 2009

Gogol Bordello put on a fantastic show despite the gymnastic theatrics of kiddie fans who only wanted attention and to “shock.” Ukrainian gypsy punk folk hero Eugene Hütz did not disappoint; his on-stage exuberance electrified the crowd for a full 90 minutes. The rest of the band gave it their all as well.

. . . And so did the crowd, unfortunately. I managed to leave with no fewer than 35 bruises on various parts of my anatomy from overeager crowd surfers. Despite all of this, I left happy and quite dazed, as the band happily greeted fans back at their tour bus and enthusiastically welcomed our requests for autographs and some music chatter. Everyone was overwhelmed by this superstar band’s European brand of generosity, both artistically and otherwise.
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