This was a great year for music. Plenty of new bands making waves, older groups returning from hiatus to continue impressing, and a lot in between. For my end of year list, I split things into two sections. The first being the "sad boy" rankings, which is the stuff that is heavy and depressing in the wonderful way that only music can. This is the stuff that I probably listened to the most, but might not think is the best. Due to this, I think they should have their own ranking. The other list is the albums I believe are the best of the year. While I could easily have many albums on the first list on the second and a couple from the second on the first, I decided to keep them separated. I'm not sure why I did this, but I did. I hope you like it and if you haven't checked any of these out yet, I hope you end up enjoying them!
Sad boy Rankings :
1.
Pinegrove “Cardinal”
Who would have ever thought Americana stylings and emo lyricism would go together so well? Apparently these guys knew, because they blend them together seamlessly. It has all the twangy guitar and banjo plucks you could ever want, but a level of emotional sincerity you might not be ready for. It is book ended by the amazing “Old Friends” and “New Friends”, the first about the past and the latter about moving on (but probably not being ready).
This came out early in the year and I found myself constantly coming back to it throughout the remaining months. The day it came out, I think I listened to it four times in a row. It just catches the ear and doesn’t let go, living in that realm between catchy and meaningful.
2.
Told Slant “Going By”
It’s not a secret Told Slant is one of my favorite bands, so I was looking forward to this one quite a lot. While “Still Water” was about being stuck in life, this album is about fighting through that, as Felix’s repeatedly states their plan to “battering ram this life”. However, it is not necessarily moving forward because things are going well. Quite the opposite in fact. The album deals with many deep themes, particularly the loss of love and friendships. The going by being out of necessity to move on, instead of finding oneself overwhelmed and sinking under the surface of that still water. The album reminds us that when things get tough, we just need someone to say, “Isn’t this silly, and aren’t you beautiful?”.
3.
Car Seat Headrest “Teens of Denial”
Will Toledo has been grinding away on Bandcamp for a while now and finally found mainstream success with “Teens of Denial”, and it’s easy to see why. The music found here is inherently relatable; One or way or another we’ve all struggled with something. While the instrumentation isn’t anything special, it doesn’t need to be. The singing isn’t really that special, but it doesn’t need to be. There is an emotional core that transcends.
“It doesn’t have to be like this” is a simple phrase, but it stuck with me throughout the year. Will likes his songs to have a slow build up to a chorus, to an emotional eruption, and when “Drunk Drivers / Killer Whales” hits this expression it’s musical bliss. This is just one special moment found throughout this album, where there are plenty more to be discovered.
4.
Modern Baseball “Holy Ghost”
Most of Mobo’s songs before this album were catchy hooked, pop punk musings on girl troubles. Things changed when they released “Holy Ghost”. Much loftier subjects became the focus and while the song may no longer be as easy to sing along to, they mean much more. This record seems to mark the point in which the guys in Mobo officially grew up. I’m curious to see where they go from here, but at least right now we know they’re not “just another face” and should be here to stay, making heartfelt music that makes us want to shout it out loud, but also really think about what we’re saying.
5.
Jeff Rosenstock “Worry”
Jeff is the coolest. That’s all that I have to say, because it’s true.
6.
American Football “American Football (LP2)”
American Football made basically the perfect emo album over ten years ago and topping that was never going to happen. However, with this year’s LP2, AF still made an incredibly solid album that shouldn't have to live under it’s predecessor’s shadow. Even on LP1, singing about “teenage feelings” was getting old, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise that the lyrics were different and more mature this time around. The delivery of those lyrics is were the biggest criticisms for the album arose, simply because Mike Kinsella’s voice changed with age and with better recording equipment. Frankly, this didn’t bother me at all, maybe because I also listen to his work as Owen quite a bit. Besides that, the true selling point of the album is the musicianship. The guitar work on this album is fantastic, a wonderful showcasing of the lovely twinkle midwest emo style. A great album that will never be like its big brother, but still deserves our admiration.
Sad Boy Honorable Mentions :
7. Mom Jeans “Best Buds”
8. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds “Skeleton Tree”
9. Pity Sex “White Hot Moon”
10. You Blew It! “Abendrot”
11. The Hotelier “Goodness”
12. Porches “Pool”
13. Nothing “Tired of Tomorrow”
14. Florist “The Birds Outside Sang”
15. Teen Suicide “It’s the Big Joyous Celebration, Let’s Stir the Honeypot”
16. PUP “The Dream is Over”
17. TTNG “Disappointment Island”
18. Money “Suicide Songs”
19. The Amazing “Ambulance”
20. Conor Oberst “Ruminations”
The “Other Stuff” Top 10 aka THE Top 10:
1.
Radiohead “A Moon Shaped Pool”
I’m not the biggest Radiohead fan, I like In Rainbows a lot, my favorite song of theirs is off of “King of Limbs”, I still think Creep is okay, etc. However, this album really blew me away. It hits fast with “Burn the Witch” and then immediately drops that fever pitch down to the slow beautiful “Daydreaming”. While jarring, this dramatic shift is captivating and pulled me in and kept me there.
The instrumentation is masterful, with the various synths, guitars, strings, drums all working in tandem to provide a dense backdrop for Thom York’s expansive and enthralling vocal delivery. In particular I liked the acoustic work on “Desert Island Disk” and “Present Tense”, they stand out among the more subtle atmospheric guitar work.
Worth the wait.
2.
