objectivesubjectivity

[objectivesubjectivity]

My Top 50 Songs of 2024*

*not necessarily from 2024

Nearly a decade of the Top 50 Songs from [insert year here] that aren’t necessarily from [insert same year here] playlist! I honestly cannot believe that it's been 9 years. I actually had to remove a song from this list because I discovered that I had put in on a list back in 2019 (and meaningless rules are kind of my thing if you read the previous post).

But here we are again with 50 songs that I really dug this year, whether they came out in 2024 or not. Like last year, I did some rough sequencing that doesn't always work out (it's terribly hard to follow something as quietly brutal and, unfortunately, prescient as "Neighborhood") but, on the whole, I think it flows pretty well.

Check it out if you want. I personally think it's an excellent way to spend 3 hours but, like everything else on this blog, that's totally subjective.

Have a wonderful new year and you'll hear from me again in December of 2025. (Or maybe earlier? Been dabbling with a "Best of the 2020's so far" type thing...)

Charlie xcx - 360

Origami Angel - Dirty Mirror Selfie

Bright Eyes - Bells and Whistles

No Thank You - Hell Bent

The Menzingers - Gates

Olivia Rodrigo - all-american bitch

Lupe Fiasco - Samurai

The Blow - Parentheses

Fucked Up - Cicada

Porridge Radio - Sick of the Blues

Macseal - A+B

Gouge Away - Maybe Blue

Kevin Devine - Another Bag of Bones

Chappell Roan - Casual

Adeem the Artist - For Judas

Red City Radio - Love a Liar

Say Anything - I, VIBRATOR

Charlotte Gainsbourg - 5:55

Born Without Bones - Bar Harbor

Bad Books - Neighborhood

Noah And The Whale - 5 Years Time

De Jeugd Van Tegenwoordig - Watskeburt?!

Cursive - Rookie

Phil Collins - You'll Be In My Heart

Eels - Let's Be Lucky

Martha - Beat, Perpetual

Doechii - CATFISH

Less Than Jake - Broken Words

Low - California

Hiccup - Tides

Laura Marling - Child of Mine

Earl Sweatshirt & The Alchemist - Heat Check

Sammy Rae & The Friends - Jackie Onassis

The Early November - About Me

The Decemberists - William Fitzwilliam

Previous Industries - Showbiz

The Story So Far - All This Time

Oolong - Runtz

Dionne Farris - I Know

Emperor X - Allahu Akbar

Hello Mary - Three

Megan Thee Stallion - Number One Rule

Linus - FNITUP

State Champs - Just Soun

Devon Kay & The Solutions - A Little Bit

Kendrick Lamar - squabble up

MJ Lenderman - She's Leaving You

Carly Cosgrove - Don't Lick The Swingset

Magnolia Park - I2I

The Blood Brothers - The Shame

[objectivesubjectivity]

My Favorite Albums of 2024*

*not necessarily from 2024

I'm back at it once again, sharing my Top 10 CDs, in alphabetical order by title, from the 151 I've acquired over the past year. They may not be from 2024. Hell, they may not even be from this century. But I didn't physically own them until this year. That's the only rule. And boy do I love making up absolutely meaningless rules. Let's get into it!

Say Anything - All My Friends Are Enemies: Early Rarities

Say Anything released one of the most unhinged, passionate, and self-indulgent albums I picked up this year and it may have made it on this list if it wasn’t for splurging on a 3-disc (!!!) compilation of all of their pre-Is A Real Boy material showcasing just how great of a songwriter Bemis can be. Plus, his commentary all over the liner notes is *chef’s kiss*.

Charlie XCX - Brat

I spent a decent amount of time declaring how this was “not for me” (I’m in my late 30s, I don’t go to clubs, I’ve never done coke, etc…) but it just didn’t let up. The overarching concept of accepting one’s full self, flaws and all, is universal and these songs have a depth that blossoms on repeat listens. There’s a reason this is on all the "best of" lists.

Cursive - Devourer

It’s been a year of “return to form albums” and none has been as exciting or as potent as Cursive’s 10th. The cello is back. The horns are back. It’s as loud, brash, and pessimistic as ever but Kasher also reminds everyone that he can also write one hell of a hook. Also, while “MUSTARDDDDDDDDDD” takes the cake for greatest yelled lyric of the year, Tim spewing “MOTHER FUCKER” on “The Age of Impotence,” is a close second.

Eels - EELS TIME!

I had given up on E’s lyrical prowess a good decade ago but maybe that was premature. While this album has a smattering of the lazy, cringeworthy rhymes gracing most things post “Blinking Lights,” it also is home to a myriad thoughtful and earnest ponderings on the temporal nature of life and how we choose to spend our finite amount of time. Oh, and an incredible verse about going on a date with someone who likes furries. EELS ARE FUCKING BACK, BABY.

Hello Mary - Emita Ox

I wanted to like Hello Mary’s self-titled album a lot more than I did. The Brooklyn 3 piece possessed a delicate fury and 90s post-grunge aesthetic that warmed my heart but the album never really stuck. That’s not the case with Emita Ox: it’s heavier and more mathy but it balances those elements with lush harmonies and superb melodies. This sounds like a band finding themselves and I cannot wait to see what they discover next.

Devon Kay & The Solutions - Grieving Expectation

Every year I go on a Pure Noise Records shopping spree (it helps that their cds are frequently quite cheap and BOGO) which allows me to discover a ton of music I otherwise wouldn’t have heard and every now and then, I find a gem. This is one of those gems. Blurring the lines between ska, punk, emo, and good ol’ fashioned “Alt-Rock,” this album hits like Jeff Rosenstock by way of “Bring Your Own Stereo” era Jimmie's Chicken Shack. It’s got great choruses, a killer horn section, and I found myself frequently reaching the end and starting it right back over again. Easily my favorite discovery of the year.

MJ Lenderman - Manning Fireworks

This is popping up in one of the top 3 slots on many of the End of Year lists I’ve checked out and for good reason. It’s instantly approachable with humorous and poignant lyrics that unearth themselves more and more on repeat listens. Also, to stand out in the crowded “Americana” field these days is a feat in itself. Bravo.

Macseal - Permanent Repeat

I saw this four-piece open for The Wonder Years a couple years ago and was immediately intrigued by how their melodies and chord progressions consistently shifted away from where I expected but not at the expense of the song itself. In yet another crowded field, this time emo-tinged Americana (“Emoacana?”), they definitely made a mark. A couple years later, they’ve replaced some of the twists and turns with a deeper ability to craft great, memorable songs, and, holy shit, is it effective. It’s pretty ballsy to name your album “Permanent Repeat” but that’s basically what this disc has been doing ever since it showed up in my mailbox. This is, hands down, my album of the year.

