Alright I've been listening to Kevin pretty obsessively the last year or so (always just a casual fan before then) and...I feel like most people seem to think Brother's Blood is his best album, right? But I've been listening to Bubblegum pretty much non-stop the past week and I honestly think...it might be better? Am I crazy?
Not crazy. BB feels a little disjointed to me, although the title track might be his best song (especially live). Bubblegum is more cohesive and consistent but doesn't hit the same highs. Put Your Ghost To Rest is still my favorite.
Nope, Bubblegum is my favourite too. I agree with @Elder Lightning that Bro's Blo is a bit all over the place. I think I've seen him say that he made it at a sink or swim point in his career so he just threw everything at it - I think it lacks some cohesion as a result.
I was also under the impression that brothers blood was his most popular, and I agree it’s a bit scattershot, but I think split the country and instigator are too and it’s part of the charm of those records. Ghost is my favorite
The disjointed-ness or whatever you want to call it if BB is part of what makes it my favorite of his. All high-quality songs with a ton of variety. Bubblegum is great though and has some jams but not as varied imo
Bubblegum is 100% my favourite - Never really understood why BB is always elevated really, I think it's one of his weakest (still great though)
Brother's Blood was the first one I heard and would probably say it ties with Instigator for my favorite, BTC&C and Split the Country close behind
Between the concrete and clouds just had a magic to it that puts it at the top for me. (Also if you just count the Kevin songs, Bad Books III is my second favorite Kevin release lol)
(Sorry, had to do this to sort it out myself) Instigator Brother's Blood Between the Concrete & Clouds Split the Country, Split the Streets Make the Clocks Move Bubblegum Bulldozer Circle Gets the Square Put Your Ghost to Rest Really just struggle to get into Put Your Ghost to Rest.
I find him very difficult to rank beyond Brother's Blood and Put Your Ghost to Rest being about even on the top.
I’d say Brother’s Blood is his best because it’s the bridge or middle point in everything he does. It has the haunting Elliot Smith, it has the 90’s alt rock, the poignantly political, the folk acoustic songs, rock epic, sprinkle of alt country, quirky, indie garage band, and more. I feel like it’s the bridge between everything’s he’s done before and after and seemed to elevate him in terms of numbers of listeners. Best song is still Ballgame. Now peoples favourite record just seemed to be based on what element they like best from him, which makes sense. But at his musical core is Brother’s Blood. Even taking into account his current and previous projects. Brother’s Blood is diverse. If you like his indie garage band, the Bubblegum is your thing. If you like 90’s rock, Between The Concrete and Clouds is your thing. If you like more folky records or political there is more of that on his first two records. Bulldozer is more Elliot Smith. I think it all stems back to BB or came together in BB. That’s why I’d say it his best. Having Put Your Ghost to Rest right before BB feels like it shaped BB.
Bubblegum is my favorite, then probably Brothers Blood and Instigator. It's his most catchy and energetic record, and one of the only ones that doesnt genre hop like crazy.
I am so happy I'm not the only one who's favorite Kevin Devine record is Between the Concrete and Clouds. Such a sick record. The guitar tones are cool as hell, and 11-17 is probably my favorite song of his.