But Think of the Songs!
Not even quite worthy of an honorable mention, these four only had a song or two (at best) that did anything for me. I still believe these deserve their own little section in hopes that others can find the full level of enjoyment in them I couldn't or at the very least get a few more choice cuts for their next playlist.
David Gray - Gold in a Brass Age
My father introduced me to Mr. Gray when I was in high school and I've always been able to connect with the British born singers' unique vocal timbre and soaring song structure. While other albums did it for me in their entirety (A New Day at Midnight, White Ladder), even through repeated listenings, "The Sapling" and "Watching the Waves" were the only two that broke through this one.
Neil Young - Colorado
I had to include this one here just to cite how freaking incredible it is that Uncle Neil can still put out cool sounding music at age 74 (!!). "Milky Way" literally sounds like it could have been written and dropped into one of 17 different albums of his throughout the last 55 years. The rest of the album really isn't bad at all, but when you have ample life altering-ly stellar tunes and full albums, one would be hard-pressed to pick this album as the one you'd put on.
Foxygen - Seeing Other People
What a soul-crushing letdown. They initially put out "Livin' a Lie" and really blow my socks off, subsequently jacking up my expectations sky high for a return album from a band who has struggled to find consistency. Out comes single number two and I'm a little nervous. Then came the rest of the album and...yikes. I'll leave that there. Perhaps with some time and distance, I'll return.
Drugdealer - Raw Honey
Passed along to me by a good musical buddy from high school, these guys set the stage to come out with guns blazing, dropping the 70s AM gold earworm "Fools". A rotating cast of vocalists takes whatever momentum they built away though and while I'm usually a big dan of the era being mined here, it just didn't do it for me much beyond those initial absolutely glorious four and a half minutes.
Honorably Mentioned
These guys were good. They got multiple listens at multiple points throughout the year. These all seem to fit neatly into one of two categories; artists I like that put out albums that didn't quite live up to my expectations (even though they were still good) or new bands that delivered something really cool I'll probably look back upon someday and marvel at having this low on my list.
Golden Days - Simpatico
Hand Habits - placeholder
I was lucky enough to stumble into seeing this band live as an opener for the number two album on the list below, but that was far from my first introduction to them. Thanks to the always reliable (and oft-cited) Jake, I had been given my first taste of Meg Duffy's gorgeous album of lament months earlier. First heard (unbeknownst to me) as a guitarist for Kevin Morby, Duffy's beautiful vocals are only surpassed by her mostly understated but truly remarkable guitar playing. Seeing it live was an experience and a half because I was fairly certain most others there hadn't heard it before. Keeping it under wraps until later in the set, she unleashed a few solos that blew the minds of the attendees almost as much as it did the roof off the venue. I get the feeling this is going to be a name on my list for years to come.
Lennon Claypool Delirium - South of Reality
Not that there was much a chance that Sean Lennon and Les Claypool would release a down the middle album, but this is some out there shit. A psych-rock blast that feels like an updated version of prog buoyed by incredible basslines and guitar solos throughout, it managed to connect with me in a way that Claypool never could with Primus. Having never spent any time with young Lennon's music, this made me want to go back and explore, always a good sign. Wrapped in the cosmic musical adventures are multiple unique, layered melodies that balance out the oddities within the song structures in a way that just works for me. Every time I think I have a grasp on what's happening, it takes another turn and I just find myself holding on and enjoying the ride.
Pond - Tasmania
Recommended to me by Melse, a disciple at the altar of all things Tame Impala, this band is apparently a combination of the touring band for the Impala/a collection of people that reside currently or formerly in both bands AND the former band of Kevin Parker who also still happens to produce them. Yeah, it's all a bit confusing. Based on the sound though, one could be mistaken for thinking this was just a collection of unreleased tracks from the Impala and Parker's fingerprints are certainly all over it. When at it's best, they are making fun, bouncy, psychedelic grooves and letting them stretch out and explore, providing a fun listening experience, something that can get even a first-time listener bobbing around right from the get-go. The only flaw is that it tends to drift into the realm of too many of the songs sounding the same. I like the sound though, so while it may not be an album I yearn to sit down and hear from front to back at all times, there isn't a place I'm unhappy to start at when popping it on.
Not even quite worthy of an honorable mention, these four only had a song or two (at best) that did anything for me. I still believe these deserve their own little section in hopes that others can find the full level of enjoyment in them I couldn't or at the very least get a few more choice cuts for their next playlist.
David Gray - Gold in a Brass Age
My father introduced me to Mr. Gray when I was in high school and I've always been able to connect with the British born singers' unique vocal timbre and soaring song structure. While other albums did it for me in their entirety (A New Day at Midnight, White Ladder), even through repeated listenings, "The Sapling" and "Watching the Waves" were the only two that broke through this one.
Neil Young - Colorado
I had to include this one here just to cite how freaking incredible it is that Uncle Neil can still put out cool sounding music at age 74 (!!). "Milky Way" literally sounds like it could have been written and dropped into one of 17 different albums of his throughout the last 55 years. The rest of the album really isn't bad at all, but when you have ample life altering-ly stellar tunes and full albums, one would be hard-pressed to pick this album as the one you'd put on.
Foxygen - Seeing Other People
What a soul-crushing letdown. They initially put out "Livin' a Lie" and really blow my socks off, subsequently jacking up my expectations sky high for a return album from a band who has struggled to find consistency. Out comes single number two and I'm a little nervous. Then came the rest of the album and...yikes. I'll leave that there. Perhaps with some time and distance, I'll return.
Drugdealer - Raw Honey
Passed along to me by a good musical buddy from high school, these guys set the stage to come out with guns blazing, dropping the 70s AM gold earworm "Fools". A rotating cast of vocalists takes whatever momentum they built away though and while I'm usually a big dan of the era being mined here, it just didn't do it for me much beyond those initial absolutely glorious four and a half minutes.
Honorably Mentioned
These guys were good. They got multiple listens at multiple points throughout the year. These all seem to fit neatly into one of two categories; artists I like that put out albums that didn't quite live up to my expectations (even though they were still good) or new bands that delivered something really cool I'll probably look back upon someday and marvel at having this low on my list.
Golden Days - Simpatico
An easily digestible and highly enjoyable album, I can't tell you a single standout track and it might as well be one big 37-minute song for all intents and purposes. I actually wasn't sure if this was going to make the cut (and it did just barely sneak in under the wire) but an album that is this enjoyable can't be left off, even if it is one big mosaic of 11 songs blurred together. Essentially what would happen if you took Real Estate, had them all consume tranquilizers and then made it 6x more mellow, you'd have something resembling what was created here. Well written and subtly catchy songs abound though and it's hard to argue when the results are this pleasing.
