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Post by titchjuicy on Dec 15, 2022 9:50:55 GMT
05: Elastica - Elastica (1995)
I've owned the CD since I dunno, late 90's? Always liked a few tunes, though it never really did much for me. Revisited it earlier in the year & it's fucking great. I was wanting & expecting a Britpop record back then, but it's basically a post-punk record that fits in better with basically the SHIT I've been listening to over the past 3-4 years. Banger after banger. Funny you should say that as 6music seem to play them a lot (perhaps more than any other band from that era) and I've often thought that if they came out with that album now instead of then they'd be pretty big as opposed to a Britpop afterthought. Anyway, on with the show! and just to add to the Elastica weirdly appearing on 2022 lists, the drummer Justin Welch is now playing my mate's band, Aircooled, who appear on my list. |
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Post by titchjuicy on Dec 15, 2022 9:51:52 GMT
Here we go! I'm going to type so much shit that Columbia Rocks man rage will be felt for many years to come! Old shit I discovered in 2022:
01: Moondog - Moondog (1969)
I'd heard of the legend of Moondog a lot over the years but whenever I heard clips I wasn't sure what to make of his music. Watched a couple of mini documentaries about the man & decided to give him a proper go with his most famous record & was floored. It's just so unique, falling somewhere between jazz & classical yet feels kinda lo-fi and homemade at times. Not something I expected to really fall for but damn, I've not been hit so hard by a record in a long time. Need to do a deep dive on the rest if the catalogue now 02: F.J. McMahon - Spirit of the Golden Juice (1969)
This is one of those lost 60's gems that nobody heard at the time but reissues in recent years have helped it find an audience. McMahon wrote & recorded this shortly after returning from service tours of Vietnam & Thailand. It's typical late 60's sensitive singer song-writer material, bit of Cohen, bit of Drake, yet has a kinda full band warm production to it. Great songs, though I think it's his voice that really grabs my attention. It's the record on this list I've listened to the most this year 03: Lee Hazlewnood - The Sweet Ride: Lost Recordings 1965-68 (2022)
cheating by having a comp on this list, though that won't be the first time will it! I saw this advertised as coming out... demo's, outtakes & home recordings, I wasn't too excited. Gave it a go and damn, it's great! The recorded material Lee put out during this time frame often feels dated by some of the arrangements. Here it's just stripped back, often guitar & his voice, or at least very basic arrangements. It serves the material so much better & is more ln line with something like Requiem for an Almost Lady which for my money, is peak Lee. There's also a few unreleased tunes which are golden. A beautiful surprise, outside of "Requiem..", "Cowboy,," & the first Nancy & Lee record this will probably end up being my go-to Hazlewood record now. 04: Fẹla and Afrika 70 - Opposite People (1977)
One of the classic era Fela records I'd not gotten around to. Afrika 70 & Fela were just an unstoppable force around this time. You really can't go wrong with anything from this period. When I think about it, it's a contended for the greatest run of any artist in history. 05: Elastica - Elastica (1995)
I've owned the CD since I dunno, late 90's? Always liked a few tunes, though it never really did much for me. Revisited it earlier in the year & it's fucking great. I was wanting & expecting a Britpop record back then, but it's basically a post-punk record that fits in better with basically the SHIT I've been listening to over the past 3-4 years. Banger after banger. 06: The Horace Silver Quintet - Song for My Father (1965)
Classic hard bop jazz record I'd never heard that lives up to its reputation. bit of a Latin vibe on it in places. 07: Josh White - Southern Exposure: An Album of Jim Crow Blues Sung by Joshua White (1941)
Protest blues from the 40's, only six songs, so powerful. I'm surprised this isn't talked about in the context of musical history more. 08: Etta James - Come a Little Closer (1974)
Etta James deserves more respect to her name than she already gets. "At Last!" is a classic R&B early soul record from 1960 and then by 68 she's making a southern soul masterpiece with Tell Mama. Fast forward six years & Etta is struggling big time. She's in rehab for heroin & alcohol addiction. Being let out only to go to the studio to lay down vocals for this record whilst suffering from withdrawal symptoms, often vomiting between takes. It's remarkable it exists at all, yet the fact it's also bloody brilliant is a miracle. A mixture of Funk, Blues & soul, she lets it all out. Probably not quite on par with her most famous work but man, you can hear the pain and suffering in her voice at times, it's moving. 09: Little Richard - The Rill Thing (1970)
In recent years I've been enjoying hearing artists from previous era's go into uncharted waters, and by that I mostly mean FUNK. at the time often cited as desperate attempts to remain relevant I'd say there's some really great forgotten & surprising music out there by some of the greats attempting shit they're not exactly known for. I discovered in recent years Bo diddley's attempts into funk and you know what? They're fucking great. Here, after spending the majority of the 60's failing to live up to previous successes Little Richard gets aboard the funk train & delivers a really fucking great slab of Funk/Southern Soul. Not every track is a total winner but the highlights are outstanding. We all know it but, damn, what a voice & a treat to hear him tackle this style in is own unique way. 10: Girls Aloud - Tangled Up
