Top 5 Albums 2019

5. Broken Hearts are Blue - Here Is Always Nowhere

Self-released, 12/2018

After leaving this planet with a 9 song album and over 20 years of silence (OK, OK, a remaster, a bonus track, whatever), Broken Hearts are Blue are suddenly back! With a 4-song EP that shows they still have emotional range, and can still write good rock tunes, this is one of the greatest disappearing/reappearing acts in music. More to come on this theme below.

 

4. American Football - American Football 3

Polyvinyl Records, 03/2019

Another Lazarus case, American Football has managed to release two decent albums since reforming a few years ago. Shout out to the instrumental 1997 demos they released this year. Those are good also.

3. Norman - Buzz and Fade

Hey Amigo Records, 11/2019

Norman are a great band from Portland / Corvallis, OR, and this is their 4th album. Their influences are as diverse as Maritime, Stereolab, Tom Petty, and Bob Dylan. This is a great fun album that I found myself listening to over and over again. Unfortunately, the best song on the album is on the lathe-cut 7" included in the pre-release. It's called Obie Thruggs, and it's a stomper. It's not on the internet anywhere, and I haven't taken the time to rip it yet, but be on the lookout for that one.

Buy this album-- and ask if there are any of the lathe cut 7"s left.

2 Pedro the Lion - Phoenix

Polyvinyl Records, 01/2019

The rebirth of Pedro the Lion, yes. So this is band 3 out of 4 on this particular list that fit that category. I don't think of this as much as a reformation, though, as another of David Bazan's many recent projects and albums. This one is certainly Bazan's best since his fantastic Curse Your Branches album in 2009. You can read the articles, but I like that Bazan is writing about his childhood, as opposed to characters. There's a sweetness and personality in these songs that you don't hear a lot in various David Bazan / Pedro the Lion songs. Makes me long for Phoenix, even though I've never been there.

 

1. Maya Shore - We Knew Everyone

Self-Released, 08/2019

This is the one. Maya Shore were friends of mine from about '97 onwards in utah (see the Utah map on the cover? They knew everyone.) In about late 2000, Maya Shore released a powerful, yet understated album, and then disappeared into the haze of being adults. That CD has been in rotation at my house for 20 years. Now, 20 years later, Kelly is an airline pilot and lives in Florida. I don't know where Wade ended up, but from out of nowhere, this.

Such restraint, such longing. Not everything-all-at-once, but tugging on the heartstrings in just the right way. As if the intervening years were just an inhale, waiting for the next breath.

P.S. My favorite track is Park Bench am Bodensee. You should really just download the whole album.

Top 5 New Discoveries 2019

5. Silver Scooter - Orleans Parish

Peek-A-Boo Records, 1999

I picked up this album when I discovered that Peek-a-Boo records still has their catalog up at 90s prices, so I finally splurged on this album that's almost been in my collection for forever. It did not disappoint. There's something unusually polished and sweet about this album that belies Silver Scooter's super-whiny-emo reputation. This is just solid pop, start to finish.

4. Ethel Meserve - The Milton Abandonment

Tree Records, 1997

Yet another great 90s record. I've had half these songs on tape for 20+ years, and I finally tracked down a copy (they were going for $100 on amazon there for a while). Great, mathy, intense 90s goodness. I read somewhere they are doing a box set reissue? Sign me up.

3. Shudder to Think - Live From Home

Team Love Records, 2009

A 2009 reunion live record that somehow manages to hit ALL the Shudder to Think high notes. File under: Live albums that put the studio versions to shame.

2. Madder Rose - Panic On

Seed Records / Atlantic, 1994

I bought my very first indie 7" at Goodwill in about 1994 or so. I bought it because I vaguely had heard the band name Madder Rose, and the record was yellow vinyl, which blew my teenage mind.  I still have it. I managed to pick up this CD in the dollar bin this year, and it blew my non-teenage mind at the 90s pop goodness within. This is the lost cousin of Velocity Girl, Belly, and Juliana Hatfield. This CD brought 1994 right back to my speakers and I love it dearly. It's a gem from start to finish.

1. Red Stars Theory - Life in a Bubble Can Be Beautiful

Touch and Go Records, 1999

I saw Red Stars Theory and Modest Mouse in the basement of a Salt Lake City coffee house in late summer of '97. While Modest Mouse was fun, Red Stars Theory was the hit of the night, with their dense, swirly, violin-driven epics. I remember Seth Warren joining Modest Mouse for a few songs, including (then-unreleased) Jesus Christ Was an Only Child.

