Gangsta rap gods Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, E-40, and Too $hort have banded together to form the ultimate super group. Mount Westmore snuck out their first album a couple of weeks back and it's just a blast. Snoop, Cube, 40, $hort is filled with bangers from start to finish.
Shaking off the previous years of pandemic blues, 2022 was a magnificent lion's roar of 12 months for music. So many great bands released fab albums that it was quite hard for me to pick only 22.
In an age of garbage pop, computer generated and voice modulated nonsense, it's refreshing to hear a band playing straight up guitar based pop. This Toronto based outfit released their third record this year and it's their best one yet.
Blossoms are one of those bands that remind of the golden era of Brit Rock. They release a few singles and EPs. Then their first album. And then they just GO, getting better with each record. I'm happy to see they are carrying the sword from the lady in the lake...
Barnsley, South Yorkshire has been beaming at these lads with their third long player storming across England with its passion and power. Cool dudes with guitars...
Liverpool's own The Wombats continue to offer sage advice and mind expanding sonic explorations that carry the torch of most excellent pop music. Brit Rock is alive and well!
Atlanta's Earthgang are the regents of rap music today. Ghetto Gods is an absolute triumph from start to finish. The world should take note of these truly gifted artists.
The 80s are alive and well and The Fixx are making darn sure of that. What a fucking amazing record. I caught them live last summer and they are still incredible.
It's always an extra special treat when Todd releases a new record. Though he tours constantly, new albums come only come every few years. This one sees him returning to collaborations with a variety of artists. Here is one of my faves with Neil Finn.
Speaking of soul, Sugar Ray Rayford is at the forefront of the soul revival that has all the rage for the last several years. I am so glad that this style of music is still being made.
The Sheffield lads continue their dominance over the musical world with yet another amazing offering. NME awarded The Car the number one spot this year for Best Album. It's a continuation of the themes and styles of their last record so you'd better find that martini and favorite lounge whilst listening.
The sonic realms created by this young man from Los Angeles are truly expansive. And yet, he manages to personalize so many of his songs. Listening to this latest record makes me feel like I'm in some sort of eternal lounge with love in the air...
They haven't made that many albums but the ones they have made...wow. Their latest has been years in the making and the wait was well worth it. Roland and Curt are gems...
This one surprised me. I've like this band for a couple of decades and found their music to be enjoyable. Their 2022 offering is dragon level awesome. Every track is stunning and beautiful.
We all want to be pointed towards True North. A-Ha decided to record there and produce a mind boggling effort. Most folks know them as a one hit wonder that also did a James Bond song. But they are so much more and this record proves it beyond a shadow of a doubt.
The Album of the Year is actually plural for the first time on this site. Ryan Adams has given new meaning to the word "prolific" with five releases this year, all of which are amazing. In fact, Adams has inspired me to create a new recognition here at MarkiesMusic and that's Artist of the Year.
In so many ways, Adams was 2022. His deep introspection and optimistic malaise was perfect for the year. I saw him live last October with my daughter and it was three hours of exactly why he's the greatest living American songwriter.
Here's a sampling of his output this year...
Congrats, Ryan. You are the Artist of the Year, 2022!!
It is with great pride and joy that the number one track of 2022 goes to The Linda Lindas for their amazing song, "Oh!"
These young LA kiddos have bucked all the computer based garbage pop filled with heavily modulated vocals that we hear these days in favor of a straight up pop/punk sound that I used to hear when I was their age. It warms my heart so much to hear music like this again...
The title track from the album of the summer is keeping me quite warm in the North Woods on these long and cold winter nights. "The Tipping Point" is a perfect Tears For Fears track in every way...
Man, I love Sunflower Bean. The Brooklyn trio has seeped deeply into my soul since their inception seven years ago. The opening track from their latest record is my number six for the year.
The Black Keys have themselves a grand master, dragon level banger of a track. "Wild Child" cooks from start to finish. I dare you not to dance while listening to it. It's impossible! You can't do it!
The vison widening track "On The Run" by Atlanta's own Mattiel brings us into the top ten of this year's best tracks. I am very obsessed with the beauty of this song. I want to live in the world it created...
The Sherlocks are a band that I've really come to deeply enjoy over the last couple of years. I wish more bands would make music like this. Expansive pop that warms the soul from Barnsley, South Yorkshire...
Those Denton, Texas lads known as Midlake have finally returned with new music and it's made 2022 all the better. The best track from their latest record is called "Feast of Carrion" and it is truly glorious.
I've played A-Ha's new record over twenty times now and I'm still blown away by it. I know it's a cliche but good grief what a tour de force. The opening track still sends chills down my spine...
The kid turned out a great record this year and "Diamond In The Dark" is an absolute corker. I can see the lights from phones being waved in the year for a banging stadium sing a long...
Pat Fish left this earth last year but his legacy will endure forever. His last gift to all of us is a true gem and this is just a corker of a track from it!
The ever amazing Blossoms, fine Greater Manchester lads, turned out a corker of a pop song this year. We are all "Born Wild" when that 80s sound is heard...
The gentle, soothing feeling that this track brings reminds me of the gentle slide onto the bar stool and a fresh, cold one being poured and served. The Delines are a Portland treasure.
Greentea Peng consistently comes up with the absolute perfect melange of psych-pop and R&B. This is my favorite track from her simply divine new record.
I want to hang out with an eco warrior goddess. Maybe even several of them. Listening to Todd's song about such folk makes me want to be a part of their scene ASAP.