Complex’s Best of 2009 (So Far): The Top 10 Albums
Here we are, folks: almost six months into 2009. In honor of the approaching halfway mark, we’re making a list every day this week detailing our favorites of the year…so far. Yesterday we brought you the hottest sneakers, and today we’re counting down the 10 must-cop albums of ’09. Things have been pretty underwhelming on the hip-hop tip, so our list is diverse this time around, covering everything from Norwegian electro to old-school soul. Find out who we picked and why in the countdown below…
#10: Röyksopp Junior
The Complex Co-Sign: The third album from this Norwegian duo strikes the perfect balance between dark techno experimentation and the light, Scandanavian electro pop of Lykke Li and Robyn, both of who appear on Junior.
Key Tracks:
“Happy Up Here”
“Vision One”
[CLICK HERE TO BUY THE MP3 ALBUM FOR $8.99
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#9: Lee Fields & The Expressions My World
The Complex Co-Sign: Remember neo-soul? Ha! Neither do we. Fuck a Soulchild, Lee Fields is the real deal—this forgotten ’70s singer got rediscovered by Aloe Blacc and Truth & Soul Records, who put out this stellar album of new material that showcases Fields’ amazing voice.
Key Tracks:
“My World Is Empty Without You”
“My World”
[CLICK HERE TO BUY THE MP3 ALBUM FOR $7.99
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#8: Yeah Yeah Yeahs It’s Blitz!
The Complex Co-Sign: After two albums of well-received noisy guitar rock, Yeah Yeah Yeahs abandoned their signature sound in favor of the infamous synthesizer. The rock equivalent of MJ leaving basketball for baseball, if you will. The no guitars rule worked out though and YYYs produced another banger, that was easier to dance to than their other material.
Key Tracks:
“Heads Will Roll”
“Zero”
[CLICK HERE TO BUY THE MP3 ALBUM FOR $8.99
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#7: Eminem Relapse
The Complex Co-Sign: True, Eminem’s comeback album could have been better (a lead single like “We Made You” is just insulting at this point), but it also could have been waaaay worse. Marshall returned to the serial killin’ mindframe to prove his spit-game is still vicious, and he succeeds, even if the album sounds more like a warm-up than a focused effort. Welcome back, buddy.
Key Tracks:
“Hello”
“Underground”
[CLICK HERE TO BUY THE MP3 ALBUM FOR $8.99
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#6: Phoenix Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
The Complex Co-Sign: Even your friends who aren’t into all the weirdo indie shit you listen to will love this album. In fact, they probably will in about six months. WAP has enough pop sheen for the mainstream listener and still manages to hold onto its edgy indie cred. But beyond the pretentious labels, it’s just an album chock full of good songs. That’s all that matters anyway, right?
Key Tracks:
“1901″
“Lisztomania”
[CLICK HERE TO BUY THE MP3 ALBUM FOR $8.49
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#5: DJ Quik & Kurupt BlaQKout
The Complex Co-Sign: These two West Coast legends joined forces to create a hip-hop album so focused and fresh that it puts all their over-30 peers to shame. The combination of Quik’s creative samples and way-too-fonky drums with Kurupt’s brash, rapid-fire lyricism make BlaQKout the perfect Beach soundtrack this summer.
Key Tracks:
“Ohh!”
“Do You Know”
[CLICK HERE TO BUY THE MP3 ALBUM FOR $9.49
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#4: Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavilion
The Complex Co-Sign: It sucks that Merriweather Post Pavilion will be labeled as AC’s “sellout” record, because despite how many people discovered them this go ’round, there’s nothing conventional about it. Turning trippy instrumentation and occasionally incoherent lyrics into an accessible pop package is no small task. We salute these guys.
Key Tracks:
“My Girls”
“Daily Routine”
[CLICK HERE TO BUY THE MP3 ALBUM FOR $8.99
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#3: Drake So Far Gone
The Complex Co-Sign: We’re not sure what it says about the state of rap when the hottest album of the year is actually a mixtape, but nevermind that—when it comes to Drake, Complex definitely believes the hype. The career-defining So Far Gone proves that Drizzy has the punchlines to compete with the real rappers and the pop sensibility to beat the R&B singers at their own game.