Hand Habits - placeholder
I was lucky enough to stumble into seeing this band live as an opener for the number two album on the list below, but that was far from my first introduction to them. Thanks to the always reliable (and oft-cited) Jake, I had been given my first taste of Meg Duffy's gorgeous album of lament months earlier. First heard (unbeknownst to me) as a guitarist for Kevin Morby, Duffy's beautiful vocals are only surpassed by her mostly understated but truly remarkable guitar playing. Seeing it live was an experience and a half because I was fairly certain most others there hadn't heard it before. Keeping it under wraps until later in the set, she unleashed a few solos that blew the minds of the attendees almost as much as it did the roof off the venue. I get the feeling this is going to be a name on my list for years to come.
Lennon Claypool Delirium - South of Reality
Not that there was much a chance that Sean Lennon and Les Claypool would release a down the middle album, but this is some out there shit. A psych-rock blast that feels like an updated version of prog buoyed by incredible basslines and guitar solos throughout, it managed to connect with me in a way that Claypool never could with Primus. Having never spent any time with young Lennon's music, this made me want to go back and explore, always a good sign. Wrapped in the cosmic musical adventures are multiple unique, layered melodies that balance out the oddities within the song structures in a way that just works for me. Every time I think I have a grasp on what's happening, it takes another turn and I just find myself holding on and enjoying the ride.
Pond - Tasmania
Recommended to me by Melse, a disciple at the altar of all things Tame Impala, this band is apparently a combination of the touring band for the Impala/a collection of people that reside currently or formerly in both bands AND the former band of Kevin Parker who also still happens to produce them. Yeah, it's all a bit confusing. Based on the sound though, one could be mistaken for thinking this was just a collection of unreleased tracks from the Impala and Parker's fingerprints are certainly all over it. When at it's best, they are making fun, bouncy, psychedelic grooves and letting them stretch out and explore, providing a fun listening experience, something that can get even a first-time listener bobbing around right from the get-go. The only flaw is that it tends to drift into the realm of too many of the songs sounding the same. I like the sound though, so while it may not be an album I yearn to sit down and hear from front to back at all times, there isn't a place I'm unhappy to start at when popping it on.
National - I Am Easy to Find
Initially pegged as a powerhouse indie band, especially after 2007s The Boxer blew up many year-end lists (including mine), some critics began to worry that they might not be able to change up their sound enough to stay relevant. While the baritone delivered by Matt Berninger is gorgeous, haunting and spare when needed, there became a "sameness" about what came next. In came the previous album Trouble Will Find Me, beginning their journey into new territory by using some new instruments and creating a more bracing sound. Then came this, an album that pairs Berninger with different female vocalists on every song, opening up entirely new sounds, harmonies, and feelings for their music. Taking a chance like this was exactly what the critics were clamoring for but a massive risk nonetheless. For me, it absolutely paid off.
Mike Krol - Power Chords
Easily one of the grimiest records on this list, Krol buries sugary sweet melodies underneath mammoth guitars, ample volume, and extremely distorted vocals. Putting me in the mind of Cloud Nothings and Wavves, this is not going to be one I'm putting on for my wife to enjoy along with me. It's abrasive at times but once you're able to dig in a little, you'll find yourself humming along and getting the choruses stuck deep within your head. As most of these bands tend to eventually evolve, I'll be curious to see what happens when he ages a little more and starts to put a little more of a sheen on his work. For the time being though, he does an excellent job of keeping my head bobbing while allowing me multiple chances to break out a plethora of air guitar moves.
CRX - Peek
Probably my first real "disappointment" on the list, it still remains a fairly solid album all around. When I heard that this side project from Nick Valensi was coming back for album #2, after the things that their debut had done for me, expectations were running high. That leaves me in the weird middle ground of enjoying and appreciating something that has nonetheless not reached the heights that I thought it would. It could just be my imagination but I feel as if the tempo has been turned down half a notch on almost every song, taking away the urgency and immediacy I loved in New Skin. At the same time, there were moments when I felt album #1 needed a few breaks here and there to chill things out. In the end, I think the best way for me to enjoy this as much as possible would be to take everything off both albums, mix it together into a newly sequenced double album and then just hit play. Even now, as I'm relistening, I'm wondering whether I left this too low on the list.
Mattson 2 - Paradise
An extremely uneven album, this just as easily could have been in the But Think of the Songs category as it could be down here knocking on the door of cracking the top 15. Knowing that it was still able to reach this level speaks volumes of those high points though. A band I originally discovered thanks to the Star Stuff collabo album with Chaz Bundick, this jazz duo pair of brothers creates some of the smoothest grooves imaginable. When it's flying along, every note seems to be in the exact right place and it's impossible not to at the very least bop along. Unfortunately, there are also just as many tracks that seem to fall flat, losing the connection to the all-important groove that forms the foundations of their success. In that way, it again harkens back to Star Stuff and I'm once again of the mind to combine the best of both albums into something I'd be much more apt to put on and just let play through.
Ewan Currie - Out of my Mind
Clearly the driving force behind the songwriting and sound of The Sheepdogs, a solo Ewan album really doesn't sound all that different than just stripped down full-band songs. As a result, it really works, especially since he's such a wonderful singer with a beautifully recognizable voice. The songs are a little sparer and for the most part, there aren't as many guitar solos, plus the songs seem to be a little shorter. All in all though, if you sprinkled these tunes about the various Sheepdogs album, I don't think that I would ever know the difference. It makes me wonder why he felt the need to get these out there on his own. Unless these had either been rejected by the band or he didn't think they were worthy of the full crew treatment, there just doesn't seem to be enough of a difference between the material to separate it. Unlike with Bros Vol 1 last year, which did just enough to carve out its own new sound, this stays strongly within the Sheepdogs orbit. Really though, who am I to complain about even more good music from this prolific songwriter?
Laika’s Orbit - Chosen No Ones
Sent my way by longtime musical collaborator and fellow power-pop enthusiast Gleafunk, this is one of a few bands on this list that continues to use the recipe that's worked consistently going all the way back to The Byrds and Big Star. The songs are just downright fun, churning along, filled with excellent guitar and catchy as can be. A band named after one of the first-ever Soviet space dogs, the songs are mostly there, the melodies are absolutely there and the solos really slice and dice when they come in. They require a slightly stronger lead singer though. Sounding like approximately 78% of the Gin Blossoms lead singer, Shane Dupuy is more than serviceable, especially knowing that he is doing the singing AND he's the lead guitarist. However, such a key element of the best power pop is the angelic and multi-layered harmony of the vocals. Limiting that, even slightly so as is done here in my opinion, really puts a governor on the levels that these guys will be able to reach. Still, when all is said and done, this is an album I'm more than happy to put on whenever I need a little pick me up.
