Best of 2023

Top Albums of 2023:

1. Nabihah Iqbal - Dreamer

2. Bdrmm - I Don't Know

3. Blur - The Ballad of Darren

4. Slowdive - Everything Is Alive

5. Coyle Girelli - Museum Day

6. Foo Fighters - But Here We Are

7. The Hives - The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons

8. The Veils - ...And Out Of The Void Came Love 

9. Lana Del Ray - Did You Know There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd.?

10. Zoon - Bekka Ma'iingan

11. Teleman - Good Time/Hard Time

12. The Coral - Sea of Mirrors/Holy Joe

13. DMA's - How Many Dreams?

14. Cathedral Bells - Everything At Once

15. Stephen Sanchez - Angel Face

16. Soft Kill - Metta World Peace

17. Alberta Cross - Sinking Ships

18. Metric - Formenta II

19. Tom Meighan - The Reckoning

20. Arlo Parks - My Soft Machine

21. CVC - Get Real

22. Type Two Error - Caught On The Raw

23. Daiistar - Good Time

24. Mother Tongues - Love In A Vicious Way

25. Sigur Rós - ÁTTA

26. Sparklehorse - Bird Machine

27. Daniel Land - Out Of Season

28. Temples - Exotico

29. Reverend and The Makers - Heatwave In The Cold North

30 .The National -  First Two Pages Of Frankenstein//Laugh Track

31. Night Beats - Rajan

32. Cloth - Secret Measures

33. Cherry Glazer - I Don't Want You Anymore

34. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - V

35. Bombay Bicycle Club - My Big Day

Honourable Mentions:

Idle Garden - S/T

Free The Cynics - Bloodlines

Beach House - Become

Geese - 3D Country

Leila Moss - Internal Working Model

The Drums - Jonny

Secret Machines - The Moth, The Lizard, And The Secret Machines

Black Pumas - Chronicles Of A Diamond

Raised By Swans - Raised By Swans Is The Name Of A Man, Volume 2: Run With The Silent Wildfires

Metallica - 72 Seasons

DJ Shadow - Action Adventure

Royal Blood - Back To The Water Below

Young Fathers - Heavy Heavy

King Krule - Space Heavy

Grian Chatten - Chaos For The Fly

cruush - Wishful Thinker

M83 - Fantasy

Caroline Polacheck - Desire, I Want To Turn Into You

Belle and Sebastian - Late Developers

The Kills - God Games

HMLTD - The Worm

The KVB - Artefacts

Senses - Little Pictures Without Sound

Crosses - Goodnight, God Bless, I Love You, Delete.

Teenage Wrist - Still Love

Gorillaz - Cracker Island

Ron Gallo - Foreground Music

Blonde Redhead - Sit Down For Dinner

Helicon - God Intentions

slowthai - Ugly

Queens of the Stone Age - In Times New Roman

Trampolene - Rules Of Love & War

Mac Demarco - Five Easy Hot Dogs

The Chemical Brothers - For That Beautiful Feeling

Panopticon - The Rime Of Memory

The Clientele - I Am Not There Anymore

The Brian Jonestown Massacre - The Future Is Your Past

Girl Ray - Prestige

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Council Skies

Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Be Your Own Pet - Mommy

The Murder Capital - Gigi's Recovery

The Tubs - Dead Meat

Billy Woods & Kenny Segal - Maps

Dirty Honey - Can't Find The Brakes

Strange Ranger - Pure Music

Nation Of Language - Strange Disciple

Ladytron - Time's Arrow

Golf Alpha Bravo - Surf The Coffin (Bury Me With My Gat)

Deary - S/T

whenyoung - Paragon Songs

SZA - SOS

Fever Ray - Radical Romantics

Algiers - Shook

PJ Harvey - I Inside The Old Year Dying

Spector - Here Come The Early Nights

Youth Lagoon - Heaven Is A Junkyard

Dark Horses - While We Were Sleeping

superviolet - Infinite Spring

Kurt Vile - Back To Moon Beach

Tribes - Rabbit Head

Motorama - Sleep, And I Will Sing

The Rolling Stones - Hackney Diamonds

Truth Club - Running From The Chase

Bar Italia - Tracey Denim/The Twits

Goat - Medicine

Palehound - Eye On The Bat

Storm Franklin - Loneliness In The Modern World

Daughter - Stereo Mind Game

Icecoldbishop - Generational Curse

Blondshell - S/T

Home Front - Games Of Power (La Vida Es Un Mus Discos)

Bloc Party - The High Life E.P.

