The AEC Top 10 for 2009

I feel no obligation anymore to make these top 10 lists every year (no deadlines, no place to have them printed), but I still feel personally compelled and since some folks are inevitably going to ask, I therefore give you the All England Club Top 10 Albums for 2009

1. The Arctic Monkeys- Humbug
   
2. The Big Pink- A Brief History of Love
   
3. The Horrors- Primary Colours
   
4. LaRoux- LaRoux
   
5. Morrissey- Years of Refusal
   
6. the morning after girls- alone.
   
7. Esser- Braveface
   
8. Julian Casablancas- Phrazes for the Young
   
9. Zomby- Where were you in '92?
   
10. The Drums- EP
    

Honorable mentions:
The 1990s- Kicks
Junior Boys- Begone Dull Care

And that's the way I saw 2009.

Julian Casablancas

Other than Nick, each member of the Strokes has released a solo record. While each was enjoyable, Julian Casablancas's effort wins.

Fab's Little Joy was fun and so very spring/summery. Albert's records have been smart, but a bit spark-less. Nickle Eye was surprisingly solid, but a bit morose and very much a lo-fi "bedroom" effort. Julian's solo debut takes Fab's route of reinvention and runs with it. Upon hearing the first tones of the single, I knew I was in for something completely different. When I heard "11th Dimension," I thought Julian was trying to bring back Shannon/Lisa Lisa era freestyle. But just going electro dance would be too simple. Phrazes for the Young hits country notes, electric organs play a significant part, as do waltzes and piano bar ballads. And of course, as with all of the others' efforts, Julian is still a Stroke, and these songs still evoke that spirit. But this time out, it's the perfect balance. Just enough of the old, the new and the different. Well done, Mr. Casablancas.

Plus, I also love the graphical allusion made with that pic above.

Julian Casablancas

Not totally sure how I feel about this song yet. It's different enough from the Strokes to be worthy of being a solo effort, but still toes the line with all of the other Strokes members' solo efforts in that they all seem to be the softer poppier side of the boys. Can't one of them at least come out with a really weird, arty, hard rock effort? Mr. Valensi, you're our only hope.