Unlike those words that I have heard from so many people over the years: "they don't make music like they used to," I find the opposite is true. Yes, technically music making has evolved over the years. Increased access to equipment, recording, and ways to find an audience has changed drastically. The spirit hasn't though. There is incredible music being made all around us all of the time. More than ever. It's difficult to keep up! My problem as an older person who has yet to fully adjust to the idea that music doesn't have to be physically possessed is that I get overwhelmed. I am fully aware that I have missed a lot of great music this year, because I get overwhelmed by it. There's too much! I do not make enough time available to hear more music. I cannot afford it. I can't keep up! These selections are ten of many releases I enjoyed this year. I share them only hoping to present my thoughts in a vague way to show appreciation to these great artists and inspire an individual to look into these artists further. There's always been good music and likely always will be. Happy New Year!!
Write ups can be accessed via the band/album names below
The black watch
released two albums in short succession this year and both are worth an
investment. The morning papers have given us the vapours was the first and is
the more traditional release – full of their unique smart indie pop that seems
to come from a limitless well. The other
album, weird rooms, is also
excellent, but it’s the morning papers
that has given me the vapors (sorry). John Andrew Fredrick has guided this
band for a long time, and I was lucky enough to join the entertaining ride ever
since I bought one of their early 7” singles simply because it had a picture of
Natalie Wood on the cover back in
1993. All these years later, I still
love the 80s era Church/Cure/Go-Betweens vibe that they produce.
I’m not eloquent enough to explain in
any interesting way why the black watch are so appealing, except to say that
they feel like a longtime friend. From
that first chance listen, I found their songs addictive in the best way. By that I mean, they fit neatly into my
palette sonically, and are always thought-provoking lyrically and most
importantly, I want to hear their songs again and again. Some more than others. The past six years have found them, in my
estimation, on a hot streak. A wider
variety of sounds has crept in, along with more female vocals and string
arrangements, which remind more of their incredible early releases.
Speaking of which, the pre-LP single
(included here) “oh, do shut up,” is sung by Kesha Rose and is a perfect kiss off to any narcissist that might
be making you feel bad about yourself.
It’s one of the best songs of the year and it feels so damn
satisfying. Not to be confused with
their 2021 LP here and there, “there
& here” is another buzzing great!
Actually, there’s not a weak moment here. The matching guitar melody with some
“doo-doo-da-doos” are alluring on the opening “new brooms sweep clean,” “sorry
so far” sounds like a highlight from a Grant
McLennan album, and who can ignore the pop perfection of “more lies from
the government.” “The morning papers”
closes the album with a wonderful frantic strummer that is urgent, bitter and
fun as hell to sneer/sing-a-long with.
I can honestly say that in 1993 I did
not look ahead and ponder what I’d be doing thirty years later, but
unsurprisingly, I still look longingly at pictures of Natalie Wood when I
encounter one, and listen to the black watch.
I’m okay with that.
