The year in music 2009

Best albums that kept me movin' 'n groovin in 2009

1. ASTRA The Weirding

Prog-rock masterpiece debut album from San Diego band. Newcomers will have a hard time believing it wasn't recorded in 1975. How they got this production quality is beyond me. And the music is stunningly beautiful; it's a mix of prog-synth horror and timeless classic rock. I found this in a Best Buy, so pick this up soon if you can.

2. CAULDRON Chained the Nite

Cauldron are heavy, melodic, and classic. But most of all, they are fun. This album of timeless, traditional metal has is all killer, no filler.

3. ZOMBI Spirit Animal

To me, this is the definitive statement from Zombi. Their heaviest and most cinematic album yet

4. SAVIOURS Accelerated Living

Bad-ass heavy metal album. Smokes from start to filthy finish

5. FU MANCHU Signs of Infinite Power

Awesome Fu Manchu album. They have been around for 20 years now and they are still creating massive heavy rock. The songs on this record are fun and they pack a wallop.

6. SECRET CHEIFS 3 Le Mani Destre Recise Degli Ultimi Uomini

Brilliant "soundtrack" to an Italian Giallo film. They really nailed this. I wouldn't be able to decipher this from an actual soundtrack album from the era of Italian horror. Gorgeous music from begining to end.

7. DINOSAUR JR. Farm

The original line-up is back together and they are creating some of the best music of their career, and that includes all of their classic 80s albums. It's like they picked up right where Bug left off.

8. WOLFMOTHER Cosmic Egg

After the original line-up split, everyone got nervous. But Andrew Stockdale has delivered another mammoth heavy album, with timeless melodies and groovy riffs. I wish more mainstream rock radio sounded like this. Heavy, groovy and fun to play loud in the car.

9. NIGHT HORSE The Dark Won't Hide You

This really grew on me. The album starts out hard and heavy and then diversifies for a satisfying finish. I'm looking forward to the next one!

10. THE BLACK CROWES Before the Frost.. Until the Freeze

Black Crowes are making some of the coolest music of their career. Following up 2008's satisfying WarPaint, this is an excellent double album of classic rock, timeless folk and good vibes.

Honorable Mentions: The Company Band s/t, Firebird Deluxe, Shrinebuilder s/t, Children Hard Times Hangin' at the End of the World, Birds of Avalon Uncanny Valley