Friday, November 30, 2018

Top Tracks of 2018 (#50 to #31)

It's the most wonderful time of the year, folks: my Top Tracks of 2018. This year, I had so many that I adored that I decided to expand it to 50 tracks. For tracks 50 down to 31, I'm just going to give the artist and the song with no commentary.

Then, starting tomorrow, I'll reveal a track a day counting down to #1 on December 30th. On December 31, I'll post my Top 20 albums of the year.

So, here we go.

50. Razorlight "Brighton Pier"
49. Richard Ashcroft "Born To Be Strangers"
48. We Were Promised Jetpacks "Improbable"
47. Matt and Kim "Happy If You're Happy"
46. Tinashe "No Drama"
45. Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson "Iguana Bird"
44. Blossoms "Unfaithful"
43. The Sword "Deadly Nighshade"
42. Awolnation "Handyman"
41. Kali Uchis "Body Language (Intro)"
40. Franz Ferdinand "Always Ascending"
39. Wild Nothing "Oscillation"
38. Luluc "Kids
37. Camila Cabello "Havana (Feat. Young Thug)"
36. Rhye "Taste"
35. Sting & Shaggy "22nd Street"
34. Arctic Monkeys "Star Treatment"
33. Tall Heights "Midnight Oil"
32. Muncie Girls "Picture of Health"
31. Great Lake Swimmers "Unmaking the Bed"

This is the beginning of a mega playlist, people! Begin downloading and organizing!

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Holy Wave: Lost Treasure of 2018.

El Paso's own Holy Wave sure sound like they came from some sort of 1960's psychedelic Burt Bacharach cinematic soiree. Their third full length, Adult Fear, is a gem and would have easily been in my top 20 were it not for some many other great albums. Here is my favorite track...

Saturday, November 24, 2018

Ben Howard: Lost Treasure of 2018

I'm finalizing my lists for best tracks and albums of 2018 and will release them starting at the end of next week. Until that time, I want to begin a new series specifically for that down time between finishing out the current year (2018) and the beginning of the next year (2019). It's impossible for me to get through all of the music that comes out and sometimes artists will sneak up again and I will be left feeling like I didn't given them enough of a fair shake.

First up is native of Bantham, Devon, Ben Howard. Howard released Noonday Dream last June and it must have gotten lost in the shuffle somehow. It's a good thing I rediscovered it recently on a long drive as I was trekking across the Midwest. Not only is it perfect music for late fall, his stories of villages in his little area of Great Britain are quietly amazing. Here's my favorite track.

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Autumn Music Series: Night Beds

On Thanksgiving Day, I'm thankful for Colorado's own Night Beds. Not only do they make great fall music but they also do things like play gigs in high schools. Mega! Check it out...


 

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Autumn Music Series: Chief

California has produced some great bands over the years and it does seem somewhat odd that one would make a great fall song. Yet, that is just what Santa Monica's Chief did. They only made one full length, an EP and a handful of singles but their body of work is amazing. They are still kicking around the clubs in LA on occasion so if you live out that way, check them out.

Saturday, November 10, 2018

Culture Club: God and Love (Track of the Week)

"That's fucking Culture Club? Are you kidding?"

My wife expressed shock and awe as I was listening to the latest effort from Boy George and Co. I joined her in amazement. Dude/Dudette doesn't even sound like himself anymore. Hell, he doesn't even look like he used to! Of course, he is quite a (Karma) Chameleon after all...:)

His voice is lower, thicker and mega sultry. Their latest full length, Life, is the first in nearly 20 years. It went through several starts and stops but it has been well worth the wait. I'll have a full review up soon but here's the first cut and my pick for the track of the week.

Saturday, November 3, 2018

Razorlight: Brighton Pier (Track of the Week)

London's own Razorlight return after a ten year hiatus with their fourth full length, Olympus Sleeping. Johnny and the lads are in as fine a form as ever with thirteen new tracks, the best of which is "Brighton Pier." I'm total sucker for tales set in British locales and this one does not disappoint, especially for those fans of dudes with guitars, early to mid noughties style!

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Autumn Music Series: Anais Mitchell

November is still fall, right? Well, that's certainly the case in much of the country but here in the North Woods, it's pretty darn chilly in the eleventh month of the year. Still, I've got a few more of these autumnal tunes I need to share.

Vermont's own Anais Mitchell is quite a New England treasure. She's made six fantastic full length albums over the last two decades. Her fourth record, Hadestown, is now a stage show. Here's my favorite track which is perfect for this time of year.