As you have probably noticed, I dont write on Like Minded anymore. I have been posting songs and corresponding pictures of the artists and trusting that if you hear something you like, you will open a new tab and google it.

Reluctantly, I’m succumbing to the crushing peer pressure im feeling from every other blog in the world, to put in my 2 cents for this last year in music. I won’t make a list because i think its silly to quantify and rank music but I’ll make some general observations, tangential pontifications, and do a little name naming (de rigueur for the blogosphere)

I’m really excited about the way music dissemination is evolving, specifically in the blogosphere. Its a thriving milieu where like minded musicians and taste makers are interacting on an intimate and at the same time global level. The best new music is chosen very organically (democratically) and just sort of floats to the top where it feels ubiquitous (if only for a couple days)

The hyper inter-connectivity of the internet and the participation in the blogosphere has engendered an escalating remix culture. Musicians and Producers make their music (and musical components) readily available to other musicians and producers who in turn reinterpret their music and release it for anyone interested in listening to it. It can dramatically enrich a piece of music. Its Utopian in a sense. Musicians all over the world connected, sharing and building upon each others music – the fruits of their labor and candid insight into their process is available for anyone interested. Maybe a little romanticized but not that far off.

Grizzly Bear and Phoenix put out brilliant records that crossed over from indie to pop culture. Two very deserving bands that earned every bit of praise and recognition bestowed upon them.

There were so many great bedroom producers making personal music and being encouraged and nurtured by the blogosphere (i wish there was a better term than blogosphere). Memory tapes and Nite Jewel are great examples and personal favorites.

Joakim’s Milky Ways – 10 years ahead of it time, anachronistically and retrofuturistically speaking. That is to say, you cant peg it down. Everytime I hear it I think about this photoshoot where he is wearing all these layers of different style clothing.

Lots of brilliant music this year thats so clearly “of the moment” and generation defining – Flying Lotus, Prefuse 73, Gold Panda, Nosaj thing, Shlohmo, et al. Deep Bass music with mechanized drums punctuated with glitchy, glistening, short circuiting and bleeping. Sometimes the inclusion of a voice that serves to remind the listener it was actually made by a human. Deeply cinematic, loosely structured and filled with interludes. Bold and at times epic, almost like the soundtrack to the end of the world (or at least homo sapiens).

Boys Noize’ Power – this seems to me like the next generation of shock music that kids will play to their parents horror. Gonzales’ recreation of Boys Noize and Erol Alkans’ Waves spotlights the musical integrity that sometimes get obscured in the bombardment of bleeping, glitching, distortion and feedback. I love the energy and vision.

Great music coming from West Africa – Toumani Diabate and Soundway’s Ghana Special comp were top of the heap for me.

Vincent Moons gorgeous Les Nuits de Fiume project.

I’m excited to hear more from Aeroplane and Zach Condon (i heard he is in Papua New Guinea recording an EP with a pygmy orchestra)

I see a lot of grunge revival on the horizon and i’m interested to hear how that sound gets reinterpreted now. On the topic of nineties revival, i see plenty more piano house in my future and that is something i’m happy about.

Lots of special moments in 2009 scored by Etienne Jaumet, Blondes, Toro y Moi, Erland Oye, The XX, Joy Orbison, Yuksek, Pixeltan, House of House, Millionyoung, Bottin, Fredo Viola, Blood Orange, Appaloosa, and Boris

OK, thats enough writing, enjoy the music and I’ll check in again next year.

Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year

Perry