Top 10 CDs of 2009

So finally, after only a month of procrastination, I've reviewed all the albums I listened to in 2009 and can present to you my annual list of favorites.

10. Dan Auerbach, Keep it Hid: Some solid old-school rock from Ohio.

9. Captain Bogg & Salty, Emphatical Piratical: Aargh! Move up a few spots if you have kids. Move up a few more spots if your kids are into pirates.

8. The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Communion: If they put the best half of this on a single disc, it would have gotten an A.

7. Neko Case, Middle Cyclone: Still cryptic, still alluring, still a killer voice.

6. Týr, By the Light of the Northern Star: A fun mix of history, Norse legend, and hard rock.

5. White Rabbits, It's Frightening: Drum roll, please!

4. Kris Delmhorst, Shotgun Singer: A really artistic record that kept growing on me.

3. Rupa & The April Fishes, Este Mundo: Wildly eclectic, globally conscious, and fun.

2. Boot, Soot: The best Nordic CD since 2000.

1. Warsaw Village Band, Infinity: Superior musicianship combined with brazen experimentation.

I've discovered, among other things, that I really need to rework my grading system, especially where the B+ albums are concerned -- a few of them made the list, and a few might not have even deserved a B. Oh well, back to the drawing board in 2010...

White Rabbits, It's Frightening (tbd Records, 2009)

Although originally from Missouri, White Rabbits have been working out of Brooklyn for several years now.  This spring, the sextet consisting of Stephen Patterson on vocals and piano, Alexander Even and Gregory Roberts on guitar and vocals, Adam Russell (since replaced by Betancourt) on bass, and Matt Clark and Jamie Levinson on drums and percussion released their second album, called It's Frightening.

While the two-guitar, bass, drum, and keyboard format might seem conventional at first glance, White Rabbits' sound is defined by a couple of distinctive elements like Patterson's slurring vocals and anarchic piano and especially Clark and Levinson's dueling drums.  Indeed, It's Frightening is one of the few albums featuring multiple drummers where you can really hear the difference that the extra percussion makes.  And nowhere is this more effective than on the groundbreaking opening song and single, "Percussion Gun." The drummers' relentless assault and battery gives this song a unique character while remaining pure, essential rock and roll. The rest of the album isn't quite on the same high level, but there are still a few strong tracks, including "Rudie Falls," "Lionesse," and "The Salesman (Tramp Life)". 

It's Frightening is a solid work overall, with some pretty good songs, a couple of really good songs, and one great one.  White Rabbits have the potential to break out in a really big way in the not-too-distant future.

Overall grade: A-

reviewed by Scott

"Percussion Gun." An instant classic.