Discharge 2009 - Javids Top 10

Theres no real other reason for the title other than the fact that I find the word 'discharge' absolutely disgusting no matter what the context. Its that time of year again for me to go through the shitloads of CDs I bought last year, decide which ones I liked more and then put it up on here and try to perpetuate it as fact rather than opinion. No two-part installments, here comes a big motherfuckin top 10 list for you.

10. Tiga - Ciao!
Tiga is in an interesting situation. With enough credibility to be taken seriously he still manages to portray himself as somewhat of an idiot. His lyrics are generally appalling and silly, the artwork for the album is ridiculously self infatuated but I can't help being attracted to this CD throughout the course of the year. The singles 'Beep Beep Beep' and 'Shoes' did ridiculously well and its that groovy infectiousness that takes over the record. Makes me smile. Oh and theres a track called 'Sex o Clock' (its sex o clock/you need the time/i've got the time/its sex o clock)

09. Les Claypool - Of Fungi and Foe
This is one of two entries in this years top ten that people may claim is based on personal bias rather than acclaim. YOU listen to this album and tell me that there is ANYONE doing ANYTHING like this as comfortably and naturally as Mr Claypool. One of the worlds most original composers doing things in a way that no one else is, and ultimately defining the indefinable.

08. Flight of the Conchords - I Told You I Was Freaky
Essentially a soundtrack, yes, but filled with an absolutely hilarious not to mention diverse range of material. Electro, acoustic ballads, hip-hop, RnB, Reggae. If these Kiwi guys sucked the album would be appalling and all over the place with no definable genre, but this latest collection of songs from the second season shows range. Comedic music that has been thoroughly worked on. Tenacious D of the southern hemisphere. Maybe even a little funnier..

07. Rammstein - Liebe Ist Für Alle Da
This will be the second album I get accused of being biased for but eat my balls. Rammstein havent released an album (let alone a thought out, good one) since Reise Reise in 2004 so the wait finally ended and was it worth it? As the biggest fan I know, the answer is yes. Dark, brooding, absolutely brutal and always tongue in cheek. The first single 'Pussy' featured an X-rated hardcore pornographic video clip. Rammstein havent changed and I love them for it.

06. Florence and the Machine - Lungs
There really isnt another name that could have been used for this album. From the first track to the last the band loses significance as the beauty and raw.. power of Florence Welchs voice takes you from the bottom to the top and everywhere in between. Huge, uplifting, but then dark and moody by contrast. Its going to be interesting to see what album #2 is like but if its anywhere near as good as this one, this is an outfit to watch.

05. Empire of the Sun - Walking On A Dream
Alot of 2009 was already spent hyping this CD. At first I didnt really like it but it has most definately grown on me. A pleasant sound, PNAU with guitars essentially. Good tracks, catchy melodies and a generally positive message made it hard for everyone at the ARIA's to be proud of anything else. Its good, deserved most of what it got, especially when you look at who it was up against. Sigh.

04. Bluejuice - Head Of The Hawk
Bluejuice are a good band. After the first CD and the success of 'Vitriol' and such it looked like maybe, just maybe, they could have made it. Unfortunately a lack of strength in the debut album didnt give them a chance to convey what they're really about but this album does it beautifully. Cocky, fun, danceable and most importantly - polished, Bluejuice show that everyone should maybe stop taking themselves so seriously.

03. Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
If there was a band that everyone was curious about, it was TCV. With Josh Homme again at the helm of another side project I wasnt overly enthused but Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones seem a perfect fit. Yes Homme's influence is the biggest on the sound, but the songwriting and solid, not over the top musicianship makes this an incredibly enjoyable album. Not to mention, without a doubt, the coolest fucking artwork of 2009.

02. Dizzee Rascal - Tongue N Cheek
Im a fan of Dizzee Rascal but there was no feeling of any conflict of interest putting this album so close to the top. When the first single is the worst song on the album you know its going to be pretty strong and it truly is. A man whos made a fortune being a Rascal has a sharp eye for the world today and the way it used to be, conveying it with a humour-laced attitude while still making you see a point.. sometimes. Party time.

01. Arctic Monkeys - Humbug
Its been a good career so far for the Artcic Monkeys. First album incredibly hyped to 'next big thing' status, second album critically acclaimed, if a little darker than the first. This third album has seen the band move from adolescents, to young men, to bloody songwriters. They've always had the knack and the attitude but on Humbug it has been honed perfectly. The attitude is there still but with more direction. They're now men and are here for the long haul, they will be one of the definitive bands of this musical generation. And, with a large amount of producing on this album Josh Homme technically takes out 2 of the top 3. Greedy bastard.

Biggest Disappointment
Im a Muse fan. I stood up and defended them whenever my compatriots here at WBDF would take to them and talk them down. Then they went ahead and released 'The Resistance' this year, much to my disgust. Epic? Yes. Grandiose? Yes. What they've done here is try to tell their fans WHAT they want to hear in the vain of 'Alright you like our rocky, epic albums - lets make one but pretty much take the rock OUT and see if people still like it.' With this album Muse have fallen from 'rock band' to 'egomaniacal self obsessed "superband"' and personally it shits me. The album has about 2 songs that would get a crowd moving and I'm not holding a lighter above my head so you can stroke your proverbial dick for half an hour. They'd better steer clear of most of this shit at the Big Day Out.