1. Ruen Brothers- All My Shades of Blue (2018)
Posted by KB on 12/31/2018 to
Reviews In Brief
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2. Superchunk- What A Time To Be Alive (2018)
Posted by KB on 12/30/2018 to
3. Say Hi- Caterpillar Centipede (2018)
Posted by KB on 12/29/2018 to
Reviews In Brief
4. The Lovely Eggs- This Is Eggland (2018)
Posted by KB on 12/29/2018 to
Reviews In Brief
Other Considerations for 2018
Posted by KB on 12/28/2018 to
Reviews In Brief
My top 20 is solely determined by my taste. Lists from other critics or publications are not considered. I am not looking for what's hot, trendy nor do I care if I am ahead of the curve. I listen to quite a bit of music over the year and what I listen to the most tends to make my list. Simple. I still feel that many lists aren't totally genuine and have ulterior motives. Many try to be obscure for coolness, jump on bandwagon to keep up with others, follow hype to not fall behind, stick with whats the genre of the year or play catch up for missing a band's earlier release. There is little emotional connection.
I would prefer to see a list from a person, or group, where you know what their sweet spot is. A group of Folk fans may not provide a list with any EDM on it for example. So if I'm an EDM fan this list is probably useless to me. But a Folk fan would benefit from this list AND, if it did indeed had an EDM release on on they may check it out since "their" people suggested it.
Anyway.... my list is just what I like based on this year solely. I've provided 16 so far with the last four coming in the next three days. Click Read More below for some releases that just didn't have enough to crack my top 20, but are worthy of listen because YOU may disagree with me and think they deserve more love.
5. Nude Party- Nude Party (2018)
Posted by KB on 12/28/2018 to
Reviews In Brief
6. Remember Sports- Slow Buzz (2018)
Posted by KB on 12/28/2018 to
Reviews In Brief
7. Muncie Girls- Fixed Ideals (2018)
Posted by KB on 12/27/2018 to
Reviews In Brief
8. Connections- Foreign Affairs (2018)
Posted by KB on 12/27/2018 to
Reviews In Brief
9. Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats- Wasteland (2018)
Posted by KB on 12/26/2018 to
Reviews In Brief
10. Courtney Barnett- Tell Me How You Really Feel (2018)
Posted by KB on 12/26/2018 to
Barnett has come on like a muted hurricane. And that's meant as the highest compliment. Her smart, understated delivery and well-visioned lyrics about her surroundings and today's times has taken critics and rock fans by surprise. She's a bit rock, jangly folk-pop, Australian alt-country all with spot on wit. Barnett is laser focused aloof and if she doesn't watch herself she could become her generations female Dylan.
Favorite Songs: Charity, Needing A Little Time, Walkin' On Eggshells
More Info: Courtney Barnett
11. Billy F Gibbons- Big Bad Blues (2018)
Posted by KB on 12/25/2018 to
Reviews In Brief
12. Matthew Logan Vasquez- Texas Murder Ballads (2018)
Posted by KB on 12/25/2018 to
Reviews In Brief
13. Ty Segall- Freedom's Goblin (2018)
Posted by KB on 12/24/2018 to
Reviews In Brief
14. Ezra Furman- Transangelic Exodus (2018)
Posted by KB on 12/24/2018 to
Reviews In Brief
15. Decemberists- I'll Be Your Girl (2018)
Posted by KB on 12/23/2018 to
Reviews In Brief
16. John Hiatt- The Eclipse Sessions (2018)
Posted by KB on 12/23/2018 to
Reviews In Brief
17. J Mascis- Elastic Days (2018)
Posted by KB on 12/22/2018 to
Reviews In Brief
18. Justice- Woman Worldwide (2018)
Posted by KB on 12/22/2018 to
Reviews In Brief
Totally out of my normal box, "Woman Worldwide" is an electric dance album that, if given the chance, will- dare I say- enchant you. It's part disco, EDM, house, techno rolled into anon-stop piece broken into a few sections. It's hard to pin down where one song ends and the other starts, but that's a minor gripe once you are in waist deep in Justice's high energy beats. Any breaks or lulls appear to allow the listener to catch their breath. One issue was that the CD version included with the vinyl does not mirror the vinyl, and I think the vinyl version is superior. "Woman Worldwide" may appear poppy for true EDMers and too dance-y for rock fans, but give it at least 2 run throughs and I think many will find it's endearing qualities.
Favorite Songs: Just drop the needle anywhere and start grooving.
Check Out and Buy:
Justice- Woman Worldwide
19. Low Cut Connie- Dirty Pictures (part 2) (2018)
Posted by KB on 12/21/2018 to
Reviews In Brief
Normally one sees "part 2" and instantly you preconceive that it will be below the standard laid out by "part 1". Oddly, this is so far from accurate in this case. LCC's "Dirty Pictures (part 2)" surpasses the quite good part 1 by a substantial margin. The songs are once again bar room worthy as rollicking piano/keyboard sing-a-longs- even the ballads. Clever lyrics, varied styles and good pacing. Its hard not to think that the songs are a little autobiographical. In any case- if you like fun, you'll like this.
Favorite Songs: Beverly, All These Kids Are Way Too High, One More Time
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Check Out and Buy:
Low Cut Connie- Dirty Pictures (part 2)
