01-10-2019, 03:25 PM
Top albums, in no order other than alphabetical:
Arkells -- Rally Cry: I'm not sure where I'd place it in their albums, not their best effort, but it's a nice and short collection of songs meant to be played live. IMO one of the best live bands on the road today.
Bahamas -- Earthtones: Bit more produced than previous albums, but a fun album that also displays Afie's wicked sense of humour (the press release for the album was awesome)
Bishop Briggs -- Church of Scars: Combine Lorde and maybe Adele, and you get close to Bishop Briggs. Cool arrangements, killer voice, energetic live show.
Common Deer -- 1, II: Actually a 2017 release, but a nice collection of two EPs from a band that has a bit of a Hey Rosetta feel plus a touch of hip hop. Again, great live show with some awesome covers in the mix
Dear Rogue -- Phases: Had an aversion to this band based on a live experience a few years ago, which was likely more my fault that theirs. Not usually the type of music I'd veer towards, but this is a catchy album and they put on a solid show.
Ellevator -- EP: Hamilton band, sort of Kate Bush inspirations for lack of a better comparison. I think this EP is spectacular, and looking forward to a full release
Father John Misty -- God's Favorite Customer: Not quite at the level of Pure Comedy or Honeybear for me, but a solid album that's a bit more stripped back from previous releases
Florence and the Machine -- High as Hope: A few killer tracks, and few that a more meandering, but I'm a sucker for a powerful female voice
Frank Turner -- Be More Kind: Bit of a poppier effort from Frank, influenced by touring with the Arkells. Solid album, great live show
Jack White -- Boarding House Reach: When it's good it's great, few experimental tracks that are still a fun listen and worked really well live. Connected by Love is one of my favorite tunes of the year, and his show in Ottawa was near the top for me.
Jim Bryson -- Tired of Waiting: Criminally underrated Canadian musician, whose own work is great and has been a solid touring musician with some of the best (including The Hip). Maybe more important, an A-one guy if you ever met him...go see him live, he's a blast....
Kasey Musgraves -- Golden Hour: Some hits, a few more misses. The intro to Slow Burn where the band kicks in at about 30 seconds makes up for some weaker tracks. Will be curious to see where her career goes in terms of Nashville sound -- does she head towards pop country, or the (IMO more credible) americana route for lack of a better work. This seems like an intersection album, with a bit of both.
Laura Jane Grace -- Bought to Rot: Not quite at the same level as the last few Against me albums. Press package talked about a Tom Petty influence -- I'm not getting that, but a strong collection of slightly less punkpop songs that Laura Jane would be more known for
Lindi Ortega -- Liberty: A force live, but IMO has had trouble getting that same sound on album. Her she tries a spaghetti western concept album with mixed results. Regardless, check her out live just to see Champagne James on the guitar.
Mayhemingways -- Skipland: Not for everyone, but great album if you're into two pieces that play drums, accordion, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, sometimes running through loopers. I sort of think of Tom Waits when I listen to them. Unique sound, distinct vocals, lyrics about the down and out.
Metric -- Art of Doubt: Metric sort of lost me with 2 so-so albums, and then a so-so show. Took me awhile to listen to his, but it's a stellar album and maybe one of my tops for the year.
Neke Case -- Hell-on: Winner of worst album art of 2018, but luckily the music makes up for it. See my Florence comment, I would watch Neko sing the phonebook and leave happy.
Savannah Conley -- Twenty-Twenty: Came across her while in Nashville and her sound grabbed me. Bit classic country with a torch singer twist. An EP, hopefully full release coming.
The Struts -- Young and Dangerous: Just goofy fun rock and roll, nothing more.
Tyler Childers -- Purgatory: Maybe a 2017 release, but gave him a listen before seeing him open for Margo Price in Nashville. If Margo hadn't been 100% on, he would have stole the show. Classic country, solid band, good release and will only get better as he puts in more time on the road.
Arkells -- Rally Cry: I'm not sure where I'd place it in their albums, not their best effort, but it's a nice and short collection of songs meant to be played live. IMO one of the best live bands on the road today.
Bahamas -- Earthtones: Bit more produced than previous albums, but a fun album that also displays Afie's wicked sense of humour (the press release for the album was awesome)
Bishop Briggs -- Church of Scars: Combine Lorde and maybe Adele, and you get close to Bishop Briggs. Cool arrangements, killer voice, energetic live show.
Common Deer -- 1, II: Actually a 2017 release, but a nice collection of two EPs from a band that has a bit of a Hey Rosetta feel plus a touch of hip hop. Again, great live show with some awesome covers in the mix
Dear Rogue -- Phases: Had an aversion to this band based on a live experience a few years ago, which was likely more my fault that theirs. Not usually the type of music I'd veer towards, but this is a catchy album and they put on a solid show.
Ellevator -- EP: Hamilton band, sort of Kate Bush inspirations for lack of a better comparison. I think this EP is spectacular, and looking forward to a full release
Father John Misty -- God's Favorite Customer: Not quite at the level of Pure Comedy or Honeybear for me, but a solid album that's a bit more stripped back from previous releases
Florence and the Machine -- High as Hope: A few killer tracks, and few that a more meandering, but I'm a sucker for a powerful female voice
Frank Turner -- Be More Kind: Bit of a poppier effort from Frank, influenced by touring with the Arkells. Solid album, great live show
Jack White -- Boarding House Reach: When it's good it's great, few experimental tracks that are still a fun listen and worked really well live. Connected by Love is one of my favorite tunes of the year, and his show in Ottawa was near the top for me.
Jim Bryson -- Tired of Waiting: Criminally underrated Canadian musician, whose own work is great and has been a solid touring musician with some of the best (including The Hip). Maybe more important, an A-one guy if you ever met him...go see him live, he's a blast....
Kasey Musgraves -- Golden Hour: Some hits, a few more misses. The intro to Slow Burn where the band kicks in at about 30 seconds makes up for some weaker tracks. Will be curious to see where her career goes in terms of Nashville sound -- does she head towards pop country, or the (IMO more credible) americana route for lack of a better work. This seems like an intersection album, with a bit of both.
Laura Jane Grace -- Bought to Rot: Not quite at the same level as the last few Against me albums. Press package talked about a Tom Petty influence -- I'm not getting that, but a strong collection of slightly less punkpop songs that Laura Jane would be more known for
Lindi Ortega -- Liberty: A force live, but IMO has had trouble getting that same sound on album. Her she tries a spaghetti western concept album with mixed results. Regardless, check her out live just to see Champagne James on the guitar.
Mayhemingways -- Skipland: Not for everyone, but great album if you're into two pieces that play drums, accordion, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, sometimes running through loopers. I sort of think of Tom Waits when I listen to them. Unique sound, distinct vocals, lyrics about the down and out.
Metric -- Art of Doubt: Metric sort of lost me with 2 so-so albums, and then a so-so show. Took me awhile to listen to his, but it's a stellar album and maybe one of my tops for the year.
Neke Case -- Hell-on: Winner of worst album art of 2018, but luckily the music makes up for it. See my Florence comment, I would watch Neko sing the phonebook and leave happy.
Savannah Conley -- Twenty-Twenty: Came across her while in Nashville and her sound grabbed me. Bit classic country with a torch singer twist. An EP, hopefully full release coming.
The Struts -- Young and Dangerous: Just goofy fun rock and roll, nothing more.
Tyler Childers -- Purgatory: Maybe a 2017 release, but gave him a listen before seeing him open for Margo Price in Nashville. If Margo hadn't been 100% on, he would have stole the show. Classic country, solid band, good release and will only get better as he puts in more time on the road.