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The 50 Best Songs of 2009

As part of PopMatters’ 20th anniversary, we are revisiting classic features. Travel back in time a decade ago to 2009, when indie rock was in its full ascendency,and hear the songs that soundtracked the era.

Music

Gardens & Villa: Gardens & Villa

With production assistance from label mate Richard Swift, this Santa Barbara quintet turns in an exciting debut.

Freeden Oeur

Music

Richard Swift and Damien Jurado - Other People's Songs (new album / MP3)

A deliciously eccentric covers record offered entirely for free via a freshly minted tumblr page, in their own words, "these recordings came about spontaneously, and we wanted to share them in the same manner."

Music

Moving Mountains with Her Point of View: An Interview with the Mynabirds

Hot on the heels of the most promising debut album of 2010, Laura Burhenn of the Mynabirds divulges with PopMatters on coming to terms with being a good person through her music, working with the enigmatic Richard Swift, and why Ringo Starr is so misunderstood.

Music

Damien Jurado: Saint Bartlett

Saint Bartlett won't change the opinion of anyone who's already had his or her mind made up on Damien Jurado, but for those awaiting a welcome fork in the road, the record more than satisfies. It's arguably the best front-to-back record of his career.

Music

The Mynabirds: What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood

The Mynabirds offer a respite for those seeking a unique take on pop music's current trends, as this feels like a record that will endure. It announces the band as 2010's most promising newcomers.

Music

Richard Swift: The Atlantic Ocean

Fresh off a sojourn to Detroit circa 1960, the Swift-E-3000 Temporal-Aural Displacement Device (TADD) lands firmly in the 1970s.

Music

Richard Swift: Richard Swift as Onassis

While this collection's substance is mostly tangential, it would be unfair to deem it a complete misstep artistically.

Spencer Tricker

Music

Instruments of Science & Technology: Music from the Films of R/Swift

Richard Swift is an ideal when it comes to our modern definition of artist: comfortable in many mediums and unafraid to experiment.

Music

Richard Swift: The Collection Vol. 1

As a means of introduction, Secretly Canadian has lovingly repackaged two Richard Swift discs into one two-disc volume. You'll be glad you met him.

David Bernard

Music

Pop Ten

The 25 Best Classic Progressive Rock Albums

The 100 Greatest Alternative Singles of the '80s: Part 1: 100 - 81

Jackie Chan's 10 Best Films

The 100 Greatest Alternative Singles of the '80s: Part 5: 20 - 1

The 100 Greatest Alternative Singles of the '80s: Part 3: 60 - 41

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Mixed Media

Collapse Expand Mixed Media

PM Picks

Collapse Expand Pm Picks

Gardens & Villa: Gardens & Villa

With production assistance from label mate Richard Swift, this Santa Barbara quintet turns in an exciting debut.

Richard Swift and Damien Jurado - Other People's Songs (new album / MP3)

A deliciously eccentric covers record offered entirely for free via a freshly minted tumblr page, in their own words, "these recordings came about spontaneously, and we wanted to share them in the same manner."

Moving Mountains with Her Point of View: An Interview with the Mynabirds

Hot on the heels of the most promising debut album of 2010, Laura Burhenn of the Mynabirds divulges with PopMatters on coming to terms with being a good person through her music, working with the enigmatic Richard Swift, and why Ringo Starr is so misunderstood.

Damien Jurado: Saint Bartlett

Saint Bartlett won't change the opinion of anyone who's already had his or her mind made up on Damien Jurado, but for those awaiting a welcome fork in the road, the record more than satisfies. It's arguably the best front-to-back record of his career.

The Mynabirds: What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood

The Mynabirds offer a respite for those seeking a unique take on pop music's current trends, as this feels like a record that will endure. It announces the band as 2010's most promising newcomers.

Richard Swift: The Atlantic Ocean

Fresh off a sojourn to Detroit circa 1960, the Swift-E-3000 Temporal-Aural Displacement Device (TADD) lands firmly in the 1970s.

Richard Swift: Richard Swift as Onassis

While this collection's substance is mostly tangential, it would be unfair to deem it a complete misstep artistically.

Richard Swift, Tift Merritt, Gnarls Barkley...

Instruments of Science & Technology: Music from the Films of R/Swift

Richard Swift is an ideal when it comes to our modern definition of artist: comfortable in many mediums and unafraid to experiment.

Richard Swift: Dressed Up for the Letdown

What artist in any field wouldn’t want to be the new Beatles and transform the world? Swift consistently expresses grand ambitions and great feelings, which should be applauded.

Richard Swift: The Collection Vol. 1

As a means of introduction, Secretly Canadian has lovingly repackaged two Richard Swift discs into one two-disc volume. You'll be glad you met him.

Rebelling Against the Rebellion: British Punk's Second Coming

The Ugly and Unlistenable Death Spiral of Eddie Van Halen

Pinto Bennett Dishes the Lonely Blues on "I Like Singin' the Blues in a Honky Tonk Song" (premiere)

"She's Older Now" Is a Previously Unreleased Tune From Roger C. Reale and Rue Morgue, Featuring Mick Ronson (premiere)

Pinto Bennett Dishes the Lonely Blues on "I Like Singin' the Blues in a Honky Tonk Song" (premiere)

Deep Tan Amplify the Groove on New Single "Shimmer" (premiere)

Signe Marie Rustad Finds Companionship In "A Thousand Lights" (premiere + interview)

Andrea von Kampen Crafts Reflective, Picturesque Folk on 'Twilight & Evening Bell' (EP stream) (premiere)

John Salaway Celebrates "The Beauty That Surrounds Us" (premiere)

Nobody's Girl Sparks New Life into Old Classic, "Merry Christmas, Baby" (premiere)

The Drunken Hearts Roll Up Their Sleeves for Wild Ride on 'Wheels of the City' (premiere + interview)

Broke Royals Have an Encounter With "Saint Luxury" (premiere)