2009 has definitely been a different year for the iPod Project but an enjoyable one. It wasn’t productive one for me but I hope the quality went up when the quantity slacked off.
My first post in 2009 was M-462. “Hit Me Baby One More Time (Britney Spears Cover)” by Mr. Bungle The Ping Pang Band. My last post was M-618. “Trash” by Korn. 156 Songs total for an average just under one song every two days. I think I may have added at least that many songs since this projects inception with a current total of 1465 songs.
Anyway on to the Best Of 2009:
First off, we created an award specifically to celebrate one song so it’s the obvious winner of
The Big, Super-cool Smile Award of 2009
1456. “Sweet Potato” by Cracker
It had us both smiling like sharks. Hence, the need for this award. 
Best Comment of the Year 2009
Joey’s insightful comment on M-479. “Frijolero” de Molotov about the US-Mexican border and Immigration just set the bar too high for any other comment that I read to overtake it.
Best Cover of 2009
Over 70 Covers were posted this year including the song I use as the definition of making a song your own, “Satisfaction (I Can’t Get No)” by Devo. To be fair, the winner was selected from two of the many covers that I never heard before, I normally don’t choose a runner-up in this category, but since is only the second time that I’ve done this, who cares!?!
Honorable mention has to go to the cover of a Male Swagger Anthem that was twisted around into a Geek Stalker Anthem, “Hello I Love You” by The Cure. But this year’s winner is
“Get The Party Started” by Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan
I love how this duet took Pink’s jammin’ party dance-pop song; changed the tempo, sang it like a folk song and flipped its whole vibe.
Best Album Set of 2009
Is new this year to honor the Album that best caught my attention. I created it specifically for one reason, to lavish praise and honor on the 17 song Rock Opera:
“The Hazards of Love” by the Decemberists beginning with the song 1893. “Prelude” by The Decemberists
#1 Best Post of 2009
This personally introspective piece by Joey was the one post that moved me the most. The interaction of comments that followed were considered for The Best Comment award, but I felt that those were a testimonial of the posts greatness to draw out so much internal comments from the readers.
2009 marked the best writing I’ve seen from Mr. Michaels since we began interacting nearly eight years ago.
#1 Best New to Me Song of 2009
“The Queen’s Rebuke/The Crossing” by The Decemberists
This song from the aforementioned Hazards of Love album held me spellbound as hostage of its aural beauty from beginning to end. The musical arrangement, performance and vocals of this track send chills through-out my body ten-fold of what I experienced with Ivo.
It is the Climax of their Rock Opera and I believe it was the Climax of New to Me Music for 2009.
…and now, for the ultimate honor
The Best Artist Series of 2009
This is also a new award from me. It is based on the complete body of work, both songs and posts. Cornershop had two songs and a post in the top 8 and 7, respectively, yet overall, I wasn’t compelled enough to nominate them. Conversely, the number five Best Artist made neither of those countdowns but was still strong enough to compel me to nominate them.
#5. The Clash
It was a great trip down memory lane hearing songs from my youth plus songs that I hadn’t heard before. Joey’s new found fandom helped him hone his creative writing skills to undertake one of his biggest tasks he would have to face to date on this project.
#4. Concrete Blonde
I’ve always liked their music and Joey greatly expanded my knowledge of them. The #7 Post was written for this band.
#3. The Colourfield
Garnering the #3 Song in the Countdown was just a tip of the creative arrangements and outstanding musicianship of this band. Again, Joey’s informative writing made this one of my greatest favorites.
#2. The Cure
It is true, I still list this band as one of my least favorites, but not all of their music was a complete turn off. This band did claim the #4 Song and the #2 Cover.
But what really put this band in such great contention was Joey’s phenomenal writing. The #4 and the #3 Posts of the year were about Cure songs that I was not that much a fan of. Those two posts were the crowning jewels of an extraordinary series of writing.
#1. The Decemberists
The #1 Song and the Best Album awards are a testament to the awesome music that I heard from this band. Their worst song can be included in the statement “They were consistently good.” Joey’s imaginary play that he was visualizing during their Rock Opera was yet another facet of his creativity.
That is all from me this year. I am looking for an even more dynamic 2010 and hopefully I can move mountains for the rest of you
In Music and Liberty,
Guillermo Juez de las Iglesias,
dB-) The LNC
First, this post should get a special “best of 2009″ nomination just for itself.
Thank you so much for linking the first song you wrote about this year – I am about to start my best of 2009 search and that will help!
Yay Sweet Potato!
I probably won’t have a comment of the year because I didn’t keep track all that well this year. I will pay more attention in 2010!
Nice call on best cover!
I am thrilled that you enjoyed The Hazards of Love so much. I don’t know if you had the time to listen to any of my Drive-By Truckers entries, but if you didn’t, you should really check out Southern Rock Opera. I think you’ll dig it – assuming you haven’t already heard them. Indeed, The Drive-By Truckers would be my “don’t miss” recomendation. Skip everything else if necessary.
Oh! Never mind – our conversation during DJ gets my “best comment” for both of us and MissP!
Fabulous song of the year choice – and the fact that it was released in 2009 really rocks.
While I will need some time to pick my jaw up off the floor for your #2 pick, I am excited by your top five choices. I also thank you for spending so much time reading and listening to my posts here. I know I pour out a ton of stuff and appreciate that you’ve been here during this ride so far. I’d rather have one great reader than a thousand lame ones, so I think I’m very lucky!
While I will need some time to pick my jaw up off the floor for your #2 pick,
Never underestimate the power of the written word, especially when it is you who is the author. You did win “Survivor Blog” the year you entered it after all.
If I ever ran for the highest office, I would want you as my speech writer first and foremost. You know how to convey a message.
You are very kind. If either of us ever run for office, I’d expect the other to fly to his state, take him to a bar, and talk him out of it.
I’ve been part of the political process, off and on, for many years. I’ve longed toyed with the idea, but, as my wise and observant wife points out, the big boys are slinging mud to bury the message of an real contender.
So I sit on the fence, inching ever closer.