I have been attempting to find a way to appropriately wrap up the New Year mentally, and I have failed miserably. 2009 has been an intense rollercoaster filled with severe disappointments and undeniable joys, and while every year is distinct, this one is truly like no other year I have experienced in my 40 years of existence. Fortunately, I received an email from the group Raining Jane this morning that handled all of this in one fell swoop.
There’s nothing like a starry sky to send a wish upon
A twinkle in a darkened night becomes the hopeful dawn
Together for the countdown, hold our spirits high
Suspended in a moment held between the hands of time
My love of these ladies just continues to grow, and I would expect nothing less than the instant classic “New Year” from them. Instead of their usual expansive sound, this is a stripped-down performance with an acoustic guitar, a little bit of what sounds like a xylophone, and some of the sweetest harmonies I have heard this year. Normally I would say that the best part of the song is that it is free to download, but I would absolutely pay for this.
All that’s built will bend
All that’s broke will mend
All that starts will end
Let the New Year begin
I know I am not alone in my relief of seeing 2009 become a Wiki entry, but rolling over and blocking out the world isn’t an option, either. We continue to engage with people and events that make our lives richer, because that’s what living is about. The community and family that I have found through this blog has been one of my biggest joys over the past two years, and I thank each of you for stopping by to see what one lone music dork has to say. I wish each of you a safe and joyful New Year’s Eve, and a remarkable 2010. Here’s to many more musical revelations and debates in the New Year.
Looking back on all that’s been said and done
The chances that were taken and the battles overcome
Memory lives on long after conversation ends
And what I will remember is your love, my friends
1. Adele/19 – I went back and forth between the top 3 for weeks, but in the end, 
2. Jason Mraz/We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things – Don’t get me started on this one. If Oprah can have her muses and advisors, then I call dibs on Mr. A-Z. “Live High” became my mantra, “I’m Yours” held multiple meanings through the year, “A Beautiful Mess” hit a little too close to home, and “Details in the Fabric” walked me through my darkest moments.
3. Will Young/Let It Go – I “found” Will this year. It’s not like I didn’t know who he was, but Will Young found a body of songs worthy of his interpretation. The title song moved me like few songs this year, and the rest of this opus didn’t disappoint, either. I may have to admire him from afar for years to come, but it will be worth the effort. Key tracks are “Changes”, “Let It Go”, “Love”, and “Won’t Look Down”.
4. Keane/Perfect Symmetry – Watching Keane grow as a group has been an interesting activity, especially with the way that their music has evolved. While many were more focused on watching lead singer Tom Chapin for some type of stumble after his time in rehab, I was more concerned about the music, and it didn’t disappoint. In addition, “Symmetry” inspired some pretty 
5. Solange/Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams – I’ve seen a lot of slogging of Beyonce this year when Solange’s album is mentioned, and while I have my issues with “I Am…Sasha Fierce”, I won’t play into those negative comments. Solange was in the enviable position of having the money behind her as a new artist to create a record that had musical integrity, and she definitely made the most of it. “Sandcastle Disco” was a revelation, “I Decided” stands as a tribute to those Motown legends that paved the way, and “Cosmic Journey” turned out to be a perfect pairing between Solange and Bilal. Solange, you are now forgiven for your debut record.
6. Kanye West/808s & Heartbreaks – “Graduation” was my #3 CD last year, and it’s very possible that, had this come out earlier, “808s” may have been higher, but I hope that doesn’t detract from my respect for the disc. Kanye decided to take his pain and channel it into his work, and the results are, at times, breathtaking. “Paranoid” is a personal best for him, “Love Lockdown” is sonically stunning, and “Heartless” does a great job of bridging the gap between the current sound of hip-hop, and some new territory that only Kanye can take us to.
7. David Cook/David Cook – This disc was a grower, for me, as 
8. Killers/Day and Age – For me, no release this year was as fraught with expectations as the Killers’ third CD, due to the amazing impact of “Human”. Would they be able to carry it off and deliver a consistent record, or would they have one flash of inspiration, surrounded by mediocre filler? Hopefully, you’ll gather my decision based on its ranking. “The World We Live In”, “Joy Ride”, and “Neon Tiger” all carried the torch. My only complaint about “Day” is the closing track, “Goodnight, Travel Well”, which just seems out of place. Anyone want to wager on Stuart Price coming back for disc #4?
9. Ne-Yo/Year of the Gentleman – I referred to this record 
10. Keyshia Cole/A Different Me – Wow…the newest CD on the list, and I’m just blown away. Keyshia and her producers definitely stepped up, adding a level of sophisticated to her music that threatens to add credibility to the “next Mary J Blige” title that people have been throwing around for the past few years. Highlights include the trifecta of “Playa Cardz Right”, which features a downright spooky cameo from 2Pac, “Brand New”, and “Trust”, a beautiful duet with Monica.
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