Bombay Bicycle Club – Shuffle (Bibio Remix)

It’s that time of year again, Valentine’s Day, the holiday that divides us all. A year ago today I made a mix for my friends to celebrate the joys of friend love (and beautiful music of course), and I’m at it again, only now I have a lot more people to share this with. So make the most of today, and never fear, regardless of whether or not you’re in a relationship, always remember, Danger Loves You. Download the mix here.

Track Listing
1 “Always Love U” – Theophilus London
2 “Make You Mine” – Breakbot
3 “Always Like This” – Bombay Bicycle Club
4 “Lover of Mine” – Beach House
5 “Love Me Girl” – Yeasayer
6 “One Life Stand” – Hot Chip
7 “July Flame” – Laura Veirs
8 “Odessa” – Caribou
9 “I Want A House” – Twin Sister
10 “In The Bedroom” – Xylos
11 “Billie Holiday” – Warpaint
12 “Time For Us All To Love” – Bullion
13 “Let Go” – jj
14 “So Light Is Her Football (Breakbot Remix)” – Air
15 “Stars” – The xx

“Virgins making music?! No, this post isn’t about Miley Cyrus or Taylor Swift. It’s not about the Jonas Brothers either, though obviously one of them just lost his V-Card (why else would someone with a purity ring get married?). Rather, this post is the about the five best debut albums released in 2009 by artists who likely set themselves up for further success (with the exception, perhaps, of Colour, who seem to have disbanded).

While there can be no doubt that these five artists are exceptionally talented and original in their own rights, one can’t deny that, at least in part, their success is owing to the myriad of music blogs out there trying to find the next best thing. So hats off to you lads (and the contributors at Indie Shuffle who caught these rising stars).

That said, while I was able to narrow this list down from more than twenty notable releases, I just couldn’t figure out which was “the best”. So, in no particular order, I present to you my five favorite debut albums of 2009:

Bombay Bicycle Club – I Had the Blues, but I Shook Them Loose

What’s so good?

“Would you look at how young these fine lads are?! Just out of high school, they’ve wisely postponed college to work on their debut album, and if this single is any hint at what’s to come, we’re going to be in for a treat. I should add that the moment I heard this single, I rushed out and got their two other EPs, and they haven’t let down. Check it, check it. I’ll be keeping my ears posted for more news on them.”

(Full Indie Shuffle Review: Here)

And keep my eyes posted, I did! When their album was released in July it did not disappoint me at all. Indeed, it was a bloody pleasure to hear a full album from these chaps.

Bombay Bicycle Club – Always Like This

Freelance Whales – Weathervanes

What’s so good?

“Glockenspiel.Drums.Banjo.Cello.Synthesizer. Pay attention to Freelance Whales now. To make comparisons to Sufjan Stevens, Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie may be fair, but Freelance Whales is taking their music to new levels. Their songs often feel to have both an up and downbeat, producing unexpected effects as the listener. On the one hand, I’m skipping along; on the other hand, I’m becoming deeply introspective: This album takes you on a journey – Jess @ Indie Shuffle”

(Full Indie Shuffle Review: Here)

Jess wrote about Freelance Whales a fair time before the blew up the blogosphere. We recently had the opportunity to see them opening for Fanfarlo, and they didn’t disappoint at all. Hats off to them–if this debut is any indication of what’s to come, they’ve got a strong future ahead of them.

Freelance Whales – Hannah

Memory Tapes – Seek Magic

What’s so good?

“The more I enmesh myself in the music world, the more I realize that good music comes in sets of seven consecutively bigger waves. There are plenty of ripples and backwash between, of course, but about every seventh wave ends up being huge. In my case, the “seventh wave” of albums comes about every two weeks, and I’m pretty sure that this new Memory Tapes album is that seventh wave. I can only hope there’s an eighth rogue wave coming along to beat this one out.”

(Full Indie Shuffle Review: Here)

Memory Tapes – Green Knight

Local Natives – Gorilla Manor

What’s so good?

“Sometimes, the best music finds come to you when you least expect it. I had gotten free tickets to see blind pilot, and these guys happened to be opening. They also happened to be amazing. Local Natives have only been around for a year, but they play like they’ve been around for ages. Along with their five original members, they were also touring with an extra fiddle player (don’t know her name) who helped fill out their rich, orchestral songs, and man could they belt those vocal harmonies. Had they been a little more established, I’m sure the whole room would have been singing along. Their energy made me completely forget about my horrible jet-lag i showed up with.”

(Full Indie Shuffle Review of EP: Here)

Camden wrote about the Local Natives for Indie Shuffle well before their album, Gorilla Manor, was dropped. As such, I had my eyes and ears pricked for their full LP’s arrival. When it came, they blew up. Mad props to these young guys, who were most recently touring with Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros.

Local Natives – Sun Hands

Colour – Anthology

What’s so good?

“Colour is/was a four-piece math pop band from Kingston, United Kingdom. Delivering a sound filled with detail, harmonies, time signatures and tempo changes, Colour unwittingly found themselves driving a new wave of math pop from the low-key Surrey town. The 13 track Anthology spans the bands recordings from the past couple of years, including two brand new songs recorded just after their split in June. Oddly enough, it’s their first (and last) full-length release.”

(Full Indie Shuffle Review: Here)

On technicality, one may argue that this isn’t a true album. But then you’d just be being a contrary, and this is my list, so ultimately it’s my choice. I think this was an amazingly addictive piece of artwork, albeit that it lacks the cohesion of a true studio album. It’s my honest opinion that these guys should have stuck around.

Colour – Over The Moon