iLL-Literacy sent over this list to us of their favorite albums of 2009.
The group also discussed the decade and what it has meant to the group.
iLL-Literacy Top 10 Albums Of The Year
In November we released iB4the1.1 as our way to kick this decade in the shins right quick before heading into the new one. For iLL-Literacy, the 2000's can very much be considered the period of experimentation – figuring out whether we wanted to be in spoken word, theatre, or music...and eventually realizing that the answer is in all three and then some. In 2010 we'll be releasing iB4the1.2, where we let loose a little more and let our imaginations run wild. With '09 being the first year we dove into music fully and completely, it was also the most enriching both in the way that we created and listened to music. This year we made our sandbox. Next year we play in it.
Little Dragon - Machine Dreams
Swedish pop band Little Dragon came out strong with their sophomore LP, Machine Dreams. Despite its name, its sound is less dreamy and airy than its preceding album, moving more towards the dancefloor with stronger synths and bass. Yukimi Nagano still kills it with her smokey jazz voice, but like her bandmates experiments with sound that is innovative yet classic, that challenges your ears but still feels like home. They evolve boldly, which many bands try to do in their second albums but often fail at. Instead, Little Dragon manages to step far outside of its scape while enhancing the aspects of their music that fans love them for. The result is an amazing suite that solidifies their sound and simultaneously leaving the listener curious about where they'll move towards next.
Rick Ross - Deeper Than Rap
One of the most unacknowledged writers in the game. Ross made me a believer with this one. To come off the MOST embarrassing exposures in hip-hop history (including Prodigy's ballerina pics) and make an album that fans and haters can appreciate alike despite the back story is a significant mark in the culture of the genre. In effect, Ross says "so what" - denying and seemingly admitting the "correctional officer" claim in the same song while maintaining the image and storyline of a Miami drug lord. As the New York Times noted, Rick Ross has blurred the lines of reality and theater in an almost Brechtian manner - where the performer acknowledges the falseness of his performance while never quite stepping out of character. Okay, that's definitely deeper than rap. Let's discuss the specifics. Tracks 1 through 7 are seamlessly gangster-lean infectious. Ross rhymes of the dope game with a precision and complexity that is reminiscent of Jay-Z's "Reasonable Doubt". Not to mention the production was fire. Justice League did the job. Or rather, the beats chosen were uncannily suited for Ross' voice and swag. "Rich off Cocaine" will be a classic. The string-heavy, smooth-bouncing production on the album carries Rick Ross to the level of a big hip-hop Isaac Hayes. It's not a perfect album by any means, but it is a milestone for hip-hop. I'm proud of Ross.
Metric - Fantasies
Simply put, restored my belief in songwriting. Metric is probably my favorite indie rock band. And by indie, truly an independent band in the way they interact with their fans, explore their musical breadth, and develop artistically. The lead singer Emily Haines, has a curious way of either showing how foolish the things we take seriously are, or how serious things that we disregard as foolish are...I can't decide. From "Satellite Mind," the lines "I'm not suicidal / I just can't get out of bed" illustrates our generation, our economy, our 2009. But don't mistaken Metric for an emo band. The band tugs at the heart as fiercely as they call on the imagination. The title Fantasies explains it all. Hot shit for your brain.
Mos Def - The Ecstatic
It's unfortunate that people are sleeping on Mos Def's The Ecstatic, especially those who loved Black on Both Sides and grew impatient during The New Danger and True Magic. While I personally favor The New Danger, it's true that Mos possessed a charm and mood as an emcee that he seemed to lose after his first album. The Ecstatic shows that that was definitely a choice, because he returns to the forceful, intensely lyrical storytelling that made him a household name. At the same time, he's not returning to ground one, as he still fully utilizes the musical and vocal experimentation that he developed during his previous albums. Whichever of those was your favorite, you'll find aspects from all in this one. It satisfies greatly.
Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
The Animal Collective album isn't on our list just because it's on every magazine's list, or because we sampled the group in our track "Circus Nights." The way they play with unconventional scales and chords, embed hidden meanings into their lyrics, and create songs that for a few minutes completely pull you into their world, have all inspired our recording process this entire year. MPP is Animal Collective's somewhat pop debut as the "least abstract" album but still pretty damned abstract. Psychedelia for the new generation. I can digit.
Drake - So Far Gone
So if he can win a Grammy off of it, this "mixtape" can at least be in my top album of '09 list. I was late on this joint and missed the initial hype so when I finally did pop the disc in my car stereo, I was basking in the Kool-Aid all by myself like I discovered the guy. At least I thought so. Whatever alchemy was involved in the creation of this project captivated my ears to the point where every single time I inserted the CD in, it would at least get four thorough spins - and not because of any lack of other material in my car. Compared to previous material, Drake seemed to master his ability to stand apart and stand in the track at the same time. The music as well as his themes are cohesive and are all backed by a great flow and a resonant voice. What more can you ask for? Drake's "So Far Gone" is a CLASSIC. Period.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
When Yeah Yeah Yeahs came out with their second album Show Your Bones, they were criticized for trading in their gritty garage sound for a cleaner, crisper studio feel. Unphazed, their third LP It's Blitz addresses those who judge with unapologetically upping the ante, polishing their sound even more and even stepping into pop territory. While "Heads Will Roll" shows YYYs comfortably in new dance record terrain, "Shame and Fortune" feeds those hungry for the savage belly-grumbling classic Karen O. At the same time, "Skeletons" and "Little Shadow" are reminiscent of their classic debut ballad "Maps" and paves the way for Karen O's folksy sound that was to lead the Where the Wild Things Are soundtrack. This is diverse, well-rounded, epic album.
K'naan - Troubadour
In Troubadour, K'naan mproves the quality of, and removes the monotony from what is generally taken to be "conscious" rap these days with every project. Put plainly, he displays how it can and should be done. Our issue with most "conscious" rap is that it often possesses the right message, but only at the expense of artistic versatility, creative perspectives, and pop appeal. K'naan finds that holy grail, dealing a great rap record that's political, musical, and innovative, all at the same time.
DJ Quik & Kurupt - Blaqkout
How a collaboration album by two California legends went under everyone's radar, I don't know. And as much of a fairytale as a full LP with Quik on the beats and Kurupt on the mic might be, they definitely don't do things by the book. Well, about half the album is songs like "Do You Know" and "Ohh!" are set to appease those looking for a solid G-Funk record sans Nate Dogg on every hook. The other half has some of the most innovative tracks released by anyone this year. "Jupiter's Critic & the Mind of Mars" is well outside the expected in any regards...it's just WEIRD! "Exodus" is a rhythm track that sounds completely outside of the duo's element, while still being completely relevant to the album. And if you just want Kurupt to spit in classic Dogg Pound fashion, look no further than "9x Outta 10." Blaqkout has it all!
Sa-Ra Creative Partners: Nuclear Evolution: The Age of Love
Admittedly, I haven't listened to this album straight through from first track to last. But I have listened to every song, and though the double-disc sophomore album from Sa-Ra is a bit long for my taste, pretty much every single song stands very well on its own. Hard to blame it on the group though. They're so experimental with their sound and vocals, it's inevitable that they would be as bold as to make a record as long and diverse as this one. Tracks like "Can I Get You Hi" and "Dirty Beauty" serve as your friendly neighborhood Sa-Ra sextalkspacejam music, while their cover of Sly & the Family Stone's "Just Like a Baby" show that they can stay funky, even when brought down to earth. They certainly earn the "Creative" in their name.
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