Best Of 2009—Top Ten Albums: By J Howell

It’s worth noting that there are several records that may’ve made the cut if I’d have had more time to get to know them a little better by year’s end; this year’s TV On The Radio and Califone records come to mind, as well as Tom Waits’ Glitter and Doom Live. And since the release date of Jim Campilongo’s Orange was moved to February 2010, I guess it’ll just have to go on next year’s list. Furthermore, though it came out in ’08, I didn’t pick up a copy of Giant Sand’s proVISIONS until early this year, and it’s pretty amazing. Check it out!

What made the cut, in no particular order:

1. Castanets; Texas Rose, the Thaw and the Beasts

2. PJ Harvey and John Parish, A Woman a Man Walked By

3. Neko Case, Middle Cyclone

4. Sparklehorse, Dangermouse, and David Lynch; Dark Night of the Soul

5. The Dodos, Time to Die

6. Stik Figa, As Himself

7. Or, The Whale; S/T

8. Cass McCombs, Catacombs

9. Doby Watson, Twenty Two*

10. Shiny Around The Edges, Holy Roller (read my review here)

*Full disclosure: I did some print work for the packaging of the limited edition of this record, and gave some advice during its making. That said, I’d love this record even if I didn’t have anything to do with it.

For more of Popshifter‘s Best Of 2009 lists, go here.