Unfortunately, (if I remember correctly) they didn't have merch at the show, and I tracked down an EP to find it disappointing. Their next album, But Sleep Came Slowly was a good-but-not-great listen.

I picked this up on a whim, because I had recently been re-listening to But Sleep... and enjoying it. This is the one. This is the album where they made good on the promises made at that basement show in '97. This is the band that made Modest Mouse look like second fiddle (violin pun). This album stretches out the depths hinted at in RST's first album, or some of the more jammy violin-led bits of The Moon and Antarctica.

Anyway, this is great stuff.

Top 5 Miscellaneous Songs 2019

(Five songs, new to me (but not necessarily new), that didn't qualify for either of the other top 5 lists)

5. The Minus 5 - Plascent Folk

From the album "Stroke Manor"
Yep Rock Records, 06/2019

After suffering from a massive stroke, music legend (who has worked with every band you like) Scott McCaughey set out to regain his mind and songwriting ability. This was a struggle for someone who at first had trouble stringing words together.

The result is quite amazing. Aside from having some of the best packaging I've ever seen on an LP, the songs are futuristic and forward-looking, with McCaughey experimenting with vocal effects, autotune, and other weirdness.

The winner from the album, though, is the opening track-- a lone pastoral strummer to start out an album of lo-fi rock. This song reminds me of Syd Barrett's solo LPs -- not just because of the unexpected tunesmithing, but because it's the sound of a shattered mind-- the words are all there, and they sound like they should make sense, but they just don't. Aw, give it a listen. It's fun.

4. Mineral - Aurora

From the 2-song EP / book "One Day When We are Young - Mineral at 25"
Self-Released, 01/2019

After being broken up for years and years, Mineral returns. (this would be exciting, except for this is the same story as 4 of 5 of my favorite new albums for this year.)

On the turntable, this is one of those songs that doesn't sound right at 33 or 45 RPM (turns out 45 is the right answer), but despite the unsettling beginning, Mineral reminds us what made them special as a band. Not just the emotive wailing vocals, but drums and bass that propel the song, and a guitar equally shimmery and squalling. This will only be disappointing if Mineral only leaves us with two more songs after a lifetime of waiting.

3. Weird Al Yankovic - The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota

From the album "UHF - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff"
Scotti Bros Records, 06/1989

To shore up my cred, I saw UHF in the theater (at Vancouver Mall cinemas, with Jon and Erik Phister) in 1989. I was 11, which is the ideal age to be a Weird Al fan. I didn't, however, get the UHF soundtrack, which, if I remember correctly, didn't see wide release, and this song wasn't actually in the movie.

Anyway, fast forward to spring 2019, and the Carmichael family is on a road trip. For reasons I don't understand, we had forgotten to pack our usual satchel full o' road trip CDs / Slim Whitman tapes, so we shared the goodness of youtube with my 8 and 9 year old kids (not quite at the 11-year old sweet spot, but approaching)

Lo and behold, from the speakers came this glorious huge majestic sphere of a song, capturing the joys and insanity of family road trips, all in a supersized, nearly 7-minute packaging. We had arrived. We bought a few souvenirs, and I've got a funny kind of feeling we'll be back next year.

2. Fred Thomas - House Show, Late December

From the album "Aftering"
Polyvinyl Records, 09/2018

Speaking of longish epics, this Fred Thomas track captures so much in familiar scenes and feelings. Fred used to be [in] Saturday Looks Good to Me and City Center.

1. Lil' Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus - Old Town Road [Remix]

single
Self-Released.
Original released 12/2018
Remix released 04/2019

If you had told me anytime between 1993 and 2018 that Billy Ray Cyrus would feature on my favorite song of the year, I would have punched you. I may still, but Lil' Nas X is dynamite. This song is amazing. Nine Inch Nails? Banjo? Country? Rap? Infinitely quotable lyrics? Oh yes.

God Bless Lil' Nas X.

