After compiling my list of personal favorite releases from 2009, I realized that the common link between them was how much they all left me eager to see what the artists do next. Most are debut or sophomore albums from the respective artists with a few third releases here and there, and while each album is exceptional in its own way, I think all of the artists on my list have even better releases ahead of them. That said, here are the ten albums that I couldn’t get enough of in 2009.
10. Trevor Hall, Trevor Hall – Hall’s self-titled Vanguard Records debut combines acoustic island rock with soulful vocals that reveal a depth of spirituality rarely found in artists so young. Heck, it’s rarely found in artists of any age. I caught the last show of his Fall 2009 tour—which included sold-out dates with Michael Franti and Spearhead, as well as two of the artists featured on the album, Matisyahu and Colbie Caillat—and the vibe in the packed room was simultaneously invigorating and serene. I highly recommend you check Hall out when he hits the road again later this month.
We’ve said from the beginning that LA Music Blog is about the fans, and it seems what the fans want is more 30 Seconds to Mars. You can read our review of the band’s pre-release party for their upcoming album, This is War, here, and for those of you who didn’t get a chance to attend the event, we’ve brought a piece of it to you. Behold! The following short film, “The Ride,” was shown at the pre-release party and features “Kings and Queens,” the first single from the album. Not every band can shut down Hollywood Blvd., the Santa Monica pier, and sections of downtown LA to film a community of their fans biking through the nighttime streets, but as you’ve told us time and again through your comments, 30 Seconds to Mars is not most bands.
Thirty Seconds To Mars – Kings + Queens – HD
30 Seconds to Mars | MySpace Video
Check out more 30 Seconds to Mars here:
If there’s one thing Los Angeles three-piece 30 Seconds to Mars has in excess, it’s adoring fans. The hundreds of 30STM devotees lined up outside the Ricardo Montalban Theatre Monday night could barely contain their excitement and for good reason. Not only were they moments away from interacting with band members Jared Leto, Shannon Leto, and Tomo Miličević at the pre-release party for the group’s third album, but many were also about to get a little taste of rock stardom themselves.
Not ones to be content with merely bridging the gap between artist and audience, 30STM closes it on This is War. In addition to an appearance by Kanye West that wasn’t yet available to hear at the party, the album also features the chanting and singing of 30STM fans from across the globe. Listening to those in the audience sing along to the sneak preview, it was obvious that many of them remembered their lines from these recording sessions, and between songs several could be overheard chatting about the different ways the band had them try their parts.
As if having fans lend their voices to the album wasn’t enough, 30STM decided they needed their faces too. Through their Faces of Mars campaign the group collected 2,000 individual photos of fans from around the world and will be using those images as the covers for albums that will be purchased in stores. They also used clips of fans in “The Ride,” a short film they treated the audience to after playing the album (to see the full video click HERE). 30STM is one group that knows fans are worth more than their weight in album sales, and this was a night celebrating both This is War and the people who will no doubt be buying it very soon.
Enjoy the photos from the party and be sure to pick up the album when it drops December 8th.
Watching musicians read lines for a camera is always amusing, and they seemed like they were having a blast.
I know writing about music isn’t exactly brain surgery, but I still feel a certain level of responsibility in my position. While there’s no likelihood of you being lobotomized if my review of Jaime T.’s “Kings and Queens” isn’t quite up to snuff, something almost as bad could happen: you won’t check out the album. Devastating. The thought sends shivers down my spine. I have only a few paragraphs to sum up the awesomeness that this Brit has packed into the follow-up to his 2007 gold-selling debut album, “Panic Prevention.” Where to begin?? I could start with the rhymes that are delivered with both the rhythm of a metronome and the slurred snarl of punk rock. Or maybe discuss the tracks on this album that bear the influence of the artist’s recently love affair with American folk. The songs that make me want to bust out dance moves that I in no way possess are definitely worth mentioning. I guess I’ll just take a deep breath and start the same place the surgeon starts: the first cut.