This year I had a huge deep dive on Girls Aloud's back catalogue. Loved a bunch of their singles back in the day but that was as far as I went. 2022 I went DEEP, Albums, B-sides, Bonus tracks, the lot. They've got at least 50 fucking bangers in their back catalogue. This is their 4th records & for me their best, an electro-pop masterclass. 11: Tim Maia - Tim Maia (1973)
This is the (I think) 4th self titled of his records. Heard a handful of his records & they've all been gold. This one is perhaps more soulful than the others I'd heard, lovely production, beautiful voice. Need a deep dive on his back catalogue. 12: UT - In Gut's House (1987)
NY female no-wave/post-punk band I'd never heard of until this year. Seems they were active throughout the late 70s but didn't release any records until the mid 80s. Noisy, chaotic & cool as fuck. Saw them perform at cafe Oto earlier in the year & they were magnificent. 13: Orlandivo - Orlandivo (1977)
The artwork for this is badass. Had a huge summer listening to funk/soul/Brazilian shit, mostly in my garden getting sunburnt. This record ticked all those boxes. 14: Love - Reel to Real (1974)
Had my first LOVE phase in quite some time around the time seeing Johnny Echols perform Forever Changes this summer. Had heard most of Arthur's post-classic-period work before, though this one had escaped me. Now, I'm not saying this is by any means a classic & it should be approached with caution, but damn, there's some shit hot stuff on here. It probably suffered from Arthur not really having a defined sound for this record, he's attempting material along the lines of what you'd expect, whilst throwing in funk-rock & psychedelic soul numbers. It's the attempts at something different which really caught my ear, there's a few absolute bangers on here. Just don't expect it to sound like 60s Arthur. 15: The Eliminators - Loving Explosion (1974)
not much to say about this, just some good old fashioned dirty slabs of funk, the whole records a winner 16: The Walker Brothers - Nite Flights (1978)
Cheers to popular forum member KRBURG for getting me into this. Such a weird record, the Walker Brothers reform in the mid 70s, make a couple of covers records which flop hard, yet have enough money left over to make another record so they decide to make a record where they all write and sing their own tunes, so it feels more like 3 mini EP's than a record. John & Gary's material is... fine, but of no real interest. However, the opening 4 Scott numbers are just fucking incredible. It sounds like fricking Station to Station, it's a shame Scott didn't do a full album completely in this style. So, probably the most patchy record on this list but those 4 songs just have to be heard. 17: Trio Mocotó - Trio Mocotó (1973)
Great samba-rock/soul. I own one of their later 70s records which is gold, this isn't perhaps quite on that level but when it hits, it hits. 18: Gene Clark - No Other (1974)
I fucking love early Byrds, up to about 67 I'm completely on board, after that I've struggled to get into any of their work, as the Byrds or solo, though probably due a revisit. Anyway, a track from this LP came on spotify after I'd finished listening to F.J Mcmahon's record & it hit home hard. I don't think I'd ever heard anything from this record prior to hearing it, yet ever since I played it I've heard songs in films, PA playing it at gigs & people mentioning it in interviews. Not sure if it has had some kind of resurgence or reissue or I was just completely ignorant to a record that was already hugely popular but I'm glad I found it. A mixture of country/folk & psychedelic rock. Great stuff 19: Clarence Carter - This Is Clarence Carter (1968)
Don't know a great deal about Carter other than he was married to Candi Staton & looks like a total badass on the album cover. Southern Soul gem, must hear more. 20: Klaus Schulze - "X" (1978)
Knew of Schulze work but conveniently waited until he died to actually listen to him, Turns out he had a career ripping off The Jesus Abyss. RIP Immediately downloading Moondog and FJ McMahon |
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Post by mahoney on Dec 15, 2022 9:59:35 GMT
05: Elastica - Elastica (1995)
I've owned the CD since I dunno, late 90's? Always liked a few tunes, though it never really did much for me. Revisited it earlier in the year & it's fucking great. I was wanting & expecting a Britpop record back then, but it's basically a post-punk record that fits in better with basically the SHIT I've been listening to over the past 3-4 years. Banger after banger. Funny you should say that as 6music seem to play them a lot (perhaps more than any other band from that era) and I've often thought that if they came out with that album now instead of then they'd be pretty big as opposed to a Britpop afterthought. Anyway, on with the show! Maybe I'll get around to their second album one day, though I hear it's not very good. |
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Post by Benoît Assou-Ekotto on Dec 15, 2022 10:06:00 GMT
Assuming Mahoney will be penalised for using the term 'banger After banger'.
Exchanged a few Whatsapp messages with Tux and he has also confirmed anyone daring to utter 'it hits different' will receive a lifetime ban.
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Post by mahoney on Dec 15, 2022 10:07:15 GMT
You keep your filthy hands away from my bangers, or I'll ice skate down your road ASAP
More bangers to come!
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Post by mahoney on Dec 15, 2022 10:17:03 GMT
E.P.'s
Was a lot of EPS I enjoyed this year, mostly lo-fi ramshackle garage-rock, though I'm only going to list these five as these stood out above the rest.
