Best Of 2009

1. Fever Ray - 's/t'
Karin Dreijer Andersson. To be fair, she could have done a record of bird calls and it would have been my favorite album of the year.



2. Doomriders - 'Darkness Comes Alive'
This record has the hugest balls of the year, every other record's balls pale in comparison.



3. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - 's/t'
Oh hey someone found some lost My Bloody Valentine demos. No? Close enough.



4. Iron Age - 'The Sleeping Eye'
The best hardcore band of 2006 grew their hair out and became the best crossover band of 2009.



5. The Maccabees - 'Wall Of Arms'
I don't really know anything about this band. I assume they're from the UK and not Jewish. I'd prefer not to learn anything about them and ruin it for myself.



6. Strike Anywhere - 'Iron Front'
Did anyone honestly expect this record to be good? I feel like a fucking asshole for doubting it.



7. Napalm Death - 'Time Waits For No Slave'
I was lucky enough to go out with these guys on their North American tour for this record and all I can say is, you fools who missed it fucking failed.



8. Big Business - 'Mind The Drift'
I love that these dudes are in The Melvins now. It's like I have twice the odds of hearing the US's best rhythm section lay it down every year.



9. Khanate - 'Clean Hands Go Foul'
I saw these guys play a midnight show in Columbus, OH in 2005 and was so genuinely freaked out at the idea of walking back to the place I was staying after. A fitting final nail in the coffin for NYC's scariest band.



10. Harm's Way - 'Reality Approaches'
Chicago kills it again. Records like this make me proud to be straight edge and embarrassed not to be ripped like Adonis.