Key Tracks:
“Best I Ever Had”
“Uptown” (featuring Lil’ Wayne & Bun B)
[CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE MIXTAPE]
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#2: Major Lazer Guns Don’t Kill People, Lazers Do
The Complex Co-Sign: When we heard that the two white boys behind M.I.A.’s hits had moved to Jamaica to make a reggae album, we were a little concerned. Luckily, Diplo and Switch come through with a dope dancehall LP that doesn’t fake the funk at all. By adding electro touches to classic reggae formulas and recruiting some big Jamaican names to contribute vocals, they manage to stay true to the culture while still putting their own spin on it.
Key Tracks:
“Hold The Line” (featuring Santigold & Mr. Lex)
“Can’t Stop Now” (featuring Mr. Vegas & Jovi Rockwell)
[CLICK HERE TO BUY THE MP3 ALBUM FOR $9.49
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#1: The-Dream Love Vs. Money
The Complex Co-Sign: The best album of the year (so far) comes from pop’s current golden boy Terius Nash. Remember when Kanye said Dream was the only person making better music than him? Yeah, he wasn’t lying. The singer-songwriter’s 2007 debut is already an R&B classic, and the follow-up tops it. Backed by synth, snap and 808 beats, Dream’s quirky, slang-filled songwriting just keeps getting better. His creative father R. Kelly would be proud.
Key Tracks:
“Walkin’ On The Moon” (featuring Kanye West)
“Love Vs. Money Part II”
[CLICK HERE TO BUY THE MP3 ALBUM FOR $11.49
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nation June 16, 2009 at 7:08 pm
the best song on The-Dream album is Right Side Of My Brain, no homo. i gave it one listen but that song can get repeat plays
DeShawn Stevenson June 16, 2009 at 8:07 pm
damn son, no killa cam? CRIME PAYS, boy boy
cyum June 21, 2009 at 2:23 am
preach man…crime pays is by far the best album killa has put out and by far one of the better rap albums since american gangster (jay-z)
Aquaman June 16, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Man… You definitelly should’ve mencioned N.A.S.A.’s The Spirit Of Apollo. That’s a dope album.
Grand Master June 17, 2009 at 3:29 am
No Method Man & Redman? heresy
public school whitey June 17, 2009 at 9:11 am
you dont even believe that Relapse is any good- so why bother putting it up there? great list otherwise!
JayK June 17, 2009 at 10:24 am
Drake’s album is on point,and Dream’s album is another instant classic,does it match up to LoveHate?no but tracks like Love vs. Money 1 & 2, and “Fancy” make it crazy
ill June 17, 2009 at 11:16 am
wait, wait now I know Mos Def only has been out a week, but that album is ridiculously great.
Elite June 17, 2009 at 11:20 am
wheres J. Cole the warm up!!!
vivacious June 17, 2009 at 11:38 am
Yes mos def new cd should be on here but other than that this is a good list!
MOOSE June 17, 2009 at 9:28 pm
i agree on love vs. money and so far gone…
the ecstatic IS top 10
spirit of the apollo is dope, but maybe not top 10
mike posner’s a matter of time is pretty dope
j. cole’s was dope but definitely not top 10
cool kids gone fishing? yay or nay?
unstoppable June 18, 2009 at 8:18 am
best song on the dream album is ‘love vs money pt 2′
Da June 18, 2009 at 12:26 pm
best song on the dream album is “Fancy”
Richi June 18, 2009 at 12:56 pm
what you guys did not pur Rick Ross album o the list tell me is album is not better than eminem, in hiphop it s the top spot with so far gone … You got to be kidding me is it me because he was not a criminal but a working that he deserves less … Deeper than rap deserve to be on that list … just go listen to Rich of Cocaine or Usual Supects and tell me
Vplus June 18, 2009 at 1:07 pm
everything on The-Dream’s is proper.
cant wait for Thank Me Later…
Belize June 18, 2009 at 1:38 pm
that quik album gets the thumbs down
Grand Bay, Dominica June 18, 2009 at 3:10 pm
y’all mugs sleeping on Rick Ross’ shit…
that joint was dope.
