Let's get our countdown of the Ten Best Albums of 2009 on. In case you missed them, here are Nos. 10, 9, and 8.
This Spencer Krug fella is on to something. He's really starting to win my loyalty. Krug is the frontman of Sunset Rubdown, whose 2009 album Dragonslayer clocks in at the seventh best of the year. Sunset Rubdown is an avenue for Krug's solo stuff, but he's primarily known for his work in Wolf Parade, a band who (in 2005) released Apologies to the Queen Mary, which is one of those holy-freakin'-crap albums that blows your hair back on first listen:
Apologies isn't a pinot noir; there's no initial intrigue with subtleties and hints at something special and then a fully developed bouquet of heaven after several passes. No, it's much simpler, like a 7.5% IPA. Its hoppiness smacks you in the mouth from the get-go, and the citrusy bitterness rattles your tongue long after you've swallowed.
Dragonslayer, though not as profoundly good as Apologies, also grabs your attention from the start. It plays like most of Krug's work -- like epic art-rock (how could an album entitled Dragonslayer not be epic?). Though this is more accessible and subdued, it's still weighty and big with keyboards and effects pedals galore. And it's highlighted by Krug's pained, shouting, hiccupy voice. (I assure you it's far more compelling to hear than to read about.) I started listening to Dragonslayer a little late for reasons that remain unknown and probably unforgivable. But I find myself roped back into another Repeat All after the eight songs finish up. If I were to publish this Ten Best list in six months, Dragonslayer might make a case for the top spots. My tongue is still rattling.
Seventh Best Album of 2009: Sunset Rubdown, Dragonslayer
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