This is Simon Houck's first album in five years. His last album, Muchacho, garnered him a spot here. He took a break to move out of Brooklyn and have a child with his wife in Nashville. While his voice and sound are certainly distinguishable, this particular album is easily his the best out of his vast catalog. There's a maturity and resonance with his work this go around and I still can't put this album down.
Damien Jurado is one of my favorite artists. He hit #1 in 2014 here and #3 in 2016 on this blog. Having finished up his triology in 2016, we find Jurado in new territory, leaving behind his work with producer, Richard Swift. This album is self-produced, and could easily be his best work to date. Maybe with experience and trust in oneself, he is able to ascend to the greatness we all believe him to be.
I think I have finally hit the age where my memory cannot keep up with the sheer number of bands I've seen live. At least that's what my daughter thinks, when, after seeing them live in Chicago this last year, she promptly reminded me we had seen Middle Kids the year prior at SXSW. It's ok though because this band has quickly become one of my favorites, and apparently many others as well. Many in the crowd were shouting out the lyrics to every song. They came out with an EP last year that would have put them close to #1, so, they may be getting some residual love, but they certainly own the #3 spot. The band is from Sydney, Australia and singer Hannah Joy is joined by husband, Tim Fitz and drummer Harry Day. Hannah's voice and lyrics are piercing and intimate and coupled with a wall of sound and musical precision, this band is poised to do great things. I look forward to their future.
This is actually a re-recorded version of his 2011 classic. Will Toledo likes to tinker with his stuff and has a vast array of songs laying around since inception. I liken this to what Paul Simon did earlier this year, by rearranging his catalog and 'fixing' songs he never felt complete. Will wanted this to deliver more of an impact, or whatever he felt was wrong with the previous arrangements. Regardless, this is a punchy foray into stripped-down guitar rock and it's an enjoyable ride.
Matt Quinn is the heart of the Philly based band. This is their debut album and what an album it is. I know I keep saying this, but this is basically why the Top 10 is the Top 10. The second I put this album on, it grabbed me and didn't let go. The soaring folk rock anthems, the intricate lyrics and the rambling southern style rock made this album one of my favorites. They will be playing live March 9 at Tower Theatre, but don't buy all the tickets yet, I still have to get mine.
On his first album in five years, Gregory Alan Isakov returns with a powerful group of songs that was so compelling I had to buy the vinyl immediately. Gregory lives on a farm in Boulder, Colorado (because, of course he does) and this album was produced by him in a barn on his property. There's a natural quality to this album, and I hope I get to see some portion of it performed live. The video below highlights easily the best song on the album.
This is Ben Howard's third album. I have loved his other two, but this album grabbed a hold of me in a way that hasn't happened in a while. His previous two albums were gorgeous, but the work he did on this album, the experimentation, the electric/acoustic contrast, the lyrics. It's just beautiful. Definitely check it out.
Definitely one of my favorite new bands of the year. Acid Dad is based out of Brooklyn and the roster consists of, Sean Fahey, vocals/guitar; Kevin Walker, drums; JP Basileo, Bass; and Vaughn Hunt, vocals/guitar. This is their debut album, although they've been playing a few years. Psych punk, but with enough variety to keep the album extremely interesting.
This is Lo Moon's debut album. The album is very interesting, because it's one of those albums where the band is trying to find their sound. It consists of Matt Lowell, Crisanta Baker, Samuel Stewart, and Sterling Laws and they reside in Los Angeles. They signed to Colombia, so, I think they're shooting for the moon (get it). They have a sound like Temper Trap or Future Islands, but heavily influenced by New Wave, I'm sure their sound will do them well. I know I certainly enjoyed this album a lot, it was very addictive.
I have been in love with this guy since his last album way back in 2014. He made the Top 50 here. Appropriately he is in the Top 10 with this fantastic piece of work. Also, quick plug, you can hear the song below on the debut of my new radio show, B Sides on thespyfm.com and kosu.org tonight starting at 10pm CST. 91.7FM OKC, 88.3 Stillwater and 107.5 Tulsa.
You may know Juliana Hatfield from such bands as The Lemonheads, Minor Alps or Some Girls. She is an accomplished solo musician and her new tribute to 80's pop sensation, Olivia Newton-John is magnificent. Even though the news falsely reported that Olivia is hanging on by a thread (which prompted said musician to post a video of her alive and well), this is meant to be a living tribute to pay homage to her muse. A portion of the record's sales will be donated to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute.
Sophie Alleson is Soccer Mommy. She was born in Sweden but raised in Nashville. She's held a guitar since she was six and produces intensely lyric driven soft punk style music. This is her official studio debut and at 20 years old, what a debut it is.
This is the sixth album from Justin Ringle and band. Based out of Portland, Oregon, they produce incredibly dense folk music with a little electronic thrown in for good measure. Their Appalachian vibe never fails to make me happy, but the additonal string arrangements and backing band on this album have pushed them into one of my more listened to records of the year. They made the blog way back in 2012, here.