Mandy, Indiana - I've Seen The Way

Wilco - Cousin

St . Paul & The Broken Bones - Angels In Science Fiction

Ratboys - The Window

Drop Nineteens - Hard Light

Nourished By Time - Erotic Probiotic 2

Cold War Kids - S/T

The Waeve - S/T

Steve Mason - Brothers & Sisters

André 3000 - New Blue Sun

Kelela - Raven

Ghost Of Vroom - Ghost Of Vroom 3

Skinny Pelembe - Hardly The Same Snake

Depeche Mode - Memento Mori

Sun Kill Moon - Quiet Beach House Nights

Yo La Tengo - This Stupid World

Film School - Field

Oliver Tree - Alone In A Crowd

Sweeping Promises - Good Living Is Coming For You

Parannoul - After The Magic

William Tyler & The Impossible Truth - Secret Stratosphere

Drab Majesty - An Object In Motion

shame - Food For Worms

Miley Cyrus - Endless Summer Vacation

Hotline TNT - Cartwheel

Feist - Multitudes

Sundara Karma - Better Luck Next Time

Wild Nothing - Hold

Laurel Halo - Atlas

Miles Kane - One Man Band

Bully - Lucky For You

Fidlar - That's Life 

southpacific - Radar Road

Vinyl Williams - Aeterna

L'Rain - I Killed Your Dog

Purelink - Signs

Blue Lake - Sun Arcs

Slow Pulp - Yard

JPEGMAFIA X Danny Brown - Scaring The Hoes

Ghost Woman - Hindsight Is 50/50

Liv.e - Girl In The Half Pearl

Squid - O Monolith

Nothing But Thieves - Dead Club City

Lonnie Holley - Oh Me Oh My

Sextile - Push

Lol Tolhurst, Budgie, Jacknife Lee - Los Angeles

The Hold Steady - The Price Of Progress

Frankie and The Witch Fingers - Data Doom

Julian Winding, Peter Peter, Cliff Martinez - Copenhagen Cowboy Soundtrack

Kevin Drew - Aging

Olivia Rodriguez - Guts

The Nude Party - Ride On

Romy - Mid Air

James Blake - Playing Robots Into Heaven

Best of 2019

Top Albums Of 2019

1. Thom Yorke - Anima
2. White Lies - Five
3. Swim Deep - Emerald Classics
4. Lana Del Ray - Norman Fucking Rockwell
5. Gary Clark Jr. - This Land
6. Black Pumas - S/T
7. Karen O and Danger Mouse - Lux Prima
8. Liam Gallagher - Why Me? Why Not.
9. Tool - Fear Inoculum
10. Finn Andrews - One Piece At A Time
11. Reignwolf - Hear Me Out
12. King Nun - Mass
13. Brittany Howard - Jamie
14. Vampire Weekend - Father Of The Bride
15. FKA Twigs - Magdalene
16. Coldplay - Everyday Life
17. The National - I Am Easy To Find
18. Bat For Lashes - Lost Girls
19. Chromatics - Closer To Grey
20. DIIV - Deceiver


Honourable Mentions:

*indicates some lesser known artists that might have slipped under the radar that deserve some extra attention

Kongos - 1929 Pt. 1
Billie Eillish - When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
Interpol - A Fine Mess
Sunflower Bean - King Of The Dudes
Beck - Hyperspace
The Drums - Brutalism
Tamaryn - Dreaming In The Dark
Fat White Family - Serfs Up!*
Sharon Van Etten - Remind Me Tomorrow
Toro Y Moi - Outer Peace
Morrissey - California Son
Lost Under Heaven - Love Hates What You Become*
The Hold Steady - Thrashing Thru The Passion
William Patrick Corgan - Cotillions
Blood Red Shoes - Get Tragic*
Piroshka - Brickbat
Two Door Cinema Club - False Alarm
black midi - schlagenheim
Hot Chip - A Bathtub Full Of Ecstasy
Refused - War Music
Silversun Pickups - Widow's Weeds
M83 - DSVII
Yak - Pursuit Of Momentary Happiness
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross - Watchmen Vol. 1
Jenny Lewis - On The Line
DJ Shadow - Our Pathetic Age
Hatchie - Keepsake*
Tim Presley's White Fence - I Have To Feed Larry's Hawk
Angel Olsen - All Mirrors
Stormzy - Heavy Is The Head
The Mystery Lights - Too Much Tension!*
Mark Lanegan - Somebody's Knocking
The Cranberries - In The End
Temples - Hot Motion
Mac Demarco - Here Comes The Cowboy
Feet - What's Inside Is More Than Just Ham
Bruce Springsteen - Western Stars
The Raconteurs - Help Us Stranger
Foals - Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Pt. 1
Friendly Fires - Inflorescent
Mono - Nowhere Now Here
Cub Sport - S/T
The Soft Cavalry - S/T
Ian Brown - Ripples
Richard Hawley - Further
Keane - Cause and Effect
Black Mountain - Destroyer
The Futureheads - Powers
Earl Sweatshirt - Feet Of Clay
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross - Watchmen Vol. 2
Cigarettes After Sex - Cry
Metronomy - Metronomy Forever
Big Thief - U.F.O.F.
LCD Soundsystem - Electric Lady Sessions
Foals - Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Pt. 2
Weezer - S/T (Teal)
Barns Courtney - 404*
Kevin Morby - Oh My God
Sam Fender - Hypersonic Missiles
Catfish and The Bottlemen - The Balance*
Band Of Skulls - Love Is All You Love
Anderson .Paak - Ventura
Methyl Ethyl - Triage*
The Flaming Lips - King's Mouth
Lizzo - Cuz I Love You
The Dandy Warhols - Why You So Crazy?
Better Oblivion Community Center - S/T
Ladytron - S/T
Belle and Sebastian - Days of the Bagnold Summer
Flying Lotus - Flamagra
Drahla - Useless Coordinates*
Kaiser Chiefs - Duck
Elbow - Giants Of All Sizes
TOY - Songs Of Consumption
The Chemical Brothers - No Geography
Automatic - Signal*
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross - Watchmen Vol. 3
Weezer - S/T (Black)
Tyler, The Creator - Igor
Bon Iver - I,I
On The Bones - S/T
Free Nationals - S/T
Pond - Tasmania
Sudan Archives - Athena*
Wilco - Ode to Joy
The Tea Party - Black River E.P.
Leonard Cohen - Thanks For The Dance
The Twilight Sad - It Won/T Be Like This All the Time
Peter Doherty - Peter Doherty & The Puta Madres
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Fishing For Fishes
Longwave - If We Ever Live Forever
Caroline Polachek - Pang
Moon Duo - Stars Are The Light
Whitney - Forever Turned Around
Mini Mansions - Guy Walks Into A Bar...
Tropical Fuck Storm - Braindrops*
Kit Sebastian - Mantra Moderne*
Froth - Duress*
The S.L.P. - THE S.L.P.
Lorelle Meets The Obsolete - De Facto*
The Murder Capital - When I Have Fears*
Allah-Las - LAHS
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - The Brian Jonestown Massacre
Tiny Ruins - Olympic Girls
Sasami - S/T*
Big Thief - Two
Kaytranada - BUBBA
Ride - This Is Not A Safe Place
Vanishing Twin - The Age Of Immunology*
Weyes Blood - Titanic Rising
75 Dollar Bill - I Was Real*
slowthai - Nothing Great About Britain
The Black Keys - Lets Rock
TOY - Happy in the Hollow
Yeasayer - Erotic Reruns
Dope Lemon - Big Smooth Cat
Oh Sees - Face Stabber
Cayucas - Real Life
Swervedriver - Future Ruins
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Infest The Rat's Nest
Stereophonics - Kind
Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka
The Comet Is Coming - Trust in the Lifeforce of the Deep Mystery
Deerhunter - Why Hasn't Everything Already Disappeared?
The Desert Sessions - Volumes 11 & 12
Lower Dens - The Competition*
Mercury Rev – Bobby Gentry’s The Delta Suite Revisited
Cherry Glazer - Stuffed and Ready

