tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61718032024-03-19T07:37:13.214-04:00Turn Off the RadioStrong music opinionsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger543125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-15851167653289329342024-01-26T16:14:00.003-05:002024-01-26T16:21:44.449-05:00Favorites<p>For those that have read my blog over the years, it will not surprise you that I am a "favorites" person. I have a favorite number (17), a favorite color (purple), a favorite cereal (Fruity Pebbles), a favorite baseball team (Baltimore Orioles), and each year of course I share my favorite top-20 or so albums.</p><p>With that being said, it has always been extremely difficult for me to list or share my favorite albums and songs of all time. However, recently I was invited to share my top-10 albums ever, and did for the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/top10albums/">top10albums Instagram</a> account:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9fjzI5Ri367Jf4U-FatAzmehXx-JQ3KFZ0Lg0rcLYzlrfy7xSPwFODkWCFOjAs2FR0F5yH5vBqPX73Pm_QnpaF5ivIIfHLFX8n9R5Nz5wJqxIlJKWAAfmjjdhnkSz3SNl1DWrs7ghCT4P6gImgtj5aUgeqCGvi1o_DZBQqLBXg8Z4djnee0XYA/s1922/Screenshot%202024-01-26%20at%201.41.01%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="1922" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9fjzI5Ri367Jf4U-FatAzmehXx-JQ3KFZ0Lg0rcLYzlrfy7xSPwFODkWCFOjAs2FR0F5yH5vBqPX73Pm_QnpaF5ivIIfHLFX8n9R5Nz5wJqxIlJKWAAfmjjdhnkSz3SNl1DWrs7ghCT4P6gImgtj5aUgeqCGvi1o_DZBQqLBXg8Z4djnee0XYA/w400-h136/Screenshot%202024-01-26%20at%201.41.01%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>While that was the list I shared at that day and time, it of course changes. All 10 of those albums are in my top 30 or 40 albums ever, but outside of #1, which is locked in, the rest rotate.</p><p>Additionally, I have recently created two "Alan's top 100 songs" playlists, one on Apple Music and the other on BNDCMPR. My primary rule was only one song per artist, but I did welcome two creative ventures by the same principal songwriter (Mineral and The Gloria Record for example). Both playlists are totally random order, so not ranked. I have absolutely no idea what my favorite song of all time would be.</p><p></p><p>The biggest challenge in the Apple Music one is that I use iTunes match, which I like as a whole, but it makes it challenging to know what songs in my library are actually available on Apple Music. For example, when I first made the playlist it had 113 songs on it, but I shared it with a friend, and he only saw 87. There is way more 90's music than I realized that is not on Apple Music. I have recently updated it to where hopefully all Apple Music users see 100 songs like me!</p><p>
<iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *; clipboard-write" frameborder="0" height="450" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/playlist/alans-top-100-songs/pl.u-GgA5zjBSrEXPP" style="border-radius: 10px; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe>
<br /></p><p>On BNDCMPR, the challenge was to find 100 songs by 100 different artists that were worthy of the list. When I began the list, I was trying to copy the Apple Music list, but the Bandcamp library is SO different. Bandcamp doesn't have much major label or older music, so this playlist is dominated by newer songs. So now my plan is to make changes to both lists so it is 200 different songs. But in the meantime, both are up and public:</p>
<iframe src="https://bndcmpr.co/embed/568a42f8?orientation=portrait" style="border: none; height: 600px; width: 350px;" title="100 of Alan's favorite songs"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Finally, there is a new Sunny Day Real Estate song and it's fantastic! First one since 2014's "Lipton Witch".</div><div><br /></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FQa_CrPHdX0?si=z2qd8rZIVz2zrMJl" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-19459511868329422242023-12-29T15:51:00.001-05:002023-12-29T15:51:20.190-05:00Best of 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_V0JakbnQr6Koa4xCcPt2CTiopNKfCdAv3Isk45ih5wNz1DcNPCi08pe5FUlfJpR4LLHMIrKNwKJTzyWy7wjeVI1SunkEyGOjP8HP6mfV0J3323iVUgBg-50grCq-YRdJ-KtWhbexQdlqa7RNPCbRFUg4hS5x6SHsVnN0XWpSiXz0Odssze0cBQ/s4032/53004722030_4a12fbcaf4_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_V0JakbnQr6Koa4xCcPt2CTiopNKfCdAv3Isk45ih5wNz1DcNPCi08pe5FUlfJpR4LLHMIrKNwKJTzyWy7wjeVI1SunkEyGOjP8HP6mfV0J3323iVUgBg-50grCq-YRdJ-KtWhbexQdlqa7RNPCbRFUg4hS5x6SHsVnN0XWpSiXz0Odssze0cBQ/w400-h300/53004722030_4a12fbcaf4_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Two-thousand twenty-three was a turning point for me in my music fandom as in January I made the decision to begin selling off a huge chunk of my vinyl collection. I was nearing a thousand records, but after thought and discussion with many friends and family members for a few weeks, I decided to make available two-thirds of my collection for sale. I sold nearly 100 records in the first month, mostly word-of-mouth and online communities, and then sold ~150 more over the rest of the year, through direct sales, eBay, and now mostly Discogs. I continued to slowly list more and more on <a href="https://www.discogs.com/seller/drenchedecent/profile">Discogs</a>. My collection is down near 700 now with the goal of getting it below 500 and keeping it there (still buying new records, but moving on from others).<div><br />I made this challenging decision for many, many reasons– but primarily it was my desire to spend towards experiences instead of stuff. My record sales immediately funded a summer vacation for my family that we could not have done otherwise, and allowed me to attend shows way more often than usual. I have made a goal to attend one rock show a month, and I did that most of the year (sadly did not attend one in December). I have sold off most all of the high-price and rare items that I am willing to part with, but I still have a few hundred “budget buys” ($1 to $20 or less per record) available if you are reading this and interested.</div><div><br />One of the by-products of my decision and change in philosophy was that I purchased far less music in advance, as I used to pre-order just about every record I was interested in; later selling off the ones I didn’t like as much as I’d hoped. Now I am spending more time with music digitally first, for better or worse. So as I worked on this list I began buying records that I loved most in this year; meaning I didn't get physical copies of many of these until the last couple weeks. As I look down through my top 20 below, I did pre-order Bully, boygenius, and The National, but then Speedy Ortiz, Ratboys, Bonny Doon, Explosions in the Sky, and Sufjan Stevens were all purchased after Thanksgiving.<br /><br />From a digital music perspective, I continue to boycott and protest Spotify (as I <a href="https://twitter.com/Alan_TotR">tweet</a> about frequently), prioritize and promote Bandcamp, but also use Apple Music as the best way for my family of five to all listen and share playlists. 24 of the 25 albums mentioned below are available to stream and buy on Bandcamp.</div><div><br /></div><div>As far as the shows I attended, I saw 14 different artists in and around the Detroit area and made a video summary (below). My favorite experience was seeing Middle Kids, Jimmy Eat World, and Manchester Orchestra on the same night, highlighted by all five of my family members attending. While I love all three of those bands, Jimmy Eat World was the standout on that night. Reflecting on my favorite show of the year, it was probably Thrice playing the 20th anniversary of <i>The Artist in the Ambulance</i>.</div><div><br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5JrM0gXT5Nk?si=HXnJ-bRF-aBn7KUm" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
</div><div><br /></div><div>I created two CD-length mixes, the first of which is on Apple Music and the second is using BNDCMPR (all songs from Bandcamp; no account needed):</div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *; clipboard-write" frameborder="0" height="450" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/playlist/best-of-2023-mix-disc-1/pl.u-gxblDzxs4RzKK" style="border-radius: 10px; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe><br /><br /><br />
<iframe src="https://bndcmpr.co/embed/2a1ecf3c?orientation=landscape" style="border: none; height: 91px; width: 100%;" title="Best of 2023 Mix (Disc 2)"></iframe>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Top 20 albums of 2023:</u></b></h4><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLZj8GePFrojislJJhwc4LwQDh-LqMDfL9JYxNEJzBWKiXHYI0noW_dUlKRybz-KsYIL9mo5uiw5HGFG8oobmlS7rx0IBUrsVxUp4RBOjCkjXF95sVsEBhTMHr_omvp2XbcO5-vXJTKm1ockPXO7RzhLL_G_OvuBe3yEu3pU7bsW2lzGwH8j13w/s1200/bully.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLZj8GePFrojislJJhwc4LwQDh-LqMDfL9JYxNEJzBWKiXHYI0noW_dUlKRybz-KsYIL9mo5uiw5HGFG8oobmlS7rx0IBUrsVxUp4RBOjCkjXF95sVsEBhTMHr_omvp2XbcO5-vXJTKm1ockPXO7RzhLL_G_OvuBe3yEu3pU7bsW2lzGwH8j13w/w200-h200/bully.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>1. Bully- <i>Lucky for You </i></b><br />Nashville, Tennessee<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://bullythemusic.bandcamp.com/album/lucky-for-you">Bandcamp </a><br /><br />I’ve been listening to Alicia Bognanno’s Bully since she debuted the project 8 years ago. This is a breakthrough album and a massive jump in songwriting from my perspective. I had a pretty good feeling it would be my AOTY the day it was released:<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I have been digging <a href="https://twitter.com/Bully?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bully</a> since 2015 or so, but Alicia's new album "Lucky For You" has hit the next level! Really loved my first full listen this morning, and immediately becomes one of my top albums of 2023. Will be spinning all weekend! <a href="https://t.co/ZLv208rReq">https://t.co/ZLv208rReq</a></p>— Alan Parish (@Alan_TotR) <a href="https://twitter.com/Alan_TotR/status/1664640864474243078?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
I assumed me naming it my #1 of 2023 would be unique and random; little could I have known it would be <a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GB5xk7obEAA_Lon?format=jpg&name=large">critically acclaimed</a>! I have seen at least three major publications also name it number one. The guitar work is layered and powerful and all 10 songs are catchy. JT Daly (<a href="https://www.discogs.com/artist/617657-Paper-Route">Paper Route</a>) produced and co-wrote a couple tracks. Album-closer “All This Noise” is my favorite song of 2023 and here is my recording of it when I saw Bully live in September.</div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z0eoyK5EOso?si=SksD4vx2TXrm8fMZ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wG2nKVaJyxRM0FOJrhDnAVgnFNccT74PNCOjBgCPSEspadDjSKqLq9icNHVGsRBv95b-eagjjRIn9-y7a11_yWazgrw9xZ3vOIAgIFDaj3yPQLkS9T3sNfGaHUi0WVz25HWOtTz9__S7YvkkpCRQPg7LA1CK_Tmy0ffYNzlY-QmINv3W4-duZg/s1200/boygenius.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wG2nKVaJyxRM0FOJrhDnAVgnFNccT74PNCOjBgCPSEspadDjSKqLq9icNHVGsRBv95b-eagjjRIn9-y7a11_yWazgrw9xZ3vOIAgIFDaj3yPQLkS9T3sNfGaHUi0WVz25HWOtTz9__S7YvkkpCRQPg7LA1CK_Tmy0ffYNzlY-QmINv3W4-duZg/w200-h200/boygenius.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>2. boygenius- <i>the record </i></b><br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://xboygeniusx.bandcamp.com/album/the-record">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />I discovered Julien Baker in late 2015 and Phoebe Bridgers in early 2017 as indie musicians and could not have imagined what the future would bring. When they first collaborated with Lucy Dacus on the 2018 boygenius EP I thought of it as a one-time side project. At the time that EP it and most of their solo work was fairly sparse and folly. Now five years later the three songwriters have formed as a cohesive rock band and the results are huge in sound and worldwide notoriety. <br /><br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYD07_DxXFbOlhqKGBsLWaqWeeL1SxEYrIWnV-YSXCJytHdzQTWr1zplu7oqTGHw0_gQcHgXkSxgLx3tTPpu3RPvDkyQkObjNJzwFrTl8RsbSkCxMrsrHfee4kgg-2WFdJBOMFvd5p6N6A_fDRDd5HLaeHR5L5720eQCIZ7ArOttcIPoxQP-C7Mg/s1200/cusp.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYD07_DxXFbOlhqKGBsLWaqWeeL1SxEYrIWnV-YSXCJytHdzQTWr1zplu7oqTGHw0_gQcHgXkSxgLx3tTPpu3RPvDkyQkObjNJzwFrTl8RsbSkCxMrsrHfee4kgg-2WFdJBOMFvd5p6N6A_fDRDd5HLaeHR5L5720eQCIZ7ArOttcIPoxQP-C7Mg/w200-h200/cusp.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>3. Cusp- <i>You Can Do It All </i><br /></b>Chicago, Illinois<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://cusptunes.bandcamp.com/album/you-can-do-it-all">Bandcamp</a><br /><br /><br />Initially drawn in by the fantastic cover illustration while browsing Bandcamp, and then all the guitar tones and layers kept me interested. The only album on my list that has yet to be produced in a physical format as this Chicago band has yet to be noticed as they should. Stylistically all over the map, but always rocking. <br /><br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQk_FjoF_5jct8ILtuikoAQb17p-wYgfSRjlWZ_93ZsIbk5fdtSUCpo0PEkxtD2v6E5ACrETgvPzaz0HS4d6TNv5zpeFGmM3LSgX4pI9f8BpNtVXH45aTtpMmVN3xILWroLcNpOAIOND48t1ZWtfiarxk7joJvRKtfsgem6n-OLKlCk_rXsYL_GQ/s1200/speedy.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQk_FjoF_5jct8ILtuikoAQb17p-wYgfSRjlWZ_93ZsIbk5fdtSUCpo0PEkxtD2v6E5ACrETgvPzaz0HS4d6TNv5zpeFGmM3LSgX4pI9f8BpNtVXH45aTtpMmVN3xILWroLcNpOAIOND48t1ZWtfiarxk7joJvRKtfsgem6n-OLKlCk_rXsYL_GQ/w200-h200/speedy.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>4. Speedy Ortiz- <i>Rabbit Rabbit</i><br /></b>Philadelphia, Pennsylvania<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://speedyortiz.bandcamp.com/album/rabbit-rabbit">Bandcamp</a><br /><br /><br />As I shared on Instagram, it took months for me to spend enough time with <i>Rabbit Rabbit </i>to really fall in love. Some of this is my own fault, but the main reason is that Side B is SO MUCH BETTER than Side A, and when listening digitally I would start from the top but then get interrupted. My three favorite songs on this album are probably “Ranch vs. Ranch”, “Emergency & Me”, and “Brace Thee”, which all fall within the last 5 songs.<br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_Iy-iYzTHCNCXia3yBmdDxAtMTXGdjps44tpXDTfMtFHdaslQz9e4nDeTGltDVxaLSQoL9eob2Yw0sbbUR4OJ0liVS2l4BQsrw2edsPZVr2okjPuWgzbFWIsCNrwSlcHayhQXuEH-rQrdkhU6MDHL1aAf1b5qnXbOqg26AYnvL2qMjBtbGTBuw/s1200/bonnydoon.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_Iy-iYzTHCNCXia3yBmdDxAtMTXGdjps44tpXDTfMtFHdaslQz9e4nDeTGltDVxaLSQoL9eob2Yw0sbbUR4OJ0liVS2l4BQsrw2edsPZVr2okjPuWgzbFWIsCNrwSlcHayhQXuEH-rQrdkhU6MDHL1aAf1b5qnXbOqg26AYnvL2qMjBtbGTBuw/w200-h200/bonnydoon.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>5. Bonny Doon- <i>Let There Be Music </i><br /></b>Detroit, Michigan<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://bonnydoon.bandcamp.com/album/let-there-be-music">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />When I first moved to Detroit in 2018 a co-worker of mine told me about Bonny Doon, as one of the best local bands. I didn’t take much time to listen to them at that point, but then they got more on my radar when they were Katie Crutchfield’s backing band on Waxahatchee’s 2020 album <i>Saint Cloud</i> (and she sings on “You Can’t Stay the Same” on this album). When this album dropped, I was immediately hooked. The songs are exceptionally clever, and the lyrics jump out at you. These are some of my favorite lines:<br /><i>"Yeah I know God, she's a friend of mine</i></div><div><i>Comes over for beers all of the time</i></div><div><i>Says the only thing certain is they'll draw the curtain</i></div><div><i>And tie a little bow around your lovin' and hurtin'"</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6kYBbXFDmOJaV4spwGx_suy3STgiuPk4-BeSA85xP1cbcit9k8AGrw7YwYpbKeElW6YRJ77BlHpRKFwQjwt-rD9qztoKPmX9zzBHnHLD-VUh6xM3D8K89evEL-KPuS6oRMFbxUYxUZE_gy5ne121E7qciI5FwKWjsI4aSvkmhxXxkizn5QJPgw/s1200/ratboys.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6kYBbXFDmOJaV4spwGx_suy3STgiuPk4-BeSA85xP1cbcit9k8AGrw7YwYpbKeElW6YRJ77BlHpRKFwQjwt-rD9qztoKPmX9zzBHnHLD-VUh6xM3D8K89evEL-KPuS6oRMFbxUYxUZE_gy5ne121E7qciI5FwKWjsI4aSvkmhxXxkizn5QJPgw/w200-h200/ratboys.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>6. Ratboys- <i>The Window</i></b><br />Chicago, Illinois<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://ratboys.bandcamp.com/album/the-window">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />I discovered Ratboys in 2015 and their debut album AOID was my #10 album that year. Then strangely I stopped listening to them and barely noticed their next two albums. Well, they sure got my attention again with the phenomenal <i>The Window</i>.<br /><br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1NOIzxus9O/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1NOIzxus9O/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; 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line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1NOIzxus9O/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Alan Parish (@turnofftheradio1995)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9uyycxU9bqycYEmN7rukf6tkS6VtFFLYs2dS6d7m3iEksDRHfiODKOWrFrvJGn7npIuvL7_QmdiVTorOyoDZwkWOVK21d058pes_7aihMebFi11KVTgZaEQ8E7WpUgMYOpaHvPyA1PqsiIG5gmb9yEf0Qc2zRkJGOTtV5-c3lveQVPchHfW7xw/s1200/sufjan.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9uyycxU9bqycYEmN7rukf6tkS6VtFFLYs2dS6d7m3iEksDRHfiODKOWrFrvJGn7npIuvL7_QmdiVTorOyoDZwkWOVK21d058pes_7aihMebFi11KVTgZaEQ8E7WpUgMYOpaHvPyA1PqsiIG5gmb9yEf0Qc2zRkJGOTtV5-c3lveQVPchHfW7xw/w200-h200/sufjan.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>7. Sufjan Stevens- <i>Javelin </i></b><br />New York, New York <br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://sufjanstevens.bandcamp.com/album/javelin">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />Really powerful, emotional album from Sufjan during a terribly sad and turbulent year for him. On the day of <i>Javelin'</i>s release he revealed his long-time partner had passed away. And then Sufjan himself has been sick and hospitalized. Gorgeous arrangements consistent with Sufjan's past work, but also breaking a little new ground.<br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFT36myx62gDAsKIW4wcWIuuz0Bwv4belVzsZz9v3ljm_pdTaRBvulApREuhcYv3fHHm5NhsSQfApcaQOCRErhk6DkoNk40BEKXayqOw8HsxLn4wib8vhSexXnBRz124e_6YJkDzJCExEPjAheWMARW51rQgkacjo1F669EzarIPgtRmRMGi_Mw/s1200/explosions.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFT36myx62gDAsKIW4wcWIuuz0Bwv4belVzsZz9v3ljm_pdTaRBvulApREuhcYv3fHHm5NhsSQfApcaQOCRErhk6DkoNk40BEKXayqOw8HsxLn4wib8vhSexXnBRz124e_6YJkDzJCExEPjAheWMARW51rQgkacjo1F669EzarIPgtRmRMGi_Mw/w200-h200/explosions.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>8. Explosions In the Sky- <i>End </i></b><br />Austin, Texas<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://explosionsinthesky.bandcamp.com/album/end">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />Explosions in the Sky, like their post-rock comrades in Mogwai, spend much of their time, and probably make most of their money, making film soundtracks. So whenever they release a true album, it is a treat. End is EITS's first LP in seven years, and absolutely gorgeous. I don't know that I would ever describe rock music without vocals "catchy", but these melodies definitely stick with me.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9SsyUPRbeRgY1cfxnGZ3jDru3i9Q73OHBPXjQ4jB984fTlLz1liYe7-x84tbOSapIci0GBmqPzvQdJbRq8eMdC3YklbSAy7hPdgvsINQchOhOMND322UbwpXno4NyZrAobew1mGuMIGzLlwroXByxAyie5FGXt56jFpEdRCnRtPbaK5xlpJfzg/s1200/newpornographers.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9SsyUPRbeRgY1cfxnGZ3jDru3i9Q73OHBPXjQ4jB984fTlLz1liYe7-x84tbOSapIci0GBmqPzvQdJbRq8eMdC3YklbSAy7hPdgvsINQchOhOMND322UbwpXno4NyZrAobew1mGuMIGzLlwroXByxAyie5FGXt56jFpEdRCnRtPbaK5xlpJfzg/w200-h200/newpornographers.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>9. The New Pornographers- <i>Continue as a Guest </i></b><br />Vancouver, British Columbia<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://thenewpornos.bandcamp.com/album/continue-as-a-guest">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />Most of the shows I attended this year were bands on tours unreleased to specific album releases, but this was an exception. I saw The New Pornographers a couple months after <i>Continue as a Guest </i>was released, and it did give me an appreciation for the songs that hadn't grabbed me much in recorded form. This was more of a grower than their last few albums were for me, partially due to the prominence and feature of saxophone throughout--not my favorite decision, and hoping it was a one-off. The show itself was phenomenal, highlighted by the vocals of Neko Case.<br /> <br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKG8cYYLDoyMfvtXPNu1bMiAdLyBlreA2nCxxPVw-NlSe6QlpKEg5i3_p66Ls22o0AKg2UnGsuc2SQX_94kPHzsxjcZwEwd117QLb9N0lET-YpulQNJOFqVtRZKS2mOSfHgBY7rs5JCAqDQfhnprzgHl9J5fpBsNTg1GcWLT8cLBUIvEQlE0MrQ/s1200/mxpx.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKG8cYYLDoyMfvtXPNu1bMiAdLyBlreA2nCxxPVw-NlSe6QlpKEg5i3_p66Ls22o0AKg2UnGsuc2SQX_94kPHzsxjcZwEwd117QLb9N0lET-YpulQNJOFqVtRZKS2mOSfHgBY7rs5JCAqDQfhnprzgHl9J5fpBsNTg1GcWLT8cLBUIvEQlE0MrQ/w200-h200/mxpx.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>10. MxPx- <i>Find a Way Home</i></b><br />Bremerton, Washington<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://mxpx.bandcamp.com/album/find-a-way-home">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />Honestly, I never thought an MxPx album would show up in a list of my again, or that I would ever listen to them much again. 90-plus percent of my MxPx listening took place in the 1994-1997 range, as they exposed me to the genre of pop-punk. After a few years I realized I didn’t really like pop-punk, but I’ve had nostalgia for MxPx ever since.<br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAciZ7Uolo7iE5_wYuw2m-79a5h0mREvOEowIh0-4AznZBtmwIsO2_ctsoC3ED0RP1-hu-GCdC9AwVoR1izX9eYCp-Cxa2m81TvNIoCTXN1_lFQb-qAsWFBBe6cvPsL1uHDygXR5bVKtn6twfwF5C87LYurGIyHt-RO_mNy0VfP0-jis8hYYqng/s1200/thenational.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAciZ7Uolo7iE5_wYuw2m-79a5h0mREvOEowIh0-4AznZBtmwIsO2_ctsoC3ED0RP1-hu-GCdC9AwVoR1izX9eYCp-Cxa2m81TvNIoCTXN1_lFQb-qAsWFBBe6cvPsL1uHDygXR5bVKtn6twfwF5C87LYurGIyHt-RO_mNy0VfP0-jis8hYYqng/w200-h200/thenational.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>11. The National- <i>First Two Pages of Frankenstein</i></b><br />Brooklyn, New York<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://thenational.bandcamp.com/album/first-two-pages-of-frankenstein">Bandcamp </a><br /><br />I listened to this a ton the first half of the year, and probably originally would have predicted it to wind up in my top-5. But by the time the second The National album came out this year, I was somewhat tired of them, and I have yet to even listen to <i>Laugh Track</i>.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIF6uO-jQ_Cc6eLf65gCdY1oByeIbUjY3_EYCVrkfhbLvat-LQbuBXTx1KURn-eBITg2mK6P9cksd1X0BILQWYclbGCU1zF51ujjnH4mW2ijQfrSZrjoyZp6PpFZDVGfvE68rTCxKZgQmR_aEQlxZoFLaiwAkcljyuNuK9qMqAZWPGQeXAzg2nQ/s600/paramore.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="600" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIF6uO-jQ_Cc6eLf65gCdY1oByeIbUjY3_EYCVrkfhbLvat-LQbuBXTx1KURn-eBITg2mK6P9cksd1X0BILQWYclbGCU1zF51ujjnH4mW2ijQfrSZrjoyZp6PpFZDVGfvE68rTCxKZgQmR_aEQlxZoFLaiwAkcljyuNuK9qMqAZWPGQeXAzg2nQ/w200-h198/paramore.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>12. Paramore- <i>This Is Why </i></b><br />Franklin, Tennessee <br /><br />It took me way longer than it should have to listen to and buy a Paramore album on the day of its release, but glad I did! This is my favorite Paramore album and I love the energy of it. The only album in my top 20 not available on Bandcamp. <br /><br /> <br /><br /><b><br /></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCJbdjZYOdnKAARhzw74RAnEFqLnCO8bIbgqymd2jyRFRlZGHLiOwsGlcjUjVkXn3AE6m9cIqEW3Aj9zK-ZQi6cHgkYbvDQJZG9xhui7Nc-RfwyeSlu8BVaNoNbXbX0pwySZkCRzwnF9DQQPWkDhpQj8K5qxCvGCFDKW3uH9qhG1l1w79X-rGEQ/s1200/nickelcreek.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCJbdjZYOdnKAARhzw74RAnEFqLnCO8bIbgqymd2jyRFRlZGHLiOwsGlcjUjVkXn3AE6m9cIqEW3Aj9zK-ZQi6cHgkYbvDQJZG9xhui7Nc-RfwyeSlu8BVaNoNbXbX0pwySZkCRzwnF9DQQPWkDhpQj8K5qxCvGCFDKW3uH9qhG1l1w79X-rGEQ/w200-h200/nickelcreek.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>13. Nickel Creek- <i>Celebrants </i></b><br />Carlsbad, California<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://nickelcreek.bandcamp.com/album/celebrants">Bandcamp</a><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_b_7U5rAcgqxI_0Ro2JjsNmSD2hxRc_Glg0odV1rz8SWnSzf-vnkVKjeuE7VTebv6zRl1gL85xw1aEZUlnHLQtE4HikSe648qrXLP5g8UdLO3U4bNl7-xaAVTQTwLCsCcS6akIDEx6N1Fa2BdY9Q01IZf-RozNgyEfplyC8-GU-CqSMZOEJbeQ/s1200/runnner.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_b_7U5rAcgqxI_0Ro2JjsNmSD2hxRc_Glg0odV1rz8SWnSzf-vnkVKjeuE7VTebv6zRl1gL85xw1aEZUlnHLQtE4HikSe648qrXLP5g8UdLO3U4bNl7-xaAVTQTwLCsCcS6akIDEx6N1Fa2BdY9Q01IZf-RozNgyEfplyC8-GU-CqSMZOEJbeQ/w200-h200/runnner.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>14. runnner- l<i>ike dying stars, we’re reaching out </i></b><br />Los Angeles, California<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://runnner.bandcamp.com/album/like-dying-stars-were-reaching-out-deluxe-edition">Bandcamp <br /><br /></a><br /><br /> <br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEH4B8y1n1uLSiV-SU7zVW23HvYzNUGRMYraqc3kQWIrkxt1XC5u3DyvwisF2UsXKPDmc4rwJM2OK9J5OeuERzQkmvQqEKnJGLMOaPMJO7PUZ5R4VgeKvujKG9FCW4fjQKLCE2GTq1CJydbksdxp3L6pRjQtlltUytugQSSV1hk__v-Taq44jHAg/s1200/bellawhite.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEH4B8y1n1uLSiV-SU7zVW23HvYzNUGRMYraqc3kQWIrkxt1XC5u3DyvwisF2UsXKPDmc4rwJM2OK9J5OeuERzQkmvQqEKnJGLMOaPMJO7PUZ5R4VgeKvujKG9FCW4fjQKLCE2GTq1CJydbksdxp3L6pRjQtlltUytugQSSV1hk__v-Taq44jHAg/w200-h200/bellawhite.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>15. Bella White- <i>Among Other Things</i></b><br />Victoria, British Columbia<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://bellawhitemusic.bandcamp.com/album/among-other-things">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />Over the month of December I read dozen(s) of year-end lists and sampled tons of artists and albums I missed out on over the year. Crazily, this country album is the one that stunned me and stuck with me. Bella White’s voice had me hooked immediately, and then her songwriting kept my attention. This is the most true country album I have liked in a very, very long time.<br /><br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAxwv7JipnF3QKpDJGo49YuzdfAjeaIl2YNo0Ak6pW8N8WuJ15TEAoZso99hXZebsOfEFWqqkCHXoH24NAX1txIsZPruzeQ6tdji2uqqB7bQintDI-gOuKZmYR3BS0wfcUgSgoEjVUiOG9_DKaaB39v6yBQlMVfBWxXthyEng66qLTdIC2iJWxw/s1200/carolinerose.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAxwv7JipnF3QKpDJGo49YuzdfAjeaIl2YNo0Ak6pW8N8WuJ15TEAoZso99hXZebsOfEFWqqkCHXoH24NAX1txIsZPruzeQ6tdji2uqqB7bQintDI-gOuKZmYR3BS0wfcUgSgoEjVUiOG9_DKaaB39v6yBQlMVfBWxXthyEng66qLTdIC2iJWxw/w200-h200/carolinerose.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>16. Caroline Rose- <i>The Art of Forgetting </i></b><br />New York, New York<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://carolinerosemusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-art-of-forgetting">Bandcamp</a><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3H-NjMaTQe9r1As31FrSSCgXcEElMQ8P9GawYGnq6X3kJMB46HK2f-CtU0LN3XkTkVAm1iHz5XRxp6Vwl1H5-5qNkeNhfldvJVesCQNR1qyXLaai1g9D3EI6AwPDdQ_JR7cX6BI7aQ0evsJ5ZBfyAdzK_Ermsp43e0OZXjaI4EqFTTS9tJsHdw/s1200/LIES.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3H-NjMaTQe9r1As31FrSSCgXcEElMQ8P9GawYGnq6X3kJMB46HK2f-CtU0LN3XkTkVAm1iHz5XRxp6Vwl1H5-5qNkeNhfldvJVesCQNR1qyXLaai1g9D3EI6AwPDdQ_JR7cX6BI7aQ0evsJ5ZBfyAdzK_Ermsp43e0OZXjaI4EqFTTS9tJsHdw/w200-h200/LIES.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>17. LIES- <i>Lies </i></b><br />New York, New York <br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://liesband.bandcamp.com/album/lies">Bandcamp<br /><br /></a>(This is sort-of the new American Football record.)<br /><br /> <br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjIrV9t-8_OrqSEuMM4Ucahm211OarRFNg_BRlJkd_7RtNyqjmkVj9DrAmuHKgvcDUFRC34OwPPZgJ0HCYk8Kf38CdFcfbrOqYGbe3kx59nZTQNNAiYWqZjTLKKb-cPb6clO9JdTeyDyHMyUPQD-QfXh835L9Z9K8Y3wm1gqORstIyTJCsyyumg/s1200/blondshell.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjIrV9t-8_OrqSEuMM4Ucahm211OarRFNg_BRlJkd_7RtNyqjmkVj9DrAmuHKgvcDUFRC34OwPPZgJ0HCYk8Kf38CdFcfbrOqYGbe3kx59nZTQNNAiYWqZjTLKKb-cPb6clO9JdTeyDyHMyUPQD-QfXh835L9Z9K8Y3wm1gqORstIyTJCsyyumg/w200-h200/blondshell.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>18. Blondshell- <i>Blondshell </i></b><br />Los Angeles, California<br />Listen/buy on<a href="https://blondshell.bandcamp.com/album/blondshell-deluxe-edition"> Bandcamp<br /></a><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-ICYbKxDTQNylpYKcJlt10XE_rjqcwsNp9ThUIsyTHUIh_MDiMxLqekvFLAvYXtqbCgXkFA5r8h4gQ_85Dn5zvh5FiGkK_RjR6ep4lDOKcZQxZzBCWsofz-m0e4SWdbazzBrQrDte32XzzNkPjDc8Gne62EzlVau5CN1gvwwB5e8vBhaV5g4ZA/s1200/joyoladokun.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-ICYbKxDTQNylpYKcJlt10XE_rjqcwsNp9ThUIsyTHUIh_MDiMxLqekvFLAvYXtqbCgXkFA5r8h4gQ_85Dn5zvh5FiGkK_RjR6ep4lDOKcZQxZzBCWsofz-m0e4SWdbazzBrQrDte32XzzNkPjDc8Gne62EzlVau5CN1gvwwB5e8vBhaV5g4ZA/w200-h200/joyoladokun.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>19. Joy Oladokun- <i>Proof Of Life </i></b><br />Casa Grande, Arizona<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://joyoladokunproofoflife.bandcamp.com/album/proof-of-life-explicit">Bandcamp </a><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oMNP2UPKn053xQARkXsqC517fYyXEImyl1o2pSX9nMZ_RnXSH75nyOL0D-87eetxqauVgYKhuM9HIzutISf-WmTJOUqzTS0FwWZB4pSVH-zjquFjeXATSRfcScX6xT13FyiAF1UuyZyCDknMVsSs2T8yJnuGqHxgbBXNmGxdQFpmUzB_YuQEWw/s1200/fust.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oMNP2UPKn053xQARkXsqC517fYyXEImyl1o2pSX9nMZ_RnXSH75nyOL0D-87eetxqauVgYKhuM9HIzutISf-WmTJOUqzTS0FwWZB4pSVH-zjquFjeXATSRfcScX6xT13FyiAF1UuyZyCDknMVsSs2T8yJnuGqHxgbBXNmGxdQFpmUzB_YuQEWw/w200-h200/fust.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>20. Fust- <i>Genevieve </i></b><br />Durham, North Carolina<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://fust.bandcamp.com/album/genevieve">Bandcamp</a><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><u>Top 5 EPs of 2023:</u></h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08KgIOv1gfOQAoyoOkGJhvuzd2SO6RdioBZjaWJ9Z_6nsu0OM1ryCasFyn_xLwrGxR6-SNj8Tq5qOecK7LdM1-M06apyObffF_-QhINs1MKUJDy0IgYmwX0oNrGxwuZYEevVGmshknry8L8NlXiVY5QXRz9DJQb2n21kiD8yBfzYY-O8kbqEfDg/s1200/valleyofvision.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08KgIOv1gfOQAoyoOkGJhvuzd2SO6RdioBZjaWJ9Z_6nsu0OM1ryCasFyn_xLwrGxR6-SNj8Tq5qOecK7LdM1-M06apyObffF_-QhINs1MKUJDy0IgYmwX0oNrGxwuZYEevVGmshknry8L8NlXiVY5QXRz9DJQb2n21kiD8yBfzYY-O8kbqEfDg/w200-h200/valleyofvision.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><b>1. Manchester Orchestra- </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">The Valley Of Vision </i><br />Atlanta, Georgia<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://manchesterorchestramusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-valley-of-vision">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />If this were fleshed out into an LP, would have definitely been in my top 5; perhaps my third favorite release of the year. Wrote at length about my dislike of Manchester Orchestra's live show and engaged in much online discussion about it; the bottom line is that I would love to see them play an acoustic show as I do not like how they try to make heavy all their gorgeous songs (like these six) in the live context. My family all likes Manchester Orchestra's recorded music, but they have now all seen them live twice and mostly hate how loud and blown out it is.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghspc2JxK8xSeJpw1-UWX2BYW1oCIbAP0o5BlRa08lXgp7_3VZDggB0zc2iePmYxogb2-nqU8tlDQLmehzrIw2IqaUvnHV1lICSBKCczRcFknfB1_RFxuzF531bsW5jS80TLvmNFNesag6QRGfsXIx5kA-1FSI0ZU52d8U0Hszo5u3HuWhxFTqkg/s1200/rosiethomas.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghspc2JxK8xSeJpw1-UWX2BYW1oCIbAP0o5BlRa08lXgp7_3VZDggB0zc2iePmYxogb2-nqU8tlDQLmehzrIw2IqaUvnHV1lICSBKCczRcFknfB1_RFxuzF531bsW5jS80TLvmNFNesag6QRGfsXIx5kA-1FSI0ZU52d8U0Hszo5u3HuWhxFTqkg/w200-h200/rosiethomas.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>2. Rosie Thomas- <i>Lullabies for Parents </i><br /></b>Livonia, Michigan<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://rosiethomas.bandcamp.com/album/lullabies-for-parents-vol-1-2">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />Most of these songs were released in 2022 as a series of singles and ultimately two EPs, but then this summer were ultimately released as a full-length album.<br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjr4aaG0ER_tMliRFL4e4QpLcS5lLLychRiFjAeDXAzEtht249nyRhQHefWiGtIk6NxZf3gP8a3-JPWLyIUYpLbvjF8-vWVpbiZtJNP_WzdxZDlXOUoz99OclK3wPO-3ECEcqN0jWGuz1ZeWly_bmWLcucmg5hYFjReHUND9H4amDsk3HcPcOXfg/s1200/leebozeman.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjr4aaG0ER_tMliRFL4e4QpLcS5lLLychRiFjAeDXAzEtht249nyRhQHefWiGtIk6NxZf3gP8a3-JPWLyIUYpLbvjF8-vWVpbiZtJNP_WzdxZDlXOUoz99OclK3wPO-3ECEcqN0jWGuz1ZeWly_bmWLcucmg5hYFjReHUND9H4amDsk3HcPcOXfg/w200-h200/leebozeman.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>3. Lee Bozeman- <i>We Should Rejoice</i></b><br />Tyler, Texas<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://leebozeman.bandcamp.com/album/we-should-rejoice">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />Lee Bozeman dropped these songs early in the year and mentioned they were songs considered, but not used for the next Luxury record, which was in progress of being written and recorded. Now we know that Luxury album is coming in February!<br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyd_o36rMDccmiKrA-2GG0QtpFD4Kanh5f1ZFi6b46V-TV2fmKh-eqgJ5d81qC-MXNRokeP5x8CjSgx_ZOX3lxb6LScIKYMmRM0_0-zl-PuxwBqrcVWGEjMWJ2zHFie_SABpwGlU_MLWySlYN19oKHPcErqnwBAYKY5U4QqFOFxwnrevnWI5byQw/s1200/lauralucas.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyd_o36rMDccmiKrA-2GG0QtpFD4Kanh5f1ZFi6b46V-TV2fmKh-eqgJ5d81qC-MXNRokeP5x8CjSgx_ZOX3lxb6LScIKYMmRM0_0-zl-PuxwBqrcVWGEjMWJ2zHFie_SABpwGlU_MLWySlYN19oKHPcErqnwBAYKY5U4QqFOFxwnrevnWI5byQw/w200-h200/lauralucas.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>4. Laura Lucas- <i>The Dreamer </i></b><br />Winnipeg, Manitoba<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://lauralucas.bandcamp.com/album/the-dreamer">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />Unsure how I first heard Laura Lucas, but at some point in the year I noticed the occasional, beautiful single she would release. Finally a few weeks back she pulled them all together into an EP.<br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopDJ0r13pZxEyjzB2rtkEtpF-asgaSdLC8Lm7OE1jgQQXVcJ_NZ72E1Ax3vzmS6pX3902CiVsGYP9nklA368RaJc7sM20O4H2wLCqeSBZqpjCcgTcFoKLWx5IrzXGJxZXEYbRQgGvgLz0P5n5JW6HR2ZtzM1Vr25pZq7wMieNTiHFSy7Vr9VxCg/s1200/kevinklein.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopDJ0r13pZxEyjzB2rtkEtpF-asgaSdLC8Lm7OE1jgQQXVcJ_NZ72E1Ax3vzmS6pX3902CiVsGYP9nklA368RaJc7sM20O4H2wLCqeSBZqpjCcgTcFoKLWx5IrzXGJxZXEYbRQgGvgLz0P5n5JW6HR2ZtzM1Vr25pZq7wMieNTiHFSy7Vr9VxCg/w200-h200/kevinklein.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>5. Kevin Klein- <i>Random Space </i><br /></b>Boston, Massachusetts<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://kevinklein.bandcamp.com/album/random-space">Bandcamp</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Most highly anticipated albums of 2024:</u></b></h4><div><b>Sixpence None the Richer. </b>It's arrival is more hypothetical at this point, <i>but I feel it</i>. For one, they dropped a single, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWXsClsTavM">"The Tide"</a> (even though it's bizarrely marketed as "Leigh Nash and Sixpence None the Richer"), their first song in a dozen years. Secondly, Matt and Leigh are now a part of 10,000 Maniacs (also bizarre, but awesome) and those shows include lots of Sixpence songs. Matt and Leigh writing and recording together is what we need, and I am pumped. Also, a 25th Anniversary vinyl reissue of the self-titled album is due in February (<a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sixpence-None-The-Richer-Sixpence-None-The-Richer-DLX-Anniv-Walmart-Exclusive-Olive-Green-Vinyl-Pop-2-LP/5113283403?athbdg=L1100&from=/search">pre-order here</a>), and I wrote the liner notes!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Mates of State.</b> Details are still vague and incomplete, but Kori and Jason played shows in 2023 (and as recently as this month), they have shared studio photos on Instagram, and have said a new album is coming.</div><div><b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDD1n6B9R91ugqKr_73jbxoRqDvuasFYax08wGc5B17MUe0XnSna6plCKNm91ek_vF0tbXT1Xp9ipac48rOyV00l-Ta9m6gFfZI7ZYYzIGHogRLDn7XLT5N4qUcjb-4_imtqdXRTCZln-o5EnX_yPSSW3q40vGEZVvbtATXWZQW1K5OtbQXdAjYg/s1200/middlekids.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDD1n6B9R91ugqKr_73jbxoRqDvuasFYax08wGc5B17MUe0XnSna6plCKNm91ek_vF0tbXT1Xp9ipac48rOyV00l-Ta9m6gFfZI7ZYYzIGHogRLDn7XLT5N4qUcjb-4_imtqdXRTCZln-o5EnX_yPSSW3q40vGEZVvbtATXWZQW1K5OtbQXdAjYg/w200-h200/middlekids.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>Middle Kids- <i>Faith Crisis Pt 1</i></b></div><div>February 16<br /><a href="https://middlekids.bandcamp.com/album/faith-crisis-pt-1">Pre-order</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Middle Kids released four singles from this upcoming album throughout 2023, and for a long time I assumed it would have been released in the fall. Saw them play a couple of the new songs live in August.</div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttwA0l7pcnEBDkbMSrYc06N9b9h4L2H9P5FL5r1iuiHxT7A6SblNwjACWRlWY8WYG35rICVo6_meCZlqxqFj9MsG3ZPwJp8EUh66YedsYBTWQlz8ukYH-z3rABFUGgRb7QgHw5tsdjlxvEDwHdQZJ8IijPYkmXagzhCouOqC6pg8y9qITnh38Mg/s1093/stayinside.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="1093" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttwA0l7pcnEBDkbMSrYc06N9b9h4L2H9P5FL5r1iuiHxT7A6SblNwjACWRlWY8WYG35rICVo6_meCZlqxqFj9MsG3ZPwJp8EUh66YedsYBTWQlz8ukYH-z3rABFUGgRb7QgHw5tsdjlxvEDwHdQZJ8IijPYkmXagzhCouOqC6pg8y9qITnh38Mg/w200-h199/stayinside.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Stay Inside- <i>Ferried Away</i></b></div><div>February 28</div><div><a href="https://www.stayinside.store/products/ferried-away-vinyl?variant=47021206077728">Pre-order</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Stay Inside first released "A Backyard" as a single over the summer, and was a radical departure into poppier territory for this experimental post-hardcore band. They have now released two other singles that better connect the dots from their past to current work. I love the vocal layering this band does and how it combines the singing (and occasional screaming) styles of Chris Johns, Bryn Nieboer, and Chris Lawless.</div><div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtMaO6kLgI0l1qXGR9Lal3PDRQ2ZPjQ82DEhiWg9LRAvnVoMPDV6hw7SPia4G56J08eiEDwfGIdOkvM51SN_VKExu42bX4IhBFvm-2fEjNJH_b82aA7fxvzek-l0dOgmo2lrU3r-oJzHI0LtZ5IRupSlgfzuINGLhe13GmlH4rgmpOfB_8ZKWrg/s1200/luxury2.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtMaO6kLgI0l1qXGR9Lal3PDRQ2ZPjQ82DEhiWg9LRAvnVoMPDV6hw7SPia4G56J08eiEDwfGIdOkvM51SN_VKExu42bX4IhBFvm-2fEjNJH_b82aA7fxvzek-l0dOgmo2lrU3r-oJzHI0LtZ5IRupSlgfzuINGLhe13GmlH4rgmpOfB_8ZKWrg/w200-h200/luxury2.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>Luxury- <i>Like Unto Lambs</i></b></div><div>February 1</div><div><a href="https://luxury.bandcamp.com/album/like-unto-lambs">Pre-order</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Luxury has been hinting at this record for years, but they have been on a one album per decade rhythm for awhile, so it is easier to be patient with them than most bands. Thrilled we are finally close to hearing the whole thing after the single "The Wilderness" dropped earlier in December.</div> <br /></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cM8EsIe_Fbs?si=wj5jbGGAjyJKzOsq" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-64418903287556611752023-05-03T10:58:00.002-04:002023-05-03T10:58:29.249-04:00Records for sale!<p>If you follow me on Instagram, Twitter, or interact with me in other ways, you'll know that I have made the decision to downsize and <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OjftcVke9BTMBcTr9t1obKgl38C9LDMw95gtubBVXVQ/edit#gid=0">sell most of my record collection</a>. I was nearing 1000 records, but I now have a goal of reducing that to 200 "essential" records. I have sold over 100 in the last couple months--it's definitely been weird, as I had thought I would keep them for the rest of my life. But I have peace with the change in focus and am happy to have owned them but now pass them on to another home.</p><p>For now, I am mostly selling directly, meaning not using other platforms. This means less fees for me and the buyer, but also obviously a level of trust. I have created a <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OjftcVke9BTMBcTr9t1obKgl38C9LDMw95gtubBVXVQ/edit#gid=0">Google sheet</a> that has 250+ records and I update it frequently. I am also am happy to take offers on most of the records in my <a href="https://www.discogs.com/user/drenchedecent/collection">Discogs collection</a>, but there are some that are untouchable that I would not be willing to let go of. (I have sold a lot on Discogs in the past--with 100% feedback as a seller-- and will again, but currently trying to avoid giving them the 9%).</p><p>If anything interests you, reach out! My email address is in the <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OjftcVke9BTMBcTr9t1obKgl38C9LDMw95gtubBVXVQ/edit#gid=0">Google sheet</a>, or DM me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/turnofftheradio1995/">Instagram</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/Alan_TotR">Twitter</a>.<br /><br />*Also, I am happy to sell most of my CD's. However, I do not have them cataloged in any way. I do have hundreds or more, and most are from the 90's. If there are CDs you are looking for, reach out!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9yn0asCOmVRBUYkwqzzMVYqtfr3jDEq4Ng1X_tau0Yt0Qu0ehlenmJkxFP6VsvIQldA3iZnDprq3Co3OcP9Oz2FvCAI6lEhGBMZB3aw-BWE7VlPrHVzPnVx-RNrd0z9Vcvn2iwvlgUPAmbhqoQHQZ0yy0ZezigmCjJh9ArOIym5VRD0o7Uw/s1518/Screenshot%202023-05-03%20at%2010.48.43%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1492" data-original-width="1518" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9yn0asCOmVRBUYkwqzzMVYqtfr3jDEq4Ng1X_tau0Yt0Qu0ehlenmJkxFP6VsvIQldA3iZnDprq3Co3OcP9Oz2FvCAI6lEhGBMZB3aw-BWE7VlPrHVzPnVx-RNrd0z9Vcvn2iwvlgUPAmbhqoQHQZ0yy0ZezigmCjJh9ArOIym5VRD0o7Uw/w400-h394/Screenshot%202023-05-03%20at%2010.48.43%20AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-54510234941906064852022-12-24T12:02:00.006-05:002022-12-29T15:00:57.459-05:00Best of 2022<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgORFtgajWiz7UvDYvhp6k2QVOdfgkLJ4NHJSw_aHiiItrTPZBhnNKR1kgU2-VEB6kKG6fEe8crrjYIk2CWSlRP3j3m3rrUlfPzKdHfg8YuS64wOEhBfxrfYgp7wAzG518YD3vtdKkRLgSn_FPPWu2S1w22flSM6jL65jPAsg7k8slK1WAW4/s2048/52362719645_9d221bfced_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgORFtgajWiz7UvDYvhp6k2QVOdfgkLJ4NHJSw_aHiiItrTPZBhnNKR1kgU2-VEB6kKG6fEe8crrjYIk2CWSlRP3j3m3rrUlfPzKdHfg8YuS64wOEhBfxrfYgp7wAzG518YD3vtdKkRLgSn_FPPWu2S1w22flSM6jL65jPAsg7k8slK1WAW4/w640-h426/52362719645_9d221bfced_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Photo of Elliott, in Detroit in September, by me. See a full gallery and all my concert photography <a href="https://flickr.com/photos/turnofftheradio/albums/with/72177720302149167">here</a>.</i></div><br /><div>Over the last couple of weeks, I have either listened to tons of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/25daysofchristmaslps/">Christmas music</a> or listened to music released this year. I have an iTunes/Apple Music "smart" playlist with only songs from 2022 that I listen to on shuffle often while I'm driving. For one, this reminds me of all that was put out this year, but also it puts songs into context and comparison with each other. This is one of the most helpful ways for me to rank albums. </div><div><br /></div><div>This 2022 shuffle also leads to some albums climbing my list, or vice versa. The two biggest climbers go to Madison Cunningham and The Smile. I had never even heard of Madison Cunningham before November, and her album immediately grabbed me last month. And then The Smile I didn't spend much time with, which is my own fault. Had Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood simply called it a Radiohead album, I probably would have preordered it. <i>Midnights</i> wound up lower than I had hoped, and <i>Havasu</i> also didn't grab me like most Pedro the Lion albums. And then Tegan and Sara, who I love, released an album that I couldn't place on this list anywhere; more on that album below.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are my two primary playlists I made, one on BNDCMPR (all songs from Bandcamp, no account needed--may work better if you follow <a href="https://bndcmpr.co/9b102758">this link</a>), and then Apple Music. The BNDCMPR playlist begins with melodic indie rock and then transitions into the harder stuff. The Apple Music playlist leans more mainstream, also begins with melodic indie rock, and transitions into folky and quiet.</div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe src="https://bndcmpr.co/embed/9b102758?orientation=landscape" style="border: none; height: 91px; width: 100%;" title="Best of 2022"></iframe></div><div><br /></div>
<iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *; clipboard-write" frameborder="0" height="450" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/playlist/best-of-2022-mix/pl.u-oZyl4BpuXy7rr" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe>
