The Love Language - Libraries

"Lalita," released on the Love Language's 2009 self-titled debut, might be one of the more brilliant lo-fi rocks songs ever recorded. Yes, it's that good. With Libraries, we now finally get to hear what Stuart McLamb's songs might sound like dressed in a real recording studio (as opposed to his parent's basement). The answer is something just short of brilliant. There's no sheen, shine or over-production here, as the fuzzy atmosphere of nostalgia and giant Phil Spector percussion remain, all in a wash of reverb. What's changed is the clearness of vision. Not only has McLamb's songwriting matured, but with new and improved tools at his disposal, the North Carolinian has bested himself and crafted an album with hooks that dig deep and melodies that reach deeper. Consistent and full of range, the album pleasantly surprises at every turn. From the respective percussive tornadoes of "Brittany's Back" and "Heart To Tell" to the hopping harmony-glazed "Anthophobia" (a fear of flowers), it's clear that this album is a true throwback—one that plays from front to back. In other words, no cherry picking. Do yourself a favor and buy the whole damn thing.

The Love Language - "Heart To Tell" (from Libraries)

New Love Language - "Heart to Tell"

North Carolina's Love Language have released the first single from their July 13th Merge debut—the bouncing pop ditty "Heart to Tell." It's no "Lalita," but if this is the quality we can expect from Libraries then you better make sure to tune in. You can catch another preview of the LP on Record Store Day when the band releases a split 7-inch with a demo version of the Libraries' track "Brittany's Back." For now, dig in to this:

The Love Language- "Heart to Tell" (from Libraries)

Best of 2009: The Songs

In our digital day and age, the power of a song has never been greater: a song is a single key tap that can lead into years of spending—from whole album downloads to concert tickets and merchandise—or it can simply be a regrettable 99 cent purchase or more often, free download. Technology has also changed the way we listen to music, with more of an emphasis placed on mixes via iPods and CDs rather than whole albums.

For 2009, I've created two lists: one devoted to songs and another to albums. Many of the songs on this list may belong to excellent records, but they are chosen here because they can also stand alone as wholly conceived works of art. No example is better than my choice for the year's best: the 5:32 pastoral epic "Impressions of the Past" by Megafaun—a song that lazily drifts, grows dark and stormy, and then rips open like a shot of sunlight.

1) Megafaun -"Impressions of the Past" (from Gather, Form and Fly)
2) The Love Language - "Lalita" (from The Love Language)

3) White Denim - "Regina Holding Hands" (from Fits)
4) Brazos - "Day Glo" (from Phosphorescent Blues)

5) A.A. Bondy - "I Can See the Pines are Dancing" (from When The Devil's Loose)

6) Bon Iver - "Blood Bank" (fromBlood Bank EP)

7) Girls - " Hellhole Ratrace" (from Album)

8) Cotton Jones - "Blood Red Sentimental Blues" (from Paranoid Cocoon)

9) The National - "So Far Around The Bend" (from Dark Was The Night)

10) Throw Me The Statue - "Waving At The Shore" (from Creaturesque)

11) Dan Auerbach - "My Last Mistake" (from Keep It Hid)
12) Here We Go Magic - "Tunnelvision" (from Here We Go Magic)

13) Camera Obscura - "French Navy" (from My Maudlin Career)

14) Generationals - "When They Fight, They Fight" (from Con Law)

15) Dirty Projectors - "Stillness Is the Move" (from Bitte Orca)

16) Fanfarlo - "Finish Line" (from Reservoir)
17) JJ - "Things Will Never Be The Same Again" (from JJ N°)

18) YACHT - "Psychic City (Voodoo City)" (from See Mystery Lights)

19) Neon Indian - "Deadbeat Summer" (from Psychic Chasms)

20) Cass McCombs - "You Saved My Life" (from Catacombs)

21) Islands - "Vapours" (from Vapours)

22) Luke Top - "Friends" (from Friends)

23) Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - "Home" (from Up From Below)

24) Washed Out - "Feel It All Around" (from Life of Leisure EP)

25) Lands & Peoples - "Bad Habits" (from Lands & Peoples)

26) Molina and Johnson - "What You Reckon, What You Breathe" (from Molina and Johnson)

27) The Dutchess and the Duke - "Hands" (from Sunset / Sunrise)

28) Richard Hawley - "Don't Get Hung Up In Your Soul" (from Truelove's Gutter)

29) M. Ward - "Rave On" (from Hold Time)
30) Passion Pit - "Little Secrets" (from Manners)

Best of 2009: The Albums

Low Fidelity Fuzz In A Tall Fizzy Glass

Glasgow's Camera Obscura and Raleigh, North Carolina's Love Language play songs like beaten and well-worn memories--faded at the edges and out of focus with colors forgotten, mixed, and matched; tones bursting with blissful and emotive pop melodies, unsteady and unbalanced with nostalgia.

You may not share any stories with singers Tracyanne Campbell of Camera Obscura or Stuart McLamb of the Love Language, but there's plenty to sing along to in their Phil Spector-laced and unabashedly sweet low fidelity pop fuzz.

Have a tall glass:

Camera Obscura - French Navy

The Love Language - Lalita