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Last Active 12-03-22 11:37 pm
Joined 08-18-16
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| | My Favorite 10 Albums of 2019 | | 10 |  | Deep Cut
Different Planet
This is the latest effort by this female-fronted alternative rock band from London, which features Matt Flint, the former guitarist of Revolver. To my ears, they've managed to build an LP around songs that sound musically like variations, in different speeds, on the old Byrds song "So You Want to Be a Rock 'N' Roll Star" and still make it interesting. It's no mean feat, let me tell you. This is good. | | 9 |  | Joe Jackson
Fool
I was pretty shocked by this one, I don't mind telling you. I had no idea that Joe Jackson had an album this good still left in him. Yeah, he was terrific in the eighties, and while I didn't love the Look Sharp album as much as everybody else, I loved the shit out of I'm the Man and Night and Day. But then he left us for awhile, went shuckin' and divin', went full on jazz, and even fancied himself a classical composer, all before finding his way back to what he does best -- well-written pop rock. If you're a fan of Jackson't old stuff but haven't paid him any mind in decades, you'll be amazed at how good this is. | | 8 |  | The Cranberries
In the End
Fellow Spuniker Dewinged says simply that this album was a gift. I couldn't have put it any better. We lost a jewel when Dolores O'Riordan passed away suddenly two years ago in the middle of recording a new Cranberries album. And much credit is owed to her often-overlooked bandmates for grieving as they needed to, and then getting to work and editing this LP together. It's a beautiful goodbye to a much-loved artist. | | 7 |  | Tegan and Sara
Hey, I'm Just Like You
These two Canadian sisters constitute another one of these bands who are just amazingly consistent. I think their last five albums have made my Top 10 Albums list. It's right up my alley -- melodic, slightly alternative, pop rock. | | 6 |  | Lily and Madeleine
Canterbury Girls
These guys are a folk-pop duo from Indianapolis. A lot of the music is vaguely sad, maybe even a little despairing. Which works for me. Apparently they've been singing together since they were in high school, and it shows -- they've definitely got a chemistry. | | 5 |  | Bruce Springsteen
Western Stars
Again, color me shocked. Not that The Boss hasn't written anything worthwhile in the last few decades -- just give "The Wrestler" a listen, for instance. But this is the best, and most consistent album Springsteen has put out in probably thirty-five years. This one finds him exploring cowboys and the great American West, and for once, it's not all social injustice and despair. The LP is low-key, but top notch. | | 4 |  | The Gloaming
The Gloaming 3
The Gloaming is an Irish/American musical conglomeration who mostly perform in Ireland. Their music is part folk, part classical, a little jazzy and very Celtic. This band is the real deal, not just the "Danny Boy" tripe the Irish trot out for the tourists. Some of the tracks are instrumental, and some are sung by a traditional male singer in the "sean-nos" style. | | 3 |  | All Hail the Silence
Daggers
This is an electronic music duo comprising American electronic musician BT and British singer-songwriter Christian Burns. They're another one of those eighties-loving proteges of Vince Clarke of Erasure, and their music seems heavily influenced by Depeche Mode. They're noted for their use of analog synths. | | 2 |  | Bayside
Interrobang
What can I say? You know I love these guys. The driving guitars, the biting lyrics, and Anthony Raneri's instantly-recognizable vocals. Every album of theirs has been a winner, and this one is no exception. "Interrobang" is the LP's biggest banger, while "Walk It Off" is the one with the most penetrating lyrics. | | 1 |  | Charly Bliss
Young Enough
I'm not sure this one broke them fully into the national consciousness, but it certainly deserved to. I saw them on tour this summer opening for Chvrches, and that band is a good role model for these guys. Just as Chvrches started out as an acclaimed "cult" band a few years ago and worked their way into being a top-level alternative band, that's the path I hope to see Charly Bliss take. Their music and songwriting is already there. | |
Divaman
12.28.19 | Kind of lazy this year. Maybe I'll write blurbs for them, or maybe I'll just let them speak for themselves. | Divaman
01.02.20 | OK, I actually updated this with some album descriptions. They're not the greatest descriptions, but they're the best I've got. I feel like in many ways, this is an old man's list -- there are a lot of older, or retro artists on here -- but I guess that's kind of understandable, given the listmaker. |
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