<div><h4><u>Top 25 albums of 2022:</u></h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjUc0jyratp3uT58Kv4WXKtzs4Hla6ebRkl8Vi75kK0MjwcOXPeMRQ4lf0gmZr1uOA7QnPfEzPL5zxCYJ0y5SaJ-_g6XtXmvAJ-tmnzKJQANK7nrpTHQNYK_W9c2BLG1wzYuJJIUooS48RmAZsqnmMcGHFqyN99RZKzUhAsDzlzCrYJlJxmw/s1200/beths.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjUc0jyratp3uT58Kv4WXKtzs4Hla6ebRkl8Vi75kK0MjwcOXPeMRQ4lf0gmZr1uOA7QnPfEzPL5zxCYJ0y5SaJ-_g6XtXmvAJ-tmnzKJQANK7nrpTHQNYK_W9c2BLG1wzYuJJIUooS48RmAZsqnmMcGHFqyN99RZKzUhAsDzlzCrYJlJxmw/w200-h200/beths.jpeg" width="200" /></b></a></div><b>1. The Beths- <i>Expert In A Dying Field</i></b><span style="font-style: italic; white-space: pre;"> </span><br />Auckland, New Zealand<span style="font-style: italic; white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div>See the record on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CibPazNMhSX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a></div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://thebethsnz.bandcamp.com/album/expert-in-a-dying-field">Bandcamp</a></div><div><br /></div><div>This dominated my fall listening as it was released a few weeks after I saw The Beths in concert in August. They were so tight live, with four-part harmonies, and all their songs sounding better than the studio versions. Thankful The Beths got a lotta love this year, they deserve it!<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mV14choxSaiC3DJI4qSqFe0igqOgJqIF8eu3zFY55Yi84RxpAAf1Tt9zwPN4YD1qtzxUvR5uMoTZgHHxWCWz4JtxRh9aCF-aGVL2vhxD20Qkc16IHtwhvgp-mtcZeuZ5K5tnxRHkvwm4Jse2oKB9VezkYyL1qL5XSyKijgfDtCfWDe-jIj0/s1125/IMG_8438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1125" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mV14choxSaiC3DJI4qSqFe0igqOgJqIF8eu3zFY55Yi84RxpAAf1Tt9zwPN4YD1qtzxUvR5uMoTZgHHxWCWz4JtxRh9aCF-aGVL2vhxD20Qkc16IHtwhvgp-mtcZeuZ5K5tnxRHkvwm4Jse2oKB9VezkYyL1qL5XSyKijgfDtCfWDe-jIj0/s320/IMG_8438.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nfhxK10J6s1MZGlvo2ZVZiet7WkkPp3BQPXH9IfBT3qGUaFRXwjI_weIfNUEqjxbFLubAk7UK7ukYDdbjGVud5ecOMAWDQArEwRWNOqjJXJ-RlCOJR9FDEoNAjHSKuRCfobcPZj9Fu4Isuqr-JTDweOoGFTvPIQnNHxuLlestOpsWDgMjOY/s1200/momma.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nfhxK10J6s1MZGlvo2ZVZiet7WkkPp3BQPXH9IfBT3qGUaFRXwjI_weIfNUEqjxbFLubAk7UK7ukYDdbjGVud5ecOMAWDQArEwRWNOqjJXJ-RlCOJR9FDEoNAjHSKuRCfobcPZj9Fu4Isuqr-JTDweOoGFTvPIQnNHxuLlestOpsWDgMjOY/w200-h200/momma.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><b>2. Momma- <i>Household Name</i></b><span style="font-style: italic; white-space: pre;"> </span><br />Los Angeles, California</div><div>See the record on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgAizVYOiFT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a> (I also constructed this album cover out of LEGO)</div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://mommaband.bandcamp.com/album/household-name">Bandcamp</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I listed "Medicine" as one of my favorite singles of 2021, but it could not have prepared me for how much I would love this album. I listened to pretty much nothing but this album all summer. The 90's influence is huge and transports me back to high school (in the good ways!).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmuhMESKFnQ1A0lnDqKI1dWJ2n3qw_PNCcKKcxOszp-IsZMSxgANr23fsSEmSnz-ceg35TGJ3rtxep7JVYuszNipx-WurhNwI8HRAnaizZLY6TcJOJCuVjm1VVD-y0URMLwYVOYag7Nf-uEvPinKV_TX5d_G2_Sd9q8ntaOEHAi0YNzJxFik/s1200/caracara.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmuhMESKFnQ1A0lnDqKI1dWJ2n3qw_PNCcKKcxOszp-IsZMSxgANr23fsSEmSnz-ceg35TGJ3rtxep7JVYuszNipx-WurhNwI8HRAnaizZLY6TcJOJCuVjm1VVD-y0URMLwYVOYag7Nf-uEvPinKV_TX5d_G2_Sd9q8ntaOEHAi0YNzJxFik/w200-h200/caracara.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><b>3. Caracara- <i>New Preoccupations</i><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></b><br />Philadelphia, Pennsylvania<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br /><div>See the record on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfOzC7BO7e3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a></div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://caracaraphilly.bandcamp.com/album/new-preoccupations">Bandcamp</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Was a nominal Caracara fan the last couple years, as I discovered them with the "Better" EP, which I ranked as one of my fav EPs that year. This LP is on a completely different plane--the songwriting is so intelligent and profound.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiHBbJce6KKgJ_flTPb1RyTT08QLR9uYmsGdUCZWkEyW1siwDakv1ocB3VzwFfdZAde6MR_zmcNGFo6Me23oQgaDIKVSHliGrXqxecNR3r8dJFwt2CGEvIpl0yvJeRO7vgxYLSFZObHh02wVGujeGtQz7C2C8u6eDyXQiBU1WZLYaodV47H8/s1200/spoon.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiHBbJce6KKgJ_flTPb1RyTT08QLR9uYmsGdUCZWkEyW1siwDakv1ocB3VzwFfdZAde6MR_zmcNGFo6Me23oQgaDIKVSHliGrXqxecNR3r8dJFwt2CGEvIpl0yvJeRO7vgxYLSFZObHh02wVGujeGtQz7C2C8u6eDyXQiBU1WZLYaodV47H8/w200-h200/spoon.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><b>4. Spoon- </b><i><b>Lucifer On the Sofa</b><br /></i>Austin, Texas<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div>See the record on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CaFrN0DuNjs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a></div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://spoontheband.bandcamp.com/album/lucifer-on-the-sofa">Bandcamp</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I want to call this the return of Spoon, but they never went anywhere. I love pretty much all that the band does, but the energy here is the highest from the band in quite some time. I read they wanted to make a "guitar record", and they did!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzDCPAKPLBocoBDuw0oLUlAGbDVBzSnRY2ejaMSaqLjX-T4UAAz_NtfAIlo4aJnWcJ8VEfuh9FOv9ESSOOaETJR-bjnOq9owkW8KoMbNM3jJyeA3G_5Hlqvpy-nxN9Lysdwetcq9Cli81s9hlbDXpKrGvm2uzbSx17S_jzWigIbUqIVW5NF4/s1200/deathcab.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzDCPAKPLBocoBDuw0oLUlAGbDVBzSnRY2ejaMSaqLjX-T4UAAz_NtfAIlo4aJnWcJ8VEfuh9FOv9ESSOOaETJR-bjnOq9owkW8KoMbNM3jJyeA3G_5Hlqvpy-nxN9Lysdwetcq9Cli81s9hlbDXpKrGvm2uzbSx17S_jzWigIbUqIVW5NF4/w200-h200/deathcab.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><b>5. Death Cab for Cutie- </b><i><b>Asphalt Meadows</b><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i><br />Seattle, Washington<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br /></b><div>See the record on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci7_9lxuULK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a></div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://deathcabforcutie.bandcamp.com/album/asphalt-meadows">Bandcamp</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>When Chris Walla left Death Cab for Cutie in 2014, I wasn't convinced the band would ever be the same. Death Cab is Ben Gibbard's band of course, but he has released tons of solo music, and Death Cab, with Walla's contributions, was always so much better. My feeling was validated with 2018's <i>Thank You For Today (</i>the first Death Cab album without Walla), as I find it incredibly bland and boring. I had barely thought about Death Cab since, and even after the first single "Roman Candles" dropped early this year, I though, "blah". So when I heard <i>Asphalt Meadows</i> in full, I was shocked. It is all over the map musically and an incredible return to form. "Wheat Like Waves" has perhaps jumped into my top 10 Death Cab songs of all time.</div><div><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghapRzesCCuWXCCm58WrzN6NUOgFd8e8lnBovnIvcdwa_qIq0toPDfQPjoaRlQ-cHb2BOOqa7hSUDoYQOHSrGygn1ahoev8VgV0kZxoyBzLHh8IIr6qs--nSkuFGz17xS82i2vNtrxiuFAAOlNxT_sROIHDp7hrLP0iWnPVfhoH1B72oI3lZg/s1200/brutus.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghapRzesCCuWXCCm58WrzN6NUOgFd8e8lnBovnIvcdwa_qIq0toPDfQPjoaRlQ-cHb2BOOqa7hSUDoYQOHSrGygn1ahoev8VgV0kZxoyBzLHh8IIr6qs--nSkuFGz17xS82i2vNtrxiuFAAOlNxT_sROIHDp7hrLP0iWnPVfhoH1B72oI3lZg/w200-h200/brutus.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>6. Brutus- <i>Unison Life</i><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></b><br />Leuven, Belgium<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br /></div><div><div><div>See the record on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CkQqnBpOtjc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a></div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://wearebrutus.bandcamp.com/album/unison-life">Bandcamp</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I had heard a little Brutus maybe as early as 2017, but it wasn't until 2019 that I became a huge fan. I decided to listen to <i>Nest</i> for the first time in full while walking around Washington, DC in December of 2019. It immediately grabbed me and I made an emotional connection. <i>Unison Life</i> is the next step in the band's progression, and I can't wait to see them live. They seem like a perfect fit for Furnace Fest so hoping they are announced for 2023.</div><div><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfdaadFbs33H5UGDlANgpOcBmyWJXg-DshKe-s8ErKAS8lVVq3IzOZ5xdIf14GHGur003EFFb0ZCyq9NYkbXYUsdchtqW_GKvVGHiT8R38KYDI03EO77018Me5XGaEEe_jxiXdv4vUED1KO0mthDaoQhIqt4IaJ7rlXWbcEePQL0OifLCTHw/s1200/hatchie.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfdaadFbs33H5UGDlANgpOcBmyWJXg-DshKe-s8ErKAS8lVVq3IzOZ5xdIf14GHGur003EFFb0ZCyq9NYkbXYUsdchtqW_GKvVGHiT8R38KYDI03EO77018Me5XGaEEe_jxiXdv4vUED1KO0mthDaoQhIqt4IaJ7rlXWbcEePQL0OifLCTHw/w200-h200/hatchie.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>7. Hatchie- <i>Giving The World Away<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></b><br />Brisbane, Australia<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div><div><div>See the record on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CcqWrdDuJxT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a></div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://hatchie.bandcamp.com/album/giving-the-world-away">Bandcamp</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Hatchie makes great dream pop, and this was a huge progression for her instrumentally. I had a ticket to see her in Washington, DC in May but sadly missed the show as I was given free tickets to a professional soccer match the same night. It was a tough call ultimately picked based on location (soccer game right next to my Airbnb while the Hatchie show on the other side of the city).</div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxO41Dy1sBrT0-bMaivzjAtYtAoouj1uNvxluAp7MuS61F8aLHCUFnw1A4Ce3M8gpbXtfNrAo32sGTkKhM_5XXLvntKgRIqZMITErDNfzETYFBfOlqXjWNcsXBBc8GY2LlSbjf8eRWoAL0nGAcCO8FgSGpdpkbBRh4UsiOhMAN2wldK5o5Cg/s1200/plains.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxO41Dy1sBrT0-bMaivzjAtYtAoouj1uNvxluAp7MuS61F8aLHCUFnw1A4Ce3M8gpbXtfNrAo32sGTkKhM_5XXLvntKgRIqZMITErDNfzETYFBfOlqXjWNcsXBBc8GY2LlSbjf8eRWoAL0nGAcCO8FgSGpdpkbBRh4UsiOhMAN2wldK5o5Cg/w200-h200/plains.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>8. Plains- <i>I Walked with You a Ways<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></b><br />Philadelphia, Pennsylvania<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br /></div><div>See the record on my Instagram</div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://plainsband.bandcamp.com/album/i-walked-with-you-a-ways">Bandcamp</a></div><div><br /></div><div>It's no secret I am an obsessive fan of Katie Crutchfield, primarily through her work as Waxahatchee. This new project is a collaboration with Jess Williamson, who I was previously unfamiliar with. While I prefer the five Crutchfield tunes, all the songs are all terrific--and the most pure country album I have liked ages.</div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwL7h5t_-US1zZh4cN9L_1FDnJnP0H1_bvUoyfTxIn6UJqNhEQFdn_SM4HswmjsUtS6PUYEShYsym9A44ZGPRTQdI-zAkg-YOvyG6viL-DC3v0pQWv9rIrX_qmQGEocy62HP9T86Usl1_hI3hMhSLNwD-EVxDnesx3fkKIR863OK6gCmoB3Mo/s1200/neighborlady.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwL7h5t_-US1zZh4cN9L_1FDnJnP0H1_bvUoyfTxIn6UJqNhEQFdn_SM4HswmjsUtS6PUYEShYsym9A44ZGPRTQdI-zAkg-YOvyG6viL-DC3v0pQWv9rIrX_qmQGEocy62HP9T86Usl1_hI3hMhSLNwD-EVxDnesx3fkKIR863OK6gCmoB3Mo/w200-h200/neighborlady.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>9. Neighbor Lady- <i>For The Birds<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></b><br />Atlanta, Georgia<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br /><div><div>See the record on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmhH3GYOWSL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram </a></div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://neighborlady.bandcamp.com/album/for-the-birds">Bandcamp</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Neighbor Lady is the project of Emily Braden, who is a former student of mine. She has been musical and creative since I knew her in high school, but I lost track of her for quite a while. But this album is stunning and caught be by surprise when it was released this past summer.</div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcOEetkWt1zaItu2JynroVzzuRYWnUa2tCW6kRgYG3ptFKHiHkp8nCD_ewsiIaakGDRLn_EbjmzFY69WFFFSK1Zjm6DQN7K-GDxlW2TrRFy3mwlkJVUB15WtkY-UhZV2xz1ZuvVVyQpQHKo-y43_KdzJ0YFejdO8ShPJa99purKLuuiNCU3Q/s1200/madison.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcOEetkWt1zaItu2JynroVzzuRYWnUa2tCW6kRgYG3ptFKHiHkp8nCD_ewsiIaakGDRLn_EbjmzFY69WFFFSK1Zjm6DQN7K-GDxlW2TrRFy3mwlkJVUB15WtkY-UhZV2xz1ZuvVVyQpQHKo-y43_KdzJ0YFejdO8ShPJa99purKLuuiNCU3Q/w200-h200/madison.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>10. Madison Cunningham- <i>Revealer</i></b><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />San Diego, California<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div><div><div><i>Record ordered, awaiting delivery</i></div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://madisoncunningham.bandcamp.com/album/revealer">Bandcamp</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>As I mentioned in the intro, I had never heard of Madison Cunningham until I was reading year-end lists last month. This album immediately grabbed me with it's song-writing and intricate guitar work. And Cunningham has a significant back catalog that I am now working my way into.</div><b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltG8D0r9kS7mzCzbn6vFcEdLbrGFJtmvwexWojGZAD03tWl6QQtGdpWKyu06rOzOOnmCfDYziLa3xAj9OJZg8rBLpLRKbVFhpm7g29Z8ttnNkyrGxn1SAwLnazIb1JODNfnQ-plRdBVYKtIOilMMVS3fvwT_z-32VpDuj6acTZRqXqekUBLY/s1280/Arcade-Fire.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltG8D0r9kS7mzCzbn6vFcEdLbrGFJtmvwexWojGZAD03tWl6QQtGdpWKyu06rOzOOnmCfDYziLa3xAj9OJZg8rBLpLRKbVFhpm7g29Z8ttnNkyrGxn1SAwLnazIb1JODNfnQ-plRdBVYKtIOilMMVS3fvwT_z-32VpDuj6acTZRqXqekUBLY/w200-h200/Arcade-Fire.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>11. Arcade Fire- <i>WE<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></b><br />Montreal, Quebec, Canada<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div><div><div>See the record on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdQePnWunZs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Really conflicted about the inclusion of this Arcade Fire record. I do like it, and listened to it a ton the first half of 2022. But recent news has made it difficult to listen to and unsure what that means long-term. One of my favorite bands ever, and this was a nice return to form. And I even wrote my <a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2022/05/top-25-arcade-fire-songs.html">Arcade Fire top 25</a> list early this year. But, future listening...</div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRDu80PNoLyezECAp3iy9VoQ-rTmFpxyFaKfCBYcozoy8RWheRulQDatevypxKcopSt6yWIXGGze6hFGIcrj41RnOQoAXasSMzbYWn_WqdqtTpoDRnqyWpKJUcq0btZNLmkB8dRnsT3kwXD9t7LfsKQlI_bBZnbw_XQIH5CXSQ9FDzYiOjNc/s1200/drugchurch.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRDu80PNoLyezECAp3iy9VoQ-rTmFpxyFaKfCBYcozoy8RWheRulQDatevypxKcopSt6yWIXGGze6hFGIcrj41RnOQoAXasSMzbYWn_WqdqtTpoDRnqyWpKJUcq0btZNLmkB8dRnsT3kwXD9t7LfsKQlI_bBZnbw_XQIH5CXSQ9FDzYiOjNc/w200-h200/drugchurch.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>12. Drug Church- <i>Hygiene</i><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></b><br />Albany, New York<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://drugchurch.bandcamp.com/album/hygiene">Bandcamp</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Drug Church was new to me this year, a Furnace Fest discovery. They are a terrific hardcore band with fairly unique vocals for the genre. Super-high energy and amazing live.</div><div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41QZBGffWJ-aKGUSHfNyPnqXwnFxAURgHwIvn3Vm47tm9aytZZhDoAnNvV_e7sZK194OjUi4h1CodqVwijdiehBl2oy5VmYIswRH7fBxSgdj8RBG-wSU_ThXbYqi6ksGpAMCiFIDqnHDmBMOudILd-dwc84l-Ee90NAr1Ui-ROxaJ6Hzhn_I/s1310/taylor.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1303" data-original-width="1310" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41QZBGffWJ-aKGUSHfNyPnqXwnFxAURgHwIvn3Vm47tm9aytZZhDoAnNvV_e7sZK194OjUi4h1CodqVwijdiehBl2oy5VmYIswRH7fBxSgdj8RBG-wSU_ThXbYqi6ksGpAMCiFIDqnHDmBMOudILd-dwc84l-Ee90NAr1Ui-ROxaJ6Hzhn_I/w200-h199/taylor.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>13. Taylor Swift- <i>Midnights</i></b><br />West Reading, Pennsylvania<br /><div><div>See the record on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck1cI0DuCu0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I love Taylor Swift, but this album was underwhelming. There are a few highlight tracks, but I will rarely ever listen to it straight through again. This <a href="https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/85772/Taylor-Swift-Midnights/">SputnikMusic review</a> caught a ton of flak, but I find it spot on. And then of course there was this mess:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHwuZHKluRWSSwQVuc2NsYKXzzXB1AVMHQRyFekd9ipqAq0G293U0Vdr6ZReDP663DV-mU5A-4AFZcZZohZR24vWPvmFlhE0r1ttPZMtYjjqp_K_R2JqTdnM_Egxb5F5cFuz-jG20_TsFvBNhlTZvAmvp0s4DsnCrQf6EVyK5XDUWt-24ojQ/s1174/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-17%20at%204.48.31%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="1174" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHwuZHKluRWSSwQVuc2NsYKXzzXB1AVMHQRyFekd9ipqAq0G293U0Vdr6ZReDP663DV-mU5A-4AFZcZZohZR24vWPvmFlhE0r1ttPZMtYjjqp_K_R2JqTdnM_Egxb5F5cFuz-jG20_TsFvBNhlTZvAmvp0s4DsnCrQf6EVyK5XDUWt-24ojQ/w320-h159/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-17%20at%204.48.31%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOVHpisFitP8bn_M5-lcB9iU8yLe0NScAs9IrjgyysV-kUeoM15v1Ye-XzfTBs5znvgwo_eBk_jkFc5vyx7HT_ER9kAesZfgpsp2W104xjRM1PfPY02p6ygcs8PMj6B1HZIDeFZHy7CwKXA900UFIC6NhKoOg4276ShYmR31oBPuSZoqPjUE/s320/phoenix%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOVHpisFitP8bn_M5-lcB9iU8yLe0NScAs9IrjgyysV-kUeoM15v1Ye-XzfTBs5znvgwo_eBk_jkFc5vyx7HT_ER9kAesZfgpsp2W104xjRM1PfPY02p6ygcs8PMj6B1HZIDeFZHy7CwKXA900UFIC6NhKoOg4276ShYmR31oBPuSZoqPjUE/w200-h200/phoenix%20copy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>14. Phoenix- <i>Alpha Zulu</i></b><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />Versailles, France</div><div><br /></div><div>I had rarely listened to Phoenix in the last decade. Like most, I discovered the band with <i>Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix </i>in 2009, but then was underwhelmed by both their 2013 and 2017 albums. <i>Alpha Zulu</i> is and fun and energetic.</div><div> </div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTJZYDmt3CmRwG9WuzbFp9C6MnNImdVv_0h-TFuv2HIL7YkC_VkAvA1f1MmLuWkDVryLWFDjpKjREAGLSuswwSbnGsxdgSAN05lzclSTNTrW82GUjhqtFPdufRH6d-Am5NP74lQHfO_dhIy7uZh_s1yS8VPJwtIhJVRUwQedJ_GIE-gq-p1M/s1200/stars.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTJZYDmt3CmRwG9WuzbFp9C6MnNImdVv_0h-TFuv2HIL7YkC_VkAvA1f1MmLuWkDVryLWFDjpKjREAGLSuswwSbnGsxdgSAN05lzclSTNTrW82GUjhqtFPdufRH6d-Am5NP74lQHfO_dhIy7uZh_s1yS8VPJwtIhJVRUwQedJ_GIE-gq-p1M/w200-h200/stars.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>15. Stars- <i>From Capelton Hill</i></b><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />Montreal, Quebec, Canada<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div><div><div>See the record on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ceor97yuYiC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a></div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://starsband.bandcamp.com/album/from-capelton-hill">Bandcamp</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I once wrote something to the effect, "Stars writes great songs, but not great albums." That was an immature thing for me to say, but does describe my fandom. I listen to all their releases at times, but the only one I return to frequently is 2010's <i>The Five Ghosts</i>. This is my fav full Stars album since that time.</div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0PV2L0Yo8dF2A6KqKG0wJneICj_A5B1uz8ccmTctYhRI8JKB0bu11qgEHfidn1eWdBhzdNqV5JSVTA7WU6ntwlFFQCHH-SLwW34y8EIxGaZ6k4VOD5t-NQ8VGNeutMFl9T2q8iekbmTN1vs876uXizoj8lvdIhMhe_QLqXyu4VFn9YdTB2w/s1200/astronoid.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0PV2L0Yo8dF2A6KqKG0wJneICj_A5B1uz8ccmTctYhRI8JKB0bu11qgEHfidn1eWdBhzdNqV5JSVTA7WU6ntwlFFQCHH-SLwW34y8EIxGaZ6k4VOD5t-NQ8VGNeutMFl9T2q8iekbmTN1vs876uXizoj8lvdIhMhe_QLqXyu4VFn9YdTB2w/w200-h200/astronoid.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>16. Astronoid- <i>Radiant Bloom</i></b><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />Groveland, Massachusetts<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div><div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://astronoidband.bandcamp.com/album/radiant-bloom">Bandcamp</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Astronoid was the discovery of Furnace Fest 2021, as their blend of post-metal with soaring, melodic vocals is one-of-a-kind. This, their third album, continues the trend of complex and intricate guitar work.</div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR-XGzVIu1P2nuxwxL8li9IrdZQ1EBqzo18P4nxwBhNcS8hvGAgIuyNv9OHIPfYidOs29xMRL_S2XH4jJ5z6bhrvsnQFAL55tXNtstYzv-u_gut6ZlsseFW6ld_9yteLX4mHGzI51KKycBtwSb9f0-26GIuazfIxLavGE0zYMsDk9OR92WMs/s1200/wildpink.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR-XGzVIu1P2nuxwxL8li9IrdZQ1EBqzo18P4nxwBhNcS8hvGAgIuyNv9OHIPfYidOs29xMRL_S2XH4jJ5z6bhrvsnQFAL55tXNtstYzv-u_gut6ZlsseFW6ld_9yteLX4mHGzI51KKycBtwSb9f0-26GIuazfIxLavGE0zYMsDk9OR92WMs/w200-h200/wildpink.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>17. Wild Pink- <i>ILYSM</i><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br /></b>New York, New York<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div><div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://wildpink.bandcamp.com/album/ilysm">Bandcamp</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I discovered Wild Pink in 2017 as I had an annual subscription to the record label Tiny Engines on Bandcamp and downloaded their debut. I've always enjoyed them, but my fandom has remained nominal. <i>ILYSM</i> grabbed me in a completely different way and am trying to track down this <a href="https://www.discogs.com/release/24827495-Wild-Pink-ILYSM">beautiful vinyl variant</a>.</div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49i8XvNrOJn_umLXK3JnotEba0DqQYLACpWKU6n-iR19YKFKy0WMqj_3gXBfrESdLByxQVDXap9QD-2s83YpWdYs4De0LD2Yv9UxllP-Bbx29Rjp1tvcT2gVeYg7TRI_BBowUQu_M0gFYp3-5P4PkJkbbEAeEwloEQm8TlU51dqvW7hxEPF4/s320/ethelcain%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49i8XvNrOJn_umLXK3JnotEba0DqQYLACpWKU6n-iR19YKFKy0WMqj_3gXBfrESdLByxQVDXap9QD-2s83YpWdYs4De0LD2Yv9UxllP-Bbx29Rjp1tvcT2gVeYg7TRI_BBowUQu_M0gFYp3-5P4PkJkbbEAeEwloEQm8TlU51dqvW7hxEPF4/w200-h200/ethelcain%20copy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>18. Ethel Cain- <i>Preacher’s Daughter</i><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></b><br />Tallahassee, Florida<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre;">This album is oh, so dark and a testament of what it's like to be scarred
by the church. I hope it's stories aren't true, but I am guessing they are.</span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre;">Also, bizarrely, this album is not available in any physical format--
no vinyl and no CDs.</span></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKrq4fa8xrw1WW30_WxAnSci0twHTnyUB6hpdtSxRk8gaUiVVWRQo3QJSIqwssG6YI7gqbJQW-GkDcc7pPaZ2ASJgiIfwfsoT184X4inMEy2mlGeZLu-YXZkTATlqQR8TAcH8nGuVVm-PsFFRvVgNxAm0Akk2Ig79YD5zY7-pxD72_UcMdVY/s1200/jumplc%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKrq4fa8xrw1WW30_WxAnSci0twHTnyUB6hpdtSxRk8gaUiVVWRQo3QJSIqwssG6YI7gqbJQW-GkDcc7pPaZ2ASJgiIfwfsoT184X4inMEy2mlGeZLu-YXZkTATlqQR8TAcH8nGuVVm-PsFFRvVgNxAm0Akk2Ig79YD5zY7-pxD72_UcMdVY/w200-h200/jumplc%20copy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>19. Jump Little Children- <i>Foundering</i><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></b><br />Charleston, South Carolina</div><div><br /></div><div>In October I was sitting in a school parking lot waiting to pick up one of my kids when a Jump, Little Children song came up on shuffle. I forgot how much I loved them and over the next few days listened to three of their older albums in full while on a road trip. I think Googled them and was shocked to find that they are back! They had broken up originally in 2006, which I knew, but then they returned to performing live and dropped the album <i>Sparrow</i> in 2018.</div><div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoPHcfqjsDP7iJ9bJAbgnUFnUSsKZ4mxtFwMqcplHTqG5opyvrugPqF1eTE07wvHIL32ir7uJE1W7h58q0P0qxFm71Sue485zqlRqjpRh-Vygc10ZNR4sjlJysjGG12du5rlgg69mSsMR0Qfm43Z2hqFpf5pwOsyvr9ZZVGnKoQXMCKvQQ0E/s1200/horsegirl.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoPHcfqjsDP7iJ9bJAbgnUFnUSsKZ4mxtFwMqcplHTqG5opyvrugPqF1eTE07wvHIL32ir7uJE1W7h58q0P0qxFm71Sue485zqlRqjpRh-Vygc10ZNR4sjlJysjGG12du5rlgg69mSsMR0Qfm43Z2hqFpf5pwOsyvr9ZZVGnKoQXMCKvQQ0E/w200-h200/horsegirl.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>20. Horsegirl- <i>Versions of Modern Performance<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></b><br />Chicago, Illinois<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic; white-space: pre;"> </span><br /><div>See the record on my Instagram</div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://thisishorsegirl.bandcamp.com/album/versions-of-modern-performance ">Bandcamp</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I still need to listen to this more and learn the songs, but I love the sound: noisy, grungy, and tons of interesting guitar tones.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><u><span style="font-style: italic; white-space: pre;"> </span></u></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwibsCwCcyh8LeSwO4U3bfyA2bh2G2SJEmOZDJD83Ft9EVB8gWPEwqpTVKsqjGRhXY42aPoxSaV4ZZWBCEiqMeqeAc8aV__JpHjNZk6Hvt9wNuJyARqcho3UCyRydRtZvtmsqxgaZwDiP4bxLq2pqk6CEM9uAblOnir2nVnCcz_2qm08VUTk/s1200/thesmile.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwibsCwCcyh8LeSwO4U3bfyA2bh2G2SJEmOZDJD83Ft9EVB8gWPEwqpTVKsqjGRhXY42aPoxSaV4ZZWBCEiqMeqeAc8aV__JpHjNZk6Hvt9wNuJyARqcho3UCyRydRtZvtmsqxgaZwDiP4bxLq2pqk6CEM9uAblOnir2nVnCcz_2qm08VUTk/w200-h200/thesmile.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>21. The Smile- <i>A Light for Attracting Attention</i></b></div><div>Oxford, UK<br /><div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://thesmile.bandcamp.com/album/a-light-for-attracting-attention">Bandcamp</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>It's Radiohead! Sort of. ;)</div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmi2BMQd5M6y7s3NM9gl_rqmOA_yv219nyVaJEpMQncS4fac6oGtSW9Goaf4Qj9UM5wzXgDNST2hjUzv7BTzoMuStd-dJXDMKzSLc1H4PmSHYnajsQSyS_NPdRaBtp02ozx1b86fXsXwFVj2xgMacQWUIelyXxSAzymjVwBBMOu6MtSbIGyM/s1200/anxious.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmi2BMQd5M6y7s3NM9gl_rqmOA_yv219nyVaJEpMQncS4fac6oGtSW9Goaf4Qj9UM5wzXgDNST2hjUzv7BTzoMuStd-dJXDMKzSLc1H4PmSHYnajsQSyS_NPdRaBtp02ozx1b86fXsXwFVj2xgMacQWUIelyXxSAzymjVwBBMOu6MtSbIGyM/w200-h200/anxious.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>22. Anxious- <i>Little Green House</i></b></div><div>Fairfield, Connecticut<br />See the record on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmZ6sMfuqBf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a></div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://anxious18.bandcamp.com/album/little-green-house">Bandcamp</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The first pop-punk album I have purchased since the mid-90's, but because it's more diverse than that. This is my favorite album COVER of 2022. </div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdjRia40hiHBq8xhHEGDpCtkpL8PUjBMdyV8fjUGHutXpt5e9rzFExCSsbK4_QPUYtFA3Ihbtv5UpN1eK4hVVFLiCGjVSpoter5qJedz4LC9lZMTGfECb0BpdfNd72c2bUiZP07CNa-lExWMaQOyrmI9p8Lcl_xxwe16w4djVCwWqLbFetQY/s1000/metric.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="999" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdjRia40hiHBq8xhHEGDpCtkpL8PUjBMdyV8fjUGHutXpt5e9rzFExCSsbK4_QPUYtFA3Ihbtv5UpN1eK4hVVFLiCGjVSpoter5qJedz4LC9lZMTGfECb0BpdfNd72c2bUiZP07CNa-lExWMaQOyrmI9p8Lcl_xxwe16w4djVCwWqLbFetQY/w200-h200/metric.png" width="200" /></a></div>23. Metric- </b><i><b>Doomscroller</b><br /></i><div>Toronto, Ontario</div><div><br /></div><div>While loving Metric, I honestly haven't spent much time digging into this one. Listing it now as a reminder to spend more time listening.<br /><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tubV4sd7kj3B3QjXXZdrfBrolus-1ZFmD8nQ9vWj76hWB_uG3A-zaMZX5uQjxRxGZjBNghKwqsOkqfzhsOz-GfsGe-V8nvPbGEUSTLvUsPlrolf68aQpgKorzC2zhFPKENFXRw6ljm5dKw4HLiNAcWHPnAvWH_hffJNRBtsLuduN7LVQWhc/s1200/pedro.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tubV4sd7kj3B3QjXXZdrfBrolus-1ZFmD8nQ9vWj76hWB_uG3A-zaMZX5uQjxRxGZjBNghKwqsOkqfzhsOz-GfsGe-V8nvPbGEUSTLvUsPlrolf68aQpgKorzC2zhFPKENFXRw6ljm5dKw4HLiNAcWHPnAvWH_hffJNRBtsLuduN7LVQWhc/w200-h200/pedro.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>24. Pedro the Lion- <i>Havasu</i></b></div><div><div><div>Seattle, Washington<br />See the record on my Instagram</div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://pedrothelion.bandcamp.com/album/havasu">Bandcamp</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I feel a deep connection to David Bazan and own all his music. That said, I don't like this as much as most of his work. I do love the autobiographical story-telling, but as he moves forward on the project of recording albums about the places he has lived, I hope for some more aggression and energy- I find this album kind-of a downer.</div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxBu0wqFbWSD6q2_rd-f9Bll6yMjEfyzOd4rrnPIQNl6DhZya6SGqe_xx84LBriLcwPjGS7T6cpTcjPJ3PeLQ56RTQOlUJ8MqBfKcMsREzPBDLZP8QFbjd4uOBaPijW74X6GMABOIetBh99YJxZtcNUnS0sjLyIneDkbt8YfelyGgz5CIc8s/s1200/holyfawn.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxBu0wqFbWSD6q2_rd-f9Bll6yMjEfyzOd4rrnPIQNl6DhZya6SGqe_xx84LBriLcwPjGS7T6cpTcjPJ3PeLQ56RTQOlUJ8MqBfKcMsREzPBDLZP8QFbjd4uOBaPijW74X6GMABOIetBh99YJxZtcNUnS0sjLyIneDkbt8YfelyGgz5CIc8s/w200-h200/holyfawn.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>25. Holy Fawn- Dimensional Bleed</b></div><div><div>Phoenix, Arizona</div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://holyfawn.bandcamp.com/album/dimensional-bleed">Bandcamp</a></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>See my comment about Metric and needing to listen more. The difference here is that Holy Fawn is new to me, and I am just getting started. Love the sound and need to dig into it more.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><u>Top 5 EP's of 2022<span style="font-style: italic; white-space: pre;"> </span></u></h4><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RP-2Ut_x3WmAQYjsftg-tqnfZvgjxrkCwBmzch8RMnZKBN_F7sw1PxmlwV4IszNN9FlQGJuAKYgcP3va_lQ2dvI4j9-CEz_y_17sMwx6j-IQ8IxqMvf4QtR8e_pJTJXz7EwUf4h-pKF4sRs1Kvr9jJYk5nFJbZbUHZxKoDOhAWjFsMh58Wg/s1200/stayinside.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RP-2Ut_x3WmAQYjsftg-tqnfZvgjxrkCwBmzch8RMnZKBN_F7sw1PxmlwV4IszNN9FlQGJuAKYgcP3va_lQ2dvI4j9-CEz_y_17sMwx6j-IQ8IxqMvf4QtR8e_pJTJXz7EwUf4h-pKF4sRs1Kvr9jJYk5nFJbZbUHZxKoDOhAWjFsMh58Wg/w200-h200/stayinside.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>1. Stay Inside- </b><i><b>Blight</b><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i><br />New York, New York<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br /><div><div><i>Record pre-ordered and awaiting shipment soon.</i></div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://stayinside.bandcamp.com/album/blight">Bandcamp</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Had this been a full-length, would have been in my top 5 LPs of the year. I adore Stay Inside and they would be a perfect new band for Furnace Fest.</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_Qi1IeQH6dDjg_xJ-WKXU20mNArmrqcDE5EgZ07S54YRdvXYzIAMS92VtkEAmeVCa541UNPjK0Kvi0WskneR7rGGyW1RRoJXw8q0E99RmUa4kXXjBz3DfhoA8brqWvr5L1YMEhEPFaTeec9SalNNGRIPHjyDk4fWNYfG40AOL1p9X4n5WUE/s1200/rosie.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_Qi1IeQH6dDjg_xJ-WKXU20mNArmrqcDE5EgZ07S54YRdvXYzIAMS92VtkEAmeVCa541UNPjK0Kvi0WskneR7rGGyW1RRoJXw8q0E99RmUa4kXXjBz3DfhoA8brqWvr5L1YMEhEPFaTeec9SalNNGRIPHjyDk4fWNYfG40AOL1p9X4n5WUE/w200-h200/rosie.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>2. Rosie Thomas- <i>Lullabies for Parents, Vol. 1</i></b><br />Michigan<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br /><i>Record pre-ordered but doesn't ship until July 2023.</i></div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://rosiethomas.bandcamp.com/album/lullabies-for-parents-vol-1">Bandcamp</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I am so excited Rosie Thomas is writing and releasing music again. She took about a decade off while growing her family, and now she is back with songs about being a parent. Vol. 1of <i>Lullabies for Parents</i> dropped this year and Vol. 2 is coming in 2023.</div><div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1uoTeakD2kvVuB6HzdSy_jhcLeE6lq33En5wUA6r2GHCzS84yVXkODqRa0wZxGXnEYxpnUWdH2WV7aHNsAQEEGaOIhPXpvDSh4iGQgdvm0Us4JCpkPM2_YcULwE6rGdAuqlrV9ZMETVX0eKn2GTkOO7A0whptsGeWDYKXPs_XvL04Dn8ZAWk/s1200/footballetc.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1uoTeakD2kvVuB6HzdSy_jhcLeE6lq33En5wUA6r2GHCzS84yVXkODqRa0wZxGXnEYxpnUWdH2WV7aHNsAQEEGaOIhPXpvDSh4iGQgdvm0Us4JCpkPM2_YcULwE6rGdAuqlrV9ZMETVX0eKn2GTkOO7A0whptsGeWDYKXPs_XvL04Dn8ZAWk/w200-h200/footballetc.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>3. football, etc.- <i>Vision<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></b><br />Houston, Texas<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://footballetc.bandcamp.com/album/vision">Bandcamp</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Football, etc. is the master of EPs. 2015's <i>Disappear</i> is the most beautiful 7" I own, and so glad they are back after what was maybe a 5 year break?</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GILDZk7rSTvs_X_03-yL967qy8fFov1E25y_I9yrVnxng7PWN9duhCSe4OsfNB34iYSuACrlnTHrSQWqOs0IFc1ExxhQx1jNazJ5y4wpXA4DyPc4E70mOyNIFfPhfT1wEx0IHZMvcgAOyB0hLc5n9fftSSez9RasmWMUypkOWALnjOdO_co/s1200/manchester.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GILDZk7rSTvs_X_03-yL967qy8fFov1E25y_I9yrVnxng7PWN9duhCSe4OsfNB34iYSuACrlnTHrSQWqOs0IFc1ExxhQx1jNazJ5y4wpXA4DyPc4E70mOyNIFfPhfT1wEx0IHZMvcgAOyB0hLc5n9fftSSez9RasmWMUypkOWALnjOdO_co/w200-h200/manchester.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>4. Manchester Orchestra- <i>No Rule</i> (single)</b><br />Atlanta, Georgia<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div><div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://manchesterorchestramusic.bandcamp.com/track/no-rule">Bandcamp</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>There weren't that many EPs in 2022 for me, so cheating with these last couple. Manchester Orchestra though is constantly putting out music and did throughout 2022. While <i>No Rule</i> was the only new original song of the year, they also are monthly dropping numerous covers, in-studio live albums, demos, etc. mostly through their <a href="https://www.patreon.com/ManchesterOrchestra/posts">Patreon</a>. I don't support many Patreon's, but based on my experience no artist is doing a better job of putting out content than Manchester Orchestra. Even this week while working on this post they shared a private video and studio live show, <i>Christmas Songs, vol. 3</i>.<br /></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCTOqXNKT6780SNZVyMIhIlhH4U3AtplUvSDj3KL_MSTJ-C077m_Mgj9pQ80pD_RpYP70LKhsnmxIAf7AIS_HRzTx-HotiQMwkn7nzwoZmCmzwd_Ar7eaUQfqW5XTQO0NWoM5gfHpwKp2FRmSfMo-Itd-T5O_vSf7-quDv_fUEB_Xqb_kyu0/s1200/thrice.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCTOqXNKT6780SNZVyMIhIlhH4U3AtplUvSDj3KL_MSTJ-C077m_Mgj9pQ80pD_RpYP70LKhsnmxIAf7AIS_HRzTx-HotiQMwkn7nzwoZmCmzwd_Ar7eaUQfqW5XTQO0NWoM5gfHpwKp2FRmSfMo-Itd-T5O_vSf7-quDv_fUEB_Xqb_kyu0/w200-h200/thrice.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>5. Thrice- <i>Open Your Eyes and Dream</i> and <i>Dead Wake</i> (singles)</b> <br />California<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://officialthrice.bandcamp.com/album/open-your-eyes-and-dream">Bandcamp</a></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Also not really an EP, but Thrice released these two fantastic singles in 2022, both songs left over yet unfinished from the <i>Horizons-East</i> sessions. They are both amazing and are better than half the songs on that album (which I love). As we await <i>Horizons-West,</i> Thrice also put out some great acoustic renditions this year of 2021 songs.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b><u>My favorite song of 2022</u></b></h4><div><b>Frank Turner- "A Wave Across A Bay"</b>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hDpVYjp56SI" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>In 2018 Scott Hutchison, frontman of Frightened Rabbit, committed suicide. Despite not knowing Scott personally, it rattled and changed me. Frank Turner was good friends with Scott, and wrote this song about him. Hutchison's death led me to write the most vulnerable and honest essay I have ever published--about suicide, faith, community, and eternity. You can read it here: <i><a href="https://medium.com/turn-off-the-radio/thank-god-im-full-of-holes-caf44f20ffc2">Thank God I’m Full of Holes</a>;</i></div><div><i>What Scott Hutchison taught me about brokenness, love, God, and community.</i></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Most disappointing album of 2022:</u></b></h4><span style="font-weight: normal;">Tegan: "Hey sis, remember when we wrote that fun song for <i>The Lego Movie</i>?"<br />Sara: "Well, it was a little repetitive and irritating, but the kids loved that song didn't they?"<br />Tegan: "Ya well I was thinking, what if we recorded a whole album of songs like that?"<br />Sara: "Ooh, I like that idea. Considering we are in our 40's and most of our friends have children, that could work--the kids would love it!"<br />Tegan: "Yeah, I've been working on some really, catchy, poppy stuff."<br />Sara: "Me too! Do you have a lead single in mind?"<br />Tegan: "Oh yeah, it's called 'Fucking Up What Matters'."<br />Sara: "Um..."<br />Tegan: "And two more in the works are 'Pretty Shitty Time' and 'Smoking Weed Alone'."<br />Sara: "Um... what about the kids?"</span><div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-weight: normal;">In all seriousness, I actually have no problems with Tegan and Sara's use of profanity on their new album </span><i style="font-weight: normal;">Crybaby</i><span style="font-weight: normal;">. In fact, I even created a playlist this year called "</span><a href="https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/e-is-for-everyone/pl.u-2aoqr16sobvZZ">E is for Everyone</a><span style="font-weight: normal;">", in which every song on it contains the F-word. The difference in my playlist though is that I used songs that contain the F-word in discreet, sometimes surprise ways. I used to listen to Tegan and Sara with my kids quite a bit, specifically my fav album of theirs </span><i style="font-weight: normal;">Heartthrob</i><span style="font-weight: normal;">. I won't be playing this one for them, but not just because of lyrical content. Even if there was a "clean" version of </span><i style="font-weight: normal;">Crybaby</i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> available, it's just not good.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">The central problem(s) I have with <i>Crybaby</i> is that I just find it terrible musically. Eight of the first nine songs on the album are upbeat, electro-pop--I sadly find them goofy and mostly unlistenable. I am a HUGE Tegan and Sara fan, have almost all their albums on vinyl. This is easily my least favorite thing they have ever done. I saw them in concert in 2004 and 2007, both shows were fantastic. For the majority of this album I am just completely shocked this is what Tegan and Sara have progressed to. </span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;">There are some great songs here which are all down-tempo and more somber-- "Faded by a Feeling", and then the final songs on the album: "This Ain't Going Well", "Sometimes I See Stars", and "Whatever That Was." Those are the only four songs on this album I plan to revisit--I'll stick to the rest of Tegan & Sara's back catalog.<br /><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Top 10 shows of 2022:</u></b></h4><div>If 2021 was the return of live music, both for me and the industry, then in 2022 it reached the next level of awesomeness. I saw around 30 bands at Furnace Fest, but then went to a dozen other club shows. All that said, some incredible live music this year! Video links below are my footage.</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Sunny Day Real Estate (Saw twice: in Detroit at Saint Andrews Hall, and Furnace Fest) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BXNnDxh9ag">"Pillars"</a></div><div>2. Elliott (Saw twice: in Detroit at The Fillmore and at Furnace Fest) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zysMYM_d6kQ">"Calm Americans"</a></div><div>3. The Beths (took my kids to see them at the Magic Bag in Detroit)</div><div>4. Thrice (at Furnace Fest playing the album <i>The Illusion of Safety</i>)</div><div>5. Sleigh Bells (In Detroit at The Magic Stick)</div><div>6. mewithoutYou (In Detroit in January playing the album <i>Brother, Sister</i>)</div><div>7. Laura Stevenson (In Detroit at The Loving Touch)<br />8. Stretch Arm Strong (Furnace Fest)</div><div>9. Blindside (Furnace Fest)</div><div><div>10. Idle Threat (Furnace Fest)</div></div><div><br /></div><div>See my video compilation of Furnace Fest <a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2022/09/furnace-fest-2022.html">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>And here is a compilation of clips from other shows I saw in Detroit:</div><div><br /></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cqtqfCgCUA0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Top 9 vinyl reissues of 2022:</u></h4>
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line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmw7HbVuRg1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Alan Parish (@turnofftheradio1995)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-12302058540146434912022-09-30T11:37:00.003-04:002022-09-30T11:37:50.095-04:00Furnace Fest 2022 <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pcc1jq4T4QU" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /><div>
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<p>Furnace Fest was spectacular again! My video recap and photo album explain it better than I can do in words. But as I am addicted to ranking everything, here are all the artists I saw at least three songs from and how much I enjoyed the sets. This is but skewed because I saw SDRE and Elliott last week, and if I hadn’t, they would have almost certainly been #1 and #2. But Thrice’s "Illusion of Safety" set was perfect!</p><p>1. Thrice<br />2. Elliott<br />3. Sunny Day Real Estate<br />4. Stretch Arm strong <br />5. Blindside<br />6. Idle Threat<br />7. Slow Crush<br />8. Drug Church<br />9. Capra<br />10. Roadside Monument<br />Five Iron Frenzy<br />‘68<br />Cursive<br />The Appleseed Cast<br />The Joy Formidable<br />The Descendents<br />The Darling Fire<br />Movements<br />Stairwell<br />Anti-Flag<br />As Friends Rust<br />Nothing<br />Mom Jeans<br />Glasseater <br />Fauxdeep<br />Maylene and the Sons of Disaster<br />The Spill Canvas<br />New Found Glory</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStFNwyCheKOG4NWIeqbk-WB1ZcGBNWeJAsPPFiC6olSrhIevHyqAaR7ikb1lpPnM2G81qah0yXWh7D4umx7kAxVutMau5m-C2Fjo3lw0pciW42sZnm35zAG30VX5tq9ST093a4RaMezf_CI5D4fXXOQ27sKy5TgkIsdAefBDNEbI8U70P5GE/s4032/IMG_7590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStFNwyCheKOG4NWIeqbk-WB1ZcGBNWeJAsPPFiC6olSrhIevHyqAaR7ikb1lpPnM2G81qah0yXWh7D4umx7kAxVutMau5m-C2Fjo3lw0pciW42sZnm35zAG30VX5tq9ST093a4RaMezf_CI5D4fXXOQ27sKy5TgkIsdAefBDNEbI8U70P5GE/w320-h240/IMG_7590.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-8811839037075234302022-08-29T10:20:00.010-04:002022-09-01T20:17:36.970-04:00Top 25 Brandtson songs<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHOtD4R0I38mY3_EQ58RVpUfngIgW6MW8oOm4PS-kINIOcVzfm42IV-cLfLavF9_BSK0eDbKsxAp3mg1Jvsu1sU1QMvHl77aPaTHCd7okGZcmEBUy7EeSHbOBWu69VfVLY-XWxlj3RbeZPZDWQMHa43ngrIS-TtzMewntLt5zyhZ2lUrXS78/s3000/40087743183_d519a61710_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHOtD4R0I38mY3_EQ58RVpUfngIgW6MW8oOm4PS-kINIOcVzfm42IV-cLfLavF9_BSK0eDbKsxAp3mg1Jvsu1sU1QMvHl77aPaTHCd7okGZcmEBUy7EeSHbOBWu69VfVLY-XWxlj3RbeZPZDWQMHa43ngrIS-TtzMewntLt5zyhZ2lUrXS78/w640-h426/40087743183_d519a61710_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by me in perhaps 2001. This was a club (or room, ha!) in Nashville, TN. Anyone know the name of it? </i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>With Brandtson's vinyl discography now complete and available (see my Instagram below), I definitely have the band on the brain. Brandtson was one of my favorite bands for a long time (still are; and sure wish they were playing at Furnace Fest where they belong!). Between 1998 and 2003 I saw them at least a dozen, if not 15 times. I mostly saw them in many small, sweaty, hole-in-the wall clubs in Birmingham, Nashville, and Atlanta and went out of the way to go to as many of their high-energy shows as I could. I also saw them at a few festivals, from Cornerstone in Illinois to OneFest in Memphis.</div><div><br />Sadly, the last time I saw them was in Frankfurt, Germany in August of 2003. That was before Brandtson really came into their own with their phenomenal 2004 album <i>Send Us a Signal</i>, my <a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2015/10/best-of-2004.html">#1 album of 2004</a>. So many of the best Brandtson songs are from that album, and I never saw them performed. And then, <i>Hello, Control,</i> I admittedly never got that into, and the lack of seeing Brandtson live around its release definitely contributed. As I mention at length in my recent Instagram post, I am just now really getting into and loving <i>Hello, Control</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>As far as I am concerned, Brandtson is just as good as and could have been as big as Jimmy Eat World (seems silly, but it's all about opportunity). While "The Middle" sent Jimmy Eat World soaring into popularity, Brandtson never had that one hit song. (And arguably half the songs on Brandtson's <i>Trying to Figure Each Other Out</i> EP are better than "The Middle".) Prior to <i>Bleed American</i>, the bands were easy for me to compare, but now it's hard to as Jimmy Eat World has stayed active and productive for 25+ years, while Brandtson existed less than half that time and never had the budgets and promotion to share their music.<br /><div><br /></div><div>This is the best Brandtson video I have found online, except sadly one can't see the crowd at all. But this perfectly represents the Brandtson I knew and loved at all those shows. Brandtson was the perfect sing-a-long band. Perhaps my favorite band ever for singing along loudly in the car to. And I can't help but sing a long as I sit here writing this post.</div><div><div><br /></div><div> <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MFanGEJQPkc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Before we dive into the songs, here is the Brandtson releases ranked in my order of preference. I don't usually rank EP's along with LP's, but in Brandtson's discography they are essential.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>1. <i>Send Us A Signal </i></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAI0GQ-368s7QjpWLBS5cCafDiVwyeItXXnZz860qhtTZ2XFPd8kLScAtAon7huxBwAz9Zt3Gh9cvT26k-1CpBlgZDrYMbND-TN3xtPaHKDkKC4OiggBl6QmI5Sc-Muj3b6QcBaprZ6FhKnqNEI1LhjYH1RMI_6QYkY-pR16RwtAHuHUO1gew/s600/sendusasignal.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAI0GQ-368s7QjpWLBS5cCafDiVwyeItXXnZz860qhtTZ2XFPd8kLScAtAon7huxBwAz9Zt3Gh9cvT26k-1CpBlgZDrYMbND-TN3xtPaHKDkKC4OiggBl6QmI5Sc-Muj3b6QcBaprZ6FhKnqNEI1LhjYH1RMI_6QYkY-pR16RwtAHuHUO1gew/s320/sendusasignal.jpeg" width="320" /></b></a></div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>2. <i>Trying to Figure Each Other Out </i>EP</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqaNiTZLdi9Csp0sovO2Ywmi6a58Wqs8grcue_vJvUD8ztC6RXooao6yDPQTogAI7wSqyXQ5I8iHp4dFYx-UK_gT76t7hkatsRdYk_9ZTBOS8UB_lDMJW3SSJ63r4wmmrX0Jj7cPTnpJE2-CKR4Dpt3cFjmHkqbzcmJuUjiP_i8bRWjx_To8/s600/tryingtofigureeachotherout.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqaNiTZLdi9Csp0sovO2Ywmi6a58Wqs8grcue_vJvUD8ztC6RXooao6yDPQTogAI7wSqyXQ5I8iHp4dFYx-UK_gT76t7hkatsRdYk_9ZTBOS8UB_lDMJW3SSJ63r4wmmrX0Jj7cPTnpJE2-CKR4Dpt3cFjmHkqbzcmJuUjiP_i8bRWjx_To8/s320/tryingtofigureeachotherout.jpeg" width="320" /></b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>3. <i>Fallen Star Collection</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitn9SSSTAs2volp6YNYvCilwDYffEPww_P9pNR8buF9FDKQy9U15ahGEFRtvF90uVApbvMSRAnBcJbRm8YNDtoXqatPvg_Gkc02Cpa-oMISBG1W0Xh5rz8HDaJG2qF-Yi3Gy1KTxhaZ1LqA5Bh65dB6LiBivHYwRq9LF_QEYURLml6cWZB6BU/s600/fallenstarcollection2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitn9SSSTAs2volp6YNYvCilwDYffEPww_P9pNR8buF9FDKQy9U15ahGEFRtvF90uVApbvMSRAnBcJbRm8YNDtoXqatPvg_Gkc02Cpa-oMISBG1W0Xh5rz8HDaJG2qF-Yi3Gy1KTxhaZ1LqA5Bh65dB6LiBivHYwRq9LF_QEYURLml6cWZB6BU/s320/fallenstarcollection2.jpeg" width="320" /></b></a></div><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCh_DIWWmAumjbANNatU5ud71lKF7OofqORIIEZaUNHpRAzJQmdEvxYZNOv26X1JjE-ok2IxgeEJcGDOz1A5fRbeEz4lkDP0krFE_5JrdquyscHDeEt1d5EjoLNODAfDtYEnS1b7ejLugVz4Ft9qk2AQNWATg1umUT_K_9z71KRqQUz-bcas/s600/fallenstarcollection.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCh_DIWWmAumjbANNatU5ud71lKF7OofqORIIEZaUNHpRAzJQmdEvxYZNOv26X1JjE-ok2IxgeEJcGDOz1A5fRbeEz4lkDP0krFE_5JrdquyscHDeEt1d5EjoLNODAfDtYEnS1b7ejLugVz4Ft9qk2AQNWATg1umUT_K_9z71KRqQUz-bcas/s320/fallenstarcollection.jpeg" width="320" /></b></a></div><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>4. <i>Dial In Sounds</i></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwHHI6uGLHxhOA1sz1NYlTbpDKyZTuMFEJcHqg3RVdCOrEz8BrMkS1InQdWdSsW7Ga3AwRqAbkL9BiMTnwLp3bxNZyVrenjILMTLmi4ZzFzRR4C_UOSGpm-5CXJa3HnNeh_gsa_gacYKQ5dzinz-azkJPI0AImJLRn6uxdl4nW4Cbt-hQKGI/s600/dialinsounds.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="593" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwHHI6uGLHxhOA1sz1NYlTbpDKyZTuMFEJcHqg3RVdCOrEz8BrMkS1InQdWdSsW7Ga3AwRqAbkL9BiMTnwLp3bxNZyVrenjILMTLmi4ZzFzRR4C_UOSGpm-5CXJa3HnNeh_gsa_gacYKQ5dzinz-azkJPI0AImJLRn6uxdl4nW4Cbt-hQKGI/s320/dialinsounds.jpeg" width="316" /></b></a></div><b><br /><i><br /></i></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>5. <i>Hello, Control</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFik0Xh3-yH8TnFDlGXriB40DMsDzV8VSeT_Bh9EyKMXnHC8nH7b1KO6pIwdTIQ6SHzBFJgdozZICax8F0fplwcM0Gd6P07zKef8T-lrWSYuKpVgYmwL2hvyWhaFann6VCZbZm5oCVTocparfiB3ZZY4vBx7aAG4f5Hj2nDbiTHFL1-caQJw/s600/hellocontrol1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFik0Xh3-yH8TnFDlGXriB40DMsDzV8VSeT_Bh9EyKMXnHC8nH7b1KO6pIwdTIQ6SHzBFJgdozZICax8F0fplwcM0Gd6P07zKef8T-lrWSYuKpVgYmwL2hvyWhaFann6VCZbZm5oCVTocparfiB3ZZY4vBx7aAG4f5Hj2nDbiTHFL1-caQJw/s320/hellocontrol1.jpeg" width="320" /></b></a></div><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn80Obswe9HePT5I4kivhjhdycntbIR4efqk0Xqk7T0pb2XoabgXhdCwHtaTo95jslKvqBpnd2cjJ688mwB5ZSr9SAlu3d7CAFvE5IUdvX_ak8ZT95JKGBnljT5bIf_A5tmYmcsHf7sSh6FnnlPSuTSH4SVXC5FjAsv64mSBh2QcJ7ZBywjl8/s600/hellocontrol2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="598" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn80Obswe9HePT5I4kivhjhdycntbIR4efqk0Xqk7T0pb2XoabgXhdCwHtaTo95jslKvqBpnd2cjJ688mwB5ZSr9SAlu3d7CAFvE5IUdvX_ak8ZT95JKGBnljT5bIf_A5tmYmcsHf7sSh6FnnlPSuTSH4SVXC5FjAsv64mSBh2QcJ7ZBywjl8/s320/hellocontrol2.jpeg" width="319" /></b></a></div><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>6. <i>Death & Taxes</i> EP</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEise8Qrj0rEwKi7JMiTyfTMKHWaa4jErhUFwzidEFQM-wu0tZ86qVs-irdtN4sk0YfEXhGCTJkWd9osygM0dS-POWbQOjZcKVF4wb3SSDTUgTUHveceeOjhVNbNaVNYqXK4vFrdQRVa3SUe2N_c4eVvpz_aA4T6K-Cf2XFj6FkwkJI1487DREg/s599/deathtaxes1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="599" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEise8Qrj0rEwKi7JMiTyfTMKHWaa4jErhUFwzidEFQM-wu0tZ86qVs-irdtN4sk0YfEXhGCTJkWd9osygM0dS-POWbQOjZcKVF4wb3SSDTUgTUHveceeOjhVNbNaVNYqXK4vFrdQRVa3SUe2N_c4eVvpz_aA4T6K-Cf2XFj6FkwkJI1487DREg/s320/deathtaxes1.jpeg" width="320" /></b></a></div><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMauPG54sRSrQMmM4jDGQP7y7gwHDbrlyo7tAKSjcr6Cjo85zqA1HHPvo9iEQWKTSYn8Iv1iei-e3GJApuMqZ7rKeeSAirFy4CaMkufqQqXGoOweIBwY7puZ7WLfhPfY2zCAWsrMoYlcjaFhmhNPa6RRe6eAJuff4rjc7tk0XI4tc4OBzuv8/s565/deathandtaxes2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="565" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMauPG54sRSrQMmM4jDGQP7y7gwHDbrlyo7tAKSjcr6Cjo85zqA1HHPvo9iEQWKTSYn8Iv1iei-e3GJApuMqZ7rKeeSAirFy4CaMkufqQqXGoOweIBwY7puZ7WLfhPfY2zCAWsrMoYlcjaFhmhNPa6RRe6eAJuff4rjc7tk0XI4tc4OBzuv8/s320/deathandtaxes2.jpeg" width="320" /></b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>7. <i>Letterbox</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oU4hglM-seuUVMV489bQq_uojZ1nqnSuhCWZn0fxNPOvaLtAov3b2v9PGscdchyroPrBLHYEDOSD7Nc_Y9dRWmr-4JqpRVgFqjy5pODrd_okYhqhfnCAjJ9Ota1rEBqHK9oOFtAePWnr7k4VCxvT2FkL0LhyiTJ99hvOcjcVo0SW4_MHkoA/s581/letterbox2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="581" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oU4hglM-seuUVMV489bQq_uojZ1nqnSuhCWZn0fxNPOvaLtAov3b2v9PGscdchyroPrBLHYEDOSD7Nc_Y9dRWmr-4JqpRVgFqjy5pODrd_okYhqhfnCAjJ9Ota1rEBqHK9oOFtAePWnr7k4VCxvT2FkL0LhyiTJ99hvOcjcVo0SW4_MHkoA/s320/letterbox2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6WYDmsbrC2ukoOluLUTuVjiphLxuJCW4D4CNPyQ9H0mgN_eFEh-PAei02_b3lI806aZc7sTuCso8XdIkkkVg-h9-KD0A4wGi2DJJgtiEB1HAfzKW6phePhuUQGRJcmDF9OtkCEp67Yppyd3gflgr0qjYCZNVmt2ehmx_Zv0a1-1rSEgOAuY/s591/letterbox.