Top 3 Instrumental Albums of 2009
By Nick Manteris · 0 Comments · Leave a Comment
It seems like instrumental albums get no love from the music world, but there are people creating some really great music with no vocals. I don't even remember any specifically-instrumental albums from last year, though I guess there were some electronic entries that could have fit in the category. It's worth mentioning that a couple of these albums scored highly enough to almost make the actual Top 10 list. Anyway...these were the 3 best instrumental albums that I encountered in 2009:
3. Mono – Hymn to the Immortal Wind
- Score
- 71%
The Japanese band Mono makes very cinematic music that is often described as post-rock, but they apparently prefer for their sound to be described as “new classical.” Whatever you want to call it, it’s definitely worth a listen.
2. Rodrigo y Gabriela – 11:11
- Score
- 83%
All of the songs on 11:11 are tributes to musical artists that have inspired the guitar duo. Pink Floyd, Carlos Santana and Jimi Hendrix are the more well-known musicians that are singled out on this collection and the Carlos Santana-inspired track, “Hanuman,” is the highlight of the album.
1. Cougar – Patriot
- Score
- 83%
This music could also be labeled post-rock, but a more fitting description is the genre that the band has invented to describe themselves: emergency rock. It’s difficult to describe what emergency rock sounds like, but – trust me – you’ll know it when you hear it. Try “Rhinelander” or “Stay Famous” to hear these guys at their best.
