Normally, I say a bunch of stuff about what think of the
past year in music. This one was
good. It was single heavy for me. This list is not about the best ten albums,
just what I listened to most. I’ve spent
most of my life, putting music as my go to for enjoyment and solace and
comfort, but it isn’t working as well for me anymore. I haven’t figured out anything else that
contains its healing and inspirational powers.
There is always good music. Seek
it out and let me know what you enjoyed this year.
1. 1. Low HEY WHAT
Low have stayed relevant and a
personal favorite since I first learned of them in 1994. This new album in not very song oriented, and
at times can be jarring or sleepy, but to me it is full of imagination and
incredible depth. The first couple of
tracks remind me of being stuck in an MRI machine. I have always thought about the repetitive
clanks and rapid fire noises as musical.
And here it is. An ode to the
MRI. The entire album though, has caused
me to imagine it as a musical slash early 70s style antiseptic white room based
sci-fi movie, where we realize that the things we’re supposed to worry about in
the future, are here now.
Wonderful. Masterful.
(https://lowtheband.bandcamp.com/album/hey-what)
1. 2. Blankenberge Everything
Epic,
dramatic, precise, powerful, awe-inspiring.
How many superlatives can I use? His
band from Saint Petersburg, Russia exceeds them all. This album will be a favorite for the rest of
my life. There is no question. Especially when played loud.
(https://blankenberge.bandcamp.com/album/everything)
2. 3. Flyying Colours Fantasy Country
Australia’s Flyying Colours took some
time, but finally released their best album yet early in 2021. It includes two singles at the beginning that
were released quite some time ago, the kinda groovy 70-ish “Goodtimes” and the
roaring anthem “Big Mess.” The rest of
the album seems inspired by their own wonderful sound and a less isolating Movement era New Order precision.
(https://flyyingcolours.bandcamp.com/album/fantasy-country)
3. 4. Tambourina Tambourine Dream
Tambourina is born out of previous
bands like Glowfriends and Overly Polite Tornadoes. Continuing their lineage of dynamic indie
rock. Their thoughtful and insightful
songs are catchy as hell and I love the vocal interplay. Fantastic debut from these veterans.
(https://tambourina.bandcamp.com/)
4. 5. Old Moon Altars and Dreamer,
Sleeper
New Hampshire’s Old Moon is already
very prolific. They keep releasing a
rustic sounding version of early post-punk darkness and it is enthralling. Both albums from this past year are amazing.
(https://oldmoon.bandcamp.com/music)
5. 6. Ducks Ltd. Modern Fiction
This Toronto twosome create a spiky UK
sound reminiscent of the stuff from the late 80s Sire Records roster. I loved
a lot of those bands, and welcome a modern band full of wit and addictive
tunes.
(https://ducksltdband.bandcamp.com/album/modern-fiction)
6. 7. Deafheaven Infinite Granite
I don’t know much about
Deafheaven. From what I gather, their
history has landed them in a metal / screamo category of rock. I don’t really care for the thousands of sub
categories that we create to label groups.
But whatever the case, this album is a softer edged sound with stretched
out songs and spectacular musicianship. The
songs are heartfelt and enjoyable and every so often a mentalism or scream
comes to the fore. Epic.
(https://deafheavens.bandcamp.com/)
7. 8. Fotoform Horizons
Seattle’s Fotoform’s second album is a
tight little pot-punk / goth nugget.
That early Cure bass line throughout is absolutely magical, but also a
bit repetitive. Whatever the case, it’s
a sound that I am addicted to. These emotional
songs are quite the elixir.
(https://fotoform.bandcamp.com/album/horizons)
8. 9. Fawns of Love Innocence of Protection
This is the second album in a row that
Fawns of Love have delved into the dance pop programming of mid 80s New Order only with dreamy angelic
vocals. I am a sucker for this. Another enjoyale collection.
(https://fawnsoflove.bandcamp.com/album/innocence-of-protection)
9. 10. The High Violets B-Sides & Rarities
Portland legends. I’ve loved their music for years, and seen
them perform live many times, but always felt their recorded output never reflected
the quality of their live sets. This
collection collects rarities, but it is also now their best album. These songs are among their best.
(https://thehighviolets.bandcamp.com/)
