
The Moondoggies ::: Secret Set at The Blue Moon ::: photo by Abbey
We’re half way through 2009, which means it’s as good a time as any to reflect and share what were my favorite releases, songs, and shows in what’s proving to be an exciting year of music.
I’m not ready to list these in any sort of ranked order just yet, you’ll have to wait for Decemeber for that. But these are the albums, eps, songs, and shows that have helped make 2009 a memorable year of music, so far. (No Animal Collective or Dirty Projectors necessary!)

Best Albums So Far:
The Ironclads - Space Between the Maps
Elvis Perkins In Dearland- Elvis Perkins In Dearland
The Lonely Forest - We Sing The Body Electric
J. Tillman - Vacilando Territory Blues
Kaylee Cole - We’re Still Here Missing You
Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
The Curious Mystery - Rotting Slowly
Nurses - Apple’s Acre
Dan Auerbach - Keep It Hid
Shane Tutmarc - Shouting at a Silent Sky
I had to whittle down that list to a round, solid 10, which is pretty exciting considering there are albums scheduled to come out from the following bands in the remaining months of 2009:
The Cave Singers, The Maldives, The Dutchess and The Duke, Black Whales, Black Eyes & Neckties, Thee Emergency, J. Tillman, and David Bazan.
Bon Iver at Sasquatch ::: Photo by Abbey
Best EPs or 7” So Far:
Bon Iver - Blood Bank
See Me River - The Great Unwashed
The Moonodoggies - Terreberryy EP/Record Store Day EP
What What Now - Self Titled 7”

J. Tillman ::: photo by Abbey
Best Songs So Far:
“We Sing In Time” - The Lonely Forest
“Blood Bank” - Bon Iver
“Steel on Steel” - J. Tillman
“Shampoo” - Elvis Perkins
“Alamagordo” - The Ironclads
“Airplanes” - Local Natives
“The Hardest Part” - The Moondoggies
“Folding Chairs” - Regina Spektor
“Magic Mountain” - Arthur & Yu
“Gossamer Hair” - Pearly Gate Music
“Driftwood Doll” - The Traditionist
“Car Wreck” - Kaylee Cole
“The Ballad of RAA” - The Rural Alberta Advantage
“Coast of Carolina” - Telekenesis
(I have to admit, 2009 has been a year of albums/EPs/7” much more so than singles and songs, so I feel like this is more a list of my favorite songs from my favorite albums than the best singles or songs of ‘09. I’ll work on broadening that a bit before December.)

The Whore Moans Play Our 2nd Blue Moon Birthday Bash ::: Photo By Abbey
Best Shows, So Far:
* David Bazan - House Show, Edmonds
* Sound on the Sound Celebrates the Blue Moon’s 75th Anniversary
* Ironclads CD Release Show at Holy Mountain (with What What Now, The Whore Hands)
* Built to Spill does Perfect From Now On
* Sound on the Sound’s 2nd Birthday Bash’s at The Blue Moon and Neumo’s
* Blind Pilot at The Triple Door
* Nurses at South Pole
* Jenny Lewis at UW
* Bon Iver at Sasquatch
* The Moondoggies at The Blue Moon