I’ve had the greatest honor of working with AC/DC over the past 2 years. I Art Directed, Designed and Illustrated the Grammy Nominated album “Black Ice.” Below is 1 of 4 covers (The hard-bound deluxe edition which contains additional photography, illustrations, and lyrics!)
This is a great EP. The song “Love; Pass It On” should be a radio hit. Check it out. I designed the entire package. Cover, Spine and Back Cover above.
My top 10 picks for this year are SO diverse from each other that it’s really impossible to put them in any kind of numerical order. It’s unlikely that you’ll find many of these records on other top 10 “critics” lists. Overall 2009 was a GREAT year for records!
First up is Dinosaur Jr’s Farm! WOW. This is the album that keeps giving. I never get bored of it and it seems to capture my mood and overall personal themes of this year, all year. “Over It” should be in the best songs of the decade, Period.
Next up is Rancid’s Let The Dominoes Fall Deluxe Edition. And I’m serious when I say Deluxe. The 2nd CD All-acoustic/demo version of the album really shows that these cats are writing amazing, brilliant songs. These are our punk themes of this decade. The high contrast B&W DVD further proves this. I love seeing their whole start to finish process. This is their best record since …And Out Come The Wolves and they should be up for a fucking award.
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears! Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is! James Brown would be seriously proud to spin this record. This is the funkiest shit I’ve heard in a long, long time. A super-fun, dance around your house like a madman with your girl recording.
Isaac Brock is a genius. This is not news. Modest Mouse No One’s First, And You’re Next really creates a great buzz throughout the room being spun. Everyone digs it, even people who aren’t Modest Mouse fans. It’s eclectic, it’s weird, and it sounds REALLY trippy. I had the great honor of Art Directing/Designing this EP and the 3 singles leading up to it’s release.
Dan Auerbach’s Keep It Hid is a masterpeice. It’s one of those records that is timeless. You will be able to spin it in 30 years, and it will Still sound amazing. This is not just a record for Black Keys fans, its a record for everyone. It’s mellow and easy on the ears. It’s so well crafted it will be hard to beat by Mr. Auerbach himself.
Best Live record of 2009! This is the album I wished Tom Waits was going to release this year. It’s rowdy, it’s insanely dirty, and it’s “Alive As Fuck”! Black Diamond Heavies have just a few releases out, but this is the one that will get you. It’s an intense record but a short one. As soon as you think you’ve had enough, it’s over. Then I say to myself, “I could use some more of that!” Hahaha. Thanks for putting this out there.
M. Ward has made his best album to date, Hold Time. This is a beautifully crafted mellow record. It will inspire you, and it will calm you.
Pearl Jam’s Backspacer! Eddie and The Boys have reinvented themselves once again! Could be the Pop-Punk album of the year. It’s a really catchy record with incredible artwork. I hope Pearl Jam cranks out records for decades to come.
The Flaming Lips’ Embryonic is a record Pink Floyd could have, or dare I say Should have made. It’s a wild trip that has me in a creative frenzy. Highly inspirational and the Deluxe comes in a giant furry alien vagina! WOW
Them Crooked Vultures. Most are claiming this to be highly Led Zeppelin influenced due to the involvement of John Paul Jones. I have to strongly disagree, ‘cause all I hear is really good QOTSA record. I LOVE QOTSA and this is their latest, greatest record since the Last one with Dave Grohl. I strongly feel that Dave Grohl belongs on the drum kit and should stay there. He’s nuts. This album is haunting, it’s rocking, shocking, and it’s a Loooong record. Keep ‘em coming Josh, keep ‘em coming!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Also check out Bumpin’ Tacos: Greatest Tits and Trippin’ Balls, Vol 1; Akron/Family: Set Em Wild, Set Em Free; Ben Harper & Relentless 7: White Lies For Dark Times; Death: For The Whole World To See; Devendra Banhart: What Will Be; Alice In Chains: Black Gives Way To Blue.
LEVY