Best albums of 2019 (Spotify playlists in 1st post) (1 Viewer)

[Northern Voice]

I don't want to live like this, but I don't want to die.

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

Spring Snow combines digital sounds and light/folk singing in a way that reminds me a bit of The Postal Service, the piano and autotune then transitions to something more Bon Iver-ish

Jerusalem, New York, Berlin is a piano driven finale with a wonderful sing a long quality.

----

There are way more hits than misses here, the turn to piano/folk/country and the duets could turn some people off I'm sure but on first listen, I love it and that turn probably puts it even more in my wheelhouse for a band I already loved.

Nicely done, NV. 

I've been a few songs behind you, probably a gin (or 2) ahead, and I can't succinctly summarize and describe music nearly as well as you do.

Just finished it.  I can't say I love the album after one listen like I did with Modern Vampires of the City, but I like it a lot more than I thought I was going to after hearing a few of the singles. 

 

[Northern Voice]

Nicely done, NV. 

I've been a few songs behind you, probably a gin (or 2) ahead, and I can't succinctly summarize and describe music nearly as well as you do.

Just finished it.  I can't say I love the album after one listen like I did with Modern Vampires of the City, but I like it a lot more than I thought I was going to after hearing a few of the singles. 

I think if anything it's maybe a bit back heavy and I have a theory that back heavy albums get better reviews because they leave a good taste in the reviewer/listeners head. Could be the case here, definitely finishes strong for me. I'm listening to the whole thing again. For me, it jumps ahead of Contra which is my least favourite VW album but not sure where to slot it in yet compared to the self titled and Modern Vampires but I think it's in the same class as them for me.

 

[rockaction]

Good work, NV.

I sort of love this review, actually. I've given most of the album a listen and this is how I feel. As someone who grew up around those Tevas and that Peace Frog, I miss what the reviewer misses about Modern Vampires Of The City and their eponymous.

https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/vampire-weekend-father-of-the-bride/

 

[Nigel Tufnel]

My Spotify is ####ed up 

 

[Good Posting Judge]

The first half of any Pitchfork review is just a further-condensed version of that band's Wikipedia page.

 

[rockaction]

The first half of any Pitchfork review is just a further-condensed version of that band's Wikipedia page.

Some are obnoxiously pretentious, some redundant, some prescient. I'm going accurate and prescient on this one.

 

[Nigel Tufnel]

They’re tastemakers for sure but I like to know what’s out there. I’ve added Treble to the rotation too thanks to NV. What other review sites do y’all read?

 

[Northern Voice]

They’re tastemakers for sure but I like to know what’s out there. I’ve added Treble to the rotation too thanks to NV. What other review sites do y’all read?

I still like Stereogum a lot, they seem to have more preference for bands with guitars that pitchfork had mostly moved on from. 

 

[Northern Voice]

Good work, NV.

I sort of love this review, actually. I've given most of the album a listen and this is how I feel. As someone who grew up around those Tevas and that Peace Frog, I miss what the reviewer misses about Modern Vampires Of The City and their eponymous.

https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/vampire-weekend-father-of-the-bride/

Read this review and then the review for Morbid Stuff and tell me how they can possibly give Vampire Weekend the higher number rating. 

This one reads as a disappointment and PUP's literally calls it the best rock album of the year but it's 8.0 and 7.9 ratings. 

 

[Northern Voice]

Also any rock album that gets over 7.4 from Pitchfork these days might as well be best new music, they just don't give great (number) reviews to guitar rock anymore. 

 

[Northern Voice]

I hope I don't piss off @Pitchfork

 

[Fiddles]

I usually can't stand to read pitchfork reviews as they never get to the point but I read a good review of the cures disintegration yesterday on its 30th anniversary

https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14288-disintegration-deluxe-edition/

 

[rockaction]

I usually can't stand to read pitchfork reviews as they never get to the point but I read a good review of the cures disintegration yesterday on its 30th anniversary

https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14288-disintegration-deluxe-edition/

Nitsuh Abebe is an excellent writer (who would wind up writing for New York Magazine) that The Ringer cited extensively when discussing the sociopolitical ramifications of guitar rock, critical analysis, and Vampire Weekend's rise to indie and mainstream stardom.

https://www.theringer.com/music/2019/5/1/18524530/vampire-weekend-debut-controversy-paul-simon-father-bride

Of course, some of the critics interviewed and the stuff they were saying made me want to punch walls, but Nitsuh Abebe is always a good read. I think, back in the late aughts/early teens, he was of the opinion that rock was essentially played out.

 

[JZilla]

I tried getting into the VW record last night but I fell asleep   That's not necessarily on them

I like Pile.  They can take a few listens.  Magic Isn't Real is still my fave of theirs I think.  They still sound straight out of 1994 in any case, maybe just a little mathier.

Have to be in the right mood maybe, but Big Thief can pretty much do no wrong right now. Adrienne Lenker just chews gum and writes great tunes..

Palehound's new stuff all sounds great too

Best of the year so far for me is Brian Jonestown Massacre.  I keep on coming back Anton you cokey dreamboat

 

[JZilla]

Tropical #### Storm - ok NEXT

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Tropical #### Storm - ok NEXT

I got their Staying Alive cover in my RR or DW a few weeks ago that I really liked, but upon exploring their original work, was not thrilled.

 

[Nigel Tufnel]

Don’t think FotB is going to get the replay value from me like VW’s previous ones. That’s just my first impression. 

 

[Eephus]

Tropical #### Storm - ok NEXT

I got their Staying Alive cover in my RR or DW a few weeks ago that I really liked, but upon exploring their original work, was not thrilled.