01: Joyeria - Fim
banging debut EP released on Speedy Wunderground. The singer is a Canadian bloke who is probably in his 50s and looks like he's lived a life or two, he's backed by a bunch of 25-30 year olds. Together they do a great mixture of post-punk meets Pavement. I've absolutely hammered a few tracks from this EP throughout the year. Great live too. Excited to hear more
02: Tapir! - Act 1 (The Pilgrim)
I fell in love with this band this year. This probably should be my ep of the year but two of the songs were released a long time before the EP so by the time it had come out the fact I knew half the EP and the opening track was an intro number left me (unfairly) disappointed. Probably the act I'm most excited about, not because they're a force of nature live, this is sensitive songwriting, some of the most beautifully crafted songs I've heard in some time. So excited for a full length, I really think something special could come from Tapir!
03: Sworn Virgins - Strangers Hands
Electro/Nu-disco banging 4 track EP from TCOTU basd duo. This is released on the DeeWee label run by the Soulwax/2ManyDj's brothers, well worth looking into anything that has come out on the label, everything I've heard has been golden.
04: Regressive Left - On the Wrong Side of History
4 track EP, very much in line with those early LCD Soundsystem singles. Worth catching live, I think they could make a cracking debut LP.
05: Keg - Girders
I can't imagine Keg making a full length record that'll be anything special, but as an EP this is on the money. Kids is one of my fav tunes of the year, makes me smile every time. The singer has a hell of a yell/scream
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Post by titchjuicy on Dec 15, 2022 10:28:07 GMT
In a nod to the offical UK album charts I was planning on a top 40 this year, but two good releases in recent weeks have turned it into 42.
Until about October I thought this year was a bit shit for new music, but have heard so much great stuff in the last 3 months that I now think this list might be the most consistently excellent of any years we've been doing this. For me anyway.
I want you to appreciate, understand and deeply sympathise with the physical agony i'm going through just to bring you this, after smashing my wrist up whilst Ice Skating on Monday. I now have bionic, metal wrists and expect that when they heal my right hand wank velocity will be greatly enhanced. But for now, the toss below has been brought to you mainly by my left hand.
And, I present the list backwards, but wrote the notes starting at no.1. So, it might not make any sense.
42-31
42 Wilco- Cruel Country
I've only listened a couple of times, but there's a lot of classic Wilco sound here. In the right mood I find them hard to beat.
41 Beach House- Once Twice Melody
I've liked the odd bit and piece from them over the years, but never managed to sit through a whole album more than once or twice, so it’s ironic that an hour and twenty five minute double album is the first that's really hit home. I guess they've honed their very specific sound to a point where they can effectively draw it out to 18 tracks without it getting boring (not sure if that makes any sense actually). The fact that it sits in Volumes 1,2,3 & 4 suggests that each volume has a theme, but I can't say I noticed.
40 Phife Dawg- Forever
It's Phife. It's great.
39 Kevin Morby- This is a Photograph
Deserves a higher place for sure. Needs more time. Americana writ large.
38 Damu The Fudgemunk, Pan Amsterdam- EAT
The best food based hip hop record since, MF Food, probably. Jazz inflected knob twiddling from the Fudgemunk and smooth alt-rap flow from Pan Amsterdam.
37 Daniel Rossen- You Belong There
A bit like a new Grizzly Bear album while we wait for a new Grizzly Bear album. Suits me just fine.
36 Horace Andy- Midnight Rocker
I'm not going to pretend to be a Horace Andy expert but am aware of his career highlights. This is a really good listen. At times veers across other parts of the reggae spectrum but rooted in deep dub, with modern production touches. Daddy Freddy chats across a few of the tracks.
35 Nduduzo Makhathini- In the Spirit of Ntu
Afro-jazz. Brilliant on first couple of listens and I suspect I won't give it the attention it deserved due to the hours in the day. Sometimes I think I'd make a great prisoner.
34 SAULT- Air
A total change of direction for Inflo and gang and at this stage it feels like he's just showing off. It's essentially a classical work; choir, orchestra, classical arrangements. I have no idea how it compares to other neo-classical as I don't tend to listen to much, but this sounds great, and that's what matters. I dipped in and out of the other FIVE albums they released this year and as you'd expect the material was patchy.
33 Kendrick Lamarr- Mr Morale & The Big Steppers
I'm sure this should be much higher and I thought it was amazing on release, but another that I've simply not gone back to. I think I might have a bit of Kendrick fatigue.
32 GOAT- Oh Death
After loving it after first two listens, I haven't gone back due to listening to so much other stuff. But a big monster of a record that I'm looking forward to spending more time with. Need to catch them live too.
31 Saba- Few Good Things
High quality laid back hip hop. One to smoke to.
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Post by titchjuicy on Dec 15, 2022 10:32:56 GMT
30-21
30 Breanna Barbara- Nothin' But Time
A new name to me this year. Widescreen, Psychedelic Blues Rock- cracking songwriting and a cracking voice. One to watch for sure. Would love to catch her live.