Martha - Please Don’t Take Me Back

Positively pleasing, practically perfect, politically-charged, pop-punk from across the pond. Head-bopped to this one many times this past year. No skips.

The Pharmaceutical Bandits - Those Damn Bandits

This isn’t a “good” album per se (it’s the debut album from a late 90s teenage ska-punk band so expectations probably shouldn't be that high in the first place) but it was one of the only Drive-Thru Records CD I didn’t own, so of course it had to be on this list. 

To their credit, after this album, they altered their name to Rx Bandits and put out a ton of great ska-punk tracks. And then they went prog-rock and put out some great tracks in that style as well. It’s a strange journey but well worth it.

Other albums I liked from 2024 but haven't yet physically acquired.

Doechii - Alligator Bites Never Heal (Only Vinyl pre-release at the moment. Hoping for a CD as well.)

Tyler, The Creator - Chromakopia (Ordered it back in November. Possibly still stuck in transit?)

Kendrick Lamar - GNX (pre-ordered the CD from Amoeba. Feels right to get that from a Cali based store)

Other Assorted 2024 Stuff

Favorite Live Bands seen in 2024:

Emperor X (The Broadway - 4/27)

Something Corporate (Asbury Park - 8/23)

Soul Coughing (Brooklyn Steel - 10/4)

Hello Mary - (Warsaw 10/26)

The Blood Brothers (Irving Plaza - 12/13)

Favorite Plays seen in 2024

The Ally (The Public)

Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre)

Life and Trust (Connell Tower)

Medea RE: Versed (Sheen Center)

Gypsy (Majestic)

Favorite Movies seen in 2024

Love Lies Bleeding

Strange Darling

The Substance

Longlegs

The Endless

Beetlejuice (the original, I haven't seen the sequel)

We’re All Going to the World’s Fair

Late Night with the Devil

Milk and Serial

Labyrinth

Favorite TV seen in 2024

Alice in Borderland (Season 2)

Baby Reindeer

Rhythm and Flow (Season 2 - even though I disagreed with their final choice)

Abbott Elementary

Only Murders

Last Week Tonight

Just For Us

Favorite Podcasts listened to in 2024

Entrée PeeE Neur’s Entrepreneur Tour Featuring Appetizer P Neur

The "Drop Dead Gorgeous" Episode from Scott Hasn't Seen

The Secrets Hotline

Detoxicity

The Run Up

538 Politics Podcast

The Daily

Favorite Books read in 2024

All The Kings Men by Robert Penn Warren

Frankenstein by Mary Shelly

Basketball (and Other Things) by Shea Serrano

Slonim 9: A Memoir by Daniel Barban Levin

[objectivesubjectivity]

My Top 50 Songs of 2023*

*not necessarily from 2023

Year number 8 of the Top 50 Songs of 2023 that aren’t necessarily from 2023 playlist!

The biggest change this year is that I did my best to try and actually sequence the playlist so I recommend turning off the shuffle I've suggested in years past and let the thing play in order.

To be totally honest, I didn't fall in love with that many albums this year BUT I did fall in love with a ton of tracks, most of which are represented here (especially the end of the playlist which skews very 2023).

So check it out. Discover something new or fall in love with something you haven’t heard in a while. See you next year!

Triple Fast Action - Small Amount

Pool Kids - That’s Physics, Baby

Joy Oladokun - Changes

Samiam - Lights Out Little Hustler

Florence + The Machine - South London Forever

Kacey Musgraves - justified

Worst Party Ever - Beautiful Out

Laura Mvula - Church Girl

The Verve Pipe - She Has Faces

Open Mike Eagle - Microfiche

Youth Fountain - Century

Murs (Feat. Aesop Rock) - Happy Pillz

HummusVacuum - Krasue

Fishbone - A Movement in the Light

Tigers Jaw - Anniversary

Seal - The Beginning

Teenage Wrist - Sunshine

Faith No More - Midlife Crisis

MAITA - Road Song

Thrice - The Grey

Four Year Strong - It Must Really Suck to Be Four Year Strong Right Now

Wolves of Glendale - Olivia

Jail Socks - On the Run

Foo Fighters - But Here We Are

Sunny War - Sweet Nothing

Militarie Gun - Very High

The Wonder Years - Oldest Daughter

Jackson+Sellers - Waste Your Time

Equipment - Coat Tails

Spitalfield - Make My Heart Attack

Can’t Swim - Nowhere, Ohio

Randy Newman - Strange Things

Busta Rhymes - Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See

Proper. - In The Van Somewhere Outside of Birmingham

Ben Folds - Kristine From the 7th Grade

Atmosphere - Peyote

Anxious - In April

Home is Where - Whaling For Sport

Minnie Ripperton - Les Fleurs

Dashboard Confessional - Sleep In

boygenius - Not Strong Enough

Lana Del Ray - Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Boulevard?

Blur - The Narcissist

Caroline Polachek - Blood and Butter

Origami Angel - Few and Far Between

Ratboys - Morning Zoo

billy woods and Kenny Segal - NYC Tapwater

SZA - Good Days

Wednesday- TV in the Gas Pump

Beauty Pill - Terrible Things

[objectivesubjectivity]

My Favorite Albums of 2023*

*not necessarily from 2023

Last year, I decided that, instead of limiting my "favorite" list to just the past year, I would broaden the scope to include any CD I acquired that year, whether it was released that year or not. Over the past 12 months, I've added 155 CDs to the already over-burdened collection (which may seem like a lot but it's down from 260 last year, so I believe some praise is due). These are my favorite 9, in alphabetical order by album title.

Foo Fighters - But Here We Are

"Times Like These," whether he intended it to be or not, was one of the very few, great post-9/11 songs. And while I might expect that from Springsteen, Grohl didn't immediately spring to mind as a voice of comfort and empathy, so the song's impact may have actually been a bit greater than something akin to "The Rising" (which, don't get me wrong, is an amazing song). And now, a couple decades later, it shouldn't be surprising that a Foo Fighters album dealing with intense and intimate grief would also be stunning, but, like before, I certainly wasn't expecting it and also, like before, I've turned to it a hell of a lot more than I would have thought.

Caroline Polachek - Desire, I Want To Turn Into You

You know those albums where you really like a bunch of the songs but not all of them but you also know that, with each repeated listen, you're going to find ways into the songs you didn't like as much on previous listens and come up with reasons why you actually do like those songs and therefore, think the entire album is brilliant? Yeah, this is one of those albums.

billy woods and kenny segal - maps

Let me preface this by saying that I am years late to the billy woods party, so I do not have any way of comparing this to his previous, abundant discography, but if it is at all indicative of the rest of his work, I have some major catching up to do! woods is a top notch lyricist with a clear love of language and the ways in which it can be structured. His metaphors and imagery are complex and layered but never so obtuse that they alienate the listener. And all of this verbal brilliance is nestled comfortably on segal's inviting but never settled production. I'll come back to this one often.

