#16 on the 2009 Musical Advent Calendar

Grand by Matt & Kim

The above video, for “Lessons Learned” from Matt & Kim’s energetic and simple album Grand, gets the award for “Most Fun Video of the Year.” How can you resist punk hipsters who strip down naked and freeze their asses off in February in the heart of Times Square? You just can’t look away, can you?

There’s not much to this album, and that’s what I love about it. At only 29 minutes, 18 seconds, you can squeeze the whole thing in during your commute to work. It’s better than coffee, because every song has a hook that’s easy to grasp and the tempo is upbeat and bouncy. You can’t help but sing along.

If you’re a fan of the Thermals, older Green Day, or just non-agro punk music in general, then this album is for you. Buy it today.

__________________________________________

17. Blood Bank EP by Bon Iver
18. Fever Ray by Fever Ray
19. Tell ’Em What Your Name Is by Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears
20. Mo Beauty by Alec Ounsworth
21. Here Comes Science by They Might Be Giants
22. Noble Beast by Andrew Bird
23. Hungry Bird by Clem Snide
24. Actor by St. Vincent
25. Elvis Perkins in Dearland by Elvis Perkins in Dearland
26. XX by the XX
27. Grrr… by Bishop Allen
28. Keep It Hid by Dan Auerbach
29. It’s Blitz! by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
30. Beware by Bonnie “Prince” Billie
31. Veckatimest by Grizzly Bear