boss'n June 18, 2009 at 4:58 pm
No Asher or Red and Meth?? good looks on overlooking the dude cam i only eat my cookies with milk
boss'n June 18, 2009 at 4:58 pm
No Asher or Red and Meth?? good looks on overlooking the dude cam i only eat my cookies with milk
B Tank June 18, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Yall Forget Curren$y – This Ain’t No Mixtape this albums is dope it should least get the 10 spot
I’m Sorry to say this but i think Drake-So Far Gone is Overrated
It’s just my opinion
ER June 18, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Totally co-sign The-Dream’s album being the best so far. So good that I brought it. And it gets better with each listen. Tough to pick the best track, but I’d go with Fancy…
Jason June 18, 2009 at 10:49 pm
The-Dream’s album is STILL in constant play on my ipod. Drake is a problem right now…homeboy has a HUGE single on the radio, that got picked up without label representation..radio stations are promoting the record FOR him. One of the best mixtapes hands down, he could have released So Far Gone as his debut album and murdered the game…I disagree with your choice of em’s relapse. Its tough to criticize em because he’s so influential to the game, but cmon…top 10? maybe if you base your decision on ‘beautiful’ that record is CRAZY from the sample, to the lyrics, to the flow…one of his best songs. overall, the list is pretty legit..so far. wait til big sean drops and drake’s full length album.
John June 19, 2009 at 10:45 am
No love for the new Mos Def album? Or Dan Deacon? Overall, a good list (especially with the inclusion of Animal Collective), but no way Eminem gets in over most of these.
vazquez June 19, 2009 at 6:00 pm
major lazer and relapse are hot. the dream sounds like the reject singer from a 2001 boy band.
KMO June 20, 2009 at 2:09 am
All I have to say bout this list is this….Rap as a whole other then Wayne n Drake is mos def hurting… Drake is MORE than a breath of fresh air to the game. And all WITHOUT a major label!!! Im sayin this nigga could INDEPENDENTLY go platinum!!! Correct me if im wrong but I dont know that it has ever been done before. Hands down he has the game in a muthafuckin headlock. And when his actual album drops it will be a wrap…POINT BLANK PERIOD
OUT
Educated Xicano June 21, 2009 at 9:15 am
No P.O.S.? Never better is one of the hottest hop hop CDs this year, way better then relapse for sure.
Branch Rickey June 23, 2009 at 11:46 pm
Seriously…..88 Keys album was a true gem from creativeness, production and punchlines….
ssenhserF June 24, 2009 at 6:12 am
What about the Gone Fishing Mixtape
ARMANDO June 25, 2009 at 5:05 am
DRAKE MIXTAPE CAME OUT IN OCTOBER OF 2008…SO TECHNICALLY ITS NOT IN CONSIDIRATION FOR BEST OF 09′…WELL I GUESS RAP MUSAK JUS BLOWS THAT MUCH….SOSMARTYOURSTUPID.BLOGSPOT.COM
nitzski June 25, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Agree the Dreams album is the best of the year, it’s funny as I was reading the list I was spinning it. Rick Ross is definately an oversight, best Rap Album this yr. barnone! Eminem’s album was trash…
RK June 25, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Relapse!?!?!?!?!? wtf you’ve gotta be kidding me i’m tired of E selling millions to teeny bopppers then being put on a the top 10. I really starting to think people are dillusional or on the same pills he is on. So so so lame “your a rockstar …” LMFAO at the B.S and people are really supporting this,
CleMac July 8, 2009 at 9:59 am
Everyone needs to hear Drake’s latest mixtape. I’ve had it on steady rotation for a while now. He’s definitely on that “Next Level Shit”. His 1st official album will be called “Thank Me Later”…….I’m saying thank you now for his latest mixtape.
REAL hip-hop July 17, 2009 at 3:34 pm
this list is a FAIL!!..every rap cd on this list is TRASH. why no mos def? its the BEST album out period!
Bugsy B. Hurt ENT July 20, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Actually Armando, So Far Gone came out in Feb of 09..em’s Beautiful was a good song and glad its his new single…and The Dream came correct wit his cd…need more underground mixtape and maybe Red and Meth…but other than that, solid list
YouNIQUE August 2, 2009 at 10:00 am
Typical discussion for this scene. The Mos Def album is more wish-wash backpacker friendly noise. I was terribly disappointed.
As far as the Rick Ross complaints — for real? Just because it’s blowing up in the clubs doesn’t mean its Top 10 at all.
Im strictly assuming here, that the list was compiled based on over quality and musical value, something the Ross album has neither of.
Its always gonna be some faggot white kid intellectual dropping complaints about why Mos doesnt get the “respect and props he deserves” and some ignorant cat who knows nothing about music other than what he hears on hot 105 debating about what makes the shit have value. As far as music as a whole goes — neither one of these albums brought anything new to the table. Thats why they aren’t on the list… same with the Meth and Red.
JrRyder88 August 7, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Where’s Jadakiss- Kiss of Death of Fabolous- Loso’s Way? Y’all hype beasting, tight jean wearing dudes have are just a bunch of pop music pushers.