2009: A Year In Review

Everyone is talking about the last 10 years like it’s 2011. But it’s only been 9 people. Way to jump that gun. We decided to just do a year end review and save the decade junk till we get into another one. Like for next year.

Here’s our illustrious panel:

BEST ALBUM:

The only commonality we have is that no one thought there was a best album this year, however no one had a hard time coming up with a collection. And based on a lot of math equations, here’s what was good in 2009.

Jay-Z:  The BluePrint 3 + Phoenix: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

We agree unanimously that Jay deserves a spot, but that this album is our least favourite in the epic saga that is the Jiggaman’s career, and we think Phoenix’s latest is the best of theirs. Phoenix may be the only group in the world that you can’t put on a mixtape since one track seems to never be quite enough.

Others we loved: It’s Blitz: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Fame Monster: Lady Gaga, Animal Collective: Merriweather Post-Pavillion, Major Lazer: Guns Don’t Kill People, Lazers Do, Gossip: Music For Men, one half of Sasha Fierce only, and Judy Garland: Live At Carnegie Hall.

BEST TRACK:

We’re all feeling pop music for this one. Major Lazer, Lady Gaga and Black Eyed Peas got top ranks. I’m gonna have to break this three way and say “I Got A Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas is the top track, love it or hate, we all turned that shit up when it came one the radio.

Others we loved: When I Grow Up–Fever Ray, Gimme Sympathy-Metric, Sweet Disposition-The Temper Trap, Islands (Nosaj Thing Remix)-The xx, Drumming Song-Florence + The Machine, Bulletproof–La Roux, and a little tranny we all know and love named Beyonce for Single Ladies.

BEST PARTY (THIS IS A TORONTO CATEGORY)

I have to say, I’m a little disappointed in the bloggers for picking a lot of obvious and shit choices. Our parties aside, the best that this group of jerks could come up with was Drake 5th Anniversary (easy kill), Vice Magazine’s 15th Anniversary (easiest kill) and that dreadful Aoki party in the Bay Station Underground.

So here it is: The best parties of 2009 were: DJ AM @ This Is London, It was a great night with all the right people enjoying a beautiful space usually crawling with brawlers and skanks. Everyone danced until 2AM and AM really truly set that place a flame. Fake Blood (with our boy Barletta) @ Wrongbar: It was the best show of NxNE and even the owner had to sneak his own friends in the back door. And finally, RIP Randomland, you were fun while you lasted.

BEST CONCERT:

Not one of us over lapped in this category. So the best of’s are: Dead Weather secret show @ The Hoseshoe, Gossip & MEN @ The Opera House, Peaches & Amanda Blank @ The Phoenix, Fritz Helder & The Phantoms Platinum edition party @ Redbull HQ, Steam Whistle’s Unigned @ Sound Academy with Goldengirls, Creature, The Carps, and Woodhands, Bif Naked @ Mod Club, and The Hostage Life CD Release Party/Final Show Ever @ Sneaky Dee’s.

But the absolute best concert moment goes to Siobhan who saw GZA play with King Khan @ Dundas Square during NXNE. She watched from the media pit and shook his hand after.

BEST FASHION STATEMENTS:

2009 was a year of gothic black, big shoulders and impossibly skinny jeans paired with some serious heels. Shoes got good this year. They’re investment pieces after all. Not for nothing, but I predicted it all in my 2009 Prediction piece last lear. The standouts for our crew of not-exactly-fashion-bloggers were: Zooey Deschanel for Oliver Peoples, men’s ankle high tailored dress pants and dress shoes, they can be worn with or without socks and they’re still genius. A certain someone from Winnipeg voted that Canada’s Next Top Model, Meaghan Waller (a Winnipeg native) was the best thing and Vanessa V who has been chatting our faces off about Top Shop for months, is happy that that shit is finally here in North America (she went to NYC for the opening, she’s that crasssy).

We are making one mention of WORST IN FASHION Siobhan is so truly disgusted with Jeggings, that she insisted on a category just for them. Using my Beyonce tranny metre for all things trendy I rate them a like. Here’s my theory: if Beyonce’s wearing it, the rend is ovah, BUT if she looks good in it, then I know I’ll look better. Beyonce looks good in jeggings, which means this trend is gone and if you’re smaller than a size 14 it is guaranteed to look better on you.

BEST MOVIE

Apparently there are only 4 movies we all agree on: Coco: Avant Chanel, UP, The Hangover and 500 Days of Summer. Honourable mentions: The Carter Documentary and The Cove.

BEST SHOW

Since there were only four TV shows on the TV this year, all four take the cake: Mad Men, Modern Family, Glee and True Blood. Personally, I like Law & Order re-runs, but no one wants my opinion!