QuickCrit Music Survey - Indvidual Lists

Once again, Ancient Indian Wizard has created an awesome website for all our individual lists so that you can read each contributors comments and see what albums of theirs didn't make the final cut. Since only 40 of the 150 albums submitted made the final list, there is a lot to check out.

Our Individual Lists

Note: Due to my workload this week and last, the compiled singles list will come out at the end of this week or beginning of next week. Thanks for your patience.

QuickCrit Music Survey Results - Top 40 Albums (1-10)

1. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
“Another one on the top of various lists. I kept hearing it piecemeal and I kept liking what I was hearing. Too bad about their being French.” - WarMachine

“A month and a half plus of starting out my workday with this album spells out album of the year to me.” - ancient indian wizard

“Always had a soft spot for these guys. Really polished pop songwriting. So tuneful!” - Jeremy B.

“One of the best live shows i saw all year as well.” - Max D.

“The kind of music that can instantly change your mood... for the better.” - NightraiN

“This album just makes me happy every time I listen to it.” - ve1cro

“A band that's even better live, Phoenix makes danceable indie that leaves you feeling happy and relaxed. If you're looking for reasons to hate this band, good luck.” - Mona

“Thought they might be ridding on the coat tails of the MGMT scene and was skeptical at all the hype but this band won me over.” - Layne

“OMG, who knew the French made awesome music?!?! Seriously.” - The Crane Wife

2. Passion Pit - Manners
“Holy dancefest. I introduced this to a coworker who hated it at first and then blasted it on the regular. You kinda want to not like it but you totally love it. If it was a Facebook relationship it would be complicated.” - ancient indian wizard

“Manners has been the #1 release of '09 for months now. Nothing can top danceable indie like this that is creative, inventive, flawless and addictive as hell. In the movie of my life, "Moth's Wings" would hopefully play in the trailer.” - Mona

“It's almost come to the point where I have to be embarrassed by this, but when I'm honest with myself, I listened to this album more than any other this year.” - WarMachine

“For all the ‘Chunk of Change’ lovers who turned into haters: WAKE THE F*** UP!” - Lucas C.

“This is just an all around great album.” - The Crane Wife


3. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion
“It's a hit!” - HotCatato

“A beautiful album by an aptly named band.” - Jeremiah H.

“Took me a while to actually get into this album but it's really unlike anything I’ve ever listened to (and liked). One of those albums that reveals itself more and more with each listen.” - Max D.

“Probably the most accessible Animal Collective album to date, but then again that's not really saying all that much.” - Mona

“5 years ago I hated Animal Collective. This fact illustrates the beauty & joy of music.” - Lucas C.

“What can I add? This will probably end up being tops on the survey, and rightfully so. I'm just glad they finally dumbed down their music enough so that I could get into it.” - WarMachine


4. Metric - Fantasies
“Put this on and watch me dance the pop spaztastic.” - awmercy

“Their songs pass the campfire test. I appreciate that.” - Jeremy B.

“When I first heard this, I asked myself, why would I listen to Metric when I could just pop in the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs? The answer, of course, is because the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs are awesome and this album has earned the comparison.” - WarMachine

“With lyrics like "higher than high, lower than deep" and "hard to be soft , tough to be tender" the female front woman proves she’s one hell of a song writer too. - Layne




5. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
“You can find me stuck in LA traffic singing this song at the top of my lungs.” - HotCatato

“An amazing melodic, at times discordant, audio soundscape. The three ladies singing backup show some mindblowingly innovative acapella chops. Stick with it....it grows on you.” - Tex

“Phew — took me some time to get the hang of this one. Can't say as though I love it, but it's a force, nonetheless, to be reckoned with.” - Jeremiah H.

“While I don't love this entire album as much as some, Stillness is the Move, Cannibal Resource and No Intention are amazing songs.” – WarMachine


6. Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
“Playing this album will get you laid. 60% of the time, it works every time.” - Rain

“She calls them ‘Killer Whales’ but I call them ‘Panda Whales.’” - ancient indian wizard

“Perhaps this is my sentimental best album of the year (certainly, the most heavily played, for me). Neko is a beautiful force to be recokened with.” - Jeremiah H.

"I love the way she says 'killer whales'.” - HotCatato

"’People Gotta A Lot Of Nerve’ is a perfect song. One of America’s great unsung heroes does it again. “ - Lucas C.