Top 5 New Albums 2018

5. Belly - Dove

Self-released, 05/2018

It appears that the internet in general has been none too kind to Belly's reunion album. Certainly, at the concert, we were encouraged to "Party like it's 1995". Nostalgia being what it is, I can see how this seems distasteful. Yet, this is a solid album with great pop tunes that are singable, and if Tanya Donelly's vocal acrobatics aren't quite what they were 23-odd years ago, there's a certain (ahem) maturity to the songwriting. .... Aw, heck, it's good. And it beat out some very worthy contenders to be at the #5 spot on this list.

 

4. The Holdout - The Things That Brought Us Here

Grafton Records, 10/2018

The Holdout is basically Temper and Hold with a new guitar player, and the same urgency and manic energy. Maximumrockandroll described them as "Jawbox meets Rainer Maria" and who am I to disagree? Of course, Temper and Hold made this very list with their first album, and album #2 was my #1 album of 2016.

Buy the LP from the label here.

 

3. Landing - Bells in New Towns

El Paraiso Records, 05/2018

It's getting hard to write stuff about Landing. New Landing albums have landed on this list with regularity. Yet, this is a band that after 20 years together, is making their most engaging, interesting, and catchy music. They continue to evolve, and I'm glad I'm along for the ride. Give a listen and see if you agree.

LP is sold out. If you want a CD, I'd suggest getting it here.

 

2. Pohgoh - Secret Club

New Granada Records, 09/2018

I've been on New Granada Records' email list since 1998 when I bought Pohgoh's first LP, In Memory of Bab. 2018 has seemed to be the year all the good bands are getting back together. Well, Pohgoh didn't skip a beat, and this is a great, listenable pop album. RIYL Velocity Girl, Sarge, Rainer Maria

Buy the album here.

 

1. Low - Double Negative

Sub Pop Records, 09/2018

Wikipedia tells me that this is Low's 12th album in their 24 years as a band. My ears tell me it's their best album of the twelve, and that's saying quite a lot. Three years ago, I wrote about how Low had distorted their organic sound. That was a springboard for this new sound-- My kids asked if this was actually music or just noise (boy, that's a role reversal). This is Low triply distorted, with everything washed out and thrown back together, and it's fragile, damaged, and beautiful. This is difficult music, but it's so very good.

Buy it here from Sub Pop.

Top 5 New Discoveries 2018

5. Castor - Everything 1994-1998

Mud Records 03/2018. Previously released as "Castor" LP (1995), "Carnival" 7" (1997), and "Tracking Sounds Alone" LP (1998)

I've been meaning to track down Castor for several years now. Their albums have become hard to find on the internet. That's why I was pleased that Mud Records was rereleasing the whole shebang this year. This is great stuff-- out of the same scene and influences as Braid, Very Secretary, Sarge, etcetera. This is the perfect blend of math rock, indie pop, emotive hardcore,  and gaze. $11 from Parasol. (Pick up a Sarge album while you're there!)

4. Penfold - Amateurs and Professionals

Milligram Records, 1999

Another band I've been meaning to track down. Noticing a trend? It's 2018 and I'm finally catching up on my 1998. This is a whiny indie band from New Jersey in the 90s and of course I love them. I want a physical copy of this, but they're stupid expensive right now. Oh well. You can buy the digital at least.

3. Copper - Drag Queen

Equal Vision Records, 1996

So I found out that Garrett Klahn was in Copper before he was in Texas Is the Reason. Then I heard this album. Great girlpop in the Velocity Girl vein, but with the same melodicism as Texas Is the Reason. Best moment: discovering the refrain (on Caption) "Your place is at the heart of my everything" provides a thrilling mirror to Texas Is the Reason's "Your place is STILL at the heart of my everything" (A Jack with One Eye)

2. The Lapse - Betrayal!

Gern Blandsten Records, 1998

Formed by Chris and Toko of The Van Pelt with Gregg Leto, also of Rye Coalition, I was anticipating this record before it came out in 1998. Then, due to some personal circumstances, I never got to hear this record until 20 years later. It was worth the wait. Although I wouldn't rate it as high as either of The Van Pelt's first two albums, it's certainly great. Anyone who is following these year-end ratings might remember the release of Van Pelt's "Imaginary Third", which was early versions of these songs. Now this record has finally taken its rightful place in my collection, and it keeps returning to the player for re-listens. The version of "The Speeding Train" on this album is cool-- more subdued, and definitely not the powerful statement of the original, but still cool.