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="591" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6WYDmsbrC2ukoOluLUTuVjiphLxuJCW4D4CNPyQ9H0mgN_eFEh-PAei02_b3lI806aZc7sTuCso8XdIkkkVg-h9-KD0A4wGi2DJJgtiEB1HAfzKW6phePhuUQGRJcmDF9OtkCEp67Yppyd3gflgr0qjYCZNVmt2ehmx_Zv0a1-1rSEgOAuY/s320/letterbox.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Top 25 Brandtson Songs:</u></b></h4><p><b>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL3NuC_Y9tkA0cKoDQno6c_hLJA3fqe4M9" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </b></p><p><b> 1. "Boys Lie"</b> from the 2000 <i>Trying To Figure Each Other Out</i> EP<br />While Brandtson released two full-lengths prior to this EP, this was honestly the first time they captured their high-energy live show in a recording. Summer of 2000 I probably listened to this EP in full daily. For the long time it was my favorite Brandtson "album" even though it is only six songs.</p><p><b>2. "Summer In St. Claire"</b> from the 1999 <i>Fallen Star Collection</i> LP<br />The first time I saw Brandtson was at Slacker 66 in Birmingham (a venue run by Chad Johnson of Takehold Records and Furnace Fest). At the time of the show I had only heard the two songs on the first Deep Elm sampler, and their live show was SO MUCH BETTER than the quality of the <i>Letterbox </i>recording. Myk and Jared's dualing vocals were so unique and perfect. That show was a year before <i>Fallen Star Collection </i>dropped, and led to it being so highly anticipated from me.</p><p><b>3. "Guest List"</b> from the 2002<i> Dial In Sounds</i> LP<br />If I saw Brandtson 15 times, 10 of those times were prior to this album dropping. In 2000 and 2001 I practically followed Brandtson around the Southeast. One of the most memorable parts of those shows were hearing this song written and played live. It became the highlight of Brandtson shows before it was ever recorded and released.</p><p><b>4. "Throwing Rocks Tonight"</b> from the 2004 <i>Send Us A Signal</i> LP<br />This is going to be the first of so many songs from Brandtson's uniquivocal best album, <i>Send Us a Signal</i>. Like I said, the last time I saw Brandtson play was August 2003 in Frankfurt, Germany. Before the show I sat at the bar and talked with Jared quite a bit. The band had finally fulfilled their Deep Elm contract and were being courted by new labels. I remember vividly Jared talking about the appeal of The Militia Group, especially the sales numbers from the debut album from The Beautiful Mistake. A year later this album dropped, and my jaw dropped to the floor. As Brandtson later revealed in interviews, this album was the first time Brandtson had a bigger budget and more time to write and experiment in the studio, and the results are glorious.</p><p><b>5. "Earthquakes And Sharks"</b> from the 2006 <i>Hello, Control </i>LP<br />Probably the most unique and quirky Brandtson song, but my family absolutely loves it, and finds it hysterical.<br /></p><p><b>6. "Sic Transit Gloria (Glory Fades)"</b> from the 2000 <i>Trying To Figure Each Other Out</i> EP<br />Brandtson's best album opener, and also a song the band used to open shows frequently. Impossible not to sing along to!</p><p><b>7. "Just Breathe"</b> from the 2004 <i>Send Us A Signal</i> LP<br />One of the heaviest Brandtson songs, but this one is mainly defined by all its different segments. Changing time signatures and instrumentation; full of surprises.</p><p><b>8. "Mark It At Zero"</b> from the 2002<i> Dial In Sounds</i> LP<br />Another song I probably heard performed live 5-6 times before it was ever recorded.</p><p><b>9. "Mexico"</b> from the 2004 <i>Send Us A Signal</i> LP<br />If Brandtson ever had a radio hit, this would have been it. A mid-tempoed rocker that I frequently put on mixes for friends. Brandtson had developed so much as songwriters; "Mexico" would have not been possible earlier in their career.</p><p><b>10. "Little Birds And Spiders"</b> originally from the 2004 <i>Take Action! </i>Vol. 4 compilation, where it was mislabeled "Little Birds and Sparrows". Later appeared in its proper place on the 2010 vinyl reissue for <i>Send Us A Signal</i> as track 2 and with its correct title.<br />As I recently tweeted, one of the biggest compliments I can give Brandtson is their ability to finish songs well. No matter how good the first 2/3 of a Brandtson song is, the final 1/3 is going to shift into another gear and completely kick ass. This track starts like a punk rock song, but then completely shifts. "And your flying gracefully!" Gives me chills.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLt_O9iav20kN44pzsEdp-sp4Jq_JBaa8lRXZxYPQMgts_Df5Fz_IWFLJI_HQRPhEw0rIftGYz8n7NKh0xXhmrmTUrHJwUFY4hlScVdJ5QlmCA5g9B13bZjFDDUnx8AvkWiDjEfwar1ae9rixEEUxX5-sUB_Y7zmfuWWDS6XW_FdxEgyKruaQ/s3000/cornerstone2001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLt_O9iav20kN44pzsEdp-sp4Jq_JBaa8lRXZxYPQMgts_Df5Fz_IWFLJI_HQRPhEw0rIftGYz8n7NKh0xXhmrmTUrHJwUFY4hlScVdJ5QlmCA5g9B13bZjFDDUnx8AvkWiDjEfwar1ae9rixEEUxX5-sUB_Y7zmfuWWDS6XW_FdxEgyKruaQ/w640-h426/cornerstone2001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cornerstone Festival 2001, photo by me</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>11. "Blindspot"</b> from the 1997 <i>Letterbox </i>LP. Was later rerecorded for the 2004 <i>Send Us A Signal</i> LP<br />This is Brandtson's "Deadbolt". This is easily the best song on Brandtson's first album, and the only one they continued to play throughout their career. Often the final song of a show.</p><p><b>12. "Leaving Ohio"</b> from the 2000 <i>Trying To Figure Each Other Out</i> EP<br />I always liked how Brandtson wrote geography into their songs; so many mention places, cities, and states. You could learn a lot about where they were from just by listening. I guess this is inevitable if you are out on the road as much a they were.</p><p><b>13. "Escapist"</b> from the 2004 <i>Send Us A Signal</i> LP<br />This is my wife's favorite Brandtson song, and until "Earthquakes and Sharks", the one that was the most different and distinct in their catalog. The chorus has Myk and Jared singing different lines simultaneously and its fantastic. It's got a more electronic beat and hinted at the direction Brandtson would go next.</p><p><b>14. "Drawing A Line In The Sand"</b> from the 2004 <i>Send Us A Signal</i> LP<br />Because Send Us a Signal is so deep and good, this song maybe slips between the cracks. But 5 years earlier it could have been the band's best song.</p><p><b>15. "Shannon Said"</b> from the 1999 <i>Fallen Star Collection</i> LP<br />I don't remember any song specifically from the first Brandtson show I saw in 1998, but "Shannon Said" reminds me the most of what that show sounded like.</p><p><b>16. "Cherokee Red"</b> from the 2002<i> Dial In Sounds</i> LP<br />John Sayre's bass playing often was fairly nondescript and sometimes buried in the mix. But on this song and album it moved into the forefront and this song especially displays the bass playing.</p><p><b>17. "Parallels"</b> from the 2006 <i>Hello, Control </i>LP<br />This is one of those songs I mention in my recent Instagram post as <i>Hello, Control</i> has taken on a new life. Really strong songwriting and a fantastic hook--"Let it rain for now!"</p><p><b>18. "Ain't No Trip To Cleveland"</b> from the 2003 <i>Death & Taxes</i> EP<br />I'm fairly certain I saw this song performed at that Frankfurt show, and really is the perfect live track, both musically and lyrically: "...We wrote this song, it's four chords long, we hope you sing along, so sing along..."</p><p><b>19. "As You Wish"</b> from the 1999 <i>Fallen Star Collection</i> LP (A second remixed version appears on the <i>Trying To Figure Each Other Out</i> EP)<br />When the 2000 EP came out, I would usually listen to it in full, and as it wrapped up, then put on <i>Fallen Star Collection</i>. Listening to the remix before the original made "As You Wish" seem so epic.</p><p><b>20. "Goodnight Sweet Prince" </b>from the 2006 <i>Hello, Control </i>LP<br /></p><p><b>21. "With Friends Like You"</b> from the 2002<i> Dial In Sounds</i> LP</p><p><b>22. "Lie To Me"</b> from the 2006 <i>Hello, Control </i>LP</p><p><b>23. "Dead Animals"</b> originally from the 2003 Brandtson/Camber/Seven Storey Split EP. Later appeared in its proper place on the 2021 vinyl reissue for the <i>Death & Taxes</i> EP</p><p><b>24. "On Three"</b> from the 2003 <i>Death & Taxes</i> EP</p><p><b>25. "Waking Up To Yellow"</b> from the 1999 <i>Fallen Star Collection</i> LP</p><p><br />
<iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *; clipboard-write" frameborder="0" height="450" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/playlist/brandtson-top-25/pl.u-gxblYV1T4RzKK" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe>
</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7UhYmU1a4QsVdolWO3142Lv7EUQW_Fa3oLvGWnoBAo3OILADLTEqpsAt76BzpqhLjuCjnhwFuZK_HtWExsfcqhmMckjQE_NP7KPdzTVSi-99LB5_r8sTcZq45_tWUE7dME4ldEif_T_9LYqYVWU-kC_QFp78vgKwPyEvjDhDFIjm-MOibQ4/s900/frankfurt2003.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="900" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7UhYmU1a4QsVdolWO3142Lv7EUQW_Fa3oLvGWnoBAo3OILADLTEqpsAt76BzpqhLjuCjnhwFuZK_HtWExsfcqhmMckjQE_NP7KPdzTVSi-99LB5_r8sTcZq45_tWUE7dME4ldEif_T_9LYqYVWU-kC_QFp78vgKwPyEvjDhDFIjm-MOibQ4/w640-h478/frankfurt2003.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Frankfurt 2003, photo by me</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-36680302496928817882022-05-18T13:11:00.003-04:002022-05-18T13:14:56.086-04:00Top 25 Arcade Fire songs<p>Spurred on by the release of <i>WE</i>, a conversation with my son, and <a href="https://consequence.net/2022/05/ranking-every-arcade-fire-song-from-worst-to-best/">Consequence of Sound</a>'s "Every Arcade Fire Song Ranked from Worst to Best" post, I decided it was time to work on my own Arcade Fire list. I am thankful to my friend John handing me <i>Funeral</i> back in 2004, and have been a huge fan ever since. In fact, they are one of the few bands who I love and own a full discography without ever seeing them live--hopefully will remedy that one day.</p><p>My Arcade Fire listening is closely related to my family. I got married the year <i>Funeral </i>was released, and did not yet have kids when <i>Neon Bible</i> dropped, so we listened to both of those a lot as a couple on road trips.</p><p>When <i>The Suburbs </i>was released two of my children had been born, all three of my kids have grown up listening to that album, and it is a family favorite. One of my favorite vinyl listening experiences is when <i>The Suburbs</i> vinyl came in the mail, my wife and I sat down in my office after our babies were asleep and listened to the album in full with the lyrics in hand. We were both hooked immediately.</p><p><i>Reflektor</i> and <i>Everything Now</i> are far less family friendly. I love <i>Reflektor</i>, but most of my listening has been solo. And <i>Everything Now</i> is by far my least favorite Arcade Fire album, and I have only really played three of the songs for my family. We all absolutely love "Put Your Money on Me".</p><p>I am thankful <i>WE</i> is another family friendly album, and we have already played it a few times in the car. "Unconditional I (Lookout Kid)" immediately became my wife's favorite Arcade Fire song, and jumped into my top-5. As a parent, these lyrics resonate deeply:</p><div class="ujudUb u7wWjf" data-mh="-1" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 12px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">"Lookout kid, trust your heart</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">You don't have to play the part they wrote for you</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Just be true</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">There are things that you could do</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">That no one else on earth could ever do</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">But I can't teach you, I can't teach it to you</span></span></i></div><div class="ujudUb xpdxpnd" data-mh="-1" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 12px; max-height: none; overflow: hidden; transition: max-height 0.3s ease 0s;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Lookout kid, trust your mind</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">But you can't trust it every time</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">You know it plays tricks on you</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">And it don't give a damn if you are happy or you're sad</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">But if you've lost it, don't feel bad</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">'Cause it's alright to be sad</span></span></i></div><div class="ujudUb xpdxpnd" data-mh="-1" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 12px; max-height: none; overflow: hidden; transition: max-height 0.3s ease 0s;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Lookout kid, trust your body</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">You can dance, and you can shake</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Things will break, you make mistakes</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">You lose your friends, again and again</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">'Cause nothing is ever perfect</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">No one's perfect</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Let me say it again, no one's perfect</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Right</span></span></i></div><div class="ujudUb xpdxpnd" data-mh="-1" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 12px; max-height: none; overflow: hidden; transition: max-height 0.3s ease 0s;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">A lifetime of skinned knees</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">And heartbreak comes so easy</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">But a life without pain would be boring</span></span></i></div><div class="ujudUb xpdxpnd" data-mh="-1" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 12px; max-height: none; overflow: hidden; transition: max-height 0.3s ease 0s;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">And if you feel it, it's fine</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I give you everything that's mine</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I give you my heart and my precious time</span></span></i></div><div class="ujudUb xpdxpnd" data-mh="-1" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 12px; max-height: none; overflow: hidden; transition: max-height 0.3s ease 0s;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Lookout kid, trust your soul</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">It ain't hard to rock n' roll</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">You know how to move your hips</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">And you know God is cool with it</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">But some people want the rock without the roll</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">But we all know, there's no God without soul</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Right</span></span></i></div><div class="ujudUb xpdxpnd" data-mh="-1" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 12px; max-height: none; overflow: hidden; transition: max-height 0.3s ease 0s;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">A lifetime of skinned knees</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">And heartbreak comes so easily</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">But a life without you</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Would be boring for someone like me</span></span></i></div><div class="ujudUb xpdxpnd" data-mh="-1" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 12px; max-height: none; overflow: hidden; transition: max-height 0.3s ease 0s;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">And if you feel it, it's fine</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I give you everything that's mine</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I give you my heart and my precious time</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">(Precious time)</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">(Give you everything)</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I give you my heart and my precious time</span></span></i></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc xpdxpnd" data-mh="-1" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 0px; max-height: none; overflow: hidden; transition: max-height 0.3s ease 0s;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span jsname="YS01Ge">Unconditional</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">It's unconditional</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">It's unconditional</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">No matter what you do<br /></span></i><i>It's unconditional"</i></span></div><p>After a couple of days I narrowed Arcade Fire's 79-song catalog to 25, but putting them "in order" has proven impossible. With that in mind, I ranked my top 5, and then otherwise I grouped the songs in the order I rank the albums.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><u>Top 25 Arcade Fire Songs:</u></h4><p>1. "City With No Children" (3:12)</p><p>2. "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)" (5:26)</p><p>3. "Wake Up" (5:35)</p><p>4. "Put Your Money On Me" (5:53)</p><p>5. "Unconditional I (Lookout Kid)" (4:34)</p>
<iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *; clipboard-write" frameborder="0" height="450" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/playlist/arcade-fire-top-25/pl.u-KVXBBaLuDePbb" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe>
<p><i>The next 20 songs are ordered by my album ranking preference and not how I prefer each individual song:</i></p><p><b>NUMBER ONE:</b></p><p><i><b></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUYIsbmVvUb3nHO7HTT0CKj_zmuadUOgUeXJq2A97O7CtwDqjVR5Izfx4tz6JQl_23xIjgewbo12tyePK6yxWGpY8JAB_dcSlrkAsQ1huLJ8Vd_QqKnolzPpl3_iJSIAfZdCV6NTOVy9k1GdxPIqBei7lmZYwZnR0i-5k_r_cBPCMCH9d8sI/s600/arcade-fire_the-suburbs_3.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="590" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUYIsbmVvUb3nHO7HTT0CKj_zmuadUOgUeXJq2A97O7CtwDqjVR5Izfx4tz6JQl_23xIjgewbo12tyePK6yxWGpY8JAB_dcSlrkAsQ1huLJ8Vd_QqKnolzPpl3_iJSIAfZdCV6NTOVy9k1GdxPIqBei7lmZYwZnR0i-5k_r_cBPCMCH9d8sI/w197-h200/arcade-fire_the-suburbs_3.jpeg" width="197" /></a></b></i></div><i><b>The Suburbs<br /></b></i>"The Suburbs" (5:15)<br />"Ready to Start" (4:16)<br />"Modern Man<span style="white-space: pre;">" (</span>4:40)<br />"We Used to Wait"<span style="white-space: pre;"> (</span>5:01)<p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>NUMBER TWO:</b></p><p><i><b></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz_YrNYi0qxrWNvf9jcgunCBj6hpJrSAlsgyVd6i1-KKudSWVvYLf1ZrSfs98x1TazRa2DqzDum145i-afW3wkKH7zrFXJ7uQrAXqyDwdBVzEnXPvh4PnxBhv41JUFwx9jyDji1Rq3D-hIKoLnSH8e82WYxh3i0rHeePKp2Wx3LMbQwm4lK4/s316/ArcadeFireFuneralCover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz_YrNYi0qxrWNvf9jcgunCBj6hpJrSAlsgyVd6i1-KKudSWVvYLf1ZrSfs98x1TazRa2DqzDum145i-afW3wkKH7zrFXJ7uQrAXqyDwdBVzEnXPvh4PnxBhv41JUFwx9jyDji1Rq3D-hIKoLnSH8e82WYxh3i0rHeePKp2Wx3LMbQwm4lK4/w200-h200/ArcadeFireFuneralCover.jpg" width="200" /></a></b></i></div><i><b>Funeral<br /></b></i>"Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" <span style="white-space: pre;">(</span>4:48)<br />"Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)"<span style="white-space: pre;"> (</span>5:13)<br />"Crown Of Love" (4:42)<br />"Rebellion (Lies)"<span style="white-space: pre;"> (</span>5:11)<p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>NUMBER THREE:</b></p><p><i><b></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvcbOqFJRHcY7tHeNaSAnsQU0EyDJQLOiuqCp4tOL7TF00ml0pV3qRnadEvqH7iE_aamGoFhflPudbhK4-RS3NatmEKCl4YKaI1JjWK4mid4eXog7-Xe6pq_OTX7l_5G9e1WGw27rSTUSYK6HRhMaf9Yiucli8hWU7Ri5k274bw7V2pwdKHo/s450/Arcade-Fire.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="450" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvcbOqFJRHcY7tHeNaSAnsQU0EyDJQLOiuqCp4tOL7TF00ml0pV3qRnadEvqH7iE_aamGoFhflPudbhK4-RS3NatmEKCl4YKaI1JjWK4mid4eXog7-Xe6pq_OTX7l_5G9e1WGw27rSTUSYK6HRhMaf9Yiucli8hWU7Ri5k274bw7V2pwdKHo/w200-h200/Arcade-Fire.webp" width="200" /></a></b></i></div><i><b>WE<br /></b></i>"The Lightning I" + "The Lightning II" <span style="white-space: pre;">(</span>3:02 + 2:34) (<i>Note: While most of Arcade Fire's "numbered songs" stand alone, these two are inseparable and the same, continued work.)<br /></i><i>"</i>Unconditional II (Race and Religion)"<span style="white-space: pre;"> (</span>4:21)<p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>NUMBER FOUR:</b></p><p><i><b></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5TRJ2zrzByTtqnuKWijeZBnKwILbqsA7mr1N0XS-_j2mibZ-XMrVfz1xXejeH3VuFvyookaDTQKXhUHYV3oDI3gyfULPcW4FgK5S_6BV99QJ893mtTidh5XQa1lbWIZvAZHtyNMOBrWHXgNkutQ0erqxwN4IhCndVexDysDIZY-uiH8Hwqg/s300/Neon_Bible_(Front_Cover).jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5TRJ2zrzByTtqnuKWijeZBnKwILbqsA7mr1N0XS-_j2mibZ-XMrVfz1xXejeH3VuFvyookaDTQKXhUHYV3oDI3gyfULPcW4FgK5S_6BV99QJ893mtTidh5XQa1lbWIZvAZHtyNMOBrWHXgNkutQ0erqxwN4IhCndVexDysDIZY-uiH8Hwqg/w200-h200/Neon_Bible_(Front_Cover).jpg" width="200" /></a></b></i></div><i><b>Neon Bible<br /></b></i>"Keep The Car Running" (3:29)<br />"Intervention" (4:19)<br />"Black Wave/Bad Vibrations" (3:58)<br />"No Cars Go" (5:44)<p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>NUMBER FIVE:</b></p><p><i><b></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWheAlC9sZlwqvHilwrkryQGB4d_uKQTurhik10mLf5zi23MJ3WOkRu2cJdCCLfOMyGSC0Xfc50H_1Grwrco5cwBmJXlyesyueHOLXAmJixnmEjJ0YE9SVgwYUdTa4ogFfnIOTfsnClP3xDm5N5UrCfEeHHvqsq1rvNMCc4LpsKNpHo6RccIg/s300/ArcadeFireReflektor.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWheAlC9sZlwqvHilwrkryQGB4d_uKQTurhik10mLf5zi23MJ3WOkRu2cJdCCLfOMyGSC0Xfc50H_1Grwrco5cwBmJXlyesyueHOLXAmJixnmEjJ0YE9SVgwYUdTa4ogFfnIOTfsnClP3xDm5N5UrCfEeHHvqsq1rvNMCc4LpsKNpHo6RccIg/w200-h200/ArcadeFireReflektor.jpeg" width="200" /></a></b></i></div><i><b>Reflektor<br /></b></i>"It's Never Over (Hey Orpheus)" (6:43)<br />"Reflektor" (7:34)<br />"We Exist" (5:44)<br />"Here Comes the Night Time" (6:31)<p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>NUMBER SIX:</b></p><p><i><b></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhmlfaIk7N_FMrEJ_VHV184cYygNBoZIYplH-H11M7uqF8sB5ryqY-g87ArApl_q1FpWnLyUAmYZGOStKeZjzN-8vxB9xOTr6osEM8jLyw6s6NC2MwS0f5WEdWfkFtG98N6X4C1IdZyauZt_-_DwloQ4TFkF6bHj-G856ykyV75fNfeOJ9Q8/s531/R-10625308-1501180688-2818.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="528" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhmlfaIk7N_FMrEJ_VHV184cYygNBoZIYplH-H11M7uqF8sB5ryqY-g87ArApl_q1FpWnLyUAmYZGOStKeZjzN-8vxB9xOTr6osEM8jLyw6s6NC2MwS0f5WEdWfkFtG98N6X4C1IdZyauZt_-_DwloQ4TFkF6bHj-G856ykyV75fNfeOJ9Q8/w199-h200/R-10625308-1501180688-2818.jpeg" width="199" /></a></b></i></div><i><b>Everything Now<br /></b></i><b><i>"</i></b>Creature Comfort"<span style="white-space: pre;"> (</span>4:44)<br />"We Don't Deserve Love<span style="white-space: pre;"> (</span>6:29)<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-12051211475314884342022-01-22T17:56:00.000-05:002022-01-22T17:56:14.011-05:00Best of 1989<p>1989 was the year BEFORE the year I began buying my own music. However, the #10 album on this list I did hear in full as <b>Batman</b> was the first PG-13 movie I ever saw. My parents were extremely hesitant, but I begged and begged and finally got to see it in the theater. I turned 13 in 1989, so it was only fitting, right?! </p><p>And I got the Lego Batmobile for Christmas just last month, which was definitely the most fun (and longest--almost 9 hours!) Lego build of my life. My Batman obsession is going on strong now since watching the 60's show reruns as a young kid in the 80's.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZDDsyZvRvf/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZDDsyZvRvf/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; 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font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZDDsyZvRvf/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Alan P (@turnofftheradio1976)</a></p></div></blockquote><h4 style="text-align: left;"><u>Top 10 albums of 1989:</u></h4><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjazLxZElR7m-3iuGAjdgm0mbDF4VBhPHObckg8ejpNGeFGTMKR7PtvVLuuEQSj1IXqpkmle0KNaUpHyHyvg62-mKxxhha4UWUCqnpQ-oembY640KhDvz_nrHV5KieES_4nNt3sUJTPBQPmU2uFgA6v8tG9qs5tZeL2Rhlmw0i8AvsQi1Fakb8=s600" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="600" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjazLxZElR7m-3iuGAjdgm0mbDF4VBhPHObckg8ejpNGeFGTMKR7PtvVLuuEQSj1IXqpkmle0KNaUpHyHyvg62-mKxxhha4UWUCqnpQ-oembY640KhDvz_nrHV5KieES_4nNt3sUJTPBQPmU2uFgA6v8tG9qs5tZeL2Rhlmw0i8AvsQi1Fakb8=w200-h198" width="200" /></a></div>1. The Innocence Mission- <i>The Innocence Mission</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzV7X_V6-D3zb8S1N-7xXFYToKNwfVmkAdynf_qQgDrDGxBmpnuIMQ4BMzeMMiWUKbD0BbjHWf0Dwj5prvXhgevVhqEuNo-HZ3WHnox-K8vsn1a01QnikhZ_8cHj9SiR_NsTv-IKvWBKgn7QYDqp_lQGMYRlRHiPMltwmthe3q01Rp6kS4cNI=s301" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="301" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzV7X_V6-D3zb8S1N-7xXFYToKNwfVmkAdynf_qQgDrDGxBmpnuIMQ4BMzeMMiWUKbD0BbjHWf0Dwj5prvXhgevVhqEuNo-HZ3WHnox-K8vsn1a01QnikhZ_8cHj9SiR_NsTv-IKvWBKgn7QYDqp_lQGMYRlRHiPMltwmthe3q01Rp6kS4cNI=w200-h199" width="200" /></a></div>2. The Connells- <i>Fun & Games</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZAs3ebdVyWmAb5jd2T9cv7GyZMEjnE6arPpHHRqMzQAW3k6rfBWYaRIPsqS0Yhu8Wk_l1_xhH4CqHhiY09A5IoY2O9S6JwDd5ofxA-Roa2PuYt8FLnM99VAErYkM1ohy1BA5umfMNXaLJHZyAbqIt4hOt2MBS-WXnkHRfKeJQhbsT-dEh5E8=s1425" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="1425" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZAs3ebdVyWmAb5jd2T9cv7GyZMEjnE6arPpHHRqMzQAW3k6rfBWYaRIPsqS0Yhu8Wk_l1_xhH4CqHhiY09A5IoY2O9S6JwDd5ofxA-Roa2PuYt8FLnM99VAErYkM1ohy1BA5umfMNXaLJHZyAbqIt4hOt2MBS-WXnkHRfKeJQhbsT-dEh5E8=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>3. The Cure- <i>Disintegration</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-u6zzi4PowZSwo_3Lpj9Hk1lD8bR0BFlCe5GwVzmDu67Ls8U5jG2J5spwvcWyGefF0d6xUF8wGvd0tssYfdX5FR4-BQMnCn0ajunwexwP2bJ9MPKEPQq3EMtbosJjpefE6w_Hr_5SujDi22jli9I4csoQv_K4j7LsqMxYNjznHa-baKn93Nw=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-u6zzi4PowZSwo_3Lpj9Hk1lD8bR0BFlCe5GwVzmDu67Ls8U5jG2J5spwvcWyGefF0d6xUF8wGvd0tssYfdX5FR4-BQMnCn0ajunwexwP2bJ9MPKEPQq3EMtbosJjpefE6w_Hr_5SujDi22jli9I4csoQv_K4j7LsqMxYNjznHa-baKn93Nw=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>4. Lifesavers Underground- <i>Wakin' Up the Dead</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3CqqyOcLhfU216pean9ZWO6JOyRGMuRMTpzugJtZE_xd0xRaZIfm1DRHbN-zDUAPtFXYWXd-1Xb_EdzczXyfMnK2eWuv-YfBi_Fb4WYrHQnqTFHXidD79RC5MWX7i4cy3Wwr6LPFZQxiIWwtiYgAL9IudNNeCUQCfifl24ieLo9TVzWc49VE=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3CqqyOcLhfU216pean9ZWO6JOyRGMuRMTpzugJtZE_xd0xRaZIfm1DRHbN-zDUAPtFXYWXd-1Xb_EdzczXyfMnK2eWuv-YfBi_Fb4WYrHQnqTFHXidD79RC5MWX7i4cy3Wwr6LPFZQxiIWwtiYgAL9IudNNeCUQCfifl24ieLo9TVzWc49VE=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br />5. Toad The Wet Sprocket- <i>Bread And Circus</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibxeVCT8hAGHofCDzI9vCO7zwjYoQx4uwd95f-__PlqUFiOSeXvT43XRF8_-TyqTojBsXifD5uV3m4_pSrvsuZUr5z4AskN2s4WRByZMVs127uX85jTzdwlMg8y_ohLlk4-3rCHTdnVFtRR33f89ArPlg6PXFrTy7WmeEx6tbdOnlsWdj0wvo=s609" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibxeVCT8hAGHofCDzI9vCO7zwjYoQx4uwd95f-__PlqUFiOSeXvT43XRF8_-TyqTojBsXifD5uV3m4_pSrvsuZUr5z4AskN2s4WRByZMVs127uX85jTzdwlMg8y_ohLlk4-3rCHTdnVFtRR33f89ArPlg6PXFrTy7WmeEx6tbdOnlsWdj0wvo=w197-h200" width="197" /></a></div>6. The Violet Burning- <i>Chosen</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTFQG2_vLwC-i-DLLaDu0RxnnLTC9-Btl7n3ccYTPxMu1lUqYPPAOGkM3VTdWDxCTCcGvsuJGHu7rqJhbovbXTBeMKuutN8Tq696xPQOcpCqUe0xi8ZSj0AlVLH_pzkPtUShayEQwPe4h28JURt5X_9D4SnLWzD-EHZNxj1c6qC58HDbzmMhI=s598" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="598" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTFQG2_vLwC-i-DLLaDu0RxnnLTC9-Btl7n3ccYTPxMu1lUqYPPAOGkM3VTdWDxCTCcGvsuJGHu7rqJhbovbXTBeMKuutN8Tq696xPQOcpCqUe0xi8ZSj0AlVLH_pzkPtUShayEQwPe4h28JURt5X_9D4SnLWzD-EHZNxj1c6qC58HDbzmMhI=w200-h198" width="200" /></a></div>7. The Crucified- <i>The Crucified</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9FgkB_aPgW6XmNwJE5mO9A26AY9xzbalsWHUNKY7UFem97KzyCwKS4im8Ge1VNCjODjR4zkRHB-pGmAyQd6-Az1Amrae_A0Z-sjaUsnmknrr_ZTmiQUUWihHh-rfsPpRewqbmOILU5vrl5YG5l4HtfkhEllXjmOhCZw_zWev7_LzE-8ECqp8=s500" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9FgkB_aPgW6XmNwJE5mO9A26AY9xzbalsWHUNKY7UFem97KzyCwKS4im8Ge1VNCjODjR4zkRHB-pGmAyQd6-Az1Amrae_A0Z-sjaUsnmknrr_ZTmiQUUWihHh-rfsPpRewqbmOILU5vrl5YG5l4HtfkhEllXjmOhCZw_zWev7_LzE-8ECqp8=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>8. 10,000 Maniacs- <i>Blind Man's Zoo</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtfAlIH-WVF-W7II7iyubw_q1ncsX9OUoNm19Si0oLuZz12GNakLW2Y-5FOTm2fxsn6YFLHVKgSVF7y_BC44KtKaRmf5cWH77wD4u6Cz68DNFMmOlQGyAl2VO9GRtAtcIFNxcmt1ny8uwbesAAlFNkWv-YWsRWV5ujSLYBabN6vUFUA_MIEPY=s500" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtfAlIH-WVF-W7II7iyubw_q1ncsX9OUoNm19Si0oLuZz12GNakLW2Y-5FOTm2fxsn6YFLHVKgSVF7y_BC44KtKaRmf5cWH77wD4u6Cz68DNFMmOlQGyAl2VO9GRtAtcIFNxcmt1ny8uwbesAAlFNkWv-YWsRWV5ujSLYBabN6vUFUA_MIEPY=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>9. The Choir- <i>Wide-Eyed Wonder</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjclpxdmplBxQZTbYnuaYWX1BRBWs5QC2GRR4ktm_ozRCqW3Apvm4fjAnHRZwyvtQaM0wAztAbyDG_KOYMGQLtMoDJDBcGqU-LIBc_agb6UD_cgH6MEn_F6RMICLdLgnceSo4D8BMaWOXgSiELc1Ch07525LYnAH-z9qYDk0IIdMMncqfbbvh4=s300" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjclpxdmplBxQZTbYnuaYWX1BRBWs5QC2GRR4ktm_ozRCqW3Apvm4fjAnHRZwyvtQaM0wAztAbyDG_KOYMGQLtMoDJDBcGqU-LIBc_agb6UD_cgH6MEn_F6RMICLdLgnceSo4D8BMaWOXgSiELc1Ch07525LYnAH-z9qYDk0IIdMMncqfbbvh4=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>10. Prince- <i>Batman Motion Picture Soundtrack</i><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-45505572555206984762022-01-17T11:48:00.000-05:002022-01-17T11:48:47.857-05:00Best of 1988<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CY1m2fDu6GA/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CY1m2fDu6GA/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; 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line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CY1m2fDu6GA/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Alan P (@turnofftheradio1976)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<p>While I know and love a ton of music from 1986 and 1987, 1988 is a challenging year. Even finding 10 albums I "know" and enjoy is a challenge. I only own three on vinyl, and none on CD or cassette. </p><p>In 1988, the year I turned 12, I didn't really listen to music, except what my parents listened to and random top-40 radio in carpools to school and practices. And what my parents listened to was: Sandi Patti, Bill Gaither, Michael Card, GLAD, etc. Even my favorite album of 1988 I didn't listen to at the time. I was vaguely familiar with Amy Grant, but I definitely did not hear <i>Lead Me On</i> in full until probably the early 90's. The only other artist listed below that I definitely heard in 1988 was R.E.M.'s singles on the radio. The top 5 below I had all heard and knew by the end of the 90's, but then numbers 6-10 I didn't even discover until after Y2K.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><u>Top 10 albums of 1988:</u></h4><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB7xtua7eSWKJrmsop5orwbVA4nFvTOMu814Rz1VZpDm-kP6hzOGMOsSVPSiijZefnqQVB_5swADYh6RybIbX8dRwrEvURNsTu9N78ZDErBX_6IIVj_aU0tAOfj13LsKZpcTsm158HqWyebmMVvJqmY76EzI2NUWsmlBkF3voxW3RNntP1OhA=s1287" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1287" data-original-width="1256" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB7xtua7eSWKJrmsop5orwbVA4nFvTOMu814Rz1VZpDm-kP6hzOGMOsSVPSiijZefnqQVB_5swADYh6RybIbX8dRwrEvURNsTu9N78ZDErBX_6IIVj_aU0tAOfj13LsKZpcTsm158HqWyebmMVvJqmY76EzI2NUWsmlBkF3voxW3RNntP1OhA=w195-h200" width="195" /></a></div>1. Amy Grant- <i>Lead Me On</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWtLpsd-dVR-cQfcMw4GWdMoDjzF9dXm8PqNBDa4DywAynTS3nJ2jDDPjkPXIrF43U_7cuiHacv1B6TY2Agl8s5GgyIJjLBGCGig7TUEPRne3mpwyWpNHZgmkPqgm9rpOnV53F1-ahKEBlCxIT1od40ACaSU_gTev3btvBN_yGtF7ygvqiKPQ=s820" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="820" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWtLpsd-dVR-cQfcMw4GWdMoDjzF9dXm8PqNBDa4DywAynTS3nJ2jDDPjkPXIrF43U_7cuiHacv1B6TY2Agl8s5GgyIJjLBGCGig7TUEPRne3mpwyWpNHZgmkPqgm9rpOnV53F1-ahKEBlCxIT1od40ACaSU_gTev3btvBN_yGtF7ygvqiKPQ=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>2. R.E.M.- <i>Green</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7PUQuuTMj5fAO_AVnJzjbwyI6C4UMCeWAskxRm7u7SNy7QpBgYxjXv1h7aaoMiQzBWGHkaLI4scKul9tjfTXui48M-oLoGSzb2o471Kf_MGKvSAZVHFOGVx8Q_3tqq1KVrToQUdkcbycYsiRO9YUnktD8nJgnc-K0CjKrhG_yowC2bmaEwSg=s600" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7PUQuuTMj5fAO_AVnJzjbwyI6C4UMCeWAskxRm7u7SNy7QpBgYxjXv1h7aaoMiQzBWGHkaLI4scKul9tjfTXui48M-oLoGSzb2o471Kf_MGKvSAZVHFOGVx8Q_3tqq1KVrToQUdkcbycYsiRO9YUnktD8nJgnc-K0CjKrhG_yowC2bmaEwSg=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>3. Tracy Chapman- <i>Tracy Chapman</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7lqlY4RAoc5hEp5WZVczWVfD2ikPBM5RqW30y4j8pqn2GDD210C0qXac7YvGAi9zll1iadgu7lo0FFnCBJIb5zEp4zH37NXsLT5SPkimoc6-glRP5C0P90mfbeRl2j2_3rByEddKkoSmtNUYr7XRH41PjHw-89al4vm1XYhkizbCQin-YZFk=s594" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="594" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7lqlY4RAoc5hEp5WZVczWVfD2ikPBM5RqW30y4j8pqn2GDD210C0qXac7YvGAi9zll1iadgu7lo0FFnCBJIb5zEp4zH37NXsLT5SPkimoc6-glRP5C0P90mfbeRl2j2_3rByEddKkoSmtNUYr7XRH41PjHw-89al4vm1XYhkizbCQin-YZFk=w200-h199" width="200" /></a></div>4. Adam Again- <i>Ten Songs by Adam Again</i> <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKGnLDdryAkR1Doo4uJYLi7ifTKvXm-kXRB-zzJaWAUlDHJMy0rKUDefo3vcyJdQ_ygwKgSntY1BervzufNU5y0eNWHfMGYVV_giBKMNguiqvDRF8UcT9WoxEpq6hziMxIe1L3HwKfMfdAs3tk4Jfd-_WYFsSIfVxYz7dqzggOUvHeY34bHkU=s500" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="500" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKGnLDdryAkR1Doo4uJYLi7ifTKvXm-kXRB-zzJaWAUlDHJMy0rKUDefo3vcyJdQ_ygwKgSntY1BervzufNU5y0eNWHfMGYVV_giBKMNguiqvDRF8UcT9WoxEpq6hziMxIe1L3HwKfMfdAs3tk4Jfd-_WYFsSIfVxYz7dqzggOUvHeY34bHkU=w200-h199" width="200" /></a></div>5. The Choir- <i>Chase the Kangaroo</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGZMeS66mjCWPPKlF9Uj_5Bg_ow5aYFeTecxM6lJ0S6xYeTy7XW0HrC9Bcs33hCHqnn4UNA6IUr00EojhiHhDKKbhB7VIAbGt5Kwbf3Z94Q45OlrcyzsWlC8eRmZpmBXDKF5jdZOMgaarPeuDPIKkDa8BrVhL8pMkcBTnEqNBmWLFTkNZPFC0=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGZMeS66mjCWPPKlF9Uj_5Bg_ow5aYFeTecxM6lJ0S6xYeTy7XW0HrC9Bcs33hCHqnn4UNA6IUr00EojhiHhDKKbhB7VIAbGt5Kwbf3Z94Q45OlrcyzsWlC8eRmZpmBXDKF5jdZOMgaarPeuDPIKkDa8BrVhL8pMkcBTnEqNBmWLFTkNZPFC0=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>6. The Church- <i>Starfish</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYYn5BEtYoPaH4Cb3znXaweNDuNTYYqNQOc251AAgQun8d_0AEBTOrapyrOXAQ1lZcDABrabt3eHhLg9xmFh-FjO4DsbLEH3JA_9sAYqFn2HavO48fC5x53PRxQOSYiPzrlqOqnL7Zrkz3S8oRsAtDMVhFAdDha6g9H7msuSDoscx6DKW9E5g=s1050" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1050" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYYn5BEtYoPaH4Cb3znXaweNDuNTYYqNQOc251AAgQun8d_0AEBTOrapyrOXAQ1lZcDABrabt3eHhLg9xmFh-FjO4DsbLEH3JA_9sAYqFn2HavO48fC5x53PRxQOSYiPzrlqOqnL7Zrkz3S8oRsAtDMVhFAdDha6g9H7msuSDoscx6DKW9E5g=w200-h199" width="200" /></a></div>7. The Pixies- <i>Surfer Rosa</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZp5gvmBxLRuFdbmyRXXde2_rOClaTpcKlu5AAD7j-OpMONeHHKRPlJP_bUqcm-rqbosZdKbbuh_GeOY5x7lCN5E299GVgSasFEp1rMfsj763_AUy62DLNIjBgN4_dbLrED_OaBoVDoAL2D-QosULnOD9D17cXdMsxH2b0tKfloU91F6vLMLM=s1500" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1469" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZp5gvmBxLRuFdbmyRXXde2_rOClaTpcKlu5AAD7j-OpMONeHHKRPlJP_bUqcm-rqbosZdKbbuh_GeOY5x7lCN5E299GVgSasFEp1rMfsj763_AUy62DLNIjBgN4_dbLrED_OaBoVDoAL2D-QosULnOD9D17cXdMsxH2b0tKfloU91F6vLMLM=w196-h200" width="196" /></a></div>8. Cowboy Junkies- <i>The Trinity Session</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfws9Z08qzFeBWtSHuYECPprMcqyaDPRWBkndGKTVZEC3a8XzpNP4zeN6tmEz2q92sZG9hk_2mxnYgwZg1VCn3eJUWQnbuxGegHQ6T4g6iC3isCEYq1CQ8h1njWVw-adeYwijccVn78U4xB9HnVht107ykxssVUsqUpbESbpDXi4c3GBPIOaw=s1426" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="1426" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfws9Z08qzFeBWtSHuYECPprMcqyaDPRWBkndGKTVZEC3a8XzpNP4zeN6tmEz2q92sZG9hk_2mxnYgwZg1VCn3eJUWQnbuxGegHQ6T4g6iC3isCEYq1CQ8h1njWVw-adeYwijccVn78U4xB9HnVht107ykxssVUsqUpbESbpDXi4c3GBPIOaw=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>9. My Bloody Valentine- <i>Isn’t Anything</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgONrfXy5jBCZkc-7Gg8Xyb_EZj7Bl8Go-TBvMEeScrTWbWJk46RWHi4hQfMm0R3s6Sk-bxPW5RE_aGDGJ-x-p6taem_CC-1yD3UXE9KPELbzVzi85c20qdD0O_qW4jvsRh1hupES8Z2YC82RenKq0Z8r2JVrWHl2svsLsjzMPjJMD37HJyLK0=s1500" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgONrfXy5jBCZkc-7Gg8Xyb_EZj7Bl8Go-TBvMEeScrTWbWJk46RWHi4hQfMm0R3s6Sk-bxPW5RE_aGDGJ-x-p6taem_CC-1yD3UXE9KPELbzVzi85c20qdD0O_qW4jvsRh1hupES8Z2YC82RenKq0Z8r2JVrWHl2svsLsjzMPjJMD37HJyLK0=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>10. Sonic Youth- <i>Daydream Nation</i><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-42640183351399741512022-01-14T16:45:00.002-05:002022-01-14T16:45:54.736-05:00Best of 1985<p>As 2022 begins, seems only fitting my first blog post of the year is my top albums of 1985--ha! But I do have some gaps to fill in with my lists--notably 1988 and 1989. While those are coming, I am going to start with 1985 as I actually have "a lot" of vinyl albums from that year, at least compared to much of the 80's. Just pulled these off my shelves:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkeoy58HK3yxGgtVD2yNrabyZd-unOHwgUCVIXuYm1bEBpcvax0Bp-TuSVou_zgvW6cOw0id2YEABiVQeDrV1CKU4o6YtugUnwzNjuYCEnQm-1l0438FIcfY2tpbZa1TrmFPES4jSQbBcxjLyx9raJ7MZANu5MeOCYVD5PXRpKFo0dB718vRc=s4027" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="4027" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkeoy58HK3yxGgtVD2yNrabyZd-unOHwgUCVIXuYm1bEBpcvax0Bp-TuSVou_zgvW6cOw0id2YEABiVQeDrV1CKU4o6YtugUnwzNjuYCEnQm-1l0438FIcfY2tpbZa1TrmFPES4jSQbBcxjLyx9raJ7MZANu5MeOCYVD5PXRpKFo0dB718vRc=w640-h256" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What's weird about writing these eighties lists is that I heard almost none of this music at the time. I turned nine in 1985, and the only artist below I was remotely aware of was Amy Grant--but even with her I didn't become a fan until I was 12 or so. I might have heard a Tears for Fears and a-ha song on the radio, but most of these artists and albums I didn't discover until the late 90's or later. Also, I only really "know" three of these albums in full. I have listened to them all, but this year in music is still largely a mystery to me and may always will be.</div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><u>Top 10 albums of 1985:</u></h4><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjm3522HdCZYNcTTYI3EvlChefUloDw7YICd1_IzUiyKV30d8e4qwtyxIpXcP0zNJIkCp40Wl4sMYg6USyjAjxsYiU9a9b9LrVJWD9XwOs7vNeGj47fFYi1EjnCOQpdefp3NwDLnjuoPgi8qwsgYUb7ch4MjSCnCgfAPHUDuXCzYxVCDYIMEm0=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjm3522HdCZYNcTTYI3EvlChefUloDw7YICd1_IzUiyKV30d8e4qwtyxIpXcP0zNJIkCp40Wl4sMYg6USyjAjxsYiU9a9b9LrVJWD9XwOs7vNeGj47fFYi1EjnCOQpdefp3NwDLnjuoPgi8qwsgYUb7ch4MjSCnCgfAPHUDuXCzYxVCDYIMEm0=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><b>1. Tears For Fears- <i>Songs From The Big Chair</i></b><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoF63Ely0sV4rF0qo12IdbfLexLHOwnNcCtuwT-UUMtUEB1Q80UOJ7RDrvJZ-ypCyshnZ_d6dvWE6fUBLCLCzrOHGKOFK6yz-7LMrLLUVqQFA4ruukjfRgsozvwNAXle6Zgs_en-sXue6yfTs-W3BddydcmmcBIhj4T3bMlAqsUL41txU98yw=s450" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="450" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoF63Ely0sV4rF0qo12IdbfLexLHOwnNcCtuwT-UUMtUEB1Q80UOJ7RDrvJZ-ypCyshnZ_d6dvWE6fUBLCLCzrOHGKOFK6yz-7LMrLLUVqQFA4ruukjfRgsozvwNAXle6Zgs_en-sXue6yfTs-W3BddydcmmcBIhj4T3bMlAqsUL41txU98yw=w200-h198" width="200" /></b></a></div><b>2. Steve Taylor- <i>On The Fritz</i></b><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinKVPhmNgd8dkOr1SBI-qn1CcF0_hUrP9f8dKFYAfhI2V_gaBjqsW_CRapm-z0knUo8pKJSwPFKWGyqGMuCQRt0doxuZ33BgI2ytfuOs33KWvRUxvAtJXFbDYQtigdfFOPTdj2UTBHLNLlXZqrRtYLfQ1jaxF9J92_0D0tX1LIaEuhNL9GIhg=s500" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="500" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinKVPhmNgd8dkOr1SBI-qn1CcF0_hUrP9f8dKFYAfhI2V_gaBjqsW_CRapm-z0knUo8pKJSwPFKWGyqGMuCQRt0doxuZ33BgI2ytfuOs33KWvRUxvAtJXFbDYQtigdfFOPTdj2UTBHLNLlXZqrRtYLfQ1jaxF9J92_0D0tX1LIaEuhNL9GIhg=w200-h198" width="200" /></b></a></div><b>3. Amy Grant- <i>Unguarded</i></b><p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4UvtwmCCQ5srZXugHj9-e-sgN_BXZ3Us_MsbVRcqtCthns9wqAoPKdD6R4qSrJ-UPKdMUd9Au0ZlJSwnDkN8iwPnclRhIhO3LzxuRAtf3WduZMqbsAtQpysCfPFKvUtidR-8B9vDoOKrTYgnrhDHUCgBO5cSeua8jBSAdks6cEXZ2ZuKT5EM=s600" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4UvtwmCCQ5srZXugHj9-e-sgN_BXZ3Us_MsbVRcqtCthns9wqAoPKdD6R4qSrJ-UPKdMUd9Au0ZlJSwnDkN8iwPnclRhIhO3LzxuRAtf3WduZMqbsAtQpysCfPFKvUtidR-8B9vDoOKrTYgnrhDHUCgBO5cSeua8jBSAdks6cEXZ2ZuKT5EM=w200-h200" width="200" /></b></a></div><b>4. R.E.M.- <i>Fables Of The Reconstruction</i></b><p></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVuvreAazjf2_kixg2ei_8bqVNr4lAToHvuRHq8Tppc_h7tegyMzAwx_mKGUKi5FsZY0M3QSQi4xQeteYlXspLWtxRMPpIn0k2TaFP0a5FQK0zaZ7cOFYPJfNFCIwX71o49nJwo5Xxf8fmT7ob3IhucAB9Gf6TDPS53Q4c69x7EmwWZyLIJQo=s315" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="315" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVuvreAazjf2_kixg2ei_8bqVNr4lAToHvuRHq8Tppc_h7tegyMzAwx_mKGUKi5FsZY0M3QSQi4xQeteYlXspLWtxRMPpIn0k2TaFP0a5FQK0zaZ7cOFYPJfNFCIwX71o49nJwo5Xxf8fmT7ob3IhucAB9Gf6TDPS53Q4c69x7EmwWZyLIJQo=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></b></div><b>5. The Connells- <i>Darker Days</i></b><p></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDr7_tBIK3txPCML5Y0Cg7QhTPIdCZ1vfG1On0Stahj-A1CWqID6uuM_edt5kEA9Va5WmEpGVs4j0sWcwfWQqX8HK1qz-mRrrM1-jVcJI0uBxFv9oqvV1aXbDO6IcCzC4oiZJ761lxGbT0qvOZFhneMbJP7NLDUZ0VhsEYW9Y_sELZUvkWStI=s1425" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1416" data-original-width="1425" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDr7_tBIK3txPCML5Y0Cg7QhTPIdCZ1vfG1On0Stahj-A1CWqID6uuM_edt5kEA9Va5WmEpGVs4j0sWcwfWQqX8HK1qz-mRrrM1-jVcJI0uBxFv9oqvV1aXbDO6IcCzC4oiZJ761lxGbT0qvOZFhneMbJP7NLDUZ0VhsEYW9Y_sELZUvkWStI=w200-h199" width="200" /></a></b></div><b>6. The Jesus & Mary Chain- <i>Psychocandy</i></b><p></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpIW9cHCgSR2RZRjjb3Cqx1FBEqqXs6JJtveKKq7K7QlkYDjO4O4ixr6L1CWvbhGOvU0wyfapRka9Xfmx2CDajqIYg32dHekt3AIdHiM1b7F2meta8RWpVPtSmlISPPrL73vigs3f115-S5RruAaw3K7AmAvLLT75qmRXK8m1LH61KHrpfOmI=s500" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpIW9cHCgSR2RZRjjb3Cqx1FBEqqXs6JJtveKKq7K7QlkYDjO4O4ixr6L1CWvbhGOvU0wyfapRka9Xfmx2CDajqIYg32dHekt3AIdHiM1b7F2meta8RWpVPtSmlISPPrL73vigs3f115-S5RruAaw3K7AmAvLLT75qmRXK8m1LH61KHrpfOmI=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></b></div><b>7. Kate Bush- <i>Hounds of Love</i></b><p></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3lvwCq3jniU9VMgXDflCXLD_J0HxbGbvZal5VBx3-NTpRQhF_em3kXTIs5vDPO6nAYAHTJRKsJe6o8zaFgDHcIGwcVfmDB-Tprk0gIT3tW3aXJjBiZMFUl08RoptE52r_SCLC1SqoAv66aZjozFIDyzqR5ZixDbjJ3peg3PU8iAGCLYB-koA=s522" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="522" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3lvwCq3jniU9VMgXDflCXLD_J0HxbGbvZal5VBx3-NTpRQhF_em3kXTIs5vDPO6nAYAHTJRKsJe6o8zaFgDHcIGwcVfmDB-Tprk0gIT3tW3aXJjBiZMFUl08RoptE52r_SCLC1SqoAv66aZjozFIDyzqR5ZixDbjJ3peg3PU8iAGCLYB-koA=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></b></div><b>8. Til Tuesday- <i>Voices Carry</i></b><p></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbac9up7sy-0K4t6UJzMd8tF5VV1NKxhUIQ6k4UPw7tZHEgn_ohJ3M3xcZA08qqBSh9dwzhnbJWZLDYoBMJDxg1H_ThO3ryme3APetXztmSLNMhQGI5uNk3T0s0zGTYHWYPFucaXynhdj6KUZk_XvV2ezX2tdXmSEbnZbSQ07p1lbGHNhZ6Q4=s1000" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbac9up7sy-0K4t6UJzMd8tF5VV1NKxhUIQ6k4UPw7tZHEgn_ohJ3M3xcZA08qqBSh9dwzhnbJWZLDYoBMJDxg1H_ThO3ryme3APetXztmSLNMhQGI5uNk3T0s0zGTYHWYPFucaXynhdj6KUZk_XvV2ezX2tdXmSEbnZbSQ07p1lbGHNhZ6Q4=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></b></div><b>9. Stevie Nicks- <i>Rock A Little</i></b><p></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgknt0TnVi8zRWC8lXOyiNYQPUT7KZWpXuF-KxngRkjUVS0_NLXgisLs0SJGErUUc8pY1ShUVgAK-WA0oDRR5Znc5j8xumnKI9iARLmwo5lqIzYTWg3sZSZiQRjpXVxDdmkF6UxulyI5ZUxikv8CmVw-y2n-Kbwv0aCBbFCWsWHamYsox26qI8=s1425" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="1425" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgknt0TnVi8zRWC8lXOyiNYQPUT7KZWpXuF-KxngRkjUVS0_NLXgisLs0SJGErUUc8pY1ShUVgAK-WA0oDRR5Znc5j8xumnKI9iARLmwo5lqIzYTWg3sZSZiQRjpXVxDdmkF6UxulyI5ZUxikv8CmVw-y2n-Kbwv0aCBbFCWsWHamYsox26qI8=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></b></div><b>10. a-ha- <i>Hunting High And Low</i></b><p></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-26240281446136893212021-12-22T10:10:00.002-05:002021-12-22T10:10:16.083-05:00Best of 2021<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/turnofftheradio/51652248993/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_2190"><img alt="IMG_2190" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51652248993_9d4d536f83_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><i>[Furnace Fest 2021, photo by me]</i><p>What impacted my listening habits the most in 2021? LIVE MUSIC. The return of concerts was huge for me, all fans, all musicians, and the entire music community. I believe music exists primarily to be experienced live. While of course I listen to it primarily at home on my turntable, at work on my computer, and in my car, the experience--key word, <i>experience</i>--of seeing musicians perform their compositions live in concert radically elevates the impact. The communal and downright spiritual component of a live show cannot be replicated through listening to recordings.</p><p>Pre-COVID, the last concert I attended had been June of 2019 (Blank Books and Brother Bird in Detroit). Then during COVID, planning for Furnace Fest began, and I knew I had to attend and take part. The festival was inevitably delayed for a full year, but I was fortunate enough to attend in September. And that, along with three other shows this fall, dictated what music, and what kind of music, I listened to most in 2021: <i>heavy</i> stuff. After my 2020 listening was dominated by primarily quiet folk, both prep for Furnace Fest and the experience itself reignited my love for hardcore, punk, metal, etc. You'll see that clearly in the top 20. See my Furnace Fest video recap <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pDYXi75P4I">here</a>, and all my concert photos <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/turnofftheradio/albums">here</a>.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgW6i6OE8bjDezRZBiferhEAamgMwvF442-5cSmN6JycVFsbb2sWoGz1Htw8w7O5kPuai2QdcJau4XGMf9nhnRESfIWoxpqftf2xuwFUtSOmg6hOua-HD2TqkD0UDiycvSToo6KQaJGlufmuTyw-yszE5m8cUvwMBbwpiwE9olczwERjlxAXCc=s1500" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgW6i6OE8bjDezRZBiferhEAamgMwvF442-5cSmN6JycVFsbb2sWoGz1Htw8w7O5kPuai2QdcJau4XGMf9nhnRESfIWoxpqftf2xuwFUtSOmg6hOua-HD2TqkD0UDiycvSToo6KQaJGlufmuTyw-yszE5m8cUvwMBbwpiwE9olczwERjlxAXCc=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>Next, where does <i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ1sFeyMslK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Evermore</a></i> go? Released digitally on December 11, 2020, I will forever think of it as a "holiday album" as I listened to it incessantly this time last year. But then the vinyl dropped in May of 2021. So, is it my #2 album of 2020 (behind <i>folklore</i>)? Or is it my favorite album of 2021? Currently leaning towards the first option, because of how it is paired with <i>folklore</i>. So while you won't see Taylor Swift in my list below (except under best reissues), for the second year in a row I listened to Taylor Swift WAY more than any other artist. And not just because of <i>folklore</i> and <i>Evermore</i>, but also due to her contributions to Big Red Machine (in my top 20 below), and the spectacular re-recordings and reissues--the "Taylor's Version" of <i>Fearless</i> (April 9, 2021) and <i>Red</i> (November 15, 2021).<div><br /></div><div>This also hints at a larger issue--vinyl manufacturing. So many albums moving forward are going to have digital releases one calendar year, and vinyl releases the next. That is unless the artists and labels hold on to the digital until the vinyl is ready. From my list below, both Sleigh Bells and Bent Knee released new albums fall of 2021, but the vinyl is not due to ship until Feb. 2022 at the earliest. And then with the case of a couple albums in my top 5--Thrice and The World Is...--the digital albums were released a couple months before the vinyl. One of my favorite experiences, listening to an album for the first time on a turntable, is a rare occurence right now and only possible with extreme patience.<br /><p></p><p>I put together three best-of playlists recently, two on Apple Music and one on BNDCMPR (the new and only way to compile a playlist of Bandcamp tracks). All three playlists are about an hour long, albeit different thematically. The first playlist I randomly created one night in November, and picked some of the longest and best songs of the year--only took seven songs to fill the hour. I have gravitated towards really long songs my whole life (when I deejayed in college I had a regular feature of shows where we'd only play 6 minute-plus songs, the opposite of what radio typically leans to).</p><p>
<iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *;" frameborder="0" height="450" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/playlist/november-2021/pl.u-gxbllg7T4RzKK" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe></p><p>The second playlist is more of a traditional best-of list, and I defaulted towards shorter songs to represent more (18 songs):</p><p>
<iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *;" frameborder="0" height="450" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/playlist/best-of-2021/pl.u-gxbllDlF4RzKK" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe></p><p>And the final is more random and represents some lesser-known and under-represented 2021 releases:</p>
<iframe src="https://bndcmpr.co/embed/f87bc64f?orientation=portrait" style="border: none; height: 600px; width: 350px;" title="Best of 2021"></iframe><h2 style="text-align: left;"><u>Top 20 albums of 2021:</u></h2><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhX9eDBBgLHtp8gnRzSCKdQlMLqmusZK-b4_2eIVqqxdSRSz-P2HAvZ0ezFMKQyvzHjiO0nhfLymrhHQD0qZLiJwtnA6I8bIsqS1Ec07f9k6kzP35EsMdlIAaZvLoIqMHknUL5oyRdI2z9dVzBcLOzgmJ96ZXXx3GaZLAAIhDBj1wCtDW8QUwM=s600" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhX9eDBBgLHtp8gnRzSCKdQlMLqmusZK-b4_2eIVqqxdSRSz-P2HAvZ0ezFMKQyvzHjiO0nhfLymrhHQD0qZLiJwtnA6I8bIsqS1Ec07f9k6kzP35EsMdlIAaZvLoIqMHknUL5oyRdI2z9dVzBcLOzgmJ96ZXXx3GaZLAAIhDBj1wCtDW8QUwM=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></b></div><b>1. The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die- </b><i><b>Illusory Walls<br /></b></i>Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania<div>Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CV8ktZ7Pgv2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://theworldis.bandcamp.com/album/illusory-walls">Bandcamp</a><p></p>Collaboration and experimentation are two of my most important attributes in music. And this album and band--with no principle songwriter--is a perfect example of that. I was recently listening to a podcast interview with Chris Teti, guitarist in The World is, as he described how <i>Illusory Walls</i> was written. Each member of the band first of all has the ability to present ideas to everyone else, and secondly has the freedom to modify and change ideas that the other members have presented. It is a unique and rare model, the the fruits are awesome. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have been a fan of The World Is since I saw them open for mewithoutYou in 2016 (<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/turnofftheradio/albums/72157663452170289">photos here</a>; the only song from the band I knew prior to that show was "January 10, 2014"). I eventually fell in love with their 2015 album<i> Harmlessness</i>, and have followed them closely ever since. They are a band essentially defined by collaboration, and if you check out their Wikipedia band-member infographic, you'll understand why:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkgXgSBHGDoYMUjT10vMZcNLuIG7fE1uC1JlqyRLfBZk2sKCWa7Qdz-zlu5G5f62yVmV0uwqiLJdiQvrnFvOYixTOer8r2RAwjvcU2D5sQexYjAVO6_obDEHu6TAB-tP6RghdVlctUdl4BbHUWalv1rX2xlhiQp58cU0d4wKE9qTmE4oXVGJc=s1644" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1644" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkgXgSBHGDoYMUjT10vMZcNLuIG7fE1uC1JlqyRLfBZk2sKCWa7Qdz-zlu5G5f62yVmV0uwqiLJdiQvrnFvOYixTOer8r2RAwjvcU2D5sQexYjAVO6_obDEHu6TAB-tP6RghdVlctUdl4BbHUWalv1rX2xlhiQp58cU0d4wKE9qTmE4oXVGJc=w400-h201" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Their changing and at times extremely large group of band members has in generally been positive, but at times, it was far from productive. Many fans, journalists, and members of the band themselves thought it best they break up, however, not only did the five core members stick together--they became the strongest and most cohesive unit of the bands' dozen year history.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bello, Teti, Cyr, Buttery, and Dvorak have now formed the tightest and most powerful line-up The World Is... has ever had. The layers upon layers of guitars are aggressive and intricate, but the dueling vocals of Bello and Dvorak are melodic with meaningful, relevant lyrics. I was thankful to see them perform in Ann Arbor this fall, and the show was significantly better and tighter than when I saw them 5 years prior.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Illusory Walls</i> is broken into two parts, both 35 minutes in length. But the first part is nine songs, and second part is only two songs--one 15 minutes and the other almost 20 minutes in length! The 19:44 <i>Fewer Afraid</i> is my favorite song of 2021.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4293474015/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=1745811368/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://theworldis.bandcamp.com/album/illusory-walls">Illusory Walls by The World is a Beautiful Place & I am No Longer Afraid to Die</a></iframe></div><div><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEii6e1FB7g02AEPbqv9I6RI1T7QOpuXaIcvHRRoxVLC5jJH0zotbA9Mh6_77GJmR9wZSkj6IWAnjXC0tbQJXOVGmeKPinISXsEzPnMWgjxytUqx-IEoFUig2h_Ux9Pu0C3FJg0nMe2SHC5SL25CGUzKsBFROAmm06qDbxxSYjafrNamESHOC9w=s1200" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEii6e1FB7g02AEPbqv9I6RI1T7QOpuXaIcvHRRoxVLC5jJH0zotbA9Mh6_77GJmR9wZSkj6IWAnjXC0tbQJXOVGmeKPinISXsEzPnMWgjxytUqx-IEoFUig2h_Ux9Pu0C3FJg0nMe2SHC5SL25CGUzKsBFROAmm06qDbxxSYjafrNamESHOC9w=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>2. Middle Kids- <i>Today We’re The Greatest</i><br /></b>Hometown: Sydney, Australia<b><br /></b>Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CW1EXlBvciS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://middlekids.bandcamp.com/album/today-we-re-the-greatest">Bandcamp</a><p></p>Middle Kids is arguably my favorite band of the last few years, right up there with the band next in this list. They dropped <i>Today We’re The Greatest</i> on March 19, which was perfect timing for spring break and summer roads trip with the fam. My middle child watched the YouTube premiere for the video for the song "Questions", and it became maybe her favorite song of the year. This is catchy, pop-rock goodness.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first five songs are killer, the best stretch of music in this band's history--the include the poppiest and folkiest songs in the band's catalog. The middle of the album blends and drags a bit before finishing with two awesome songs, including the title track finale, perhaps the best song on the album. While as a whole I prefer 2018's <i>Lost Friends</i>, this was easily the most listened to album of the year by my family of five. Sadly, we were to go see them in concert in Detroit in October, but the venue had mandatory vaccination. I agreed with the policy, but my two daughters were too young at the time and I was unwilling to attend without them.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1lvDadfOJ19PlSL1m__aymBUI6rr4iJJGQqa2SCptQRlAG7lw-MicRqwki92px8KuiRYaB2QXCr0pT77Hw8XlJDXOzXQRuoh7Bbw-jWu8287stAzMTf1CwLoTspaKWEl9opwVkvNxtkW3-RrKzeZ7weRibx4Nd0ojlAxfTlvnm3lBKGLZy5E=s1200" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1lvDadfOJ19PlSL1m__aymBUI6rr4iJJGQqa2SCptQRlAG7lw-MicRqwki92px8KuiRYaB2QXCr0pT77Hw8XlJDXOzXQRuoh7Bbw-jWu8287stAzMTf1CwLoTspaKWEl9opwVkvNxtkW3-RrKzeZ7weRibx4Nd0ojlAxfTlvnm3lBKGLZy5E=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><b>3. Manchester Orchestra- </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">The Million Masks Of God</i><br />Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia<b><br /></b>Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPMNftQs-76/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://manchesterorchestramusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-million-masks-of-god">Bandcamp</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The earliest Christmas gift I bought this year was in June when I ordered tickets to see Manchester Orchestra in March 2022 at the Fillmore in Detroit. They will be surprise stocking stuffers for the whole family.</div><div><br /></div><div>While I have been a fan of Manchester Orchestra for 15 years, they reached a new level with 2017's <i>A Black Mile To the Surface</i>. This is a continuation of that sound, and is nearly perfect. I don't find the individual songs on<i> Masks</i> and good as <i>Black Mile</i>, but the album is designed to be listened to as a whole, and is stunning when you take the time.<br /><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7qzygvTfzpcFH1A7Q8bjdZU1VlCZngetHZHSH_OKEHULGlh7Ix0d9aTPpt3i3taBiE8RpYsGs7kmGU-kPlW7QJgF9sncKPpS2mlOpds0Ehwvi_1dE_RrG8ld6doezH0y70JIoB01XB-uphsLikOER9ZW3NCJFOJ_5bDzXZ5hDnHWpfTwcs0E=s1200" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7qzygvTfzpcFH1A7Q8bjdZU1VlCZngetHZHSH_OKEHULGlh7Ix0d9aTPpt3i3taBiE8RpYsGs7kmGU-kPlW7QJgF9sncKPpS2mlOpds0Ehwvi_1dE_RrG8ld6doezH0y70JIoB01XB-uphsLikOER9ZW3NCJFOJ_5bDzXZ5hDnHWpfTwcs0E=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>4. Thrice- <i>Horizons / East</i><br /></b>Hometown: Irvine, California<br />Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWtCzJ1pyk3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://officialthrice.bandcamp.com/album/horizons-east">Bandcamp</a><p></p>Thrice is my favorite post-2000 band. However, everything since 2009's <i>Beggars</i> had been a little disappointing for me. I find the band at their creative peak with <i>The Alchemy Index</i>, and finally, after a decade, Thrice has returned to the experimentation that defined them prior to 2010. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thrice is held together by their rhythm section, and the bass and drums have never sounded better here. An argument can be made, that while this may not be the best Thrice songs, they have never been recorded more effectively and it sounds AMAZING.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have now seen Thrice six times since 2007, and while I mourn that there are some songs I'll never hear them play again, I am generally OK with that because they still sounds great. A friend went with me to the show who doesn't really know Thrice, and I explained to him that the band played none of my top-5 favorite Thrice songs, but I I knew they wouldn't, and I was OK with it. My favorite part of the set this year was when they played "Buried in the Sun" and "Just Breathe" back-to-back, as those are my fav songs from each of the most recent two albums.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhU0Dp7a3E2497mbt6erGcSMoQjY-qrOny-DC-u7ccD3htJ5J_xmOtGvy4PmmPKqhs4n8pjg4WkBkJEKIA2kqYZkWEULZYfXHkn1Z4GPtcJATdmy5EeFJUq66cjyTGNTaweLeGzXMDtc-ZXxQpXLcDFtbw1lJH3KSqmkA556x6qw0wQLLE-gcc=s600" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhU0Dp7a3E2497mbt6erGcSMoQjY-qrOny-DC-u7ccD3htJ5J_xmOtGvy4PmmPKqhs4n8pjg4WkBkJEKIA2kqYZkWEULZYfXHkn1Z4GPtcJATdmy5EeFJUq66cjyTGNTaweLeGzXMDtc-ZXxQpXLcDFtbw1lJH3KSqmkA556x6qw0wQLLE-gcc=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>5. Turnstile- <i>GLOW ON</i><br /></b>Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland<b><br /></b>Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUvcEW6PrkF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on band <a href="https://www.turnstilehardcore.com/store/">webstore</a><p></p>As far as music defined by the live experience, Turnstile is the 2021 essential example. While I listened to and enjoyed <i>GLOW ON</i> prior to seeing them at Furnace Fest, that show was next-level. The band, and crowd, was so energetic and having SO MUCH FUN. Here's my video of them playing "Holiday":
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HQtjvjruH_8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGaClYwYXWqRPwWwfVfrPrlcOmj7Pg26AAppTD4tgog3UQNXbwhu7l9NlU6KXxYHsyBFdyj8EDHlrOkX7wV1O5GDA_25Wf0k4PzYYUleYjY3WGjluc3vuVFBw71IKAWXwiWDAQ-d4ILQ3cFxG6HrKbMoAJW10cVDrxrIEVmO-QxmmRuNdsto4=s1200" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGaClYwYXWqRPwWwfVfrPrlcOmj7Pg26AAppTD4tgog3UQNXbwhu7l9NlU6KXxYHsyBFdyj8EDHlrOkX7wV1O5GDA_25Wf0k4PzYYUleYjY3WGjluc3vuVFBw71IKAWXwiWDAQ-d4ILQ3cFxG6HrKbMoAJW10cVDrxrIEVmO-QxmmRuNdsto4=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>6. Bent Knee- <i>Frosting</i><br /></b>Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts<b><br /></b>Format purchased: Vinyl (pre-order due to ship in February)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://bentknee.bandcamp.com/album/frosting">Bandcamp</a><p></p>Had never even heard of Bent Knee prior to October, but when I saw they were opening for The World Is in Ann Arbor, I began checking out some of their older music. However, nothing would prepare me for what I would experience with their live show--absolutely stunning. While the opening band Gates was strong, and I of course love the headliner, Bent Knee as live performers blew them all away. The show also happened to be the digital album release party for <i>Frosting</i>, and most of the songs played were from it.<br /><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJiJy5A-pRY5NXM5gKCVOTjC3pxzYwTAFsEE6kOkgxJkG2mI00IxCcOHLVE59aqbsY8UMHk6YA4ONiEIzLsfOEpJ7mVgAVG-oyJoOgn6tUxNSfUY-xTzJ-MThf2Sf0Y9vS79CRppz0-lmSHfDKdUW5f8zk8oD___PftQuJX-q4P33oBheJKxY=s600" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJiJy5A-pRY5NXM5gKCVOTjC3pxzYwTAFsEE6kOkgxJkG2mI00IxCcOHLVE59aqbsY8UMHk6YA4ONiEIzLsfOEpJ7mVgAVG-oyJoOgn6tUxNSfUY-xTzJ-MThf2Sf0Y9vS79CRppz0-lmSHfDKdUW5f8zk8oD___PftQuJX-q4P33oBheJKxY=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>7. Wolf Alice- <i>Blue Weekend</i><br /></b>Hometown: London, England<b><br /></b>Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQtJcmLM9IX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on band <a href="https://store-us.wolfalice.co.uk/">webstore</a><p></p>Wolf Alice's 3rd album is probably also 3rd in my personal rankings of their full-lengths, but it does show development and front-woman Ellie Roswell can sing far better than I ever realized.<br /><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFAL8uNI3WvEZZVTp6OWLJ63XfKdqiVVpvH9w2z040qAtkv1BYe0LkxC5nMjb2Q6AsSj4uSFMgBYX0d2NKYx6JvoPB7lH7kNnw5pSypHuQz5fwLYmwSfqRqY8BZ-e_947nnF1C6MRQzWIOO_1T9CV7kjGTqe68bOcWBibiUuAXeiW38edZLU0=s600" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFAL8uNI3WvEZZVTp6OWLJ63XfKdqiVVpvH9w2z040qAtkv1BYe0LkxC5nMjb2Q6AsSj4uSFMgBYX0d2NKYx6JvoPB7lH7kNnw5pSypHuQz5fwLYmwSfqRqY8BZ-e_947nnF1C6MRQzWIOO_1T9CV7kjGTqe68bOcWBibiUuAXeiW38edZLU0=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>8. Laura Stevenson- </b><b><i>Laura Stevenson</i></b><b><br /></b>Hometown: Long Island, New York<b><br /></b>Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVf8AefJOA0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://laurastevenson.bandcamp.com/album/laura-stevenson">Bandcamp</a><p></p><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPonTomQMjyEG6PDePrKS8ubxpSAP3-81OpB-KPMlW7u4nTcCPbeiwVxQ6DTDmJFdRDVWsD9nDrPCzJ2YQ-z9t98e34OiCRR5fRO7npGpPLjUL88wFTs0J1RdVJuU9QPkbIj9z--RDE7YTskkSCbC3Vv89m-TK9F6PpjtjRgr-6tOEbu9-RVw=s1200" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPonTomQMjyEG6PDePrKS8ubxpSAP3-81OpB-KPMlW7u4nTcCPbeiwVxQ6DTDmJFdRDVWsD9nDrPCzJ2YQ-z9t98e34OiCRR5fRO7npGpPLjUL88wFTs0J1RdVJuU9QPkbIj9z--RDE7YTskkSCbC3Vv89m-TK9F6PpjtjRgr-6tOEbu9-RVw=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>9. Mogwai- <i>As The Love Continues</i><br /></b>Hometown: Scotland, UK<b><br /></b>Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLsNZztMrOM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://mogwai.bandcamp.com/album/as-the-love-continues">Bandcamp</a><p></p><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVRFimmFH2iBTSH87403o5Rgv1F1Wgnj5dnTB2Be96aG58Z1OxGwpK7yorr0V55Hrx4aeKMRUQzj-QL7VlYhKWMBxTgeLMuv1j5ZfI_LbMTGgC5fsr9eHgpQcnYIy1t77L5HkNHlfPhm0P2e36tUF0iQw2N2lecnrU6q5e_6kX9O6xk7WZfgw=s1200" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVRFimmFH2iBTSH87403o5Rgv1F1Wgnj5dnTB2Be96aG58Z1OxGwpK7yorr0V55Hrx4aeKMRUQzj-QL7VlYhKWMBxTgeLMuv1j5ZfI_LbMTGgC5fsr9eHgpQcnYIy1t77L5HkNHlfPhm0P2e36tUF0iQw2N2lecnrU6q5e_6kX9O6xk7WZfgw=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>10. Starflyer 59- <i>Vanity</i><br /></b>Hometown: Riverside, California<br />Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWL3n24P9t7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://starflyer59.bandcamp.com/album/vanity">Bandcamp</a><p></p><br /><b></b><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjybS5DdEFx83LckhxwXhkW4KEhRKlHj4RkdMzthsYkTyGoZycohDfKPVMsyVw6CfuN-CfTdicZyA2IG8rAa9L4Dstoqau59Bv9Qd4Iu3MJuo7ywQo5bdbeEwESA5TpyvwVuppxQOY4cH_HEvSk9td_usknPcP_i3L1FjED5nwUSJhm4PoSBxE=s1000" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjybS5DdEFx83LckhxwXhkW4KEhRKlHj4RkdMzthsYkTyGoZycohDfKPVMsyVw6CfuN-CfTdicZyA2IG8rAa9L4Dstoqau59Bv9Qd4Iu3MJuo7ywQo5bdbeEwESA5TpyvwVuppxQOY4cH_HEvSk9td_usknPcP_i3L1FjED5nwUSJhm4PoSBxE=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>11. Big Red Machine- <i>How Long Do You Think It's Gonna Last?</i><br /></b>Hometown: Eau Claire, Wisconsin</div><div>Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTIc0mAJOE6/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTIc0mAJOE6/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTIc0mAJOE6/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Alan P (@turnofftheradio1976)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>">Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://bigredmachine.bandcamp.com/album/how-long-do-you-think-its-gonna-last">Bandcamp</a><p></p><br /><b></b><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrf7sUuLA5nbmZUnDsFvBp1SfuMoRVoTGP7FD3LJdJu3yK6wMdpsyuGxo2r83JD_8fPoA_4rGRRJrOYKE2xIqj7vySPyZwEkZM9lPBbXW6xA_DrLOzkHOV_dVCfDvUE5YsFWvZr7p9KDLwaSqICKwkHoln74S_obiIB7-kdCxKjaPtyAuQbV0=s1200" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrf7sUuLA5nbmZUnDsFvBp1SfuMoRVoTGP7FD3LJdJu3yK6wMdpsyuGxo2r83JD_8fPoA_4rGRRJrOYKE2xIqj7vySPyZwEkZM9lPBbXW6xA_DrLOzkHOV_dVCfDvUE5YsFWvZr7p9KDLwaSqICKwkHoln74S_obiIB7-kdCxKjaPtyAuQbV0=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>12. Brother Bird- <i>Gardens</i><br /></b>Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee<b><br /></b>Format purchased: Digital<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://brotherbird.bandcamp.com/album/gardens">Bandcamp</a><p></p><br /><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6zLjUAV4gmTDtPL58IP336_-aDMb7qdb4cKOPGGb_jaIjumZqnql8BDOQo6_FE_xfY0_iZgO9UrN3B0aosN4L3lGO-UymqXoPZce9n_GHt_vFHod6zR2U_lzn9FS0rlVGBXlULyyivudTcDmI_HfDFue3mo0CmyIakZDFkYo1i157BYnK6cc=s600" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6zLjUAV4gmTDtPL58IP336_-aDMb7qdb4cKOPGGb_jaIjumZqnql8BDOQo6_FE_xfY0_iZgO9UrN3B0aosN4L3lGO-UymqXoPZce9n_GHt_vFHod6zR2U_lzn9FS0rlVGBXlULyyivudTcDmI_HfDFue3mo0CmyIakZDFkYo1i157BYnK6cc=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>13. Chvrches- <i>Screen Violence </i><br /></b>Hometown: Glasgow, Scotland<b><br /></b>Format purchased: Vinyl<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://chvrches.bandcamp.com/">Bandcamp</a><p></p><br /><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDDkDTOGal69TEhBByxkshzJ6rXcVnpZm9I_G714H68tSWcgxCiGhcMlxCqjem1t0b-Dv6JsjVyQSO03pz8TB8AZ3LPngsHF4Mj7FUCPIJr6dI0OfIrcPAaF54l37bi7PUbV7zJjWNke0_uZjQ7GEupa-E2vhMzBGwAaL94g3SQ8abQgP4LKQ=s600" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDDkDTOGal69TEhBByxkshzJ6rXcVnpZm9I_G714H68tSWcgxCiGhcMlxCqjem1t0b-Dv6JsjVyQSO03pz8TB8AZ3LPngsHF4Mj7FUCPIJr6dI0OfIrcPAaF54l37bi7PUbV7zJjWNke0_uZjQ7GEupa-E2vhMzBGwAaL94g3SQ8abQgP4LKQ=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>14. Sleigh Bells- <i>Texis</i><br /></b>Hometown: New York, New York<b><br /></b>Format purchased: Vinyl (due to ship in February 20222)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://sleighbells.bandcamp.com/album/texis">Bandcamp</a><p></p>Another debut comes in next, with the perfect band name for 2020. While I spent most of the year listening to singer-songwriter music, this was the first and best heavy album I got into. It is all over the place stylistically though, and isn't always hard.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsU2nGLiuj3D9_l_cA5oFfZYoqKug2itsskURbpTmF-gjszExyPhybOCLon2g9HYCI-rb_8u2dDhntPxjheZXqH7agqKULxWNhwmgpVUbY9twKyOafIWlnxz3WTqhtaIbjYQ1uVfIQj_RdLb_Nw1FIRj_OO48r9RAlLPREAI4l8za3Dw7M_G0=s700" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsU2nGLiuj3D9_l_cA5oFfZYoqKug2itsskURbpTmF-gjszExyPhybOCLon2g9HYCI-rb_8u2dDhntPxjheZXqH7agqKULxWNhwmgpVUbY9twKyOafIWlnxz3WTqhtaIbjYQ1uVfIQj_RdLb_Nw1FIRj_OO48r9RAlLPREAI4l8za3Dw7M_G0=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br />15. Julien Baker- <i>Little Oblivions</i></b></div><div>Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee<b><br /></b>Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMLVu5_s_Kq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://julienbaker.bandcamp.com/album/little-oblivions">Bandcamp</a><p></p><b><i><br /></i></b><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIrwziC5aAQShongXbOkhGfbUrhrfAdNw8YoetQ9GdXk95YxmP2BScUMuQAi19a7CIZRtRuelCpeySIlfRPnx9t7VCrgd-u1ct05_o3czWzRpmH_L2n5ozAvO8WTXQw26vhFvikePZngVhATxjLnStef6t3a8ffnh8_AFlStm4NkMdDHInrAk=s600" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIrwziC5aAQShongXbOkhGfbUrhrfAdNw8YoetQ9GdXk95YxmP2BScUMuQAi19a7CIZRtRuelCpeySIlfRPnx9t7VCrgd-u1ct05_o3czWzRpmH_L2n5ozAvO8WTXQw26vhFvikePZngVhATxjLnStef6t3a8ffnh8_AFlStm4NkMdDHInrAk=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>16. Kississippi- <i>Mood Ring</i><br /></b>Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania<b><br /></b>Format purchased: Digital<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://kississippi.bandcamp.com/album/mood-ring">Bandcamp</a><p></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgasIsP-NR2a7ibSbgy353AKn3SkcjfeOOLs00In02rXUDfSdwZv94PONLPsgbQRvguGqYU8i6PRzShS6REuFLwUIvS38I7P-W90CCldBQV2jiqk4HzpBYz7e4bX-QvrBoHwL3B_LlDKgBeIMYnzXANNrk4b1oxuvXoPiq8xb4TooTArLXSgK0=s1000" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgasIsP-NR2a7ibSbgy353AKn3SkcjfeOOLs00In02rXUDfSdwZv94PONLPsgbQRvguGqYU8i6PRzShS6REuFLwUIvS38I7P-W90CCldBQV2jiqk4HzpBYz7e4bX-QvrBoHwL3B_LlDKgBeIMYnzXANNrk4b1oxuvXoPiq8xb4TooTArLXSgK0=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>17. Gretta Ray- <i>Begin to Look Around</i><br /></b>Hometown: Melbourne, Australia<b><br /></b>Format purchased: Digitial<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://grettaray.bandcamp.com/album/begin-to-look-around-explicit">Bandcamp</a><div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs1FPCWSsOyoeyAL3eAnlOc90lw_hzGeoBeBcwobaZ9C2uwN-3DUKe0WhZZWvhfjAvC1UFqwyLR2GSB4oVhDcUfqeh3da_8uS3DKBrwhzn2TVc3DrcDlqNdNgTzUhm4bvRNQj7KzTO3vvMSW4FgD5r6Ah4awPrnb3FCDfGxndUcA0ZHI4coHo=s1200" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs1FPCWSsOyoeyAL3eAnlOc90lw_hzGeoBeBcwobaZ9C2uwN-3DUKe0WhZZWvhfjAvC1UFqwyLR2GSB4oVhDcUfqeh3da_8uS3DKBrwhzn2TVc3DrcDlqNdNgTzUhm4bvRNQj7KzTO3vvMSW4FgD5r6Ah4awPrnb3FCDfGxndUcA0ZHI4coHo=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></b></div><b><br />18. Wednesday- </b><i><b>Twin Plagues<br /></b></i>Hometown: Asheville, North Carolina<br />Format purchased: Digital<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://wednesdayband.bandcamp.com/">Bandcamp</a><p></p><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdullRVPu5QKhp1WpSqLCjWfF9bEUrE5oDnKUiqA7p8zU8C3k83KKVlLkgFkCnr2_96QTCxY4mzFaTLtpWvaE0XjXDsN02vU5og6ncBMOY13zacQ5o2Y7Zx4MOvKmoRDVNh-5i4ycmGUe9D-RQve4B67FSb54Vwq19SmsO11yVFFymsxmERhU=s1000" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdullRVPu5QKhp1WpSqLCjWfF9bEUrE5oDnKUiqA7p8zU8C3k83KKVlLkgFkCnr2_96QTCxY4mzFaTLtpWvaE0XjXDsN02vU5og6ncBMOY13zacQ5o2Y7Zx4MOvKmoRDVNh-5i4ycmGUe9D-RQve4B67FSb54Vwq19SmsO11yVFFymsxmERhU=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></b></div><b>19. Spirit Breaker- </b><i><b>Cura Nata<br /></b></i>Hometown: Michigan<br />Format purchased: Digital<br />Listen/buy on band <a href="https://solidstate.ffm.to/flauros">webstore</a><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9STEQd8BtDACN_X_GeuxOBHN5arOjG5KqAbXiJsztAkBfHfrYG-sKRw8V3FH6UFTumTK5-_Ne8o0sY547yo1JpN92clGPZKz7eZ6Dl-EwJWGkdHIbtvNs2_0kRzF5T3Ps6mfWkuVn05eILhZFjJqHEEx1rmvNTpwdEYInkEUCKc9Ez5N2C2M=s1200" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9STEQd8BtDACN_X_GeuxOBHN5arOjG5KqAbXiJsztAkBfHfrYG-sKRw8V3FH6UFTumTK5-_Ne8o0sY547yo1JpN92clGPZKz7eZ6Dl-EwJWGkdHIbtvNs2_0kRzF5T3Ps6mfWkuVn05eILhZFjJqHEEx1rmvNTpwdEYInkEUCKc9Ez5N2C2M=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>20. The Connells- <i>Steadman's Wake</i></b><i><b><br /></b></i>Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina<br />Format purchased: Digital<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://theconnells.bandcamp.com/album/steadmans-wake">Bandcamp</a><p></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><u><br /></u></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><u><br /></u></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><u>Top 5 EP’s of 2021:</u></h2><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUbjTSJ7HX3m8bSvw5xV4k-QAC-nUAxDHZztTRLM-EX352-iit0mRLaGuH3OnZYxkeH8djgrgFOV9uT73kZ_Xl72cqXSXauVxB6dXzZSPqMdvftTmeDzRHWAMljq456RLKj0i5XYM3aoZLRJoCChVoHidXEV--3xoAPXhLO38FNpXrIqGy9ZM=s1200" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1200" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUbjTSJ7HX3m8bSvw5xV4k-QAC-nUAxDHZztTRLM-EX352-iit0mRLaGuH3OnZYxkeH8djgrgFOV9uT73kZ_Xl72cqXSXauVxB6dXzZSPqMdvftTmeDzRHWAMljq456RLKj0i5XYM3aoZLRJoCChVoHidXEV--3xoAPXhLO38FNpXrIqGy9ZM=w200-h196" width="200" /></a></b></div><b>1. This Beautiful Mess<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Second Mountain Songs<br /></i></b>Hometown: Utrecht, Netherlands<b><br /></b>Format purchased: Vinyl, but awaiting shipment from the Netherlands<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://thisbeautifulmess.bandcamp.com/album/second-mountain-songs">Bandcamp</a><p></p><p></p>One of my top 5 releases of 2021 as whole, and I was able to interview Arjen van Wijk and Lydia van Maurik over Zoom in January in a <a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2021/07/the-return-of-this-beautiful-mess.html">feature</a> I published in July to correspond with the release fo the EP.<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijgs9JhU1Khykx6_7eRwLFKKNx4Xwoh2FDsFGz9SRoHcVDn-x1ZY44Qg6xJ6y4XunSdprB5CgwkucTcvkc83oLicACaLc9MBshjDse2EvqWkMi2rchSaZ7eriLyUQmwWtXotZqaCF6quiUzgvuFoj0NxQkYA5pOTVTelcCNRW8C670N1Bd2Lk=s640" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijgs9JhU1Khykx6_7eRwLFKKNx4Xwoh2FDsFGz9SRoHcVDn-x1ZY44Qg6xJ6y4XunSdprB5CgwkucTcvkc83oLicACaLc9MBshjDse2EvqWkMi2rchSaZ7eriLyUQmwWtXotZqaCF6quiUzgvuFoj0NxQkYA5pOTVTelcCNRW8C670N1Bd2Lk=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></b></div><b>2. Natalie Schepman</b><span style="font-weight: bold; white-space: pre;">- </span><i><b>Fresh Water in an Empty Vase<br /></b></i>Hometown: Portland, Oregon<br />Format purchased: Digital<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://natalieschepman.bandcamp.com/album/fresh-water-in-an-empty-vase">Bandcamp</a><p></p></div><p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBLafPGvjIPHJCwqiIkfbYEmaDrtp6xJnVf_5sbl22-pr3Pl0OcUvkQAWxa23LlPFyZboGpTVvefhdSVp2t8u1jmBYrrjoB_6e453u884QC9eUcZxMLSfWCr3YvocqW-g_RYmw2S2Hn8r8mDMKjyxjrPIKC4ayEocc226M5JEP1mG3vSe2zKE=s2048" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBLafPGvjIPHJCwqiIkfbYEmaDrtp6xJnVf_5sbl22-pr3Pl0OcUvkQAWxa23LlPFyZboGpTVvefhdSVp2t8u1jmBYrrjoB_6e453u884QC9eUcZxMLSfWCr3YvocqW-g_RYmw2S2Hn8r8mDMKjyxjrPIKC4ayEocc226M5JEP1mG3vSe2zKE=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>3. Overcoats- <i>Used to be Scared of the Dark</i><br /></span>Hometown: New York, New York<br />Format purchased: Digital</div><div>Listen/buy on <a href="https://overcoats.bandcamp.com/album/used-to-be-scared-of-the-dark">Bandcamp</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b></b><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0PjBWX0bM9SDKRtA4f3AA2_RUMXuMxdvePaZgojPFXDfHTqlfq9PIudK4-mjWFpNwmzMzY2pPhxd5kJ9R4RSN6TqsH4bgujvwCOx4oQb5Bnh4aIf_gklTgdqFU91LyAsGkMR_4TnQtV4BcqLsyLuAT1-51MwVhW5Oid-6g4UvGm4KWWlbl_c=s1200" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0PjBWX0bM9SDKRtA4f3AA2_RUMXuMxdvePaZgojPFXDfHTqlfq9PIudK4-mjWFpNwmzMzY2pPhxd5kJ9R4RSN6TqsH4bgujvwCOx4oQb5Bnh4aIf_gklTgdqFU91LyAsGkMR_4TnQtV4BcqLsyLuAT1-51MwVhW5Oid-6g4UvGm4KWWlbl_c=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></b></div><b><div style="text-align: left;"><b>4. Michael Knott- <i>All Indie EP II</i></b></div></b><div style="text-align: left;">Hometown: Huntington Beach, California</div><div style="text-align: left;">Format purchased: Digital</div><div style="text-align: left;">Listen/buy on <a href="https://hilldegmaria.bandcamp.com/album/all-indie-ep-ii">Bandcamp</a></div><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg42UNTIhOHR2GR-TbrUKuCPWhSJx50L6OHnULXiSVbZ1FbQHJJe7t7jEsWOugAt2d1D1oCLfRsBxNFq7ETkx9fZttU7WhMO_f1vHzFPlL8qIf_mH3IBe29ofDfvJ25tMjYZH9YpwKljXaTDA5-J_d4v9fhrbXftFWbGsNtLhNrGTAX0NxQTuQ=s1200" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg42UNTIhOHR2GR-TbrUKuCPWhSJx50L6OHnULXiSVbZ1FbQHJJe7t7jEsWOugAt2d1D1oCLfRsBxNFq7ETkx9fZttU7WhMO_f1vHzFPlL8qIf_mH3IBe29ofDfvJ25tMjYZH9YpwKljXaTDA5-J_d4v9fhrbXftFWbGsNtLhNrGTAX0NxQTuQ=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div>5. Aaron Sprinkle- <i>Certainty</i></b><br />Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee (weird to type that instead of Seattle, but as long as he has lived there, I guess true?)</div>Format purchased: Digital<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://aaronsprinkle.bandcamp.com/album/certainty">Bandcamp</a><p></p><br /><b></b><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><u>Top 5 singles of 2021:</u></h2><iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *" frameborder="0" height="450" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/abyss-single/1584574656" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *" frameborder="0" height="150" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/itll-be-alright/1588559171?i=1588559175" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1962617184/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/license_id=2401/track=3280040287/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://mommaband.bandcamp.com/album/medicine">Medicine by Momma</a></iframe><br /><br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/track=3023535407/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://tesswiley.bandcamp.com/track/disconnect">Disconnect by Tess Wiley</a></iframe><br /><br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/track=1288471717/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://marketa-irglova.bandcamp.com/track/magdalena">Magdalena by Marketa Irglova</a></iframe></div><div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><u>Top 10 vinyl reissues of 2021:</u></h2><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVquR4Nvweh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVquR4Nvweh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVquR4Nvweh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Alan P (@turnofftheradio1976)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><br /><br /><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQuOgz3soO7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQuOgz3soO7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; 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height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQuOgz3soO7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Alan P (@turnofftheradio1976)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><br /><br /><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMpL7B2s4Lm/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMpL7B2s4Lm/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); 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line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQll-uMsHPY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Alan P (@turnofftheradio1976)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><br /><br /><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQHnO96B-1L/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQHnO96B-1L/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); 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height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQHnO96B-1L/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Alan P (@turnofftheradio1976)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><br /></div></div></div>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CT0P1_mPkzW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CT0P1_mPkzW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; 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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLPzbZVMMI4/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLPzbZVMMI4/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLPzbZVMMI4/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Alan P (@turnofftheradio1976)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-80593502352285914812021-12-18T12:35:00.003-05:002021-12-18T12:35:25.698-05:00Christmas Music<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9J_jlLDhN5J9KEQJZGcrZaymWqATy1IVxcUAoQZ_5DSwnOV23T5EHwCyspC2WoAp6w2rxugkCANRAs6iZWfjRgTpQKZbRpGEM4J9V5PyGVTNm419vUNzwCn8eGVQXPWm5ERIsEmGCg_k7Er1OPKDvvSUvGy6FZA4qi5EgdX6fAfUYgIAn-Xw=s3024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9J_jlLDhN5J9KEQJZGcrZaymWqATy1IVxcUAoQZ_5DSwnOV23T5EHwCyspC2WoAp6w2rxugkCANRAs6iZWfjRgTpQKZbRpGEM4J9V5PyGVTNm419vUNzwCn8eGVQXPWm5ERIsEmGCg_k7Er1OPKDvvSUvGy6FZA4qi5EgdX6fAfUYgIAn-Xw=w320-h320" width="320" /></a></div><br />My obsession within my obsession is Christmas music. While I only listen to it one month a year, I do listen to it almost exclusively that month, and collect it of course. Three years ago, on a whim, I began a #25DaysofChristmasLPs hashtag on Instagram, only intending to do it for one year. However, I then began buying ups lots of random used Christmas albums from dollar bins at record stores, Goodwill, etc., and my Christmas collection has grown so much I now on year three of that Instagram tradition. I gravitate towards sacred, spiritual Christmas music, but I also appreciate fun holiday tunes.<p></p><p>Here is my most recent post:
</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CXoKngrOYdQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CXoKngrOYdQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CXoKngrOYdQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Alan P (@turnofftheradio1976)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<p></p><p>And here is my most popular Instagram post ever:
</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJOm2vTM_Td/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJOm2vTM_Td/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; 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line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJOm2vTM_Td/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Alan P (@turnofftheradio1976)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<p></p><p>I have written about my favorite Christmas music before, and if you haven't read those posts, or need a reminder, check them out:</p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2015/11/jesus-was-refugee.html">How To Throw A Christmas Party<br /></a>The Dutch "collective" that has released five Christmas albums of all-original tunes. I wrote that post back in 2015, and all of their music is on Bandcamp, but I did create an Apple Music playlist of my fav HTTACP songs last year:</p><p>
<iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *" frameborder="0" height="450" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/playlist/the-best-of-how-to-throw-a-christmas-party/pl.u-oZyl3XWTXy7rr" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2007/11/christmas-albums.html">2007 Christmas music summary</a></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2017/12/new-2017-christmas-songs.html">2017 Christmas music summary</a></p><p>And now some new Christmas music that has been released in 2021:</p><p><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/track=1288471717/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://marketa-irglova.bandcamp.com/track/magdalena">Magdalena by Marketa Irglova</a></iframe>
<br /><br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1377640435/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://hissgoldenmessenger.bandcamp.com/album/o-come-all-ye-faithful">O Come All Ye Faithful by Hiss Golden Messenger</a></iframe>
<br /><br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=425556717/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://manchesterorchestramusic.bandcamp.com/album/christmas-songs-vol-1">Christmas Songs Vol. 1 by manchester orchestra</a></iframe>
<br /><br />
Finally, if you are looking for more Apple Music playlists, I have made a couple more for the season:</p><p><a href="https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/advent-shadow-light/pl.u-KVXBklLuDePbb">Advent Shadow & Light</a>, our daily family listening, based on the book and concept by <a href="https://www.tshoxenreider.com/advent">Tsh Oxenreider</a>.</p><p><a href="https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/indie-rock-christmas-2020/pl.u-xlyNEpVtE7aWW">Indie Christmas 2020</a>, an upbeat party playlist full of my favorites.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-14728403173572723012021-12-10T12:50:00.000-05:002021-12-10T12:50:34.941-05:00My AOTY for each year 1985-2021<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEwvs4n-jleDAq-uGwuFGStjSY_E0kNNgVDgkxCV0xvGWbrkbSbKjn28hjj2cmJtU7mu2VTmpAi2CWY9GCX3eCtxRGgM7qdVOY5XjhOmmgdfn3-IMhJKaM9uDke44VmGIQsCpva_DL27XS5gHEV32OFRCN0tTIvn7PyI2YabukpU10RG4kxPE=s1890" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1890" data-original-width="1890" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEwvs4n-jleDAq-uGwuFGStjSY_E0kNNgVDgkxCV0xvGWbrkbSbKjn28hjj2cmJtU7mu2VTmpAi2CWY9GCX3eCtxRGgM7qdVOY5XjhOmmgdfn3-IMhJKaM9uDke44VmGIQsCpva_DL27XS5gHEV32OFRCN0tTIvn7PyI2YabukpU10RG4kxPE=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>To begin, earlier this year I created an Apple Music playlist with a song I love from each calendar year, 1960 to the present. And as always with my lists, no repeat artists. </p><p><br />
<iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *" frameborder="0" height="450" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/playlist/what-kind-of-music-do-you-listen-to-1960-to-present/pl.u-GgA5epaCrEXPP" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe></p><p></p><p>Next, both for my own reference, and for a "better" way to consolidate all the year-end lists I have written over the years, here is a list of all Albums of the Year and their corresponding list, if there is one. I need to write more 80's lists at some point and have been researching them. Note that some of my lists have changed of course, and the AOTY I write below may be different at the corresponding link.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><u>My #1 album of the year for:</u></h4><p>1985: Tears for Fears- <i>Songs from the Big Chair</i></p><p><i>List coming soon</i></p><p>1986: R.E.M.- <i>Lifes Rich Pageant</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2016/11/best-of-1986.html">Full list</a></p><p>1987: U2- <i>Joshua Tree</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2017/10/best-of-1987.html">Full list</a></p><p>1988: Amy Grant- <i>Lead Me On</i></p><p><i>List coming soon</i></p><p>1989: The Innocence Mission- <i>The Innocence Mission</i></p><p><i>List coming soon</i></p><p>1990: The Connells- <i>One Simple Word</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2017/12/best-of-1990.html">Full list</a></p><p>1991: Smashing Pumpkins- <i>Gish</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2007/09/1991.html">Full list</a></p><p>1992: Seventy Sevens- <i>Pray Naked</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2007/11/1992.html">Full list</a></p><p>1993: Mortal- <i>Fathom</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2007/12/1993.html">Full list</a></p><p>1994: Poor Old Lu- <i>Sin</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2008/12/best-of-1994.html">Full list</a></p><p>1995: Sixpence None the Richer- <i>This Beautiful Mess</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2009/07/1995.html">Full list</a></p><p>1996: Mineral- <i>The Power of Failing</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2010/07/1996.html">Full list</a></p><p>1997: Sixpence None the Richer- <i>Sixpence None the Richer</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2011/01/1997.html">Full list</a></p><p>1998: Sunny Day Real Estate- <i>How It Feels To Be Something On</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2013/02/best-of-1998.html">Full list</a></p><p>1999: Jimmy Eat World- <i>Clarity</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2013/02/best-of-1999.html">Full list</a></p><p>2000: Sunny Day Real Estate- <i>The Rising Tide</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2015/03/best-of-2000.html">Full list</a></p><p>2001: The Appleseed Cast- <i>Low Level Owl</i> Volumes 1 + 2</p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2015/05/best-of-2001.html">Full list</a></p><p>2002: The Gloria Record- <i>Start Here</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2015/08/best-of-2002.html">Full list</a></p><p>2003: Fountains of Wayne- <i>Welcome Interstate Managers</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2015/09/best-of-2003.html">Full list</a></p><p>2004: Brandtson- <i>Send Us a Signal</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2015/10/best-of-2004.html">Full list</a></p><p>2005: Sufjan Stevens- <i>Illinois(e)</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2015/12/best-of-2005.html">Full list</a></p><p>2006: mewithoutYou- <i>Brother, Sister</i></p><p><a href=" https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2016/01/best-of-2006.html">Full list</a></p><p>2007: Thrice- <i>The Alchemy Index</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2008/01/2007-was-great-year-for-music.html">Full list</a></p><p>2008: Mates of State- <i>Re-Arrange Us</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2008/12/best-of-2008-collage-by-drenchedecent.html">Full list</a></p><p>2009: The Appleseed Cast- <i>Sagarmatha</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2010/01/best-of-2009.html">Full list</a></p><p>2010: Arcade Fire- <i>The Suburbs</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2010/12/best-of-2010.html">Full list</a></p><p>2011: The Spirit That Guides Us- <i>Innocent Blood</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2011/12/best-of-2011.html">Full list</a></p><p>2012: mewithoutYou- <i>Ten Stories</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2012/12/best-of-2012.html">Full list</a></p><p>2013: Tegan and Sara- <i>Heartthrob</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2013/12/best-of-2013-not-as-good-as-1997.html">Full list</a></p><p>2014: Luxury- <i>Trophies</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2014/12/best-albums-of-2014-trophies-and-crowd.html">Full list</a></p><p>2015: Wolf Alice- <i>My Love is Cool</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2015/12/best-of-2015.html">Full list</a></p><p>2016: The Avett Brothers- <i>True Sadness</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2016/12/best-of-2016.html">Full list</a></p><p>2017: Manchester Orchestra- <i>A Black Mile to the Surface</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2017/12/best-of-2017.html">Full list</a></p><p>2018: Neko Case- <i>Hell-On</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2018/12/best-of-2018.html">Full list</a></p><p>2019: Great Grandpa- <i>Four of Arrows</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2019/12/best-of-2019.html">Full list</a></p><p>2020: Taylor Swift- <i>folklore</i></p><p><a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2020/12/best-of-2020.html">Full list</a></p><p>2021: The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die- <i>Illusory Walls</i></p><p><i>Full list coming soon! </i></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-71019236867806401982021-10-11T14:16:00.006-04:002021-10-11T14:17:11.523-04:00My Furnace Fest Experience<p>I want to write about this experience, but have yet to make the time. Until then, here is a 14 minute video compilation of 17 bands that I put together (all my footage):</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8pDYXi75P4I" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>And here is my photo gallery:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/drenchedecent/albums/72157720002969645" title="Furnace Fest 2021"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51546027426_44152a375a_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Furnace Fest 2021"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-77185560760565362742021-07-20T14:52:00.006-04:002021-07-24T16:22:28.450-04:00 The return of This Beautiful Mess; A conversation with Arjen van Wijk and Lydia van Maurik<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rjv1Kao_2cyMvUIyN4WuxXLfv0fK_R9BbJrwnUp44J5rtVPMvgXvX453kx4o7CePhuPvYPc1nPakfva898bhMrdlkbAsB6eEEohKW98lFGSYJAPJG-XbOMgnhBV5OSbMkGpUeQ/s2048/tbm.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rjv1Kao_2cyMvUIyN4WuxXLfv0fK_R9BbJrwnUp44J5rtVPMvgXvX453kx4o7CePhuPvYPc1nPakfva898bhMrdlkbAsB6eEEohKW98lFGSYJAPJG-XbOMgnhBV5OSbMkGpUeQ/w400-h266/tbm.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
On a cold Sunday in January, I sat down for a Zoom meeting with prolific Dutch songwriters and musicians Arjen van Wijk and Lydia van Maurik. I have been a fan of their music for nearly two decades, and the timing of this interview was due to the recent reformation of their band This Beautiful Mess. In July they released a </span><a href="https://thisbeautifulmess.bandcamp.com/album/second-mountain-songs?from=search&search_item_id=3555080107&search_item_type=a&search_match_part=%3F&search_page_id=1823933031&search_page_no=1&search_rank=1&search_sig=2280086a3f9b9605688dd878f656a103" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">new 6-song EP</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, their first output as a band in 15 years.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c1acf930-7fff-43c7-728a-358f67dbeccd"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3555080107/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 470px; width: 350px;"><a href="https://thisbeautifulmess.bandcamp.com/album/second-mountain-songs">Second Mountain Songs by This Beautiful Mess</a></iframe>