29 Triangle- L'Orage
Jazzzzzzzzzz. Another from earlier in the year. Groovy as fuck.
28 Jenny Hval- Classic Objects
More arty, idiosyncratic melodical loveliness from the Norwegian genius.
27 Cedric Hanriot- Time is Colour
More new Jazz. Man.
26 No Age- People Helping People
I don't know if this is a return to form, or if all their records between 2007/8 and now sound great, as I've not listened to them since Nouns (which was amazing), but this is a fantastic record and should be higher on my list. Hopefully they'll tour again as the only time I saw them was with PFM KRBurg at a brand new XOYO venue in TCOTU in 2010- and they were great (supported by Male Bonding- whatever happened to them?!)
25 Bill Callahan- REALITY
I had a conversation with PFM Mahoney a month or so ago where he said that all Bill Callahan's records sound similar but he doesn't warm to all of them. My thoughts exactly and this one hits the spot. Dunno why more than others.
24 Matthew Halsall - Fletcher Moss Park
New Jazz. Recommended by PFM Mahoney. Well good, but need more time with it
23 Ty Segall- Hello, Hi
Managed to avoid this until last couple of weeks. I'd got a bit bored of him following the last couple of albums, but this is a return to form for me. A number of stripped back tracks, that I can imagine sound just as good expanded with loud guitars and drums but show what a great song writer he is even without all the noise.
22 Little Simz- NO THANK YOU
It's not right releasing albums just 3 days before the globally famous soapy 15th Dec deadline, but she's a maverick and out there on her own, not playing by society's rules- so she did it anyway. It sounds really good on first few listens through. Her subject matter seems more focused than the last record and the flow more consistent. I thought her last album was good, but not as good as some. Inflo's production remains just as important as Simz's input and shifts subtlely in new directions, sometimes in line with SAULT's change of direction on 'Air', taking in classical elements. With more time/higher position etc.
21 Robert Stillman- What Does it Mean to Be American
More new Jazz. This time from earlier in the year. A top recommendation from Popular Forum Member Mahoney.
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Post by titchjuicy on Dec 15, 2022 10:37:49 GMT
20-11
20 Sarathy Korwar, Photay- KALAK
Another of the new jazz releases, and another part jazz, part electronica work. Only heard it for first time a couple of weeks ago and was blown away, so with more listens may have sat higher.
19 Black Country New Road- Ants from Up There
I really can't decide if I love them or say I love them because I feel like I should. After seeing them in autumn 2021 in a little venue in Luxembourg I definitely loved them and loved the debut album. I thought I loved this album when it was released but have hardly gone back to it and after a pretty patchy and flat live performance on a big stage at Primavera in the summer (hardly their fault- they were finding their feet again after losing Isaac Wood and I guess working out the new material live), I totally lost interest. I suspect i'll come back to it and love it/them again.
18 Macie Stewart- Mouth Full of Glass
Apparently Macie Stewart pops up on all kinds of records/tours as a multi-instrumentalist for hire. I hadn't heard of her before this, which is her debut solo effort. I suppose you could loosely label it alt-folk, but it has jazz and indie elements too. It's very lovely indeed.
17 Katy J Pearson- Sound of the Morning
Earlier in the year there was a couple of weeks where I thought this might be troubling the top of my list. A progression on her debut, which I loved, with a slightly more mature take. Probably less crowd pleasers (Alligator, Talk over Town - the singles stand out) than the debut, but a more coherent album.
16 Arctic Monkeys- Cars
I've said my piece on this in the new albums thread. Best produced of any of their work- strong 70s David Axelrod/Scott Walker overtones- moreso than the Last Shadow Puppets stuff and much much stronger. And Alex Turner seems to have found his natural voice. I understand why some don't like it when comparing to the first couple of albums, but they're a whole different beast now.
15 Beyonce- RENAISSANCE
Only listened to this for the first time last week after seeing it top so many lists. On first couple of listens it's pretty stunning. It sounds like a glimpse into the future of pop production. No idea how much Beyonce has to with the writing and production but even if it's nothing , she's the perfect vehicle for it. But I might be doing her a disservice. Banger after banger. With more time I have no doubt it'd be much higher.
14 Black Midi- Hellfire
I know this is great but haven't given it enough time to take it all in. And I've still not seen them live and have a feeling that the live environment will help it make a lot more sense. The Glastonbury set on the telly looked incredible.
13 Andrew Wasylyk- Hearing the Water Before Seeing the Falls
An utterly beautiful instrumental ambient folk piece on Clay Pipe. The older I get the more I love Clay Pipe stuff. In the wrong hands this could end up like some shite that you would hear on a massage table in some wellness centre. This doesn't.
12 Binker & Moses, Max Luthert- Feeding the Machine
2nd of the two Binker Golding (Sax) and Moses Boyd (percussion) records on the list. This time with added Max Luthert (electronics) Part jazz, part electronica with mind blowing beats/percussion.
11 The Hanging Stars- Hollow Heart
On paper this should be terrible. Hazy, sun-drenched West Coast/Laurel Canyon slightly psychedelic pop/rock. From Walthamstow. But it's great. It's summer all over. Lyrically it occasionally veers into cliché, but it doesn't take away from the lazy, easy melody and warm loveliness.
