Best of 2009: Honorable Mention

We've reached the end of our Best Albums of 2009 countdown. Still, it's also worth noting the top 10 albums that unfortunately did not make it to our list. All of these efforts were of a high quality, yet just barely missed, so to end off our year here at Animal Noises, please feel free to peruse the list below. We hope everyone has a happy new year, and we'll see you in 2010.

40. Embryonic, The Flaming Lips

39. Phrazes for the Young, Julian Casablancas

38. Unmap, Volcano Choir

37. Loso's Way, Fabolous

36. Dissolver, Iran

35. Real Estate, Real Estate

34. In Prism, Polvo

33. Heavy Ghost, DM Stith

32. Wildlife, Headlights

31. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II, Raekwon

[Previously on Animal Noises: Best of 2009: Most Anticipated Albums of 2010]

Best Songs of 2009: #31-40

Continuing our countdown of the best songs of 2009, today holds numbers 31 through 40. Be sure to look for articles popping up throughout the month about all of these tracks, in addition to album reviews, etc.

40. "Heartbeat Radio" -- Sondre Lerche

39. "Rain On" -- Woods

38. "Animal (Crookers Remix)" -- Miike Snow (via RCRDLBL)

37. "Right Round" -- Flo Rida

36. "Beggar's Bowl" -- Polvo (via Pitchfork)

35. "Island, IS" -- Volcano Choir (via Pitchfork)

34. "Beach Comber" -- Real Estate (via Pitchfork)

33. "All the Pretty Girls" -- fun.

32. "Relator" -- Scarlett Johansson & Pete Yorn

31. "To the Bells" -- The Swimmers

[Previously on Animal Noises: Best Songs of 2009: #41-50]

New Volcano Choir Video, "Island, IS"

Well, this is definitely an interesting one.

Many probably remember that Volcano Choir's (Bon Iver and Collections of Colonies of Bees collaboration) Unmap came out this past week. As also mentioned, lead single "Island, IS" is mesmerizing and eclectic. Enter the video, which accomplishes both of these descriptors equally as well. It's a simple visual representation showing colored squares appearing on a bridge as the music plays over it. It's a bit trippy, but like I said, completely mesmerizing. You'll definitely want to check the deal out below.

[Previously on Animal Noises: John's Track of the Week: Volcano Choir's "Island, IS"]

John's Track of the Week: "Island, IS"

Song: Island, IS

Artist: Volcano Choir

Album: Unmap

Year: 2009

Last year, Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago took the indie music world by storm. People were obsessed, especially with tortured campfire acoustic number, "Skinny Love." The album as a whole was also a solid effort, all turned in by Wisconsin's Justin Vernon, who put it together by himself in a cabin. Now, after years of trying, Vernon's finally a relevant entity on the indie scene, and thus has the luxury of pursuing ambitious side projects. His first, Volcano Choir, in conjunction with fellow Wisconsinites, Collections of Colonies of Bees, turns in an effort completely unlike each artists' respective work, experimenting with sound and ambience on a superior level-- most apparent on first single, "Island, IS."

What makes "Island, IS" stand out amidst a crowd of "cool new things" in music today is its organic combination of such different aesthetics into just one track. Employing Middle Eastern sounds, folk and ambient electronic soundscapes, the song seemingly defines experimental, yet the appeal pulls any listener right past that label. It pulls you in immediately, as a track shrouded in intrigue and mystery. Each listen, you're digging for something new to take out of it, and surprisingly, some new feature does, indeed arise. If you haven't heard yet, you'll want to do so, with the track below, courtesy of Stereogum. Volcano Choir's Unmap just came out yesterday, so for those worried about missing the boat, it's still early enough for you to hop on.

"Island, IS"- Volcano Choir

[Previously on Animal Noises: Tuesday's Releases (9/22): Now Streaming]

Tuesday's Releases (9/22): Now Streaming

We're back for another week of releases, streaming for you up on Spinner. This week's another huge Tuesday for new albums, even though it seems that Spinner doesn't have some of the most notable ones (Monsters of Folk, Brand New, Why?, The Twilight Sad-- just off the top of my head). Regardless, they're up for you to check out before acquiring. Credit for the original idea, as always, goes out to LargeHeartedBoy.

• Vapours, Islands
• Unmap, Volcano Choir
• White Water, White Bloom, Sea Wolf
• The Almighty Defenders, The Almighty Defenders
• Give Blood, Rain Machine
• Album, Girls

[Previously on Animal Noises: Tuesday's Releases (9/15): Now Streaming]