WUASTM's Most Disappointing Albums of 2009

Happy New Year, everybody. Anybody made any resolutions for 2010 yet? I don't usually make any, because I wind up breaking them in a matter of days or weeks. I think making high minded resolutions sets yourself up for disappointment. Instead, I just try to start the year with my sights on making this year better than the last. 

I'd like to be hopeful for big things. I like to see the economy get going again, so people are not living on such tight budgets. I'd like to see us get our military men and women out of countries where they aren't welcome. I'd like to see our politicians provide nonpartisan leadership on important issues such as health care and global warming. I'd like to see people decide once and for all that no one goes hungry or homeless. I'd like to see all these things happen, but I'll probably be disappointed.

One thing I do expect is another great year in music. Although, I listened to a lot of great music last year, there were some artists I was disappointed with their output. I expected something better, either because of their track record or because of their talent. Here are a dozen examples where we thought these albums fell far short of the mark.

Ben Kweller
Changing Horses
Release Date: February 3, 2009
Label: ATO Records

WE SAID: "...this album would fit nicely along side a Brad Paisley or Keith Urban CD, if I knew or even cared what the fuck they sound like." (Full Review)
KEY TRACK:
None

Bishop Allen
Grrr...
Release Date: March 10, 2009
Label: Dead Oceans

WE SAID: "...(they used to balance cutesy) with wit and pop sensibility...(but this is) so artificially sweet it leaves a saccharine aftertaste..." (Full Review)
KEY TRACK:
The Commonsense of Things

Mat Kearney
City of Black & White
Release Date: May 19, 2009
Label: Sony

WE SAID: "...The result is slightly bland, unoffensive background music where each track more or less blends together..." (Full Review)
KEY TRACK:
Closer To Love

Monsters of Folk
Monsters of Folk
Release Date: September 22, 2009
Label: Shangri-La

WE SAID: "...given the talent here, we were disappointed there weren't more memorable moments..." (Full Review)
KEY TRACK:
Say Please

Noah and the Whale
The First Days of Spring
Release Date: October 6, 2009
Label: Cherry Tree

WE SAID: "After a very good debut last year, this London indie folk group takes a detour to "down" town..." (Full Review)
KEY TRACK:
Blue Skies

Regina Spektor
Far
Release Date: June 23, 2009
Label: Warner Brothers

WE SAID: "...The edges from last time...have been polished off. It's a fairly predictable mix despite using four diverse producers..." (Full Review)
KEY TRACK:
Dance Anthem of the '80s

Silversun Pickups
Swoon
Release Date: April 14, 2009
Label: Dangerbird Records

WE SAID: "...This album is more homogenized than their rawer debut, which, at least, had one stellar track..." (Full Review)
KEY TRACK:
None

Son Volt
American Central Dust
Release Date: July 7, 2009
Label: Rounder

WE SAID: "...Farrar fully embraces his alt country roots rather than the multi-instrumental expansion last time. Is it a restart or a retreat?..." (Full Review)
KEY TRACK:
Down To The Wire

The Bravery
Stir The Blood
Release Date: December 1, 2009
Label: Island Records

WE SAID: "...Where (The Killers) expanded their sonic horizons...The Bravery seem to be stuck in a rut of retro-fitted post-punk raves..." (Full Review)
KEY TRACK:
Slow Poison

The Flaming Lips
Embryonic
Release Date: October 13, 2009
Label: Warner Bros.

WE SAID: "...overall it could have been more engaging and less meandering distilled down to a single album." (Full Review)
KEY TRACK:

Weezer
Raditude
Release Date: November 3, 2009
Label: Geffen Records

WE SAID: "...(after) the first few likable lead off tracks, the balance of the album has the appeal of a Hot Pocket nuked a second time..." (Full Review)
KEY TRACK:
(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To

Why?
Eskimo Snow
Release Date: September 22, 2009
Label: Columbia Records

WE SAID: "...it seems like a bad move to follow your energetic breakthrough record with a melancholy misfire..." (Full Review)
KEY TRACK:
This Blackest Purse

Enjoy, GB

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Posted by Wake Up and Smell The Music at 1/1/2010 12:47 PM
Categories: Silversun Pickups,Son Volt,Mat Kearney,Bishop Allen,Why,Weezer,Monsters of Folk,The Flaming Lips,The Bravery,Noah and the Whale,Regina Spektor,Ben Kweller
Tags: Feature Article
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  • 1/2/2010 3:42 AM Yergs wrote:
    Brilliant take on the Weezer album, probably should've deserved less than the rating given! Happy new year!
    Reply to this
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