First of all, I’m surprised that I could even find 10 albums worth listening to this past year. These years haven’t been too consistent in decent “albums,” less than singles. 2009 spawned a good deal of music. The trouble is, as time goes on, the less I want to hear more of one artist, since there are so much talented folks out there. Not only were these following albums classics-in-the-making, but they made quite an impression and grew on me in no time at all. In this day and age of short attention spans, empty beer cans, and indoor tans, no one really sits through a whole album no more. Right? I hope it’s not just me that thinks quality doesn’t come in quantity. Let’s start at the beginning, in no semi-particular order, but really in a cascading tier manner…

The Foreign Exchange – Leave It All Behind

The concept is undeniable. Smooth from beginning to end. After listening all the way through, I truly felt, pain, sorrow, joy, love and hate in one instance. Nicolay is one of the smoothest producers of our time, hands down. His solo sophomore act, Shibuya, is right up here with this one. LIAB brings a much more down-to-earth, bite of reality style to even the average ear. Every song is a scene in your relationship, don’t front. If the production wasn’t superb enough, Phonte comes in from left field, and is still directly on point. Tracks to caress include “Take Off The Blues,” “Daykeeper” and title track.

J. Boogie’s Dubtronic Science – Soul Vibrations

Comfort and Pleasure. The two things most sought after in life. I found it in one place. J. Boogie’s production has soothed the ears and minds of many, but nothing like vibrating the most important part of someone. What an appropriate title. I would file this one under V, between Vibration and Vintage.

Tech N9ne – K.O.D.

The many styles of the multi-flow vet has evolved 10-fold once again. With each album comes a new style, a new concept, and a varying perspective of a day in the life of The Neena. What fascinates me most, is the cadence, the delivery, and how every album is such an entertaining adventure. Once again, Tech has delivered the Strangest of the Strange. Faves include “Leave Me Alone” & “Shadows on the Road”

Krizz Kaliko – Genius

Unfuckwitable style. The Funkra master may not get the shine he deserves, but that’s because every one is sleeping. Deep 4th Stage REM style naps, that is. I wouldn’t even want to file this under Rap/Hip Hop, but probably next to the Tylenol, Advil med section. This stuff cures stupidity. It ain’t for the faint of heart, but it is worth listening to “Misunderstood” and “Bipolar” for a start.

Eminem – Relapse

But, really, who didn’t like this one? It’s that white rapper dude again, one of the greatest Emcees of our time. Really can’t say anything that hasn’t already been done spoken of. Dude’s words can make a grown guy cry, the word loyalty lie, and birth die. Forever a fan of the wordplay.

Crown City Rockers – The Day After Forever

It’s good to know that quality Hip Hop can still be produced my means other than digital. Nice and tight group with multifaceted talents at work here. Since Mission One, these amazing amazers are never a let down, on solo, or together. “Forever Song” rings in my ears. Not a bad joint to bring in the new year.

Kero One – Early Believers

To be cutthroat and honest, I enjoy the beats a lot more than the rhymes. The productions’ flavors are packed with enough organic ingredients to feed you and your long forgotten high school classmates’ excuse of a cohort of beeflovers-turned vegans, and their green eyed, green furred fuzz of a mutt. A very satisfactory follow up from the ‘Windmills…” album. The selection, “Welcome to the Bay” makes me want to live and breathe the dodgy, smoggy air, live life and be joyous.

Cosmic Gate – Sign Of The Times

It’s not very often that an electronic producer(s) can create something so magical that appeals to me, or even a Trance album to say the least. It comes mainly from single tracks or a part of a bigger mix. I’ve been an avid follower of Cosmic Gate, and I relish away in their music. Every track on this full length memento has a character of its own. The mood swings from left to right, to darkness in light. Life has a way of shining through a prism of colors that resemble necessities in this world. And this one’s an aural journey through the senses. Take this one as a sign of our time.

Kryptic Minds – One Of Us

Deep Dubstep at its finest. Another one of the few electronic geniuses that stole my heart this past year. The other day, actually, I just dug my heart back up from the mound of dirt, dust, and mud sitting stagnant atop the yelping glob of Germans with protruding chainsaws, gauze, and rusty rods hanging from their lower lips, screaming for God, only to find it drenched in coats of glitter and gleam that resembled my love for Kryptic’s mind’s eye, a.k.a. knack for music. This one gives me good feelings of embracing the darkness. Nevertheless, the perfect album to play in the background when at work, while still leaving room to think.

STS9 – Peaceblaster : New Orleans Make it Right Remixes

STS9 is awe-inspiring already, but to have a world class lineup flippin’, dippin’, slicin’, and dicin’ their already-sick tunes, is just the icing on the cake. From artists like Nosaj Thing, Eskmo, Prefuse73, Dharmatronix, Daedelus, and more, you really can’t touch this one with a 40 foot pole. Think of it as the sunshine in your ears. You better get your sunblock on before popping this in the player. The heat will burn ya. Trust.

Honorable mentions:
Snoop Dogg – Malice In Wonderland
Uncle S-N-double O P is having fun with this one, and I had fun listening to it. Enjoyed more songs than any other album since Tha Doggfather.

John Legend – Evolver
Don’t front, it’s John Legend, he turns things to gold with his vocal chords, even your girlfriend. Evolver revolves.

Jay-Z – Blueprint 3
In my eyes, a classic before it even dropped. Young!

At any given time, catch me bumpin one or the other on my playlist, or on your kid’s iPod Nano that I took from his schoolbag. Looking forward to good things in music this year. Stay up.

-thepacstr-