Stevie Wonder - Original Musiquarium I

I'm not normally a fan of "best of" compilations but this one, with the addition of the four unreleased tracks capping each "side," is so well put together and clearly thought through, I'm thrilled to have it as a part of my collection. Plus, it's really hard to ever go wrong with Stevie.

Laura Mvula - Pink Noise

Roughly 5 years ago, I heard "She," and was blown away. I added Sing to the Moon to my discogs want list but never got around to snagging a copy. About 3 years ago, I heard "Got Me" and decided to be a bit more active in trying to acquire a copy of Pink Noise, but I think there were some transatlantic issues because nothing seemed to be remotely affordable. Fast forward to midway through this year, the album miraculously pops up on Amazon for under 10 bucks and a day or two later, I'm finally blessed with these 10 fiercely intelligent yet uncompromisingly catchy pop bangers.

Pool Kids - Pool Kids

It's mathy, it's tappy, it's stupidly technical, but if you strip that all away, at its heart, these are 12 solid pop-punk/emo songs. So while the base effort is already worthwhile, the tremendous musicality turns them into something truly special.

Atmosphere - Sad Clown Bad Fall 10

Okay, so it's only 5 tracks but hear me out. I was introduced to Slug and Ant through their brief stint with Epitaph Records and their, imho, brilliant album, Seven's Travels. Over the years, I've picked up an Atmosphere album here and there, but my takeaways have been lackluster and I started to wonder whether they were just a one-off in my book. And then I found this at a used record store in Seattle, and it not only reignited the flame but made me want to revisit the rest of my collection. That's pretty impressive for only 16 minutes of music.

Triple Fast Action - Triple Fast Action

Triple Fast Action were probably the favorite band your favorite 90's alt-rock band (The Colour and the Shape was, apparently, greatly influenced by Broadcaster) and with only two albums to their name, it was a wonderful surprise to discover this treasure trove of unreleased and rare tracks, most of which were recorded in their rehearsal studio. While not everything is great, there's a general bittersweet air hovering around this 2-disc compilation - they could have been big, but for whatever reason, the stars didn't align. At least we now have so much more music.

Ratboys - The Window

Ratboys aren't reinventing the wheel here. They pull upon most of the major indie rock tropes of the past couple of years (Americana, pop-punk, prog rock...) but even with the genre hopping, the album shifts seamlessly from track to track and always feels authentic. What would we do with a new wheel anyway? Wouldn't you rather just get the top-of-the-line version?

Other assorted 2023 stuff

Favorite Albums NOT acquired in 2023:

Proper. - The Great American Novel

Tigers Jaw - I Don't Care How You Remember Me

Elvis Costello - Brutal Youth

Face to Face - Face to Face

Florence + The Machine - High As Hope

Beauty Pill - The Unsustainable Lifestyle

Favorite Live Bands seen in 2023:

The Verve Pipe (City Winery - 4/23)

Home Is Where (Elsewhere - 7/8)

Four Year Strong (Rocks Off Concert Cruise - 10/15)

The Hold Steady (Brooklyn Bowl - 11/30)

Favorite Movies watched in 2023:

Soft and Quiet

Poor Things

Shotgun Wedding

Pearl

Favorite TV Shows watched in 2023:

Alice in Borderland (Season 1)

The Fall of the House of Usher

The Curse

This is Pop

Channel Zero (Seasons 1 and 2)

Evil (Seasons 1 and 2)

The Last of Us

Favorite Books read in 2023:

Lonesome Dove - Larry McMurtry

In the Dream House - Carmen Maria Machado

Wraith - Joe Hill and Charles Paul Wilson III

Favorite Podcasts listened to in 2023:

Fearful Symmetry

Love and Radio

Detoxcity

U Springing Springsteen on My Bean?

"Finn and the Bell" episode of Radiolab

"Wake" episode of The Memory Palace

[objectivesubjectivity]

My Top 50 Songs of 2022*

*not necessarily from 2022

Year number 6 of the Top 50 Songs of 2022 that aren't necessarily from 2022 playlist!

I'm not quite sure when this happened or why, but I started listening to my Discover Weekly playlist pretty regularly on Mondays and that led to a ton of songs on this list (BOW DOWN TO THE ELECTRONIC, ALGORITHMIC GATEKEEPERS) which was, honestly, a nice change of pace from having to do the leg work myself. Other songs came from the ending credits of a Rob Zombie, some of my favorite albums of 2022, finally listening to albums I bought years ago, and a trip to Wegmans (I had a "Mountains Win Again," experience with Miley Cyrus's "The Climb").

So check it out. Discover something new or fall in love with something you haven't heard in a while. And for better or for worse, there are no Daniel Tiger tracks (but in case you were wondering, I still consider myself a good father).

Songs are not sequenced with any intention or ranked in any way so I highly recommend listening on shuffle.

[objectivesubjectivity]

My Favorite Albums of 2022*

*not necessarily from 2022

Over the past 12 months, I've somehow acquired 260 CDs, so instead of doing a standard, "Top of 2022 list," I figured I'd share 10 favorite additions to my ever-growing collection, no matter if they were released in 2022 or not. I'll also do it in alphabetical order by album name for simplicity's sake (and 10 out of 260 is already subjective enough!). Here goes!

Tyler, the Creator - Call Me If You Get Lost

The brilliant wordplay more than warrants Tyler's oozing braggadocio but the fact that, in many cases, that same braggadocio is only thinly veiling deep insecurities elevates this to a truly astonishing level. "Drama, I need you. Can you turn the noise up?" isn't about getting the party hyped, it's about drowning out that critical voice in the back of your head. It's a call for help. It's a masterwork by an MC who's, somewhat surprisingly, coming for a Top 5 spot.

Soul Glo - Diaspora Problems

The CD came with liner notes and lyrics but you basically need a magnifying glass to read them. But you should get one. Because they're worth it. Verbose, brilliant, genre jumping hardcore.

The Beths - Expert in a Dying Field

Do you remember when "Mr. Brightside" came out and it basically was the "end-all, be-all" song about jealousy? "Expert in a Dying Field," is "Mr. Brightside" for breakups. The rest of the album is just icing on the cake. But the icing is also ridiculously good. Like nearly as good as the cake itself.

Origami Angel - Gami Gang

Dumb puns for song titles ("Neutrogina Spektor," "Tom Holland Oates," "Bed, Bath, and Batman Beyond,"), Pokémon, Game Boy, and Taco Bell references, and a smattering of sick riffs, anthemic choruses, and furious tapping. These 20(!!!) songs are more than just an album, they're a goddamn mission statement for a new generation of nerdy emo kids.

