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Jay-Z, Wilco And The Yeah Yeah Yeahs: 10 In 2009

Posted 12/30/09 11:34 am EST by in Music


2009 is coming to a close, which means that it's time to check in on what the favorite albums, artists, songs and moments were among the fine folks in the MTV Newsroom. Be sure to check out James Montgomery's definitive year-end list for 2009, and enjoy the "10 In 2009" series that will be running over the next two weeks.

By Rya Backer

I listened to a lot of good albums this year, and there were a lot of great songs on them. So I'll make like a girlfriend and give to you, the readers, my 2009 in song. The title of this mixtape? I'mma Let You Finish, But These Are My Favorite Songs of 2009. I'm hilarious?

Side A
Jay-Z, "On to the Next One"
I kept hearing this song in clubs and I really liked it, so I finally Googled "Somebody bring me back some money please." Now I cut a rug to it in the comfort of my own home.

Lightning Bolt, "Funny Farm"
I get that people think all their songs sound alike, but those people just don't get it. When you listen to this on full blast on the subway, you'll quickly find yourself with ample elbow room.

Suckers, "It Gets Your Body Movin'"
I knew this was special when I saw them live and during the big crescendo my friend (hi, Andy!) and I turned to each other and high-fived.

No Age, "You're a Target"
Apart from the fact that Dean is a true Hannukah Hottie, I really like the bigger sound. If I made skate videos, I'd probably use this song all the time.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs, "Zero"
Their drummer, Brian Chase, is a very important Hannukah Hottie as well.
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Lily Allen, Jarvis Cocker And La Roux: 10 In 2009

Posted 12/29/09 2:45 pm EST by in Music


2009 is coming to a close, which means that it's time to check in on what the favorite albums, artists, songs and moments were among the fine folks in the MTV Newsroom. Be sure to check out James Montgomery's definitive year-end list for 2009, and enjoy the "10 In 2009" series that will be running over the next two weeks.

By April Richardson

These are in no particular order, and my taste is predictable as always.

Jarvis Cocker, Further Complications
Pulp was one of the greatest bands to ever exist, so it's no surprise that ex-frontman Cocker's second solo album is full of genius. I love this guy, his voice, his lyrics and everything he does.

Manic Street Preachers, Journal for Plague Lovers
The band used lyrics left behind by still missing since 1995 (and declared "presumed dead" in 2008) bandmember Richey Edwards for this haunting album.

R.E.M., Live at the Olympia
One of the best live albums I've ever heard. These guys play seemingly almost everything from their near 30-year career at this "not a show" in Dublin, Ireland, from Chronic Town cuts to early versions of songs that ended up on 2008's amazing Accelerate.

The Gossip, Music for Men
Top of their game, tightest and danciest and post-punkiest. "Men In Love" could have been a perfect Au Pairs song. This CD has nothin' but hits.
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R. Kelly, Lady Gaga And Raekwon: 10 In 2009

Posted 12/23/09 12:58 pm EST by in Music


2009 is coming to a close, which means that it's time to check in on what the favorite albums, artists, songs and moments were among the fine folks in the MTV Newsroom. Be sure to check out James Montgomery's definitive year-end list for 2009, and enjoy the "10 In 2009" series that will be running over the next two weeks.

It was a weird year for me, as I was unemployed for the first part of it. So I went from not thinking at all about music to only thinking about music all the time. So it took me a while to even remember what happened in February (a lot, as it turned out). But anyway, here's the list.

10. 50 Cent, War Angel
Drake may have had the mixtape of the year, but 50 had an amazing return to form with his pair of independent releases. War Angel reminded everybody why we fell in love with 50 in the first place, as it was equal parts tough and catchy. There are no radio singles, but in a perfect world, "Redrum (Murder)" would have been a radio smash.

9. Jarvis Cocker, Further Complications
The former Pulp frontman augmented his brand of posh Britpop with a bit of savagery care of producer Steve Albini (the noisy mastermind behind Nirvana's In Utero). The new level of guts only added to the grooviness of tunes like "Angela" and "I Never Said I Was Deep."