Top Albums Of 2018

1. Arctic Monkeys - Tranquillity Base Hotel and Casino
2. Nine Inch Nails - Bad Witch
3. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Wrong Creatures
4. DMA'S - For Now
5. Mastersystem - Dance Music
6. Coyle Girelli - Love Kills
7. Suede - The Blue Hour
8. Leon Bridges - Good Thing
9. Teleman - Family Of Aliens
10. Parcels - S/T
11. 77:78 - Jellies
12. Interpol - Marauder
13. Editors - Violence
14. Preoccupations - New Material
15. Snow Patrol - Wilderness
16. Beach House - 7
17. Spiritualized - And Then Nothing Hurt
18. The Coral - Move Through The Dawn
19. Muse - Simulation Theory
20. The Daysleepers - Creation

Honourable Mentions:

Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Sex & Food
Low - Double Negative
Mazzy Star - Still EP
Bass Drum Of Death - Just Business
Desert Mountain Tribe - Om Parvat Mystery
The Vryll Society - Course Of The Satellites
Sunflower Bean - Twentytwo In Blue
Devotchka - This Night Falls Forever
The Presets - Hi Viz
Twin Shadow - Caer
Richard Ashcroft - Natural Rebel
The Breeders - All Nerve
Yo La Tengo - There's A Riot Going On
Jack White - Boarding House Reach
Blossoms - Cool Like You
The Vaccines - Combat Sports
Belle & Sebastian - How To Solve Our Human Problems
Hinds - I Don't Run
Earl Sweatshirt - Some Rap Songs
Frankie Cosmos - Vessels
Razorlight - Olympus Sleeping
Rat Boy - Civil Disorder
Amen Dunes - Freedom
Bob Moses - Battle Lines
Devon Welsh - Dream Songs
Public Access T.V. - Street Safari
David Byrne - American Utopia
No Joy/Sonic Boom - S/T E.P.
The Prodigy - No Tourists
Motorama - Many Nights
Blood Orange - Negro Swan
Shame - Songs Of Praise
Birth Of Joy - Hyper Focus
Ride - Tomorrows Shore
Hippo Campus - Bambi
Mark Lanegan and Duke Garwood - Mescalito
Colin Stetson - Hereditary Soundtrack
Franz Ferdinand - Always Ascending
Porcelain Raft - Chimera
Metric - Art Of Doubt
Iceage - Beyondless
Midlife - Phase
Big Red Machine - S/T
Melody's Echo Chamber - Bon Voyage
The Internet - Hive Mind
Gorillaz - The Now Now
Mogwai - Kin Soundtrack
The Smashing Pumpkins - Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun.
Ty Segall - Freedom's Goblin
Cabbage - Nihilistic Glamour Shots
Shannon And The Clams - Onion
Mount Eerie - Now Only
The Orielles - Silver Dollar Moment
Charles Bradley - Black Velvet
Mark Peters - Innerland
Beak> - >>>
MGMT - The Dark Age
The Good, The Bad & The Queen - Merrie Land
Kendrick Lamar - Black Panther The Album
Art Brut - Wham! Bang! Pow! Let's Rock Out!
Two Door Cinema Club - Four Words To Stand On
Thom Yorke - Suspiria Soundtrack
Sloan - 12
Florence and The Machine - High As Hope
The Wombats - Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life
The Voidz - Virtue
The Vines - In Miracle Land
Eels - The Deconstruction
Mumford & Sons - Delta
Thrice - Palms
The Soft Moon - Criminal
The Longcut - Arrows
Johnny Marr- Call The Comet
Oh Sees - Smote Reverser
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - IC-01 Hanoi
The Decemberists - I'll Be Your Girl
Still Corners - Slow Air
Twin Peaks - Sweet '17 Singles
Manic Street Preachers - Resistance Is Futile
A Perfect Circle - Eat The Elephant
Mien - S/T
The Boxer Rebellion - Ghost Alive
Anderson .Paak - Oxnard
The KVB - Only Now Forever
Tess Parks & Anton Newcombe - S/T
Greta Van Fleet - Anthem Of The Peaceful Army
Spector - Ex-Directory
Eminem - Kamikaze
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - Hope Downs
Kacey Musgraves - Golden Hour
Film School - Bright To Death
Dirty Projectors - Lamp Lit Prose
Ty Segall - Fudge Sandwich
The Nude Party - S/T
Leila Moss - Your Name Is Safe In My Mouth
Young Fathers - Cocoa Sugar
Aidan Moffat & RM Hubbert - Ghost Stories For Christmas
Ex:Re - Ex:Re
Courtney Barnett - Tell Me How You Really Feel
Cold Cave - You & Me & Infinity
Drinks - Hippo Lite
Car Seat Headrest - Twin Fantasy
Mammoth Grove - Slow Burn
Miles Kane - Coup de Grâce
Warm - Warm Pt. 2
Jeff Tweedy - Warm
Pinkshinyultrablast - Miserable Miracles
Dorothy - 28 Days In The Valley
Windhand - Eternal Return
All Hands On Jane - Animal Worship
Tropical Fuck Storm - A Laughing Death In Meatspace
Ty Segall & White Fence - Joy
The Fratellis - In Your Own Sweet Time
Parquet Courts - Wide Awaaaaake!
Chvrches - Love Is Dead
We Were Promised Jetpacks - The More I Sleep, The Less I Dream
Dr. Octagon - Moosebumps: An Exploration In Modern Day Horripilation
Cowboy Junkies - All That Reckoning
Boygenius - S/T
Khruangbin- Con Todo El Mundo
Kamasi Washington - Heaven and Earth
Legend Of The Seagullmen - S/T
A Place To Bury Strangers - Unpinned
Nothing - Dance On The Blacktop
Wild Nothing - Indigo
Flowshine - Gets Me Going
Peace - Kindness Is The New Rock And Roll
Shadowparty - S/T
Suuns - Felt
Death Cab For Cutie - Thank You For Today
White Denim - Performance
Jon Hopkins - Singularity
Girls Names - Stains On Silence
Kurt Vile - Bottle It In
Gruff Rhys - Babelsberg
Soft Kill - Savior
Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson - Apart
Go-Kart Mozart - On The Hot Dog Streets
Wand - Perfume
Hookworms - Microshift
Albert Hammond Jr. - Francis Trouble
Dead Meadow - The Nothing They Need
Django Django - Marble Skies
Camp Cope - How To Socialise & Make Friends