The Hotelier - Like No Place Is There

I can imagine Guy and Ian listening to this album and saying, "yeah, this is exactly where we imagined the genre ending up 30 years later." Devastating, cathartic, rough around the edges, but full of melody, and, most importantly, empathy.

Drug Church - Hygiene

Folks keep labeling this "hardcore," but its New Wave and 90's Alt-Rock influences are too abundant to keep it pinned down. Plus, it's catchy as fuck. An excellent 26 minutes that gets better with each listen.

Pusha T - It's Almost Dry

Focus on the latter half of Pusha's statement of purpose: "Cocaine's Dr. Seuss." It's not just that he raps about slinging coke, it's that he loves the words he uses to rap about slinging coke. That joy, that creativity, that fun is abundant on these 12 tracks. Hell, he even gets Jay to join in. (Hot take: Jay's verse on "Neck & Wrist," is better than his verse on "God DID.")

The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour

A stone-cold-classic that I finally picked up on CD. Maybe my favorite from the fab four.

Denzel Curry - Melt My Eyez See Your Future

Stripping away the vocal acrobatics and spectacle that instantly hooked me, Denzel keeps his tone simple and direct and his lyrics powerful and personal, further highlighting his talent and chameleonic abilities.

Kendrick Lamar - Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers

Holding the controversial opinion that DAMN. was a clear step backwards, from the opening moments of "United in Grief," it was clear that K. Dot made a sharp turn back to the complexity and nuance of TPAB and GKMC. It's a deeply uncomfortable listen, giving us an in-depth view of a man struggling to find his true self and how that clashes with who others want (need?) him to be. It's messy and difficult and problematic and exactly the type of album only Kendrick can make.

Other assorted 2022 stuff

Favorite Albums NOT acquired in 2022:

mewithoutYou - Brother, Sister

Polar Bear Club - Clash Battle Guilt Pride

Broadway Calls - Comfort/Distraction

Iron Chic - The Constant Ones

The Beths - Future Me Hates Me

The Wonder Years - The Greatest Generation

Hot Water Music - Light It Up

Teenage Fanclub - Songs From Northern Britain

LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver

Queens of the Stone Age - Villains

Favorite Live Bands seen in 2022

Cursive (Irving Plaza - 1/26)

The Wonder Years (Webster Hall - 3/16)

Motion City Soundtrack (Terminal 5 - 6/19)

Less Than Jake (Saint Vitus - 12/12)

Favorite Movies watched in 2022

Terrifier 2

Nope

Don't Look Up

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors

Inside

Favorite TV Shows watched in 2022

Severance

Joe Pera Talks With You

The White Lotus

Abbot Elementary

The Rehearsal

Favorite Books read in 2022:

They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib

Sellout by Dan Ozzi

The Power Broker by Robert Caro

Favorite Podcasts listened to in 2022:

Love and Radio

The Secrets Hotline

Detoxicity

Will Be Wild

The Trojan Horse Affair

[objectivesubjectivity]

Ranking all the 2021 CDs I physically own: 1-5

The following is the final of five entries in an entirely subjective and personalized ranking of the 41 albums released in 2021 that I physically own.

5. Illuminati Hotties - Let Me Do One More: These anxious alt-rock tracks are as funny as they are fraught, tender as they are tumultuous, and they get better with each listen. Must hear track(s): Cheap Shoes, Toasting, The Sway, Threatening Each Other Re: Capitalism, Pool Hopping, Protector

4. Turnstile - GLOW ON: I would be hard pressed to find another hardcore punk album as accessible and fun as GLOW ON but the truly incredible part is that they’re able to achieve this while paying utmost respect to genre as a whole. It’s no wonder this is popping up on “best of” lists everywhere. Must hear track(s): BLACKOUT, MYSTERY, DANCE-OFF, UNDERWATER BOI, HOLIDAY, NEW HEART DESIGN, DON'T PLAY

3. Lucy Dacus - Home Video: It takes an immense amount of talent to present an album this brutally personal in such a welcoming and compelling manor. Plus, if you haven’t heard the Song Exploder about “Thumbs,” you should check it out immediately. Must hear track(s): Thumbs, VBS, Going Going Gone, Christine, Triple Dog Dare

2. Remember Sports - Like A Stone: One of my favorite 90’s bands was the short-lived Geraldine Fibbers who brilliantly combined alt-country with grunge and, for decades now, have left a sizable impression on my musical tastes. I’m not saying that Remember Sports twangy, indie punk sounds just like the Fibbers, just that I thoroughly expect this album to fill a similar space for at least the next couple of decades. Must hear track(s): Sentimentality, Materialistic, Out Loud, Eggs, Odds Are, Like A Stone

1. Low - HEY WHAT: A near perfect album, these harmonies soar along beside the distortion and delay, almost like there’s a refusal to give up hope and beauty even in the midst of the chaos and destruction around us, and isn’t that a perfect encapsulation of “Days Like These?” Must hear track(s): White Horses, All Night, Days Like These, Hey, Disappearing, I Can Wait, Don't Walk Away, More

[objectivesubjectivity]

Ranking all the 2021 CDs I physically own: 6-14

The following is the fourth of five entries in an entirely subjective and personalized ranking of the 41 albums released in 2021 that I physically own.

14. Cloud Nothings - The Shadow I Remember: Hitting their stride by the second half, Cloud Nothings serve up another solid helping of noisy, aggressive, melodic punk. Must hear track(s): Sound of Alarm, Am I Something?

13. Wild Pink - A Billion Little Lights: While the novelty has somewhat worn off, John Ross still sounds as pleasant as ever and gifts us another amazing opening triptych. Must hear track(s): Pacific City, The First Three Tracks

12. Adele - 30: Strip away “Oh My God” and “Can I Get It,” and this might have moved up a couple of notches - you don’t need to bog that voice down with unnecessary whistles and chunky acoustic guitar, especially when experimenting (to great success!) with some 60’s girl group and Motown vibes. (FWIW: The duet version of "Easy on Me" exclusively on the Target version was very much worth it). Must hear track(s): Love is a Game, My Little Love, I Drink Wine, All Night Parking (with Errol Garner), Easy on Me (with Chris Stapleton)

11. Really From - Really From: Softening their more abrasive edges (mostly on the emo end, their jazz side was never that audience unfriendly), Really From (f.k.a. People Like You) continue to perfect a rarely explored blend of genres. Must hear track(s): Quirk, In the Spaces, Try Lingual