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Post by titchjuicy on Dec 15, 2022 10:44:03 GMT
The top 10.
10 Angel Olsen- Big Time
I've spent proper time with 3 Angel Olsen albums; Burn Your Fire for No Witness (2014), All Mirrors (2019) and this. And they're all quite different. But this feels less folk and has more classic, timeless songwriting than the others. Most reviews will tell you it's an alt-country album, and the slide guitar and some of the very simple percussion make it feel that way on some songs- but to me it feels more like a soul album (that opening track- All The Good Times is the best example). The themes fit with both and her incredible voice sounds better than ever. I opened the record and listened for the first time a few nights ago, and was suprised that it had been pressed at 45 rpm. It sounded better than any other vinyl record i'd ever heard-super clean. And what I didn't know and what Popular Forum Member KRBurg told me is that at 46 mins, it's just slightly over the usual max length of a single record (44 mins without noticable loss of sound quality), but by pressing at 45 rpm and putting it over two records, the grooves are much wider and contain more information; hence the super clean sound. Never too old to learn!
9 Aircooled- St Leopards
I'm a bit biased here, as Ollie is a friend of mine, but this really is a fantastic debut effort. When I say debut, it's a debut for Aircooled. He's released many other records under various guises, but this is written with Justin Welch (Elastica, briefly with Suede, now with JAMC), and Katharine Wallinger (bass player for hire and now with the Wedding Present), but ironically it sounds nothing like British Indie. It has the motorik, kraut characteristics of Neu and Can, and on the standout track 'Supermotodisco' unsurprisingly a disco element thrown in. 4 tracks, checking in at 44 mins and from what i've seen on youtube, just joyous live (i've blagged a ticket for their very quickly sold-out, tiny new single release show on Saturday at a sailing club in St Leonards on Sea- so will see first hand. EDIT: Smashed up f*cking wrist has put paid to that FFS). The record's had some exposure on 6music this year, and they're lining up some shows next year including possibly a short European tour, so hopefully a little more to come.
8 Black Thought, Dangermouse- Cheat Codes
Where to begin with this? I hadn't heard anything from Black Thought outside of The Roots; so his flow and bars were a revelation. Dangermouse's production is perhaps my favourite since The Good The Bad & The Queen; some of the samples he's dug up here are just amazing. And then there's the guest spots; Raekwon, Doom, Conway, ASAP, Joey Bada$$ amongst others- on one record- it was never gonna be anything other than brilliant.
7 Gabriels- Angels & Queens
I came to this super late after a recommendation from Popular Forum Member KRBurg. Given more time with it it might have topped the list. Pure stunning soul- maybe the best I've heard since Channel Orange. Supposed to be the first part of a double album release next year, so it might well feature on two consecutive years' lists.
6 Weyes Blood- And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow
I love this so much but can't quite put my finger on why. I haven't warmed to it as much as Titanic Rising, but every time I listen to it I love it a little more. It's supposed to be the second part of Titanic Rising, but doesn't really have the same vibe for me. It's less cinematic and perhaps more introspective. But she could sing me my positive syphillis diagnosis and i'd still fall in love with it.
5 JockStrap- I Love You Jennifer B
What an amazing surprise this was. I haven't followed BCNR as closely as some, so perhaps it wasn't such a surprise that Georgia Ellery would come out with a side project as good as, if not better than the BCNR records. I don't know how much input she has in BCNR's songwriting and I don't know anything about Taylor Skye (other than he and Ellery both went to the Guildhall School of Music) but understand she's the dominant partner in the songwriting for Jockstrap. Again, another record that's impossible to pin down. It has pop sensibilities in some of the hooks but the production is so intricate and detailed and her vocal has so much more to it than I expected. In "Greatest Hits" they might've made the best song i've heard in 2022. It somehow manages to sound futuristic and an 80s throwback at the same time- and I guess that's deliberate. In "Glasgow" they might've made the 2nd best song i've heard in 2022. And then you have a track like "Lancaster Court" (delicate ballad) and "50/50" (glitchy, fast BPM banger) that sound nothing like the others. It will be interesting to see what they do live, if anything as there must be a ton of instrumentation on this. Can't wait to see what comes next.
4 The Smile- A Light for Attracting Attention
As good as it should be considering who it is. The record doesn't hit quite as good as the live show, but that's saying nothing. It's still better than 99% of things released.
3 Village of the Sun- First Light
1st of two Binker Golding and Moses Boyd records on this list, with the addition here of Simon Ratcliffe (ex Basement Jaxx). A spiritual Jazz mini masterpiece, with strong nods to Alice Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders which could not hit my sweet spot more directly. The track Village of the Sun has to be the most beautiful thing produced this year.
2 Makaya McCraven- In These Times
I've probably listened to more new jazz this year than ever before and that's reflected by 9 or 10 new jazz records in this list. On another day most of their positions are interchangeable but this is easily the standout for me. It has a bit of everything in terms of styles, instruments (including lots of harp and some flute, which is always a winner for me), beats, textures and all done with a warm grace and elegance. It's a beautiful thing.
