#8. The Innocence Mission - My Room in the Trees.

My Room in the Trees is an album (in my mind) that is meant to represent winter even though it came out in the summer. The beautiful, soft, piano styling paired with the acoustic guitar creates this sound that seems completely unique the Innocence Mission. I can imagine people in winter coats walking or playing in the snow covered ground; snow falling softly on their eyelashes and happy faces. Okay, that's corny. But I'm saying the beauty of this album is meant for winter not gross, sticky, summer.

I've been a fan of the Innocence Mission for a while and always enjoy their albums but particularly enjoy this one because they seem to be experimenting with putting new instruments in their music such as the violins accompanying them on Rain (Setting Out in a Leafy Boat.) I do have a few disappointments with this album. I wish they would mix up some of their styles a little bit because sometimes many of their songs sound like previous works. Over all I think the album is great, and the piano parts are ever evolving to be more beautiful.

If you enjoy peaceful music, well-crafted lyrics, and beautiful voices give this album a try. My favorite tracks are Rain (Setting out in a Leafy Boat), North American Field Song, and Spring.

#9. Jeff Beck - Emotion & Commotion

If I was a guitar savvy person I might be able to explain to you in great detail why this album rocks. I could explain to you that Jeff Beck is the master of the chord progression, and he had excellent pedal choices, but I don't really know what I'd be talking about. I'll explain to you in the best way possible why I love this album. I enjoy the performers which Jeff Beck has chosen to sing covers such as Joss Stone in "I Put a Spell On You." Her voice blended with his guitar work is as close to perfection as you're going to get on that song. I mostly enjoy just listening to Jeff Beck play his guitar without lyrics, such as in "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." This song used to be one of my favorites as a kid, and still really enjoy listening to it. It was great to hear such a new twist to and old favorite. It is both refreshingly new and conformably familiar. Over the years many have covered that song, but this is by far the best musical version I have heard.

Side Note: Have you seen the cover? There is a freaking eagle carrying a guitar! If you didn't think this album was cool before you have to admit it now!

# 10. K'naan - Troubadour

Surprised? Well you shouldn't be. Not only is this album good on it's own, it catapulted itself into the pop limelight by releasing this year's (in my opinion) best single. When "Wavin' Flag" was chosen as the anthem for the 2010 World Cup it instantly became a summer anthem in my mind as well. I think K'naan will prove he is not just a one hit wonder, because his beats and lyrics on the rest of the album are just as infectious and rememberable as "Wavin' Flag."

Be sure to check out this album, and keep an eye out for his sure to be promising projects. "Fatima", "Somalia", and "15 Minutes Away" are some of my favorites from the album.

Wavin' Flag (Video)

Top Albums of 2009

I told you I`d only return at the end of the year.



I haven`t been very impressed with the music of 2009. It was so hard for me to find albums that I could consider worthy of being on any list, but these six stood tall above the rest.



6. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amedeus Phoenix.

This album is fun to listen to but would replace it in a second if I had something else to replace it with. None of the lyrics make sense but they still manage to have everyone singing along. ``Lasso`` is my prefered song. I feel like a hipster just having this on my list. Man i`m embarrassed.



5. John Mayer - Battle Studies.



I never thought I would live to see the day that John Mayer made it on any of my list, (besides most cocky human being) but here he sits. Maybe it`s the lack of talent this year, or maybe it the fact that some of these songs really impressed me, whatever the case this is my number 5 for the year.



4. GlasVegas - A Snowflake Fell (and it Felt Like a Kiss)



I found this album on December 30th (talk about last minute.) I heard the title track because of my brother Gabe and instintly fell in love with this album. I downloaded it, and conclude that this is indeed one of the best albums of this year! I adore his thick Scottish accent, and think he could be saying absolutely nothing and it sound poetic.



3. Joshua James - Build Me This


Joshua James makes a reappearance on my list for the second straight year. He`s the only artist to make it into my top three twice. When I bought his first album I didn`t expect a successful followup album, and not so soon. So, I was surprised to see his album come out in 2009. I think he`s still struggling to find his voice in music, but he`s only been writing since 2007 so I can cut him some slack. ``Daniel`` and ``Benediction`` are the best song off this album.



2. Bell X1 - Blue Lights On the Runway.

When Damien Rice left Bell X1 and was extremely successful with his first albums he must have thought he was had come out on the good side of the breakup. Bell X1 proves in this album that they don`t need their old frontman and can do just fine on their own. The album opens to the upbeat ``Ribs of a Broken Umbrella`` but slows down the pace down a bit in ``Blow Ins.`` My favorite song off of this album is ``Light Catches Your Face.``



1. Bob Dylan - Together Through Life.



When I bought this album in May I decided it was going to be number one. This album is fantastic. It has this strange, mistical sound. It has french influences, old jazz influences, and all the while still remaining uniquelly Bob Dylan. He had a co-writer from The Greatful Dead so the lyrics seemed to be a little weaker but he still struck chords in my heart and imagination with songs like ``My Wifes Hometown`` and ``Forgetful Heart.`` My favorite tune on the album is ``Beyond Here Lies Nothing.``

That`s my list. Just because 2009 is over doesn`t mean these albums won`t remain fantastic. Go out and get yourself a copy of any of these. Here`s to a good 2010!

Freewilling It

I wrote this about my Philosophy subject.

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I hope to find there is no freewill.

It's just something made up in movie reels.

I never had a choice in breaking your heart.

It was predestined right from the start.

I hope to find we have no choices.

No guiding lights, no help voices.

I broke all engagements, and as you've probably guessed,

I just couldn't help it.

Wouldn't it be a love to have freewill?

To know I chose you right from the start.

Yeah, wouldn't it be a life to have freewill?

To know I was the one to forget you, and break your heart.

Dear Frank

I think my blog is a graduated diary. I never liked diaries, though I had a neon-colored one with a unicorn on it in my youth. Every journal I own is blank, or filled with scribbles of good intentioned thoughts that disappear by the stroke of my marker after a few minutes.

If I did own a diary it would probably sound more grown up. I would discuss the economy and the rising gas prices. I would have to name it of course, that way instead of saying "Dear Diary" I could write "Dear Frank".

Dear Frank,

My co-worker's party invitation for me must have gotten lost in the mail again.

xoxo,

Deb

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I've returned to Kroger. I like it so much more this time around. I still work in Seafood but I have a new happiness this time. Perhaps I'm just a gluten for steamed-shrimp punishment. It's not likely that all my co-workers feel the same way, but I love each one of them.

I find that I even like the customers a little more now. A few weeks ago I was stocking the shelves with crab meat when a lady came up to me asking for advice on cocktail sauce. After I gave her my opinion on the best buy, she looked up at me and asked if I was a Christian. When I answered her that I am, she tearfully looked up at me and asked if I would please pray for her daughter who was dying of cancer. Her daughters name is Mary. Please pray too.

Grocery stores seem to be breeding grounds for the lonesome. They're often the only stores open past ten. I remember when I would walk around the local Food Lion or Wal-Mart because I was too lonely stop my racing mind and sleep. I wonder at times how many others are there because they have no other place to go.

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I'm pulling an Alex Skidmore blogging style with all these lines between my random thoughts.

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Upcoming Events: July 13th Bob Dylan in concert. July 16-21 NC (Bojangles here I come.)

xoxo,

Deb

Ch-ch-ch-changes.

New "favorite" things coming soon! Full with new photos and explanations. And by soon I mean later tonight if I feel up to it.