10. Dry Cleaning - New Long Leg: As someone whose compass generally points toward vocal melodies and harmonies, Dry Cleaning start at a major disadvantage, so perhaps the most impressive thing here is how much I truly enjoy these 10 tracks. Must hear track(s): Her Hippo, More Big Birds

9. Fiddlehead - Between the Richness: Joining the ranks of Majesty Shredding and No Coast, Beyond the Richness is a mature, reflective body of work, clearly proving that hardcore isn’t just for the kids. Must hear track(s): Grief Motif, Joyboy, Down University, The Years, Million Times

8. Teenage Wrist - Earth is a Black Hole: The 90’s alt-rock revival is in full swing but it’s no small feat to emerge with something that so clearly pays homage to its influences (Third Eye Blind, Gin Blossoms, Jimmy Eat World) while remaining distinct and fresh. Must hear track(s): Yellowbelly, Silverspoon, Earth is A Black Hole

7. Halsey - If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power: IMHO, not nearly enough attention was paid to this dark pop masterpiece. It’s fierce, nuanced, contemplative, and, to top it all off, catchy as hell. Must hear track(s): Bells in Santa Fe, You Asked for This, Girl is a Gun, Darling, I Am Not A Woman I’m A God.

6. The Armed - ULTRAPOP: ULTRAPOP's uncompromising brutality immediately makes you question the “pop” in its title but it’s filled with enough melodies and structure to beg the question: “is this actually pop?” And I have a distinct feeling that ambiguity was very intentional. Must hear track(s): BAD SELECTION, ALL FUTURES, AVERAGE DEATH, MASUNGA VAPORS, A LIFE SO WONDERFUL, WHERE MAN KNOWS WANT

[objectivesubjectivity]

Ranking all the 2021 CDs I physically own: 15-23

The following is the third of five entries in an entirely subjective and personalized ranking of the 41 albums released in 2021 that I physically own.

23. Quicksand - Distant Populations: The pieces are all here (veteran leadership, melodic aggression, pit-ready breakdowns) but they only coalesce into something great on a couple tracks. Must hear track(s): Lightning Field, Brushed, Phase 90

22. Common - A Beautiful Revolution (Pt 1): One of the stronger Common releases I’ve heard in a hot minute, bolstered by effective production and a short run time. Must hear track(s): Riot in My Mind (feat. Lenny Kravitz & Chuck D), Don’t Forget Who You Are (feat. PJ), Courageous (feat. PJ & Stevie Wonder)

21. Tigers Jaw - I Won't Care How You Remember Me: An unoffensive, very digestible serving from these modern emo vets. Must hear track(s): Anniversary, Lemon Mouth

20. Various Artists - The Metallica Blacklist: As a connoisseur of cover albums (ask me how many Punk Goes… albums I have), the general approach here is surprisingly welcome and unique, allowing the listener to compare and contrast how different acts interpret the same song (for better or worse). The flipside is 12 different versions of “Nothing Else Matters” back to back is a level of hell I didn't know existed. Must hear track(s): Enter Sandman - Alessia Cara and The Warning, Sad But True - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Holier Than Thou - OFF!, The Unforgiven - Diet Cig, Wherever I May Roam - J Balvin, Don’t Tred on Else Matters - SebastiAn, Nothing Else Matters - Miley Cyrus and a bunch of other folks, Nothing Else Matters - My Morning Jacket, Nothing Else Matters - Chris Stapleton, My Friend of Misery - Kamasi Washington

19. The World is a Beautiful Place and I Am No Longer Afraid to Die - Illusory Walls: Fewer Afraid is a glorious and triumphant (or perhaps ominous?) way to end a fraught and troubled album, I just wish the build up was as good as the pay off. Must hear track(s): Fewer Afraid, Queen Sophie for President, Afraid to Die

18. Olivia Rodrigo - Sour: The ballads grow a bit tiresome by the end and I personally would like a bit more pop-punk (the hype was strong, the reality less so) but there’s no denying the feels that Rodrigo shares here, especially when remembering my mental state in my late teens. Must hear track(s): 1 step forward, 3 steps back, brutal, drivers license

17. Brockhampton - Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine: Side B’s emotionally tinged pop-rap sticks a bit harder than Side A’s modern braggadocio but both halves are well worth the lengthy time-stamp. Must hear track(s): Don’t Shoot Up the Party, The Light Pt. II, When I Ball, What’s the Occasion

16. Pom Pom Squad - Death of a Cheerleader: I’m still utterly confused by that “Crimson and Clover” cover, but that’s not enough reason to pooh-pooh an otherwise great pop-rock album that probably should have been as big as Sour. Must hear track(s): Second That, Head Cheerleader, Red with Love

15. Foxing - Draw Down the Moon: The path to becoming more accessible is littered with wrong turns and dead ends and so the fact that Foxing is able to traverse it without any major missteps is a feat in itself. The fact that there are also some killer tracks just adds some icing to the cake. Must hear track(s): Go Down Together, 737, Cold Blooded

[objectivesubjectivity]

Ranking all the 2021 CDs I physically own: 24-32

The following is the second of five entries in an entirely subjective and personalized ranking of the 41 albums released in 2021 that I physically own.

32. Spirit of the Beehive - ENTERTAINMENT, DEATH: It’ll probably take at least a couple more spins until I “get it” (the second listen was certainly more palatable than the first) but I’ll have to work up the appetite first. Must hear track(s): THE SERVER IS IMMERSED

31. Torres - Thirstier: A couple of real earwormy tracks rise to the top of this indie rock love fest. Must hear track(s): Don’t Go Puttin Wishes In My Head, Thirstier

30. Virginity - Popmortem: A dinner plate of aggressive Weezer-esque rock with a couple tracks good enough for seconds. Must hear track(s): IamYOUareMEtoo, Just Like the Way

29. Angels and Airwaves - Lifeforms: “I said we're not alone and the government knows it,” is just about what I should expect from Tom at this point in his life. Must hear track(s): Rebel Girl, Euphoria

28. The Dirty Nil - Fuck Art: Cheeky, heavy power-pop that proves to be a damn good time if not much else. Must hear track(s): Doom Boy, I’m Done With Drugs

27. Ryan Adams - Wednesdays: There’s still too much blame and self-pity here even if the production and song craft is some of the best Adams has delivered in years (a more repentant Adams might have landed “Birmingham” a place in rock’s great “fuck you” songs). Must hear track(s): Birmingham, Dreaming You Backwards.

