Best music of 2009 so far (AV Club)

AV Club staff weigh in on their favorites of the year.

My favorites off the top of my head: Grizzly Bear Veckatimest, Mastodon Crack the Skye, Dinosaur Jr. Farm, Yeah Yeah Yeahs It's Blitz!, Phoenix Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, Brakes Touchdown, Doves Kingdom of Rust, Harlem Shakes Technicolor Health, ...Trail of Dead The Century of Self, Dark Was the Night, Dark Night of the Soul, Franz Ferdinand Tonight: Franz Ferdinand, Silversun Pickups Swoon, The Antlers Hospice, Arbouretum Song of the Pearl.

Doves @ Terminal 5, 6/4/09

Really, what's not to love about Doves. Outside of Radiohead, I can't think of another British band that has been as consistently great this decade (Muse also comes to mind). Kingdom of Rust is no exception. While it doesn't quite reach the highs of "Cedar Room" or the insanely catchy songs on Last Broadcast ("There Goes the Fear," "Pounding," "Last Broadcast" etc.), I think it may be their best yet. Unfortunately, Terminal 5 ruined what should have been their triumphant return to NYC on Thursday. The drumming tempo was off for about half the show and the sound never felt quite right. Great bands persevere and despite the negatives, it was great to have Doves back on the scene. I really hope it's not another 4 years before they're back again.

Jetstream
Snowden
Winter Hill
Rise
Pounding
Almost Forgot Myself
10:03
Words
The Greatest Denier
Kingdom of Rust
Ambition
Black & White Town
The Outsiders
Caught By The River
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The Cedar Room
Here It Comes
Last Broadcast
There Goes The Fear

Around the Web

- Kudos to U2 for picking Muse to open their Giants Stadium show. Muse will tear the turf off of that field. Given the quality of this show, ticket prices seem very reasonable.

- It appears that The Mars Volta have a new album coming out in June. There are very few people in rock as busy as Omar.

- There is a solid interview with one of rock n roll's finest, Patterson Hood, on the AV Club site. I had no clue he was 45.

- Surprised and excited to see that Phoenix will be on Saturday Night Live this weekend. The new album is very good.

- Kasabian (remember them) is giving away their first single for free on their site starting March 31st.

- I'm happy that Doves are back. It's been four years and I had forgotten how much I enjoy listening to their music. This is another solid album from a rock solid band.