Sheer Mag - A Distant Call
Reminiscent of Peek earlier, this is an album that really only suffers under the weight of its predecessor. If this had been the debut as opposed to Need to Feel Your Love, it conceivably could be much higher on the list. Even with all it's baggage, it still almost managed to crack its way into the main event. The double guitars still crunch, the solos still consistently soar and Tina Halladay still has pipes that could shatter every window in a cathedral. As I got closer to writing this list, this album benefited as much if not more than any other on here from getting the chance to move further away from my initial expectations. It's a really strong sophomore effort and was truly just a whisker away from being more than that.An extremely uneven album, this just as easily could have been in the But Think of the Songs category as it could be down here knocking on the door of cracking the top 15. Knowing that it was still able to reach this level speaks volumes of those high points though. A band I originally discovered thanks to the Star Stuff collabo album with Chaz Bundick, this jazz duo pair of brothers creates some of the smoothest grooves imaginable. When it's flying along, every note seems to be in the exact right place and it's impossible not to at the very least bop along. Unfortunately, there are also just as many tracks that seem to fall flat, losing the connection to the all-important groove that forms the foundations of their success. In that way, it again harkens back to Star Stuff and I'm once again of the mind to combine the best of both albums into something I'd be much more apt to put on and just let play through.
Ewan Currie - Out of my Mind
Clearly the driving force behind the songwriting and sound of The Sheepdogs, a solo Ewan album really doesn't sound all that different than just stripped down full-band songs. As a result, it really works, especially since he's such a wonderful singer with a beautifully recognizable voice. The songs are a little sparer and for the most part, there aren't as many guitar solos, plus the songs seem to be a little shorter. All in all though, if you sprinkled these tunes about the various Sheepdogs album, I don't think that I would ever know the difference. It makes me wonder why he felt the need to get these out there on his own. Unless these had either been rejected by the band or he didn't think they were worthy of the full crew treatment, there just doesn't seem to be enough of a difference between the material to separate it. Unlike with Bros Vol 1 last year, which did just enough to carve out its own new sound, this stays strongly within the Sheepdogs orbit. Really though, who am I to complain about even more good music from this prolific songwriter?
Laika’s Orbit - Chosen No Ones
Sent my way by longtime musical collaborator and fellow power-pop enthusiast Gleafunk, this is one of a few bands on this list that continues to use the recipe that's worked consistently going all the way back to The Byrds and Big Star. The songs are just downright fun, churning along, filled with excellent guitar and catchy as can be. A band named after one of the first-ever Soviet space dogs, the songs are mostly there, the melodies are absolutely there and the solos really slice and dice when they come in. They require a slightly stronger lead singer though. Sounding like approximately 78% of the Gin Blossoms lead singer, Shane Dupuy is more than serviceable, especially knowing that he is doing the singing AND he's the lead guitarist. However, such a key element of the best power pop is the angelic and multi-layered harmony of the vocals. Limiting that, even slightly so as is done here in my opinion, really puts a governor on the levels that these guys will be able to reach. Still, when all is said and done, this is an album I'm more than happy to put on whenever I need a little pick me up.
Sheer Mag - A Distant Call
Now We're Talking
A clear delineation occurs here. While there were many albums or partial albums I enjoyed above, the following 15 are ones that got heavy, heavy rotation throughout this year, standing out above their peers. Each of these was played repeatedly equally in the car and house (thanks to the awesome suggestions from Murny to get some Sonos speakers) and left me feeling fulfilled each and every listen.
A clear delineation occurs here. While there were many albums or partial albums I enjoyed above, the following 15 are ones that got heavy, heavy rotation throughout this year, standing out above their peers. Each of these was played repeatedly equally in the car and house (thanks to the awesome suggestions from Murny to get some Sonos speakers) and left me feeling fulfilled each and every listen.
15) Will Johnson - Wire Mountain
Passed along to me by my sister as a Christmas gift almost 5 years ago, Will has been a consistent source of musical excellence ever since. This most recent release is no exception, delivering the trademark sound that drew me to him in the first place. Earlier this year, the music chat I'm a part of (composed of most of the other gentlemen making lists on this site) put out a challenge to listen to an artist that was loved by one but unknown by the others. After picking Will, here is what I wrote: "Will Johnson is like listening to music with a thousand-pound weight on your chest. His use of drums high in the mix, including a kick drum that won't quit and also gnarly guitar tones are meant to assault you in the same way a dam is eventually worn away, one tiny piece chipping away before the eventual giving way. There's a low key tension and a million miles away vacancy to his voice that makes me always feel better that I'm not him. Though not a guitar virtuoso in terms of flair, his tones are incredible and his solos always feel earned and meaningful." Not sure I could have said it better myself...
14) Sturgill Simpson - Sound and Fury
What a fun surprise. However, saying that incorrectly implies I thought this album was going to be anything but enjoyable. But, after a few albums that were country-rock leaning their way towards psychedelia, he decided to go full-on ass-kicking, in your face, pedal to the metal rock and roll. Opening with the spaced-out funk of "Ronin", the pace just relentlessly pushes forward with one heavy, guitar-driven monster after another coming down the pike. Just in case that wasn't enough for you, he simultaneously released a full-length anime film that goes along with the album because, well....of course he did. Never one to settle, this album seems to be a direct middle finger to Nashville, critics, country music, rock and roll and just about anything else he could get within sight of his tallest digit. I can't say I'm privy to just what it is that put him in this mindset but I will say I'm more than happy to reap the benefits of it. Pop this one on, crank it up and enjoy.
13) Mikal Cronin - SeekerPassed along to me by my sister as a Christmas gift almost 5 years ago, Will has been a consistent source of musical excellence ever since. This most recent release is no exception, delivering the trademark sound that drew me to him in the first place. Earlier this year, the music chat I'm a part of (composed of most of the other gentlemen making lists on this site) put out a challenge to listen to an artist that was loved by one but unknown by the others. After picking Will, here is what I wrote: "Will Johnson is like listening to music with a thousand-pound weight on your chest. His use of drums high in the mix, including a kick drum that won't quit and also gnarly guitar tones are meant to assault you in the same way a dam is eventually worn away, one tiny piece chipping away before the eventual giving way. There's a low key tension and a million miles away vacancy to his voice that makes me always feel better that I'm not him. Though not a guitar virtuoso in terms of flair, his tones are incredible and his solos always feel earned and meaningful." Not sure I could have said it better myself...
