After a very long siesta, it is officially back. With such a lengthy break, have many ideas percolating but those can wait until next year (no Cubs pun intended). Let's start with the easy stuff - since 2015 is thankfully drawing to a close, here are the records that I listed to over and over and over this year:
Kendrick Lamar: To Pimp A Butterfly - I get that this one is totally predictable and that everyone had this as their album du 2015 but there's a reason....it's a hip hop album for the ages. Kendrick has made an album that is passionate, angry, and brutally honest. The beats - sampled and those from his smoking band, keep the vibe going throughout. Won't be shocked if we're speaking about this album in 20 years the way we do about The Chronic or Illmatic in 2015.
Deafheaven: New Bermuda - It's a tall order to top what this band did with their genre defying, shape shifting 2013 epic Sunbather, but San Francisco based Deafheaven trumped it with this release. With it's five tracks ranging between 8 and 10 minutes each and encompassing equal parts Black Metal and more atmospheric, shoe gaze, New Bermuda is brutal and lush at the same time. Looking forward to seeing them on tour with Anthrax and Lamb of God in 2016
Viet Cong: Viet Cong - Other than their soon to be former, controversial name, this Canadian quartet didn't get nearly the attention that they deserved with their first full length album. Viet Cong's debut is equal parts post punk, low-fi noise rock, with some Joy Division in the mix. Their songs extract melody and tunefulness from vast walls of noise. They also played a great set on day 3 of Pitchfork which I think you can find on You Tube.
Failure: The Heart is a Monster - Failure continued their out of left field comeback in 2015 with the crowd funded continuation to their 1996 classic "Fantastic Planet". Like it's predecessor, "The Heart is a Monster" carries on with it's mix of prog and hard rock and leveraging lead singer/songwriters Ken Andrews' melodic touch. It's that rare instance that despite a nearly 20 year gap between records you could play them in sequence and it feels seamless - see below.
CHVRCHES: Every Open Eye - For a band that is only on their second album, Scotland's CHVRCHES has mastered their brand of synth pop. While slightly more rigid than the light but powerful the Bones of What You Believe it still miles ahead of most of the pop stuff out there. Supporting data for their position in my top 10, their totally awesome video for Empty Threat. Goth day at the water park anyone?
Armored Saint: Wins Hand Down - While there's nothing glamorous or revolutionary about this album, the first release in 5 years from veteran, brutally under appreciated, rockers Armored Saint is as solid a hard rock/metal release as you can get. They blast out of the gates with the title track (featuring some really cool Thin Lizzy style harmonics) and never let up across the remaining 9 tracks. And, John Bush is still one of the best singers in rock and roll.
Run The Jewels: Meow The Jewels - A formula for enhancing what was an already great album like Run The Jewels 2. First, enlist legendary remixers like Dan The Automator, Prince Paul, and Massive Attack to offer a different perspective. Second, leave some some milk, Friskies, and catnip in the backyard to attract new vocalists.
Iron Maiden: The Book of Souls - When lead singer Bruce Dickinson was diagnosed with cancer last year, the was serious concern about the future of Maiden. Fortunately, Bruce responded to treatment and is cancer free, and 2015 saw the release of an epic Maiden album. Despite their exalted status and well into their fourth decade, Maiden doesn't take the easy route. "Book of Souls" features classic Maiden style tunes while venturing into some new territory, particularly with the soaring 18 minute finale, "Empire of the Clouds".
Rush: R40 Live- Because they're Rush and they rule over all!
Refused: Freedom - Under the category of why be boring...Swedish hardcore legends Refused decided to enlist Taylor Swift (not a typo) producer Shellback as one of the collaborators for their follow-up to the classic "The Shape of Punk To Come". Ambition not withstanding, "Freedom" definitely falls based on the standard that Refused has set. However, it's not a total dud. "Freedom" has a few excellent moments including "Elektra", co-written and produced by Shellback and the vicious "Dawkins Christ".
The Best of the Rest:
Faith No More: Sol Invictus
Lamb of God: VII: Sturm and Drang
Blur: The Magic Whip
Wilco: Star Wars
Grimes: Art Angels
Sunn O))): Kannon
John Coltrane: A Love Supreme - The Complete Masters
Godspeed, You Black Emperor: Asunder, Sweet, and Other Distress
Purity Ring: Another Eternity
Teenage Bottlerocket (RIP Brandon): Tales from Wyoming
Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment: Surf
A Tribe Called Quest - Peoples Instinctive Travels.. (25th Anniversary Edition)
D'Angelo and the Vanguard: Black Messiah
Slayer: Repentless
Swans: The Gate
Led Zeppelin: Presence, In Through The Outdoor, and Coda reissues
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