Best Albums of 2015

Top 10 of 2015 by Chris C.

1. Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color

Alabama Shakes could have gone the same route on their second album but decided to make a statement and release the best album of the year. Listening to "Boys & Girls" would not prepare you for the depth and soul of "Sound & Color". Perfection!

2. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Multi-Love

Unknown Mortal Orchestra released their 3rd album and completely changed their sound from complicated indie rock into a funk/soul juggernaut. With quite the story behind the album's title and source of the songs, read up on the what went into making the record and you'll appreciate it even more:


http://pitchfork.com/features/profiles/9646-love-is-strange-the-multitudes-of-unknown-mortal-orchestras-ruban-nielson

3. New Order - Music Complete

New Order surprised everyone with an album that hearkened back to their roots as one of the purveyors of dance music. Probably their best since "Get Ready".

4. Foals - What Went Down

Foals unleashed a monster in "What Went Down". Loved the intensity of the self titled single to the masterpiece of "A Knife In The Ocean".

5. Leon Bridges - Coming Home

Leon Bridges might be the hidden gem in the bunch but he is starting to get the recognition he deserves and rightfully so. Sounding like he's straight out of the Motown era and not missing a beat. If you're looking for a record that everyone one will love then this is it.

6. Twin Shadow - Eclipse

A hell of a follow up to "Forget" and would have launched him further had he not been in a near fatal crash. Gives the R&B rubbish on the charts a run for it's money with well crafted, giant love songs.

7. The Vaccines - English Graffiti

A stab at the rock n' roll stadium crown that Arctic Monkeys carry so well. A huge statement from The Vaccines that they are ready to play bigger shows with a much bigger sound.

8. Editors - In Dream

Have always like Editors and tend to listen to all of their music but with this album they stepped it up. They've always released consistently great songs but singles "No Harm" and "Marching Orders" rank among their best.

9. Cold Showers - Matter Of Choice

Loved their debut album and this record expands on their 80's inspired, synth sound. Doesn't sound dated despite their influences and is a solid sophomore release.

10. Tame Impala - Currents

Tame Impala constantly evolve as a band and have never sounded like they're treading the same waters on any album. With "Currents" they've gone from psychedelic troubadours to funky Bee Gees sounding funk machines. Kevin Parker continues to prove he's one of the more interesting musicians to come along in the last while.


And here are the guest contributors lists:


Top 10 of 2015 (Contributed by Anil R.)

1. D'Angelo & The Vanguard - Black Messiah
2. Dam-Funk - Invite The Light
3. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
4. METZ - II
5. Wand - Golem
6. Kamasi Washington - The Epic
7. Panda Bear - Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper
8. Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color
9. Gaz Coombes - Matador
10. Tobias Jesso Jr. - Goon


Top 10 of 2015 (Contributed by Keith S.)

1. Northern Beauties - Self titled
2. Free the Cynics - Showtunes from the Basement
3. Dead Pretty - Death Row single
4. Dead Emperor - Self titled
5. Mammoth Grove - Sun Catcher
6. Twin River - Should The Light Go Out
7. Alexa Borden - Dynamite single
8. Sobcek - Your Eyes Don't Lie (Featuring Tamara Kaboutchek)
9. Walking With A Stranger - Escondido
10. Ghost Loft


Top 10 of 2015 (Contributed by Hef)

1) Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
2) New Order - Music Complete
3) Marilyn Manson - Pale Emperor
4) Graveyard - Innocence & Decadence
5) Butch Walker - Afraid of Ghosts
6) Refused - Freedom
7) Beach House - Thank your Lucky Stars
8) The Vaccines - English Graffiti
9) Disasterpeace - It Follows (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
10) Viet Cong - S/T


Top Album of 2015 (Contributed by Paige W.)

Meloria - Ghost


Top Albums of 2015 (Contributed by Rich P.)

Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp a Butterfly

Brilliant lyricist, phonetically perfect rapper too, brilliant production, he makes everything sound so easy, even with his mad helium voice

The Libertines – Anthems of Doomed Youth

Probably my favourite band ever behind The Beatles. Glad they didn’t disappoint, good to see some of the v old ones finally see some light too. You’re my Waterloo is heartbreaking.

Bill Ryder-Jones - West Kirby County Primary

Underrated gem from The Coral guitarist. Beautiful.

Miley Cyrus – ‘Miley Cyrus And Her Dead Petz’

Absolutely fucking mental. I love her and y’all can go fuck yourself

Florence And The Machine – How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful

Consistently great songs, always.