26. The Mountain Goats - Dark in Here: On what’s probably close to their millionth album, Darnielle and crew put forth another string of, mostly compelling, folksy melodies. Must hear tracks: The Destruction of the Kola Superdeep Borehole Tower, Argument with the Ghost of Peter Laughner About His Coney Island Baby Review, Mobile

25. D Smoke - Black Habits: Yeah, Smoke’s a bit of a poor man’s Kendrick but that still places him leaps and bounds above the competition, just not good enough yet to warrant 16 tracks. Must hear track(s): Gaspar Yanga (feat. Snoop Dogg), No Commas, Closer to God (feat. SiR)

24. Sincere Engineer - Bless My Psyche: Deanna Belos proudly sports her Counting Crows & Lawrence Arms influences and, every so often, they blend perfectly. Must hear track(s): Out of Reach, Dragged Across the Finish Line, Hurricane of Misery, Trust Me

[objectivesubjectivity]

Ranking all the 2021 CDs I physically own: 33-41

The following is the first of five entries in an entirely subjective and personalized ranking of the 41 albums released in 2021 that I physically own.

41. Lucero - When You Found Me: Ben’s twangy growl is one of the best in the biz but something is off here with either his performance or the production. No must hear tracks

40. Citizen - Life in Your Glass World: I think I made a mistake having this be my introduction to Citizen (I have little patience for this brand of indie dance punk). Perhaps with a greater knowledge of their very well respected discography, I’d be able to hear this differently. No most hear tracks

39. Hiss Golden Messenger - Quietly Blowing It: Understated Americana I could willingly take or leave. Must hear track(s): If It Comes in the Morning

38. The Spill Canvas - Conduit: “Firestorm” hits all the right buttons (those chorus harmonies are to die for) but everything else kind of washes over me. Must hear track(s): Firestorm

37. The Hold Steady - Open Door Policy: Finn and crew still can churn out some great bar rock but there’s only so many songs about heavy drug usage I can stomach. Must hear track(s): Heavy Covenant, Lanyards

36. Dollar Signs - Hearts of Gold: Doused in millenial folk-punk revelry, this probably isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (including mine at times) but Dollar Signs seems to be fine with that. Must hear track(s): Nihilist Gundam, B.o.m.b.s

35. Mac McCaughan - The Sound of Yourself: I can do without the new-agey instrumentals but Mac can sure write one hell of a ditty. It’s also a nice, contemplative contrast to the blistering ire of the most recent Superchunk album. Must hear track(s): The Sound of Yourself

34. Harmony Woods - Graceful Rage: When the distortion kicks in, it gives some much needed life to these searing songs of hatred and heartbreak. Must hear track(s): Graceful Rage

33. Julien Baker - Little Oblivions: The “post-rock” novelty wears out after a couple of tracks but that’s less Julien’s fault and more a hazard of the genre. Must hear track(s): Heatwave, Hardline, Ziptie

[objectivesubjectivity]

My Top 50 Songs of 2021*

*not necessarily from 2021

Five years in and going strong, here is a smattering of my favorite tracks from this past year that might not be from this past year.

This year brings to the table some stone cold classics (new and old), some killer tracks from the past 5 years or so I've discovered on the Side Quest, some super indie stuff that is definitely worth your time (indie as in actually independent, not the enigmatic genre), and, of course, what type of father would I be without adding at least ONE Daniel Tiger track?

So dig in. I hope you enjoy. The Top 50 of 2022 list starts tomorrow.

Songs are not sequenced with any intention or ranked in any way so I highly recommend listening on shuffle.

Teens//candle - Guitar Fight from Fooly Cooly

Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder) - Maxwell

Beach Front Property - Spanish Love Songs

Do You Still Hate Me? - Jawbreaker

Plasticine Dreams - Boston Manor

Alien Angel - The Faint

Learn to Love the Lie - Four Year Strong

Seventeen - Tomberlin

It Gets Better (With Time) - The Internet

Mr. Tillman - Father John Misty

God & Suicide - Blitzen Trapper

It's Just a Party - Snowing

We Drink Light - Packwood

Eurydice - Heathers

Needles In The Camel's Eye - Brian Eno

A Little Uncanny - Conor Oberst

Wonder - Lomelda

I Know I Have A Heart - Andrew Lloyd Webber, Carrie Hope Fletcher

Musketeers - Moon Tooth

I Need A Teacher - Hiss Golden Messenger

Ice Cream (Strange and Pleasing) - Redd Kross

let gO Of my egO - NNAMDÏ

A New Wave - Sleater-Kinney

Old Guitar (Beehive Edition) - The Locksmiths

Don't Go Puttin Wishes In My Head - TORRES

Sentimentality - Remember Sports

Jump Off The Roof - Vince Staples, Snoh Aalegra

Leave The Door Open - Silk Sonic

Pretty Roses in Your Hair - The Jayhawks

Priorities - Lil Yachty

Fortress - Queens of the Stone Age

I Can't Believe - Alkaline Trio

Keep This Up - The Story So Far

Yellowbelly - Teenage Wrist

Disappeared - Sorority Noise

Thumbs - Lucy Dacus

***BNB - Jeff Rosenstock

BLACKOUT - Turnstile

Doom Boy - The Dirty Nil

t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l - WILLOW, Travis Barker

Her Hippo - Dry Cleaning

Go Down Together - Foxing

White Horses - Low

The Hardest - Say Anything

Firestorm - The Spill Canvas

I Can't Get You off of My Mind - The Verve Pipe

Lucky Man - Glen Hansard

BAD SELECTION - The Armed

Out of Reach - Sincere Engineer

Look a Little Closer to Find Out! - Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood

[objectivesubjectivity]

Ranking all the 2015 CDs I physically own: 1-9

The following is the final entry in an entirely subjective and personalized ranking of the 54 albums released in 2015 that I physically own.

Quick reminder: I’m using Discogs as my reference point for when my copy of any given CD was physically released. This means an album that was first released in “X” year may not show up in the rankings for that specific year, depending on when my version of the CD hit the shelves (hence Off the Wall being on the 2015 list)

9. Vince Staples - Summertime '06: Intentionally or not, Vince flips the “summertime” concept on its head, painting a bleak and tumultuous portrait of the normally sun-drenched season and I can’t look away. Must hear track(s): Jump Off the Roof, Might Be Wrong, Loca, Norf Norf

8. mewithoutYou - Pale Horses: I won’t pretend to have read the Bible, Torah, or Quran nearly enough to even begin to understand the layers of what’s going on here, but nevertheless, I’m still fully invested in this pensive, poetic, pious post-rock. Must hear track(s): Rainbow Signs, Lilac Queen, Birnam Wood, D-Minor, Mexican War Streets

7. Michael Jackson - Off the Wall: I’m not much of a disco fan but the King of Pop definitely challenges my musical preferences here, especially with that killer trifecta of tracks to kick the album off. Must hear track(s): Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough, Workin’ Day and Night, Burn This Disco Out, I Can’t Help It, Off the Wall.