<br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we began chatting, which was my first time to talk with either of them, Arjen noted that he also hadn’t seen or talked to Lydia in a while due to the lockdown. This Beautiful Mess had played a show in November 2020 (with </span><a href="https://tesswiley.bandcamp.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tess Wiley</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> opening), but they had not seen or talked since. So bringing together friends and bandmates was a fun byproduct of doing an interview.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have been listening to Arjen and Lydia’s music since 2003 when I visited their home country of the Netherlands and saw their “other band” </span><a href="https://brownfeathersparrow.bandcamp.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brown Feather Sparrow</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> perform at Flevo Festival. “Other band” could also refer to numerous other entities, as Arjen and Lydia have released music with countless monikers and collaborators.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arjen and Lydia have been largely musically inseparable since they met, playing in each other’s bands and being friends outside of music. When first reached out to Arjen about doing this interview, he agreed, but only if Lydia also took part. Lydia and Arjen collaborated on both Brown Feather Sparrow and This Beautiful Mess and Lydia described that relationship as, “With one band, Arjen was in charge, and with the other band, I was in charge.”</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arjen’s primary musical outlet has always been This Beautiful Mess, which I learned was originally called Subatlantic Starfish. He said the first label that signed them claimed “Starfish” was too common of a name, citing the fact that it was also Coldplay’s original moniker. I asked and had it confirmed that “This Beautiful Mess” is a reference to the Sixpence None the Richer album of the same name (which happens to be my favorite </span><a href="https://medium.com/turn-off-the-radio/sixpence-none-the-richer-s-this-beautiful-mess-turns-20-4fcd546fa123" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">album</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of all time; and the song "<a href="https://thisbeautifulmess.bandcamp.com/track/bright-abyss">Bright Abyss</a>" makes a lyrical reference to the 1995 Sixpence album.)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arjen also co-fronts the post-hardore band </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeZOPAO2-V0" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Spirit That Guides Us</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, a highly orchestrated folk/ indie-classical group called </span><a href="https://vandryver.bandcamp.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Van Dryver</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="https://peoplegetready.bandcamp.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People Get Ready</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Lydia also co-fronted the noise pop band </span><a href="https://einszweiorchestra.bandcamp.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Einz Zwei Orchestra</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. In recent years most of Arjen’s and Lydia’s musical output has been the highly-collaborative How To Throw a Christmas Party. But as we began this interview, we focused on how they met, their collaboration for what is now more than twenty years, and the recent resurrection of This Beautiful Mess.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span></span></p><h4 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The formation of the band and </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Falling on Deaf Ears</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (2001)</span></span></h4><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Both Arjen and Lydia grew up in conservative Christian homes in which very little mainstream music was heard, and at times, it was forbidden. Both of Lydia’s parents were classically-trained musicians, and she began taking piano lessons at an early age. Lydia says, “After a while my piano teacher discovered that I was really bored with all the studying of the notes. So he would just give me a few chords and say ‘figure something out with them’. So that's I think that's how it started...and I was much better at [composition]. So in the end, that was all I did. Then I started playing guitar and singing and writing songs.”</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arjen’s dad is a trained church organ player. Arjen elaborates, “[My parents] were really strict about the music in the house. So maybe sometimes when my mother was cleaning, there could be a little Beatles, but most of the time, there was not. We were not allowed to buy pop music…” Lydia interrupts, “But you did.” Arjen, “Well, I did, yeah. By that time I was already 12 or 13 and when I had my first radio and then I got hooked listening to older folk music.” Arjen was active singing in his church choir, which he did from age 8 until his mid-teens, and he really enjoyed it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arjen describes the big change in his music perspective and interest that occurred at a church Easter meeting. Every year there was a theater performance at the church, and a live band that accompanied the play. Arjen was surprised to discover that the drummer in the band was Axel Kabboord, one of his peers. They had been in school together since they were six years old, but Arjen says he had no idea Axel was a drummer. Arjen says it wasn’t that the music was great--he describes it as a cross between traditional gospel and Kenny Marks--but it inspired him. He says, “I thought, this is what I want to do.” Lydia chimes in, “You fell in love.”</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The early origins of This Beautiful Mess in the late 90’s were Arjen and Axel as an acoustic duo who mostly played covers. Arjen began writing songs, but always with Axel alongside him. They rounded out their line-up with Abne Herrebout and Joop Flamman. As they fleshed out their full-band sound, Arjen describes it as melodic grunge. But he says they began to have more and more New Wave influences, and then there was one album that he drew huge inspiration from, The Flaming Lips 1999 album </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Soft Bulletin</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arjen says, “Around that time we signed to Sally Forth Records. We had the songs written and then we went to the studio with Minco Eggersman and René De Vries and they asked us, ‘What do you want it to sound like? What do you like?’ I said that we liked 80’s and we like this new album from the Flaming Lips, so if you can make something like that, we are fine. We were super-naive, we had no idea.”</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Falling On Deaf Ears</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was originally released on Sally Forth Records in 2001 but then was also picked up by Deep Elm Records in the United States. Deep Elm would go on to release many This Beautiful Mess tracks on their numerous compilations, including the infamous Emo Diaries (chapter seven). The song “Clean” appeared on numerous compilation albums in Europe and the United States, and had radio airplay. They even won a Dutch national 3FM airplay award and an acclaimed Essent award with the song.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=195433760/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=559417006/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://deepelmdigital.com/album/sampler-4-hearts-bleed-blue">Sampler 4: Hearts Bleed Blue by This Beautiful Mess</a></iframe>
<br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“They did a good job [with the album],” says Arjen. “But René had all these arrangements for keyboards on the record. But we didn't have a keyboard player--there were four of us. And so we thought, well, we have to find one. We have to find somebody who can play the keys and [find them] really fast because the tour was already booked and the release date was coming up.”</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arjen and Lydia met in college. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arjen: “We were just hanging out and studying theology…” </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lydia: “We were very normal people…” </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arjen: “We were indie kids who were totally different from the rest. So I think there was no other way that we would be good friends because we…” </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lydia: “...Needed each other to survive the whole weird world.”</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Both Arjen and Lydia were playing a lot of music in college, but not together. Lydia elaborates: “Sometimes people invited me to come to the practice room and jam, and I had no idea. They were playing covers and everybody would know the songs and I wouldn't. So I just couldn't join in. So I guess that's why I made my own music...I was really good with melodies and I could play and I could sing. But that was all.”</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arjen says he realized he knew someone that could fill the keyboard spot, but he only knew of Lydia as a piano player. Arjen says, “Maybe she doesn't want to play all these keyboard parts, but I thought, well...I can just ask her, and that's what I did.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lydia: “Was nothing more. I was just a quick solution. That's all.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arjen: “It’s a quick fix.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lydia: “It all went really fast...because when I started with This Beautiful Mess I had no experience at all with playing in a band. I had only been in a church band. I had no experience, I just played the piano. That was it...classical piano. But I did have stage experience, and had written some songs. Arjen asked me, and we would just hang out a lot. And so I thought it would be fun. But of course it was a lot of work to get to know all these all these kinds of keyboards...so it took a while to figure everything out. That's how it started.”</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The first song This Beautiful Mess recorded with Lydia is the gorgeous single, “Unsuitable For Any Melody But Yours.” It appeared on the Deep Elm sampler Unreleased vol. 1 alongside songs from Brandtson, Planes Mistaken for Stars, and Pop Unknown.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3838563687/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=2985132873/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://deepelmdigital.com/album/unreleased-no-1">Unreleased No. 1 by This Beautiful Mess</a></iframe>
</span></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: underline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Temper the Wind to the Shorn Lamb</i> (2003)</span></h4><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This Beautiful Mess' popularity grew significantly with the release of their second album, </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Temper the Wind to the Shorn Lamb. </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the most readily available album from the band (on streaming services), and how I discovered them when I bought the CD. It was written and recorded around the same time as the Brown Feather Sparrow debut, </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wide Awakens Everything</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">During my time at Flevo Festival in 2003 I spent a lot of time in the merch tent listening to music. Every day they played the same through the speakers, I had no idea who it was, and it was fantastic. I approached the cash register, and said, “I don’t know what album this is you are playing, but can I buy it?” The worker responded, “Ja! It is the new This Beautiful Mess! Are you an American?” I responded yes and he continued, “You will be the first American to own it!” While This Beautiful Mess did not perform that week, Brown Feather Sparrow did, and I also purchased </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wide Awakens Everything</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lydia had assembled her band with other friends and self-released the Brown Feather Sparrow demo EP</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> flutteringwingssparksoflittlejoyticklemysoul. </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But as the band continued, and members left, the lines between the two bands began to blur. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lydia says, “Axel produced </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wide Awakens Everything</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> with René, and then Arjen was just always around. He was around more than the rest of my band. We had time, you know, we were students who just hung out and so then I think that just happened. I remember we did have auditions for a new keyboard player...and it was all very complicated and then suddenly I was like, why am I doing this, like we could just ask Arjen.” </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arjen: “I was just around when you recorded because we were good friends...we both went from school to the studio together...First we thought, we're already together in This Beautiful Mess. Is it okay to also be together in Brown Feather Sparrow?. But then we thought, well, who cares.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lydia: “You were in charge of This Beautiful Mess. And I was in charge of Brown Feather Sparrow. That's what makes it different music.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arjen: “We had no plan...We were writing songs and we would just, okay, that goes through there and that goes to there…”</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In February 2003 This Beautiful Mess entered Mailmen Studios in Utrecht with Martijn Groeneveld to record their second album. While still a part of Sally Forth Records, they had also signed a deal with Sony, and the expectations were high.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *" frameborder="0" height="450" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/temper-the-wind-to-the-shorn-lamb/464281443" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe>
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arjen: “We had three months in the studio. Three whole months. Recently for the new EP we went back to the same studio and Martijn, who is the boss of that studio said, ‘Do you remember you were in the studio for three months for </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Temper the Wind</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">? That will never happen again.’</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lydia: “It was ridiculous.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arjen: We were playing pool, writing songs in the studio, and it was crazy times but also funny because we recorded enough songs to make a double album. So we wanted to release a double album. But Sony didn't want that… We actually had a lot of meetings with Sony and they were always a bit strange because they wanted the video clips and they had this certain image of us and we didn't really fit that image. We had a hit song…”Clean” on the first record and it did, it did relatively well on the radio. It was no hit song by any means, but it gained significant airplay, so they really wanted a song like that again. We had ‘Don't Go There’, So they made a video for that.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FMOuU7e3bS8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arjen: “We had this strange relationship with Sony and it wasn't a good match.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lydia: “It was a really different world...we were always skeptical…”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arjen: “We had all these kinds of different small indie labels who released </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Falling on Deaf Ears</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and then for </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Temper the Wind</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> when Sony said now we want to do everything…”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lydia: “It's a huge record label. So it's completely different and in our experience these people were always drinking and talking and drinking and talking and you had no idea if they were lying or not. We were used to being friends with everybody. So that was a big step. And then in the end, I think we decided to quit. At some point, mostly because we couldn't keep the band together.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL3NuC_Y9tkA35XGc6zxCw3UsLA1RwvJXy" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arjen and Lydia went on to explain that while they were playing tons of shows-- which created tension in the band with other ambitions individuals had--they still weren’t playing enough shows to make it. The next step would have been playing outside Europe, which they were not able to do. Besides the USA, Deep Elm distributed </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Falling on Deaf Ears </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to Canada and Japan. So much of a fanbase developed in Japan that </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Temper the Wind’s</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> companion album, </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Away With the Swine</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, was released as a 6-song EP in the Netherlands, but a full, 11-track CD in Japan. That album was released in 2006 and 2007, after the band had ceased touring.</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After all the </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Temper the Wind</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> touring, the band was discussing writing a third album, but things weren’t working. Axel was pursuing his medical degree, and he knew that if he waited too long to become a doctor he would no longer have that option. Axel was the first to step down, and the band didn’t want to continue with a different guitar player. Even Arjen said it was too many shows and added, “It's a strange balance between doing your music as best as you can. But it's not enough to live off so you have to also have another job. When we were still in school we had all the time in the world. We were like in school, and then drove to a show. And then the next day we were back at school...we had crazy times but we did it.” </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><h4 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Almost the return; People Get Ready (2010)</span></span></h4><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brown Feather Sparrow continued to be active through 2010, releasing two more full-lengths. Band members came and went with only Lydia and Arjen as the constants. The first comeback for the full This Beautiful Mess line-up was People Get Ready. The name change was pushed by a record label; a change Arjen regrets in hindsight. The sole </span><a href="https://peoplegetready.bandcamp.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People Get Ready</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> album was released in 2010.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=103555339/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://peoplegetready.bandcamp.com/album/people-get-ready">People Get Ready by PEOPLE GET READY</a></iframe>
<br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arjen says, “People Get Ready was actually our first comeback as a group together in 2010. We really had big plans with that and...it was a little bit more political, more aggressive. It flopped like crazy. I mean, like, we really hoped that we could take a step forward with it because it was more accessible and more song-songs. But that didn't work out and all the talks that we had with record labels didn't work out. Nothing worked out. And we were really disappointed. And we thought, well, screw it.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lydia: “Well, we were spoiled as well.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arjen: “We were also spoiled because…”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lydia: “It was the first time that we actually really had to do it ourselves.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arjen: “Yeah. And it turns out, we couldn’t.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lydia: “We're still a little bit, like, almost ashamed about the whole thing.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arjen: “Really disappointing. Because we really put in a lot and so when we kept seeing each other, we were like not making music together anymore.”</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><h4 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Second Mountain Songs</i> (2021)</span></span></h4><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">New Year’s Eve 2018 into 2019 the friends were gathered and René had recently received an email from someone in Germany asking if they would perform again as This Beautiful Mess. Arjen said, “Well, that’s not going to happen.” Lydia added, “Axel was just completely done with music, and he had four kids in the meantime and a big job as a doctor. So for him, there was just no room in his life.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But Arjen did bring up the idea with everyone and much to their surprise, Axel said he liked the idea. Lydia was surprised: “What happened to him?!”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arjen: “Okay, I didn't expect that… It still wasn't really I wasn't in my head at all. We were just friends together, but then I actually said, yeah, I'd like to do it. And then when Lydia, and René, and Stefan all said yes--I was shocked. Yeah, of course I want to do it! I just never, never imagined that it would happen again. So of course, that was the start.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lydia: “And then we just started to meet up again and make songs, but there was not really a serious ambition. But then in the end, when you have a few songs that are really nice, and then you're like, okay, we should try to figure something out. We didn’t want to spend too much money, but then the producer Martijn said you can have a one day in my studio for almost nothing. And then we had to do it.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arjen: “So we were kind of tricked into it. And it's funny because the old chemistry is still there. I don't know how that works. But it's still there and we really enjoy playing together. And it's like, you have this thing called muscle memory...Man, I don't know, it's interesting to still have that. Maybe the ambition is gone, but the drive to create something beautiful is still there.”</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beautiful it is. </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Second Mountain Songs </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">picks up where </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Temper the Wind</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> left off. In a way this is not surprising considering it is the same musicians, and in the same studio as 2003.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3555080107/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=4077678654/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://thisbeautifulmess.bandcamp.com/album/second-mountain-songs">Second Mountain Songs by This Beautiful Mess</a></iframe>
<br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the time of the interview in January, the band had only released one new song, “All The Leaves Fly For Us.” I spun the song over and over again, and it is perhaps now my favorite Arjen has ever written and one of the best representatives of the This Beautiful Mess with Arjen and Lydia’s dueling vocals and Axel’s guitar work. I was eager to ask some questions about the song, and hear Arjen’s perspective, especially on the line, “We need new memories instead of near-certainties,” which resonates with me deeply. When I told him how much the song meant to me, Arjen asked me a question--he wanted to know why--why did it mean a lot to me? Here is what I said:</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was thinking about it definitely from a spiritual aspect, I would say. In my faith, I think, for a long time, I was obsessed with being certain about things. Being certain about things was really important to me--I needed to have good theology and I needed to know all this stuff. And I think in more recent years I've more embraced mystery--like God is mysterious and I don't need to understand him...and that God is love and God is grace like you've talked about in your songs. That's what it meant to me. You know, I was thinking...new memories. I guess I was thinking about what I am going to do with my family today or in the next few weeks...to establish new memories, rather than I don't know near certainties. I guess I've shifted from certainty; before certainty was important to me and now I'm like I don't need to be certain about anything. I don't know...so that was my take.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arjen: “Yeah. Beautiful. So I'm interested how Lydia feels about it, but I wrote it. I like the contradiction between new memories, because memory is something from the past. How can it be a new memory? How can it, but still I really love that new memory; and near-certainties is actually a term from philosophy. So you have near-certainties that are some things that you can't prove, but they are so obvious, they have to be true...If I could choose and I totally agree with what you said before, I totally agree. I've made that same transition. To me, it's more important to make new memories with my kids and with my friends; I think that's more important than to focus on what's right and wrong. So that's what the song is about. It's more important to use my heart in relation to others.”</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lydia: “It's really fun and really inspirational to speak to you because for me 90% of making music is making music for people. That's been missing, of course, especially now in the whole lockdown. So it really makes me happy to hear you talk about these songs and see how curious you are. And then you have this whole theory about a lyric that I didn't even think about yet.”</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Later, when chatting about some of the themes in How to Throw a Christmas Party, Lydia says, “We’ve always connected to the most vulnerable and to injustice. That's a really big theme in the music, and of course, I think This Beautiful Mess is mostly a reflection on that; what's your own role and your own failures…” Arjen completes her thought, “Yeah I think so, too. I think the main theme is grace, always. This Beautiful Mess is almost exclusively about grace and how it's all different angles that you can encounter grace in everyday life.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>This Beautiful Mess' 2021 release <i>Second Mountain Songs</i>, can be <a href="https://thisbeautifulmess.bandcamp.com/album/second-mountain-songs">purchased now on Bandcamp</a>, either on vinyl or as a digital download.</b> Arjen shared that the title of the EP is inspired by the David Brooks <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/217649/the-second-mountain-by-david-brooks/">book</a>.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiLsZIp7ADmjgABt8yHz33kNYk2VSeUHT5T6DBMkVXHHcV1SeQ398rds_ezvhVauMwFRRIUH4NVRPXKedgLR2uWYDq-UtXi0fbOiuChtHY6AlpVD5_iRqNTSLsZhDq9XAgTOFOQ/s1200/0023681023_10.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="1200" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiLsZIp7ADmjgABt8yHz33kNYk2VSeUHT5T6DBMkVXHHcV1SeQ398rds_ezvhVauMwFRRIUH4NVRPXKedgLR2uWYDq-UtXi0fbOiuChtHY6AlpVD5_iRqNTSLsZhDq9XAgTOFOQ/w400-h274/0023681023_10.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><p></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span></span></p><h4 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
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Postscript: How To Throw a Christmas Party</span></span></h4><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_1TYtcJwOPflt_iqZ2B0hSHZfPH89NVy4YxTXMUJnFg8Fg9oKQ4RMveSl5xmp4nKCZApycqlo9wdXtfmb48YJ5dIAPJUlAs2yvuMvPH9mR47ToUd4vps656PAPS_7UN7Zs7mKw/s1200/HTTACP.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_1TYtcJwOPflt_iqZ2B0hSHZfPH89NVy4YxTXMUJnFg8Fg9oKQ4RMveSl5xmp4nKCZApycqlo9wdXtfmb48YJ5dIAPJUlAs2yvuMvPH9mR47ToUd4vps656PAPS_7UN7Zs7mKw/w640-h426/HTTACP.jpeg" width="640" />
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</a></div></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://howtothrowachristmasparty.bandcamp.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How to Throw a Christmas Party</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is some of my favorite original Christmas music of all time. They have five LPs or EPs, all released between 2010 and 2015, and all are “pay what you want” on </span><a href="https://howtothrowachristmasparty.bandcamp.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bandcamp</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. (And if you use Apple Music, I created a 17-song How to Throw a Christmas Party best-of </span><a href="https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/the-best-of-how-to-throw-a-christmas-party/pl.u-oZyl3XWTXy7rr" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">playlist</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">). </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have been playing How To Throw a Christmas Party songs at home and in the car since my kids were babies, and from their perspective these fantastic songs are just as traditional as other popular holiday music. While not directly related to the story of This Beautiful Mess, it was the primary way Lydia and Arjen continued to make music--along with dozens of other musicians--in the decade of the 2010’s between People Get Ready and </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Second Mountain Songs</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lydia describes the end of Brown Feather Sparrow and birth of How To Throw A Christmas Party: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“In 2010 we took part in a Dutch music competition. As we were waiting for the awards I was in the dressing room with the eventual winner, and we were getting to know one another, and talking about how we each liked one another’s music. We both thought it was stupid that we had to compete with one another. We were talking about how we should record something peaceful; we should make a Christmas album. We wanted to make a statement that the outcome of the competition was stupid and we wanted to make a statement that we can make even more beautiful things blah, blah, blah, it was overly really warm and cuddly. And then she won, and we were second. And I was a little bit offended because they actually said in the jury report that we were a ‘promising’ new band. And we’d been around for 10 years! So I was like, ‘Okay this is never going to happen.’ So then I decided we're going to quit and we're going to do a goodbye album--A Christmas album. So I contacted everybody who ever made music with me and that's how How to Throw a Christmas Party was born.”</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How to Throw a Christmas Party was originally the title of the Brown Feather Sparrow swansong album, but it eventually became an all-new band name as there were so many different songwriters and players that have been involved. Lydia says, “It was interesting because I think about half of the people who joined us in the beginning weren’t a Christian. So we had to find a way...to tell the Christmas story in a way that everybody could relate to. So we picked out the parts that are really inspiring, even if you don't believe it really happened. And then that made the connection to the current issues. And then everyone could really connect to it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I always thought of the group like the really early Muppet movies. You know how they all just run into one another, and they become this huge gang of weird people who become something beautiful. That’s how How to Throw a Christmas Party happened!”</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lydia, Arjen, and I all share mutual love of the Muppets. I could have chatted with Lydia and Arjen for hours about How to Throw a Christmas Party, but in our limited time, I chose to focus on two songs from the catalog, “</span><a href="https://howtothrowachristmasparty.bandcamp.com/track/kamp-zeist" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kamp Zeist</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">” and “</span><a href="https://howtothrowachristmasparty.bandcamp.com/track/the-cracks-in-the-universe" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cracks in the Universe</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1621640240/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=1234270547/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://howtothrowachristmasparty.bandcamp.com/album/iii-christmas-island">III: Christmas Island by How To Throw A Christmas Party</a></iframe>
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">I asked about “Kamp Zeist” for a few reasons, most notably it is one of the few songs with Dutch lyrics, with the exception of a single line in English: “I’m locked up, but I’m free.”</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lydia: “The song is about a friend of ours that lived in our house and he was an illegal immigrant. Oh, wow. There we go. So he got detained and the song is about me visiting him in the detention center. And there is the conversation I had with him. That line is what he said to me because he spoke English with us. I'm locked up but I'm free. So it's just his words in the conversation.”</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arjen: “The title of the song is really controversial because this detention center was near Zeist. But when you say ‘Kamp Zeist’ you make a referral referring to the Second World War. And that's why with the Christmas Party, we tried to connect Christmas to the refugee situation--from Syria, mostly at that time. Kamp Zeist was a place where people were like they were in prison. It is still there to this day. We're not proud of our country when it comes to this situation. It's a long story. It is just that to us it was completely logical to connect these things to each other.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2239276376/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=2141421092/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://howtothrowachristmasparty.bandcamp.com/album/iv-intergalactic-welcome">IV: Intergalactic Welcome by How To Throw A Christmas Party</a></iframe>
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">I tell Lydia and Arjen that “Cracks in the Universe” is my family’s favorite How To Throw A Christmas Party song, and one of the most all-time listened to Christmas songs by us in the last decade, period. I ask Lydia how it came about and inquire of its meaning.</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lydia: “I’m a little bit anxious to admit, but it's a Doctor Who reference. There's a hole; it is in a few seasons. Everything is about how something went wrong. And then there's a crack in the universe and things keep getting through and everything becomes a mess; that's the simple version of it. And that started me thinking maybe what could happen when the creator of the universe gets born into a body, then maybe something would crack. And then all these spiritual beautiful things just leak into our universe. I thought it was a funny idea. It almost didn't make the album, because we couldn't get it right [musically]. There are a few different time signatures, and the chorus to fit into the verses and everything was challenging. Then in the end we just decided that it could be like a Disney musical, super-fun song and then it suddenly clicked.”</span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gsf5BwGIDpE" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-11873173923428205102021-07-08T16:56:00.005-04:002021-07-08T17:01:30.920-04:00The top 20 songs I want to hear at Furnace Fest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoQ_NuSwjjhPPqK6ObavcKoYzR7W7Dlkeh7uKQPgrDTZn4zDfm7RYpy7VOwdgr-0MIyohq5DaSmw4-585mkAy6EwgcFnkbhRazbB9O6wsh_HoFM4N-AInFvNhX3bfKgms6IL_8g/s1000/FF.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1000" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoQ_NuSwjjhPPqK6ObavcKoYzR7W7Dlkeh7uKQPgrDTZn4zDfm7RYpy7VOwdgr-0MIyohq5DaSmw4-585mkAy6EwgcFnkbhRazbB9O6wsh_HoFM4N-AInFvNhX3bfKgms6IL_8g/w400-h353/FF.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>
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I am pumped for the return of concerts, and I am starting with a bang. My last show was seeing Bad Books in June of 2019 (over two years with no live music!), and my next show (unless I see Hop Along on Sept. 14) will be <a href="https://www.furnacefest.us/">Furnace Fest</a>. With that in mind, here are the top 20 songs I am hoping to hear at Furnace Fest in September. For those of you that use Apple Music, here is a full playlist of the songs. Otherwise for each song I embedded the Bandcamp link when available.</div><div><br />
<iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *" frameborder="0" height="450" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/playlist/top-20-songs-i-want-to-hear-at-furnace-fest/pl.u-WabZ6rRC5kK11" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe>
</div><div><br /></div><b><div><b><br /></b></div>"O, Porcupine"</b> (4:31) by mewithoutYou from the 2006 album <i>Brother, Sister</i> <br /> <iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=366003187/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/track=2205616486/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://mewithoutyou.bandcamp.com/album/brother-sister">Brother, Sister by mewithoutYou</a></iframe> <br /><i>First seen? Cornerstone Festival in 2002<br /> </i><div><i>Last seen? Switzerland in 2016</i><div>I mean, come on, Jeremy Enigk was just added to Furnace Fest and he is the same day as mewithoutYou! This is a no-brainer. "O, Porcupine" is my favorite mewithoutYou song from my favorite mewithoutYou album. Otherwise, I can't wait to see songs from the self-titled album live as that album is my second fav from the band and I haven't seen them since it was released.<br /> <br />
<b>"Aurora"</b> (8:03) by Mineral from the 2019 album <i>One Day When We Are Young</i> <br /> <iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1164558437/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/track=12603521/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://mineralofficial.bandcamp.com/album/one-day-when-we-are-young-mineral-at-25">One Day When We Are Young: Mineral at 25 by Mineral</a></iframe> <br /><i>First seen? Birmingham, AL in 1997</i></div><div><i>Last seen? Italy in 2014</i></div><div>Since I was fortunate enough to see Mineral in the 90's, and during the fantastic reunion tour of 2014, my main desire is to hear the two new songs released in 2019. "Aurora" might actually become my favorite Mineral song at some point.<i><br /></i> <br />
<b>"Death To Traitors"</b> (6:40) by Beloved from the 2003 album <i>Failure On</i> <br /> <iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *" frameborder="0" height="150" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/death-to-traitors/724555118?i=724555268" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe> <br /><div><i>First seen? And last seen at Cornerstone Festival 2002.</i></div><div>The only other time I had seen Beloved it was my introduction to the band. To see them play songs I now know and have been listening to for 15+ years? Can't wait!</div> <br />
<b>"Courage, Courage"</b> (5:07) by Luxury from the 2014 album <i>Trophies</i> <br /> <iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1553919936/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/track=2383792137/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://luxury.bandcamp.com/album/trophies">Trophies by Luxury</a></iframe> <br /><div><i>First seen? Atlanta, GA in 1995</i></div><div><i>Last seen? Cornerstone Festival 2002</i></div><div>Since I was fortunate enough to see Luxury more than a dozen times when they were active, my main hope and excitement is to hear them play songs of their best and most recent album, <i>Trophies.</i></div> <br />
<b>"Wither/Ascend"</b> (6:19) by Stavesacre from the 1997 album <i>Absolutes</i> <br /> <iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *" frameborder="0" height="150" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/wither-ascend/724433158?i=724433422" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe> <br /><div><i>First seen? Birmingham, AL in 1996 (Crush Warehouse)</i></div><div><i>Last seen? Memphis, TN in 2001 (OneFest)</i></div><div>Honestly I am just so excited to see Jeff Bellew in the band again. I did thankfully get to see Stavesacre twice in 1996 and 1997 with him, but every show from 1999 to 2001 I saw without him just felt weird and subpar. The last time I saw Stavesacre play Dirk was actually also unavailable (sick?) and it was a bizarre and confusing line-up.</div> <br />
<b>"Fight Song"</b> (4:14) by The Appleseed Cast from the 2003 album <i>Two Conversations</i> <br /> <iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *" frameborder="0" height="150" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/fight-song/7240223?i=7240211" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe> <br /><div><i>First seen? Birmingham, AL in 1998 (Slacker 66)</i></div><div><i>Last seen? Italy in 2014</i><br />Appleseed Cast is one of my favorite bands of all time, and I love all their work, so picking a favorite song is nearly impossible. I love all the tracks from their most recent album <i>The Fleeting Light of Impermanence</i>, but hearing the crowd sing along to "Fight Song" will be epic. </div><div><i><br /></i></div>
<b>"Second Chances"</b> (2:29) by Stretch Arm Strong from the 1998 album <i>Compassion Fills The Void</i> <br /> <iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *" frameborder="0" height="150" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/second-chances/896835916?i=896835968" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe> <br /><div><i>First seen? Nashville, TN in 1999</i></div><div><i>Last seen? FurnaceFest 2002</i> </div> <br />
<b>"Paris In Flames"</b> (4:32) by Thursday from the 2001 album <i>Full Collapse</i> <br /> <iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *" frameborder="0" height="150" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/paris-in-flames/1568409523?i=1568409818" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe> <br /><div><i>First seen? Montevallo, AL in June 2001</i></div><div><i>Last seen? Birmingham, AL in September 2001</i></div><div>Strangely I only really love this one Thursday album, which obviously is heavily influence by seeing them twice in tiny clubs around the time <i>Full Collapse</i> was released.</div> <br />
<b>"Born Lonely"</b> (2:59) by The Casket Lottery from the 2020 album <i>Short Songs for End Times</i> <br /> <iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=818084834/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/track=3844507990/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://thecasketlottery.bandcamp.com/album/short-songs-for-end-times">Short Songs For End Times by The Casket Lottery</a></iframe> <br />While being aware of The Casket Lottery for decades, their new album is the first I purchased immediately. I have never seen them.<br /><br />
<b>"Sacred Fire"</b> (4:55) by Jeremy Enigk from the 2017 album <i>Ghosts</i> <br /> <iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1004331546/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/track=1619213490/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://jeremyenigk.bandcamp.com/album/ghosts">Ghosts by Jeremy Enigk</a></iframe> <br /><div><i>First seen? With Sunny Day Real Estate in Atlanta, GA 1998</i></div><div><i>Last seen? </i><i>Solo in Atlanta, 2010</i></div><div>While I of course hope for one or two Sunny Day songs ("How it Feels...", "The Ocean"., which he does perform solo), I would love to see songs from Enigk's most recent album performed.</div>
<b><div><b><br /></b></div>"Light A Match"</b> (4:36) by The Beautiful Mistake from the 2002 album <i>Light A Match, For I Deserve To Burn</i> <br /> <iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *" frameborder="0" height="150" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/light-a-match/279438562?i=279438609" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe> <br /> Never seen. And their new EP is excellent, but I am heavily nostalgic for the debut.<br /> <br />
<b>"Lies of Serpents, a River of Tears"</b> (2:39) by Zao from the 1998 album <i>Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest</i> <br /> <iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *" frameborder="0" height="150" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/lies-of-serpents-a-river-of-tears/723892763?i=723892893" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe> <br /><div><i>First seen? And only time, Nashville, TN 1999<br /></i></div><div>While 2021's <i>The Crimson Corridor</i> is terrific, I really just can't wait to see and hear a song from the album that introduced me to the band. Will Brett Detar join them for a song or two?</div><div><br /></div>
<b>"The Moon Is Down"</b> (3:12) by Further Seems Forever from the 2001 album <i>The Moon Is Down</i> <br /> <iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *" frameborder="0" height="150" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/the-moon-is-down/724302363?i=724302490" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe> <br /><div><i>First seen? Pensacola, FL in 1999</i></div><div><i>Last seen? At Cornerstone Festival 2002</i></div><div><br /></div>
<b>"The House Of Hopes... Dreams... And Wishes"</b> (3:36) by Unwed Sailor from the 2001 album <i>The Faithful Anchor</i> <br /> <iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3295225786/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/track=1500456543/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://unwedsailor.bandcamp.com/album/the-faithful-anchor">The Faithful Anchor by Unwed Sailor</a></iframe> <br /><div><i>First seen? Cornerstone Festival 2001</i></div><div><i>Last seen? </i><i>Cornerstone Festival 2002</i></div> <br />
<b>"Limelight (feat. Manchester Orchestra)"</b> (5:03) by Touché Amoré from the 2020 album <i>Lament</i> <br /> <iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=722868762/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/track=1453435773/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://toucheamore.bandcamp.com/album/lament">Lament by touche amore</a></iframe> <br /> Never seen. Andy Hull lives in Atlanta so surely he can drive over to sing on this song?<br /> <br />
<b>"Overdue"</b> (2:59) by The Get Up Kids from the 2002 album <i>On a Wire</i> <br /> <iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *" frameborder="0" height="150" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/overdue/1176797399?i=1176797954" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe> <br /><div><i>First seen? Birmingham, AL, 1997</i></div><div><i>Last seen? </i><i>HevyFest in the UK in 2015</i></div><div><br /></div></div><div>
<b>"Into The Dark"</b> (4:04) by The Juliana Theory from the 2000 album <i>Emotion Is Dead</i> <br /> <iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *" frameborder="0" height="150" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/into-the-dark/724303213?i=724303419" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe> <br /><div><i>First seen? Pensacola, FL, in 1999</i></div><div><i>Last seen? Pittsburgh, PA in 2004</i></div><b></b> <br />
<b>"Painless"</b> (4:20) by Mae from the 2005 album <i>The Everglow</i> <br /> <iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *" frameborder="0" height="150" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/painless/716452832?i=716453175" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe> <br /> Never seen. But I did love <i>The Everglow.</i><br /> <br />
<b>"When Paula Sparks"</b> (4:55) by Copeland from the 2000 album <i>Beneath Medicine Tree</i> <br /> <iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *" frameborder="0" height="150" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/when-paula-sparks/1144711496?i=1144711608" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe> <br /> Never seen. I am actually a way bigger fan of Copeland's more recent music, with Ixora being my favorite album of theirs. But I know the plan for the fest is to play this album in full, and this is my fav track from it.<br /> <br />
<b>"Spirit Breaker"</b> (4:52) by August Burns Red from the 2013 album <i>Rescue & Restore</i> <br /> <iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *" frameborder="0" height="150" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/spirit-breaker/1538012539?i=1538012688" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe> <br /> Never seen, and this is my favorite August Burns Red song.<br /> <br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-16819989973845046652021-06-29T17:59:00.003-04:002021-06-30T20:14:26.338-04:00Amplified in the Silence; Top 25 Manchester Orchestra Songs<p>As I transition from writing a top 25 list for Jimmy Eat World, to doing the same thing for Manchester Orchestra, I became aware of a unique distinction between these two bands. Jimmy Eat World I would call a "song" band. Meaning they write fantastic singles, and after one or two spins of one of their albums it is easy for me to pick my favorite song or two from the album. (I don't even know if Manchester Orchestra has ever had a single, but I did hear "The Gold" in Kroger last month so maybe that counts?)</p><p>Manchester Orchestra is an "album" band. I have had <i>The Million Masks of God</i> for a couple months, listened to it countless times, and I struggle to even pick what song I like best. Looking over Manchester Orchestra's discography, this trend continues. The band does a fantastic job of writing and recording full albums with perfect opening tracks, closing tracks, sequencing, connected songs, etc.</p><p>The other distinction between these two bands is that their "jumps" came at completely different points in their career. For Jimmy Eat World, I would say their "jump" came after <i>Static Prevails</i> (1996), which is either their debut or second album depending on who you ask. They made remarkable improvement as songwriters and musicians with <i>Clarity</i> (1999) and then have remained consistently strong for two decades.</p><p><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/turnofftheradio/40110357643/in/album-72157703313454162/" title="041410-variety-playhouse-081_4523403616_o"><img alt="041410-variety-playhouse-081_4523403616_o" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7890/40110357643_a01c458f5f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