Young Fathers – 'White Men Are Black Men Too'

Not just because they’re from my home town. These guys work their ass off and it shows. Hip-Hop, pop funk, all blended perfectly

Father John Misty – ‘I Love You, Honeybear’

So sweet and surprisingly dark and his voice grabs me right away, can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.

Kurt Vile – 'B’lieve I’m Goin’ Down…'

This guy is a fucking genius. He’s fucking nuggets too, love him.

Chvrches – 'Every Open Eye'

Her voice is perfect, again not a Scottish thing, I just think they tread that line between synth-pop and indie really well

Free the Cynics – Showtunes from the Basement

Pretty much exclusively because of how Goddamn sexy the singer is.

Robot Workers

I still think you gotta see these guys live to really feel the full effect of just how much is going on, one of those bands where every single person in the band is ridiculously good at what they do.

Solid Brown - Our Rich Heritage

Never seen a band like them, mad vision and pushing boundariews in everything they do.

Dead Emperor – Dead Emperor

Brilliant psych, reminds me a lot of The Coral, though none of them have even heard of The Coral. Monday is one of the singles of the year.

Flowshine - Soak Me Like A Wave



Top Albums of 2015 (Contributed by Arron C.)

1. Father John Misty - I Love You, Honeybear

2. Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats - Self Titled

3. Houndmouth- Little Neon Limelight

4. The Wooden Sky- Lets Be Ready

5. Alabama Shakes- Sound & Color


Top Albums (Contributed by Kirstin J.)

Holy Wave - Relax
Ty Segall - Melted
Allah-Las - Allah-Las
Crystal Stilts - Alight Of Night
Froth - Patterns
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - II
Rolling Stones- England's Newest Hit makers
Dead Ghosts - Love And Death And All The Rest
Holy Mount - We Fell From The Sky
Cass McCombs- Big Wheel And Others
Mystic Braves- Mystic Braves


Top Albums (Contributed by Jay H.)

Blur - Magic Whip
Spoon - Gimme Fiction
Royal Headache - High
Screaming Females - Rose Mountain
Twerps - Range Anxiety
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Multi-Love
Swim Deep - Mothers
Lee Fields and The Expressions - Emma Jean Instrumentals
Foals- What Went Down
The Grounders- Grounder

And I'm adding two tracks:

This one goes out to my Calgary boys and it's The Dandy Warhols- Primary (from "Perfect As Cats: A Tribute To The Cure")
And this one by a group called Money http://youtu.be/OecJg2lav34


Top Albums of 2015 (Contributed by John D.)

1. Kendrick Lemar - To Pimp a Butterfly
2. Tame Impala - Currents
3. Jamie xx - In Colour
4. Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color
5. Future - DS2
6. Beach House - Depression Cherry
7. The Weeknd - Beauty Behind the Madness
8. The Dead Weather - Dodge & Burn
9. Sleater Kinney - No Cities to Love
10. Father John Misty - I Love You, Honeybear


Top Albums of 2015 (Contributed by Rob W.)

First off, I'm not a good writer (I can't spell or have any real grasp on grammar. Second I'm not a music critic. Third I didn't buy a lot of new albums this year and finally I like talking a lot so some of these reviews you may not enjoy. Some of these albums you may not have heard of and some of these artists may be completely foreign but I hope that some of what I write may inspire you to check out these albums. So here are my top albums of the year:

Lets Start with Honourable Mentions:

-We Are the City - Above Club

Anyone familiar with this band knows that they like to take risks and experiment. They are more focused on their art than singles. There are parts of this album that almost feels like they push that idea further than they should, pushing us to the edge and it seems that the band is barely holding everything together and just as we feel like it's about to completely fall apart the band takes a step back from that edge and allow us to breathe before plunging us right back.

It's not a record that will capture you right away but it's one that I find myself going back to over and over trying to figure out why. It's like my Ike Turner. It keeps on doing bad things to me but I just keep going back.

-Brand New - Leaked Demos 2006

Like the title suggests it was originally leaked in 2006, but it wasn't officially released by the band until this December. I won't get into all the reasoning and backstory of the album. Brand New is one of my favourite bands but I couldn't justify putting an album released last decade on my best of 2015 list. That being said I'm giving it honourable mention because it's really good.

If you are a Brand New fan you would have heard this album years ago and if you aren't a Brand New fan nothing I say will convince you to check them out.


Disappointments


-Refused - Freedom

Let me start off by saying that I love Refused. Let that sink in as I say I hated this album so much. It has a few (very few) bright spots and a lot of average moments. It's like watching golf on TV eventually you'll see something good but you'll most likely be bored before you do.

They sound like a band that is trying way too hard to sound like Refused. This was by far the biggest let down I have had in a long time. This is like the Phantom Menace of Refused albums, from the outside it looks better but once you're inside it's nothing but Jar Jar Binks with a tiny bit of Darth Maul.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Albums of the year in no order:


-Side Saddle - Young Professional (ep)

A pleasant discovery of mine this year. It reminds me of Milo Greene's self titled album in ways. A little country, a little folk and a little roots an album that due to its short length begs for repeated listens. With each listen you discover something new that'll bring a smile to your face.

A soundtrack for late night drives in the country with someone special. A great record that won't disappoint fans of this genre. The band is able to take a music style that has been around for ages and make it sound fresh and new.


-Flowshine - Soak Me Like a Wave (ep)

The second best EP I heard all year by far. The problem with some bands with good musicians is that sometimes they let their ego get in the way of making good music. They figure that people would rather listen to this sweet (insert instrument here) solo than anything else. Flowshine is a band with fantastic musicians that know when to scale back the theatrics and solos for the good of a song. There are moments where you get to hear members of the band shine but they are more of a passenger in the song instead of the driver.

With this EP they are able to take us on a ride through different feelings and styles while remaining true to who they are and what is left is an album that shows a band capable of bending genres and taking us places we never have been before.


