Rob Ballou

Bands of the Decade (2009)

Rather than try to make another "best of music added in 2009" this year, I felt like trying to tackle the bands that were around in some way through this decade. This was much more difficult to remember what I was listening to back in my first year of college through now. But there are some very clear answers for this list, but also some that I'm sort of undecided on (so the list may change!). Except for the first band listed, these are in no particular order.

Muse*

The clear winner of the first ever Rob's band of the decade. Muse was one of the first bands I was really excited about this decade and they haven't really let up on releasing good material.

Rocky Votolato

I believe Rocky has released some truly great, heartfelt music. Makers in particular was in heavy rotation through many years.

José Gonzaléz

José has put together some of the most interesting alternative music of the decade. The music and lyrics resonate and I find I can listen to his music almost all the time.

Sigur Rós

This band has been putting out amazing music for years and it's all brilliant. Obviously I can't really speak to the lyrics for 99% of the songs, but they have such a clear understanding of their music's range and styling.

Silversun Pickups

Swoon may be my favorite album of 2009 and both albums from this band get heavy rotation for me.

Jack Johnson

I have strong memories of listening to Jack Johnson's music back in college to more recent days, including an amazing show at Mizzou with Ben Harper.

The White Stripes

Admittedly, I was slow to latch on to the White Stripes. Something about the first few songs I heard strong me as disjointed. I was won over by the lyrics, blues tendencies, and raw power of some of their music though.

Bloc Party

Once I discovered Silent Alarm I think I started soaking up any and all of their music that I could.

Ben Folds Five

A band with some commercial success, but one with an amazing collection of music that did not get much attention. This is definitely a band I'd love to see play again.

Kathleen Edwards

Heartfelt alt-country from Canada.

Interpol

Ryan Adams

Beck

Regina Spektor

John Butler Trio

Black Keys

Death Cab for Cutie

The Flecktones

Gorillaz

Radiohead

Coheed and Cambria

Honorable mentions:

• Ben Harper
• Rodrigo y Gabriela
• Thievery Corporation
• Wynton Marsalis
• Anaïs Mitchell
• Heartless Bastards
• Norah Jones
• Avenged Sevenfold
• The Strokes
• Coldplay

Archives