Young Fathers is a three piece out of Edinburgh, Scotland. The band consists of ‘G’ Hastings, from Drylaw, Edinburgh, Alloysious Massaquoi, originally from Liberia via Ghana and Kayus Bankole, born in Edinburgh to Nigerian parents. They have had much acclaim in the UK and opened for Massive Attack. While they eschew genre, they are often classed as experimental hip-hop. Their name derives from the fact that each of the band members is named after their father.
Technically this album is from 2017, but Francis Starlite dropped it on December 29th, so I'm counting it. Mostly because it is all I listened to in January. He has gained notoriety for his work with Drake, Kanye West and Chance the Rapper. Kanye and Bon Iver have guest vocals on this album. His voice and style are often compared to Peter Gabriel and Prince and I certainly see it. It's an addictive album, to say the least.
Fell in love with Glen Hansard when I first saw the movie Once. Then, I fell out of love with him when The Swell Season broke up and he just kind of sounded whiny brandishing his worn out guitar. The critics have bashed this album, but I find it refreshing. He's hired a session band, uses an organ and an electric guitar on some tracks and has actually made something that sounds interesting. For the exact reasons the critics gave for hating this album is exactly why I love it. Marketa Irglova from The Swell Season makes a guest appearance as does Dawn Landes.
With a name like Rascal, you kind of know what you're getting yourself into before you even start listening. Rest assured, this Nebraska native has the ability to pour raw emotion into some incredible music. This is a breakup album and was recorded in two days to give it the same feel as one of his electric live performances. He plays in OKC often because of the proximity.
Wild Child is an Austin based indie pop band. For their fourth album, they traveled far and wide and worked with different producers for each song. What it's done is create an album with a unique aesthetic. The album is pop driven, but you often feel as if you're listening to something new and fresh with every song. It's really well done and may be their best work to date.
This may be the first posthumous album to make the Top 50. Prince has an enormous amount of recorded material, and left no instructions for how to deal with it after his death. He recorded everything he did in his home studio and even had recording equipment in other parts of the house, in case he felt like breaking into song. This particular album is just one session at a piano. It is incredible to hear his song-writing process on this album, the improvisations and even the toe tapping to provide a beat. You get to hear an early, early version of Purple Rain, some gospel and Joni Mitchell covers as well.
Laura Veirs has grown to become a favorite of mine. Warp and Weft was a beautiful album, but what really grabbed my attention from her was July Flame, which made the Top 50 wayyyy back here. On her new album, she is not heading into new territory, but has brought us more of her wispy, soft vocals with this amazing intensity and power behind them. She also hit the Top 50 back in 2016 with her collaboration with k.d. Lang and Neko Case.
Leeds based band, Hookworms, have ditched their pop-punk grunged out sound for a new dancey, electronic one. It's shiny and wonderful and full of up tempo beats. Mind you, it's still a serious album with depth and complexity that some disco synthed bands lack. This is the quintet's third album. The band has had a bout of bad luck with flooding and their breakup this year following the allegations of mental and sexual abuse by a former partner of the lead singer.
Ryan Gustafson is The Dead Tongues and this is his third album. The melodically dense folk of this album is reminiscent of Bob Dylan and while that might seem trite, the album is not. It's lyrically dense and one of the best folk albums of the year. This is a headphones album that must be taken in slowly and intensely.
Remember Sports was previously just a college band in Ohio called simply, Sports. Regrouping in Philadelphia, the band changed its moniker and continues to put out delightful power pop punk (power punk pop?). The band is comprised of Carmen Perry, vocals and guitar; Jack Washburn, guitar; Catherine Dwyer, bass; and Conner Perry on drums.
Todd Michael 'Leon' Bridges was born in Fort Worth, Texas and is the ripe old age of 29. This is his sophomore album and is a great album to leave on repeat. Leon Bridges leaves behind the soul of the past and infuses his own style into this album. The writing is genuine and artful and it's nice to see him stretch his wings out on this album.
I've been keeping my eyes on this band since they put out a couple songs in 2017 and made a big splash at SXSW. This is the London based eight piece's debut album. At first, it took a minute to get into this album, but it is definitely one of those albums that after you listen to it a few times, it grabs a hold of you and doesn't let go. The multi-international band are producing a truly unique sound and I simply love it. Check out the video below. Check out the band. I can't wait to see where these guys go next. Also, if you do watch the video, you can play that actual game here.
Kyle Thomas is King Tuff and on his fifth outing, produces his most serious album to date. The psych rocker, after touring an exhaustive four years, sat down with an acoustic guitar and a bunch of new equipment and created something different for him. More of an existential jaunt than about the party lifestyle, which propagated his prior works. He hit #28 on this list back in 2012, read about that here.
Thanks for stopping by. I listen to entirely too much music and love sharing music almost as much as I love listening to it. The purpose of this blog is to do just that and bring you along the journey with me.
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