2009 End of Year Lists

Albums of 2009

Films of 2009

TV of 2009

Films of 2009: Ché Part 2

Another foreign-language, two-part biopic - but unlike Mesrine, the second part of Ché is clearly the superior piece - rid of the distracting voice-overs and flash forwards, the tale of the eventual demise of Ché in Bolivia is an incredibly immersion and intimate experience.

Films of 2009: Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs

Whilst Up garnered the usual plaudits for Pixar, Cloudy... arguably succeeds more as an out and out kids film. Plus who can complain about a film that features Neil Patrick Harris as a monkey called Steve.

Films of 2009: Gran Torino

Forget Bruno, Gran Torino was the most offensive comedy of the year

Films of 2009: The Hangover

I find myself in two minds over The Hangover's place on the list - one one hand I feel I should give this some recognition as I went in with zero expectations, only going to see it because of getting my hands on some free tickets from Seefilmfirst and then having a great time as it was far better than it had any right to be. But on the other hand, I get the feeling the novelty will wear off quickly, especially as there will no doubt be hoards of copycats following it in 2010 that will make me curse the name of Zach Galifianakis.

But in the end I decided to stay true to how I felt leaving the cinema, so The Hangover makes the list as the surprise hit of 2009.

Films of 2009: Inglourious Basterds

It certainly has it flaws, its far too long and I still have no idea what Mike Myers is doing in it - but there is still plenty to love about the film, in particular Christopher Waltz's performance.

Films of 2009: Mesrine - Killer Instinct

Vincent Cassell can even make a perfume ad interesting, so give him the French equivalent of Scarface and you've got guaranteed greatness. Part One has the bigger bangs, Part Two has the bigger beards - which is best is simply down to your personal preference.

Films of 2009: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Jesse Eisenberg had seemingly had Michael Cera's number this year with Zombieland and Adventureland, but Cera fought back in the geeky indie-boy stakes with this effort that almost matched Juno for sweetness but with more out and out funny moments.

Films of 2009: Star Trek

Couldn't even be spoiled by Simon Pegg's terrible Scottish accent.

Films of 2009: The Wrestler

An immense performance from Mickey Rourke in the lead role led to the surreal sight of Necro Butcher being featured at this year's Oscars ceremony.

Films of 2009: Zombieland

Three words. Bill Fucking Murray!

Top 50 Tracks of 2009 - Spotify Playlist

Brought to you via Shareyourplaylists.com is compilation of my top 50 tracks of 2009 - If you've got Spotify installed just follow the link, click on play and listen away.

Here's the tracklisting I went for, with a quick mention for the Manics cover of Vision Blurred and White Rabbits Percussion Gun which would've made the list if they were on there to choose from.

iamstockmonkey Top 50 of 2009
Alice In Chains - Check My Brain
Biffy Clyro - Many Of Horror
Blur - The Universal (Live in Hyde Park, London 02/07/2009)
Bon Iver - Blood Bank
Clint Mansell - We’re Going Home
The Dead Weather - Treat Me Like Your Mother
Death Cab for Cutie - Meet Me On The Equinox
Dinosaur Jr. - I Want You To Know
Doves - Jetstream
Eels - Fresh Blood
Florence + The Machine - You’ve Got The Love - Jamie XX re-work
Foo Fighters - Wheels
Franz Ferdinand - Lucid Dreams
Friendly Fires - Skeleton Boy
The Gaslight Anthem - The 59 Sound
The Hold Steady - You Can Make Him Like You
The Horrors - Who Can Say
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - War
Idlewild - Younger Than America
Jamie T - Sticks ‘n’ Stones
Jay-Z + Alicia Keys - Empire State Of Mind
Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension
Just Jack - Embers
Kasabian - Vlad The Impaler
La Roux - Colourless Colour
Lady Gaga - Poker Face
Ladyhawke - Paris Is Burning
Lethal Bizzle - Going Out Tonight
Lily Allen - The Fear
Little Boots - Stuck On Repeat
The Low Anthem - To Ohio
MGMT - Kids - Soulwax Mix
MSTRKRFT ft. Freeway - 1000 Cigarettes
Nine Black Alps - Buy Nothing
Middle Class Rut - Busy Bein’ Born
Passion Pit - Sleepyhead
Pearl Jam - The Fixer
Röyksopp - Happy Up Here
Silversun Pickups - The Royal We
Simian Mobile Disco - Cruel Intentions
Soulsavers - Unbalanced Pieces (Ft. Mark Lanegan and Mike Patton)
Spinnerette - Cupid
Them Crooked Vultures - Mind Eraser, No Chaser
Tiga - What You Need - Proxy remix
TV on the Radio - Halfway Home
The Veronicas - Untouched
Vitalic - See The Sea (Red)
Weezer - I’m Your Daddy
Wild Beasts - Hooting & Howling
The xx - Crystalised
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero

Albums of 2009: Bon Iver - Blood Bank EP

This four track release suggests Justin Vernon should have no problem in following the 2008 critically acclaimed album For Emma, Forever Ago.

Albums of 2009: Doves - Kingdom of Rust

Four years in the making, Doves returned to remind us they are truly one of the great British bands - narrowly missing out on a deserved number 1 album by 6 copies to Lady Gaga in the process.

Albums of 2009: Eels - Hombre Lobo

Whilst not quite living up to the standard of Fresh Blood that suggested E was once again taking the Eels of on another tangent - Hombre Lobo still showcases E's knack for knocking out simple, yet affecting songs by the dozen

Albums of 2009: The Horrors - Primary Colours

Before Primary Colours, The Horrors were in danger of being best known for their cameo in the Mighty Boosh as The Black Tubes, but this epic wall of sound soon changed that.

Albums of 2009: Idlewild - Post Electric Blues

After the forgettable Make Another World, Idlewild seemed destined to drift away with Roddy shifting focus to the folkier side of his output. Some when they returned this year with the fan funded Post Electric Blues, it made for one of the most pleasing returns of the year.

Albums of 2009: The Joy Formidable - A Balloon Called Moaning

Bands like Pains Of Being Pure At Heart seemed to get more love in the end of year lists - but in my eyes The Joy Formidable deserve the most hype out of all the bands who nod their cap to the 80s indie pop. With a full album on the horizon, maybe next year will see them get the love they deserve.

Albums of 2009: Middle Class Rut - 25 Years EP

In the end Rage Against The Machine made quite the comeback at the end of 2009, but in the meantime MC Rut provided the epic riffs that we'd been missing alongside vocals that drew comparisons to another 90s rock staple - Jane's Addcition

Albums of 2009: Nine Black Alps - Locked Out From The Inside

Back to the grungier sound of their debut, Nine Black Alps' third album featured many of their mightiest riffs to date.