</p><p>Manchester Orchestra's "jump" came much later in their career. They released four full-length albums between their start as a band in 2004 and 2014's <i>Cope</i>. Manchester Orchestra was so all over the place in that first decade that they almost lost me as a fan after a fairly bad 2010 concert at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta (see photo by me above; full gallery of photos of that show with Thrice <a href="https://flickr.com/photos/turnofftheradio/albums/72157703313454162/with/40110357643/">here</a>.).Then came the insane jump to <i>A Black Mile To The Surface</i>. <i>Black Mile</i> is so good one could argue every single song on the album is better than every single song the band had released previously.</p><p>In fact, writing a top 25 list for Manchester Orchestra is almost pointless because one could easily argue that the 22 songs that represent <i>A Black Mile To The Surface</i> and <i>The Million Masks of God</i> are 22 of the best 25 songs the band has ever written, recorded, and released. But I have done my best to include songs from the whole career.</p><p>I must mention that Andy Hull is a PROLIFIC songwriter who writes for far more than just his primary band. He has released so many outstanding songs for Right Away, Great Captain, Bad Books, and more. But my list will be Manchester Orchestra songs only.</p><p>One of the fun experiences with Manchester Orchestra over the last few years is that my whole family of five has grown to love them. My wife has absolutely fallen in love with them because of Hull's profound and deep lyrics, and my 13-year-old son is actually the one that prompted me to write this list.</p><p>I am thrilled for the return of concerts, and just a few days ago I bought 5 tickets to see Manchester Orchestra play at the Fillmore in Detroit next March. It is an all-ages show, and will be the second rock show my three kids get to attend; the first is Middle Kids at The Loving Touch on October 1.</p><p>I'm not going to rank all the Manchester Orchestra albums, because it's almost pointless and there is very little debate among fans. <i>A Black Mile To the Surface</i> is #1, and <i>The Million Masks of God</i> is probably #2 even though it was just released this year. The only place I might vary from others is that I would actually put <i>I'm Like A Virgin Losing a Child </i>at #3.</p><p><b><u>Amplified in the Silence; Top 25 Manchester Orchestra Songs:</u></b></p><p>25. "I've Got Friends" (4:58) from the 2009 album <i>Mean Everything To Nothing</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5PybEtuSfMWjgsU0PFpE5Gulv50HmVoT4yxVs_WQUTxBh6Iw2E2V5l2w2zN2e9QTN0jY__7bCL1hB9bPHvB2Mp0pMu8P9bYLj-oc1r6rdHuniYzKxUZMI6Q6m4UarZYfAROfDw/s600/meaneverything.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5PybEtuSfMWjgsU0PFpE5Gulv50HmVoT4yxVs_WQUTxBh6Iw2E2V5l2w2zN2e9QTN0jY__7bCL1hB9bPHvB2Mp0pMu8P9bYLj-oc1r6rdHuniYzKxUZMI6Q6m4UarZYfAROfDw/w200-h200/meaneverything.jpeg" width="200" /> <div style="clear: both; float: none;"></div>
</a></div><br /><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">24. "I Can Barely Breathe" (4:59) from the 2006 album <i>I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child</i></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVo8TIT_XXNkaDCslQMx22zgPnST9B7NX1Qo7t5_ZJfp-b0qutSKu_JuOLX75n_7h5JKOh8fdmD2GoBZEzfPLrikD88bAZDlGsXqMBQsmCkTAnm2AflTmjnklAayNExUATRH-nw/s1500/virgin.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVo8TIT_XXNkaDCslQMx22zgPnST9B7NX1Qo7t5_ZJfp-b0qutSKu_JuOLX75n_7h5JKOh8fdmD2GoBZEzfPLrikD88bAZDlGsXqMBQsmCkTAnm2AflTmjnklAayNExUATRH-nw/w200-h200/virgin.jpg" width="200" />
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23. "Sleeper 1972" (4:08) from the 2006 album <i>I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child</i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">22. "Top Notch" (3:22) from the 2014 album <i>Cope<br /></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-cOhE5PSlr4WHPBNN76Qz-cI4oR0A_zpej2Zuf1HylMf9fHaW0l4tN4aA2rKjugNLVwm_y7O-cbch3zbibWEKnlp5Xvr5x9yAlNfkkejdMXsq6a6EULPeA8Rpr0hiiDepvn9Mg/s1500/cope.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-cOhE5PSlr4WHPBNN76Qz-cI4oR0A_zpej2Zuf1HylMf9fHaW0l4tN4aA2rKjugNLVwm_y7O-cbch3zbibWEKnlp5Xvr5x9yAlNfkkejdMXsq6a6EULPeA8Rpr0hiiDepvn9Mg/w200-h200/cope.jpg" width="200" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">21. "The Only One" (2:39) from the 2009 album <i>Mean Everything To Nothing</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">20. "Pensacola" (3:36) from the 2011 album <i>Simple Math<br /></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAQjtTIOaf0QzU8IaenGaeHVNDOSXpqlzprBxenG8mpUpDDAXOATG3XHQwPw0zX5xzy6hiXWjWvaXn4uRJGju2KHOYGf8fuTNotXNygeN6l08e19mYaEER6j3HqnY-E6i6FyixQ/s1500/simplemath.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1489" data-original-width="1500" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAQjtTIOaf0QzU8IaenGaeHVNDOSXpqlzprBxenG8mpUpDDAXOATG3XHQwPw0zX5xzy6hiXWjWvaXn4uRJGju2KHOYGf8fuTNotXNygeN6l08e19mYaEER6j3HqnY-E6i6FyixQ/w200-h199/simplemath.jpg" width="200" /></a></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">19. "Apprehension" (4:34) from the 2011 album </span><i>Simple Math</i></div><p style="text-align: left;">18. "The Neighborhood is Bleeding" (2:49) from the 2006 album <i>I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">17. "Simple Math" (5:04) from the 2011 album <i>Simple Math</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">16. "Bed Head" (4:05) from the 2021 album <i>The Million Masks Of God<br /></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1z-5oGBCW9m3ya6gRpqVjX350bQm1silSv3WndZlNdBHhvRSEPbaSjnzWieg6kHYiw6ZNmtU9xIahz6PgTU-oLKb8XjxXKUueldokUdng3ih9XSfQVhAO8EZ8XMRxzc99MrJECg/s500/masksofgod.jpeg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1z-5oGBCW9m3ya6gRpqVjX350bQm1silSv3WndZlNdBHhvRSEPbaSjnzWieg6kHYiw6ZNmtU9xIahz6PgTU-oLKb8XjxXKUueldokUdng3ih9XSfQVhAO8EZ8XMRxzc99MrJECg/w200-h200/masksofgod.jpeg" width="200" /></a></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span>15. "The Ocean" (4:22) from the 2014 album </span><i>Hope<br /></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YOX0pzIn0KzrImTbrlJkp6cI4jEaZhHxJVPV9MnAWTwOnp87Vv4byNgsfhdGhp8zPUf-Eb5t05yr8TKO3mASmhoPpKnZfulCQfSAJ8OpUJLY9181dOmzIY5B1Da7Ukpp91aIdg/s1500/hope.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YOX0pzIn0KzrImTbrlJkp6cI4jEaZhHxJVPV9MnAWTwOnp87Vv4byNgsfhdGhp8zPUf-Eb5t05yr8TKO3mASmhoPpKnZfulCQfSAJ8OpUJLY9181dOmzIY5B1Da7Ukpp91aIdg/w200-h200/hope.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">14. "Every Stone" (3:39) from the 2014 album <i style="font-style: italic;">Cope</i></div><p style="text-align: left;">13. "Keel Timing" (4:18) from the 2021 album <i>The Million Masks Of God</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">12. "Virgin" (4:28) from the 2011 album <i>Simple Math</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">11. "Annie" (4:29) from the 2021 album <i>The Million Masks Of God</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">10. "Angel Of Death" (5:48) from the 2021 album <i>The Million Masks Of God</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">9. "Where Have You Been?" (6:17) from the 2006 album <i>I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">8. "Telepath" (2:29) from the 2021 album <i>The Million Masks Of God</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">7. "The Maze" (2:58) from the 2017 album <i>A Black Mile To The Surface<br /></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULuGO_b_uhbHFPMkHbBOnVsSst2x7we8Pa7iNtlZVuaj7shZBcCjB4C_l5_Da-XVsR6pTXFrrhlkb8Y0DOquy4MFitYdGyEZLc96EOoXXlMbRmQeutN1aLN51THhrmQMT0gLGLQ/s500/blackmile.jpeg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULuGO_b_uhbHFPMkHbBOnVsSst2x7we8Pa7iNtlZVuaj7shZBcCjB4C_l5_Da-XVsR6pTXFrrhlkb8Y0DOquy4MFitYdGyEZLc96EOoXXlMbRmQeutN1aLN51THhrmQMT0gLGLQ/w200-h200/blackmile.jpeg" width="200" /></a></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span>6. "I Know How To Speak" (6:00) from the 2018 single<br /></span><span> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTV9s-cIugrz4DKtPEAouizSkqkvuLvjyMjhUNjNf3NM_OVPUWkmDMDL1sPmoYAOJkpxisO4oX2jqJGkODkUglxmOEni4AQOSjHkCPrDHLsmxCizgcPCdXM_bYcLlMP-_4_Kuhg/s600/iknowhow.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTV9s-cIugrz4DKtPEAouizSkqkvuLvjyMjhUNjNf3NM_OVPUWkmDMDL1sPmoYAOJkpxisO4oX2jqJGkODkUglxmOEni4AQOSjHkCPrDHLsmxCizgcPCdXM_bYcLlMP-_4_Kuhg/w200-h200/iknowhow.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />5. "Obstacle" (3:43) from the 2021 album <i>The Million Masks Of God</i></div><p style="text-align: left;">4. "The Gold" (4:33) from the 2017 album <i>A Black Mile To The Surface</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">3. "The Silence" (6:59) from the 2017 album <i>A Black Mile To The Surface</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">2. "Architect" (3:54) from the 2013 single, co-written and recorded by Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit<br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7_s6LQWTrtzWtqabtixi60q7M0W4yVXJ_Q95CcHWtc3Tg_yE24boYX4csMxmU7ui1d7l50V8cHyhfH0nOC8jc337I17STPRtBXAl-KZbudpsZWEJMVeeqtWZkrkUpwZLT2hB5w/s600/architect.jpeg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7_s6LQWTrtzWtqabtixi60q7M0W4yVXJ_Q95CcHWtc3Tg_yE24boYX4csMxmU7ui1d7l50V8cHyhfH0nOC8jc337I17STPRtBXAl-KZbudpsZWEJMVeeqtWZkrkUpwZLT2hB5w/w200-h200/architect.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">OK, I'm going to cheat here. My favorite Manchester Orchestra song is "The Grocery", but it is the third in a three-song sequence that is spectacular, and hard to break up:</p><p style="text-align: left;">1. "The Alien" (5:29) <i>and</i> "The Sunshine" (1:57) <i>and</i> "The Grocery" (5:12) from the 2017 album <i>A Black Mile To The Surface</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGJWh41Gg4FMyM4jBMz1y0OTWwrT-TS8AIziuWWQcRteuf9reHGC7T3fvZ6iUGziKQ7f-s2lhUf9mqq1zp9kn4JJiV2WQbd7h7G510B5MJalp5aRNo7rMzjsrp1zWHt8o2OEoEQ/s2048/EoKgrHKXUAkzv5K.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGJWh41Gg4FMyM4jBMz1y0OTWwrT-TS8AIziuWWQcRteuf9reHGC7T3fvZ6iUGziKQ7f-s2lhUf9mqq1zp9kn4JJiV2WQbd7h7G510B5MJalp5aRNo7rMzjsrp1zWHt8o2OEoEQ/w400-h300/EoKgrHKXUAkzv5K.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-36804763932331362912021-06-28T15:41:00.003-04:002022-11-18T13:29:35.579-05:00Turn Off the Radio; Top 25 Jimmy Eat World Songs<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/turnofftheradio/47076320841/in/dateposted/" title="Jimmy Eat World 2001"><img alt="Jimmy Eat World 2001" height="426" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7823/47076320841_cd6f093a10_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<p><i>Photo by me, July 2001, 99X Studios, Atlanta, Georgia</i></p><p>While I haven't written any top 25 lists in quite some time, I've had them on the brain--it is more of just the reality that I am not blogging much at all. I have brainstormed lists for Stavesacre, Manchester Orchestra, Patty Griffin, and Middle Kids in recently years, but it was a Twitter discussion that prompted me to finally put my top 25 Jimmy Eat World songs down on paper. I often post top 25 lists to refute other lists I read online (especially in the case of Death Cab and Thrice). This one is not that--it is just my favs.</p><p>I narrowed it to 25 songs and created a YouTube playlist months ago, but didn't get around to actually sorting the 25 songs "in order" until today. (I can already tell you Manchester Orchestra is coming next, because there are few artists I listen to as much these days, my whole family likes them, and my 13-year-old son continues to ask and prompt me on what my favorite Manchester Orchestra songs are.)</p><p>First of all, to recap, here are the top 25 lists I have published previously:</p><div style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="color: black;"><i><b>What if Lu had lived? </b></i></span><span style="color: #468db5;"><b><u>Top 25 Poor Old Lu Songs</u></b></span></span></span> (2017)<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="color: #468db5;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></span></span><b><i>Please Don't Kiss Me </i></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #555555;"><a href="http://www.turnofftheradio.de/2017/03/top-25-sixpence-none-richer-songs.html" style="color: #468db5; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">Top 25 Sixpence None the Richer Songs</a></span></span> (2017)<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #555555;"><a href="http://www.turnofftheradio.de/2017/03/top-25-sixpence-none-richer-songs.html" style="color: #468db5; font-weight: bold; outline: none;"><br /></a></span><b><i>For the Love of Guitar</i> <a href="http://www.turnofftheradio.de/2017/03/top-25-aaron-sprinkle-songs.html" style="color: #468db5; outline: none;">Top 25 Aaron Sprinkle Songs</a></b></span> (2017)<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b style="color: #555555;"><a href="http://www.turnofftheradio.de/2017/03/top-25-aaron-sprinkle-songs.html" style="color: #468db5; outline: none;"><br /></a></b><b><i>Don't Be Defeatist</i> <a href="http://www.turnofftheradio.de/2017/03/top-25-eisley-songs.html" style="color: #468db5; outline: none;">Top 25 Eisley Songs</a></b></span> (2017)<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b style="color: #555555;"><a href="http://www.turnofftheradio.de/2014/09/20-best-death-cab-for-cutie-songs.html" style="color: #468db5; outline: none;"><br /></a></b><b><i>Farther Than I Can See</i><span style="color: #555555;"> </span><a href="http://www.turnofftheradio.de/2016/05/top-25-thrice-songs.html" style="color: #468db5; outline: none;">Top 25 Thrice Songs</a></b></span> (2016)<br /><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Farewell Walla</i><span style="color: #555555;"> </span><a href="http://www.turnofftheradio.de/2014/09/20-best-death-cab-for-cutie-songs.html" style="color: #468db5; outline: none;">Top 25 Death Cab for Cutie Songs</a></b></span> (2014)</div><div style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">It is surprising I waited so long on a Jimmy Eat World list, because it is their lyric that inspired the name of my blog (and originally paper zine) back in 1999:</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><i>"Imitate and water down<br /></i><i>Selection breathes on its own<br /></i><i>Till we crash I'll write it out<br /></i><i>Selection breathes on its own<br /></i><i>Make them open the request line<br /></i><i>Let selection kill the old<br /></i><i>Turn off the radio"</i></div><div style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">As I've done previously, I'll start by ranking my favorite Jimmy Eat World albums:</div><div style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXFhEpJXJ-XqJLvNcyIb2ppihjgvDT9pR-avFzpGc7sP0cbmUP46y8JnddTsQkQo80amXX68UsHA0hBOhzJ1HMad6N57wjFfLGZzIhs6aaZrzOrOb07ftY5DCBYIG4dg38dEPNQ/s250/Jimmy_Eat_World_1994.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="250" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXFhEpJXJ-XqJLvNcyIb2ppihjgvDT9pR-avFzpGc7sP0cbmUP46y8JnddTsQkQo80amXX68UsHA0hBOhzJ1HMad6N57wjFfLGZzIhs6aaZrzOrOb07ftY5DCBYIG4dg38dEPNQ/w200-h196/Jimmy_Eat_World_1994.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>10. <i>Jimmy Eat World</i> (1994)</b><br />Does this album count? I usually don't include it as I think of it more as rough demos, and the band rarely acknowledges its existence. I only have MP3s I downloaded off Napster back in 2000 or so and can't remember the last time I have listened to it.</div><div style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCpoP_wE6KwKj2pfCOWihVKPI7tQNyr9kpo_srEuqeyWb3TPyP8TOcdYbMe3ywGJBEwErMzc3Gg5aZ7dLIUo2p6z2wR-t4Pl3ndudqqSdUID9Nk58czO4OFDjRf87flsqpmVn0g/s300/Jimmy_Eat_World_-_Damage.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCpoP_wE6KwKj2pfCOWihVKPI7tQNyr9kpo_srEuqeyWb3TPyP8TOcdYbMe3ywGJBEwErMzc3Gg5aZ7dLIUo2p6z2wR-t4Pl3ndudqqSdUID9Nk58czO4OFDjRf87flsqpmVn0g/w200-h200/Jimmy_Eat_World_-_Damage.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>9. <i>Damage</i> (2013)</b><br />Really despise this album; I can't even pick a single song on it I like. Felt so lifeless and forced to me at the time. A strange blip in a consistent career.</div><div style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvN_XYx9BnsWbCH5xDhMMEopnETYIb-RlMkRef3mjQfuEuEYuWtyyC5cIVHGc2vmXc0Kq0wfsNjZv2q2vBGhjZvDlQ6Lc9JoACi6y1AxIiDYrvbryiE9ybuHs89SlelfPxCXI5xA/s300/Chasethislight.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvN_XYx9BnsWbCH5xDhMMEopnETYIb-RlMkRef3mjQfuEuEYuWtyyC5cIVHGc2vmXc0Kq0wfsNjZv2q2vBGhjZvDlQ6Lc9JoACi6y1AxIiDYrvbryiE9ybuHs89SlelfPxCXI5xA/w200-h200/Chasethislight.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>8. <i>Chase This Light</i> (2007)</b><br />Despite how low I have it ranked, I do enjoy this album, but I feel it was sequenced incorrectly and some non-album tracks should replace some songs that were included.</div><div style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOGNR2wACMBsYwAj0rgaArPBPnTim2WybAgY2U0AXOROii7M_eyzbPeKjkqiszbAAb_6jAGAE7mgR2r6DYNkCg7dJ9Ay1uuMOufOh6hAhzhoY375Sa6QfFGVqyi1oaYW2WAt3zQ/s300/300px-Integrity_Blues.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOGNR2wACMBsYwAj0rgaArPBPnTim2WybAgY2U0AXOROii7M_eyzbPeKjkqiszbAAb_6jAGAE7mgR2r6DYNkCg7dJ9Ay1uuMOufOh6hAhzhoY375Sa6QfFGVqyi1oaYW2WAt3zQ/w200-h200/300px-Integrity_Blues.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>7. <i>Integrity Blues</i> (2016)</b><br />Was a big return to form for me; was concerned the band was done after <i>Damage.</i></div><div style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidC5XDUNNROMGspf7hn0DXQ2gpV3lcwwiqOCgOVYknOjczu7so2AjIGzq1DMc7RewFugiuVMCDRG1gwOR03MZ1PTDhr2lpt5-xB2_cqgQAwFrd6J0a0g0oAdz0RmtYQSY4sQR1sg/s300/Jimmy_Eat_World_-_Invented.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidC5XDUNNROMGspf7hn0DXQ2gpV3lcwwiqOCgOVYknOjczu7so2AjIGzq1DMc7RewFugiuVMCDRG1gwOR03MZ1PTDhr2lpt5-xB2_cqgQAwFrd6J0a0g0oAdz0RmtYQSY4sQR1sg/w200-h200/Jimmy_Eat_World_-_Invented.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>6. <i>Invented</i> (2010)</b><br />Was impressed by this album at the time, but rarely revisit it as a whole.</div><div style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-veDjJtTr2ngRgMYvki1U4sDkOHpi9tmxW9vt2wrJktvrXZUwa3z7gK1Lioo0eNJEebIWVAk6X-JD-_8SONx8i4Ge1BBvfyK5ymZ7_7gW-1ExwGzGTraHLU8_d2NhPy8Eyj6FfA/s300/Jimmy_Eat_World_-_Surviving.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-veDjJtTr2ngRgMYvki1U4sDkOHpi9tmxW9vt2wrJktvrXZUwa3z7gK1Lioo0eNJEebIWVAk6X-JD-_8SONx8i4Ge1BBvfyK5ymZ7_7gW-1ExwGzGTraHLU8_d2NhPy8Eyj6FfA/w200-h200/Jimmy_Eat_World_-_Surviving.png" width="200" /></a></div>5. <i>Surviving</i> (2019)</b><br /></div><div style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">My initial impression, that holds up after two years, was how great this album is. We'll see where it stands in a decade.</div><div style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciXCiX37zwWUnG9kOeUCH11ZI6S2IsHZmAHzXELRABQ5Lso1WIg7xlG-C3IkrciAsanJxpG_Vu9cGgfnGOU94dmrQIThI8ax1tKm1ImRjbmmOrBakQ0rJF1ufeQ-WULPSbVa9rg/s1300/static.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciXCiX37zwWUnG9kOeUCH11ZI6S2IsHZmAHzXELRABQ5Lso1WIg7xlG-C3IkrciAsanJxpG_Vu9cGgfnGOU94dmrQIThI8ax1tKm1ImRjbmmOrBakQ0rJF1ufeQ-WULPSbVa9rg/w200-h200/static.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>4. <i>Static Prevails</i> (1996)</b><br />I discovered Jimmy Eat World with <i>Clarity</i>, and then immediately went out and bought this CD. Love the aggression that understandably passed with time.</div><div style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlw-T5ZMFi4h5lV9GLNk1JU0HUP7lj06-AKxNsm3YbETXqTZWeUDHNI2ySg589FxZsQnblwvG2q5cTbypvII0ojVKFlpzvuNwWIgkUxs_16AvjxDQdNx4YB3DOvag1bJrrxc_Ybg/s600/bleed.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlw-T5ZMFi4h5lV9GLNk1JU0HUP7lj06-AKxNsm3YbETXqTZWeUDHNI2ySg589FxZsQnblwvG2q5cTbypvII0ojVKFlpzvuNwWIgkUxs_16AvjxDQdNx4YB3DOvag1bJrrxc_Ybg/w200-h200/bleed.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>3. <i>Bleed American</i> (2001)</b><br />I had the unique experience due to file-sharing services of hearing all the demos for this album before it finally dropped. I was actually putting the demo of "The Middle" on mix tapes/CDs in early 2001. Won tickets and saw Jimmy Eat World do a live studio performance for 99X in Atlanta the day this album was released.</div><div style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6Z2yXL3rZY9OYHFqWcRqvLOtqPnJyKg_j4iSM7D6dqTNLIEnxn1RUdz5lLC4pht-G0QsIx2iXDlxpvbo2Xidwapyqgq11Fka_y9FeKNgDw_soRHm4p_DhrlU1ZkYwZYvN5uVOA/s300/Futues.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6Z2yXL3rZY9OYHFqWcRqvLOtqPnJyKg_j4iSM7D6dqTNLIEnxn1RUdz5lLC4pht-G0QsIx2iXDlxpvbo2Xidwapyqgq11Fka_y9FeKNgDw_soRHm4p_DhrlU1ZkYwZYvN5uVOA/w200-h200/Futues.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>2. <i>Futures</i> (2004)</b><br />I was blown away by this album when it dropped, and that feeling has never gone away. I totally understand anyone that has this as their fav Jimmy Eat World album.</div><div style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKGUyaY77A6qXYFa_2mt1HEreVF1CAJhDBKY2PdF09yUqaeTZ1didY2BykDGz5J6PNRkFruKpk9fOqbWnLvue2R7CrtqaYUv_TacZGffE0LDYJT9ixTgu_jAI-heMtNZnp8aqUA/s500/clarity.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKGUyaY77A6qXYFa_2mt1HEreVF1CAJhDBKY2PdF09yUqaeTZ1didY2BykDGz5J6PNRkFruKpk9fOqbWnLvue2R7CrtqaYUv_TacZGffE0LDYJT9ixTgu_jAI-heMtNZnp8aqUA/s320/clarity.jpeg" /></a></div>1. <i>Clarity</i> (1999)</b><br />No other Jimmy Eat World album comes close for me, and this is a top-10 album of all-time for me. I discovered the album and band a couple months after it was released, and I've never stopped listening to it frequently. I have taken a bunch of notes with the intention of writing an essay about it, but still haven't gotten a draft finished. Someday!</div><div style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BuSBiHBAKOe/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BuSBiHBAKOe/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BuSBiHBAKOe/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Alan P (@turnofftheradio1976)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><u><b><div style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><u><b><br /></b></u></div>Top 25 Jimmy Eat World Songs:</b></u></div><div style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">25. "</span><span style="background-color: transparent;">Episode IV" (</span>4:29)<span style="background-color: transparent;"> from the 1996 album </span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><i>Static Prevails</i></span></div></div><p>24. "Movielike" (3:48) from the 2010 album <i>Invented</i></p><p>23. "Anderson Mesa" (5:15)<span> from the 1996 album </span><span><i>Static Prevails</i></span></p><p>22<span style="white-space: pre;">. "</span>Delivery" (3:13)<span style="white-space: pre;"> from the 2019 album </span><i>Surviving</i></p><p>21.<span style="white-space: pre;"> "</span>World Is Static" (3:57)<span> from the 1996 album </span><span><i>Static Prevails</i></span></p><p>20<span style="white-space: pre;">. "</span>555" (3:41)<span style="white-space: pre;"> from the 2019 album </span><i>Surviving</i></p><p>19<span style="white-space: pre;">. "</span>Gotta Be Somebody's Blues" (4:46) from the 2007 album <i>Chase This Light</i></p><p>18<span style="white-space: pre;">. "</span>The End Is Beautiful<span style="white-space: pre;">" (</span>4:25)<span style="white-space: pre;"> from the 2016 album </span><i>Integrity Blues</i></p><p>17. "Disintegration<span style="white-space: pre;">" (</span>7:44) from the 2005 EP<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><i>Stay On My Side Tonight </i></p><p>16<span style="white-space: pre;">. "</span>Sure and Certain<span style="white-space: pre;">" </span>3:36<span style="white-space: pre;"> from the 2016 album </span><i>Integrity Blues</i></p><p>15<span style="white-space: pre;">. "</span>Your New Aesthetic" (2:41) from the 1999 album<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><i>Clarity</i></p><p>14<span style="white-space: pre;">. "</span>Coffee And Cigarettes<span style="white-space: pre;">" (</span>3:46) from the 2010 album <i>Invented</i></p><p>13<span style="white-space: pre;">. "</span>Jen"<span style="white-space: pre;">(</span>3:00<span style="white-space: pre;">) Officially unreleased, but was on the original version of the </span>2004 album <i>Futures. </i>I wrote an entire blog <a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2013/02/jimmy-eat-worlds-best-song-never.html">post</a> about it back in 2013.</p><p>12<span style="white-space: pre;">. "</span>The Most Beautiful Things" (3:52) from the 2000<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Jebediah Split EP</p><p>11<span style="white-space: pre;">. "</span>Here It Goes<span style="white-space: pre;">" (</span>3:23) from the 2007 album <i>Chase This Light</i></p><p>10<span style="white-space: pre;">. "</span>Futures<span style="white-space: pre;">" (</span>3:58) <span style="white-space: pre;">from the </span>2004 album <i>Futures</i></p><p>9<span style="white-space: pre;">. "</span>Polaris<span style="white-space: pre;">" (</span>4:51) <span style="white-space: pre;">from the </span>2004 album <i>Futures</i></p><p>8<span style="white-space: pre;">. "</span>Goodbye Sky Harbor<span style="white-space: pre;">" (</span>16:11) from the 1999 album<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><i>Clarity</i></p><p>7<span style="white-space: pre;">. "</span>Hear You Me"<span style="white-space: pre;"> (</span>4:45) from the 2001 album <i>Bleed American</i></p><p>6<span style="white-space: pre;">. "</span>If You Don't, Don't<span style="white-space: pre;">" (</span>4:33) from the 2001 album <i>Bleed American</i></p><p>5<span style="white-space: pre;">. "</span>Lucky Denver Mint<span style="white-space: pre;">" (</span>3:50) from the 1999 album<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><i>Clarity</i></p><p>4<span style="white-space: pre;">. "</span>The World You Love"<span style="white-space: pre;"> (</span>5:01) <span style="white-space: pre;">from the </span>2004 album <i>Futures</i></p><p>3. <span style="white-space: pre;">"</span>Sweetness<span style="white-space: pre;">" (</span>3:40) from the 2001 album <i>Bleed American</i></p><p>2<span style="white-space: pre;">. "</span>23" <span style="white-space: pre;">(</span>7:24) f<span style="white-space: pre;">rom the </span>2004 album <i>Futures</i></p><p>1<span style="white-space: pre;">. "</span>For Me This Is Heaven<span style="white-space: pre;">" (</span>4:06) from the 1999 album<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><i>Clarity</i></p><u><b>
YouTube playlist; selected the best live video performance I could find for each song when possible:</b></u>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL3NuC_Y9tkA3_ZhpVdC00iCIS6_n_veMu" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-45105170850300495132020-12-22T14:45:00.004-05:002020-12-26T10:40:14.284-05:00Best of 2020<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CIjiI7UJtkZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CIjiI7UJtkZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CIjiI7UJtkZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Alan P (@turnofftheradio1976)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br /></div>It goes without saying that 2020 has been rough and I won’t elaborate on that topic. However, the significant silver lining is MUSIC. It has been a phenomenal year in that regard (also, Boba Fett!). <div><br /></div><div>As the word “unprecedented” has been used by all of us in a more negative way this year than ever in the past, I would say that 2020 is <i>unprecedented</i> in the massive amounts of high-quality music recorded and released this year. Comparing two random years in music is an impossible task, but as I review my year-end lists, it is hard to find a year in the last dozen or so that comes close to the depth of 2020.<div><br /></div><div>Despite prioritizing buying music directly from artists and labels (and especially this year through "Bandcamp Days"), I have somewhat joined the dark side when it comes to streaming services. While I will continue to unabashedly promote Bandcamp as the best, and really the only digital music service actually operating in a way to serve artists, I did subscribe to Apple Music this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>I subscribed primarily for my family (wife and two kids also with iPhones), but I will admit I have enjoyed the benefits. It makes it far easier to preview music, and having access to lyrics was an unplanned surprise. The plan that I will do my best to hold both myself and my family members accountable to: if you stream a song or album three times, and plan to continue to do so, then either buy a physical copy, or support the artist financially in another way. Ideally that would be attending a concert (whenever those resume), but in the meantime buying merch directly from the artist is the best route. For me this is typically buying vinyl records.</div><div><br /></div><div>Preaching the gospel of supporting artists continues to be a central them of this blog. Despite the fact that I now rarely post here, I do constantly discuss and promote music on Instagram and Twitter. </div><div><br /></div><div>I began writing this post on December 3. Early that morning I saw this tweet:</div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">your spotify wrapped is basically just a list of artists you owe money to lol</span></span></p><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">— Cloud Nothings (@cloudnothings) <a href="https://twitter.com/cloudnothings/status/1334196262678228993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2020</a></span></span></blockquote>And then the night before I saw this:<br /><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I’m so baffled by all the musicians kissing the ring of Spotify. What is wrong with people</p>— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) <a href="https://twitter.com/Amber_Coffman/status/1334267234995195905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2020</a></blockquote></span></span>Both of these are in response to the flurry of “Spotify Wrapped” social media images shared prolifically by musicians and fans alike the first week in December. While I understand the fun behind it, I wish there were a better way. Sharing what music you listen to is in theory a great way to help the creators, but in the case of Spotify, the musicians are only getting literal pennies.<br /><br />Subscribing to streaming services is inevitable because it’s so easy, and most people don’t have the time to curate a library of digital music; nor the interest in having shelves full of records, CDs, and cassettes. My solution is this: subscribe to whatever service you prefer, but then use your “Spotify Wrapped” or the equivalent to help you make decisions about what concerts you are going to attend, t-shirts you are going to buy, or for independent artists, just send them some money through PayPal.</div><div><br /></div><div>My use of Apple Music is not without significant frustration. Most notably, merging my 17-year-old detailed, curated, massive iTunes database of MP3s with the Apple Music streaming service. I have a copy of my database that I do not "sync", and I do not use iTunes match. However, even something as simple as sharing playlists is more challenging than it should be (as if I have a a song in my database that I ripped from a CD or bought digitally years ago, and even if it is also in the Apple Music library, it won't appear on a shared playlist unless I remove my original copy and replace it with a new Apple Music version of the song). I will occasionally do the work to create shared playlists though, as I think playlists are maybe the single best benefit of Spotify and Apple Music (and I continue to mourn the lack of playlists on Bandcamp). With this in mind, I did create a best of 2020 Apple Music playlist: </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *" frameborder="0" height="450" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" src="https://embed.music.apple.com/us/playlist/best-of-2020/pl.u-xlyNqLluE7aWW" style="background: transparent; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; width: 100%;"></iframe>
</div><div><br /></div><div><i>(Note the playlist was created as a cohesive album [that starts quiet and ends loud], and is not in order of my favorite albums as seen below.)</i></div><div><br /></div><div>As I write these year-end lists, I will commit to only including albums I have purchased full copies of (and not simply streamed). Most of the time this means vinyl, but my budget has limits and so sometimes that album purchase is only digital, or in the rare case, a CD or cassette.</div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><u>Top 20 LPs of 2020:</u></h4><div>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHgdHNEpYP3/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHgdHNEpYP3/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHgdHNEpYP3/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Alan P (@turnofftheradio1976)</a></p></div></blockquote><p><b style="font-weight: bold;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyRe8KS66fU5f84aHFIUAimrPscuqmZBSnO50VE1S5iMRNkQ05Q_FpAThmcXNUp_jJp0n4stJ9d-5HJxjM1TYIrk20zgbyojLbFCCdFT_KaR_5G0NKKTpntREko69msHADmxoEQ/s600/folklore.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyRe8KS66fU5f84aHFIUAimrPscuqmZBSnO50VE1S5iMRNkQ05Q_FpAThmcXNUp_jJp0n4stJ9d-5HJxjM1TYIrk20zgbyojLbFCCdFT_KaR_5G0NKKTpntREko69msHADmxoEQ/w200-h200/folklore.jpeg" width="200" /></a></b></div><b style="font-weight: bold;">1. Taylor Swift- <i>folklore <br /></i></b>Hometown: West Reading, Pennsylvania <br />Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHgdHNEpYP3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>) <br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/folklore-deluxe-version/1528112358">Apple Music</a><p></p></div><div>This is, simply, the pinnacle quarantine release. No one, including Taylor Swift herself knew that she would release an album this year. And these past two weeks have thrown me off completely in writing about this album, because Taylor Swift released ANOTHER 2020 LP, <i>evermore</i>. For now, I am going to consider <i>evermore</i> a 2021 release, as I am so positively overwhelmed by the existence of both albums, it is hard to know what to do with them. Long-term, I may think of them like a double album in the vein of <i>Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the Disney+ special about <i>folklore</i>, Swift explains that in May she began writing songs, and it unexpectedly became a new album that was not a part of her plan (and typically her plan is thought out and long-term). Now we know that her songwriting sessions actually led to two albums, for a total of 34 songs. 34 new songs in one year! (Quick thought on this--it is REALLY hard to compare that many songs from one artist to only 8 or 9 from another. Seven of my top 20 albums as seen here have 8 or 9 songs, and despite preferring quality to quantity, 8 definitely is not enough.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Despite <i>evermore</i> being great, <i>folklore</i> is far better. <i>folklore</i> is more realized; a more immersive and stunning experience. <i>folklore</i> is the album I always hoped Taylor Swift would release, but never actually thought she would. I was late appreciating her music, with <i>Red</i> being the first Swift album I bought (digital only). What I found most appealing from her initially, besides the music being fun, catchy, and different than most of my collection, was that Swift writes all her own tunes and is CEO of her own corporation. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>1989</i> was the first time I took Swift really seriously stylistically--obviously that album was a major step and huge risk (not enough can be said about the fact that the album cover only shows the lower half of her face). While really enjoying <i>Reputation</i> and <i>Lover</i>, neither came close to <i>1989</i> for me. The pop is fun, but I still found so much of it childish. Taylor has grown up, and her music speaks to me like never before.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>folklore</i> is far and away my favorite album from Swift. Obviously I am an indie-folk fan in general, looking over the the rest of my top 10 below. I didn't know how much I needed <i>folklore</i> during COVID, and I have listened to it an insane amount (since it's release on July 24, if you add up all the minutes I have listened to all other music, that may not equal the number of minutes I have listened to <i>folklore</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>I enjoy <i>folklore</i> so much as a whole, I almost never skip around, and it wasn't until this month that I finally claimed a favorite song from the album ("Illicit Affairs"--oh, that last line). The Aaron Dessner-Taylor Swift collaboration is one of the highlights of 2020, and I have become far more interested in his music because of it. </div><div><br /></div><div>In reading an interview with Dessner this week, some questions I had about the timeline and process of the two Swift albums were answered. I wondered initially if maybe all 34 songs were recorded prior to <i>folklore</i> being released. They weren't, and in the case of both albums, a song or two were written and recorded and tagged on only days before the album was released to the public. <i>evermore</i> was birthed during the filming of the Disney+ special, as Swift was writing with Dessner while they were filming. Unlike <i>folklore</i>, that was recorded almost entirely remotely, evermore was tracked in Dessner's studio.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFTcERi1aETJfn0pa_fKUoCTD_0WeJ82FqO_oU_MoaF2dhdsNI15T0fR38vO4rcE4NMAec5nH39icNtg-3j95K2NKDkEmSS5rH0imPxKtYBg9DV4GsYcHGw4gNQ0FUFZFt68cFA/s600/FIONAAPPLECOVER.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFTcERi1aETJfn0pa_fKUoCTD_0WeJ82FqO_oU_MoaF2dhdsNI15T0fR38vO4rcE4NMAec5nH39icNtg-3j95K2NKDkEmSS5rH0imPxKtYBg9DV4GsYcHGw4gNQ0FUFZFt68cFA/w200-h200/FIONAAPPLECOVER.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>2. Fiona Apple- <i>Fetch The Bolt Cutters</i></b><br />Hometown: New York City<br />Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CC4l4DeJtu_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/fetch-the-bolt-cutters/1507811635">Apple Music</a><br /><br /></div><div>When I first heard this album I assumed it would be my album of the year. We don't get Fiona Apple music very often, so when it drops I am sure to pay attention. I didn't like <i>The Idler Wheel...</i> much, so I had tempered my expectations for this one--but <i>Fetch the Bolt Cutters</i> blew me away. The percussion is aggressive and wild, and the album as a whole is intense.<br /><b><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi14IFZiSBCwu5vKpJtobv8TYN7qSivic-UVJBhkkc0mRS1L3Lht17kCqZutaW7EhzgicF5Fi0X9_6qf_ASqSD6ZEw4SjBWW_VAr0zaqGdAqqCnqsFpmNvV1m_2cF64YONmt30gQ/s1600/haim-women-in-music-pt-iii.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1577" data-original-width="1600" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi14IFZiSBCwu5vKpJtobv8TYN7qSivic-UVJBhkkc0mRS1L3Lht17kCqZutaW7EhzgicF5Fi0X9_6qf_ASqSD6ZEw4SjBWW_VAr0zaqGdAqqCnqsFpmNvV1m_2cF64YONmt30gQ/w200-h198/haim-women-in-music-pt-iii.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>3. Haim- <i>Women in Music Pt. III</i></b><br />Hometown: Los Angeles, California<br />Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CB8qFXQpBU8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/women-in-music-pt-iii/1500345235">Apple Music</a><br /><br />This is my first Haim vinyl purchase, which is a clue to the level of my previous fandom. I enjoyed their first two albums enough to buy them on CD, but excitement for this one built early as they released a variety of singles and a digital EP of what would become album tracks. I heard "Hallelujah" over a year ago, at the time my favorite song Haim had written. This was the perfect summer album, and another long one rich and full of 16 terrific songs.<br /><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZxlEcSyd2LRTP4EMVarSaoamNZ1H7Mi-D3m_oOZ2YEO_qT6uRuzJqIllCvIYijzXE_A6RlYvXVUKsB4ivzSUMd8cm9qLn9PJk88SXZLxqHOXUVuEDip5NflU8H8hEnaMGSw5CQ/s1200/waxahatchee.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZxlEcSyd2LRTP4EMVarSaoamNZ1H7Mi-D3m_oOZ2YEO_qT6uRuzJqIllCvIYijzXE_A6RlYvXVUKsB4ivzSUMd8cm9qLn9PJk88SXZLxqHOXUVuEDip5NflU8H8hEnaMGSw5CQ/w200-h200/waxahatchee.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b>4. Waxahatchee- </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Saint Cloud</i><br />Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama <br />Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0nfF5JNg8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://waxahatchee.bandcamp.com/album/saint-cloud-2">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />Like Fiona Apple and Haim, Waxahatchee was once in the running (in my head) for my album of the year. With a March release date, it was the first great album of 2020, and could not have come at a better time. It was released as quarantine began, and was a light in the darkness. While I will probably always prefer the edgier and more rocking previous album <i>Out in the Storm</i>, this is quintessential Katie Crutchfield. Originally being from Alabama, this Americana album captures Crutchfield's roots and features her strongest songwriting. Four of my top six albums this year were given Grammy nominations, and it is sad and inexplicable that Waxahatchee was not included in that bunch.<br /><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYujXLF-BH_DiFRyLTh5-pr7GLktenFWPDcmiRFvUgLqrGZq4Uq2nBJcOJF0yAvgvwMijNVYJiJt-5s3fAbZ9Nw4mI_0ZrwJRDQLeEyXGzqMRDmgSK7MwMvXgDK-D6oSZenca8LA/s1200/thebeths.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYujXLF-BH_DiFRyLTh5-pr7GLktenFWPDcmiRFvUgLqrGZq4Uq2nBJcOJF0yAvgvwMijNVYJiJt-5s3fAbZ9Nw4mI_0ZrwJRDQLeEyXGzqMRDmgSK7MwMvXgDK-D6oSZenca8LA/w200-h200/thebeths.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b style="font-style: italic;">5. The Beths- Jump Rope Gazers</b><br />Hometown: Auckland, New Zealand<br />Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CDo4qUIpkAG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://thebethsnz.bandcamp.com/album/jump-rope-gazers-2">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />I first heard the Beths in 2018, but I didn't listen to their debut <i>Future Me Hates Me</i> enough to buy it or appreciate it. This time around the New Zealand band impressed me though, taking it to the next level with stronger songwriting and dynamics. They are still aggressive much of the time, but when they quiet down they are at their peak: the title track, "Do You Want Me Now" and "You Are a Beam of Light" are three of my favorite songs of the year.<br /><b><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOwd_ViNQMPmIksufvJlp79__J3x-vcQIRqsUQL93_7Vy4Wu2yQSMtaAtrBciBngrdZ7v31Uu5IqlxSoycjG5n2sH6Zbz1t6E5DXt2qjNcF8ZLCr_qmC4meryseaa1y_uzfqmyg/s1200/punisher.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOwd_ViNQMPmIksufvJlp79__J3x-vcQIRqsUQL93_7Vy4Wu2yQSMtaAtrBciBngrdZ7v31Uu5IqlxSoycjG5n2sH6Zbz1t6E5DXt2qjNcF8ZLCr_qmC4meryseaa1y_uzfqmyg/w200-h200/punisher.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>6. Phoebe Bridgers- <i>Punisher</i></b><br />Hometown: Los Angeles, California<br />Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBnkxH9pQ0V/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://phoebebridgers.bandcamp.com/album/punisher">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />This was potentially my most anticipated album of 2020, and while it is of course terrific (and seemingly <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vpxZunN4M8gvnsireG4TEPSlA-pxo8Ta9Y6Kj8zgWwg/edit#gid=1452150872">the consensus #1</a> album of the year around the world), I was actually disappointed by it. Honestly I greatly prefer Bridgers' debut <i>Stranger in the Alps</i>. <i>Punisher</i> sounds great, and "Chinese Satellite" and "Graceland Too" (which could have been on the boygenius EP) are standouts, but as a whole I think <i>Stranger</i> has a significantly stronger group of songs.</div><div><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Qnbd_7GZ2Fz27ScVH3EP8FoWpLSb6IimPJLDtL8OsdDGWj5y0JS7MG4d2ovIkVMMPemjRb0UekU8tEmAKqIvCUmRtBCiVov6HH9QJ32w0BmHoAOqD7R6U5E7EakHqaM1Oy820w/s1200/katiemalco.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Qnbd_7GZ2Fz27ScVH3EP8FoWpLSb6IimPJLDtL8OsdDGWj5y0JS7MG4d2ovIkVMMPemjRb0UekU8tEmAKqIvCUmRtBCiVov6HH9QJ32w0BmHoAOqD7R6U5E7EakHqaM1Oy820w/w200-h200/katiemalco.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b>7. Katie Malco- </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Failures</i><br />Hometown: Northampton, United Kingdom<br />Format purchased: Vinyl <br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://katiemalco.bandcamp.com/album/failures">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />First album on my list from an artist I had never even heard of prior to this year. Katie Malco released a couple of EPs six-plus years ago, but this is her debut, and it's phenomenal. At times she is heavily Pedro the Lion influenced, and the song "Let's Go to War" is essentially a sequel to the Bazan song "Hard to Be." She is at her best when she's the quietest, for example with the song "Fractures."</div><div><b><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUt3s_wSq7KcqeOROH5Xz8YqfRRTJuvU_nVc9iuKwd3HmIIwtg7aZm3oT9t_2RM6hxwqQyPP7GcRVh3OLS7q-IB-l2I6KW-8PcSyzsrunu2c3iNAaoKrMXeZnuN_UoVFHSD88rCw/s1200/stayinside.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUt3s_wSq7KcqeOROH5Xz8YqfRRTJuvU_nVc9iuKwd3HmIIwtg7aZm3oT9t_2RM6hxwqQyPP7GcRVh3OLS7q-IB-l2I6KW-8PcSyzsrunu2c3iNAaoKrMXeZnuN_UoVFHSD88rCw/w200-h200/stayinside.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>8. Stay Inside- <i>Viewing</i></b><br />Hometown: Brooklyn, New York<br />Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGujNi2J_XF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://stayinside.bandcamp.com/">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />Another debut comes in next, with the perfect band name for 2020. While I spent most of the year listening to singer-songwriter music, this was the first and best heavy album I got into. It is all over the place stylistically though, and isn't always hard.<br /><b><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLdOHfmujdJFqLxw1Q5ME153UgyykpcZ_kgwdZzYn4ituxx3WaYrx_DU75p6jDSbJNrLi7ylzxmARecgDR4ryOuzQfVHxvMPiivigLbw_PKyXbU-iPg3t3XuzCJJfm405DpUKpQ/s1200/casketlottery.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1200" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLdOHfmujdJFqLxw1Q5ME153UgyykpcZ_kgwdZzYn4ituxx3WaYrx_DU75p6jDSbJNrLi7ylzxmARecgDR4ryOuzQfVHxvMPiivigLbw_PKyXbU-iPg3t3XuzCJJfm405DpUKpQ/w200-h198/casketlottery.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>9. The Casket Lottery- <i>Short Songs for End Times</i></b><br />Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri<br />Format purchased: Vinyl (ships in 2021)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://thecasketlottery.bandcamp.com/album/short-songs-for-end-times">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />I was really late to the party with the Casket Lottery, and it wasn't until 2020 that I listened to a full Casket Lottery album. I was aware of them in the late 90's, and have some CD comps from that time with their tunes. Somehow I never got into them though, and Furnace Fest 2020 (now rescheduled for Sept. 2021--I'll be there!) is what spurred me on to listen to their old work. I wasn't even aware this album was in the pipeline, so I was pleasantly surprised when it dropped. I don't have the best perspective because of my late listening, but I find this to be the best album they have ever put out.<br /><b><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kcdB4jwpfUnWn-_yff0nk6UA2Kr_1cUSefPfZasb-p__E3PIm2d4nNuuyYvkQv_nhOWvBPOjFtx7pjE1HzL5EHAI8wbw6ZGponp33yVWRLawu-JPnpt2ukldoWFex5ritoVaLg/s1200/see+you+tomorrow.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1200" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kcdB4jwpfUnWn-_yff0nk6UA2Kr_1cUSefPfZasb-p__E3PIm2d4nNuuyYvkQv_nhOWvBPOjFtx7pjE1HzL5EHAI8wbw6ZGponp33yVWRLawu-JPnpt2ukldoWFex5ritoVaLg/w200-h199/see+you+tomorrow.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>10. The Innocence Mission- <i>See You Tomorrow</i></b><br />Hometown: Lancaster, Pennsylvania<br />Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B73Z_yxprGI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link"> Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://theinnocencemission.bandcamp.com/album/see-you-tomorrow">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />The Innocence Mission has amazingly been putting out terrific music for over 30 years, and I have been buying their releases for 25 of those years. While I felt like the quality was waning in the 2000's, over the last 5 years Karen and Don Peris have recorded some of their top work. It's hard to rank all their countless albums, but this is near the top. Now if someone would just get the rights to issue my favorite two Innocence Mission albums, 1995's <i>Glow</i> and 1999's <i>Birds of My Neighborhood</i>--on wax.</div><div><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5nRjmeRIV7P7awoEbTnlACDnqpD0rPTWwB6vNZE-4AIfKEQeib66GB7ALpWFAyb9ov8jIeGl5wOAjkHleLV5Q6jRcHcTNY463D7lpJEzLGEYKgpDYfmG8DTeuKSGwrwJmrIYKw/s1200/mountaintime.