14) Sturgill Simpson - Sound and Fury
What a fun surprise. However, saying that incorrectly implies I thought this album was going to be anything but enjoyable. But, after a few albums that were country-rock leaning their way towards psychedelia, he decided to go full-on ass-kicking, in your face, pedal to the metal rock and roll. Opening with the spaced-out funk of "Ronin", the pace just relentlessly pushes forward with one heavy, guitar-driven monster after another coming down the pike. Just in case that wasn't enough for you, he simultaneously released a full-length anime film that goes along with the album because, well....of course he did. Never one to settle, this album seems to be a direct middle finger to Nashville, critics, country music, rock and roll and just about anything else he could get within sight of his tallest digit. I can't say I'm privy to just what it is that put him in this mindset but I will say I'm more than happy to reap the benefits of it. Pop this one on, crank it up and enjoy.
A glorious first single can be a blessing or a curse (see Foxygen above). In this case, "Show Me" shot out with a "Last Dance with Mary Jane" meets "Down by the River" vibe that was so certain to appeal to me that there's a solid chance this song was crafted entirely with this guy in mind. So what happens next is always a roll of the dice. Does it continue to deliver on that level? (Unlikely). Does it bomb out as a one-song wonder of an album? (Possible and devastating) Or does it just highlight the best song on the album and then subsequently manage to deliver on a fairly high level for the remainder? (The most likely scenario). Thankfully, choice three was indeed the winner here and though the heights of the initial single aren't ever quite approached again, this album is full of heartfelt, earthy, groove-filled tunes that resonate with me on an internal level. The aforementioned Neil track can't be a coincidence as the recording technique seems to match. Let the band breathe and just be, don't get hung up on perfection and let feel lead the way. After multiple albums not quite living up to what I was hoping they could be, Cronin finally came through with a winner in 2019.
12) Susto - Ever Since I’ve Lost My Mind
Another album that came out of the gate super strong ("Homeboy" delivers an updated and welcome new sound), Susto managed to live all three of the above possibilities for Seeker within just a month. After a previous album that was #1 on my list and the aforementioned single doing everything I wanted it to do, I was chomping at the bit. Three more singles were released and well... it wasn't great. One wasn't too bad ("If I Was"), one sounded oddly like Coldplay in the chorus ("Weather Balloons") and the other was a beautiful ballad and tribute to his Spanish heritage ("Esta Bien") that wasn't exactly made for repeated listens. Ut oh. Thankfully, when the remainder of the album finally did come out, it nestled nicely in the space that was much closer to "Homeboy" than the other three. In fact, eventually, two of the three ended up sounding better within the context of the full work, though the foreign language song is still one I skip almost every time. A fully new backing band, new producer and change in fame level all could have contributed to the unevenness of a still solid album. Relentless touring should work out a great deal of those kinks. Dropping 11 spots from one album to the next could be cause for concern but I'll choose to look at it as more of a celebration of how much other good music came out this year than an indictment against a past favorite.
11) Desert Sessions - Volume 11 and 12
You truly never know what Josh Homme is going to bring you. One thing that is certain about him though, the dude just loves working with his musical companions and friends in a way that others could really take note of, consistently working and putting out new projects. The Desert Sessions consist of Josh grabbing an ever-rotating bunch of pals, heading off to the literal desert and then just tinkering around until they have some songs. I had zero expectations for this album to first exist and second to deliver anything noteworthy. The previous 10 volumes of the Sessions have produced some great, some fine and some blah tracks. But that was always the point; go have fun, see what happens and hopefully, it ends up being good. If it is, great. If it's not, who cares? It's honestly a wonderful blueprint for the creation of anything artistic. The first track, sung by Billy Gibbons (!!) lulls you to a false sense of calms before dropping an absolute HAMMER on you about halfway through. Next up, having waited years now for a potential second Crooked Vultures release, I was treated to "Noses in Roses, Forever" which seems like the closest thing I'm ever going to get. While there is one truly baffling stumble that I believe was an attempt at comedy (see: "Chic Tweetz"), the other 7 tracks on this dual-EP-meets-single-LP run the gamut of genres, singers and sounds, delivering across the board.
10) Black Keys - Let’s Rock
To say that I was out on the Keys would be an overstatement. I would and will always check out what they do. But I was convinced that they had reached their musical apex for me with Brothers and El Camino. That's really not even an attempted swipe at anything else they've done before or since as much as a comment on my perceived limits on their impact on my life at this point. Smash cut to this summer, right amid a major house project that involved moving a ton of furniture all over. Knowing I needed something groovy yet innocuous, I threw this on for the first time and right from the get-go had one pleasant surprise after another. Using all of the trademark Auerbach/Carney sounds but updating it with a little more studio magic and variety, there was no denying how much I was enjoying it. Even now, sitting here listening through again, it's a true "full album" that rewards the listener for popping it on and letting it play all the way. Jammed from top the bottom with countless riffs, tones, and soaring solos, it's a nice example of why a full band and studio was well worth it for them to eventually cave in on after years of keeping things purposefully simple.
You truly never know what Josh Homme is going to bring you. One thing that is certain about him though, the dude just loves working with his musical companions and friends in a way that others could really take note of, consistently working and putting out new projects. The Desert Sessions consist of Josh grabbing an ever-rotating bunch of pals, heading off to the literal desert and then just tinkering around until they have some songs. I had zero expectations for this album to first exist and second to deliver anything noteworthy. The previous 10 volumes of the Sessions have produced some great, some fine and some blah tracks. But that was always the point; go have fun, see what happens and hopefully, it ends up being good. If it is, great. If it's not, who cares? It's honestly a wonderful blueprint for the creation of anything artistic. The first track, sung by Billy Gibbons (!!) lulls you to a false sense of calms before dropping an absolute HAMMER on you about halfway through. Next up, having waited years now for a potential second Crooked Vultures release, I was treated to "Noses in Roses, Forever" which seems like the closest thing I'm ever going to get. While there is one truly baffling stumble that I believe was an attempt at comedy (see: "Chic Tweetz"), the other 7 tracks on this dual-EP-meets-single-LP run the gamut of genres, singers and sounds, delivering across the board.
