I couldn't imagine having 25 new records to recommend. Seems like I'd have to buy hundreds to find that many good ones.
So, let's do five!
- LCD Soundsystem - american dream. Easily my favorite of their records. Though, in truth, it's not extremely different from the others. It just does everything I like about them a bit better.
other voices
- Replacements - For Sale: Live At Maxwell's 1986. A 31 year old live recording of a sloppy self-destructive band at their peak is still better than 95% of the new stuff I've heard this year.
Color Me Impressed (Live at Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ, 2/4/86)
- R. Ring - Ignite The Rest. Fans of The Breeders' noisy twisted lo-fi rock will love this. Kelley Deal is the lead guitar player in the Breeders and her voice sounds just like her twin sister Kim's. And she brings that same combo of glass-eyed bliss and giddy menace that The Breeders are known for. R. Ring is actually a duo, but the Dealness dominates.
R Ring - "Cutter" (Official Video)
- Spoon - Hot Thoughts. It's a good record (though I still can't listen to the title song). It's not my favorite Spoon record. It's not my least favorite Spoon record, either. I enjoy it but I'm having a hard time coming to terms with this glittery electronic Spoon.
Spoon - Do I Have to Talk You Into It (Official Video)
- Protomartyr - Relatives in Descent. Harsh and raw with that early 90s post-Sonic Youth vibe: delicate dissonance and grinding guitars. Sounds like The National having a really angry day.
The Chuckler
I could mention David Rawlings' new record, or Kendrick, or St. Vincent. But I won't.
You?
Oh man, what a year. Top 5 for me are:
1. LCD Soundsystem – american dream
2. The Horrors – V
3. Spoon – Hot Thoughts
4. Grandaddy – Last Place
5. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Who Built the Moon?
I can’t not mention the 20 year remaster of OK Computer for the new/old songs, especially the fabled Man of War which has legendary status amongst us Radiohead fans. We’d only had bootlegs of this until now.
Love the R. Ring song.
I’ve been all over the board this year.
Top VI in no particular order:
King Krule: The OOZ
Weather Station: S/T
OCS: Memory of a Cut Off Head
Courtney Barnett/Kurt Vile: Lotta Sea Lice
Sam Amidon: The Following Mountain
Ryley Walker: Golden Sings That Have Been Sung
Also, Ryley Walker and Bill MacKay: SpiderBeetleBee is a new classic of American guitar, in my opinion.
Happy new year, all.
i’m resisting buying more Ryley Walker stuff. don’t want to burn out.
Oh, and that protomartyr is great, I just like the first two records more, for whatever reason…hard to define.
yeah. i think it’s a little less hooky than the others. stills sounds like them, but the songs just aren’t as catchy.
I also forgot to mention Bully- “Losing”. I think it’s a great throwback to the riot grrl 90’s with enough punch to make it sound perfectly current.