I haven’t been myself lately. So a lot of albums released this year by perennial favorites (Neko Case, Courtney Barnett, Hop Along, Mitski, Brandi Carlile, Tune Yards, Father John Misty) just didn’t connect. I found myself much less drawn to fist-pumping or religio-political commentary and far more likely to play ambient drone. (Low’s record is hitting the spot right now). …
Strong Odors Favorite Albums 2017
While last year my soundtrack was sadness, as I reflect on the music that stood out to me in 2017, it appears the theme has been conflict of faith. In a world where religion seems increasingly absurd, the voices calling it out publicly naked into the light to be examined, exposing the leprosy beneath… they are the ones that ring …
Strong Odors Favorite Albums 2016
What really marks my favorite music this year is sadness.
Strong Odors Favorite Albums 2015
I’m always totally impressed anyone can narrow down a list of annual favorite albums to just ten. I have done it myself, but most years I just list a bunch of favorites without much regard for how many actually are included (seventeen last year, twenty-one favs in 2013). So this year I challenged myself to refine the list to ten.
Strong Odors Favorite Albums 2014
My favorite albums this year are mostly predictable, but nestled in there among my safe bets of the 2010’s (tUnE-yArDs, First Aid Kit, alt-j, etc) and long-term commitments to 1990’s heroes (Weezer, Beck, J Mascis) are a handful of really fun new discoveries from 2014.
Strong Odors Favorite Albums 2013
With new albums in 2013 from favorites Arcade Fire, Neko Case, Avett Brothers, Vampire Weekend, and (after a 17-year wait) Mazzy Star, my list is relatively predictable, but hopefully there are at least a couple surprises in there too. I’d imagined a new Churchill album on the list this year, but sadly it seems to have landed in musical purgatory …
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