10) Black Keys - Let’s Rock
To say that I was out on the Keys would be an overstatement. I would and will always check out what they do. But I was convinced that they had reached their musical apex for me with Brothers and El Camino. That's really not even an attempted swipe at anything else they've done before or since as much as a comment on my perceived limits on their impact on my life at this point. Smash cut to this summer, right amid a major house project that involved moving a ton of furniture all over. Knowing I needed something groovy yet innocuous, I threw this on for the first time and right from the get-go had one pleasant surprise after another. Using all of the trademark Auerbach/Carney sounds but updating it with a little more studio magic and variety, there was no denying how much I was enjoying it. Even now, sitting here listening through again, it's a true "full album" that rewards the listener for popping it on and letting it play all the way. Jammed from top the bottom with countless riffs, tones, and soaring solos, it's a nice example of why a full band and studio was well worth it for them to eventually cave in on after years of keeping things purposefully simple.
9) Fruit Bats - Gold Past Life
Sometimes a band sneaks multiple albums into your orbit that you really like but fail to fully appreciate until a later date. Thankfully, a new album can be a good impetus to nudge that process along and Gold Past Life is a perfect example of something that left me saying "How have I not been listening to these guys much more?" Comfortable is the best way to describe what they produce. Every song settles into a glove sliding perfectly over fingers level of familiarity that manages to be evocative of past artists without ever putting you in the mind that they are borrowing too much. I was shocked to see that they have been around since 1997 (!!) and I have to give credit again here to Jake who hipped me to them three years ago, giving me two of their past recordings to check out. In talking to a fellow list writer last night, he and I were commiserating that our constant pursuit of new music can sometimes be detrimental, causing great music to potentially get overlooked due to the lack of dedicated time spent with it. This band seems to be a prime example of a group that falls into that category for me. That was before this year though and hopefully, I can use this as a reason to remember to go back as much as I look forward.
Sometimes a band sneaks multiple albums into your orbit that you really like but fail to fully appreciate until a later date. Thankfully, a new album can be a good impetus to nudge that process along and Gold Past Life is a perfect example of something that left me saying "How have I not been listening to these guys much more?" Comfortable is the best way to describe what they produce. Every song settles into a glove sliding perfectly over fingers level of familiarity that manages to be evocative of past artists without ever putting you in the mind that they are borrowing too much. I was shocked to see that they have been around since 1997 (!!) and I have to give credit again here to Jake who hipped me to them three years ago, giving me two of their past recordings to check out. In talking to a fellow list writer last night, he and I were commiserating that our constant pursuit of new music can sometimes be detrimental, causing great music to potentially get overlooked due to the lack of dedicated time spent with it. This band seems to be a prime example of a group that falls into that category for me. That was before this year though and hopefully, I can use this as a reason to remember to go back as much as I look forward.
8) Strand of Oaks - Eraserland
Ryan Adams used to be my go-to for the "I'm miserable but as a result end up creating great music" guy out there. While not a novel concept, it's always a little bit of a conundrum for the listener, something I know I've addressed before. If the misery of the creator makes for their best work, does that mean that I am actively rooting for another human to be miserable? Does that misery also potentially preclude rough choices and or being a bad person? (**cough** Ryan Adams.....**cough**) With all that dancing around in my mind, I stumbled upon the most recent output from Timothy Showalter and lordy is he in a rough place. Gorgeous, soaring ballads that bring to mind the War on Drugs, as well as the aforementioned Mr. Adams, lament lost loves while charging rockers that helped draw me into him in the first place (with an assist from a certain wizard guitarist I love) discuss the potential dissolution of his band and life as he knew it. This album, without a doubt, received a boost from the love my wife had for it. I love it too though and it's hard for me to argue that anything is keeping it from being higher other than the fact that the seven below were truly special works in 2019.
7) Night Moves - Can You Really Find Me
A straight-up creeper. Coming in as a recommendation from Murn (and apparently something that had been suggested by Jake a while back that I completely spaced on....) I was happy to give it an initial listen, deciding the single was pretty good. On second listen, giving it a little closer ear, I settled on the fact that there were maybe two to three good tunes. Then for whatever reason, I just couldn't stop putting it on and whenever I hit play, I let that sucka play all the way through. There's nothing too crazy about what is being done here; the tunes are pretty straightforward, highlighted with a sweeping synth here and warbling slide guitar there. With the male equivalent of Stevie Nicks at the helm warbling his way through one catchy/beautiful track after another, this became the soundtrack to my reading time this past summer. Considering I was plowing my way through a rather massive series that meant this was going to get plenty of spins. To this day, the second I hear the opening sounds of "Mexico", I'm ready to curl up on a soft surface and crack the spine of whatever I'm reading. Infinite bonus points for how often my little man sings along to "Waiting for the Symphony". While Jake clearly deserves the credit for planting the seed, it was Murn who nurtured its growth. Here's to you, good sir.
Ryan Adams used to be my go-to for the "I'm miserable but as a result end up creating great music" guy out there. While not a novel concept, it's always a little bit of a conundrum for the listener, something I know I've addressed before. If the misery of the creator makes for their best work, does that mean that I am actively rooting for another human to be miserable? Does that misery also potentially preclude rough choices and or being a bad person? (**cough** Ryan Adams.....**cough**) With all that dancing around in my mind, I stumbled upon the most recent output from Timothy Showalter and lordy is he in a rough place. Gorgeous, soaring ballads that bring to mind the War on Drugs, as well as the aforementioned Mr. Adams, lament lost loves while charging rockers that helped draw me into him in the first place (with an assist from a certain wizard guitarist I love) discuss the potential dissolution of his band and life as he knew it. This album, without a doubt, received a boost from the love my wife had for it. I love it too though and it's hard for me to argue that anything is keeping it from being higher other than the fact that the seven below were truly special works in 2019.
7) Night Moves - Can You Really Find Me
A straight-up creeper. Coming in as a recommendation from Murn (and apparently something that had been suggested by Jake a while back that I completely spaced on....) I was happy to give it an initial listen, deciding the single was pretty good. On second listen, giving it a little closer ear, I settled on the fact that there were maybe two to three good tunes. Then for whatever reason, I just couldn't stop putting it on and whenever I hit play, I let that sucka play all the way through. There's nothing too crazy about what is being done here; the tunes are pretty straightforward, highlighted with a sweeping synth here and warbling slide guitar there. With the male equivalent of Stevie Nicks at the helm warbling his way through one catchy/beautiful track after another, this became the soundtrack to my reading time this past summer. Considering I was plowing my way through a rather massive series that meant this was going to get plenty of spins. To this day, the second I hear the opening sounds of "Mexico", I'm ready to curl up on a soft surface and crack the spine of whatever I'm reading. Infinite bonus points for how often my little man sings along to "Waiting for the Symphony". While Jake clearly deserves the credit for planting the seed, it was Murn who nurtured its growth. Here's to you, good sir.
