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]

John's Track of the Week: "Beggar's Bowl"

Song: Beggar's Bowl

Artist: Polvo

Album: In Prism

Year: 2009

Twelve years can be a really long lay-off for a band. Good thing Polvo seems completely unaffected. The noise/math rock giants from Chapel Hill, NC finally released their follow-up to 1997's Shapes this year, with In Prism. All corners of the web have been ecstatic ever since this track, "Beggar's Bowl" was presented to us back in June, and after the album's release yesterday, many declared it the band's best effort of its career. I'd have to agree there. Unlike the band's other works, In Prism hits harder and possesses an impressive edge. Not that the older material did not have an edge, but this album specifically focuses on it, which is why I was drawn to it.

"Beggar's Bowl" was the perfect introduction for new fans to the band, and a great re-introduction for their long-awaiting faithful as well. Combining their most technical aspects with their charmingly dated 1990s attitude, the track presents everything the album is about, all within its walls. It's a youthful outlook, a happy return and the re-establishment of one of the 90s' best, but usually most overlooked, offerings. If you haven't heard yet, you need to at least get yourself this song, if not purchase the entire album, which came out yesterday. You can also stream In Prism in full for the rest of the week over at Spinner, as we mentioned earlier in the week.

Polvo - "Beggar's Bowl" (via Stereogum)

Tuesday's Releases (9/8): Now Streaming

Welcome to another week of great releases here as we enter the end of the summer, and begin to transition into fall. Once again, we've got an extensive selection of records to choose from and browse over at Spinner, so by all means, stream away. As always, credit for the original idea goes out to LargeHeartedBoy. Also, for reviews not posted up by me here, consult the larger volume of reviews which I supervise over at 20 Watts.

• In Prism, Polvo
• Popular Songs, Yo La Tengo
• Hearbeat Radio, Sondre Lerche
• The Blueprint 3, Jay-Z
• Two Dancers, Wild Beasts
• Keep In Mind Frankenstein, Grand Archives