Top of the Animal Kingdom

So list after list of top albums of the year is published in every magazine and on every website full of music nerds. Oh how refined the palette. Oh how un-trendy the music. Somehow the human race has evolved to a point where those who are passionate about music end up favoring a certain type of sound. They know it when they hear it. Charles Darwin might say it's a trait developed to help further the music of the species. But has anyone considered the evolution of the animal kingdom? Has anyone wondered what the animals are listening to? Have the animals progressed even further than people? Last time I went to the park what did I hear? Birds singing. Last time I was out in a densely populated part of the city, what did I hear? A lot of noise. Advantage, animals. Luckily in recent years some artists have taken a first step and offered an olive branch, naming their band or work after animals. Not only were they ahead of the game, but as smart compassionate people, they also made great music. So after a conference with Jane Goodall and a rage of animal experts in Copenhagen, including my own research from the jungles of Africa to the ends of the South Pole to the mountains of Tibet, I can now release the one and only Animal Kingdom's Top 8 Albums of 2009! (one for each continent + 1 for the ocean)


1. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion

Could there possibly be a reason this album wouldn't be number in the animal kingdom? Duh?


2. His Orchestra - Field Guide to the Wilds

Everything about this album from the cover, to the title, to the song "Antarctica," an obvious dedication to Penguins, screams the Animal Kingdom.


3. Grizzly Bear - Vekatimest

The favorite among the snobbier animals who want more out of their music, and who enjoy pic-a-nics.


4. The Bird and the Bee - Rays Are Not Just The Future

Because animals love to dance, and so many have boyfriends or girlfriends in Japan to send love letters to.


5. Noah And the Whale - The First Days of Spring

I'm glad someone cares about the ocean...

6. Regina Spektor - Far

You have to look into this album to find it's creature calling, but the song "Human of the Year" is a favorite as animals do have a sense of humor.

7. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

A homage the greatest species of birds and the greatest human composer ever, period.


8. Norah Jones - The Fall

Unsure of how she does it, but her calm soothing melodies have the same warm sleepy effect on all of God's creatures regardless of species.