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5nRjmeRIV7P7awoEbTnlACDnqpD0rPTWwB6vNZE-4AIfKEQeib66GB7ALpWFAyb9ov8jIeGl5wOAjkHleLV5Q6jRcHcTNY463D7lpJEzLGEYKgpDYfmG8DTeuKSGwrwJmrIYKw/w200-h200/mountaintime.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b>11. Mountain Time- </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Music for Looking Animals</i><br />Hometown: Austin, Texas<br />Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCMIDC_J2ZD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link"> Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://mountaintime.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-looking-animals">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />While I love Chris Simpson and all of his music, quite honestly everything he has done since The Gloria Record disbanded has disappointed me. Simpson remains one of my favorite lyricists of all time, but his solo work (primarily under the moniker Zookeeper) never grabbed me. Until this! Now using the name Mountain Time, Simpson has definitely hit his stride with the folk-rock. Unlike the last Zookeeper album, which was stripped down, Music For Looking Animals is layered with tons of instruments and a full sound. While I might be more excited about the image of all five members of The Gloria Record on Zoom Simpson put on Instagram recently, this album is great. I may never like Simpson's solo work as much as Mineral or TGR, but that doesn't mean it's not good.<br /><b><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJCgS1nVonNKGJNevyqvqlsPjLCWV7s4iy9ipcMbbEFB5UZuyX1Uq0Ac5ElK9o6JRnCOq_9P93NdRBG27HKSbaRT7HeuzsfLJ2u4jMAkBrOX6swzq5037pjpqYVExTew4uFS_DA/s1200/blackbra.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJCgS1nVonNKGJNevyqvqlsPjLCWV7s4iy9ipcMbbEFB5UZuyX1Uq0Ac5ElK9o6JRnCOq_9P93NdRBG27HKSbaRT7HeuzsfLJ2u4jMAkBrOX6swzq5037pjpqYVExTew4uFS_DA/w200-h200/blackbra.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>12. Black Bra- <i>Black Bra</i></b><br />Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee<br />Format purchased: Vinyl <br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://blackbra.bandcamp.com/album/black-bra">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />Potentially the most obscure album in my top 20, Black Bra is the new band from Beth Cameron of Forget Cassettes. She has a new group of band members and collaborators, and with the exception of the opening song, "I Was A Young Girl', the rest of the album is less aggressive and more atmospheric than her past work. Writing this short paragraph is reminding me that I need to spend much more time with this album in 2021.<div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRM6haOG0DTyZAmZiuXb5oabQUFU2WC0wgjnKd0YeDVEhJWkldj3mtKbiYN7ATb_CXBVmN3UyI2I1tEqp_eg7scgkUajPJmg6vTmyqzbWHrM6kn0VY5FAm09b5un1YSVIqw91-uA/s1200/nadasurf.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRM6haOG0DTyZAmZiuXb5oabQUFU2WC0wgjnKd0YeDVEhJWkldj3mtKbiYN7ATb_CXBVmN3UyI2I1tEqp_eg7scgkUajPJmg6vTmyqzbWHrM6kn0VY5FAm09b5un1YSVIqw91-uA/w200-h200/nadasurf.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><b>13. Nada Surf- </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Never Not Together</i><br />Hometown: New York City<br />Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Wm3w_JLFz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://nadasurf.bandcamp.com/album/never-not-together">Bandcamp</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Despite being a big Nada Surf fan now for 17 years (I discovered them with <i>Let Go</i> in 2003), even I have a hard time telling their songs and albums apart. Many of their songs and albums blend together as the band rarely experiments and the guitar-bass-drums instrumental rarely wavers. Thankfully, Never Not Together is an exception, and the band's best work since 2008's <i>Lucky</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>The expanded digital version of <i>Never Not Together</i> is essential, which includes three new songs that are better than much of the original release. This album as a whole features Matthew Caws' positive, infectious songwriting, layers of strings, keys, and a choir of vocals. If someone new to the band asked me which Nada Surf album to listen to first, I would actually recommend this one.</div><div><b><div style="clear: both; float: none;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUh8S7HvEizd3_y7-S-qx9Asx7-XTpI9VXvzBq75jzvtnKUJjE90BVZN_7H8aVw88pNux-5BDcWt9Xl_VMjNL1KOw30-uAJPFiS5AFsS4iH68GU3whNFvCeEiG4Sh9UfYzU4qIdw/s1200/frances.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUh8S7HvEizd3_y7-S-qx9Asx7-XTpI9VXvzBq75jzvtnKUJjE90BVZN_7H8aVw88pNux-5BDcWt9Xl_VMjNL1KOw30-uAJPFiS5AFsS4iH68GU3whNFvCeEiG4Sh9UfYzU4qIdw/w200-h200/frances.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />14. Frances Quinlan- <i>Likewise</i></b><br />Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania</div><div>Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9ASScXgLY8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://francesquinlan.bandcamp.com/album/likewise">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />While I prefer Hop Along, this Frances Quinlan solo album is great and compliments her band's discography. More experimental, and at times electronic, but with her strong story-telling lyrics. Album ends with a cover of one of my fav Built to Spill songs, "Carry the Zero."<b><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXQrlFdn7S3_IJAaM36ktpwIoZQb5hq7awWHyjkrU4ybs6AeKxGTIFhWhBWrgmJNOe9p0NchwCLtBpcgeCZKk5crz6Bdzw7SC7S6TqDAaclsA3Eobve_sk5W2PTXdHtBu3rmXdA/s1200/hum.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXQrlFdn7S3_IJAaM36ktpwIoZQb5hq7awWHyjkrU4ybs6AeKxGTIFhWhBWrgmJNOe9p0NchwCLtBpcgeCZKk5crz6Bdzw7SC7S6TqDAaclsA3Eobve_sk5W2PTXdHtBu3rmXdA/w200-h200/hum.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>15. Hum- <i>Inlet</i></b><br />Hometown: Champaign, Illinois</div><div>Format purchased: Digital on <a href="https://humband.bandcamp.com/album/inlet">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />I inexplicably barely listened to Hum until a few years ago when I FINALLY bought 1995's <i>You'd Prefer An Astronaut</i>. <i>Inlet</i> is only my second Hum album purchase, and I adore how insanely heavy it is. Since Billy Corgan seems to have gone away from the layer upon layer of guitars, I'm glad someone else is still rocking in that way!<b><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6h68VcVSQ_vR6aSnx7aKNwjXfg6IbJYk8tlOvCwMfAauzF3oeM236zrKqeGx5Pupi9TWH0VHgf7jY123Mzuxgw3p3AoGV_3BTaDLGVgA6y9lQUykAsbfSus_t6m7i-KditVMvw/s1200/toucheamore.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6h68VcVSQ_vR6aSnx7aKNwjXfg6IbJYk8tlOvCwMfAauzF3oeM236zrKqeGx5Pupi9TWH0VHgf7jY123Mzuxgw3p3AoGV_3BTaDLGVgA6y9lQUykAsbfSus_t6m7i-KditVMvw/w200-h200/toucheamore.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>16. Touché Amoré- <i>Lament</i></b><br />Hometown: Los Angeles, California<br />Format purchased: Digital on <a href="https://toucheamore.bandcamp.com/album/lament">Bandcamp</a></div><div><br />2020 is also the year I <i>finally</i> checked out Touché Amoré. I'm not sure why I waited, but there was definitely some kind of prejudice I had that prevented me from ever even exploring (maybe the band name?). Having Apple Music to stream and check our ALL their tunes definitely helped, but the song "Limelight", a collaboration with Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra, is what definitely pushed me over the edge into <b></b>Touché Amoré fandom. I bought <i>Lament </i>and <i>Stage Four</i> digitally on Bandcamp, and I also have an order in for the Casket Lottery split 7", which I bundled with the upcoming Casket Lottery vinyl pressing of <i>Short Songs for End Times.</i></div><div><b><i><br /></i><div style="clear: both; float: none;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0fj7WY6kSRqGus8dyRBaer9CblX9X2gG1B4KoMOIJQhzrLErxqFEVCR6-Ih27fMargYVLB9j3B6KdZvilo-lotOyGTOjbSJEhA4q6cgMWcEVmney0Z23Y1FxdHMswzOkd7IZoA/s1200/beachbunny.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0fj7WY6kSRqGus8dyRBaer9CblX9X2gG1B4KoMOIJQhzrLErxqFEVCR6-Ih27fMargYVLB9j3B6KdZvilo-lotOyGTOjbSJEhA4q6cgMWcEVmney0Z23Y1FxdHMswzOkd7IZoA/w200-h200/beachbunny.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>17. Beach Bunny- <i>Honeymoon</i></b><br />Hometown: Chicago, Illinois<br />Format purchased: Vinyl<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://beachbunny.bandcamp.com/album/honeymoon-3">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />Perfect band name. I feel like I am on the beach when listening to this album. With that in mind, I haven't spun it much in 2020 as it hasn't really worked as a soundtrack for my year.<br /><div style="clear: both; float: none;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieh807BerzgbSnzRJgz8QJem5vGJfWeSvfY8gFGD8w2xX5Dhk9603ZoqdAqBepi1gttaFAdbzd3ZHT_C-8BtBCMzg-QBfxlivbe8GpG_uGOqmuerfZnOqr4x7K5_FZxkD0yrnllw/s1200/lotom.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieh807BerzgbSnzRJgz8QJem5vGJfWeSvfY8gFGD8w2xX5Dhk9603ZoqdAqBepi1gttaFAdbzd3ZHT_C-8BtBCMzg-QBfxlivbe8GpG_uGOqmuerfZnOqr4x7K5_FZxkD0yrnllw/w200-h200/lotom.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b>18. Lo Tom- </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">LP2</i><br />Hometown: Los Angeles, California<br />Format purchased: Digital on Kickstarter<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://lotomlotom.bandcamp.com/">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />This second full-length collaboration between Martin, Bazan, Walsh, and Many picks up where LP1 left off, this time adding keys. I would have liked to purchase this on wax, but that was only available on Kickstarter for nearly $40 including shipping. Considering I bought their first album on vinyl from Barsuk for less than half that, I went into a Twitter tantrum.<div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7RltxRTXa3C-Cqdv59AXhf-o9sQdeLUYtAAF-7ITXF6mK5xKNfOjdq4Z-EBKhfYPzj0pbPQ7ZjlP4IVD9Vi8Dkf8aL_56zYl8BPCftXSEpZ5Gj_EY4ppwEtYw0t8u0ntZqkNzQ/s1200/theascension.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7RltxRTXa3C-Cqdv59AXhf-o9sQdeLUYtAAF-7ITXF6mK5xKNfOjdq4Z-EBKhfYPzj0pbPQ7ZjlP4IVD9Vi8Dkf8aL_56zYl8BPCftXSEpZ5Gj_EY4ppwEtYw0t8u0ntZqkNzQ/w200-h200/theascension.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b>19. Sufjan Stevens- </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">The Ascension</i><br />Hometown: New York City<br />Format purchased: Vinyl<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://music.sufjan.com/album/the-ascension">Bandcamp</a><br /><br />I was browsing Rob Mitchum's spectacular <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vpxZunN4M8gvnsireG4TEPSlA-pxo8Ta9Y6Kj8zgWwg/edit#gid=1452150872">Google Spreadsheet</a> while writing this, and I noticed the genre for this album is "indietronica". I don't know if that is a joke or actual genre, but it is perfect. It also somewhat explains why this album is so low on my list. I love Sufjan, but greatly prefer his songs when he uses organic instrumentation.<div style="clear: both; float: none; font-weight: bold;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnH-idYgLVStFJXVJt97OdWyfeNFSP1VJRNCWDhFRv0JZETDRFowo0XQvMZVnninHTrAl6RhqXUP4DcdPoP93rx3__XY1sTJd3lNEAnwblLqaElH8AfhkDSBTccWAht7dcBRD0zA/s1200/snarls.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1200" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnH-idYgLVStFJXVJt97OdWyfeNFSP1VJRNCWDhFRv0JZETDRFowo0XQvMZVnninHTrAl6RhqXUP4DcdPoP93rx3__XY1sTJd3lNEAnwblLqaElH8AfhkDSBTccWAht7dcBRD0zA/w200-h199/snarls.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b>20. Snarls- </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Burst</i><br />Hometown: Columbus, Ohio<br />Format purchased: Digital on <a href="https://snarlsband.bandcamp.com/album/burst">Bandcamp</a><br /><h4><span style="font-weight: normal;">This was a random Bandcamp Day purchase earlier in the year; had never even heard of the band. But one play of the song "Marbles" was enough for me as I needed to add some punk to my 2020 rotation.<br /><br /></span><div style="clear: both; float: none;"></div><b><u>Best Compilation of 2020</u></b></h4></div>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CH3ZvrwJKDU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CH3ZvrwJKDU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CH3ZvrwJKDU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Alan P (@turnofftheradio1976)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u>Top 5 EPs of 2020:</u></b></div><div><b><div style="clear: both; float: none;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbwKp_ieiFFm9FhyzvIJUxOJ0UtZ7hSEQrgx-jifjoViuPkiuittb5HggI_doALPNSeAPh3xrG_si0dVe7dG6CzSXBOJIcYjw2pKA8FHAuOAVnZcw6i5KxM11b2Lkz85UjPmR4g/s1200/sf59.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbwKp_ieiFFm9FhyzvIJUxOJ0UtZ7hSEQrgx-jifjoViuPkiuittb5HggI_doALPNSeAPh3xrG_si0dVe7dG6CzSXBOJIcYjw2pKA8FHAuOAVnZcw6i5KxM11b2Lkz85UjPmR4g/w200-h200/sf59.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>1. Starflyer 59- <i>Miami</i></b><br />Hometown: Riverside, California<br />Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CB_oEjdJIHd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />Listen/buy on <a href="https://starflyer59.bandcamp.com/album/miami">Bandcamp</a><br /><br /><b><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYOVBFnyZuykxQEBiG6PAXlpeWgRmGgnvnrvfYRZ_3PZcVEVp8TneL4pe85CWILHHCasDZ9zh8k_S5BhJVpc7_-cS1EbA5Z7UcRrtEfM1S5rzFNla7a7sQG4UQsM3SIKYvV7dmA/s1200/beautifulmistake.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYOVBFnyZuykxQEBiG6PAXlpeWgRmGgnvnrvfYRZ_3PZcVEVp8TneL4pe85CWILHHCasDZ9zh8k_S5BhJVpc7_-cS1EbA5Z7UcRrtEfM1S5rzFNla7a7sQG4UQsM3SIKYvV7dmA/w200-h200/beautifulmistake.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>2. The Beautiful Mistake- <i>You're Not Broken. I Am</i></b><br />Hometown: Los Angeles, California<br />Format purchased: Digital on <a href="https://wiretaprecords.bandcamp.com/album/youre-not-broken-i-am">Bandcamp</a><br /><br /><b><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMmXQ68dY6FUQy_Y-F3KvJWO0qOiR5vg7OYXgL38_1_0MTseSYLQRthYg4dvNagaS_U9KKPFj_IHrswsezSeU1Asralq05HV4JrWBW2AEQU8vznlxKMbMPhjmOquimvHkhi1irw/s1200/leftneglect.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMmXQ68dY6FUQy_Y-F3KvJWO0qOiR5vg7OYXgL38_1_0MTseSYLQRthYg4dvNagaS_U9KKPFj_IHrswsezSeU1Asralq05HV4JrWBW2AEQU8vznlxKMbMPhjmOquimvHkhi1irw/w200-h200/leftneglect.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>3. Left Neglect- <i>Children</i></b><br />Hometown: Seattle, Washington<br />Format purchased: Digital on <a href="https://leftneglect.bandcamp.com/album/children">Bandcamp</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJKOTo7G_lXHzYu31Qof-9lF7iXkRtCpUI2rlv8mHmIuA08v9TBSSd7eWKA-hwxfolMiNaH4Cr1B5ONnS7QXVmS0ljVDk525MAuDU673U4R46E6t_lcDMsK7yRhA5SgQSyfcRcA/s1024/death-cab-georgia-ep-final-1606865112-1024x1024.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJKOTo7G_lXHzYu31Qof-9lF7iXkRtCpUI2rlv8mHmIuA08v9TBSSd7eWKA-hwxfolMiNaH4Cr1B5ONnS7QXVmS0ljVDk525MAuDU673U4R46E6t_lcDMsK7yRhA5SgQSyfcRcA/w200-h200/death-cab-georgia-ep-final-1606865112-1024x1024.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>4. Death Cab For Cutie- <i>The Georgia EP</i></b><br />Hometown: Seattle, Washington<br />Format purchased: Digital on Bandcamp</div><div><br /></div><div><i>(This EP was only on sale for one day only, digitally on Bandcamp, as a fundraiser. However, I would be shocked if we do not see a widespread physical and digital streaming release in 2021.)</i></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /><div style="clear: both; float: none;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdQt9mAElXtxqAHLI8hl7OuoRGq-iGOC7Xze2SGR3EcHHP27_pH7r1bR5Zra_v6ybb9Bc3UdwZTJKDYagb6d_2I4l9cyKq8RkS_1ol8LiEPCblh2NyazQd7DXjmbrgbBXI0zexQ/s1200/gladie.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdQt9mAElXtxqAHLI8hl7OuoRGq-iGOC7Xze2SGR3EcHHP27_pH7r1bR5Zra_v6ybb9Bc3UdwZTJKDYagb6d_2I4l9cyKq8RkS_1ol8LiEPCblh2NyazQd7DXjmbrgbBXI0zexQ/w200-h200/gladie.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>5. Gladie </b>(released three EPs and one LP in 2020)<br />Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania</div><div>Format purchased: Digital on <a href="https://gladie.bandcamp.com/music">Bandcamp</a></div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><u><br /></u></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><u><br /></u></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><u><br /></u></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><u><br /></u></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><u>Top 9 vinyl Reissues:</u></h4>A couple of my potential top reissues of the year I don't have in hand yet. One, the Lost Dogs- Little Red Riding Hood has been shipped to me, but is caught in the USPS backlog. I missed that Kickstarter in 2019, but the extra copies finally went up for sale in November. Then a Kickstarter I did support is for Poor Old Lu's Sin, and it is running behind schedule due to COVID. I have the original white vinyl version of Sin, but I am super-excited about the reissue as it has been expanded to a double LP and was remastered from the original analog master tapes (and I ordered the pink!).</div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJRCLNQM69v/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJRCLNQM69v/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background-attachment: initial; 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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_spil3Jngv/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Alan P (@turnofftheradio1976)</a> on <time datetime="2020-05-02T19:43:39+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 2, 2020 at 12:43pm PDT</time></div>
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Last night my friend Joel tweeted out his thoughts on Starflyer 59’s “three eras.” I loved his concept, but as I thought about it, it became quickly apparent that there are four eras for me.
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For me it would actually be four eras:<br />
1. Silver-Gold-Americana<br />
2. FF-EMM-LHAS-Old<br />
3. TVvsSV-My Island-Dial M-COTG-IAMACEO (era is too long, but the last 2 here are my least fav SF albums; was time for a rebirth)<br />
4. Slow-Young in My Head (this era is just underway)</div>
— ⒶⓅ☨ (@Alan_TotR) <a href="https://twitter.com/Alan_TotR/status/1262940318984556544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Joel asked me to elaborate, but as he is on the West Coast, I am on the East Coast, I was headed to bed. But thinking about this kept me awake for a little while last night, and now I am putting my thoughts into words. I’m not going to dive into a ton of detail here, as if you are reading this, you are probably already a pretty big Starflyer fan and know much of what I could include. (And note to you crazy Starflyer fans [like me], I am not including everything below; meaning I have intetionally omitted singles, live albums, demos, etc.)<br />
<br />
<h2>
ERA 1 (1993-1997) </h2>
<h3>
LPs: <i>Silver</i> (1994), <i>Gold</i> (1995), <i>Americana</i> (1997)<br />EPs: <i>She’s the Queen</i> (1994), <i>Le Vainqueur</i> (1995), <i>Plugged</i> (1996) </h3>
I was fortunate enough to discover Starflyer just as their 1994 debut album “Silver” was released. I first heard the band (“Second Space Song”) on a late night radio show (“The A-Zone in Nashville), and my brother went out and quickly bought the CD. I had never heard or heard of shoegaze, so it was revolutionary to me. Not only did I love the music, visually it was next-level artwork and packaging.<br />
<br />
Musically this era is defined by heaviness and guitars, and visually by solid-color metallic covers. The EPs were equally important (and EPs were a huge part of the Starflyer output for the first decade of the band). “She’s the Queen” introduced the slow-core sound, that while a contrast from the heavy rock songs, was still was a perfect part of the puzzle. My favorite song from this era is the title track of the “Le Vainqueur" EP. I saw Starflyer on the tour in fall of 1995, and Morella's Forest opened. I desperately hoped Sydney would do the "Let's Go" line in the bridge of that song, and while they played it, she did not. :(<br />
<br />
For most of the songs in this era, Martin played all the instruments himself. Wayne Everett began drumming on some of the “Gold” songs, and remained the drummer through “Everybody Makes Mistakes”. With the addition of Eric Campuzano on bass, “Americana” was Martin’s first attempt at collaboration with two accomplished other song-writers. However, Campuzano’s stay was only for that one album, as Martin held on to creative control. Martin then turned to Jeff Cloud for minimal, basic bass lines for the next few releases.<br />
<br />
5 songs that define Era 1:<br />
“Blue Collar Love”<br />
“She Was My Sweetheart”<br />
“When You Feel Miserable”<br />
“Le Vainqueur”<br />
“The Boulevard”<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KpNJ3L4Ln_o" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<h2>
ERA 2 (1998-2003) </h2>
<h3>
LPs: <i>The Fashion Focus</i> (1998), <i>Everybody Makes Mistakes</i> (1999), <i>Leave Here a Stranger</i> (2001), <i>Old</i> (2003)<br />EPs: <i>Fell in Love at 22</i> (1999), <i>Can’t Stop Eating</i> (2002) </h3>
From the opening synth and acoustic guitar strumming of “I Drive A Lot”, the second era had begun. Gone were the loud guitars and distortion (except for “Too Much Fun”, which is incredible yet somewhat out of place), and Martin had begun his experimentation with “The Fashion Focus”. Honestly, at first I was pissed. I was really into heavy music at the time, and I wanted more. But over time the album grew and grew and I recognized it’s superior song-writing.<br />
<br />
This era is defined by the influence Martin’s collaborators, producers, and players had on the Starflyer sound; arguably more influence than any other era. Wayne Everett, Gene Eugune, Terry Taylor, Richard Swift, and Frank Lenz all took part for some of this period, and at times, it is incredibly obvious (in a good way).
While Gene Eugene helped produce and played on “Gold” and “Americana”, his stamp first obviously appears on “The Fashion Focus”. While that album is all over the map stylistically and is maybe too long, Martin and Eugune really dialed it in for the laser-focused “Everybody Makes Mistakes.” The songs were better and the album was limited to nine songs.<br />
<br />
After Eugene’s death, Martin turned to Terry Taylor to produce “Leave Here a Stranger”. The result is a sound that harkens’ back to the Sixties, which was even more amplified by it being mixed in mono (I think the stereo mixes on the "Can't Stop Eating" EP sound better). For this release Martin had an all-new band of guys whose first names began with “J”.<br />
<br />
Era 2 ends with “Old”, which in my view is the first Starflyer 59 album that features true collaboration from the players. Cloud was still playing bass, and Richard Swift (keys and vocals) and Frank Lenz (drums and vocals) joined the band. Swift and Lenz are both accomplished solo artists, and their contributions were not only strong, they were obvious. Martin also used Aaron Sprinkle for production, which resulted in a crystal-clear sound that was quite a bit different than “Leave Here a Stranger.”<br />
<br />
5 songs that define Era 2:<br />
“I Drive A Lot”<br />
“Fell in Love at 22”<br />
“No New Kinda Story”<br />
“I Like Your Photographs”<br />
“Underneath”<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3qO9F8mtL5o" width="560"></iframe>
<h3>
“Delimiter” (<a href="https://twitter.com/ryanruppe/status/1262978350751993856">thanks Ryan</a>), no era:<br /><i> I am the Portuguese Blues</i> (2004) </h3>
First off, this is my least favorite Starflyer album. Honestly, I find it strange that it even exists. The story from my perspective is this: Martin had continued pressure to return the original Starflyer sound (and a return to the original look with another solid metallic cover), resurrected some old demos and unfinished songs from the mid-90’s, and went into the studio to record this album as an appeasement to fans. For one, he was so far past this as a musician and song-writer, and secondly, while it was heavy, it is over-produced. While Sprinkle’s crisp production was perfect for “Old”, he is far too much of a perfectionist for this release. All rawness and needed “sloppiness” was lost, and it just doesn’t sound right.<br />
<h2>
ERA 3 (2004-2015)</h2>
<h3>
LPs: <i>Talking Voice vs. Singing Voice</i> (2005), <i>My Island </i>(2006), <i>Dial M </i>(2008), <i>The Changing of the Guard</i> (2010), <i>IAMACEO</i> (2013)<br />EPs: <i>The Last Laurel</i> (2004), <i>I Win</i> (2006), <i>Minor Keys</i> (2009) </h3>
Era 3 is defined by Martin taking complete control. While Lenz was still in the band, Martin began self-producing his albums, and has ever since.
This era begins with the fantastic independent “Last Laurel” EP, which was strangely released around the same time as “I am the Portuguese Blues"; They are polar opposites musically. “Talking Voice vs. Singing Voice” followed, built around the “Last Laurel” song “Softness, Goodness,” which is a top-5 all-time Martin tune for me.<br />
<br />
“My Island” is distinct because Martin brought a new bass player into the fold- Steven Dail. Dail was in Project 86 and he had a noticeable style that for the first time brought the bass to the front of the Starflyer mix; and was a major shift from the bass minimalism of Cloud. Dail has played bass for Starflyer ever since (15 years!), but his work stands out the most on “My Island”.<br />
<br />
“Dial M” was an interesting album for me because Martin did a project with Burnt Toast Vinyl in which demos from the sessions were released a couple at a time for nearly a year before its release. That 10 7” box set remains one of my favorite pieces of my vinyl collection. However, when the album finally dropped, I already knew all the songs, and the studio versions, while better, didn't blow me away.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BoaNTZmDAIK/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Alan P (@turnofftheradio1976)</a> on <time datetime="2018-10-01T23:48:31+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 1, 2018 at 4:48pm PDT</time></div>
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My wife and I had our first child in 2008. I bring that up because we had two more in 2009 and 2012 and that was a CRAZY time for us. During my years of fathering babies and toddlers, Starflyer put out “The Changing of the Guard” and “IAMACEO”. While I pre-ordered both albums on vinyl, they did not get listened to much. I find these two of the weakest releases in the Starflyer catalog, and I am not sure how much that is because they actually are--or maybe it was just that I was distracted. This era is arguably too long, but it did feel like it drug on for me before era 4 began with a bang.<br />
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5 songs that define Era 3:<br />
“Softness, Goodness”<br />
“I Win”<br />
“Mic the Mic”<br />
“Minor Keys”<br />
“Bicycle Rider”<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C0DQvfp2_J0" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<h2>
ERA 4 (2016-present)</h2>
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LPs: <i>Slow</i> (2016), <i>Young in My Head</i> (2019)<br />EPs: <i>Miami</i> (2020) </h3>
During the break between eras 3 and 4, I honestly wondered if maybe Martin was done with Starflyer 59. I don’t remember any news for a couple years, and who could blame him if he was “retired”. So with that in mind, I didn’t expect another Starflyer album.<br />
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Then “Slow” dropped, and I was blown away. For me it was the first time Martin had actually blended his original sound with his current work--two decades later. The title track reminded me of the “She’s the Queen” slowcore. I spun “Slow” more than I had any new Starflyer album in over a decade. Martin seemed re-energized, and he had brought in his son as the drummer to play with him and Dail.<br />
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And then before I knew it, ANOTHER Starflyer album was out-- “Young in My Head.” Martin’s output and brief time between releases was reminiscent of the Nineties. And now, only a year later, we have a new EP on the horizon! “Miami” drops June 19 on Velvet Blue Music. While EPs were frequent in Starflyer’s early years, this is the first one since 2009.<br />
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5 songs that define Era 4:<br />
“Slow”<br />
“Cherokee”<br />
“Remind Me”<br />
“Smoke”<br />
“This Recliner”<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NvLlZfguOY0" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FvVFuLVC7kYicf2R9twsGcVURHrIwq75M4r2F2pNHVohncaNQ4dcM7PiR2Q8QjNtgbdpcz1kofrtAUAryqv6CxSHFkDosQVE8r5soJXn2Hp225TElofser2sc-7PoeJzu8rbdg/s1600/sf59.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="620" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FvVFuLVC7kYicf2R9twsGcVURHrIwq75M4r2F2pNHVohncaNQ4dcM7PiR2Q8QjNtgbdpcz1kofrtAUAryqv6CxSHFkDosQVE8r5soJXn2Hp225TElofser2sc-7PoeJzu8rbdg/s200/sf59.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-13698960060621205082020-03-06T15:01:00.001-05:002020-03-06T15:03:00.208-05:00Every Concert I Have Ever Attended<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ypFkxDegEbRYQETGdCMhvVwvGmMMWkpsPN_8WN3uutU/edit?usp=sharing">Google sheet</a> being updated "live" as I remember old shows and attend new ones:<br />
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<iframe frameborder="10" height="2500" src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQYt-sY80eU8NodT9TyO4EB5YCQUhgmpuWut69WBA64qrAjF-TI9PO81Uw5RjJWNNVwC9wPeVjoQT_B/pubhtml?gid=0&single=true&widget=true&headers=false" width="600"></iframe></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-38271425318699517162020-01-07T12:43:00.001-05:002020-01-08T11:10:11.296-05:002020 music: listen/pre-order now, and what to look forward to2020 is my eighteenth year running this blog, which has been focused on music since 2006. Before I get into the main subject--2020 music--a brief summary on buying music in the present age:<br />
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If you are reading this post and this blog, it means you enjoy independent music. With that in mind, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to BUY music, not stream it. And I don't mean "buy" it through subscribing to Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Unlimited (more below on how to use those services effectively with personal accountability). While those can be great supplementary tools, if you want independent artists to create, and create more often, make sure your money is going to them, and not massive corporations.<br />
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For more info on streaming and how much artists are making off these scams, visit <a href="https://thetrichordist.com/">The Trichordist</a>. And here is an infographic from <a href="https://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/spotify-apple-music-tidal-music-streaming-services-royalty-rates-compared/">Information is Beautiful</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxSu9loIRhXaRPAUh-_h5VIfkXESVjlv4X3ygc7_O_XF22ErXC7H1zCk2T5-h_kffgMKvqZafjWLD8HRGx9vxxqLPCbKMdBLU-i4OBeJ-AjuqaQM8YlNSolRjeiS4po2YDzuuqw/s1600/2552-Musicians-Streaming_Feb19.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="1600" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxSu9loIRhXaRPAUh-_h5VIfkXESVjlv4X3ygc7_O_XF22ErXC7H1zCk2T5-h_kffgMKvqZafjWLD8HRGx9vxxqLPCbKMdBLU-i4OBeJ-AjuqaQM8YlNSolRjeiS4po2YDzuuqw/s400/2552-Musicians-Streaming_Feb19.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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The most direct way to support independent musicians is to buy physical merchandise (vinyl, CDs, shirts, posters) from shows, their specific website, or their label website. When buying digital downloads, purchase from Bandcamp as over 75% of the profits go to the artist (which is less than 1% for the previously mentioned streaming services). Bandcamp isn't only digital however; it is often the best place to buy physical music or merch.<br />
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If you are physical media person like me--vinyl, CDs, or cassettes--same suggestions apply. If you can't get to shows, or can't find what you want on artist or label websites, the next option is to go to independent record stores. Not only does your money help those stores survive, it also results in the artists getting a higher percentage (than they would through an online retailer like Amazon or Target). While I can't go to stores on a regular basis, I do when I travel, and recently visited five Washington, D.C. area stores:<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6J01t-JzCc/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">The Phil Spector Christmas Album (A Christmas Gift For You). Day 16 of my #25DaysofChristmasLPs Well, this was a fun an unexpected surprise; I actually bought this LP this evening at the first of 5 record stores I have visited in the last couple hours. I am in DC for a conference, and after the day wrapped up I mapped out a string. Started at Crooked Beat Records in Alexandria, where I got this Phil Spector LP I had on my wishlist. Then I went to Som Records, Joint Custody, Smash Records, and now I am eating at the Songbyrd—a combination record store and bar. Pretty amazing whirlwind, and picked up a used Russian Orthodox icon book at a used bookstore along the way. Edit- to be clear, didn’t buy the Sufjan set- just took a photo; I own that set on CD. </a></div>
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A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/turnofftheradio1976/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> AP</a> (@turnofftheradio1976) on <time datetime="2019-12-17T00:31:59+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 16, 2019 at 4:31pm PST</time></div>
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If you don't live near a good independent record store, or if you are unable to make it to a store often (like me), then find an independent record store who also sells product online. My newest suggestion, and a vendor I began using in 2019 is <a href="https://www.bullmoose.com/">Bull Moose</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg7JFt1zhwbGrQ0mbA6l5xUJsnZjcDiw9PmkKj_ZJ7a_hXr2VypwmgQIOzqAkMzi0WQVPWBecO5M6xZPx3PJkYP8tlMSKzK2yEaVqu8rnFciX2n-oDwElnr9PVcW3q50JyVYJHw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-01-07+at+10.42.08+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="544" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg7JFt1zhwbGrQ0mbA6l5xUJsnZjcDiw9PmkKj_ZJ7a_hXr2VypwmgQIOzqAkMzi0WQVPWBecO5M6xZPx3PJkYP8tlMSKzK2yEaVqu8rnFciX2n-oDwElnr9PVcW3q50JyVYJHw/s320/Screen+Shot+2020-01-07+at+10.42.08+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Bull Moose is based out of Maine and New Hampshire, two of the eleven states I have sadly never visited. But they have a great online store with prices that are nearly as good as Amazon's. And as I try to stop using the evil empire Amazon, paying a little more is totally worth it. They have free media mail shipping if you spend $30, which means two LPs for me. I'll admit I have used Amazon to buy way too much music, but I am trying to stop.<br />
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Final comment on streaming services, because I know almost everyone uses them: I'll admit they are great for music discovery or listening to an old radio hit you want to just hear one more time. But set boundaries and limitations on yourself. The rule I wish Spotify and the others had in place would be that you could only stream each song a limited number of times (3?). Then after you streamed three times, you had to then make a donation to the artist (with the artist getting 100%), or buy the album. Bandcamp already has this system in place, with the artist being able to decide how many times you stream until you get this pop-up message:<br />
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And now, on to the music you should be buying in 2020. I'll start with music that is either available now, or able to be pre-ordered; then move on to albums that are probably or maybe going to be released later in the year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEeL9Zs3yoA5tQ_LYrgtl9kohJ6q5IoAi_3tqaZlogE_o4xiJRDVaMQdHIccGtPhoHO9SZPkwG6go3Xm8VqYZ9Luemu2P5c4suOAEfVJo6nyoDeGPTghch6mz_3X0SgZrc16XBQ/s1600/leftneglect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEeL9Zs3yoA5tQ_LYrgtl9kohJ6q5IoAi_3tqaZlogE_o4xiJRDVaMQdHIccGtPhoHO9SZPkwG6go3Xm8VqYZ9Luemu2P5c4suOAEfVJo6nyoDeGPTghch6mz_3X0SgZrc16XBQ/s200/leftneglect.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>Left Neglect- </b><i><b>Children</b></i><br />
January 1, 2020<br />
<a href="https://leftneglect.bandcamp.com/album/children">Stream/buy on Bandcamp</a><br />
I had never even heard of this band until today, but a link popped up in one of my social media feeds. The backbone of the band is one of my favorite drummers, Matt Johnson, of Roadside Monument and Blenderhead. After one stream on Bandcamp I fell in love and bought it ("pay what you want.") Listening to these songs was my final push and inspiration for this blog post.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd0F2IweGmSX7LysKRJyYyJvLROI3w40rB6AW0R8zavdRvuYWXR1480v9G6cjfcCZLDELWzC-NBgaIQ2NkecGEQKZGufqUpl2dEB72O1KiTxz44vXiQvGx7rmCMhM1TXzfZc1oQ/s1600/vekora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd0F2IweGmSX7LysKRJyYyJvLROI3w40rB6AW0R8zavdRvuYWXR1480v9G6cjfcCZLDELWzC-NBgaIQ2NkecGEQKZGufqUpl2dEB72O1KiTxz44vXiQvGx7rmCMhM1TXzfZc1oQ/s200/vekora.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>Vekora- </b><i><b>EP2</b></i><br />
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January 1, 2020<br />
<a href="https://jessesprinkle.bandcamp.com/album/vekora-2-2">Stream/buy on Bandcamp</a><br />
Another band I follow because of the amazing drumming, this time from Jesse Sprinkle. Surprise guest vocals from former Poor Old Lu bandmate Scott Hunter are a terrific addition to this band's music. Scott has formed a new band with 3/4 of Vekora called Bright and Harrowing that should release music later this year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHuhQ3XQPOtB1TSoWVATby3x0Xm4fChgOcD1xJ0QnbXOpMSvz3V_vsGOyurMOfjL8n5tECKRSkL8BxQkr0cNVvbFaOfp2t729nWK1s-gfgpRf5kxos1WJprN5Hbxwk0PB9doHKg/s1600/frances.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHuhQ3XQPOtB1TSoWVATby3x0Xm4fChgOcD1xJ0QnbXOpMSvz3V_vsGOyurMOfjL8n5tECKRSkL8BxQkr0cNVvbFaOfp2t729nWK1s-gfgpRf5kxos1WJprN5Hbxwk0PB9doHKg/s200/frances.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>Frances Quinlan- Likewise</b><br />
January 24, 2020<br />
<a href="https://francesquinlan.bandcamp.com/releases">Stream/pre-order on Bandcamp</a><br />
<a href="https://saddle-creek.com/products/likewise?variant=30771917062167">Pre-order on Saddle Creek</a><br />
This was the first 2020 album I pre-ordered, which I did back in November. This is Quinlan's first solo album after three Hop Along LPs. I pre-ordered on Saddle Creek to get an exclusive vinyl color variant.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRgoP-Ksydj10TASIThikQm-Y2ntqCa_w-71Nm8uLwtDtFYRYXGzOprsFGPDAJd_4C6CJl_nTF-W2lTnWKKQsUPvHp9wPqZMWWbWTYzW4ZrFd6p3cRkFyoleW1GfDR_sRQT17jA/s1600/nadasurf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRgoP-Ksydj10TASIThikQm-Y2ntqCa_w-71Nm8uLwtDtFYRYXGzOprsFGPDAJd_4C6CJl_nTF-W2lTnWKKQsUPvHp9wPqZMWWbWTYzW4ZrFd6p3cRkFyoleW1GfDR_sRQT17jA/s200/nadasurf.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>Nada Surf- </b><i><b>Never Not Together</b></i><br />
February 7, 2020<br />
<a href="https://nadasurf.bandcamp.com/album/never-not-together">Stream/pre-order on Bandcamp</a><br />
While I included the Bandcamp link, I actually pre-ordered from Bull Moose. I'd prefer the pink vinyl on Bandcamp, but it is EU only and the overseas shipping is understandly expensive. So I bought the black for $18.97. While I have loved Nada Surf for nearly two decades, most of their recent work I have found fairly blah. I am more excited about this album as the first two singles, especially "Looking For You." Matthew Caws seems to be experimenting more, which is exactly what the band needs.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7GClKEqEYBS3IvPSAGAZc8vWqS4nNk2X7b3hTyJc6LaU_Bfpby_PgFd2ADF9RXxHKMSRdQW_Rg69ZyNs1bZenV9oxFZoMAA8ulQPO_g9cPxcxl4YzjUHgPLeDlDqkdSr2f6xuQ/s1600/TIM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1200" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7GClKEqEYBS3IvPSAGAZc8vWqS4nNk2X7b3hTyJc6LaU_Bfpby_PgFd2ADF9RXxHKMSRdQW_Rg69ZyNs1bZenV9oxFZoMAA8ulQPO_g9cPxcxl4YzjUHgPLeDlDqkdSr2f6xuQ/s200/TIM.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>The Innocence Mission- </b><i><b>See You Tomorrow</b></i><br />
January 17, 2020<br />
<a href="https://theinnocencemission.bandcamp.com/album/see-you-tomorrow">Stream/pre-order on Bandcamp</a><br />
This band has been around 30 years! Have loved them since I first heard <i>Glow </i>(which needs a vinyl release!). Haven't pre-ordered yet, but will soon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E9XyP6pFz4guigdN7B-pLbyK6gueLMAljBo_gOZdsJVqeqb_AMIGN7Bcc4-15RmMMPRJGX3J1GeCntggB2GTbFQtTRut3ozItHlg-T3dIZp6uDeO1Ed_iaU0o6owlHdDNr_Qlg/s1600/worriers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E9XyP6pFz4guigdN7B-pLbyK6gueLMAljBo_gOZdsJVqeqb_AMIGN7Bcc4-15RmMMPRJGX3J1GeCntggB2GTbFQtTRut3ozItHlg-T3dIZp6uDeO1Ed_iaU0o6owlHdDNr_Qlg/s200/worriers.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>Worriers- </b><i><b>You or Someone You Know</b></i><br />
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March 6, 2020<br />
<a href="https://worriers.bandcamp.com/album/you-or-someone-you-know">Stream/pre-order on Bandcamp</a><br />
This band is new to me (was a recent recommendation), but they have been around quite sometime. I enjoy their new single more than their older work, so I'll be sure to listen to this full album when it releases.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Gu4OQ5DWTT4SmMuCd9-_jIS0Q4i8ODthO-JANQBc_TKvh74cmmNFaQU0yh9Z08_r7QdIbxs38MLghnsuWMs-xapi1mcGiRqeUd9LGpnnCbHQfgNaBrQuamIEaPyReQOwICj7Jw/s1600/gladie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Gu4OQ5DWTT4SmMuCd9-_jIS0Q4i8ODthO-JANQBc_TKvh74cmmNFaQU0yh9Z08_r7QdIbxs38MLghnsuWMs-xapi1mcGiRqeUd9LGpnnCbHQfgNaBrQuamIEaPyReQOwICj7Jw/s200/gladie.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>Gladie- </b><i><b>Safe Sins</b></i><br />
February 28, 2020<br />
<a href="https://gladie.bandcamp.com/album/gladie-safe-sins">Stream/pre-order on Bandcamp</a><br />
<a href="http://lameorecords.limitedrun.com/products/659129">Pre-order exclusive vinyl variants from Lame-O Records</a><br />
The email for this new album arrived while working on this post. This is the new band from Augusta Koch, frontwoman for Cayetana. My impression is that Cayetana is inactive/broken-up. This new outlet is fun and excited to see what the full LP holds.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEW3oFJKJ2JIxZMojuY58CnjjylxkSSiyg6Kh24hcMxiNMmAYFFkrvyzF3d0Nq_FYScj_bQrF6v7iSyyq6XK30y91VSO4pYMD6Te4nF9geiiZJYhfP3anCU6KsuZsSlILqCGwOQ/s1600/haradonai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEW3oFJKJ2JIxZMojuY58CnjjylxkSSiyg6Kh24hcMxiNMmAYFFkrvyzF3d0Nq_FYScj_bQrF6v7iSyyq6XK30y91VSO4pYMD6Te4nF9geiiZJYhfP3anCU6KsuZsSlILqCGwOQ/s200/haradonai.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>Har Adonai- </b><i><b>Now is Golden</b></i><br />
January 14, 2020<br />
<a href="https://haradonai.bandcamp.com/album/now-is-golden">Stream/pre-order on Bandcamp</a><br />
Indie-folk rock from Israel; a meditation on the value of work, the purpose of art, and the meaning of life in the gig economy. Produced with the help of Justin Pizzoferrato (Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, The Pixies) and Benjamin Esterlis (Morphlexis). Mastered by Kramer (Galaxie 500, Low, Danielson Famile).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc8IHidnWKpXVmfT_tO_ik3fYtDt-x1QgG6nB973HNFVGCBFSx_w7GrG-9VlXLm_mpkyJJXcNCOzx7vCRgldDOZDjgSqw1wIUj1ksxUXYe3iEVW_OpeGB8iv1mKDcDYjjhvvuYA/s1600/WAYNE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1199" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc8IHidnWKpXVmfT_tO_ik3fYtDt-x1QgG6nB973HNFVGCBFSx_w7GrG-9VlXLm_mpkyJJXcNCOzx7vCRgldDOZDjgSqw1wIUj1ksxUXYe3iEVW_OpeGB8iv1mKDcDYjjhvvuYA/s200/WAYNE.jpg" width="199" /></a><b>Wayne Everett- </b><i><b>Two Ghosts</b></i><br />
January 24, 2020<br />
<a href="https://wayneeverett.bandcamp.com/album/two-ghosts">Stream/pre-order on Bandcamp</a><br />
While loving Wayne's work as singer of the Lassie Foundation, and as drummer of the Prayer Chain, I admittedly did not enjoy his first solo album <i>Kingsqueens</i> back in 2002. However, the first single from his upcoming album is different, and 18 years later, I am excited to hear what Wayne has been working on. Speaking of the Prayer Chain...</div>
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<b>The Prayer Chain- ???!!!</b></div>
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When Chris Colbert posted to Instagram last month, my initial thought was that he must be remastering or mixing some older Prayer Chain tunes, or doing something with one of the live shows from 2018. However, considering almost all existing Prayer Chain music has been reissued, and the reunion shows are already on Bandcamp, I feel pretty strongly this music must be new Prayer Chain song(s)?!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: , , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6orVStBbE3/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Christopher Colbert (@christophercolbert)</a> on <time datetime="2019-12-29T00:05:22+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 28, 2019 at 4:05pm PS</time></span></div>
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<u><br /></u>
<u>Finally, other albums that are definitely or probably coming later this year:</u><br />
<b>Black Bra</b>- New band from Beth Cameron of Forget Cassettes. Album is finished and will be releasing soon. As I tweeted, this may be my most highly anticipated album of 2020.<br />
<br />
<b>Mountain Time</b> (Chris Simpson of Mineral, The Gloria Record, Zookeeper)- has taken him years, but I think it's really close<br />
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<b>Phoebe Bridgers</b>- seems definite, almost certain it has been recorded based on Instagram<br />
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<b>Manchester Orchestra</b>- recording/pre-production is in progress (lots of Instagram posts)<br />
<br />
<b>Waxahatchee</b>- No specific proof, but seems probable based on clues and timing<br />
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<b>Sleigh Bells</b>- Definite per band Instagram<br />
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<b>Fiona Apple</b>- Probable per published interviews<br />
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<b>Grimes</b>- Definite, February. However, concerned quality of her work has significantly diminished.<br />
<br />
<b>Luxury- </b>They are playing a show in Septemeber at Furnace Fest XX in Birmingham, and Lee Bozeman has mentioned he has written new Luxury tunes.<br />
<br />
<b>Fleming & John</b>- They Kickstarted the funds almost 5 years ago, so surely we are getting close? They do provide updates every 6-9 months, but it has been awhile.<br />
<br />
<b>Haim</b>- Probably considering the release of recent singles. Speaking of those, this is one of my favorite songs of 2019 that I didn't mention in my year-end post:<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fpfJFotlENk" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-23046685538724331332019-12-25T12:08:00.000-05:002020-04-16T12:43:06.540-04:00Best of 2019<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RaG8qpj_zpw?start=40" width="560"></iframe><br />
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My artist of the year is easily Middle Kids. I discovered them in Spring 2018, and their LP <i>Lost Friends</i> was my <a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2018/12/best-of-2018.html">#6 album of last year</a>. But then this year they released an EP which was even better, and I bought all three of their releases (also their 2017 debut EP) on vinyl. Their live shows (at least the videos I have seen until I can personally catch them in concert) are fun and rambunctious, which is what makes their "Home Sessions" YouTube series even more impressive and beautiful. Lead-singer songwriter Hannah Joy and husband/multi-instrumentalist Tim Fitz are due to have their first child soon, so you owe it to yourself to look up some amazing videos of their rock shows with a very pregnant Hannah. I usually list LPs first and then EPs, but started with the EPs this year because I listened to Middle Kids far more than any other artist in 2019.<br />
<br />
If you skip to the end of this post you'll find a 20-song playlist. Otherwise follow the links for each album to stream or buy on Bandcamp.<br />
<br />
And before we get into the meat of this year-end list, a rant about Blogger: My blogging has continued to diminish, from a high of 62 posts in 2014 to what will be a record-low total posts in 2019; 30 or so has been my average since launching in 2003. As others have pointed out, my Instagram account has replaced this, so I am probably commenting on and sharing music about the same amount as an average year, with the exception that essays from me are becoming rare.<br />
<br />
