Some Records from 2019
[2024 Note: I didn’t post my “best of” list in 2019 - so here is an incomplete list of records with ratings and occasional thoughts I had at the time.]
Tyler the Creator - Igor
9/10
Anamanaguchi: [USA]
9/10
Slauson Malone: A Quiet Farewell, 2016-2018
9/10: A near-perfect little lo-fi drone record with sonic surprises around every corner.
clipping: There Existed an Addiction to Blood
8/10: Thematic, crisp flows as expected from clipping. Another great rap album from this project.
Little Simz: Grey Area
8/10: Everything I want in a hip hop album. Fantastic bars, gorgeous production, exciting instrumentals.
The Comet is Coming: Trust in the Lifeforce of the Deep Mystery
8/10: Excellent Modern Jazz record
Monteverdi: II ritorno d’Ulisse in patria
Monteverdi Choir; English Baroque Soloists / John Eliot Gardiner
8/10
Vampire Weekend - Father of the Bride
8/10:
Sufjan Stevens / Timo Andres : The Decalogue
8/10: Short and dynamic. A thematic, lovely piano soundtrack.
Purple Mountains - Self Titled
8/10
Matana Roberts: Coin Coin Chapter Four
8/10
Alex Cameron: Miami Memory
8/10
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Infest the Rats’ Nest
8/10
Marquis Hill: Modern Flows, Vol. 2
8/10
Bon Iver - i,i
8/10
Thom Yorke: Anima
8/10: As expected, great textures and sonic spaces from front to back on this record.
Brockhampton - Ginger
8/10: The boys came through with another fantastic hip hop record.
Hobo Johnson: The Fall of Hobo Johnson
8/10: Spunky, heavy, fun, loony, rocking good and introspective good time.
Richard Dawson: 2020
8/10: I just wanted to keep hearing what the man had to say.
Guster: Look Alive
8/10 - What I’ve come to expect from Guster. Fantastic pop songs, a couple of oddball tunes that are obviously them goofing around, and melodies for days.
Sunn O))): Pyroclasts
8/10 - Drone Metal record that is patience testing but somehow works. These four modal drones put you “in” these distorted guitar chords and leave quite and impression when the record is over.
Matmos: Plastic Anniversary
8/10
Iglooghost: Kai Whiston & BaBii - XYZ
8/10
Charlie XCX: Charli
8/10: This pop album sounds simply incredible.
Billie Eilish - When we all fall asleep, where do we go?
8/10
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Bandana
Swans: leaving meaning
7.5 / 10 - I love Swans. Their hypnotic blend of rock and spoken word is often terrifying and harrowing. There were a few turns on this record though that felt too indulgent without a place to go. Some lost focused on this one.
Big Thief - Two Hands
7.5/10
Danny Brown: uknowhatimsayin?
7.5/10
Josh Ritter: Fever Breaks
7.5/10: A great album that’s perfect for a lazy Saturday.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: Ghosteen
7.5/10
Ariana Granda - Thank u, next
7.5/10
JPEGMAFIA - All My Heroes are Cornballs
7/5/10: WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THIS RECORD?
Pup - Morbid Stuff
7.5/10
Jimmy Eat World: Surviving
7/10: A Solid rock record from the boys. This sounds like “Futures” era Jimmy, which is great, but it also means that there aren’t risks taken.
Floating Points: Crush
7/10: A lovely environment for these tracks to live in, almost underwater. Has fun with “losing” and finding the beat and melody. Loses some steam in the back half of the record.
Earl Sweatshirt: Feet of Clay (EP)
7/10: Earl’s voice is always welcome. A little unfocused here over some sporadic and lo-fi instrumentals.
Battles: Juice B Crypts
7/10: Angular guitar riffs and sticky drum beats all over the place. “Titanium 2 Step” is a highlight. Ultimately, this ends up feeling too safe for Battles, who have previously made some incredible albums. Unnecessary detours on this album.
Whitney: Forever Turned Around
7/10: Fantastic melodies. His voice is right on the edge of being one-note. More risks on the album and more dynamic vocal passages would have set this over the top.
Jenny Hval: The Practice of Love
7.5/10: “Ashes to Ashes” is a gorgeous highlight. The album is oddly chiastic, with a dark beginning and end, with the beautiful bright center being the highlight. She does try some new things on this record, but it doesn’t pan out.
Show me the Body: Dog Whistle
7/10: Crunchy, grooves, fat bass
Kanye West: Jesus is King
7/10
Weezer: Teal Album
7/10 - Does this album qualify? A lot of great covers here but the few that don’t work REALLY don’t work.
Ezra Furman: Twelve Nudes
6/10 Loud, abrasive, full of spunk and confidence. Furman is clearly troubled.
Brittany Howard: Jaime
6/10
Czarface Meets Ghostface: Czarface and Ghostface Killah
6/10 - Need another listen here. Great bars and I LOVE this style of production, but nothing wowed me.
Solange: When I Get Home
5/10 - Fades beautifully into the background. A lovely album to work to, but nothing here to grab my attention otherwise.
Clairo: Immunity
5/10: Right down the middle for me. This record is often pleasant and is great album for picking up the house, but can’t hold my attention otherwise. Becomes stale amidst lovely melodic choices. “Sofia" & "Feel Something" really add some needed color in the back half of the album. Great tracks.
The Highwomen: Self Titled
5/10: Right down the middle for me. Love the production, sound, and vocals on this album. But I found the content boring, overdone, and predictable.
Slauson Malone: A Quiet Farewell, 2016-2018