An Airbag Saved My Life

Ever notice that Radiohead's OK Computer opens with a guitar, cello, and sleigh bells? Pretty badass. And that's before you get to Phil Selway's sick drumbeat. Well played, sirs. Well played.

Best Albums of 2009: No. 1 - Telekinesis' s/t

"I've got a heart and it's afraid to love. Sometimes I think the damn things full of rust."

And with that, Telekinesis (aka Michael Lerner) starts off the most perfect pop album of 2009.

He's got a knack for taking 3 minutes and cramming the most intense drumming, guitars, and evocative songwriting possible. rarely do you have an album where each and every song is a winner.

One might draw easy comparisons to early Death Cab (mostly due to Chris Walla's production). But step back and you can easily figure out why Merge signed him: he sounds like younger, deeper in love Portastatic. Great Lakes sounds like an extra from the Be Still Please sessions.

The energy of Tokyo, the Beatleness of Awkward Kisser, the simple sweet beauty of I Saw Lightning. This is an album that grabs you instantly and gets better and better with each listen.

Please get this album. It'll be one you return to again and again.

Shimmy Shake interview with Michael Lerner