Isabelle

With so much excellent music being released in 2009, contributing writer Isabelle had a hard task narrowing down a list of the year’s Top 10 records – featuring releases from Patrick Wolf, Metric, Neko Case, Tegan & Sara and more. Which record took out the #1 spot? Check it out and tell us if you agree.

Christmas carols, by nature, are mostly fairly schmaltzy. So what kind of justice can an artist like Tori Amos bring them? In her new Christmas album “Midwinter Graces”, Amos does an interesting job of reinterpreting well-known traditional Christmas songs, and even adds five of her own originals to the mix. Contributing writer Isabelle reviews the record and tells you how you can win a copy.

Contributing writer Isabelle gives us the low-down on Gossip’s latest album “Music For Men” and shares her admiration for frontwoman Beth Ditto, a “lady with an exceptionally high badassery quotient who is unafraid to be outspoken and flamboyant.”

All-female Brooklyn trio and overnight sensations, Vivian Girls, live up to the hype as they bring their gloriously shambolic pop-noise and Riot Grrrl spirit to Australia. Contributing writer Isabelle has a lot of feelings about sexist critics as she reviews an energetic, rapid-fire set, complete with broken G strings and tales of a “stoned Koala bear”.

Canadian rockers Metric finally bring their powerful, crowd-pleasing synth rock to Australia. Indie heart-throb Emily Haines wins over a hardcore Melbourne crowd with smoking hotness and idiosyncratic dance moves, requests a spliff and receives candy instead. Audiostraddle’s contributing writer Isabelle takes us there.