Making it imo a very worthy number one album that, specifically, is a list of what our contributors like best because of that.
Absolutely! And it’s not like it’s the most surprising list topper we’ve ever had. I think both of our last two year-end lists had more unexpected number ones.
Great lists. Been feeling like an off year for me in music listening. This gives me a ton of homework to do.
That too threw me off with it being rated #1 overall... if contributors did have the album on their list more often than not it wasn’t even in their top 5.
Copeland and Summer Cannibals are my top 2 faves so far, haven't really been able to compile a list of any kind.
Glad to see Hatchie at least mentioned once! It just came out so I suppose not many have heard it, but what a tour de force of an album. Great lists by the way. It has been an odd and diverse year indeed. Lizzo's rise to mainstream has been fun to witness.
Yay! Was hoping this feature would happen. Always find a bunch of great stuff that I've missed. I've just realised how good this year is while putting a rough top 10 together for myself. 1) Her Name is Calla - Animal Choir 2) Brutus - Nest 3) American Football - American Football (III) 4) Copeland - Blushing 5) Foals - Part 1 Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost 6) Bad Books - III 7) Emancipator & 9 Theory - Cheeba Gold 8) The End of the Ocean - -aire 9) Billie Eilish - When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? 10) Noah Gundersen - WHITE NOISE B-SIDES I strongly recommend both Her Name is Calla and Brutus for anyone who has no idea who they are. Both albums are easily registering as instant all time favourites for me.
I was so into her name is calla - the quiet lamb back in the day. Haven’t listened to them since! I gotta check that out
Thanks for putting this together, it's given me plenty to check out! Some thoughts: . Vampire Weekend is probably my AOTY at the moment and is probably their easiest record to get into imo -- surprised to see not as much love for it as I expected. . The Dangerous Summer album is fantastic. In second spot for my AOTY but could easily hit number one. . The list encouraged me to check out The Maine album. I don't hate it but it hasn't done a ton for me unfortunately. I do appreciate the variety in it and I'll give it another spin but i can't see it making my end of year list. . I was surprised with the lack of American Football love. A great album by a band I figured would be a favourite among Chorus folks. . Ditto for Bad Books.
You definitely do! The Quiet Lamb is an incredible album and the reason I got into them, but Animal Choir is in a whole different league. I listened to the Riot Act podcast guys review it and they summed it up best by saying if Brand New dropped Animal Choir people would be going batshit crazy for it. It’s as schizophrenic in sound as TDAG, Daisy and Science Fiction, but they still manage to hit home runs on each individual style they tackle. Just sucks that they broke up the day they released so I’m never going to get to see a lot of these songs performed live. EDIT: The Brand New comparison obviously relating to the music and not their current status.
My top 10 in no order... The Dangerous Summer - Mother Nature Free Throw - What’s Past is Prologue Future - SAVE ME The Maine - You Are OK The National - I Am Easy to Find Vampire Weekend - Father of the Bride Mannequin Pussy - Patience Ceres - We Are a Team Copeland - Blushing Tyler, the Creator - Igor
I can't get right into Pup either. I kinda like all their songs but love none of them. Maybe just not quite my thing unfortunately. But I will say the album is a lot of fun. I like the Hold Steady vibe of Kids and the hooks on Sibling Rivalry in particular.
I think PUP is really good but I still can’t totally get into them? Every time I give them a shot I’m like “wow this is great” but then after 4-5 songs I just hit a wall and have to listen to something else
Wasn’t feeling the Sigrid album before the write-up here & the “Mine Right Now” video prompted me to revisit it this week. Yesterday I could barely stop listening. So good.