Best of 2009, #31-37

I have to speed this up to get it done by the end of the year, so let's do this rapid fire.

#37: Wale - Chillin' feat. Lady Gaga - Highlight from Wale's fantastic Back to the Feature mixtape. Love the obvious but not corny sample and Chris Mullin reference.


#36: The Felice Brothers - Frankie's Gun - So tragic! Maybe not, but I like a good story mixed with accordions and handclaps.


#35: Two Fingers feat. Sway - What You Know - Can't get enough of those British hip-hoppers! Great beat, but the highlight is the "Dem Boys, Dem Boys" hook.


#34: Danny Chaimson and the 11th Hour - LaLa - I'm drawn to songs about places. Especially LA.


#33: Willie Nelson, Asleep at the Wheel - Hesitation Blues - Western swing reminds me of my grandpa, and Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel are a match made in heaven (somewhere next to Bob Wills).


#32: Cotton Jones - Gotta Cheer Up - Feels retro without feeling stale. Paranoid Cocoon is a fantastic album.


#31: Truman Peyote - New Wife New Life - I love songs that make me completely stop everything I'm doing when I hear it because it's unlike anything I've ever heard before. This is one of those songs.

Best of 2009 #38 - The Very Best ( w. Ezra Koenig) - Warm Heart of Africa

African music is fun, but my short attention span has always had a tough time sitting through the 10 minute horn solos. So, Esau Mwamwaya teamed up with a British DJ, put a modern twist on African music, brought in an indie rock king to sing a ridiculously catchy hook and get the attention of the blogosphere, and boom! You have African music someone with ADD can enjoy.

The Very Best ( w. Ezra Koenig) - Warm Heart of Africa

Best of 2009 #39: Pete Lawrie & Speech Debelle - Black And Blue

A simple, fun song with a British female MC.

Pete Lawrie & Speech Debelle - Black And Blue (That's How I Feel About You)

Best of 2009 #40 - jj - ecstasy

JJ sets out to prove that there are no lyrics so horrible that they can't be turned into a good song with massive amounts of reverb. I just can't stop listening and enjoying.

jj - ecstasy

Best of 2009 #41: Golden Dogs - Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five

This was actually released in 2007, but it was new to me in 2009. It's good to know that good old fashioned Rock N' Roll ain't dead yet.

Golden Dogs - Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five

Best of 2009 #42: Those Darlins - Mama's Heart

Gotta love songs about Mama. Found on my favorite French language blog, There's Always Someone Cooler than You, (which is somewhat ironically one of the best blogs for country/Americana in existence) .


Those Darlins - Mama's Heart

Best of 2009 #43: Robbers on High Street - Cool it Now

On with the countdown! Robbers on High Street cover New Edition, put a neo-soulish spin on it, and end up with music that is nothing but fun. It feels like summer. Thanks to the always elite Armed Snobbery for the tip...

Robbers on High Street - Cool it Now