7. The Builders & The Butchers - Salvation Is A Deep Dark Well
“Urgent and macabre celebrations of our oncoming destruction.” - awmercy

“Kind of creepy, but kind of good.” - Jeremy

“They took a good thing and made it better. Dark, rollicking and unique. Tell your friends.” – NightraiN









8. Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career
“I really feel they hit their stride with this album. French Navy is bonkers good! I want to get all kissy face like they do in the video for the song. You should too!” - ancient indian wizard

“Love this band, can they ever do any wrong? This album proves they can still inspire ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ when they sing ‘ooh’ and ‘aah.’” - Mona

“This album is great. It was in the CD player in my car for a long time until I almost burnt out on it and had to take a break. Now Fiest's first album is in the CD player. Although both are good, I like My Maudlin Career better.” - The Crane Wife

“Just popped this in recently and I still love it. Holds together so well as an album.” - WarMachine

“Great updated girl group sound.” - Brasilliant


9. Lucero - 1372 Overton Park
“It's the perfect mix of Memphis horns, country grit, and rock n' roll.” - awmercy

“An album with that rare combination of.. well... everything. Oh the horns!” - NightraiN

“Solid outing from one of my favorites -- the horns grew on me.” – Jeremy








10. Julian Casablancas - Phrazes For The Young
“Can't really explain why this album pulls at my heart strings, it just does.” - ve1cro

“It's amazing how great the Strokes solo efforts have been.” - Lucas C.

QuickCrit Music Survey Results - Top 40 Albums (11-20)

11. The Antlers - Hospice

“I listened to this a lot before my son was born. It kinda scared the shit out of me becuase it seems like it's more about the scary side of the hospital. To me though its about the good side of the hospital.” - ancient indian wizard
“I'm still mystified by this album. It's like a huge dark blanket that puts me in a trance.” - Max Diez

“A meditation on tragedy, grieving, anger, acceptance. This album moves me to tears damn near every time I hear it. Some friends of mine have experienced some pretty incredible tragedies this year, and listening to this album puts my heart somewhere near to what i can only imagine they were feeling. Please listen to this.” - Tex

“Catharsis is the best attribute of art. This album is devastating in its understatement.” - Jeremiah H.

12. Girls - Album

“Who doesn't want a pizza and a bottle of wine?” - HotCatato

“This one caught me off guard. Hated it at first but a few more close listens opened the door.” - Max D.





13. Pearl Jam - Backspacer

“Eddie Vedder still has it after all these years- the fixer reminds us all of why we still can't wait to listen to what Pearl Jam has to offer.” - Layne







14. Various Artists - Dark Was The Night

“I can't recall such a nearly flawless compilation . . . ever. This two disk set showcases how incredible the talent out there is right now. This album will remain a classic staple, mark my words.” – Tex

“Finally — a cause album that's as good as the cause. “ - Jeremiah H.





15. Grizzly Bear - Vecktimest

“Smart, complex, and beautiful...I'm in awe of these guys.” - Max D.

“The choral, large sound on this album contrasted with the heartbreaking lyrics makes for an experience.” - Jeremiah H.

16. Yeah Yeah Yeah's - It's Blitz!

“While I miss their more guitar driven stuff, It's Blitz! managed to keep me interested. Particularly "Soft Shock" which is quite possibly one of the cutest YYYs songs ever.” - Mona

“I have this only in vinyl, and I've spun the shit out of it. While I'd like to listen to it in my car or on the headphones sometimes, I won't let myself because listening to it still feels like an event.” - WarMachine

“Possibly the truest to the sense of the word Rock Stars of our time. Solid singles . . . the album could have been a little more cohesive, but my interest is renewed. A go to album for waking up, making coffee, and shaking one's naked-post-shower junk all over the place. No, it's cool . . . go ahead and picture it.” - Tex

“I'm a sucker for female singers, I do not hide this fact. I also did not buy a lot of music this year. That being said, this album really grew on me. Took a few listens to really start warming up to it, but now I really like it.” - Jeremiah O.

