Nine songs I loved in '09

2009 was a pretty sweet year for music. As usual, there was lots I didn't get to — the Spin and Pitchfork 'Best of' lists always make me feel like an inadequate music consumer — but the fact that three of my fave artists (Wilco, Tegan and Sara, Joel Plaskett) released new records in '09 made my ears very happy. Here are nine songs from last year that I listened to like craaazy. (p.s. I'd love to hear the tracks you loved from last year, too!)

9. Timber Timbre, "Lay Down in the Tall Grass"

I bought this album on a whim in the summer, and while it took me some time to get into it, its quirkiness and calmness grew on me. This song in particular demonstrates Taylor Kirk's standout vocals and instrumentation.

8. Jay Z with Alicia Keys, "Empire State of Mind"

From Jay Z's wordplay to A. Keys' uber-danceable chorus, this song is all about the catchiness. Plus, it's a full-on love letter to the city I would love to live in. Kickass video, too.

7. M. Ward featuring Zooey Deschanel, "Never Had Nobody Like You"

I love She & Him, so it's no surprise that this track from M. Ward's solo album featuring Zooey D. sounds great to me. It's a brief, low-key little ditty with a super-chill vibe.

6. A.C. Newman, "All of my Days and All of my Days Off"

The sound of New Pornographers frontman A.C. Newman's voice always makes me happy, and this solo record is no exception. This song has a nice slow build and I especially like the repeating line about "an idea whose time had come."

5. Phoenix, "Lasso"

I loved this Phoenix record in its entirety, but this song's simple driving chord changes and the sweet guitar solo near the end stuck with me. Also love this line: "Forever is a long, long time when you lost your way."

4. Wilco with Feist, "You and I"

I admit, I was a bit underwhelmed by this song after the first listen. But its subtlety and simpleness grew on me. And really, does it get any better than Tweedy and Feist for a girl/guy duet? I think not.

3. Regina Spektor, "The Calculation"

Far was my first introduction to Regina Spektor and clearly I've been missing out. I listened the hell out of this record, especially this opening track, which has one of the catchiest and prettiest choruses I've heard in a long while.

2. Joel Plaskett, "Sailors Eyes"

I love Joel Plaskett and the triple-disc album he released in '09 (appropriately titled Three) did not let me down. I had a hard time picking my favourite track, but this is probably it. Power pop/folk at its finest with a signature Joel sound.

1. Tegan and Sara, "The Ocean"

This is by far my favourite track from Sainthood, another great record from my go-to girl-pop band, Tegan and Sara. It's urgent, raw, emotional and lyrically brilliant. And since I've praised the virtues of a good chorus throughout this entire list, "The Ocean" has one that grabs you and doesn't let go.