Boards
Planet Sounds' Top 50 Albums/Singles of 2009
Savour it people, it'll be the last one.
Albums
50) GABLE I'm OK
The Normandy trio make exotic pop that is associated with France, but so rarely achieved: playful, mysterious, full of hidden riffs. Under its primitive surface lurks smart melodies.
49) DON'T MOVE! The New Pop Sound
An ironic title for an album that could have been found in a mythical second-hand shop: tunes so classic you wonder why they haven't already been covered countless times.
48) THE DUCKWORTH LEWIS METHOD The Duckworth Lewis Method A concept album about cricket should have been amusing for all of 10 seconds. Given that it's by Neil Hannon and the hidden gem that is Thomas Walsh, it's a succulent joy that bears as many plays as you want.
47) KID HARPOON Once
Trevor Horn's production got the attention, but the long-awaited debut would have been nothng without dreamy, colourful, infectious songs behind it.
Singles
50) THE DRUMS Let's Go Surfing
Complete with the best whistling solo since Young Folks, the Californians marked their Faces Of 2010 spot with a ridiculously catchy single. Cool? No. Puppyishly adorable? Yes.
49) VV BROWN Shark In The Water
It's baffling why her career hasn't taken off, as she's one of the most subtly eccentric new talents around. Keep up this standard, and she should yet be massive.
48) BLEECH The Worthing Song
The East London trio channel Kenickie's spirit with exemplary shouty pop-punk, with an insouciant attitude matched by the cheeky ease of their songs.
47) MUSIC GO MUSIC Just Me
In which the previously hidden talents of Bodies Of Water drop their alt-pop facades to go, well, pop - utterly irresistible Mamas And The Papas harmonies by way of The Cardigans. Their debut album should be a classic.