Counting Down My Top 10 Records of 2009, Pt. 9

This is part nine in a ten-part series; previous entires can be viewed over here.

While there's certainly nothing wrong with melancholic musical homages like Lou Reed's Magic and Loss or Elvis Perkins' Ash Wednesday, it was incredibly refreshing that Visqueen leader Rachel Flotard chose instead to honor her father with uplifting, anthemic pop. The songs on Message to Garcia exuded not just affection for her dearly departed dad, but her fearless command of the almighty power chord.

Though I'm admitted biased, thanks to my friendship with Flotard, it doesn't take a filter of friendship to see that this lady is probably the most likable and hilarious rock star in this city. Clip of her performing the album's opening track "Hand Me Down" at the Tractor Tavern earlier this year is after the jump.