1 Big Thief- Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You
When push comes to shove Big Thief are my favourite band of recent times. This expands on what they do best and occasionally veers into new territory. The country songs should make me run a mile, but I even love them. I must be getting old. The 20 tracks over an hour and twenty minutes never drag. Every album they put out betters the previous one and 5 albums in, that must be a super rare thing. And her solo stuff is great too.
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Post by mahoney on Dec 15, 2022 10:48:10 GMT
Lovely stuff titch, a lot of those Jazz records I've not heard and will investigate. Male Bonding were fucking awesome. Gutted I never saw them live, the years they were about I'd stopped going to gigs. Endless now still sounds BANGING!
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Post by mahoney on Dec 15, 2022 10:57:41 GMT
GIGS:
They said I was finished, called me Old Man Mahoney, questioned if I still had it in me. But in 2022 I have seen more gigs than PRIME-TIME-MAHONEY in 2005. OK I don't drink 8 pints and go clubbing after every one of them anymore, but there is still life in the old dog yet.
01: Genesis Owusu @ The Underworld
02: Parquet Courts @ Green Man Festival
03: Ride @ HERE at Outernet
04: Bodega @ The Moth Club
05: Paul Weller @ The Forum
06: The Smile @ Magazine
07: Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds @ Victoria Park
08: Anthony Josepth @ Woolwich Works
09: The Cool Greenhouse @ The George Tavern
10: Alice Low @ the Social
11: Wild Billy Childish & CTMF @ the Royal Function Rooms
12: Melt Yourself Down @ Lafayette
13: Dry Cleaning @ PRYZM
14: Sleaford Mods @ Victoria Park
15: Moses Boyd @ The Albany
16: Black Midi @ The Lexington
17: Johnny Echols @ The Garage
18: Sparks @ the Roundhouse
19: Ezra Collective @ The Troxy
20: Shake Chain @ Cafe OTO
21: Art Brut @ Heaven
22: Charlotte Adigery & Bolis Pupul @ XOYO
23: Robocobra Quartet @ The Shacklewell Arms
24: Dele Sosimi @ Paper Dress Vintage
25: Charlotte Church's late night pop dungeon @ alexandra palace outdoors
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Post by Fuzzy Dunlop on Dec 15, 2022 11:37:46 GMT
A top 30 from me for the first (and quite possibly only) time which I was going to leave until later but am posting now so I can stop tinkering with it and get on with some work. Top 5 for has been locked in for a few months anyway.
1) Beach House - Once Twice Melody
2) The Smile - A Light For Attracting Attention
3) Just Mustard - Heart Under
4) Fontaines DC - Skinty Fia
5) The Mysterines - Reeling
6) Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Cool It Down
7) Warpaint - Radiate Like This
8) Soccer Mommy - Sometimes, Forever
9) Arcade Fire - We
10) The Black Angels - Wilderness Of Mirrors
11) Sharon van Etten - We've Been Going About This All Wrong
12) Liam Gallagher - C'mon You Know
13) Momma - Household Name
14) Wet Leg - Wet Leg
15) Johnny Marr - Fever Dream Pts 1-4
16) Sea Power - Everything Was Forever
17) Horsegirl - Versions of Modern Performance
18) Mitski - Laurel Hell
19) TVAM - High Art Lite
20) Somali Yacht Club - The Space
21) Kurt Vile - (watch my moves)
22) Jenny Hval - Classic Objects
23) Goat - Oh Death
24) Cate Le Bon - Pompeii
25) Gwenno - Tresor
26) Angel Olsen - Big Time
27) Blood Red Shoes - Ghosts On Tape
28) Kelly Lee Owens - LP.8
29) Interpol - The Other Side of Make Believe
30) The Black Keys - Dropout Boogie
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Post by mahoney on Dec 15, 2022 11:51:12 GMT
ALBUMS:40: Tim Burgess - Typical Music A Tim Burgess solo record, a Tim Burgess solo record that is an hour and a half long! Who the fuck asked for this? because I sure didn't! What a pleasant surprise, always found his solo output hit or miss & this one I'll have to file in the hit pile. Of course you can make the tired old double album argument where you cut it down to a single LP, but I think that misses the point of what makes Typical Music a success. It's Tim throwing a lot of ideas at the wall & seeing what sticks. The good news is, most of it lands well. He's done a good job vocally too, obviously never the strongest vocalist but he's pushed his limitations here & it's a lovely eclectic pop record with twists & turns as well as some usual cringey Tim Burgess moments. Fair play. 39: Black Lips - Apocalypse Love
 I don't think many give a shit anymore but I'm still a fan. I think's this is the best they've made since Arabia Mountain. Operation Angela is like crack to my ears, can't get enough of it. Not every tracks a winner but this is a fun record & whilst the shambolic sound of their earlier years is gone, they still manage to craft out enough garage rock nuggets to make it worth your time. 38: Vic Monroe & Tone Spliff - Words to the Wise