6) Sam Cohen - The Future’s Still Ringing in My Ears
The biggest draft-day surprise of the bunch, I had this album on my honorable mentions list until about a week before making my final list. What on earth was I thinking? I remember specifically making note of two songs as solid and then writing off the rest of the album. However, when doing my last run through to determine the final ranks, I was blown away by how good EVERY single song was. What an incredible swing and miss by me the first time. Packed with ethereal vocals, secretly infectious basslines, and psychedelic swirls, it's clear that he's pulling from a variety of influences that helped to shape these lists throughout the years. A producer himself, he decided to work with Danger Mouse as a co-producer on this effort, another person who has managed to sprinkle his fingerprints all over a bunch of these end of year endeavors. In the end, it's a collection of really excellent songs that I'm a fool for not recognizing right from the start. Also, it will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me to hear that the cherry on top is Sam's absolutely killer guitar playing throughout, something to truly pay attention to when the time is right. This almost managed to sneak by me; something that I can assure you will never happen with Mr. Cohen again.
5) Raconteurs - Help Us Stranger
About a year ago, a fellow collaborator and I sat down to create a list of the top 10 most unlikely musical events that we would be most excited about if they, by some sort of miracle, were to occur. Though far from the least likely on the list, after ten years of nothing, a second Raconteurs album certainly made the cut. Upon the announcement of a dual single early in the year, there was initial elation followed by the inevitable concern. Jack White is, without a doubt, one of the most entertaining and innovative guitarists out there, but his most recent solo album seemed a little scatterbrained and I struggled to connect with it. Brendan Benson crafted years worth of gorgeous powerpop tunes and worked beautifully with Jack the first couple albums, however, he had fallen out of the public eye and seemed to have lost his touch as a creator. I continued to worry. Through the first listen of the singles, the one sung by White seemed fine but a little slow while the Benson one seemed a little bit like a watered-down version of their past work. Ut oh. Sitting here at #5 though is clearly a spoiler to what happened next. Thankfully, the full album came out, took every single concern I had and blasted it into hyperspace. Monster riffs and those perfect harmonies abound while the songwriting and lyrics are pointed in a way that I never picked up on with previous releases. Extreme bonus points added for seeing them live and having the band kill it while Jack White literally melted my face into a puddle of gelatinous joy.
4) Young Guv - Guv I/II
Got a message from Melse one day, "Stop whatever you're doing, this has you written all over it." Go on... One of the most enjoyable things for me when listening to music is when you hear something that you immediately can identify to be right in the wheelhouse of someone else. In this case, I was that one on the receiving end and he was 100% on the money. Power pop perfection blasts out of the gate right from the start with "Patterns Prevail" and continues careening right along until the all too short 8-song, 23-minute album comes to a close. The brief run time didn't do anything to dissuade me though for two solid reasons; one, it just allows me to start it all over again all the quicker and two, they happened to release a companion 9-song, 30-minute album a mere two and a half months later. While not quite up to the same standards as I, part II delivers nonetheless and ends up combining together for 17 songs that clock in at just over 3:00 minutes each. A throwback to a time when radio play helped to dictate track length, the songs still manage to jam pack in countless angelic harmonies, Goldilocks-eqsue 'just right" solos and enough jangle to get a satisfied nod from McGuinn and Chilton. An absolutely monster find that I more than likely would have never found, this is exactly the reason for having a music chat with comrades. Bless you, Melse.
The biggest draft-day surprise of the bunch, I had this album on my honorable mentions list until about a week before making my final list. What on earth was I thinking? I remember specifically making note of two songs as solid and then writing off the rest of the album. However, when doing my last run through to determine the final ranks, I was blown away by how good EVERY single song was. What an incredible swing and miss by me the first time. Packed with ethereal vocals, secretly infectious basslines, and psychedelic swirls, it's clear that he's pulling from a variety of influences that helped to shape these lists throughout the years. A producer himself, he decided to work with Danger Mouse as a co-producer on this effort, another person who has managed to sprinkle his fingerprints all over a bunch of these end of year endeavors. In the end, it's a collection of really excellent songs that I'm a fool for not recognizing right from the start. Also, it will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me to hear that the cherry on top is Sam's absolutely killer guitar playing throughout, something to truly pay attention to when the time is right. This almost managed to sneak by me; something that I can assure you will never happen with Mr. Cohen again.
5) Raconteurs - Help Us Stranger
About a year ago, a fellow collaborator and I sat down to create a list of the top 10 most unlikely musical events that we would be most excited about if they, by some sort of miracle, were to occur. Though far from the least likely on the list, after ten years of nothing, a second Raconteurs album certainly made the cut. Upon the announcement of a dual single early in the year, there was initial elation followed by the inevitable concern. Jack White is, without a doubt, one of the most entertaining and innovative guitarists out there, but his most recent solo album seemed a little scatterbrained and I struggled to connect with it. Brendan Benson crafted years worth of gorgeous powerpop tunes and worked beautifully with Jack the first couple albums, however, he had fallen out of the public eye and seemed to have lost his touch as a creator. I continued to worry. Through the first listen of the singles, the one sung by White seemed fine but a little slow while the Benson one seemed a little bit like a watered-down version of their past work. Ut oh. Sitting here at #5 though is clearly a spoiler to what happened next. Thankfully, the full album came out, took every single concern I had and blasted it into hyperspace. Monster riffs and those perfect harmonies abound while the songwriting and lyrics are pointed in a way that I never picked up on with previous releases. Extreme bonus points added for seeing them live and having the band kill it while Jack White literally melted my face into a puddle of gelatinous joy.
4) Young Guv - Guv I/II
Got a message from Melse one day, "Stop whatever you're doing, this has you written all over it." Go on... One of the most enjoyable things for me when listening to music is when you hear something that you immediately can identify to be right in the wheelhouse of someone else. In this case, I was that one on the receiving end and he was 100% on the money. Power pop perfection blasts out of the gate right from the start with "Patterns Prevail" and continues careening right along until the all too short 8-song, 23-minute album comes to a close. The brief run time didn't do anything to dissuade me though for two solid reasons; one, it just allows me to start it all over again all the quicker and two, they happened to release a companion 9-song, 30-minute album a mere two and a half months later. While not quite up to the same standards as I, part II delivers nonetheless and ends up combining together for 17 songs that clock in at just over 3:00 minutes each. A throwback to a time when radio play helped to dictate track length, the songs still manage to jam pack in countless angelic harmonies, Goldilocks-eqsue 'just right" solos and enough jangle to get a satisfied nod from McGuinn and Chilton. An absolutely monster find that I more than likely would have never found, this is exactly the reason for having a music chat with comrades. Bless you, Melse.
