Best Music of 2018

December 27, 2018 at 6:11 am · Filed under Uncategorized

1. Sun On The Square by Innocence Mission

After waiting four years since their last album (“Hello I Feel The Same” my album of the year 2014) Innocence Mission released what can only be described as a near perfect album. After almost 30 years together, Innocence Mission are at the height of their many and considerable powers. Like I have said before, listening to Karen Peris sing is one of the truly great joys in life. This is just a masterpiece of Innocence Mission music, Don Peris’ perfect-touch guitar playing, the lyrics (which seem to exist outside of time) and that voice. The day these guys release an album is a good day to be alive and one to be celebrated. May they never stop. (Can you tell I’m a fan?) This album is classic Innocence Mission doing what they do best, but it has the added bonus of adding something new: just a touch of strings, which of course they add in just the right places. For fans of Innocence Mission (there is no one like them, not even close). Best Song: “Green Bus”

2. The Horizon Just Laughed by Damien Jurado

Obviously I am listing this as my 2nd favorite album of the year but I would like to add: this and the Innocence Mission album were miles and miles above anything else I heard this year. These two albums dominated my year and as much as I loved the Innocence Mission album, this album comes pretty close to matching its greatness. With this, Damien Jurado drops his Maraqopa concept story of the last three records, but it is also musically quite different than those great albums. This is much more basic, going back to his folk roots with simple production and arrangements. This is his first self-produced album (maybe because Richard Swift the producer of those records was not well? he died this year, RIP). But Jurado proves to have a sure hand at the controls as this has subtle charms those bigger louder records did not. He has always been a storyteller at heart and this album is like reading the best short story anthology you’ve read in years. I simply can’t describe the richness of the strange early 60s and 70s references (Percy Faith, Ray Conniff, Charles Schultz, the TV show Alice) which are shocking and wonderful. A great piece of work. Best Song: “Allocate”

3. Con Todo El Mundo by Khruangbin

This Texas surf trio deliver on this album, great songs, great playing throughout. The only misstep (for me) is the cheesy disco of “Evan Finds the Third Room” which was clearly a joke, but for me, meh. The rest is solid Khruangbin (pronounced ‘crew-bin’) music which I would label as surf music with actual melodies. Mark Speer’s guitar playing is stellar on every track and he carries the album, though drummer Donald Johnson should get props for never straying a single iota from the pocket and while I’m at it, bass player Laura Lee keeps things solid and adds an occasional sweet choir vocal. Best Song: “Cómo Me Quieres”

4. There’s A Riot Going On by Yo La Tengo

In a year when so many of my favorite artists released albums, none was more unexpected (content-wise) than this one. Who would think that Yo La Tengo in 2018 would release their version of a ‘Can’ album? No one. They occasionally have had songs than might be labeled drone-ish, but this is another level. And only Yo La Tengo would name it after a legendary Sly Stone album! What is going on? All that said, is it any good? Well I doubt if this album is for everyone (but when has Yo La Tengo been for everyone?), but I like it and I’m not even sure why. Pretty much the same thing I would say about the classic Can albums of the early 70s. It’s crazy long and sleepy and just drifts along forever, (sometimes getting a little jungle drum funky with the bass looping along- ie see the Can reference) but somehow it’s still Yo La Tengo and strangely it works. “For You Too” was the single and is getting a lot of notice as a classic Yo La Tengo track, but I really like the little song “Polynesia #1” which is deeper into the album and comes as a breath of fresh air after some of the long blissed out tracks. Likewise the comedy of “Esportes Casual.” “Let’s Do It Wrong” is also great. And “Forever” could fit nicely on almost any Yo La Tengo album. Maybe its not so strange after all? Best Song: “For You Too”

5. Michael Nau & The Mighty Thread by Michael Nau & The Mighty Thread

Last year Michael Nau released the excellent “Some Twist” and now I’m not sure if that was a solo record and he has since added a band (The Mighty Thread) or if the band on that record was also The Mighty Thread, (they sound about the same). Regardless this picks up where that one left off and the production is bigger and maybe even better, with this having an almost Phil Spector vibe to it, particularly the two best songs: “When” and “Less Than Positive.” Best Song: “Less Than Positive”