1. Sarge - The Glass Intact

Mud Records, 1998

From the first few minutes of hearing this album, I knew this was going to be in my life for a long time. That first day, I immediately bought all the Sarge albums I could find online, and I love them. Sarge comes from the aforementioned 90s Urbana IL scene with Braid, Castor, Very Secretary, Days in December, etcetera etcetera. I knew of Sarge back in the 90s. I even have a split 7" with Elizabeth Elmore on it, but apparently I had missed actually hearing this band.

This is so good. The perfect mixture of Velocity Girl and Braid. Poppy hooks, clever lyrics, catchy choruses. I love this band and I love this album.

Guess what? As of the time of this writing, you can buy this LP for $11 from Parasol! That's 90s prices! (Pick up the Castor discography while you're there!)

Top 5 Miscellaneous Songs of 2018

(Five songs, newly encountered by me this year, that didn't qualify for either of the other top 5 lists)

5. Casey Neill and the Norway Rats - Siphoners

From the album "Subterrene"
Incident Records, 03/2018

This catchy number has been in my head for weeks, conjuring up visions of a max headroom-eque dystopian future. Recorded with an all-star portland cast (members of every famous band you care about). This whole album is fabulous.

4. 44 Long - Everybody Has a Way

From the album "Hangover Heights, Part 2"
In Music We Trust Records, 06/2006

I had the privelege of meeting and seeing Brian Berg play in the few months before his unfortunate and untimely passing in 2015. He was truly a gifted, world-class songwriter. As I work my way through his back catalog, this song sticks out (and sticks in my ears) as particularly catchy, insightful, and timeless. Brian left a hole in this world when he left.

3. David Byrne - I Dance Like This

From the album "American Utopia"
Todo Mundo Records, 03/2018

The show was a spectacle. One of the greatest concerts I've seen. The songs are maybe one or two notches below Byrne's peak with Talking Heads in the 80s, but he's still my favorite vocalist in rock music. This song is in turns funny, ironic, and touching. "If I could dance better... I would." A good metaphor for life. I also like the subtle electronic flourishes and samples. I included the live video because it was so fun to watch. I don't think the sound is so good for the live video, though.

2. They Might Be Giants - Last Wave [demo]

From 2018 Dial-a-Song, compiled on the album "My Murdered Remains"
Idlewild Recordings, 12/2018
[non-demo version on 2017's "I Like Fun" album]


As a fancy radio deejay, I got a hookup to download (and broadcast) They Might Be Giants' weekly Dial-a-Song tracks this year. I was listening to this one and I thought it was quirky and catchy-- one of the best TMBG songs I'd heard in years, so I went to the internet to find out about it, and the all-wise internet directed me to the above video. So, now YOU need to watch the video.

Go ahead, I'll wait.

They Might Be Giants out-BLR'd Bad Lip Reading. I love the synthy guitar solos. I love the lyrics

I'm so tired of waiting / My heart is cold / The sky is dark / I'm curled up in the ashes /
We die alone / We die afraid / We live in terror / Naked and alone / We die

...Antlers!

1. Afghan Whigs - Demon in Profile

From the album "In Spades"
Sub Pop Records 05/2017

I probably should've had this song on my last year's list, but as of year-end, I still hadn't heard the whole album and I was hopeful that the whole album would be as good as this song. Sadly, it wasn't, but this song. THIS SONG. One of the best Afghan Whigs songs ever written, 25 years past their heyday. Also this video. Har Mar Superstar is hilarious and amazing, and having him stand in for Greg Dulli is perfect. I really wanted to see him open for Afghan Whigs this year, but it wasn't in the cards for me. The rest of the video is chilling and disturbing, but in a super cool way. Check it out.

Best of 2018: A Disclaimer

Boy, I've been doing this for a while now. Blogger was passe` when I started and now it's downright ancient. Oh well.

So for the second time, I'm releasing my best-of-the-year list with an asterisk. A disclaimer.

The following was the best album of the year for me. It's my band's album, and it was a labor of love. It may not be the best album of the year objectively, but it's my favorite because I worked so hard on it, and I make music that I like, not that would please anybody else.

So...

Kalaloch - Pacific Shores

Heather House Records 08/2018

This is our new album. I hope you like it. Please give it a listen for free on Spotify or Bandcamp or whatever. It's free to download, but we made pretty colored vinyl and CD versions if you're old-fashioned like me. Thanks for listening.