17. Harlem Shakes - Technicolor Health

“Anxious NYC indie rock after downing a handful of Zoloft.” - awmercy

“Harlem Shakes inspired many conversations with Awmercy about how much we love these tunes. Quirky indie rock at its most infectious, I love the optimism of this record and spent many hours blasting "Strictly Game." Best live show of the year, hands down.” - Mona

“I swear, nine out of ten times that a song would come up on a genius playlist that I liked but didn't know I'd ask AIW who it was and he'd guess, "the Harlem Shakes?" And he would be right! And so I eventually listened to the whole album.” - The Crane Wife

18. The xx - xx

“Simple, dry, and focused.” - Max Diez

“Dream pop at its finest, these Brits remind us that sexy and romantic are not mutually exclusive. This record is full of stunning, exciting, melodic, mellow and atmospheric mood music I just can't stop listening to.” - Mona

“I can't pick my favorite songs from this album. As an ALBUM, this flows seamlessly...truly rare in this day and age of cut and paste MP3 playlists. Exudes sensuality - prime make out music.” - Tex

“There's a shortage of male/female duet bands in the world. There is so much sincerity in this music.” - Jeremiah H.

19. Elvis Perkins In Dearland - Elvis Perkins In Dearland

“Elvis Perkins has an amazing voice and coupled with (what sounds like) an all-out brass band, Dearland is hands down the best album of the year.” - Brasilliant

“Kind of a kick back to another era but with a modern twist. Such a cool vocal delivery/style.” - Max D.

“Great songwriting and sound... one that clearly stands out when so many of the same genre sound the same.” – Nightrain

20. Hockey - Mind Chaos

"I must admit, Hockey had the potential to be way over my "screamiest" threshold. However, having seen them live three times now, I can't help but dance." - Brasilliant

QuickCrit Music Survey Results - Top 40 Albums (21-30)

21. Editors - In This Light And On This Evening

"A little dance. A little rock. A little touch of Interpol. What's not to like?" - Nightrain

“Sounded so much like their debut studio album- was glad to have the sound that they are known and loved for back.” - Layne

“Dark 'n moody.” - The Crane Wife




22. Fires Of Rome - You Kingdom You

“Stood the test of time . . . Modern glam rock with plenty of nods to the classics.” - Nightrain

“This whole album totally blew my mind.” - Sandenuts





23. The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love

“The Rock Opera is alive and it wants heavily creamed and honeyed Earl Grey tea.” - Rain

“I was discussing why I have such a profound dislike of musicals last night...primarily because the drama club at my high school did nothing but, and I was friends with a lot of the drama kids, and they sang the songs from that seasons musical constantly....and with such fervor and passion....it just brought out a strong and unwavering disgust in me. However, rock operas I can get behind, for some reason. And what with the Decemberists knocking out one every 2 years or so . . . who knows? Maybe I'll be taking in the occasional musical down the line. But probably not. Guest vocals by My Brightest Diamond don't hurt at all.” - Tex

“Love these dudes. This album prompted many long discussions at work as to what it was about. Then I read the wikipedia about it and kinda ruined that game for everone . . . my bad!” - ancient indian wizard



24. Japandroids - Post-Nothing

“A band that just moved to the top of my "must see live" list, Japandroids makes exuberant, noisy garbage rock that is fun and refreshingly simple.” - Mona

25. M. Ward - Hold Time

“I love M. Ward before I go to bed or on Sundays with tea and conversation.” - ve1cro

26. Portugal. The Man - The Satanic Satanist

“’People Say’ should be a future rock anthem.” - awmercy

“Great combination of old and new sounds. So catchy it sometimes hurts.” - Nightrain







27. Andrew Bird - Noble Beast

"A close second for Mr. Bird. A really tough decision this year." - Lucas C.

28. fun. - Aim And Ignite

“fun. is the new Mika — if Mika joined a rockin' band and sniffed glue.” - Brasilliant

“Totally fun, refreshing, and upbeat album.” - ve1cro







29. The Avett Brothers - I And Love And You

“More restrained than some of their earlier albums (meaning less yelling), it's a rollicking combination of piano and string section ballads, bluegrass picking, earnest singing, and often quite striking lyrical declarations.” - Jeremy

“Rick Rubin may get the credit but this band is the real deal. Three steps away from their roots did them good.” - Lucas C.




30. The Thermals - Now We Can See

"I think I may have picked this up after reading a review here. In any case, I thoroughly enjoyed this.” - Jeremiah O.

