Essential 2009

Time now for the second annual look at the best things to come out of the ending year. So here, in my opinion, the best of 2009:

Viewing:
1. Moon, directed by Duncan Jones.
An amazingly impressive achievement with a cracking performance from the brilliant Sam Rockwell. This is delicious brain food and a joy to watch. Wonderful cinematography and one of the years best musical scores from Clint Mansell. A massive triumph for everyone involved. The best picture of the year.
2. Slumdog Millionaire, directed by Danny Boyle.
May seem like a ghost from last year, but it didn't actually come out until January. A blast of a movie, both exciting and moving with some of the best camerawork I've ever seen. Wonderfully put together and endlessly watchable. For once, Oscar got it right.
3. Synecdoche, New York, directed by Charlie Kaufman.
The directorial debut of Kaufman is a true delight. Both challenging and extremely funny it simply grows with every viewing. Featuring a stellar performance from the always wonderul Philip Seymour Hoffman, it is one of the most original and fascinating films in years.
4. The Hangover, directed by Todd Phillips.
The best comedy of the decade? It is certainly a strong contender. A wild and enormously entertaining ride, the real brilliance here lies in the casting. With a terrific ensemble and a nonstop riot of laughs it is hands down the best comedy of the year. And Tiger Snooze wins Best Song at the Oscars. Wanna bet?
5. (500) Days of Summer, directed by Marc Webb.
This is a wonderful picture with one of the finest couples in the terrific Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. Accompanied by the best soundtrack of the year and a great sense of informal style, the feature debut by Webb deserves to find a large audience.
Top three runners up: The Wrestler - Che: Part II - I Love You, Man.

Listening:
1. Soulsavers - Broken.
The most beautiful record of the year with vocal contributions from Mark Lanegan and several others. This album is a brilliant collection of both rock, country and Americana with great poetic lyrics. A complete record that is guaranteed to have an impact on you.
2. The Airborne Toxic Event - The Airborne Toxic Event.
The debut album of a great New York rock band. Filled with catchy tunes and wonderful arrangements it is a brilliant first effort. It will be very exciting to see what they can do with their next one. And the single Sometime Around Midnight has a strong claim to the finest pop song of the year.
3. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart.
Another New York band, another debut. This is the coolest pop song album in a long time. A great sound and extremely addictive tracks make this one of the most pleasant surprises of the year. It manages to remain fresh after endless plays and after their brilliant EP Higher Than The Stars I have a feeling that their follow up album could prove even better.
4. Bruce Springsteen - Working On A Dream.
It is incredibly satisfying that after forty years in the business this legend is still able to produce strong albums. Practically a sequel to his previous album Magic there is much in here to enjoy. The title track itself is not one of the strongest on the album but there is more quality and heart on this record than almost anything else that comes out these days. A solid and impressive production.
5. Brendan Benson - My Old, Familliar Friend.
After a spell with Jack White in The Raconteurs it is good to have Benson back out on his own. This album is a wonderful surprise after the slightly disappointing previous The Alternative To Love. Great arrangements, lyrics and riffs and a firm confirmation of Bensons abilities as a songwriter. Still pisses me off that he cancelled his November gig in Oslo though.
Top three runners up: Arctic Monkeys - Florence & The Machine - Washington.

Bring it, 2010.