They're a side project of The Drones, who are great if you've never heard them.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I still enjoy this album, but this one was bat#### insane.

 

[Eephus]

I'm blown away by Active Listening: Night on Earth the debut album from Empath.  I guess you'd call them noise pop but their songs defy definition.  The flows beautifully between fragments of songs, noise and ambient sounds.  I know that doesn't sound promising but it's a quick listen at 27 minutes.

 

[Nigel Tufnel]

I still enjoy this album, but this one was bat#### insane.

Some friends and I revisited this nonsense the other day. The stillbirth line was a particular favorite. 

 

[Nigel Tufnel]

I like Pile.  They can take a few listens.  Magic Isn't Real is still my fave of theirs I think.  They still sound straight out of 1994 in any case, maybe just a little mathier.

I haven’t tried that hard with Pile but this sounds pfg. 

 

[Nigel Tufnel]

Big Thief isn’t typically my thing but I can’t stop listening to this. 

 

[El Floppo]

did anybody listen to the chinese gong gong gong band I mentioned? pulsey garage guitar and bass with cantonese vocals. I was obsessed with them yesterday.

haven't had time to even look to my RR today.

and I like them fine, but VW never really turned my crank they way they appear to do for most of you lot. and what I've heard from the previously released singles did next to nothing for me this year.... but will still give it a listen.

 

[El Floppo]

I haven’t tried that hard with Pile but this sounds pfg. 

ahhhhhh... texas.

 

[Nigel Tufnel]

I'm blown away by Active Listening: Night on Earth the debut album from Empath.  I guess you'd call them noise pop but their songs defy definition.  The flows beautifully between fragments of songs, noise and ambient sounds.  I know that doesn't sound promising but it's a quick listen at 27 minutes.

I added this to my queue this morning because I know I’ve heard of them but I don’t remember why. 

 

[Good Posting Judge]

God, Vampire Weekend sucks. This has been Kige Ramsey for YouTube Music.

 

[Jaysus]

I tried getting into the VW record last night but I fell asleep   That's not necessarily on them

I went camping this weekend... the new VW did a nice job of putting my son to sleep for the long-ish car ride each way

 

[Jaysus]

The new Dead Bars album is catchy AF; check it out if you are looking for a fix while awaiting new Menzingers. 

 

[El Floppo]

just getting to my RR from friday- lots of good stuff this week:

pinky pinky (friend's daughter's band)

protomartyr (new album)

the national

Pile

titus andonicus

these new south whales (I've been waiting for a new single from them- sounds good)

versing (new album)

dream syndicate (new album)

sebadoh

tropical #### storm (digging this single- kinda funky)

empath (album)

kate tempest

stef chura

 

[Buck Bradcanon]

Hi. 

Of Monsters and Men has a new single out called Alligator from their upcoming third album Fever Dream due out in July.

I had hoped they would be on the ACL roster but they are not.

 

[Northern Voice]

The new National songs haven't grabbed me yet. 

 

[Good Posting Judge]

The new National songs haven't grabbed me yet. 

Same.

 

[Brony]

Big Thief isn’t typically my thing but I can’t stop listening to this. 

Great for work listening. 

 

[Brony]

The new National songs haven't grabbed me yet. 

I like "Light Years", but I'm admittedly a little too into The National . 

 

[wazoo11]

Stef Chura is great 

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

The new National songs haven't grabbed me yet. 

Yeah. I haven't loved the couple that I've heard either.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Jamming Forever and Counting by Hot Water Music rn. Pretty damn good stuff. Need more bands with dudes who sing two different parts at once.

 

[El Floppo]

new IDLES tune out... mercedes marxist (seeing them on Friday with FONTAINES D.C. opening!)

and new playlist from IDLES guitarist out too (puts them out every few months- usually really good)

 

[ericttspikes]

I tried getting into the VW record last night but I fell asleep   That's not necessarily on them

I like Pile.  They can take a few listens.  Magic Isn't Real is still my fave of theirs I think.  They still sound straight out of 1994 in any case, maybe just a little mathier.

Have to be in the right mood maybe, but Big Thief can pretty much do no wrong right now. Adrienne Lenker just chews gum and writes great tunes..

Palehound's new stuff all sounds great too

Best of the year so far for me is Brian Jonestown Massacre.  I keep on coming back Anton you cokey dreamboat

I like that BJM record a lot too. 

 

[Jaysus]

I finally listened to the full Blood Command EP today, it was a fun, quick listen.  I had no idea that Norwegian punk-metal was in my wheelhouse too.  

 

[El Floppo]

I finally listened to the full Blood Command EP today, it was a fun, quick listen.  I had no idea that Norwegian punk-metal was in my wheelhouse too.  

the scandinavians are up to stuff.

just stumbled onto a band called Crack Cloud who put a record out last year. a lot of kraut/early-post/jangly guitar.. sim to B-Boys, Bodega, and early Gang of Four.... if that's your thing.

 

[Nigel Tufnel]

Blood Command lol

 

[Northern Voice]

New Charly Bliss album tomorrow. Kind of snuck up on me, their last one is great.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Hanni El-Katib realize that his new song sounds exactly like Good Times or?

 

[Nick Vermeil]

New Charly Bliss album tomorrow. Kind of snuck up on me, their last one is great.

I'm into it.  

 

[rockaction]

I don't want to live like this, but I don't want to die.

This was the exact same lyric off of Modern Vampires... at one point in the album

 

[Jaysus]

This was the exact same lyric off of Modern Vampires... at one point in the album

And my motto for the last 4+ years!

 

[Jaysus]

P.S. New Zig Zags is out today and is punk metal AF