6. Drake - If You're Reading This It's Too Late: Aubrey opens this album (is it an album? Is it a mixtape?) boldly claiming “I’m a legend” and closes it out insisting, “you gotta love it.” Well, Aubrey, you are and I do. Must hear track(s): You and the 6, Ten Bands, Energy, 6pm in New York, 6 Man

5. Hop Along - Painted Shut: Simone Biles has “The Biles,” and Francis Quinlan should have “The Quinlan,” because no one can do what she does. Easily one of the best indie rock albums of the decade. Must hear track(s): Texas Funeral, I Saw My Twin, The Knock, Waitress.

4. Kamasi Washington - The Epic: 3 discs long and coming in at a whopping 2 hours and 53 minutes, the title might actually be an understatement, but, for someone who usually doesn’t care much for jazz, Washington’s wide variety of influences and styles keeps this beast of an album fresh and engaging, especially on disc two. Must hear track(s): Leroy and Lanisha, The Magnificent 7, Henrietta Our Hero

3. The World is a Beautiful Place and I Am No Longer Afraid to Die - Harmlessness: There is an unconstrained nature to these twisting and turning tracks that feel like they can only be birthed out of a truly collaborative spirit. A tremendous effort and testimonial for the expansiveness of a genre that frequently gets pigeonholed. Must hear track(s): I Can Be Afraid of Anything, January 10th, 2014, Wendover, Mental Health, You Can’t Live There Forever

2. Sufjan Stevens - Carrie and Lowell: Uncomfortably intimate, this sparse folk masterpiece forces you to sit with Sufjan as he wades through grief, challenges his faith, and asks some seriously difficult questions. Must hear track(s): The Only Thing, Death with Dignity, Eugene, Fourth of July

1. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly: Not only my favorite of 2015, but quite possibly the best album released in my lifetime, Kendrick hones his poetry-laced storytelling, teams up with a slew of stellar musicians and producers, and gifts us with the Great American Novel in song form. A miraculous and stunning tale of fame, America, racism, responsibility, self-reflection, and acceptance. This should be required listening in every high school in the nation. Must hear track(s): Alright, The Blacker the Berry, For Free, How Much A Dollar Cost, i, Mortal Man, u.

[objectivesubjectivity]

Ranking all the 2015 CDs I physically own: 10-18

The following is the fifth of six entries in an entirely subjective and personalized ranking of the 54 albums released in 2015 that I physically own.

18. The Decemberists - What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World: The hyper-literary hipster folk darlings seventh release effectively combines their more recent R.E.M. cosplay with their Kill Rock Star roots, albeit for about 15 minutes longer than necessary. Must hear track(s): Cavalry Captain, Make You Better, 12/17/12

17. Sleater-Kinney - No Cities to Love: I still have a ways to go in my Sleater-Kinney education but my knowledge so far finds No Cities to be less bold than The Woods and less hooky than All Hands on the Bad One. That being said, it still manages to kick some ass. Must hear track(s): A New Wave, Fade

16. Motion City Soundtrack - Panic Stations: For their sixth and (currently) final release, MCS put together a straightforward, energetic, and effective string of punky power-pop. Must hear track(s): I Can Feel You, Days Will Run Away, It’s A Pleasure to Meet You

15. Lupe Fiasco - Tetsuo & Youth: Lupe swims in a deep and wide sea here, which makes for a thoroughly intriguing listen even if you need some high powered binoculars just to get a general sense of what he’s doing. Must hear track(s): Dots and Lines, Chopper (feat. Billy Blue, Buk of Psychodrama, Trouble, Trae Tha Truth, Fam Lay & Glasses Malone)

14. The Hotelier - It Never Goes Out: Already cut from a finer cloth than most 2010’s pop-punk emo acts, this debut may not forge any new paths but it traverses well worn ones with aplomb and a ferocious energy. Must hear track(s): Vacancy, Weathered, An Ode to the Nite Ratz Club

13. Joey Bada$$ - B4. Da. $$: Joey is clearly cut from an older cloth (he raps over the “Scenario” beat), has a deep vocabulary (when was the last time you heard the word “sagacious?"), and feels supremely dedicated to the art of MCing, so while this album doesn’t innovate it makes that up with heaps of pure talent and skill. Must hear track(s): On and On, Paper Trails, Christ Conscious

12. Florence + the Machine - How Big, How Bold, How Beautiful: No longer penning the soundtrack to epic and virtuous battles, Florence still sounds as majestic as ever, even with the reins pulled a back a bit, and closes out this album with a solid string of back-to-back hits. Must hear track(s): Third Eye, Caught, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful

11. Kid Cudi - Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven: Supremely bloated and lacking any semblance of intentional sequencing, nevertheless I cannot shake the belief that history will look favorably upon Kid Cudi‘s hard right turn to grunge. His "tell don’t show" lyricism and bedroom recording aesthetic arguably suit this genre better than the one he’s celebrated for. Must hear track(s): Handle with Care, Speedin’ Bullet 2 Heaven, Wedding Tux, Worth

10. Jazmine Sullivan - Reality Show: While the homages here are clear (Lauren, Amy, Frank, probably a slew more that I can’t identify), this musical journey through many strains of R&B never fails to feel unique and inspired. Must hear track(s): Stanley, Let It Burn, Silver Lining

[objectivesubjectivity]

Ranking all the 2015 CDs I physically own: 19-27

The following is the fourth of six entries in an entirely subjective and personalized ranking of the 54 albums released in 2015 that I physically own.

Quick reminder: I’m using Discogs as my reference point for when my copy of any given CD was physically released. This means an album that was first released in “X” year may not show up in the rankings for that specific year, depending on when my version of the CD hit the shelves (hence Run the Jewels being on the 2015 list)

27. Beach Slang - The Things We Do to Find People Who Feel Like Us: I fluctuate between absolutely loving this Replacements/Hüsker Dü throwback band and just hearing a wash of the same chords, played in, roughly, the same order for ~30 minutes. Must hear track(s): Porno Love, Noisy Heaven

26. The Early November - Imbue: The days of “For Allllllll of Thiiiiiiiis” are long gone and TEN have elongated their career by continuing to evade a specific genre or sound, which keeps them fresh and excuses any misses along the way. MH: Narrow Mouth, Cyanide

25. Maritime - Magnetic Bodies/Maps of Bones: Davey has spent the past decade or so crafting very palatable, inoffensive, and sometimes a bit dull indie rock and this is no exception. Must hear track(s): Roaming Empire, Nothing is Forgot

24. Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels: Getting your debut ranked lower because your later albums are so much more tighter, polished, immediate, and explosive, feels like the right problem, as far too many acts experience the direct opposite. Must hear track(s): DDFH, Banana Clipper (feat. Big Boi)