3) The Berries - Berryland
And just in case the Young Guv discovery wasn't enough, here's another reminder of the glory of buddies sharing tunes coming courtesy of Jake. We often joke that after working all year to find as much great music as possible, creating a rough list in your head all the while, there is always, without a doubt, a late entry that throws a wrench into everything. Well, here was an album delivered our way in approximately November that I have easily played more than almost anything else in 2019. That short window ought to tell you everything you need as to the obsession I fell into with the Berries. Stated best by my son one night as I put it on for the umpteenth time, "Daddy, is this all you listen to?" Yes, son, yes it is. The thing that really gets me to giggle is there is really nothing all that special about this straightforward country-tinged rock and roll. The simple fact of it all is that Matt Berry plays almost every single instrument (see what he did with the name?) and clearly grew up listening to the same 90s rock that I did in a way that it manages to infiltrate every single song without ever being too derivative. Always a sucker for great guitar work, this album also has without a doubt my absolute favorite guitar work of 2019. Filled with consistently excellent tones and solos ("Pedestal" alone is worth the price of admission), there is hardly a song that goes by that doesn't leave me humming nonsense lyrics while air-guitaring myself into an eyes-closed state I wouldn't want many people to see. While there are countless reasons that music makes my life infinitely better, the ability to discover/share new bands/albums thanks to friends has to be at the top of my list. Cheers, Jake!
2) Whitney - Forever Turn Around
The sophomore album is such a scary thing for a band, especially after expectations skyrocket due to an astoundingly good debut (#1 on my 2016 list). Do they try to replicate what they did on the first album that everyone fawned over? Or is it better to try and evolve or completely change their sound so as not to be accused of getting stale? Having seen this work against a band (see: Sheer Mag above), I was understandably a bit nervous. Then along came "Giving Up", the first single off of FTA, which picked me up and rocked me, whispering "relax, everything is going to be just fine". Sticking to the formula that delivered such a stunning debut, they use the cohesion developed thanks to relentless touring and bring back Sam Rado of Foxygen as a co-producer (along with Brad Cook who did the aforementioned Hand Habits album). They also decided to include more strings and delivered a companion piece to Light Upon the Lake that more than stands on its own. Even now, as I sit here and listen to it again, both my wife AND son immediately start humming along to the stunningly gorgeous falsetto vocals of Julien Ehrlich. Easily taking the title as the album that I walked around mumble/hum/singing to myself, this was the 2019 winner of the "most times I came up with lyrics that were 100% wrong but had to do with my dog", a clear title of just how infectious and burrow-worthy these melodies continue to be. Seeing them live only served to reinforce how on point these guys are right now and my only worry is that touring so much might burn them out (my wife and I are going again in about a month to my favorite local joint). In the end though, I can put this on any time, any day and anywhere and I'm certain to let it play all the way through. In a time where the next song is just the click of a button on one of six devives all within an arms-length, that's a true testament to just how damn good this is.
1) Purple Mountains - Purple Mountains
There is such an unbelievable combination of emotions connected with this, I honestly didn't know if I could write anything coherent enough to justify this as my #1 choice. While there was no doubt it was going to be here, it takes the conflict mentioned in the Strand of Oaks review and ratchets it up 25 levels. First a little backstory though. Comprised of David Berman and the fellas from Woods, this new group was a return to the limelight for Mr. Berman for the first time since he stopped recording as the Silver Jews. Grabbing a young, up and coming psych-folk band seemed like a cool choice for a guy who had always had a rarely matched gift for words. This new band would be a cool way to still ensure that the legion of Berman disciples followed along while potentially grabbing some new listeners along the way. My own story with him dates back to college. Under the tutelage of one Matthew D. Gleafunk, my world was opened up to the work of DB via Stephen Malkmus and the Jews album American Water. Initially turned off by the odd songs, weird structures and sung/spoken lyrics, it's the first album I truly took the time to get to know, as chronicled here back in the infancy of this blog. I was hooked. Sadly, though he released a few more albums, 11 years had passed since he last put out any music and there were whispers that things had been pretty dicey. From dealing with a tough divorce from his wife and sometimes musical companion to navigating life with an estranged father who seemed more than happy to let the world burn to make money, anyone would struggle. Add in some textbook depression that had dogged him for his whole life and the fuse was lit for an exceedingly rough patch. Flash forward to July of this year though when Purple Mountains dropped and it was.....incredible. A beyond stellar combination of musicianship paired with the best Berman's ever sounded, I listened (literally) non-stop for two weeks. Even my wife was caught in the spell, enraptured enough to have it on loop in her car for those short periods where she wasn't home listening to it with me. Adding to the excitement, the band was booked as one of the shows at our local, downtown Raleigh music festival, Hopscotch. Tickets were purchased, countless positive reviews were consumed and I shared it with every single person I could that had every been tangentially connected with his previous work. And that's when it all came crashing down. A mere three and a half weeks after the release of the album, the worst possible news came out; Mr. Berman was no longer with us, having departed at the all-too-soon age of just 52. Though it took a few weeks to officially confirm, it was inescapable that he had taken his own life. I didn't know what to do. I'll be perfectly honest; I cried and struggled with his loss as much, if not more than any other artist in my lifetime. Here I was enjoying his work without fully digesting just how obvious the clues had been. This album is an absolutely brutal chronicling of sadness, sorrow, and depression that is packed with lyrics lamenting the loss of his wife along with his own inability to connect with humanity. As documented many other times, in better ways than what I can say, the ultimate irony here is how much he connected with, brought joy to and resonated with countless people thanks to his music, thanks to this music. This album was already something special for me but will now live on in a way that is both poignant and heartbreaking. I'll never be able to listen to it in the same way and truthfully, I went through a patch where I didn't know how I'd be able to reckon with the clear blueprint it appeared he was laying out for everyone; this was a goodbye. In the end, to not let a much smaller version of that same depression win out, I opted to choose love. I'm going to continue loving that he put out as much incredible work as he did, and share that love with as many people as possible. I know that I'll cherish all the joy music like this brings to my life via friends/family and from here on out, I'm going to try to be more sensitive towards loving and supporting those like David who might need it a little more.
So, to officially close out the year (a week after entering 2020), this is my love note of appreciation to everyone in my orbit that connects to me with music. Whether it's been humming along with my son, enjoying albums with my wife or using the various chats/texts/concerts/meetups to share and enjoy everything I can with my friends, there is one thing that is 100% certain; there is nothing I love more.