Angel Olsen “My Woman”
Angel Olsen’s previous work was more in the realm of the folkish singer song writer, here she keeps this core, but experiments with a pop sound at times and it works gorgeously. The first track “Intern” is one of my favorites of the year. Her signature warbling vocal delivery soars over subtle synths and half way through a peak is hit that is sublime. The next few tracks that make up the A side are all upbeat in tempo and sound, but beneath that sheen there is a dark underbelly of emotional turmoil.
The B side makes no attempt to hide any of the feelings. These songs are sparse, letting the powerful vocals cut through. It all culminates with the nearly eight minute long “Woman” which uses the end’s guitar almost like a second singer. After the build of “Woman” there is the fall into the ending, “Pops” with its slightly fuzzed vocals, done in a way to showcase Angel’s frayed edges.
3.
Kanye West “The Life of Pablo”
Kanye had a rough year. With his wife’s robbery and a hospital stay among the many things that went on, the fact that he dropped an album almost became an after thought. Which is a shame and also the hardest thing (but maybe the most captivating thing) about being a Kanye fan. The man frequently overshadows his own music.
So, how about the album? Well, it’s wonderful, minus a questionable lyric choices about an asshole. Starting off remarkably strong with “Ultralight Beam”, the verse by Chance the Rapper is a early high point that sets a strong tone for the rest of the album. From there the album meanders through the hip hop landscape, stopping off at trap, more soul, pop, and industrial. Where before each of these styles would be given a whole album to breath, on TLOP the exist in the same air space, but not in a cramped way. It’s more like a full picture of Kanye’s many different skills as a song writer. He goes back and forth between being bombastic and self aware, like “Feedback”, where he shouts “name one genius who that ain’t crazy”. In one breath he calls himself a genius and a crazy person, which is a succinct summary of what makes him so interesting to follow.
Kanye West the man will continue to be an enigma, but the musician should not be doubted.
4.
Anderson Paak “Malibu”
This is an hour of funky hip hop bliss. After Kendrick’s “To Pimp A Butterfly” last year, this is another showcase of a perfect blending of the styles. While it may run long in parts, Anderson Paak is an incredibly talented musician. He truly had a breakout year, with this album and his other project NxWorries dropping the also fantastic “Yes Lawd!”. I’m looking forward to another year of the Paak in the future.
5.
Bon Iver “22, A Million”
I did not really enjoy Bon Iver’s self-titles album. Outside of a couple tracks, I really haven’t listened to it much since the release. Due to this, there would have to be a large change for me to care about a Bon Iver release. Well, with “22, A Million” that was certainly the case. “22 (Over S∞∞N)” the stage early while still sounding strangely familiar. The changes are apparent however, the vocal modulations and atmosphere just feels different. “33 ‘GOD’” and “29 #Strafford APTS” both begin as prototypical Justin Vernon fare, but quickly shift in the new direct with layered modified vocals, some distorted, some clear, but all distinctly different than his traditional falsetto.
A change was needed to keep the Bon Iver project interesting and Justin Vernon did just that. While it is not for everyone (and I know first hand people who liked his folk stuff who were put off by this album) it is a growth that shows a willingness to experiment and not stagnate as an artist. Now we just have to see where things go from here.
6.
Autolux “Pussy’s Dead”
We waited a long time for this one and it was worth it. While nothing will ever be quite as good as their debut “Future Perfect”, this album is a strong second place. Dissonant and different in all the right places, like in the groovy “Brainwasher”, these are talented musicians at the top of their game.
It’s hard to talk about the band without highlighting how good the rhythm section is and this album is no exception. If you’re a fan of drumming this is the record for you.
7.
Deakin “Sleep Cycle”
Deakin seems like “other guy” in Animal Collective, but with his solo album this year he shows his chops as a song writer and musician. For me this album is this high very much for its bookends, the wonderful “Golden Chords” and “Good House”. Both around seven minutes long and beautiful in every second. While the other songs on the album are also strong (in particular “Just Am”) those two are what impressed me the most.
8.
Solange “A Seat at the Table”
This album is an education on racial issues in America, presented in an album that is endlessly entertaining. Like “To Pimp A Butterfly” last year, we have an album reaching critical acclaim for not only being a fun listen, but for also having something to say.
9.
Sales “Sales LP”
Do I like them way more than I should because they’re from Orlando? Maybe. Regardless, after many EPs and singles, this year they finally put out a full LP and it does not disappoint. Continuing with their stripped down sound, there are simple beats, chilled guitars, and vocals delivered like a sigh. Everything sort of runs together, but not in a way that hinders the experience, in fact it only adds to the vibe. That is the key aspect of album and the band in general. They’ve built a vibe and an atmosphere that is infectiously chill.
10.
Jim James “Eternally Even”
Childish Gambino’s “Awaken My Love” will get a lot of press about its soul /psychedelia revival, but I think this album does it better. Jim James, of My Morning Jacket fame, usually makes me think of reverb’d vocals and skillful guitar fretwork. On this solo album though, things slow down. The driving synths and swirling guitars have an ambience that screams old school psychedelic. Jim James is more lyrically focused on this record than he’s ever been before too. While before it was more about just singing anything, now he’s trying to say something. It demands to be listened front to back because of how the songs blend and play off each other, but it’s worth the commitment and the experience.
10 Other Honorable Mentions :
11. Kendrick Lamar “untitled unmastered.”
12. Woods “City Sun Eater in the River of Light”
13. Kevin Morby “Singing Saw”
14. Preoccupations “Preoccupations”
15. Throws “Throws”
16. Sound of Ceres “Nostalgia for Infinity”
17. Half Waif “Probable Depths”
18. Pinkshinyultrablast “Grandfeathered”
19. Chance the Rapper “Coloring Book”
20. Mandolin Orange “Blindfaller”
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