Favorite Albums of 2024
This year feels like the true post-pandemic return of great music! New releases from some solid favorites and more importantly some splendid new talent to carry the Rock 'n' Roll torch!
1. Cloud Nothings - "Final Summer"
It's one thing to create a great album but quite another to maintain that excellence throughout a decade plus career, but here we are! The songwriting is next level as each tune pulls you in and captivates until before you realize it ten songs have flown by in thirty minutes and trust me, you will find more to love with every listen! My personal favorite is the crushing "I'd Get Along" - TURN IT UP!
2. Green Day - "Saviors"
Wow, this is the best Green Day album since the classic, "American Idiot"! Billie Joe & co. dish out the catchiest punk/pop in decades with producer, Bob Cavallo back at the helm and everything sounds amazing! The guitars are LOUD - seriously, I've never heard them up this far in a mix before and I love it! Check out "Living in the '20s" and "1981" for a sample of what you're in for.
3. Blushing - "Sugarcoat"
The third album from this Austin, TX two husband and wife couples is the charm. Reverb-soaked, psych-glazed, dreamy shoegaze of the highest order. Sympathetically produced by Ride's Mark Gardner, this is my favorite new discovery of 2024! Opening track, "Tamagotchi" dazzles!
4. Chime School - "The Boy Who Ran The Paisley Hotel"
Andy Pastalaniec follows up his stunning 2021 debut with another collection of ringing 12-string awesomeness! Relax on the porch of this Paisley Motel and let the waves of invigorating jangle cascade over your ears one after another. It's enough to restore your faith in Rock 'n' Roll - check out the rush of, "Why Don't You Come Out Tonight" for proof!
5. The Shop Window - "Daydream"
A five-piece band from the UK led by Carl Mann creates this delightful slice of perfect indie pop! Sixteen tracks awash in winsome melodies and gorgeous harmonies without sounding twee. Citing Teenage Fanclub, The Stone Roses and Close Lobsters as influences how could they go wrong? Do some window shopping on Bandcamp and check it out!
6. Nada Surf - "Moon Mirror"
The gift of another album by Nada Surf is a pure joy! As reliable as my Sony Walkman CD player (both still performing flawlessly for over 30 years) these guys never disappoint. Another engaging entry in their formidable catalog of excellent releases. Matthew Caws' voice continues to soar over rousing melodies. A band still at the top of their game - check out "In Front of Me Now" for a prime example.
7. Jack White - "No Name"
With a long resume which includes; The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, Dead Weather, a long solo career, and running his own label (Third Man Records) Jack White still found time to release this fantastic new album! A return to his earlier raw rock and blues crunch was an unexpected shock in the best way! Give a listen to "That's How I'm Feeling" or "Missionary" to get the blood flowing.
8. Real Estate - "Daniel"
This band has been producing it's unique brand of laid back melancholy indie pop/rock for over 15 years so you know to expect pretty guitar-driven tunefulness. Over time their sound has gotten cleaner and shinier which only enhances the skillfully crafted songs. "Water Underground" is absolutely addicting and it's accompanying video is the best I've seen in years!
9. The Bevis Frond - "Focus On Nature"
They broke the mold when they created Nick Saloman, a prolific one-man lo-fi, psych rock, guitar riff machine! He writes, plays, records and produces everything himself whenever he damn well pleases. Saw him live this year with a full band and it was mind-blowing! In a world infested with prefab corporate "music" choose The Bevis Frond!
10. Ian Hunter - "Defiance Part 2"
"Defiance Part 2" follows a mere year after it's predecessor referencing that age is no obstacle and at 86 the man knows of what he speaks! Plenty of guests arrive to celebrate his musical genius (Jeff Beck, Brian May, Cheap Trick and many more) but make no mistake, this is Ian's show from beginning to end. Tinnitus has prevented him from touring but it sounds like a Defiance Part 3 is on the way!
More Good Stuff
Redd Kross - "Redd Kross"
Nick Piunti - "Up and Out of It"
M J Lenderman - "Manning Fireworks"
The Vaccines - "Pick-Up Full of Pink Carnations"
The Smile - "Wall of Eyes"
Eels - "Eels Time!"
Fabiano Do Nascimento/Sam Gendel - "The Room"
The Black Crowes - "Happiness Bastards"
J Mascis - "What Do We Do Now"
