Favourite albums, 2009.

I stayed pretty close to home (i.e. Toronto), music-wise, in 2009, but for good reason. Here are the 15 albums and EPs that I liked the most, in alphabetical order by artist:

Bahamas - Pink Strat
I love this album to pieces. It's so simple, so beautiful. And Afie Jurvanen is a great character on stage.
Download: "Lonely Loves"

Gentleman Reg - Jet Black
G Reg & band have a place in my heart. Reg has some great lyrics, and I'm not usually into lyrics too much. My favourite verse (from "We're In A Thunderstorm") is "I'll dress myself up and run around." How fun.
Download: "We're In A Thunderstorm"

Great Bloomers - Speak of Trouble
A solid debut full-length from a great young band. Great Bloomers' pop-folk, roots-rock songs are pretty much designed for me to like them. Plus, Lowell Sostomi's got a great voice.
Download: "Speak of Trouble"

Great Lake Swimmers - Lost Channels
After I got over my momentary, "Polaris, what?" cringe, I started to really get into this album. GLS are one of my favourite bands, and I go back and listen to all their records with regularity. This one's a little more upbeat, but still contains songs that kill me dead with their beauty.
Download: "Palmistry"

Green Go - Borders
I don't tend to listen to dance music unless I'm at a show, and so great albums like this don't get as much ear-time as other, more folk-pop albums. Put Everything All the Time's s/t EP in this category, too.
Download: "Fool Me Once"

Joel Plaskett - Three
I have tended to stay away from already well-known musicians, but I heard this and knew it was worth hearing again---and again. Though I've never seen Plaskett live (unless you count at the Polaris gala), I can't help but be drawn in by this charming, fun, serious triple album.
Download: "Through & Through & Through"

Julie Doiron - I Can Wonder What You Did with Your Day
The first track on this loveable album begins, "I'm living the life of dreams with good people all around me." Julie's joie-de-vivre is hard not to fall for.
Download: "When Brakes Get Wet"

Think About Life - Family
Pow! The most underrated album on this list. The die-hards may prefer the first album, but I like the better production quality and more obvious funness of this one. Dance!
Download: "Set You On Fire"

Timber Timbre - s/t
What I can I say that hasn't been said before? This album is fantastic: soulful, moody, and with at times simple (yet powerful) arrangements. The songs fit singer/songwriter Taylor Kirk's vocal style perfectly.
Download: "Demon Host"

Two Hours Traffic - Territory
Ok, so I don't like it as much as the brilliant Little Jabs (2007), but this album is nothing to sneeze at. A number of great tracks make this record worth listening to almost as much as that other one.
Download: "Territory"

Various artists - Friends in Bellwoods 2 compilation
This for-charity compilation double album is stronger than it has any right to be, especially the first disc. Stand-out exclusive tracks and a few choice picks released elsewhere make this record a must-have for any Canadian music fan.
Download: Sylvie Smith, "On Our Own"

The Weather Station - The Line
Tamara Lindeman sounds like no one I've ever heard before. More people should listen to and love this album.
Download: "East"

The Wilderness of Manitoba - Hymns of Love and Spirits EP
By now you know I like folk and I like good vocals. WOM's debut outing, combined with my memories of near-magical backyard shed shows, make this album one of my most listened to records of the fall.
Download: "Evening"

The Wooden Sky - If I Don't Come Home You'll Know I'm Gone
This band really took off this year, and for good reason. Front-man Gavin Gardiner's got one of the country's best young roots-rock voices, but this group is a lot more than that: a rock band with a big, beautiful heart.
Download: "Oh My God (It Still Means A Lot To Me)"

Zeus - Sounds Like Zeus EP
I was impressed but not completely sold when I first heard this band. But it didn't take long before I got it. This is classic rock with a new twist, and it's very catchy. I can't wait to hear the full-length, out next month.
Download: "I Know"