6. Singles Club by Lawrence Arabia

This was a kick starter album that I happily participated in. A unique idea, each month, we supporting fans, would get a new single in our inboxes. It was like a fruit-of-the-month club, only better. It was an interesting way to get to know an album. One downside I discovered was that if I liked a song I had a tendency to play it into the ground, until sometimes I needed months to pass before I wanted to hear it again. At the end of the day, when all is said and done, this album is a bit of a hit or miss affair for me and not as consistent as his last album, but if you like great pop music which knows who were the great ones from the past (Davies, Beatles, et) you’ll find much to your liking. Best Song: “Meaningless Words”

7. A Day At United by Mocky

This is what happens when drummer Dominic “Mocky” Salole gets a day in the United Recording studio. With only a few days notice, he contacts as many friends as he can, writes some amazing charts and they arrive at the studio and lay down what he’s written in one day! Impressive and not for amateurs. The result is a funky, cool jazz album that slips up on you. Imagine Traffic in a very chill mood with a horn section. ” Best Song: “Space Strut”

8. Filoxiny by Skinshape

Skinshape is British musician William Dorey’s brainchild and this album is his soundtrack to an imaginary film. It plays a lot like a soundtrack as there is more instrumentals here than last year’s record, but this has the same funky soul afro jive playing it oh-so cool. Best Song: “After Midnight”

9. Chorus by Mother Hips

A new release from another favorite band of mine who also have not released an album for several years. Lead singer Tim Bluhm was hurt in a speed-flying accident (an extreme form of paragliding) which has kept him out of action for several years. Continuing a trend that their last albums have done (like 2013’s Beyond Behind) this is a very polished album and with it, their indie country-rock roots are all but gone. This almost feels like it has been edited for radio. Bottom line: this is kind of hit or miss for me. Also, the lead guitar playing is getting a little out of hand (the nice song “January” is pretty much done in with Greg’s endless soloing IMO). All that said, Tim and Greg’s harmonies are as stellar as ever and they still know how to write a good song, Greg-“Clean Me Up,” and “End of the Chorus,” and Tim-“Meet Me On the Shore” and “It’s Alright” (which is the best song The Rolling Stones never wrote and how it was not a massive hit on the radio can only be chalked up to some kind of ‘no payola no play’ scheme). Anyway, glad to see they are back and love the highlights here (tho I wish they weren’t so polished), but here’s hoping the next album is more consistently up to their high standards. Best Song: “It’s Alright”

10. Warm by Jeff Tweedy

I can’t tell if Jeff Tweedy is raising his arms on the cover of this in victory or in surrender. Songwriting-wise this picks up where Wilco’s most recent albums have left off, odd little folk-rock songs that only Jeff Tweedy can write. Only this time, pretty much without any keyboards, or Nels Cline’s crazy wild guitar work or Wilco’s big jagged wonderful messiness. This is more of a lost Golden Smog record, simple playing, think Basement era Band, which lets the songs’ mournful thoughts speak for themselves. Jeff Tweedy is in a reflective mood and let us in on what he is feeling, ‘thinking about dying’ and what he doesn’t believe in anymore: Christianity and heaven (I personally would love to hear exactly what he believes he is rejecting in those two). But if Jurado is a storyteller, Jeff Tweedy is more of an abstract painter, with his lyrics containing short oddball word picture couplets and jumbled ideas, more like a collage than a song with a story. Bottom line: this has its moments, but I wish there were more great songs. Best Song: “Warm (When The Sun Has Died)”

11. Forever & Ever by Sales

Sales (singer/guitarist Lauren Morgan and producer/guitarist Jordan Shih) create what can only be described as minimalist pop. Every track, drum machine, simple dry guitar, and Lauren’s vocals. But this album, unlike some of their past work, delivers better songs. Almost everything here works and the hooks work their charm. For fans of Beach House, Wild Ones. Best Song: “Spiral”

