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The 20 Best Albums of 2009--Complete With Downloads!
Artwork by Fanny B, www.fannyb.com
Here's another edition of our biased and imprecise best albums of the year list. Yet again, rock 'n' roll and "authenticity" receded, pop advanced, and we got to sit back and listen to the two battle it out. In the process, some of our favorite bands of all time released their best material and new great bands emerged. So, without further adieu, 20 albums that kept us rocking our chairs at R29 headquarters all year long…and here are the downloadable songs to prove it!
To download individual tracks click on the MP3 files below, or for almost two hours of continuous listening, mixed by William Rauscher (a.k.a. Night Plane) click here for Refinery29's Best of 2009 Playlist [MP3].
20. Washed Out—Life of Leisure
"Feel It All Around" [MP3]
More indie blissful summer jams. Definitely the trend of the year. We were inclined to hate it but just gave in to the chillness. Buy this album
19. Jenny Wilson—Hardships!
"The Wooden Chair" [MP3]
Most underrated album of the year. Like Bjork with an R&B edge. Buy this album
18. Memory Tapes—Seek Magic
"Swimming Field" [MP3]
There's been a rash of indie rockers who put down their guitars to pick up synths and make atmospheric, blissed-out summertime jams. In our opinion, this is the best of the bunch. Buy this album
17. jj—jj no 2
"Ecstasy" [MP3]
It's great when a band just comes out and tells you what drugs to take before listening to their music. "Ecstasy" is that song, managing to sound more messed up than the Lil Wayne original. Buy this album
16. Kurt Vile—Childish Prodigy
"Overnite Religion" [MP3]
Here was this promising bedroom-recording lo-fi artist who released a couple of great songs. He finally gets cleaned up for his big label debut and guess what? He kind of sounds like awesome classic rock! Neil Young fans take note. Buy this album
All MP3s are for sampling purposes only. Please go out and buy the artists' records. If you would like for us to remove a track, please email us at feedback@refinery29.com.
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