Asura's 2019 Favourite Albums
As per usual, short and sweet ordered list. No December releases in this one. |
| 19 |  | Two People
First Body
Not the kind of album I'd usually even check but glad I did, the overall feel of this is just great.
Recs: I'm Tied, To You, In The Garden and Something To Talk About |
| 18 |  | Benny The Butcher
The Plugs I Met
As a fan of Benny and underground hip-hop, this album was something I looked forward to, it's not amazing but it sure delivers.
Recs: 18 Wheeler, Crowns for Kings and Sunday School |
| 17 |  | Fit for an Autopsy
The Sea of Tragic Beasts
It is rare for an album with this type of vocals to give me much enjoyment but damn the riffing and drum work on this are incredible.
Recs: The Sea of Tragic Beasts, The Man Without Fear and Mirrors |
| 16 |  | Lana Del Rey
Norman Fucking Rockwell!
Finally a Lana Del Rey album I can actually enjoy, I always liked some of her stuff be her records always seemed to either bore me or not make me come back, NFR is definitely the exception.
Recs: Norman Fucking Rockwell!, Mariners Apartment Complex and hope is a dangerous thing for a woman to have - but I have it |
| 15 |  | Tides From Nebula
From Voodoo to Zen
Instrumental progressive rock with just the right amount of electronic elements that served as my work soundtrack for the longest time this year.
Recs: Ghost Hoerses, The New Delta and Dopamine |
| 14 |  | Rapsody
Eve
Rapsody is finally realising her potential and Eve is the start of what I hope is her rise to the top of the rap game.
Recs: Nina, Cleo and Oprah |
| 13 |  | Tool
Fear Inoculum
Despite being self-indulgent, Tool's long awaiter Fear Inuculum is still a great display of musicianship and of a band that is still willing to experiment and challenge their fan base.
Recs: Fear Inoculum, Pneuma and 7empest |
| 12 |  | Her Name Is Calla
Animal Choir
Animal Choir walks a fine of being a grandiose and bold goodbye from the band and being a snobbish artistic endeavour however the band's goals seem so genuine, it's hard to not enjoy the ride.
Recs: Swan, The Dead Rift and A Moment of Clarity |
| 11 |  | La Dispute
Panorama
Not an album I come back to very often but definitely has its grand moments and deeply impactful songs that keep me it just shy of my top ten of the year.
Recs: FULTON STREET I, ANXIETY PANORAMA and FOOTSTEPS AT THE POND |
| 10 |  | The Damned Things
High Crimes
Just a lot of fun, specially high in this list because I just ended up coming back to this more often than most albums.
Recs: Cells, Something Good and The Fire Is Cold |
| 9 |  | The Dangerous Summer
Mother Nature
Another grower, definitely happy I gave this album a second try later this year as it is right up my alley.
Recs: Bring Me Back To Life, Way Down and Where Were You When The Sky Opened Up |
| 8 |  | Microwave
Death is a Warm Blanket
Despite the weird production this album hits all the right notes for me in terms of sound and lyrics, definitely a fan and looking forward to checking the band's catalogue.
Recs: DIAWB, The Breakman has Resigned and Part of It |
| 7 |  | Alter Bridge
Walk The Sky
Even if it is the band's weakest album (in my opinion) it is still a great display of musicianship, be it Myles soaring vocals, Tremonti's killer riffs and the band's overall ease to write/compose arena worthy rock/metal anthems.
Recs: Wouldn't You Rather, Native Son and Dying Light |
| 6 |  | John Coltrane
Blue World
I've written a review on this so feel free to check it for my thoughts on this, but in summary: its fantastic.
Recs: Naima - Take 1, Blue World and Village Blues - Take 1 |
| 5 |  | Cult of Luna
A Dawn to Fear
My first listen to a Cult of Luna album and definitely a fan, I'm still a bigger fan of Mariner but these guys are a band I will start looking forward to further releases.
Recs: Lay Your Head to Rest, The Fall and Lights on the Hill and The Fall |
| 4 |  | Norma Jean
All Hail
Even though I feel All Hail doesn't live up to its predecessor it's still a great album and a lot of fun.
Recs: Orphan Twin, [Mind over Mind] and Anna |
| 3 |  | Johnny Booth
Firsthand Accounts
Another grower and absolute banger of an album. Visceral and "no fucks given" metalcore that reminds me of old school Architects which is also a good thing in my book.
Recs: Bury the Rose, Pneumonia Knife and Thief |
| 2 |  | Injury Reserve
Injury Reserve
Pleasant surprise, it's rare that a hip-hop album feels this complete and well thought out to me without feeling unauthentic.
Recs: Jawbreaker, Jailbreak the Tesla and Wax On |
| 1 |  | Periphery
Periphery IV: Hail Stan
Talk about a grower. I remember not enjoying the second half of this album on release, in the end however it is the album I came back to the most this year.
Recs: Reptile, Blood Eagle and Follow Your Ghost |
|
