2009 sometimes felt like a clash of the indie rock titans, with albums from Grizzly Bear, Animal Collective, The Flaming Lips, Dirty Projectors and a slew of others already emerging as consensus picks on critics’ best-of lists. And while we were fans of most of these records, too, we were sad to see how many other great releases have failed to get their due. With that in mind, we present, in no particular order, Flavorpill’s refreshingly subjective list of the 10 most underrated albums of 2009. Use the comments to tell us which artists you think deserved more respect than they got this year.
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Califone isn’t the type of band to knock you out with a hook and drag you along for the ride. Their music wraps itself around you slowly, or sinks in to coat your bones. Earthy, organic-feeling instrumentation (ranging from guitar and mandolin to marimba) mingle with electronic loops, clattering sounds, and textured effects. Over ten years, Califone have honed their distinctive sound and released a substantial catalog; but while they continue to explore every inch of this sonic terrain, they’re not content to float along on the familiar. The band switched labels in July to Dead Oceans, and alongside today’s release of their ninth album they’re unveiling their first feature film. Both titled All My Friends Are Funeral Singers, the film and album are companion pieces that fill out the story of a psychic living in a house full of ghosts. As the band kicks off a national tour this month, they’ll be playing live with the film at most of the stops.
Hear what band leader (and filmmaker) Tim Rutili has to say about pairing visuals to songs, working with cult film star Angela Bettis, and more, after the jump…
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