Favorite Albums of 2023

Another year of bands regaining their post-pandemic footing in the studio and on the road. Not sure if any of these releases will reach classic status but some great stuff nonetheless!

1. Reds, Pinks & Purples - "The Town That Cursed Your Name"

After two years of being the bridesmaid, Glenn Donaldson's wistful, lo-fi, world weary brilliance finally claims my top spot. The rare prolific artist that sets the bar higher with each release. Check out "Burning Sunflowers" - Gorgeous!

2. Ian Hunter - "Defiance Part 1"

Octogenarian, Ian Hunter truly Defies age and expectations with this triumphant return to the studio. Backed by a who's who of Rock 'n' Roll (Jeff Beck, Mike Campbell, Billy Gibbons, Todd Rundgren, Ringo and many more) this album could easily veer into tribute territory but fear not, Ian's stellar writing and vocals rule! "Guernica" ranks with his best - Amazing!

3. The Tubs - "Dead Meat"

From the ashes of Joanna Gruesome arises the debut album from the Tubs! The driving strum and thrum of this English quartet embraces the best of Richard Thompson and R.E.M. (how's that for a recommendation)! My favorite new band of 2023!

4. Hurry - "Don't Look Back"

Philadelphia's Matt Scottoline and company had been churning out jangly melodic righteousness for a dozen years before I finally discovered them. This release is simply their latest and greatest! Head over to Bandcamp and show them some love - their digital albums are only $5!

5. Superchunk - "Misfits & Mistakes"

This 2-disc collection of singles, B-sides and unreleased material is from my favorite era of the band (2007-23) and it's a rich bonanza of 50 songs! It would be impossible to round up all these rare 45s, cassettes, soundtracks, EPs, etc... but here they are with insightful liner notes to boot!

6. Eyelids - "A Colossal Waste of Light"

Haunting guitar pop out of Portland, Oregon. Led by singer/songwriters Chris Slusarenko (Guided by Voices) and John Moen (Decemberists) this is some seriously great indie rock from the get go with the opener, "Crawling Off Your Pages" to closer, "I Can't be Told". Impeccably produced by good friend and sometimes collaborator, Peter Buck. 

7. En Attendant Ana - "Principia"

A blissful breeze of sparkling indie pop from Paris, France, fronted by the crystalline voice of singer/songwriter Margaux Bouchaudon. Her vocals float atop a Belle and Sebastian/Velvet Underground musical base flecked with bits of sax and trumpet, making for one fascinatingly fine listening experience! 

8. The Baseball Project - "Grand Salami Time"

The fourth album from this baseball-loving supergroup featuring members of R.E.M., the Dream Syndicate and a myriad of other projects is still batting 1.000! Each song is clever and catchy, from taking aim at big sluggers ("The All or Nothings"), to baseball cliches (the title track) to the dreaded yips ("The Yips") - take me out to the ballgame!

9. Yo La Tengo - "This Stupid World"

Best title of the year! This unique unclassifiable NYC trio has now been around for 40 years! From delicate hushed melodies to full-on noise guitar skronk Yo la Tengo is as eclectic as it gets. Their albums always reward repeated listens and this one is no exception. Still on top of their game!

Rolling Stones - "Hackney Diamonds"

The first Stones album of original material in almost 20 years pretty much guarantees this a spot in my top ten and damned if it doesn't almost live up to all the hype and expectations! The songs are terrific, Mick sounds great and it's nice to hear Charlie and Bill reunite for a track or two, but Andrew Watt's production sucks all the air out of the room leaving behind a very sterile atmosphere. 

So close :(

Honorable Mention;

Marty Stuart & his Fabulous Superlatives - "Altitude"

Guided by Voices - "La La Land" and "Welshpool Frillies"

The Hives - "The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons"

William Tyler - "Secret Stratosphere"

Boygenius - "The Record"

Teenage Fanclub - "Nothing Lasts Forever"

Something Old...Something New (#33)

"Horses" - Patti Smith (released 1975)

   "Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine", and with those words the high priestess of punk announced her arrival on a debut album unlike any other. Packed with free-form poetry and for the most part ignoring conventional song structure. It was off-kilter and oddly abstract set amidst the typical radio fare of the time but her unique voice, fearless passion and unbridled energy kept you spellbound. This was something wholly different and at the same time something special! Expertly backed by a sympathetic band (Lenny Kaye-guitar, Richard Sohl-piano, Ivan Kral-bass, Jay Dee Daugherty-drums) there are no missteps or creative dead ends. The single, "Gloria" opens the record with a mournful/slinky intro which builds to an unleashed version of the Van Morrison classic. "Redondo Beach" is a fairly straight Reggae based tune that would fit neatly on an early Elvis Costello album. The brooding, elegiac, "Birdland" showcases Kaye's keenly skittering guitar, Smith sing/speaks in tongues like a woman possessed while Sohl's beautiful piano anchors the nine minute piece. "Free Money" quickly unspools into a wonderful minor key rocker while "Kimberly" is a pretty mid-tempo song for her sister. "Break it Up" has Kaye's soaring guitar echoing Smith's emotional vocals. This brings us to the three-part tour de force "Land: Horses - Land of a Thousand Dances - La Mer (De)" A driving epic with the rhythm section constantly pushing forward as Patti's words pour out as if in a trance. The album wraps up with "Elegie" a tribute to her fallen heroes in music and poetry. From the production by John Cale to the striking b&w cover by Patti's great friend, Robert Mapplethorpe, this is a landmark album in every way!

"The Town That Cursed Your Name" - The Reds, Pinks & Purples (released 2023)

   A veteran of the Bay Area music scene (Vacant Gardens, Skygreen Leopards, Art Museums, to name just a few) "the Reds, Pinks & Purples" is the latest and greatest creation of San Franciscan singer/songwriter/musician, Glenn Donaldson. Over the past four years he has released over a dozen EPs and LPs showcasing his hazy, melodic, lo-fi pop methodology. His world weary voice instills a sad beauty to every song while acoustic strum and electric jangle add to the dreamy tone throughout the record. Recording everything himself in his home studio/kitchen is a recipe that has served Donaldson well.  Some favorites from this album's smorgasbord of melancholy pop are the opener, "Too Late for an Early Grave", "Leave it All Behind", "Waiting on a Ghost to Haunt You" and "Mistakes (Too Many to Name)". "Here Comes the Lunar Hand" is an absorbing and hypnotic change of pace while the driving "Burning Sunflowers" features some fairly sizzling guitar work. His arrangements reward every listen as an opportunity to discover more sonic details in each song. Honestly, he is so consistently excellent that if you like one song you'll enjoy the whole album and indeed his entire catalogue! My favorite album of 2023 and he already has a new LP out now! RIYL; East River Pipe, the Smiths, Belle & Sebastian.

 

 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"