And just in case the Young Guv discovery wasn't enough, here's another reminder of the glory of buddies sharing tunes coming courtesy of Jake. We often joke that after working all year to find as much great music as possible, creating a rough list in your head all the while, there is always, without a doubt, a late entry that throws a wrench into everything. Well, here was an album delivered our way in approximately November that I have easily played more than almost anything else in 2019. That short window ought to tell you everything you need as to the obsession I fell into with the Berries. Stated best by my son one night as I put it on for the umpteenth time, "Daddy, is this all you listen to?" Yes, son, yes it is. The thing that really gets me to giggle is there is really nothing all that special about this straightforward country-tinged rock and roll. The simple fact of it all is that Matt Berry plays almost every single instrument (see what he did with the name?) and clearly grew up listening to the same 90s rock that I did in a way that it manages to infiltrate every single song without ever being too derivative. Always a sucker for great guitar work, this album also has without a doubt my absolute favorite guitar work of 2019. Filled with consistently excellent tones and solos ("Pedestal" alone is worth the price of admission), there is hardly a song that goes by that doesn't leave me humming nonsense lyrics while air-guitaring myself into an eyes-closed state I wouldn't want many people to see. While there are countless reasons that music makes my life infinitely better, the ability to discover/share new bands/albums thanks to friends has to be at the top of my list. Cheers, Jake!
2) Whitney - Forever Turn Around
The sophomore album is such a scary thing for a band, especially after expectations skyrocket due to an astoundingly good debut (#1 on my 2016 list). Do they try to replicate what they did on the first album that everyone fawned over? Or is it better to try and evolve or completely change their sound so as not to be accused of getting stale? Having seen this work against a band (see: Sheer Mag above), I was understandably a bit nervous. Then along came "Giving Up", the first single off of FTA, which picked me up and rocked me, whispering "relax, everything is going to be just fine". Sticking to the formula that delivered such a stunning debut, they use the cohesion developed thanks to relentless touring and bring back Sam Rado of Foxygen as a co-producer (along with Brad Cook who did the aforementioned Hand Habits album). They also decided to include more strings and delivered a companion piece to Light Upon the Lake that more than stands on its own. Even now, as I sit here and listen to it again, both my wife AND son immediately start humming along to the stunningly gorgeous falsetto vocals of Julien Ehrlich. Easily taking the title as the album that I walked around mumble/hum/singing to myself, this was the 2019 winner of the "most times I came up with lyrics that were 100% wrong but had to do with my dog", a clear title of just how infectious and burrow-worthy these melodies continue to be. Seeing them live only served to reinforce how on point these guys are right now and my only worry is that touring so much might burn them out (my wife and I are going again in about a month to my favorite local joint). In the end though, I can put this on any time, any day and anywhere and I'm certain to let it play all the way through. In a time where the next song is just the click of a button on one of six devives all within an arms-length, that's a true testament to just how damn good this is.
1) Purple Mountains - Purple Mountains
There is such an unbelievable combination of emotions connected with this, I honestly didn't know if I could write anything coherent enough to justify this as my #1 choice. While there was no doubt it was going to be here, it takes the conflict mentioned in the Strand of Oaks review and ratchets it up 25 levels. First a little backstory though. Comprised of David Berman and the fellas from Woods, this new group was a return to the limelight for Mr. Berman for the first time since he stopped recording as the Silver Jews. Grabbing a young, up and coming psych-folk band seemed like a cool choice for a guy who had always had a rarely matched gift for words. This new band would be a cool way to still ensure that the legion of Berman disciples followed along while potentially grabbing some new listeners along the way. My own story with him dates back to college. Under the tutelage of one Matthew D. Gleafunk, my world was opened up to the work of DB via Stephen Malkmus and the Jews album American Water. Initially turned off by the odd songs, weird structures and sung/spoken lyrics, it's the first album I truly took the time to get to know, as chronicled here back in the infancy of this blog. I was hooked. Sadly, though he released a few more albums, 11 years had passed since he last put out any music and there were whispers that things had been pretty dicey. From dealing with a tough divorce from his wife and sometimes musical companion to navigating life with an estranged father who seemed more than happy to let the world burn to make money, anyone would struggle. Add in some textbook depression that had dogged him for his whole life and the fuse was lit for an exceedingly rough patch. Flash forward to July of this year though when Purple Mountains dropped and it was.....incredible. A beyond stellar combination of musicianship paired with the best Berman's ever sounded, I listened (literally) non-stop for two weeks. Even my wife was caught in the spell, enraptured enough to have it on loop in her car for those short periods where she wasn't home listening to it with me. Adding to the excitement, the band was booked as one of the shows at our local, downtown Raleigh music festival, Hopscotch. Tickets were purchased, countless positive reviews were consumed and I shared it with every single person I could that had every been tangentially connected with his previous work. And that's when it all came crashing down. A mere three and a half weeks after the release of the album, the worst possible news came out; Mr. Berman was no longer with us, having departed at the all-too-soon age of just 52. Though it took a few weeks to officially confirm, it was inescapable that he had taken his own life. I didn't know what to do. I'll be perfectly honest; I cried and struggled with his loss as much, if not more than any other artist in my lifetime. Here I was enjoying his work without fully digesting just how obvious the clues had been. This album is an absolutely brutal chronicling of sadness, sorrow, and depression that is packed with lyrics lamenting the loss of his wife along with his own inability to connect with humanity. As documented many other times, in better ways than what I can say, the ultimate irony here is how much he connected with, brought joy to and resonated with countless people thanks to his music, thanks to this music. This album was already something special for me but will now live on in a way that is both poignant and heartbreaking. I'll never be able to listen to it in the same way and truthfully, I went through a patch where I didn't know how I'd be able to reckon with the clear blueprint it appeared he was laying out for everyone; this was a goodbye. In the end, to not let a much smaller version of that same depression win out, I opted to choose love. I'm going to continue loving that he put out as much incredible work as he did, and share that love with as many people as possible. I know that I'll cherish all the joy music like this brings to my life via friends/family and from here on out, I'm going to try to be more sensitive towards loving and supporting those like David who might need it a little more.
So, to officially close out the year (a week after entering 2020), this is my love note of appreciation to everyone in my orbit that connects to me with music. Whether it's been humming along with my son, enjoying albums with my wife or using the various chats/texts/concerts/meetups to share and enjoy everything I can with my friends, there is one thing that is 100% certain; there is nothing I love more.
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