Favorite Albums of 2022
A tentative return to normalcy brought with it a slew of good albums, just not a lot of great ones. It was exciting to see bands attempting to tour again (amid many cancellations) as artists attempted to make sense of this crazy new world. These albums will help you do just that!
1. Chris Church - "Darling Please"
Lenoir, NC brings us the album I can't stop listening to. It doesn't just have my favorite song of the year ("Bad Summer") but my second favorite as well ("Pillar to Post")! A ten year old two track basement recording rescued from the scrap heap becomes a buzzing, melodic marvel! Chris Church touches the sun on this one and every listen just reaffirms that feeling.
2. The Reds, Pinks & Purples - "Summer at Land's End"
San Francisco's Glenn Donaldson goes back to the kitchen (literally) and serves up another helping of hazy tuneful indie pop. His breakneck pace of releasing multiple singles, EPs and an LP each year belies the dreamy laid-back sunny afternoon feel that radiates from his music. Keep them coming Glenn!
3. Young Guv - "III & IV"
Ben Cook as Young Guv traffics in hyper-catchy power pop which was on full display in 2019's "Young Guv I & II". This time around we get more of his sublime musicianship on "III" along some new wave and even country-flecked sounds on "IV". An artist at the top of his craft.
4. Superchunk - "Wild Loneliness"
This Chapel Hill, NC band blazed an indie rock trail in the 90s before taking a ten year break. They exploded back onto the scene with 2010's magnificent "Majesty Shredding" and this is their fourth straight second stage winner! Tighter and more focused with guest stars; Norman Blake and Raymond McGinley (Teenage Fanclub), Mike Mills (R.E.M.) and Sharon Van Etten among others make for an engaging listen!
5. The Helicopters - "Eyes of Oblivion"
Longtime Swedish hard rockers return after fourteen years with a sensational new album! Guitarist/songwriter, Nicke Andersson describes the record as "The Beatles meets Judas Priest or Lynyrd Skynyrd Meets the Ramones..." That might sum it up - all I know is that "Reap a Hurricane" and the title track rock harder than anything I've heard in years!
6. Flyying Colours - "Flyying Colours"
Australia's premier Dreampop/Shoegaze outfit reissue a collection of their early out-of-print EPs. The guitars swirl, the voices soar and your brain melts in the sonic haze!
7. Healees - "Healees"
My favorite new find of the year. The Healees are a dream pop band located in Paris featuring members from Belgium, France, Sweden and the USA. Only available as a cassette or download (those crazy kids)! Head to their bandcamp page to check out the delightful debut EP.
8. Cheap Star - "Wish I Could See"
Remi Vaissiere has been fronting this enchanting melodic power pop outfit for years. His latest and greatest incarnation includes Jon Auer (Posies) on every track as well as special guests; Matthew Caws (Nada Surf), Gary Louris (Jayhawks), Brendan Benson and Mitch Easter - Wow!
9. The Beths - "Expert in a Dying Field"
New Zealand's Beths third album showcases singer/songwriter/guitarist Elizabeth Stokes front and center as well she should be. Her voice is beautifully compelling as are her insanely catchy tunes. Their debut is still my favorite but this is better than 99% of what's out there.
10. The Smile - "A Light for Attracting Attention"
Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead fame have collaborated on a project sure to please fans of both. Their fascinatingly quirky machinations are anything but boring and sometimes downright beautiful. Until a new Radiohead release appears this will do just fine!
Other Favorites
Band of Horses - "Things Are Great"
Marc Andersson - "First Prize For Everyone"
Nick Piunti & Complicated Men - "Heart Inside Your Head"
Alvvays - "Blue Rev"
Kids on a Crime Spree - "Fall in Love Not in Line"
Lauds - "Lauds II"
Death Cab For Cutie - "Asphalt Meadows"
Martin Courtney - "Magic Sign"
Spielbergs - "Vestli"
Eels - "Extreme Witchcraft"
Persian Leaps - "Machines For Living"
First Aid Kit - "Palomino"
