Maybe Jeff needs to start writing hard rock tunes. That always gets attention, you know? Go nu-metal on people. Get massive radio play.
I had Middle Kids on my list too, but it may have dropped a bit from my mid-year list. I still come back to that album a lot!
Pretty shocked Camp Cope didn't make the list, I thought they were really well liked here. The record landed at #2 for me, behind Architects' Holy Hell which also didn't make an appearance. It's funny since I'm usually so aligned with this site but seemed to stray a little this year. As always, the list is really solid and there are a few records on there I need to return to and give another spin.
Not digested the full list yet, but I just stuck the playlist on shuffle and "Beer & NyQuil" by Spanish Love Songs came on and wanted to say AJ nailed it in picking that song out. That first line fires me up every single damn time. I also love how high up Now, Now ended on the staff list. That is my #1 of 2018. I never ever hit the skip button when a song off that album comes on and I doubt I will in this lifetime.
The brief phenomenon that was moviepass had me so wrapped up in film that I barely listened to any new releases this year. These lists usually produce one new artist that I end up falling in love with. I'm gonna read through, listen to the playlist and find something to love.
My list: https://www.rosemary.media/eoty-2018 Pretty good year but I fully expect 2019 to be my favorite year of music (and probably games, movies and tv also) possibly ever.
Now, Now was probably my biggest surprise of the year. I'm usually pretty indifferent to that broad electro-pop/indie spectrum of music they innovate within, or I should say, it's often pretty good but rarely stick with me. But they totally blew me away, and it became one of my favourite and most listened to albums of the year! Actually, coincidentally, Spanish Love Songs were the other big surprise. Though it isn't surprising I liked their album, it's totally up my alley, just that I'd never heard of them before.
Haven't heard mentioned anywhere, don't even remember where I heard them first, but Endless Heights - Vicious Pleasure is an album I think a LOT of people would really love in here. Pretty sure I saw them pop up on a Youtube list or something random like that and was instantly hooked...
I hear ya. I agree it’s very try-hard, but I would really like a lot of music these days to try harder. There are about 3-4 bad tracks on the album, Venom being one, but there are three that are straight fire imo.
Album was definitely a contender for a top spot, but I was late to the game and felt that there were some other records that deserved the higher spots. This band is fucking special though. So excited to hear whatever’s next. (Also, be sure to listen to “The Boy Considers His Haircut.” Fucking fantastic bridge in that one.
That was definitely the record I was most surprised to see hit this list, especially as high as it did. I listened to it when it came out and liked it, but never really went back and must have had blinders on to the praise it got through the year. For sure gonna try and spend some more time with it now though.
I think it would translate well to a slightly larger venue. Hopefully they'll get picked up on some bigger tours in 2019.
Damn good list, though I am surprised that Panic! didn't make it into the top 30 while Fall Out Boy managed to squeak in.