12. Quebra Cabeça by Bixiga 70

This ten piece group from São Paulo Brazil deliver some tight horn-driven Latin-jazz. Some tracks work better than others, but the best songs here “Portal,” “Primeiramente” are great and the title track is a sublime bit of colossal funk that could tear up any dance floor. Love the muddy bass leading the way and the synthesizer player might just steal the show. Best Song: “Quebra Cabeça”

13. Bootikins by Augie March

Every Augie March release is a big occasion. Their last album ‘Havens Dumb’ was my album of the year in 2014. They have only released six albums since 2001, but sadly, this is a bit of a let-down. That’s not to say that this doesn’t have some fine songs on it, in fact “Mephistopheles Perverted” and “I Woke Up In Borgolombardo” are amazing and could stand up well with any of their past work. I’m not sure where this goes wrong for me, maybe the production, maybe the songs are just not up to par. Maybe it will grow on me, but as it stands now, better luck next time. Best Song: “Mephistopheles Perverted”

14. Hollow Ground by Cut Worms

Cut Worms (songwriter/singer Max Clarke) creates what can only be described as crisp and sweet vintage pop. Imagine if the Everly brothers played an album of early Beatles songs, or John and Paul sang an album of Everly brothers songs, take your pick. Tight harmonies, catchy songs. I’m a fan. Best Song: “Don’t Want to Say Good-bye”

15. River House by Taylor Leonhardt

I usually don’t tread too far into music that comes out of what you might call the Nashville pop-country factories, but the songs here and Taylor Leonhardt’s voice are just too good. Somehow, miraculously this rises above the slick production. This has nice insights into the Christian life as well. Love the chorus of “Everything” this change everything indeed. Warm, moving, good stuff. Best Song: “Everything”

16. Learning To Go Underwater EP by The Filters

This north Vermont trio lays down some nice tunes. A little pop, a little surf, a little rock: I like it. Only four songs, all good, all different. Best Song: “Arms of the Ocean”

17. Bubbles EP by ProleteR

French beatmaker Benjamin Roca produces another slice of 1920’s jive jazzed up with today’s beats. I didn’t dig his attempts at bringing in some rappers, but when he stayed in the 1920s all was good. Best Song: “What Lana Says”

18. Critical Equation by Dr. Dog

Dr. Dog is an old favorite of mine and a new album by them is always a welcomed sight, but this is kind of a slow dull affair. Some of this feels almost like a caricature of Dr. Dog album. Their albums sometimes grow on me with more listens, but so far I haven’t been able to turn the corner on this one. The songs are just not… something. Combine this with the 2016’s disappointing “Abandoned Mansion” (which had some of the same problems- weak songs) and these guys are due for a comeback IMHO. Best Song: “Coming out of the Darkness”

19. From The Light by The Sea The Sea

This is a spotty affair but when this New York band has the songs for its wonderful husky leader vocalist Cara May Gorman to sink her teeth into, nice things happen. Best Song: “Good For Something”

20. Grey Fidelity by Tow’rs

There’s probably thousands of little folk rock groups like this in this post-Munford world, but I think two of their songs here really are quite good, specifically “I Can’t Help Myself” and “Gold Parade.” Best Song: “Gold Parade”

Single Tracks (from artists not on the list above)
1. Girls From California by Lucie Silvas
2. Somnambule by Cœur de pirate
3. Talk All Night For Nothing by Tyson Motsenbocker
4. Forever In My Arms by Taylor Leonhardt
5. Enkounter by Objektiv
6. Sîfó by Nonku Phiri
7. Hold That Thought by bryZone_ybp
8. Jeannie Becomes A Mom by Caroline Rose
9. Paint My Face by The Devil Makes Three
10. Whisper by PRGMAT
11. Eaten by the Serpents by Wax Children
12. Nice to See You by Vansire
13. Trophy by Patric Johnston
14. Strychnine by Movie Brain
15. Casanova by Rayland Baxter
16. Throwback by Jim James
17. Whistle On Occasion by Kim Richey
18. Singularity by Darlingside
19. Snakes and Telephones by The Black Lillies
20. Jan by Buxton

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