Well, while working on this post (off an on since early November), I lost everything on Dec. 19 when I hit control-Z (edit-undo) consecutively. Despite auto-saving, Blogger--unlike all other superior Google products--has no ability to revert or restore older versions. I searched for help on the issue, and there is none; you can find countless examples online of bloggers losing their work using the control-Z shortcut.<br />
<br />
Thankfully I had some of my work saved in other formats, but I did have to re-do far too much. Moving forward I'll just do everything in Google docs and then copy and paste for formatting. But all that to say is that this blog may be nearing its end as it seems as if Blogger/Google is not improving the product. Even hard-returns are challenging. My last post--my top 50 albums of the decade--I just embedded a Google sheet and an Instagram post--so that may be the way to go.</div>
<h3>
<b><u>Top 5 EPs of 2019: </u></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8N-prcZT6MtwkfF7CUv7b42nPNy1VkQMDvU_ZLw1DlJyGLr0xrMkf40yJfHTQT9Lt1jVBvhdYKPrYru5aXCNDh72J7oCimu68MWyJZbS2W7Iapqy_fvqMcjZb096eHQCC3uPig/s1600/middlekids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8N-prcZT6MtwkfF7CUv7b42nPNy1VkQMDvU_ZLw1DlJyGLr0xrMkf40yJfHTQT9Lt1jVBvhdYKPrYru5aXCNDh72J7oCimu68MWyJZbS2W7Iapqy_fvqMcjZb096eHQCC3uPig/s200/middlekids.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>1. Middle Kids- <i>New Songs For Old Problems </i></b><br />
Hometown: Sydney, Australia<br />
Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx5Z6jBpQWJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
Listen/buy on <a href="https://middlekids.bandcamp.com/album/new-songs-for-old-problems">Bandcamp</a><br />
<br />
I love it, my wife loves it, my kids love it. Catchy with profound lyrics. Would have called it a summer jam but then just listened to it on a late night road trip in December and was perfect.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhMx7oYONgldfyjpdyDoYiEupMcixZbshtSvEEbc8mvPamVpwxiiRc9qJGMZmr42vmS-bY9PULhT9e7u7C_BXnzrQfg4wgj9GF2w-Sv7mN_zWugzMhwThuGxEEpRQIuUCCD2wSw/s1600/mineral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhMx7oYONgldfyjpdyDoYiEupMcixZbshtSvEEbc8mvPamVpwxiiRc9qJGMZmr42vmS-bY9PULhT9e7u7C_BXnzrQfg4wgj9GF2w-Sv7mN_zWugzMhwThuGxEEpRQIuUCCD2wSw/s200/mineral.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>2. Mineral- <i>One Day When We Are Young: Mineral at 25 </i></b><br />
Hometown: Austin, Texas
<br />
Format purchased: Vinyl and Book (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsiqo4Qgntd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
Buy/listen on <a href="https://mineralofficial.bandcamp.com/">Bandcamp</a></x_gap><br />
<br />
<x_gap size="”15px”">It's only a two-song EP, but they span 15 minutes and are two of my favorite songs of the last 12 months. "Aurora" debuted in November of 2018, and I called it my song of the year. Then the second song "Your Body is the World" and the full package of vinyl and massive book were shipped a couple months later.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMdiUXLZcFs7Gc9yKkYAdA8WqtuUKwpiUC_U60FGSLDvOBAFJ6ARWsVIlOWkHhM22UVJC2Y6oG2N28fdG2LEq2Hs4WbdRQGb6uvSGCPxitkjuXaQAUptGWg0qs6j1VGd1tS-X3A/s1600/caracara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMdiUXLZcFs7Gc9yKkYAdA8WqtuUKwpiUC_U60FGSLDvOBAFJ6ARWsVIlOWkHhM22UVJC2Y6oG2N28fdG2LEq2Hs4WbdRQGb6uvSGCPxitkjuXaQAUptGWg0qs6j1VGd1tS-X3A/s200/caracara.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>3. Caracara- <i>Better</i></b><br />
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania <br />
Format purchased: Vinyl (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BylSe26J1Mt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
<x_gap size="”15px”">Buy/listen on <a href="https://caracaraphilly.bandcamp.com/album/better">Bandcamp</a></x_gap><br />
<br />
Had never heard of Caracara until a few months ago, and ordered the 7" on vinyl after hearing the title track once.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAi6YOsWSiLga4kukrrF5A7liOlITeSxJMuh0fx4sdsbKjZb3XwX2ssyD4SNNcw1-_xnvGAtuwaDiqJ4E5TEAfwWS8oou3B3denrfkA9DdXZYHsIlAaJ2S_7hJwx0iXrr7CFWhw/s1600/thrice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAi6YOsWSiLga4kukrrF5A7liOlITeSxJMuh0fx4sdsbKjZb3XwX2ssyD4SNNcw1-_xnvGAtuwaDiqJ4E5TEAfwWS8oou3B3denrfkA9DdXZYHsIlAaJ2S_7hJwx0iXrr7CFWhw/s200/thrice.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<x_gap size="”15px”"><b>4. Thrice- <i>Deeper Wells</i></b><br />Hometown: Irvine, California <br />Format purchased: Vinyl </x_gap>(see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwNTuHTgfz1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
<x_gap size="”15px”">Buy/listen on <a href="https://officialthrice.bandcamp.com/">Bandcamp</a></x_gap><br />
<br />
One of my only blog posts this year was a long essay about my conflicting Record Store Day experience; read it <a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2019/04/record-store-day-2019.html">here</a>. Thrice continues to be my favorite post-2000 band and these four songs are better than much of their 2018 LP.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJDoQW5E8DOxw0iTk9YaJUrw8ITGgP62yip4Zk099MROB5KvkYNaHmy0BS5JS2w4bIHsV1eJ0rZb68rK3FTyedTZ1lFOp4x7figsyjCSbMlt7eSp53gHhVHktmkHfLytjBNrd0w/s1600/deathcab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJDoQW5E8DOxw0iTk9YaJUrw8ITGgP62yip4Zk099MROB5KvkYNaHmy0BS5JS2w4bIHsV1eJ0rZb68rK3FTyedTZ1lFOp4x7figsyjCSbMlt7eSp53gHhVHktmkHfLytjBNrd0w/s200/deathcab.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<x_gap size="”15px”"><b>5. Death Cab for Cutie- The Blue EP </b><br />Hometown: Seattle, Washington <br />Format purchased: Vinyl </x_gap>(see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2NSAfkpzqg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
Buy/listen on <a href="https://deathcabforcutie.bandcamp.com/">Bandcamp</a><br />
<br />
Ditto to my Thrice comment in that Death Cab also released a follow-up EP that contains stronger songs than much of their prior LP.<br />
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As usual, I used Rob Mitchum's impressive Google sheet to discover new music and look at the data from dozens of best-of lists from major music publications. The "# of lists" as seen below indicates how many of these publications ranked the album.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Top 20 LPs of 2019: </u></b></div>
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<x_gap size="”15px”"><b>1. Great Grandpa- <i>Four of Arrows </i></b><br />Hometown: Seattle, Washington <br />Format purchased: Vinyl </x_gap>(see on my Instagram)<br />
<x_gap size="”15px”"># of lists: 1</x_gap></div>
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<x_gap size="”15px”">Buy/listen on <a href="https://greatgrandpa.bandcamp.com/">Bandcamp</a></x_gap><br />
See on my Instagram<br />
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I had never heard of Great Grandpa until August. But when they released the first single "Mono No Aware" and my daughters began singing along instantly, I knew I had found something special. "Bloom" is equally as catchy, but the album overall is dynamic and diverse.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ONBV_pKlu/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by AP (@turnofftheradio1976)</a> on <time datetime="2019-10-30T00:17:28+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 29, 2019 at 5:17pm PDT</time></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFxRaw-JdmxGcYv3JKTFiWTYGzuOh5exMN7bSTK25MUbWJxLrCg2PhVg6rgF2ZkqvudjUitZ_OVzOkxWX7Ay7CO_6hm1qQlzomYG0le0wA7EHTZf60Z4FHgluQ3Kq3rX5jkVGmA/s1600/appleseedcast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFxRaw-JdmxGcYv3JKTFiWTYGzuOh5exMN7bSTK25MUbWJxLrCg2PhVg6rgF2ZkqvudjUitZ_OVzOkxWX7Ay7CO_6hm1qQlzomYG0le0wA7EHTZf60Z4FHgluQ3Kq3rX5jkVGmA/s200/appleseedcast.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<x_gap size="”15px”"><b>2. The Appleseed Cast- <i>The Fleeting Light of Impermanence</i></b> Hometown: Lawrence, Kansas </x_gap><br />
<x_gap size="”15px”">Format purchased: Vinyl </x_gap>(see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BzZhVhIpUQz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
<x_gap size="”15px”"># of lists: 0 </x_gap><br />
Buy/listen on <a href="https://graveface.bandcamp.com/album/the-fleeting-light-of-impermanence">Bandcamp</a><br />
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Heard this album for the first time while camping. Released digitally and streamed on my headphones sitting next to the campfire while the rest of my family was asleep. Was the perfect setting to the listen and I thought at the time it would end up being my album of the year. Might be my second-favorite all-time Appleseed Cast project behind <i>Low Level Owl</i>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiNJcqZ8dOc0whH8SarFEIo2D90eitFJH-xSLO2C1wQkfDXNhymAATc-FAxRwy_IKxiBfiZNJlFvnOzjTK8kGE3qiHapy4TqZSwlLmVlieHqBv4YmOBN4mwhjGbBXud43d0HOcQ/s1600/BOCC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiNJcqZ8dOc0whH8SarFEIo2D90eitFJH-xSLO2C1wQkfDXNhymAATc-FAxRwy_IKxiBfiZNJlFvnOzjTK8kGE3qiHapy4TqZSwlLmVlieHqBv4YmOBN4mwhjGbBXud43d0HOcQ/s200/BOCC.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>3<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Better Oblivion Community Center<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Better Oblivion Community Center</i></b><span style="white-space: pre;"><i> </i>
</span>Hometown: Los Angeles, California<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span>Format purchased: Vinyl<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span style="white-space: normal;">(see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BuHmtCwgiYj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)</span>
</span># of lists: 5<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
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Buy/listen on <a href="https://betteroblivioncommunitycenter.bandcamp.com/album/better-oblivion-community-center">Bandcamp</a><br />
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Phoebe Bridgers is on my favorite singers of the last few years, and thankfully she has been prolific as a solo artist, with her project boygenius, and then this year with her collaboration with Conor Oberst- Better Oblivion Community Center. Phoebe's next solo album has been recorded and should drop early in 2020.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fa6BWVglwftBHjHSVkxJMW1P5wr3h0qRqTjt25Rt1N4hLEjaIUaz37h0CAhMebsGcsocu123Uety95IkbohErK-0dvCPnCGa6rb5tuywunHfLZEnYWlt6uhu5CUWrYaS343YLA/s1600/charlybliss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fa6BWVglwftBHjHSVkxJMW1P5wr3h0qRqTjt25Rt1N4hLEjaIUaz37h0CAhMebsGcsocu123Uety95IkbohErK-0dvCPnCGa6rb5tuywunHfLZEnYWlt6uhu5CUWrYaS343YLA/s200/charlybliss.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>4<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Charly Bliss<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Young Enough</i></b><span style="white-space: pre;"><b><i> </i></b>
</span>Hometown: Brooklyn, New York<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span>Format purchased: Vinyl<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span style="white-space: normal;">(see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxTFOuggUna/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)</span>
</span># of lists: 4<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span>Buy/listen on <a href="https://charlybliss.bandcamp.com/album/young-enough">Bandcamp</a><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="white-space: pre;">No band this year progressed </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">and improved more than Charly Bliss. </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">Their debut Guppy was a fun pop-punk release, </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">but <i>Young Enough</i> is on a completely different level.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi800B44E1oIkCAB6TIJmoaSD-HpLKV3KYe2WLuDHdL8JdbwJ2AYzwHCmPm6m6OwozVC1x_Wu_Mgl6i-I31utkO3NFqUtiL8xNEsHkZYiKOQ7Av4fFsLZJjnXS0Won2ipZ3BwPwtg/s1600/jimmyeatworld.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi800B44E1oIkCAB6TIJmoaSD-HpLKV3KYe2WLuDHdL8JdbwJ2AYzwHCmPm6m6OwozVC1x_Wu_Mgl6i-I31utkO3NFqUtiL8xNEsHkZYiKOQ7Av4fFsLZJjnXS0Won2ipZ3BwPwtg/s200/jimmyeatworld.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>5<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Jimmy Eat World<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Surviving</i></b><span style="white-space: pre;"><i> </i>
</span>Hometown: Mesa, Arizona<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span>Format purchased: Vinyl<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span style="white-space: normal;">(see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3-YKvrpIdO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)</span>
</span># of lists: 0<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="white-space: pre;">Now we've reached the legends section of the list, </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">with #'s 5-7 here all active in </span><span style="white-space: pre;">in the 90's and now, </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">over 20 years later. This is Jimmy Eat World's most aggressive </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">album in over a dozen years.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOdx00mpz8ymk1y4Fv41jJi8lzNoqXzgGe0ygF-Q0XbLQjL-QeP_6QFW5hsAhK8ZZFfn8odCq6Xxr9-lzUsLZmtXLRj-LgJv3Dz95xZE-PiNJhsMWLckqNwAUy3TmZwhMqaP7Hw/s1600/pedrothelion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOdx00mpz8ymk1y4Fv41jJi8lzNoqXzgGe0ygF-Q0XbLQjL-QeP_6QFW5hsAhK8ZZFfn8odCq6Xxr9-lzUsLZmtXLRj-LgJv3Dz95xZE-PiNJhsMWLckqNwAUy3TmZwhMqaP7Hw/s200/pedrothelion.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<b>6<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Pedro The Lion- <i>Phoenix</i></b><span style="white-space: pre;"><b><i> </i></b>
</span>Hometown: Seattle, Washington<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span>Format purchased: Vinyl<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span style="white-space: normal;">(see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsq0thVgJgP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)</span>
</span># of lists: 0<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">Buy/listen on <a href="https://pedrothelion.bandcamp.com/album/phoenix">Bandcamp</a></span><br />
<br />
Being a Bazan fan now for almost 25 years, in hindsight there is not much differentiation for me between his band and solo work. But the most exciting thing for me about Bazan reclaiming the Pedro the Lion moniker is his return to guitar. I appreciated his last couple of electronic solo albums, but he is at his best in the rock band setting.<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj042UOo4vFLPQShZpYH5l4emMLTk1Ya2bLRsyofTqXkYvDDd9yqoJfN3c8Bdlr4LJuV1IOmHUVxQnIIbtsTZjvIgLynfIgxQDsXs3QagLfKP9rFchXL7eKCJZrfk20-ESt6F6QsQ/s1600/sf59_young_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj042UOo4vFLPQShZpYH5l4emMLTk1Ya2bLRsyofTqXkYvDDd9yqoJfN3c8Bdlr4LJuV1IOmHUVxQnIIbtsTZjvIgLynfIgxQDsXs3QagLfKP9rFchXL7eKCJZrfk20-ESt6F6QsQ/s200/sf59_young_cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>7<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Starflyer 59<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Young In My Head</i></b><span style="white-space: pre;"><b> </b>
</span>Hometown: Riverside, California<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span>Format purchased: Vinyl<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span style="white-space: normal;">(see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwsdR2DApO3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)</span>
</span># of lists: 0<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="white-space: pre;">One of the most prolific bands I listen to, </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">this is amazingly Starflyer's 15th studio album </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">in 26 years; and that doesn't include countless EPs </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">and other releases. This album is in the top half of Jason Martin's
work; and easily the best Starflyer album in over a decade.</span></div>
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbLE8g_KpOG1cD3yQW30_dtQOKl9oTuF3U86gym-lhdKeb4bIEQ7svhpSWmaOsx6HUnqfytOnJenuwk4yNgSSJg8Br8wk3nNmJvByyyOo9Ofg2B-pMJ81O-iIJc1FsBb3juCdPg/s1600/hatchie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbLE8g_KpOG1cD3yQW30_dtQOKl9oTuF3U86gym-lhdKeb4bIEQ7svhpSWmaOsx6HUnqfytOnJenuwk4yNgSSJg8Br8wk3nNmJvByyyOo9Ofg2B-pMJ81O-iIJc1FsBb3juCdPg/s200/hatchie.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>8<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Hatchie<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Keepsake</i></b><span style="white-space: pre;"><b> </b>
</span>Hometown: Brisbane, Australia<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span>Format purchased: Vinyl<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>(see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BzR1ueTJoEF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
# of lists: 2<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">Buy/listen on <a href="https://hatchie.bandcamp.com/album/keepsake">Bandcamp</a></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">There is so much great music coming out of Australia right now,
and Harriett Pilbeam's Hatchie is near the top. I loved her debut EP
from 2018, and also her previous work as a member of <a href="https://babaganouj.bandcamp.com/track/hoping-that-its-you">Babaganouj</a>.
</span></div>
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHVdWwcXgRyZ73mrryQ9ooh5PLjy1qbFhAxrY0TB5e6KkY1w4D2YYpkKI31VvUqR32GI5duxxZVc9cmiSXiN6Jl2Y9FATOtRavO3E8psXpGGo-wJegpSWBRY6pjFXSZ78ebpDLQ/s1600/cranberies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="804" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHVdWwcXgRyZ73mrryQ9ooh5PLjy1qbFhAxrY0TB5e6KkY1w4D2YYpkKI31VvUqR32GI5duxxZVc9cmiSXiN6Jl2Y9FATOtRavO3E8psXpGGo-wJegpSWBRY6pjFXSZ78ebpDLQ/s200/cranberies.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>9<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>The Cranberries<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>In the End</i></b><span style="white-space: pre;"><b><i> </i></b>
</span>Hometown: Limerick, Ireland<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span>Format purchased: Vinyl<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span style="white-space: normal;">(see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxazzinAVDG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)</span>
</span># of lists: 1<span style="white-space: pre;">
The release of this album was completely off my radar,
and even if I had been paying more attention, I am not sure
it would have made much difference. I lost interest in the
Cranberries 15 years ago, and found all of theirs and </span>Dolores O'Riordan's solo work post-2000 pretty bland. <br />
<br />
I was shocked and saddened by O'Riordan's death in January 2018. When I learned the band members were going to finish an album they had started while she was still alive, I didn't think much of it as their 2012 and 2017 albums were rather blah. But amazingly, this album is fantastic! The demo vocals tracks O'Riordan recorded before her death sound great, and the other band members did an incredible job of finishing the album under impossible circumstances. I would rank it as the Cranberries #3 album behind their 1993 and 1994 releases, and it actually sounds as if it could have been the the follow-up to those; hard to believe there is 25 years in between.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf25iv8F2d0XinSIy9eTlOefSsVCFXgsqjzLI3qh_N3LPOYwFFgWbi6G9OcERlRjn13Vf4W5kkUY_yD0GX6bKrhF5xjzCqB-ISVUxERmuLCrT73h4WehRnLmnHGieQ5kM4VNicyw/s1600/nicholenordeman.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="620" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf25iv8F2d0XinSIy9eTlOefSsVCFXgsqjzLI3qh_N3LPOYwFFgWbi6G9OcERlRjn13Vf4W5kkUY_yD0GX6bKrhF5xjzCqB-ISVUxERmuLCrT73h4WehRnLmnHGieQ5kM4VNicyw/s200/nicholenordeman.png" width="200" /></b></a></div>
<b>10.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Nichole Nordeman<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Fragile</i></b><span style="white-space: pre;"><b><i> </i></b>
</span>Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span>Format purchased: Digital (Kickstarter)<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span># of lists: 0<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">I have always had a lot of respect for Nichole Nordeman, as it was
clear she was incredibly talented and that her music seemed to be
watered-down by the CCM machine. I never bought any of her
albums, but enjoyed the songs I heard. I lost track of her completely
but began following her on Twitter a few years ago as I enjoyed her
thoughts and perspectives on faith and art.
Then this fall she announced a Kickstarter for a new Christmas album and I backed it immediately.
I of course love <a href="https://www.instagram.com/turnofftheradio1976/">Christmas music</a>, I wanted to support her, but I didn't have expectations for the music itself.
It is AMAZING. Despite my love for Christmas music, I am very picky, and there is a delicate balance of
being original and showing respect for traditional songs. Nichole strikes that balance perfectly and with</span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">unique and surprising instrumentation. The production is minimalistic and puts the focus on her voice,
and she sings both new songs she wrote and interesting arrangements of classics.
</span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47JZSstdw1t6Ej561s-8pXCpWPJtovmlq97SuBYC_OM_XzW53ukufsjJ603VIiOj9mVA5m_TmrPSD1iX-AuPRzFI2geR3OgSNQmGCm_RGzaFpDknMyFLZAQWIg81czp-xZgpjtA/s1600/taylor-swift-lover-album-art-1560458980-640x640-1560529343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47JZSstdw1t6Ej561s-8pXCpWPJtovmlq97SuBYC_OM_XzW53ukufsjJ603VIiOj9mVA5m_TmrPSD1iX-AuPRzFI2geR3OgSNQmGCm_RGzaFpDknMyFLZAQWIg81czp-xZgpjtA/s200/taylor-swift-lover-album-art-1560458980-640x640-1560529343.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>11<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Taylor Swift- <i>Lover</i></b><span style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span>Hometown: Reading, Pennsylvania<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span>Format purchased: Vinyl<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span style="white-space: normal;">(see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B45wJEDJVN6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)</span>
</span># of lists: 4<span style="white-space: pre;">
Unlike the last two Taylor albums, which I adored immediately,
<i>Lover</i> took awhile to grow on me. It's too long--three or four songs</span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">should have been cut--which is strange </span><span style="white-space: pre;">considering with <i>1989</i>
</span><span style="white-space: pre;">two of the best songs from those sessions only appeared as </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">bonus tracks. </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_qqgF0g019yP7ea8nPdkZJWKIafSQ8MfVWLOcxa_uI8hGEBzglBB9m-gg7Fnmknruq9-Xu1PAKpcV3B8HhXE2KJQS1Vxz4ty6JEjGI2PoK1Fydogtm8z8F6h46fgjEiTWs52EQ/s1600/newpornos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_qqgF0g019yP7ea8nPdkZJWKIafSQ8MfVWLOcxa_uI8hGEBzglBB9m-gg7Fnmknruq9-Xu1PAKpcV3B8HhXE2KJQS1Vxz4ty6JEjGI2PoK1Fydogtm8z8F6h46fgjEiTWs52EQ/s200/newpornos.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>12<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>The New Pornographers<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>In The Morse Code Of Brake Lights</i></b><br />
Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span>Format purchased: Vinyl<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span style="white-space: normal;">(see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B25H0jTJ_Vf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)</span>
</span># of lists: 0<br />
<br />
Had this been the first album from Carl Newman's New Pornographers I had ever heard, I would have been blown away. However, considering the quality and quantity of the band's work as a whole, this album is pretty underwhelming.<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-o7H1aSB4OxS2-PAa_EjZG6d0pmFerjkIVMD-QWAcV1c4vYxZ9W1PafALkqCjxkF0fRApeRcqJeXrp9pVSi2l1zAsTRklQ8eHR8k4a_wrXctdWOUsIWX4QElZ-5illgTdYU9tQ/s1600/brutus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-o7H1aSB4OxS2-PAa_EjZG6d0pmFerjkIVMD-QWAcV1c4vYxZ9W1PafALkqCjxkF0fRApeRcqJeXrp9pVSi2l1zAsTRklQ8eHR8k4a_wrXctdWOUsIWX4QElZ-5illgTdYU9tQ/s200/brutus.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>13<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Brutus<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Nest</i></b><span style="white-space: pre;"><b> </b>
</span>Hometown: Leuven, Belgium<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span>Format purchased: Vinyl<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span># of lists: 2<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">Buy/listen on <a href="https://wearebrutus.bandcamp.com/album/nest">Bandcamp</a></span><br />
<br />
One of three bands in my top 20 I hadn't heard until 2019. As much fun as this album is, it is apparently Brutus was meant to be heard live. With that in mind, here is a bizarre and awesome live video they released this year:<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hV-AXX1mVak" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1UETqw252nGDA1HMXeZ_XFb0Fg_dLmwXcbvzBNz-B4iffcX4YM43jMAZ4Frp6DMpryvazg1KcUZ6pWaldQO2G-pJkGeTCVlPd2P7h-itc3EaqPOpjw11-wbozL0ZgDclNDW-2A/s1600/Lana-Del-Rey-NFR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1UETqw252nGDA1HMXeZ_XFb0Fg_dLmwXcbvzBNz-B4iffcX4YM43jMAZ4Frp6DMpryvazg1KcUZ6pWaldQO2G-pJkGeTCVlPd2P7h-itc3EaqPOpjw11-wbozL0ZgDclNDW-2A/s200/Lana-Del-Rey-NFR.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>14<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Lana Del Rey<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>NFR!</i></b><span style="white-space: pre;">
</span>Hometown: New York, New York<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span>Format purchased: CD<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span># of lists: 16<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="white-space: pre;">This is the consensus #1 album of the year throughout major
music publications, appearing on 16 lists. It is phenomenal and </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">deserving and only </span><span style="white-space: pre;">this far down my list because of pervasive
profanity. It is the best album Lana Del Rey has ever released in
every way.</span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3abMWvBXDrTYlV68MgZBj3Ec-YmPDMHOAzuMPwhBqGHTFRDfW20CXjeOtkssUurS4ptcVK2gZq5PyI9l0Hg2CHb7vvKD5W7kzqiQ_ph0wYw2OrfaxnVrkIUtwRFxfAokOB9227Q/s1600/hey-im-just-like-you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3abMWvBXDrTYlV68MgZBj3Ec-YmPDMHOAzuMPwhBqGHTFRDfW20CXjeOtkssUurS4ptcVK2gZq5PyI9l0Hg2CHb7vvKD5W7kzqiQ_ph0wYw2OrfaxnVrkIUtwRFxfAokOB9227Q/s200/hey-im-just-like-you.jpg" width="200" /></b></a></div>
<b>15<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Tegan and Sara<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Hey, I'm Just Like You</i></b><span style="white-space: pre;">
</span>Hometown: Calgary, Alberta<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Format purchased: Vinyl<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span style="white-space: normal;">(see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2__aGip5Pm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)</span>
</span># of lists: 0<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="white-space: pre;">I, like many fans, were begging Tegan and Sara to bring </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">the guitars back after thier last album was all-synths. And they
did that in a risky and unique way, by using twenty-year-old demos </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">they wrote and recorded on cassette tape while in high school. They
reinvented those songs and it is tons of fun.</span></div>
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGG9pknp-wjwLjD7chAyRearj1mIVjDkhqjIqm7NplFXNcrXT_Y5t-w8-I3n3js6mAQaV-qgTa50EtA6k5yUwqq9swOhBySqrdXNMDopJveSykST3EfmDCnfk1Cv3uHePLVyOIg/s1600/bleached.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGG9pknp-wjwLjD7chAyRearj1mIVjDkhqjIqm7NplFXNcrXT_Y5t-w8-I3n3js6mAQaV-qgTa50EtA6k5yUwqq9swOhBySqrdXNMDopJveSykST3EfmDCnfk1Cv3uHePLVyOIg/s200/bleached.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>16<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Bleached<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Don’t You Think You’ve Had Enough?</i></b><span style="white-space: pre;"><b> </b>
</span>Hometown: Los Angeles, California<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span>Format purchased: Digital<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span># of lists: 0<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">Buy/listen on <a href="https://bleached.bandcamp.com/album/don-t-you-think-you-ve-had-enough">Bandcamp</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
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<b>17<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Joseph<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Good Luck, Kid</i></b><span style="white-space: pre;"><b> </b>
</span>Hometown: Portland, Oregon<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span>Format purchased: Digital<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span># of lists: 0<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">Buy/listen on <a href="https://thebandjoseph.bandcamp.com/album/good-luck-kid">Bandcamp</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlfGg4z_Fnp2_trUvL5_HqxRGcsXvzQXOCRxKdMllRtIISBG8wJkLwkO9coUE2zmDssPLZP5f8hBn1MNa8BbXNhnqvxUEUZa6oLwfqxYV86g24walv9n9cFulCleu_OBtZXevzg/s1600/old_thatdog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlfGg4z_Fnp2_trUvL5_HqxRGcsXvzQXOCRxKdMllRtIISBG8wJkLwkO9coUE2zmDssPLZP5f8hBn1MNa8BbXNhnqvxUEUZa6oLwfqxYV86g24walv9n9cFulCleu_OBtZXevzg/s200/old_thatdog.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>18<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>that dog.<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Old LP</i></b><span style="white-space: pre;">
</span>Hometown: Los Angeles, California<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span>Format purchased: Digital<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span># of lists: 0<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">Buy/listen on <a href="https://thatdogofficial.bandcamp.com/releases">Bandcamp</a></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
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<b>19<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Patty Griffin<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Patty Griffin</i></b><span style="white-space: pre;"><b><i> </i></b>
</span>Hometown: Old Town, Maine<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span>Format purchased: Digital<span style="white-space: pre;">
</span># of lists: 0<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3WiBKzfipuBeREYxuoM34QEDJVOz6UyAeAWv6f1GXGpx_YqoQU5FmqFzJy_WXS8_1Zld9N4n4Ue4HW1JkrcAYVYDv7JephKyLnwhGmgPYtxCYSLGevdSadJ09GFb8kdj6eR06Q/s1600/LoveRevelation_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="700" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3WiBKzfipuBeREYxuoM34QEDJVOz6UyAeAWv6f1GXGpx_YqoQU5FmqFzJy_WXS8_1Zld9N4n4Ue4HW1JkrcAYVYDv7JephKyLnwhGmgPYtxCYSLGevdSadJ09GFb8kdj6eR06Q/s200/LoveRevelation_cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>20<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Over the Rhine- <i>Love and Revelation</i></b><br />
Hometown: <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Cincinnati, Ohio<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Format purchased: Vinyl<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>(see on my Instagram)<br />
\# of lists: 0<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
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<h3>
<u>Top 9 Vinyl Reissues of 2019:</u></h3>
<h3>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6azScYJ_1A/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by AP (@turnofftheradio1976)</a> on <time datetime="2019-12-23T14:45:31+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 23, 2019 at 6:45am PST</time></div>
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<script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script> </span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7_bNzLEenZw071uEKQ6gxyA45kbW2qWe4MGpOUPyZRjnnzd9l32FljOs7dO_T8RlmxFWnwQnK0f9uJRcmDKusdeKLBkKjOTcyhg50dnX0YB84oMZ2OujdG2BYkIjesIMpVb-sw/s1600/focused.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7_bNzLEenZw071uEKQ6gxyA45kbW2qWe4MGpOUPyZRjnnzd9l32FljOs7dO_T8RlmxFWnwQnK0f9uJRcmDKusdeKLBkKjOTcyhg50dnX0YB84oMZ2OujdG2BYkIjesIMpVb-sw/s200/focused.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>1<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Focused<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>At Eternity's Gate<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></b><br />
Original release: 1993<span style="white-space: pre;"> (demo cassette)</span><br />
Hometown: Long Beach, California<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">Buy/listen on </span><a href="https://focused-sfhc.bandcamp.com/album/at-eternitys-gate" style="white-space: pre;">Bandcamp</a><br />
<br />
I've got this at #1 not because it is the best musically, but because had Steadfast Records not reissued it (1) we would have never heard these versions of these songs and (2) there almost certainly would have never been any Focused on vinyl. The artwork is terrific and 1993 hardcore has never sounded better.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nzNphnJngUm8uol8k8gb5TSQy84BuL23iHeSzDDIhcLltLXmdhD6qs3P0Xmmvoi5RcqWvUxugeWUz_GeVjgkxThtw3nXGVkumuya04kS5phi-lSOyZe3hUowcx2rr-DSRMVNfA/s1600/pooroldlu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nzNphnJngUm8uol8k8gb5TSQy84BuL23iHeSzDDIhcLltLXmdhD6qs3P0Xmmvoi5RcqWvUxugeWUz_GeVjgkxThtw3nXGVkumuya04kS5phi-lSOyZe3hUowcx2rr-DSRMVNfA/s200/pooroldlu.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>2<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Poor Old Lu<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Mindsize </i></b>(Deluxe Remaster)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Original release: 1993<span style="white-space: pre;"> (CD and cassette)</span><br />
Hometown: Seattle, Washington<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">Buy/listen on <span id="goog_818819769"></span><a href="https://pooroldlu.bandcamp.com/album/mindsize-deluxe-remaster">Bandcamp</a><span id="goog_818819770"></span></span><br />
(see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0zU2DvJ2T6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
<br />
Made possible by Kickstarter, <i>Mindsize</i> has seen vinyl for the first time, and with remastering of the original analog tapes. Featuring never before-heard demos and live tracks from the era, and with extensive liner notes, packaging, etc. Curated by lead singer Scott Hunter; highly detailed in every regard. Thankfully this is the first of many Poor Old Lu reissues, the <i>Sin</i> Kickstarter was also successful a couple months ago and will be released in 2020.<br />
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<b>3<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Soulfood 76<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Original Soundtrack</i><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></b><br />
Original release: 1996 (CD and cassette)<br />
Hometown: Seattle, Washington<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
(see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B5JIRChJsOF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
While not on my list of albums I wished were reissued, I am thankful it has been as I am rediscovering it almost as if I am hearing it for the first time. For one, my CD copy was lost before I was able to import the MP3s, so I hadn't heard it in 10-15 years. Secondly, it sounds terrific on vinyl.<br />
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<b>4<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Rose Blossom Punch<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Sorry To Disappoint You</i></b><br />
Original release: 1999<span style="white-space: pre;"> (MP3s and MP3.com CD)</span><br />
Hometown: Seattle, Washington<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">Buy/listen on <a href="https://roseblossompunch1.bandcamp.com/album/sorry-to-disappoint-you">Bandcamp</a></span><br />
(see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BzTZuS4pwVF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
<br />
Some may not even consider this a reissue, because it was barely released after being recorded in 1999. The short-lived MP3.com put it out on CD with limited artwork (only the cover) and it sounded pretty terrible. So it is exciting to hear these songs as they were meant to be heard now two decades later. Hoping for more Rose Blossom Punch and Aaron Sprinkle solo reissues.<br />
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<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkoYTWdapIWnAmmshHZBUGJgAGrWkKqUT0-8uLvZa_R_rHRVOU59RuTbx3_1_4AEleJvdjyWGuVvpaEvGJWEFyXtBVIrRSBXosR-iSnRE6xOrzedzo0RSjcyqhT3L4llU4HO6OA/s1600/stavesacre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkoYTWdapIWnAmmshHZBUGJgAGrWkKqUT0-8uLvZa_R_rHRVOU59RuTbx3_1_4AEleJvdjyWGuVvpaEvGJWEFyXtBVIrRSBXosR-iSnRE6xOrzedzo0RSjcyqhT3L4llU4HO6OA/s200/stavesacre.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>5<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Stavesacre<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Speakeasy<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></b><br />
Original release: 1999<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Hometown: Huntington Beach, California<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">(see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B5osa08JLyI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>) </span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUuBjXgcW0An_0UsduBRm1Gcdan-XlZI2GpCGtWz1tWX7v2nzcO2gsvuW-Jrk09zEqvymBM4MtMw__k65IiNUSABPGxbFuBWh3n25T8op__ABg9Cc-Oeia9GQ_mFDK8_Fm0tIsQ/s1600/gold.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="580" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUuBjXgcW0An_0UsduBRm1Gcdan-XlZI2GpCGtWz1tWX7v2nzcO2gsvuW-Jrk09zEqvymBM4MtMw__k65IiNUSABPGxbFuBWh3n25T8op__ABg9Cc-Oeia9GQ_mFDK8_Fm0tIsQ/s200/gold.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>6<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Starflyer 59<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Gold<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></b><br />
Original release: 1995<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Hometown: Riverside, California<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">(see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4sU3H7JVNT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>) </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfe_ooTZ-4yJJnlrw-S5es4U6r94PFX-2AX9g8Fkt-Be5i3dTlHnP2XYRvf440DaqAXQER7rfrDzTf_6bGgxy3ElfBPqLfP7LXdWVR8bF_T0QJ0wMj1-yhLr0Zfds4ZLSA0Kqkg/s1600/beloved.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="450" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfe_ooTZ-4yJJnlrw-S5es4U6r94PFX-2AX9g8Fkt-Be5i3dTlHnP2XYRvf440DaqAXQER7rfrDzTf_6bGgxy3ElfBPqLfP7LXdWVR8bF_T0QJ0wMj1-yhLr0Zfds4ZLSA0Kqkg/s200/beloved.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>7<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Beloved<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Failure On</i><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></b><br />
Original release: 2003<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Hometown: Kernersville, North Carolina<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-OUQeHP21NSgZDcnCg6J-kZaQMSbCn6USjaX5FrFl2FNPwEAWbXPxllPkZXW3Ylf_79xg6lGp3CmaRdLLD7lu7iQyd-agccxCZnqbXjAyfYFpNs_J6DoIbHH5Mr1lk-vS2pELA/s1600/thrice+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-OUQeHP21NSgZDcnCg6J-kZaQMSbCn6USjaX5FrFl2FNPwEAWbXPxllPkZXW3Ylf_79xg6lGp3CmaRdLLD7lu7iQyd-agccxCZnqbXjAyfYFpNs_J6DoIbHH5Mr1lk-vS2pELA/s200/thrice+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>8<span style="white-space: pre;">. </span>Thrice<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Red Sky</i> EP<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></b><br />
Original release: 2006<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Hometown: Irvine, California <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGH0j3GXhM9cPb7BOLB7P8aE9CQgrod7PadxcHYKbw9kWdplVDpu9CmL3OMR7YjTyGPRDtgiULSILZD-DmZkL_CyQnxqx0VppvViHq5AnhmaLWeo2IuEx29vvlIxtYDLhvre15w/s1600/mindysmith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGH0j3GXhM9cPb7BOLB7P8aE9CQgrod7PadxcHYKbw9kWdplVDpu9CmL3OMR7YjTyGPRDtgiULSILZD-DmZkL_CyQnxqx0VppvViHq5AnhmaLWeo2IuEx29vvlIxtYDLhvre15w/s200/mindysmith.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>9. Mindy Smith- <i>One Moment More<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></b></div>
<div>
Original release: 2004<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"><span style="white-space: normal;">(see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BtbcFQWgzZ6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)</span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
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<h3>
<span style="white-space: pre;"><u><br /></u></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="white-space: pre;"><u><br /></u></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="white-space: pre;"><u><br /></u></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="white-space: pre;"><u>Best album initially released in 2014
but formally and widely released in 2019:</u></span></h3>
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLc5PnZ1jofpoaWLhNta8UbLrxd6VGAFeYkt7aIdOEyfGkIK4Ui4fZ4Fp9HVL22ZARK3aVt8zk31GQX58eO5Stn5J4mh5o_DzQxmBJQnwRK-Yh-847wmreYuUUCjOdfpGXHglQUg/s1600/luxury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLc5PnZ1jofpoaWLhNta8UbLrxd6VGAFeYkt7aIdOEyfGkIK4Ui4fZ4Fp9HVL22ZARK3aVt8zk31GQX58eO5Stn5J4mh5o_DzQxmBJQnwRK-Yh-847wmreYuUUCjOdfpGXHglQUg/s200/luxury.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>Luxury<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span><i>Trophies<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></b><br />
Original release: 2014<span style="white-space: pre;"> (<a href="https://www.turnofftheradio.de/2014/12/best-albums-of-2014-trophies-and-crowd.html">My #1 album of 2014</a>)
</span>Hometown: Toccoa, Georgia<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">Format purchased: Vinyl through Kickstarter (see on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BytKV6iJpT3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)</span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">Buy/listen on <a href="https://luxury.bandcamp.com/album/trophies">Bandcamp </a> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="white-space: pre;">(see on my Instagram) </span></div>
<div>
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8Y4jIPn96Ig" width="560"></iframe><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="white-space: pre;"><u>Top 20 songs of the year
</u><span style="font-weight: normal;">(that are available on Bandcamp)</span></span></h3>
<span style="white-space: pre;"><i>(The only way to create Bandcamp playlists right now is through Playmoss--</i></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"><i>which works great in the web broswer-- but avoid the app.)</i></span><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="1000" src="//playmoss.com/embed/abparish/top-20-songs-of-2019-on-bandcamp" width="300"></iframe>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-74395056610750368712019-11-17T11:59:00.002-05:002019-12-06T17:10:12.860-05:00Top 50 Albums of the Decade; 2010-2019<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B5v0TLBJzFB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B5v0TLBJzFB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by AP (@turnofftheradio1976)</a> on <time datetime="2019-12-06T22:07:01+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 6, 2019 at 2:07pm PST</time></div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="1200" src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vToyIdkd3Xp0skPqr_rpO2he7-D_jkgDE4j_z359wVQn0OX9pXG3Tia4MDdfEYfpbaJoldwhxbC_63p/pubhtml?widget=true&headers=false" width="600"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171803.post-46510456076619137532019-07-02T09:27:00.000-04:002019-07-02T09:27:44.246-04:00Best of 2019 at the midpoint and a 15 song playlistNPR's best songs and albums of 2019 thus far reminded me that I have a blog. :) Wish I had more time to post and write, but not in the cards at this stage of life. Still listening to music a ton of course, and if you desire more frequent updates check out my Instagram feed as I post pictures of albums and comment on them there. Here is my most recent post:<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BzZhVhIpUQz/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">The Appleseed Cast- “The Fleeting Light of Impermanence.” Holy crap this album is amazing!!! Despite following this band closely for two decades and knowing all their songs deeply, this album still really took me by surprise. Chris really reaches another level of creativity, and the blending of the electronic elements with the band’s traditional guitar is mind-blowing. My #1 of the first half of 2019. (Also, shined a light through my clear acrylic platter to highlight the colors of the wax; worked pretty well I think!) #theappleseedcast #appleseedcast #gravefacerecords #greenvinyl #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #vintageaudio #nowspinning #vinyllife #nowplaying #vinyllove #vinyligclub #ilovediscogs</a></div>
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A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/turnofftheradio1976/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> AP</a> (@turnofftheradio1976) on <time datetime="2019-07-02T03:09:39+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 1, 2019 at 8:09pm PDT</time></div>
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(To add a little twist since I'm not going to comment in detail, I'll add the year I began listening to each of these artists.)<br />
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<u>So that leads me into my top 10 LPs through the first six months of 2019:</u><br />
1. The Appleseed Cast- <i>The Fleeting Light of Impermanence</i><br />
<i>Since 1998</i><br />
2. Better Oblivion Community Center- <i>Better Oblivion Community Center</i> (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BuHmtCwgiYj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
<i>Since 2019</i><br />
3. Charly Bliss- <i>Young Enough</i> (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxTFOuggUna/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
<i>Since 2017</i><br />
4. Hatchie- <i>Keepsake</i> (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BzR1ueTJoEF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
<i>Since 2017</i><br />
5. Starflyer 59- <i>Young in my Head</i> (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwsdR2DApO3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
<i>Since 1993</i><br />
6. Pedro the Lion- <i>Phoenix</i> (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsq0thVgJgP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
<i>Since 1997</i><br />
7. The Cranberries- <i>In the End</i> (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxazzinAVDG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
<i>Since 1994</i><br />
8. Haybaby- <i>They Get There</i> (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/By0y1wipuQV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
<i>Since 2019</i><br />
9. Over the Rhine- <i>Love & Revelation</i> (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvp2_5NgrqN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
<i>Since 1994</i><br />
10. Patty Griffin- <i>Patty Griffin</i><br />
<i>Since 2004</i><br />
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<br />
<u>Top 5 EPs of 2019:</u><br />
1. Mineral- One Day When We are Young (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsiqo4Qgntd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
<i>Since 1996</i><br />
2. Caracara- Better <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BylSe26J1Mt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">(Instagram</a>)<br />
<i>Since 2019</i><br />
3. Middle Kids- New Songs for Old Problems (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx5Z6jBpQWJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
<i>Since 2018</i><br />
4. Thrice- Deeper Wells (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwNTuHTgfz1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
<i>Since 2002</i><br />
5. Rose Blossom Punch- Sorry to Disappoint You (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BzTZuS4pwVF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>)<br />
<i>Since 1995</i><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="800" src="//playmoss.com/embed/abparish/best-of-2019-at-the-midpoint?skin=dark" width="300"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0