Right, so I have drunken sufficient red wine this evening to get this out of the way:

2009 was a bloody good year for music in my view, lots of great singles (pop tart stylee) and a few decent albums. Not claiming to be down with the kids any more or part of any kind of music "scene" but still trying to keep it innovative in my own special way...

Albums
MF DOOM – Born This Way
Had a major catch up on MF DOOM, with his own CD plus Dangerdoom and MadVillian stuff all featuring. This is what some might call "Backpack Hip Hop" but the rhymes are really inventive and memorable once you get into the slo-flo. Essential stuff

Fcuk Buttons – Tarot Sport
The new post-rock Underworld. I didn't rave about this as much as some but it's a pretty decent album, alright.

Fever Ray – Fever Ray
Bit late on this one but darkened out my Jan/Feb dark mornings even further. By Spring, all was forgotten. Apart from Martyn's Seventh remix of Seven (check it out).

5 Years of Hyperdub
Had a Jan & Feb of properly trying to attune my brain to dubstep, which culminated later in the year with this comp from Steve-once-of-this-parish-Kode9. One of the CDs is a bit dodge in my view but the other one is pure BASS SCIENCE. Innovative and erm, NOW!

The XX – XX
No need to mention what this is all about. Their re-fix of Florence's "You Got The Love" one of the tracks of the year in my book. The album kinda like the Cure meets New Order, with soul. Desperately in lust with the female singer, who's young enough to be my daughter, or summat.

Also rans:
Harmonic 313 – When Machines Exceed... – back to Warp golden dayz Passion Pit – Manners – Indie post rock marvels
PJ Harvey – A Man A Woman Walked By – always interesting and artful Ragga Twins – Ragga Twins Step Out – on a nostalgia tip
Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Lynx 2 – solid WTC action
Spiritual Jazz comp on Jazzman – deeeeeeeep!

Singles / Tracks
Honestly there were loads of pop tart dance crossover things I loved this year. Symptom of listening to more R1 on the way home from work I think. A fairly brief list:
*Joy Orbison* – Hyph Mngo/Wet Look (single of the year imo. Haven't heard something so astounding in ages. Must get out more?) Burial – Archangel Boy 8 Bit remix (was this 2009, can't remember...) Boy 8 Bit – Baltic Pine
Dizzee Rascal – Butterfly
Dub's Blue Monday cover
Duck Sauce – aNYway
The Gossip – Heavy Cross
Kid Cudi – Day & Night (Crookers mix)
Kode 9 – Black Sun
La Roux – In For The Kill Hostage remix
La Roux – Bulletproof Zinc remix
Prodigy – Warrior's Dance
Snoop Dogg – Snoop Dogg Millionaire
The Streets – Blinded by the Lights (Nero mix)
SubFocus – Could This Be Real

Mixes & Radio Shows
Loved paul.meme's Funky Manifesto and the SubFocus Essential Mix. Recently boombapcontinuum.com getting a lot of play.
Those the ones that stick out. Checked out a lot of GP R1 stuff but not as much as I would like. Not a fan of mixes generally but planning to get some of my own going next year...

Experiences
Lots of holidays: Italy (twice!), France, Australia
Big Chill in August: drinking Dark & Stormys while rinsing out Loose Lips; rave armchairs all round Birthdays of my little 'uns
Witnessing the web becoming a real creative force for people, not technology. Winning "the battle" at work

We're all getting well old round here now, but strangely despite recession, work and home stress etc this has been one of my most successful years on a personal achievement level, so onwards and upwards I say.

Usual thanks for Stephen for providing this website and hosting the community, which we love so much despite the trauma of being a part of it sometimes :)

And to you all for clinging on. Have a safe and unfathomably joyous Christmas & New Year.

Hold tight!
DJ