-I've Taken a Lover - I Wish Teenagers Weren't So Tough (ep)

This band has always been about being unconventional. Their last album was an experimental concept noise rock album that was recorded live off the floor in two days dripped in reverb and noise. So naturally they follow it up with this record. A "pop" record or as close as these guys could get to that genre.

Released on Valentines Day this record shows a growth in musicianship and songwriting. A band that always seemed burdened by trying to write concept albums put out a record where the only concept was to have songs with verses and choruses in them. They took all their noise soaked bridges and progressive songwriting and pushed them neatly into a dark corner and we were left with simple songs about love and adventure and being young.


-Sorority Noise - Joy, Departed

I love and hate the term Emo. When I think of Emo I think of Sunny Day Real Estate, Cursive, Mineral, Braid and The Promise Ring not the cheap copy from early 2000 with the black hair and eyeliner. So when I say that this is one of the better emo records that I've heard in a long time I'm comparing it to the bands that I listed above and not the MTV version.

It checks off all the boxes I look for in a good emo record. It's sad but in a brokenhearted way not in a "my parents don't understand me" way. The band that made this record obviously grew up listening to some of my favourite bands and have made a real good modern day version of those classic emo records. It doesn't come across like a rip off though it still manages to sound like a band that can stand on it's own but that isn't afraid to pay homage to those that came before.


-Windmills - Measures

To be honest I've known this guy for about five years but I couldn't think of putting out a best of list without including his newest album. First things first he is a solo artist that uses loops, samples and his guitar to recreate his sound live. He has a great voice and is capable of writing great lyrics. On this record he stepped up the production quality and spent more time crafting his songs.

Most of these are love songs but not in the traditional sense but a love of travel, family and of course women. Expect to hear something that isn't quite like anything you've heard before.


-le albatross - h.o.s.f.

I wrote this one and if I'm being quite honest this is the only way it was getting on anyone's best of list. Not because it's bad, no it's great, but the length and the recording quality turn most people off.

Some of my best lyrics and music I've put out and one of the better stories I have told but my voice is almost as bad as the recording. You won't like it but I do and this is my list so it's on it.


-Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell

It's a great record. It's a folk record that has been stripped down to just the bare necessities. It's a real sad record with a story he wanted to tell. Maybe that's why he went for the minimal approach with this record to remove any distractions from the listener.

Most of the record is just Sufjan and his guitar only adding other flourishes in certain places but they are done in a way that you almost don't notice them. They add just enough to remind you that you are listening to more than just a man and a guitar but a master songwriter who has spent years perfecting the art of surprising us with each new album and style even if he's just going back to his roots.


-Braids - Deep In the Iris

With Deep In the Iris I avoided it for awhile because of all the praise it was getting. I find that when albums get a lot of hype I am usually disappointed with them, on the other hand if I read a few bad reviews it can turn me off completely.

I finally got around to giving the album a listen to at the beginning and was blown away by it. In my opinion it's Braids finest album to date. A band that seems to be at the peak of their creativity. The songs are different and interesting but are catchy enough to keep the casual listeners interest. It sounds like something you've never heard before but at the same time something about it is familiar and comfortable.


-Reuben And The Dark - Funeral Sky (Deluxe)

I get mad at Reuben some times. First off he is incredibly handsome. Second he sings like an angel. He writes great songs and is very friendly and easy to talk to so it's also very hard to stay mad at him.

This album came out last year but the deluxe edition was released this year. It comes with a few alternate versions of songs which are almost as good as the ones used for the original release. With 17 song you definitely get the most bang for your buck with this release. Every song has a highlight and it doesn't feel as long as it should. You may find yourself surprised at how fast and easy of a listen it is.


-Dustin Kensrue - Carry the Fire

It's hard for me to put in word how good this record is. My first run through there were countless time where I had to stop the record and go back and listen to a certain part again because it was so good.

Parts of it remind me of his debut solo record but this record is so much more. It's has more of a rock vibe to it but not too heavy. There a parts that could appear on a folk record and there are parts that could even be played at a wedding yet no song sounds out of place but the songs compliment each other and show Dustin's rage as a songwriter.


Top Albums of 2015 (Contributed by Curt V.)

1. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly
2. Blur - The Magic Whip
3. Beach House - Thank Your Lucky Stars
4. Twin Shadow - Eclipse
5. New Order - Music Complete
6. Brandon Flowers - The Desired Effect
7. Viet Cong - Viet Cong
8. Editors - In Dream
9. Libertines - Anthems For Doomed Youth
10. Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color

Song of the year : King Kunta - Kendrick Lamar

Show of the year : Morrissey with special guest Blondie - Madison Square Garden - New York, June 27, 2015


Top 10 of 2015 (Contributed by Franco M.)

1) Thee Oh Sees - Mutilator Defeated At Last
2) Yonatan Gat - Director
3) Blind Shake and Swami John Reis- Modern Surf Classics
4) Godspeed You Black Emperor - Asunder. . .
5) Viet Cong - S/T
6) James McMurtry - Complicated Game
7) Kamasi Washington - The Epic
8) Metz - Metz II
9) Girl Band - Holding Hands With Jamie
10) Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color


Top 10 of 2015 (Contributed by John M.)

1. Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly
2. Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color
3. Songhoy Blues – Music in Exile
4. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Multi-Love
5. Protomartyr – the Agent Intellect
6. Royal Headache – High
7. New Order – Music Complete
8. Hiatus Kaiyote – Choose Your Weapon
9. John Andrews & the Yawns – Bit by the Fang
10. Tame Impala - Currents


Top Albums of 2015 (Contributed by Steve B.)