“A slightly calmer effort from the Portland group—still sounds raw and edgy with the cutest bass player in history, just more precise this time around.” - Kevin S.

QuickCrit Music Survey Results - Top 40 Albums (31-40)

31. Black Heart Procession - Six

“More dirges from the dark, cold, sad town of San Diego, California. Oh, that ocean is so depressing. Oh, this 75 degree weather really taxes one's soul . . . “ - Rain

“This album makes you either want to drink a pint of whiskey or hide under the covers. Melodic, hypnotic, moody and dark- exactly what was expected.” - Layne




32. Bat For Lashes - Two Suns

"Reminded me of a darker Mazzy Star but full of substance. Reminds me of how a dark red wine warms your tummy but has a bit of bite on the palette." - Layne







33. Laura Gibson - Beasts Of Seasons

"I love her bunches. She played here like 3 times this year and I didn't go to any of the shows. How big of a douche am I?” - ancient indian wizard

“Laura Gibson is, for me, a reminder that opening acts can be wonderful. Thanks Colin Meloy!” - The Crane Wife





34. Volcano Choir - Unmap

“Larson and Serena showed me their copy of the "Indie Rock Coloring Book", which features a page depicting the Wisconsin cabin where Justin Vernon notoriously wrote "For Emma, Forever Ago" along with a diagram of the water supply line that led to the 'Magical Water Source' that made that album possible. Well, either Justin and his collaborators from fellow WI rock institution, Collections of Colonies Of Bees, recorded in that same cabin, or JV's got more than gnome-enchanted water going for him.” - Tex

“Seriously... any album that has a reference to old tits being on a harddrive simply must be one of the best albums of the year.” - Jeremiah H.



35. Nurses - Apple's Acres

“Jingly jangly indie pop.” - HotCatato

“Fragmented whistles, bells, knocks, and gurgles make for fantastic shambling indie rock.” - awmercy






36. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart (Self Titled)

“Good Album. I get it... I really do . . . “ - Jeremiah H.

37. Throw Me The Statue - Creaturesque

“Chock full of summer indie pop jams. Rock that tinny keyboard!” - awmercy

“Visited QuickCrit's creator awmercy in Portland a few weeks ago and was introduced to TMTS's new album whilst driving around. I got a copy of it last week and have listened to it at least twice a day since. Modern pop at it's best - More hooks than a hardware store. Yeah, I just came up with that. You're welcome.” - Tex

38. Matt & Kim - Grand

“Oh, Brattleboro, VT. What is it about you that produced such amazing bands as Matt & Kim, the Devil Makes Three, Witch, and Feathers? It must be the Nuclear power plant down stream, or perhaps the med-infused water from the Retreat (a mental hospital/rehab clinic). Whatever it is...keep it up. Matt and Kim....you've come into your own with this one. Fantastic.” - Tex

“Is it possible this album just came out this year? Again, perhaps I should be embarrassed by this, but I refuse to be. The key here is the energy. When he sings, you can tell in his voice that he is smiling and it makes you smile too.” - WarMachine



39. Bill Callahan - Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle

“Bill could say the dirtiest things to your mother and she'd still make him a cup of warm milk, and put him to bed, while looking at you with a "why couldn't I have had a son like him instead of you" expression.” - Rain

40. Mastodon - Crack The Skye

“Shredding record from the very unique Mastodon that made me a fan of Prog in 2009.” - Justin Slaughter

“In one epic track "The Czar" Mastodon have mastered the past, present & future of metal. Sick.” - Lucas C.

Top 10 Portland Albums from 2009

This was an insanely good year for Portland bands. Narrowing it down to just 10 albums is just stupid, but I am doing it anyway. Although some of these bands are obvious transplants, I considered them a Portland band if they self-identified as such on their MySpace page. Apologies to Hockey, whose Mind Chaos I still love, but it came out locally and topped the list last year.

1. Portugal. The Man - The Satanic Satanist
2. The Builders And The Butchers - Salvation Is A Deep Dark Well
3. Nurses - Apple's Acre
4. The Mint Chicks - Screens
5. The Thermals - Now We Can See
6. Paula Sinclair - Steady Girl
7. M. Ward - Hold Time
8. New York Rifles - Make A Wish
9. Panther - Entropy
10. Scotland Barr & The Slow Drags - We Will Be Forgotten EP