This week has a couple of anticipated releases – at least for us in the States – with the release of the Mumford & Sons and Local Natives albums.  The benefit album from Preservation Hall Jazz band has artists on it that include Andrew Bird, Jim James and Tom Waits, so it seems promising.

As ever, there are tracks after the list to get you in the mood.  We hope everyone had an excellent Valentine’s Day, and that everyone has an equally good week.

Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore – Dear Companion
Dan Black – Un
DJ Shadow – In LA 10/31/09
Field Music – Field Music
Freeway & Jake One – Stimulus Package
Jamie Cullum – Devil May Care
Joe Pug – Messenger
Juliana Hatfield – Peace and Love
Lightspeed Champion – Life Is Sweet! Nice to Meet You
Local Natives – Gorilla Manor
Madonna – Revolver (Mixes) [Single]
Marina & The Diamonds – Family Jewels [Import]
Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More
Preservation Hall Jazz Band – Preservation: An Album To Benefit Preservation Hall & The Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program
Story of the Year – The Constant

Dan Black – Symphonies (feat. Kid Cudi) (mp3) from the forthcoming Un

Local Natives – Sun Hands (mp3) from the forthcoming Gorilla Manor

With this, now that it’s January 2nd, we’re done with our Best of 2009 series.  It’s gone on entirely too long, and is probably more self-congratulatory than necessary, but here’s the last one:

I decided to go a more general route with my favorite songs of 2009, and focus more on what I actually listened to over the course of the past 12 months.  A lot of times I am struck by songs long after they are a part of my library, and my listening habits are often products of the time of year, my mood, etc., rather than just what I find to be good.  There’s nothing right or wrong here – and, in fact, each of the Top 5 songs on this list weren’t from albums that made my Best of the Year.  It’s easier to find a song to like rather than an album, and so what I listen to is more an exercise in what has endured, continues to be personally affecting, and ultimately strikes a chord.

1. Local Natives – Airplanes (mp3)
There’s been a lot of buzz surrounding Local Natives this year; their debut album Gorilla Manor has already been released in the UK, and is set to come out here at some point in 2010 (I would assume.) From what I’ve heard from the band so far, the album should be incredible.

2. Discovery – Orange Shirt
Discovery’s album held a lot of promise after I first heard “Orange Shirt.” And while it didn’t particularly live up to what I built it up to be, “Orange Shirt” is so perfectly a 21st-Century love song – synthesized, vaguely egotistical, global – that it can’t possibly be ignored.

3. Empire of the Sun – Walking On a Dream
Chalk EotS‘s debut up as another one I was disappointed by after hearing the lead single. Regardless, “Walking On a Dream” is catchy as hell, and its swirly falsetto sticks in my head each time it comes on.

4. Vetiver – Everyday
My first real repeat listen of 2009, “Everyday” is adoring in its simplicity. Mix one part sentimental lyrics, an easygoing guitar and tambourine, and you’ll have a recipe that gets me every time.

5. Blitzen Trapper – Furr
Dave and I interviewed 3 of the 6 members of Blitzen Trapper back in February when they were in town, and to prepare, I listened to Furr non-stop in the weeks prior. The title track is a folk-story set to music, and it’s pretty damn perfect.

6. White Denim – Radio Milk How Can You Stand It
7. The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition
8. Cut Off Your Hands – You and I

9. Scott Matthews – Eyes Wider Than Before (mp3)
I picked this song out of an episode of Friday Night Lights early on in the year, and its understated vocals and acoustic guitar made it impossible for me to not listen to.

10. Andrew Bird – Anonanimal
11. Jamie Lidell – Another Day
12. Dirty Projectors – Cannibal Resource
13. Florence + The Machine – Dog Days Are Over

14. Kid Cudi – Simple As… (mp3)
I run to this one. It matches my current pace – but even better, it’s an excellent song.

15. Mayer Hawthorne – Maybe So, Maybe No
16. Dan Auerbach – Whispered Words (Pretty Lies)
17. Modest Mouse – 3rd Planet
18. Tokyo Police Club – Be Good
19. Mark Ronson – Valerie (feat. Amy Winehouse)

20. Darwin Deez – Radar Detector (mp3)
This song came out of nowhere for me. I picked it up from RCRD LBL, and it knocked me over with its almost childlike love story, and its ability to work its way directly into my brain.

21. Ray LaMontagne – Trouble
22. Annuals – Confessor
23. Q-Tip – Gettin’ Up
24. Mayer Hawthorne – Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out
25. Girls – Lust For Life

We’re fortunate to have been contacted by Kelcey from Local Natives, who saw our recent post on the band and wrote to say thank you.  (It’s always surprising to discover that people actually read what we have to say.)  In the e-mail, he relayed some news about the band’s current doings:

1. They’ve got new music, heretofore unheard by the world, but that will be streaming on their MySpace come Friday.  They’re giving people a sneak peek right now, and it, like everything else we’ve heard by them, is excellent.  Stream it here:

Local Natives – World News

2. They’re playing SXSW.  Eight shows, four days.  Here’s where and when to find them if you’re fortunate enough to be attending.

3. They’re readying a five song EP from their set at Daytrotter which they will have available at SXSW, and will be released online as well, though no date has been set at this point.

4. They’ll be touring the West Coast starting April 18 through May 1.

If you didn’t listen to us the first time we put this up, here’s the track that started it for us.  This is a band with immeasurable talent, and they are going to be much larger than sending tracks to us, although we hope that’s not true.

Local Natives – Airplanes (mp3) from the forthcoming Gorilla Manor

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