 Been a good year for Hip-hop, at least for my limited tastes in the genre. I can't think of a year where I've enjoyed so much, though most of those records didn't quite make the list. This I was huge on when I first heard it, I wasn't familiar with either guy but its that good old boom-bap which I don't think I'll ever really tire of. Revisiting it at the end of the year it's not hitting me quite as hard, though I've not been listening to a lot of hip-hop in the past few months. Anyway, if you like 90s boom bap, can't go wrong. 37: Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band - Dear Scott Michael Head still quietly proving he's one of Britain's great song-writers. Nice to see this get a lot of praise from the likes of Uncut & Mojo as anything he puts out usually just fly's under the radar. This was much higher on my list but then Kevin said some nasty words about the record and it has tarnished my listening pleasure forever. Thanks kevin. 36: The Soundcarriers - Wild I love the drum sound on this, the production is a little wishy washy but I think it kinda suits the trippy psych sound that they are going for. I'd enjoyed a couple of their records in the past but this one just hit the sweet spot for me. 35: Kae Tempest - The Line is a Curve Perhaps a step down from Kae's past two records, though they were both bloody outstanding so that's understandable. The lyrics still manage to hit home hard when they need to & the mixture of electronica & beats works well. 34: Björk - Fossora
 I didn't care for Bjork's past three records, everything was just so minimal, I know many love those records but I could never warm to them. I've always preferred Bjork when she's working with more dance orientated material. Reading hype pieces leading up to the record it made it sound like perhaps this was a return to that sound, it isn't quite that, but there's certainly a nod towards more electronic & industrial sounds. I wouldn't call this top tier Bjork, but it's uniquely her, it's as inventive as it is all over the place & whilst it feels like an extension of previous records, it still see's her exploring new territory, which after all this years you have to say god bless Bjork. A complete one-off. 33: Flacco's Bizarre Adventure - Sugar ~ Shit ~ Silk ~ Sweat  Nice Jazz record I found on RYM. The band is lead by Keenan Ruffin, AKA Flacco, he's a guitarist/composer/arranger. Pretty interesting record, a mixture of post-bop & jazz-rock with an experimental edge. His guitar is what really makes this stand out, it isn't what you'd usually associate with this kinda thing, it's a much more loud & distorted, almost Sonic Youth in spots, gives the band a strange dynamic but it really works. Cool record, will be interested to hear more for sure. 32: Viagra Boys - Cave World Had these down as the Swedish Idles, so this new record really caught me by surprise. Sonically really interesting, has the aggression you'd expect, but the synths and some of the rhythms give this a real danceable edge. Fun record, won me over live too. 31: Adam Green - That Fucking Feeling
 I don't think anybody gives a fuck about Adam Green anymore do they? I've never really been into him despite seeing him live a few times & enjoying the occasional tune I've heard. This also is barely a record, it's 10 songs in 20 minutes that includes 2 of the tracks repeated with acoustic versions. HOWEVER, I bloody love these songs! If I look at this release critically, it's not one of the best releases of the year, but man, these songs have been real ear-worms for me. I think I'm going to have a big Adam Green phase and really hammer his back catalogue very soon.
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Post by mahoney on Dec 15, 2022 11:52:29 GMT
A top 30 from me for the first (and quite possibly only) time which I was going to leave until later but am posting now so I can stop tinkering with it and get on with some work. Top 5 for has been locked in for a few months anyway. 1) Beach House - Once Twice Melody 2) The Smile - A Light For Attracting Attention 3) Just Mustard - Heart Under 4) Fontaines DC - Skinty Fia 5) The Mysterines - Reeling 6) Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Cool It Down 7) Warpaint - Radiate Like This 8) Soccer Mommy - Sometimes, Forever 9) Arcade Fire - We 10) The Black Angels - Wilderness Of Mirrors 11) Sharon van Etten - We've Been Going About This All Wrong 12) Liam Gallagher - C'mon You Know 13) Momma - Household Name 14) Wet Leg - Wet Leg 15) Johnny Marr - Fever Dream Pts 1-4 16) Sea Power - Everything Was Forever 17) Horsegirl - Versions of Modern Performance 18) Mitski - Laurel Hell 19) TVAM - High Art Lite 20) Somali Yacht Club - The Space 21) Kurt Vile - (watch my moves) 22) Jenny Hval - Classic Objects 23) Goat - Oh Death 24) Cate Le Bon - Pompeii 25) Gwenno - Tresor 26) Angel Olsen - Big Time 27) Blood Red Shoes - Ghosts On Tape 28) Kelly Lee Owens - LP.8 29) Interpol - The Other Side of Make Believe 30) The Black Keys - Dropout Boogie niiice, I never knew Gwenno had a record out this year, will have a listen cheers. |
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Post by barny on Dec 15, 2022 11:58:34 GMT
"I don't think many give a shit anymore but I'm still a fat."
