On a different and entirely self-indulgent note: this year’s Triple J Hottest 100 was lame. 2009 was a great year for music, but you wouldn’t know it from the countdown. Here are, as far as I’m concerned, the 25 best songs of 2009. No justification. Just a list.
You can just read it, or, if you have the time & inclination, you can listen/watch/download via the links (all legal).
Of course, I welcome & expect argumentation regarding the merits of my selections!
25. Noah & The Whale—Blue Skies Streaming at YouTube
24. Radiohead—These Are My Twisted Words Free download from Radiohead’s website.
23. The Joy Formidable—The Last Drop Listen or download via Pitchfork
22. Mumford & Sons—Little Lion Man Listen on the YouTube
21. Million Young—Chlorophyl Dowload the Sunndreamm EP for free
20. HEALTH—We Are Water Hear it via YouTube
19. Hot Chip—Transmission (A brilliant cover of the classic Joy Division track). Listen at Stereogum.
18. Passion Pit—Little Secrets Listen via YouTube
17. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart—Young Adult Friction There’s a free download over at RCRDLBL!
16. The National—So Far Around The Bend Hear it via YouTube and watch a video about the Dark Was The Night project at Pitchfork.
15. The Middle East—The Darkest Side Listen at The Middle East’s website.
14. The Gaslamp Killer—Anything Worse Free download, again from RCRDLBL.
13. U2—Magnificent Listen at YouTube
12. Phoenix—Lisztomania Watch the film clip at Dailymotion.
11. Wild Beasts—All The King’s Men Listen or download from Pitchfork (right click the ‘MP3’ link).
10. Japandroids—Young Hearts Spark Fire Spinner have the download (again, right click the link to save).
9. Yeah Yeah Yeahs—Zero Film clip at Vimeo.
8. Passion Pit—Moth’s Wings Free mp3 from Stereogum (via Pitchfork)
7. The XX—Islands Listen/download via Newdust.
6. Dirty Projectors—Cannibal Resource Listen at YouTube.
5. Bon Iver—Blood Bank RCRDLBL. Download.
4. Phoenix—1901 Listen or download via Stereogum.
3. U2—Moment of Surrender Listen on YouTube
2. The Middle East—Blood Listen & free download from The Middle East’s website.
1. The XX—Crystalised Listen at YouTube.
I woke up this morning with a frappachino in my hand... 
Hello Rich
As one who is generally ignorant of such matters but enjoys good music nonetheless, I liked your post so much I have downloaded all the freebies. Also, I have been feeling my ipod is a little stale.
Thanks!!
Thanks for the thoughts and all the links richard! Nothing from Sarah Blasko though?
My pleasure, friends. Meredith, I just think she’s a little boring!! Each to their own 🙂
Passion Pit—Little Secrets should be number 1 of your list.
and The Cave by Mumford and Sons didn’t even rate a mention!
Little Secrets is addictive; you should hear it in concert, it’s brilliant! Certainly not the best song of the year, though. IMO, of course 🙂
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