Music critic Ann Powers’ best music moments of 2009

Remembering Michael Jackson. It would be shocking and immoral to call Michael Jackson’s death a good thing, but its aftermath has been most positive for pop. Critics reassessing MJ’s art and life produced much of the year’s best music writing; young artists stepped up their game, wrestling with his legacy. We all confronted deep matters of race, fame, family and art as we mourned together, immersed in one of the greatest musical catalogs of all time. (Kevin Mazur / Associated Press)

Sept. 16, 2014 7:14 PM PT

Gaga-Glam. One turned being a pop tart into bloody and increasingly deep performance art. The other turned “American Idol” on its ear just by being himself (and singing so well.) Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert: two forces for serious liberation. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Maxwell, “BLACKsummers’ Night.” Few artists make music as attuned to the subtle dynamics of love and sex as this soulful tone poet. That this album was a hit proves that, even in the age of the Auto-Tuned booty call, some listeners still have taste. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

Hey, Nashville! “Welcome to the Future.” Taylor Swift‘s amazing year and Darius Rucker’s crossover success were visible signs that country music is changing. The most heartening hit from Brad Paisley‘s great album “American Saturday Night” put that new, open feeling into words. (Josh Anderson / Associated Press)

Bringing it live. Leonard Cohen, still a powerhouse at 75. The Avett Brothers, leading the best sing-alongs I heard this year. And Pearl Jam, which has evolved into the most joyful band in rock. (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

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Music critic Ann Powers’ best music moments of 2009

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