When the album is released it will be a vinyl only release (Jan. 26th, Sophomore Lounge), but I still feel compelled to mention what my verision of this album looks like. A few weeks ago I was going through my mail and opened a package from State Champion. I looked inside and there was the spine of Michael Jordan’s I Can’t Accept Not Trying. Now it was close to Christmas, but why me and why Jordan’s tiny collection of thoughts? I pulled it out and found the guts of the book had been removed and in its place was a promo copy of Stale Champagne the new album from State Champion.

The album itself is almost as exciting as it’s unique packaging. A blend of southern twang, calculated Chicago rock, and a heavy dose of violin magic makes for an exciting and surprisingly warm album. It’s a lo-fi, heartfelt, and endearingly passionate garage-country. This, the bands debut album, proves that something original and unique can be built on a foundation of traditional ad known. Ryan Davis provides a steady swagger that could propel this band to bigger things in the year ahead.

Stale Champagne will be released on Jan. 26th, but you can celebrated the release on the 20th at Empty Bottle with Rabble Rabble, Phantom Family Halo, and Wishgift.

First, thanks to everyone who entered our open contest to be included in our year-end poll. The response was overwhelming and all of The Deli’s writers were involved in narrowing the field down to arrive at three bands that will be included in the year-end poll. Those bands are Panda Riot, Daniel Knox, and Mr. Bear. These bands will be added to the list of bands hand selected by a jury of Chicago media, venue booking agents, and other Chicago music nerds. The year-end best of Chicago poll will be posted on January 6th and will run through the 15th.

Our favorite Chicago track of 2009 came from the mind of one Shawn Rosenblatt and his band Netherfriends. Emergency Umbrella released their debut ep, Calling You Out this year and on that ep we found the track "Nunya (Beeswax)".

The Smith Westerns took blogosphere by storm this year and their infectious basement surf sound has won us over as well. The debut LP was released this year by Chicago's HoZac Records and "Girl In Love" is taken from that album.