New releases from 2009 give reason for cheer

This year may well be remembered as the year Michael Jackson died but his passing did bring renewed attention to his stunning back catalogue – a more fitting memory than his last years, surely.

But the last year of the decade also saw some brilliant releases at home and abroad. While the music industry continues to adapt to the era of free downloads and I-tunes, the art form itself is in rude health. Here are some of the records that stood out this year.

Trauma Themes, Idiot Times – Jinx Lennon ‘I told you so’ is a phrase no one likes to hear, but Jinx Lennon was decrying the lie behind the boom long before the economy went belly up. Houses, taken from his second album in 2001, criticised rampant developers. This year, Lennon released his most complete collection yet. Trauma Themes, Idiot Times tackles controversial subjects like violent robberies in rural communities (Protect Thyself And Thy Home) and personal struggles (Everyone’s Got A Mental Home In Their Heads). Lennon’s barbarous wit works well with his angry world view. This is an album to make you think and laugh – something our stand-ups should do, but generally don’t. If you haven’t caught up with Jinx Lennon yet, now’s the time.

Key Track: You Can’t Keep Everyone Happy.Horehound – The Dead Weather

In the year of ‘Jedward’ someone like Jack White, a bona-fide rock star, is more vital than ever. The White Stripes album Elephant is deservedly making many ‘best of the decade’ lists-hard to believe that the stellar Seven Nation Army is over six years old. Since then, Jack White has busied himself producing a wonderful Loretta Lynn album and co-fronting The Raconteurs

In 2009, White sat behind the drum stool for his latest project The Dead Weather. Alison Mosshart is stellar on lead vocal, but it is the thunderous energy of Jack White that made Horehound such an incredible album. Fans of loud, raw rock ‘n’ roll should file this under ‘must-have’.Key Track: Cut Like A Buffalo.The Nightsaver – David Kitt

Frustratingly overlooked by daytime radio, David Kitt’s sixth studio album was full of hummable gems that stuck in your head. Kicking off with the toe-tapping Move It On, Kitt sets his stall out from the very first second: layered, yet still simple, tunes that you can sing along with by the third chorus. Kitt is a songwriter who puts craft back into pop music.

The Nightsaver was recorded during the twilight hours in Kitt’s house in Dublin and that time spent alone, tinkering in the studio, has paid off-creatively, at least. Kitt released this album independently, having been let go by his label. A shame because this album deserves to be heard, exposed and cherished.Key Track: Alone Like That.The Beautiful Untrue – Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club

As front man of An Emotional Fish, Jerry Fish caught the eye of Ahmet Ertegun, chief of Atlantic Records – and the man who discovered Led Zeppelin. An Emotional Fish have since disbanded but Jerry Fish is now a music industry veteran of 25 years.

This year Fish, along with the Mudbug Club, returned with an inspired collection of songs. The Beautiful Untrue, the band’s second record, builds on the swampy, circus atmosphere of the debut but raises the songwriting a few notches.

Hole In The Boat turns the recession into a party and the album as a whole is a pure hoot.Key Track: Back To Before.Wilco (The Album) – Wilco

America’s best band return with another impeccable collection of songs and two sold-out shows at Vicar St confirmed their standing as a peerless live act.

Their seventh, self-titled album saw Jeff Tweedy lead his band through one of their best albums to date, in a career that’s yet to produce a dud. Wilco (The Song) opened the album in cheeky, catchy fashion and the record just takes off from there. Essential stuff, really.Key Track: You And I.Monsters Of Folk – Monsters Of Folk

Monsters Of Folk are a ‘supergroup’ made up of alt-folk luminaries Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Conor Oberst and Mike Moggis (from Bright Eyes) and M.Ward. The quartet had collaborated on their own tours and projects before but decided to come together for this brilliant record.

Monsters Of Folk showcases the talents of each artist to great effect: Oberst’s raw ability, James’s limitless falsetto and Ward’s smooth crooning. This time, too many cooks have made an excellent broth.Key Track: Dear God.

The Crying Light – Antony and The JohnsonsAntony Hegarty made such an impact with his second album I Am A Bird Now that, perhaps, the follow up was overlooked. The Crying Light, however, is every bit as impressive as its Mercury-winning predecessor. Hegarty’s heartbreaking voice is backed up the highly inventive Johnsons, making The Crying Light a moving, but never maudlin, album. Tracks like Epilepsy Is Dancing and the charged Aeon show an artist who can experiment while staying focused. One of the noughties most fascinating performers.Key Track: Kiss My Name.Xx – The xx

Arriving on a wave of anticipation, London based quartet The xx proved that, for once, it was OK to believe the hype. The young band didn’t worry about excitable music journalists and instead delivered 2009’s most impressive debut. Bringing to mind Tricky’s Maxinquaye and a more subdued Cure, the xx hotwire your heart and chill you right out.Key Track: VCR.

Strict Joy – The Swell Season

Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova returned with this dazzling, post-Oscar album. Hansard’s voice remains as powerful as ever and Irglova adds a welcome light to the music. Members of The Frames and Javier Mas (Leonard Cohen’s guitarist) help to make this a musically rich and layered listen.The West’s Awake – Again!

It’s been a good year for bands based in and around Galway. Disconnect 4 delivered on their live promise with Modern Love, the quartet’s debut EP. They play in the Róisín Dubh on New Year’s Eve, along with Fight Like Apes, Messiah J & The Expert and Le Galaxie (Admission €20/€15 members).

Ultan Conlon released his beguiling debut album Bless Your Heart, which has been getting some high profile national exposure. Keep up with him on www.myspace.com/ultanconlon.

A pair of Tuam bands came flying out of the traps in 2009. The Ralphs released the double A-side single Waste Of Time/Gunfire and have grown into a superb live act. The Coonics released their debut EP, a collection of insanely catchy songs with clever lyrics to boot. Both bands play the Woolstore, Tuam on Sunday, December 27. (Admission €5).