I laughed with that and I probably shouldn't
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Post by Fuzzy Dunlop on Dec 15, 2022 12:09:45 GMT
niiice, I never knew Gwenno had a record out this year, will have a listen cheers. Only had chance to listen to it about 3 times as I picked it up from the various top album lists so difficult one to place, might be higher if I'd had more time with it. Not sure how many Soapy recommendations ended up in there but the Horsegirl album was certainly one. |
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Post by mahoney on Dec 15, 2022 12:19:43 GMT
30: Action Bronson - Cocodrillo Turbo  I've had to just come to accept that I'm a big Bronson fanboy and will probably enjoy anything he puts out. This is clearly Bronson in second gear, he feels like he's barely trying & the beats are often not the best he's spat over. But I just can't help but love it, his personality just shines through & I sit there for half hour nodding my head back and forth whilst smiling. Bronson for life, what a fucking star. 29: Work, Money, Death - Thought, Action, Reaction, Interaction A late comer to my end of year list. Work, Money, Death released one of my favourite records last year in "The Space in Which the Uncontrollable Unknown Resides, Can Be the Place From Which Creation Arises". This is more of the same, lengthy spiritual jazz in the mould of Alice Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders & Don Cherry, though made by old white bastards from Yorkshire. The one record on my list I've not had enough time to spend with so was hard to place. 28: Bodega - Broken Equipment  This is high on my list despite this being my least favourite of their releases & the safe production being an issue. Despite these complaints it's still bloody brilliant. Statuette on the Console is the kind of tune that makes me wish I was still young enough to be on smelly indie-disco dancefloors at 2am. I hope next time they make something a bit rawer that's more in line with their live sound. Until then, they're still one of the best indie rock bands about today. 27: Elzhi & Georgia Anne Muldrow - Zhigeist Two artists that were new to me. Detroit rapper Elzhi & Georgia Anne Muldrow on production who I'd seen do a DJ set on the livestream for Pitchfork festival the other year & impressed me. This is a bouncy mixture of Conscious Hip Hop, Boom Bap & Jazz Rap, pretty much my sweet spot. Though Muldrow's production feels modern, rather than an early 90s throwback. I need to dig deeper with Elzhi's previous work, I love his delivery. 26: Sea Power - Everything Was Forever (B)SP have given me so much joy throughout the years. Though in recent years I'd lost a little bit of interest, the soundtrack & score work they did didn't interest me & Let the Dancers Inherit the Party was just damn right forgettable, thankfully this really felt like a return to form. There's 2 or 3 tunes which if they made a best of could easily sit alongside their classics from the 2000s. Not every moment is golden, but at this point in their career this is probably the best you could hope for. Will I ever get used to the name change? probably not! but god bless them, so glad they're still around. 25: Shake Chain - Shake Chain British forum members may remember the infamous Game On Series 1 episode "Fame" where Matt Malone joins a band?. Well, that's kinda what Shake Chain sounds like! They're a absolute force live, but I never expected them to make a record so strong, assumed they'd remain a live experience but this record is killer. The best thing about Shake Chain? JP hates them! 24: MJ Lenderman - Boat Songs A new artist to me. Based in North Carolina. This is a mix of 90s alt-rock and country. A record that grabbed me on first listen from the get-go, the opener Hangover Game is probably my most played tune of the year. He had a couple of records out previous to this which I checked out, but they were a bit more straight up lo-fi/alt-country and the songs just weren't there. Lovely record, not sure if he came over here to tour this record or not, but I hope to catch him live at some point. Hopefully he's not a massive cunt, I've a feeling he could be, but fair play, this is a cracking record. 23: Brian Jackson - This is Brian Jackson I hadn't heard any of Brian Jackson's work outside of his collabs with Gil Scott-Heron before. This is a fine record that bounces around from jazz to funk with some afrobeat thrown in. It all feels so effortless, masterful writing & playing. Plus he looks like a badass on the artwork 22: 1-800 Mikey - PLUSHY Ridiculously catchy garage-pop from Australia, cramming 13 tunes into just under 20 minutes. I've liked a lot of garage EP's this year but full length records have been few and far between. This was the pick of the batch for sure. 21: The Smile - A Light for Attracting Attention  Not quite sure why these songs couldn't have been Radiohead tunes (DRUMMERS BUMHOLE CANCER, says Sam) but either way, I'm glad they exist. I prefer this to A Moon Shaped pool plus any of Yorke's solo offerings. Thom & Jonny playing to their strengths, production on this thing is sensational. Wonder if we'll see a second Smile record? I'd be down for that |
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Post by mahoney on Dec 15, 2022 12:20:51 GMT
"I don't think many give a shit anymore but I'm still a fat." I laughed with that and I probably shouldn't  |
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Post by titchjuicy on Dec 15, 2022 12:57:44 GMT
What a phenomenal day in the calendar this is.
Fuzzy getting a list in pronto. A couple on there I need to check out. And Mahoney leading the way as ever.
I wonder if we'll see KRBurg's annual home recordings before the clocks go forward? There are rumours doing the rounds of the seedy south TCOTU circuit that he's now officially off the eligible list and was last seen choosing curtain fabric in IKEA. It's only a matter of time before veganism is no longer a choice and Sunday night gigs are off the menu.
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