8. Viva Voce, Rose City
Remember when Scarlett Johansson sang back-up for the Jesus & Mary Chain at Coachella in 2007? This is what a whole album of that would sound like (except, you know, better). "Red Letter Day" has been one of the most played songs on my iPod this year, and for good reason: It's got a groove so sinister that it probably freaks out Nick Cave.

7. Double Dagger, More
In the manic stew that is the Baltimore music scene, Double Dagger stands above everyone else. The awesome noise generated on More is almost childlike in its exuberance, as if it was recorded on a playground full of kicked-in amplifiers. "No Allies" is the best first track on any album released this year.

6. Lady Gaga, The Fame Monster
"Bad Romance" is obviously one of the best singles of the year, but the amazing thing about The Fame Monster is that it contains seven more songs that are just as good. "Alejandro" should be burrowing its way to the top of the charts by the end of January 2010, and "Speechless" is simultaneously heartfelt and insane. Gaga bears the mark of true genius: She makes everything look easy.
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The 10 Best Kanye West Moments Of The Year: 10 In 2009

Posted 12/22/09 4:30 pm EST by in Music


2009 is coming to a close, which means that it's time to check in on what the favorite albums, artists, songs and moments were among the fine folks in the MTV Newsroom. Be sure to check out James Montgomery's definitive year-end list for 2009, and enjoy the "10 In 2009" series that will be running over the next two weeks.

By Steven Roberts

People tend to either love or hate Kanye West, but the man has cemented himself a musical genius, a pop culture icon and — whether you like it or not — the loudest voice of our generation. So instead of doing the obligatory year-end-news-is-slow-we're-tired-and-going-on-vacation top 10 list, I have decided to list the top 10 moments in Kanye West for 2009 (And don't miss Kanye West's top moments in photos.)

10. Amber Rose
Rose first appeared on the radar of many hip-hop fans for being the stand-out model in Ludacris' "Want Them Girls Like" video with her bizarrely beautiful blond Caesar. But she rose in notoriety once she started dating 'Ye. And thanks to Mr. West, we get to see Rose in photo spreads from Elle to Complex as well as in the video for "Robocop."

(Check out Kanye West's top moments of 2009 in photos!)

9. Paris Fashion Week Photo
'Nuff said.

8. Air Yeezys and Louis Vuitton Collaboration
Last spring, West had sneakerheads and their girlfriends (she could buy the second pair) lining up outside of stores across the country for a chance to grab a pair of his Nike Air Yeezy's. And then he released three shoes with Louis Vuitton that most sneakerheads couldn't afford (damn recession).

7. Giving Chris Brown a Break Read More...

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Lady Gaga, Shakira, Heidi Montag Defy The Odds: 10 In 2009

Posted 12/21/09 1:52 pm EST by in Music


2009 is coming to a close, which means that it's time to check in on what the favorite albums, artists and songs were among the fine folks in the MTV Newsroom. Be sure to check out James Montgomery's definitive year-end list for 2009, and enjoy the "10 In 2009" series that will be running over the next two weeks.

By Joel Hanek

I was surprised to find out that making this list wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. A lot of the music I listened to had been from late '08 or stuff I've been revisiting. Anyway, here's what I came up with (in no particular order).

Lady Gaga, The Fame Monster
Yes, the second album (which is sort of the re-release of the first album until it wasn't — I got confused too) is much more cohesive, has better singles ("Bad Romance" and "Monster" trump "Poker Face" and "Just Dance"), and this is much more representative of the powerhouse that Gaga is becoming (and will become). (I suddenly realize I sound frighteningly like Perez Hilton.) While The Fame felt like a collection of good singles, The Fame Monster felt like a great album.

Mariachi El Bronx, Mariachi El Bronx
When a hardcore band releases a straight mariachi record, it's pretty badass. Defy expectations much?

Kid Cudi, Man on the Moon
I really wanted to put Kid Cudi on here because I love his mixtapes and I think the guy has a huge career on the horizon. I liked this album, but I wasn't in love with it. I appreciate that it was a concept album and it was his creative manifesto. However, I don't think the album shows his full potential (especially considering the lack of rapping). Anyway, Steven Roberts said he was an artist to watch in 2009, and looking back we can confirm Steven Roberts is omniscient.
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