23. Adele - 25: There’s a solid diversity of sound to the first half of this album but after “Water Under the Bridge,” the string of ballads make me lose interest quite quickly. it Must hear track(s): Water Under the Bridge, When We Were Young

22. The Dear Hunter - Act IV: Rebirth in Reprise: It’s not that any of these songs are bad (most of them are actually quite good), it’s just that 15 tracks, many of which eclipse 5 minutes, is a lot to take in, especially for this brand of prog-emo-chamber-pop. Must hear track(s): The Squeaky Wheel, The Old Haunt, Waves

21. Frank Turner - Positive Songs for Negative People: Upbeat and slightly heavy-handed folk punk with a couple false endings and clumsy metaphors but the consistent liveliness keeps it enjoyable. Must hear track(s): Get Better, Silent Key, The Next Storm

20. Desaparecidos - Payola: The in-your-face energy of it all (high-octave riffs, heavy-handed politics, Conor’s signature scream) loses it grandeur pretty quickly but still makes for a damn good time, which may or many not have been its intention. Must hear track(s): City on the Hill, Radicalized, Te Amo Camilla Vallejo

19. Seal - 7: Is this the same Seal I grew up loving? Not exactly. But for a ninth album, it’s surprisingly close. Must hear track(s): Do You Ever, Daylight Saving

[objectivesubjectivity]

Ranking all the 2015 CDs I physically own: 28-36

The following is the third of six entries in an entirely subjective and personalized ranking of the 54 albums released in 2015 that I physically own.

36. Ibex - Look Out, Here Comes...: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I was in this band but since I technically “own” a copy on CD (and actually still have a handful if anyone wants to buy one!), it’s gotta be ranked. And, to be completely honest, I think we put out a fairly good set of folk tunes. I certainly would turn to this more often than any of the Mumford and Sons albums (boom roasted). Must hear track(s): Run Along Little Light, All Hallows’ Eve

35. Punch Brothers - The Wireless: I think, for me, the Punch Brothers operate in the same brain space as jazz: I know it’s technically impressive and I can appreciate the innovation and rule breaking but unless it gels into enough of a structured song, it’s not my jam. The interesting part about this EP is that the track that feels the most structured is the instrumental one. Must hear track(s): No More. Yet

34. Senses Fail - Pull The Thorns From Your Heart: Heavier and more revealing than everything I’ve heard from them previously, Buddy tosses off the post-hardcore tropes of violence, hyperbole, and self-deprecation that littered his lyrics previously and gets real vulnerable. I don’t know how often I’ll be returning to this album but its honesty is definitely appreciated. Must hear track(s): Surrender, Pull the Thorns From Your Heart

33. Foxing - Dealer: This emotive post-rock act never really lands a significant punch after the opener but the album haunts enough to compel me to return and search for another hit. Must hear track(s): Weave

32. My Morning Jacket - The Waterfall: Like most music and saddled with the progressive label, this album can be onerous and self-indulgent but when it works, it really fucking works. Must hear track(s): Compound Fracture, Big Decisions

31. Talib Kweli - Train of Thought: Lost Lyrics, Rare Releases + Beautiful B-Sides, Vol 1: Not terribly consistent but that’s unsurprising for a rarities comp. What is surprising is the lack of absolute duds, so props to Kweli for that. Must hear track(s): Boomerang (Feat. K'Valentine, Cory Mo & NIKO IS), Bright As The Stars (Feat. Yasiin Bey)

30. A$AP Rocky - AT. LONG. LAST. A$AP: Equal parts awe-inspiring and disappointing, Rocky demonstrates that he is more than capable of being a musical and lyrical innovator but far too often falls back on cheekiness, misogyny, and casual homophobia, which, especially for 2015, just feels sad, especially when there is so much potential to be better. Must hear track(s): LSD, Jukebox Joints (Feat. Joe Fox & Kanye West), West Side Highway, Holy Ghost (Feat. Joe Fox)

29. Earl Sweatshirt - I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside: An Album by Earl Sweatshirt: - Arguably my favorite album title of all time, these 10 tracks do an excellent job reflecting its sentiment, resulting in a fairly strenuous 30 minutes of pessimism that, every so often, feels worth the effort. Must hear track(s): AM // Radio (feat. Wiki), Inside, Faucet

28. City and Colour - If I Should Leave Before You - The entire album doesn’t really live up to its 9+ minute opening stunner, but remains an enjoyable folky-bluesy 50 minutes nonetheless. Must hear track(s): Woman, Mizzy C

[objectivesubjectivity]

Ranking all the 2015 CDs I physically own: 37-45

The following is the second of six entries in an entirely subjective and personalized ranking of the 54 albums released in 2015 that I physically own.

45. Elder Brother - Wish You Were Here: It’s a really nerdy concept to put out an EP covering three different songs all with the same name (and throwing in your addition as well) and I am HERE for it. Must hear track(s): Wish You Were Here (The Get Up Kids Cover)

44. The Front Bottoms - Back on Top: I do love an affected voice and a witty turn of phrase, both of which are very present here but the added production and musical elements distract from the former positives. Must hear track(s): Ginger

43. Birthmark - How You Look When You're Falling Down: Every Kinsella (or combination of Kinsellas) brings you something different and Nate’s contributions as “Birthmark” are, arguably, the most accessible and overtly joyous. I may find myself subjectively liking Owen or Owls or American Football better, but this multi-instrumental indie pop definitely leaves a mark (no pun intended). Must hear track(s): Find Yourself, Suit of Armor

42. Two Gallants - We Are Undone: There are a couple of tracks where these brash balladeers really hit their mark and the misses are far from onerous, they just happen to be not all that exciting, resulting in a very mixed effort. Must hear track(s): My Man Go, Katy Kruelly

41. The Story So Far - The Story So Far: Not as committed to a change of pace as Proper Dose (one of my favorites of 2018), this still manages to tap lightly on the breaks and put forth some solid pop-punk anthems. Must hear track(s): Heavy Gloom, How You Are

40. Guster - Evermotion: “Long Night” cements the longevity of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’s influence on indie music. The rest of the album cements the fact that Guster will always sound like Guster. Must hear track(s): Long Night

39. Coheed and Cambria - The Color Before the Sun: The least “metal” or “progressive” of their albums, Coheed pull heavily on their arena rock strings and the result is fine. Must hear track(s): Atlas, Island

38. Father John Misty - I Love You, Honeybear: There’s only so much brutality one can take, even if the baroque folk pop sheen makes it so very palatable. Must hear track(s): The Night Josh Tillman Came To Our Apartment, I Love You, Honeybear

37. Shamir - Ratchet: A compelling jaunt through some genres I don’t usually spend a ton of time with. Must hear track(s): Demon