Dynamic Range Radio's Top 100 Artists of 2009 (part 2)

Continuing the year-end recap that started last week, here are the top 50 artists on Dynamic Range Radio in 2009 based on airplay.

1. Bloc Party [+1]
2. Led Zeppelin [+2]
3. The Beatles [-2]
4. Big Country [-2]
5. Steve Earle [no change]
6. Big Sugar [-2]
7. U2 [+11]
8. Eurythmics [+5]
9. The Smithereens [+8]
10. TV On The Radio [+26]
11. Sinead O'Connor [+1]
12. Bob Marley [+2]
13. Wilco [+8]
14. Bob Dylan [+1]
15. The Pogues [-6]
16. My Morning Jacket [+6]
17. The White Stripes [-11]
18. The Tragically Hip [-10]
19. Kings Of Leon [-9]
20. Yeah Yeah Yeahs [+69]
21. Depeche Mode [+111]
22. The Clash [-2]
23. Yo La Tengo [-12]
24. AC/DC [-8]
25. Bruce Springsteen [-6]
26. Old 97's [+18]
27. Goldfrapp [+3]
28. Chris Isaak [-3]
29. Crowded House [no change]
30. Bat For Lashes [+27]
31. Everclear [-8]
32. Against Me! [+10]
33. Supergrass [+41]
34. The Rolling Stones [+1]
35. Iron & Wine [-1]
36. Ron Sexsmith [+34]
37. Aerosmith [+21]
38. Radiohead [+24]
39. Yazoo [-6]
40. Sons And Daughters [-12]
41. Blur [no change]
42. Santogold [+82]
43. Dire Straits [-11]
44. The Smashing Pumpkins [-13]
45. The Skids [-19]
46. XTC [+68]
47. R.E.M. [-8]
48. ...Trail Of Dead [-24]
49. Beck [-22]
50. Pure [-10]

Bloc Party claimed the #1 spot on the charts last year thanks to their latest album Intimacy which was released in late 2008 and spent a significant part of 2009 in heavy rotation. Throw in all the outstanding tracks from their two previous albums and it's no surprise at all to see Bloc Party at the top of the charts.

The next three bands on the list also come from the UK, and even though I'm one of the few DJs who would mention Big Country in the same breath as Led Zeppelin or the Beatles, all three bands are perennial favourites of mine and will probably remain at or near the top of the charts for a long time to come.

Steve Earle prevents the UK from sweeping the top 5, while Big Sugar is the highest charting Canadian band at #6. Other homegrown acts making the cut were The Tragically Hip (#18), Ron Sexsmith (#36), and Vancouver's own Pure who clung to a spot in the top 50.

The biggest jumps were made by Depeche Mode, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Santogold, and Supergrass, all of whom had albums in heavy rotation for at least part of 2009.

Among older bands, XTC had the biggest jump, climbing 68 spots to crack the top 50 for the first time. I'd always liked the band's better known singles, but 2009 was the year when I dug deep into their catalogue and came to appreciate many more of their songs, and also the consistently outstanding sound quality of their albums.

Looking ahead to 2010, I'd say that the band most in danger of falling out of the top 50 is ... And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead. Their last album, Century Of Self, was a disappointment, both artistically and sonically, so they'll have to rebound if they want to start climbing instead of dropping.

Another band to watch for in 2010 is the Avett Brothers who might crack the top 50 on the strength of their debut album, I And Love And You.

To view the bottom half of the top 100 click here, and then come back next week for the announcement of the 2009 Dynammy Award nominees.