1. Blur - Magic Whip (Record of the year)
2. Beach House - Depression Cherry
3. Beach House - Thank Your Lucky Stars
4. New Order - Music Complete
5. Tame Impala - Currents
6. The Libertines - Anthems for a Doomed Youth
7. Bjork - Vulnicura
8. Metz - Metz II
9. Refused - Freedom

Show of the year: Jesus and Mary Chain, Vogue Theatre


Honourable Mentions:

The Maccabees - Marks To Prove It
Brandon Flowers - The Desired Effect
Gary Clark Jr. - The Story Of Sonny Boy Slim
Alberta Cross - S/T
Vince Staples - Summertime ‘06 Blackout Lights - Blaster
Belle and Sebastian - Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance
Mark Ronson - Uptown Special
Wolf Alice - My Love Is Cool
Bjork - Vulnicura
Pond - Man It Feels Like Space Again
Silversun Pickups - Better Nature
Metric - Pagans In Vegas
Peace - Happy People
Mercury Rev - The Light In You
Carl Barat and The Jackals - Let It Reign
A Place to Bury Strangers - Transfixiation
The Black Ryder - The Door Behind the Door
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Chasing Yesterday
Squarepusher - Damogen Furies
Dave Gahan & Soulsavers - Angels & Ghosts
Sleater-Kinney - No Cities To Love
Stereophonics - Keep The Village Alive
Paul Weller - Saturn's Pattern
Hardcore Superstar - HCSS
John Carpenter - Lost Themes
Matthew Good - Chaotic Neutral
FFS - FFS
Big Grams - S/T
Wilco - Star Wars
The Go! Team - The Scene Between
Drake - If You're Reading This, It's Too Late
Deerhunter - Fading Frontier
Puscifer - Money Shot
Foo Fighters - Saint Cecilia
Eagles of Death Metal - Zipper Down
Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I sit and Think, Sometimes I Just Sit
Dr. Dre - Compton
Lee Harvey Osmond - Beautiful Scars
Battles - La Di Da Di
The Cribs - For All My Sisters
Coldplay - A Head Full of Dreams
The Prodigy - The Day Is My Enemy
Death Cab For Cutie - Kintsugi
Lower Dens - Escape From Evil
David Gilmour - Rattle That Lock
Mew - +-
Mumford & Sons - Wilder Mind
My Morning Jacket - The Waterfall
Hot Chip - Why Make Sense?
Sun Kil Moon - Universal Themes
Muse - Drones
The Chemical Brothers - Born In The Echoes
Mac Demarco - Another One
FKA Twigs - M3LL155X
The Fratellis - Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied
Low - Ones and Sixes

Best Albums of 2014

Wow what a year for great music yet again. Some albums came out of nowhere while some returning bands released some of their best work. TV On The Radio's last few albums have been great but haven't been as solid as "Return To Cookie Mountain". After the death of bassist Gerard Smith early this year from cancer. After the tragedy it must have been hard to carry on but the band sound reinvigorated and "Seeds" is definitive proof that their best work is not behind them but still to come. Interpol released some excellent albums since the departure of bassist Carlos D but with "El Pintor" it sounds like they have left the past behind and forged a new path with Paul Banks taking over bass duties on the recording.

Probably the best debut album in quite some time comes from Temples in the form of "Sun Structures". A blistering slice of psychedelic rock with smatterings of The Beatles, Kula Shaker and many more thrown into the mix, these guys will be ones to watch for the next while. Recorded in their bedroom, the album sounds as accomplished as any studio album and just as assured. If they aren't on your radar yet then they definitely should be. The Horrors continued to evolve into the band that they teased us with on "Primary Colours". Not the band everyone expected when "Strange House" was released in 2007. Fully embracing their dark roots and continuing to experiment with their sound, they will only get better from here.

Kasabian released probably their most divisive album to date in "48:13". Well some felt that they strayed to far from their humble guitar beginnings, others loved the twists and turns that each track brought. They have always been a guitar band with electronic elements and I think this album proves how well they've adapted their sound to be their own. The Raveonettes released one of their most personal records with the death of Sune Wagner's father contributing to a large part of the album material. Listen to "Summer Ends" and tell me it doesn't stir up some emotions. Love The Raveonettes for continuing to surprise us, album after album, with exciting and emotionally beautiful records.

Angel Olsen came almost out of nowhere for me and instantly placed herself firmly on the year end list. Wish I had heard of her sooner but glad I found out before too late. The 27 year old released a record that is lyrically and musically one of the best efforts of the last decade. Her voice moves effortlessly from rock growl to melodic songstress without missing a beat. Definitely a highlight album of the year that people need to check out. The Orwells brought back the intensity of the early days of The Strokes and some punk rock attitude to release a solid sophmore album. Their live performance on Letterman is what caught my eye and I am sure they are just starting to find their stride.

Well yet again another year begins and so much amazing new music floods my ears. I can't wait to see what 2015 brings with releases from Radiohead, Tool and many others to look forward to. As always continuing sharing the music you love and let others in on the music you love. Till next year...

1. TV On The Radio - Seeds
2. Interpol - El Pintor
3. Temples - Sun Structures
4. The Horrors - Luminous
5. Kasabian - 48:13
6. The Raveonettes - Pe'ahi
7. Angel Olsen - Burn Your Fire For No Witness
8. The Orwells - Disgraceland
9. Bombay Bicycle Club - So Long, See You Tomorrow
10. Dum Dum Girls - Too True
11. Jack White - Lazaretto
12. The Smashing Pumpkins - Monuments To An Elegy
13. Beck - Morning Phase
14. Ryan Adams - S/T
15. Morrissey - World Peace Is None Of Your Business
16. Alt-J - This Is All Yours
17. Nothing - Guilty Of Everything
18. Johnny Aries - Unbloomed
19. Eagulls - Eagulls
20. Thom Yorke - Tomorrow's Modern Boxes

Honourable mentions included below (after concerts). Don't stop here...


