Comments on: MAGNET’s Top 20 Albums Of 2009

By: Chris R.

Chris R. — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 05:52:19 +0000

Recently discovered this website and want to say thanks for providing a little more variety, and more respect for music history, than I’ve seen elsewhere. (I wish the Lost Classics feature was longer). It doesn’t really matter *when* an album came out, or how old an artist is. And the early to mid-90s was one of the best times for music. Those of you with contempt for the past, are missing out. Why limit yourself to only the latest releases/new bands/trendy genres, when there’s so much great music to discover? And yeah, some of these older artists are still making worthwhile music today, even if the press has moved on to someone new to hype.

I don’t understand anyone who gets outraged and hostile over Best of lists omitting their favs (and I say this as someone whose favorites NEVER make music critics’ year-end lists.) Music is all subjective, remember? It’s supposed to be a personal thing that moves you, or not, and if it doesn’t, you don’t deserve to be browbeaten into following the crowd. “How DARE you exclude Animal Collective?!” What, seeing them on every other bloody list wasn’t enough for you? God forbid people share their actual honest reactions to music instead of caring about what’s “cool”. Personally I find it boring and annoying to see the same bands mentioned over and over, on every music site I visit. How are you supposed to discover something you’ve never heard of? Or do you just want your ego stroked and taste in music validated by others?

I found out about a few interesting songs/bands on Magnet’s list above, and others didn’t grab me. But whether I agree with their choices or not, I’m glad to see a Best of list that’s a bit different, instead of jumping on bandwagons – although there are still some overrated bands on here, like Dirty Projectors and Pains of Being Pure At Heart. The Best of 2008 list was even more individualistic and less trendy than 2009′s, so I hope the Magnet editors aren’t starting to crack under the pressure to conform. It’ll be interesting to read their Best of 2010.

Love the polls about Most Overrated Albums, What Didn’t Deserve To Make Our Top 20, etc. Thanks for encouraging dissenting voices here.

By: Two for Tuesday: The Low Anthem at Asbury Hall « Buffalo Rising News « Buffalo 123

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:54:44 +0000

[...] making it to several best of 2009 lists, making it to number four at Paste and number one at Magnet.The Rhode Island-based quartet consisting of Ben Knox Miller, Jeff Prystowsky, Jocie Adams, and Mat [...]

By: Stuart

Stuart — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:40:02 +0000

Sorry, I used to love Magnet in the early part of the decade, but you’ve become way too old school. Grandaddy had a couple of great records back in the day, but Jason Lytle’s solo stuff is pretty weak. I adore Super Furry Animals, but their last two records have been below par. I’m not sure why anyone pays attention to anything Robert Pollard does any more. Pissed Jeans – give me a break. Bill Callahan = yawn. The new Dodos record was a major disappointment. You ignore some of the hyped bands who are actually good, but then include overrated artists like Japandroids, The xx, and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. I do like The Aliens’ record, but it’s not Top 20. The Flaming Lips is the only record on here that would have made my Top 40 of the year. What about Bat For Lashes, Camera Obscura, Mew, St. Vincent, Telekinesis, Apse, The Phantom Band, The Hidden Cameras, The Invisible, Mew, Jack Penate, Loney Dear, The Antlers, Monsters of Folk, Grizzly Bear, Jarvis Cocker, Fever Ray, etc.? So many great records you’ve ignored. Magnet gave up on new music years ago, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.

By: tommy kehoe

tommy kehoe — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:43:03 +0000

Canadian Invasion??? One of the new hip bands I haven’t heard of this year. I’m pleased you included Bill Callahan’s album. Although I love the Avett Brothers I’m glad you didn’t include their new record which recieved way too much credit. Also Califone’s new record is one of my favorites along with Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s, Beware. It seems whenever the Flaming Lips make a new album good or bad its on a best of list. I was less than impressed with Embryonic. Also Boston Spaceships or anything Robert Pollard does anymore should be disqualified from the list. Does he really make anything that sounds new or original anymore. Doesn’t he come out with two to three new records a year. Sonic Youth’s new record The Eternal is better than most on the list and certainly The Flaming Lips new album. Even though Sonic Youth is usually an automatic on most best of list, I believe this one deserved it. Their best record of the decade. I’m curious to listen to the Low Anthem’s new record because of this list and see them live opening for the Avett Brothers in March. Peace.

By: Katie in PA

Katie in PA — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:50:25 +0000

Where is this magazine from? Philadelphia? That might explain why 10% of the bands on this list are from there, but it doesn’t explain why you chose 2 of the least-listenable albums to come from that otherwise music-rich town. As if the “15 In Philly” wasn’t bad enough, now you want us to believe that the best your hometown had to offer in 2009 came from a noisy/boring novelty punk band at #10 and a slow/boring novelty pop band at #18? If you had to stock this list with your neighbors in a dry year, why not at least go with a Kurt Vile or even an East Hundred? Magnet: stop rewarding hacks that you just happen to drink with.

By: buck sturkie

buck sturkie — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:43:30 +0000

is there anybody out there that likes the new dodos as much as their first one?

By: buck sturkie

buck sturkie — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:42:11 +0000

i’m torn. i loved magnet magazine in a serious way back when it was tangible, the reviews and the best of lists kept me sending you guys money, but now i can’t hang anymore. as good as they were, i’m happy merriweather and vecatimest were off the list, but you still plugged bitte orca and post-nothing which is every bit as hyped and not as good as the aforementioned. would have loved to see the WOODS record somewhere, or maybe ATLAS SOUND. I loved grandaddy as much as the next beergut hipster but jason lytle? really? ac newman? ouch. whatever, thanks for throwing out some names i wouldn’t have checked out otherwise.

By: Andrew the Noisy

Andrew the Noisy — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:36:45 +0000

The hate in these comments are strong and encouraging. It’s so very important to mock each other for not liking the same bands that we like. It’s also important to drink Mojito’s from the bottle and then fap off to UFC fights.

Nerds.

By: da Figz

da Figz — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:05:02 +0000

Okay to be different. Okay to be the ‘one’ magazine that dared to be different. But, Jason Lytle’s ’09 contribution simply falls way short of what he is capable of… I mean, a reahsing of the same old, same old is meant with Top 20 placement for 2009?!!?

By: Casey Jacks

Casey Jacks — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:15:13 +0000

Marvin beat me to it!

The only list I’ve seen that included Super Furry Animals, and thankfully, NOT Animal Collective!

Thanks Magnet! I may consider re-newing my very lapsed subscription