2009 - a great "sleeper" year for music

What initially seemed like a slow year for good music releases ended up being quite the motherload. It's nice to see a bunch of quality releases come out to close the decade.

What stuff kicked your ass this year? I'll post my list later...

Black Sabbath-The Devil You Know was an instant ass kicking.

Megadeth-Endgame took a bit to grow on me but it slays.

Ace Frehley-Anomaly kicked my ass right away

Kiss-Sonic Boom didn't necessarily kick my ass, it just pushed me around a bit. Good disc though.


Ultimatum-Lex Metalis didn't kick my ass either but was a pleasant surprise.

John Mayer-Battle Studies kicked my ass the most, I can't believe I actually like this guy's music. Well, his last two albums anyway.

AC/DC-Backtracks (Ltd. Ed.) was good but I'm bored with all the live rarity stuff.

Switchfoot-Hello Hurricane was easily the biggest disappointment, they hadn't released a weak album since their sophomore effort.

Thank GOODNESS somebody replied.

I'll post more later, but my #1 sleeper hit of 2009 is...drumroll please...



Pelican - What We All Come To Need.

This instrumental band from Chicago snuck out this gem on Southern Lord records...and what an Album!!!! Heavy, atmospheric, trippy & beautiful rolled into one. These guys don't need lyrics, their endless ability to weave intersecting harmonies together is breathtaking. A must-own.

Hmmm...I gotta get this! I'm always down for some instrumentals & this one sound exceptional by the way you describe it,D.

WAKE UP! 2009 is OVER.

What other stuff kicked your ass in 2009?