This is going to be a good year for music.  All Songs Considered producer Robin Hilton writes that, “the first two months of 2009 have already produced more memorable albums than all of 2008.”  I’m not sure I’d go that far, but he’s right about the caliber of new music that has been released already.

There are two albums that have risen to the top for me this year, though truthfully Blind Pilot released their record, Three Rounds and a Sound in 2008 and I simply missed it.  Blind Pilot is Israel Nebeker and Ryan Dobrowski, long-time friends from Portland.  I’ve been taken by their lo-fi sound and intriguing lyrics.  These guys are currently on tour (we’re busy the night they play Schubas here in Chicago unfortunately) and are unknown enough that tickets are quite reasonable.  Here they are on Last Call with Carson Daly preforming One Red Thread.

You also might enjoy the official video for another song, Go On Say It.

Next Saturday I’ll post my other favorite album of 2009; this one comes from Ireland.