Top 3 concerts of the year:

1. Slowdive at Le National in Montreal
2. Massive Attack at The Greek Theatre in L.A.
3. Temples at The Biltmore Cabaret in Vancouver

More exceptional shows:

Arcade Fire at The Saddledome
The Horrors at The Mayan Theatre
Beach House at The Republik
The National at Prospect Park
DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist at Flames Central
Kasabian at The Vogue Theatre
Jack White at X-Fest
Arctic Monkeys at X-Fest
Johnny Marr at The Republik
Ryan Adams at Southern Alberta Jubilee
Broken Bells at Jack Singer Concert Hall
Gruff Rhys at The Palomino
Gord Downie and The Sadies at Wildhorse Saloon
Dead Meadow at Electric Owl
Dum Dum Girls at The Biltmore
Kings Of Leon at The Saddledome
Black Sabbath at The Saddledome
Kool Keith at Dickens Pub
Band Of Skulls at Commonwealth Bar

Honourable Mentions:

*(Local/Canadian music)

Spoon - They Want My Soul
The Drums - Encyclopedia
Mode Moderne - Occult Delight
Nine Inch Nails - Seed Eight EP
Royal Blood - S/T
Damon Albarn - Everyday Robots
The War On Drugs - Lost In The Dream
Johnny Marr - Playland
Death From Above 1979 - The Physical World*
Merchandise - After The End
Let's Wrestle - S/T
Kent - Tigerdrottningen
Julian Casablancas + The Voidz - Tyranny
FKA Twigs - LP1
Wolfmother - New Crown
Mr. Little Jeans - Pocketknife
The Wytches - Annabel Dream Reader
Nine Black Alps - Candy For The Clowns
The Black Angels - Clear Lake Forest
Superfood - Don't Say That
Kele - Trick
Real Estate - Atlas
The Mary Onettes - Portico
Elephant Stone - The Three Poisons&*
Carsick Cars - 3
Kaiser Chiefs - Education, Education, Education And War
Jimi Goodwin - Odludek
Natural Child - Dancin' With Wolves
Coldplay - Ghost Stories
Bo Ningen - III
And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - IX
Weezer - Everything Will Be Alright In The End
2:54 - The Other I
The Coral - The Curse Of Love
Zola Jesus - Taiga*
The Drowners - Drowners
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Only Run
Black Lips - Underneath The Rainbow
Pixies - Indie Cindy
Childhood - Lacuna
By The Sea - Endless Days, Crystal Sky
Ty Segall - Manipulator
Band Of Skulls - Himalayan
Gord Downie, The Sadies and The Conquering Sun - S/T*
The Rifles - None The Wiser
Timber Timbre - Hot Dreams*
Sun Kil Moon - Benji
Cheatahs - Cheatahs
Cherry Ghost - Herd Runners
Sleepy Sun - Maui Tears
Black Submarine - New Shores
Reverend and The Makers - Thirtytwo
Bush - Man On The Run
SOHN - Tremors
Fryars - Power
The Sunshine Underground - S/T
Foo Fighters - Sonic Highways
Iceage - Plowing Into The Field Of Love
Blonde Redhead - Barragan
The Afghan Whigs - Do The Beast
Ben Everyman - Subourbon*
Risky Endeavor - EP*
Stars - No One Is Lost
The Blue Angel Lounge - Sea Of Trees
We Were Promised Jetpacks - Unravelling
Philip Selway - Weatherhouse
Foster The People - Supermodel
Tricky - Adrian Thaws
The Flaming Lips - With A Little Help From My Fwends
Pink Floyd - The Endless River
Catfish and The Bottlemen - The Balcony
The Tea Party - The Ocean At The End
Mogwai - Rave Tapes
Caribou - Our Love*
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers - Hypnotic Eye
In-Flight Safety - Conversationalist
Eels - The Cautionary Tales Of Mark Oliver Everett
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra - Fuck Off, Get Free, We Pour Light On Everything*
Broken Bells - After The Disco
Maximo Park - Too Much Information
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - Dust
The Kooks - Listen
†††(Crosses) - †††
James Walsh - Turning Point
The Vacant Lots - Arrival/Departure
Alvvays - S/T
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Revelation
Phantogram - Voices
Cold War Kids - Hold My Home
Wild Beasts - Present Tense
St. Vincent - S/T
Blood Red Shoes - S\T
Howler - World Of Joy
The Vines - Wicked Nature
Raised By Swans - Öxnadalur*
Counting Crows - Somewhere Under Wonderland
Hamilton Leithauser - Black Hours
Elbow - The Take Off And Landing Of Everything
Metronomy - Love Letters
Future Islands - Singles
Hookworms - The Hum
Mac Demarco - Salad Days*
The Hold Steady - Teeth Dreams
Swans - To Be Kind
The Black Keys - Turn Blue
Klaxons - Love Frequency
Manic Street Preachers - Futurology
Weird Al Yankovic - Mandatory Fun
Angus & Julia Stone - Angus & Julia Stone
Karen O - Crush Songs
Robert Plant - Lullaby and The Ceaseless Roar
U2 - Songs Of Innocence
Zulu Winter - Stutter
Gruff Rhys - American Interior
Haunted Hearts - Initiation

There a couple more albums that I have to listen to but there you have it kids...

The Day I Tried To Live

Well I was convinced that starting a music blog would be the best way to go. I was initially going to try my hand at the podcast but alas too much work and too little time won that one. My friends have always told me that I know too much about music (for better or worse haha) and I have always shared the music I know and discover with them. Well I figured it was time for me to share it with the masses (that being you folks out there reading this).

I am a music junkie (no that does not mean I shoot heroin and listen to music) which means I am on a constant search for new music to listen to. I manage to find various websites and magazines that draw my attention to new bands or just by friend's suggestions. I hope by reading this blog that you and people you know manage to come away with something new. I love sharing music with people and seeing their reactions. It's one of the simple joys that life brings.

I will start my rantings shortly and day by day introduce y'all (yes I just said that) to the wonderful world of my musical mind. Hope you enjoy the ride!