2023 has been a weird one. I've been trying to get back into music more than I have in a lot of years and the adventure has been good for the soul. Also, I've been through it in my personal life this year, spare the details in this forum, but there have been ups and there have been downs... and growing and pain, and all of the above! Music is a healer for the mind and spirit for me in these moments and I think this list reflects that in some ways. Without further ado, here's my favorite albums that I managed to listen to this year, in mostly no particular order, although it will be clear that a couple had an outstanding impact. Thanks for reading.
1. High Spirits - Safe on the Other Side
This album is one badass album. High Spirits has climbed my list of bands I hope to see live. The album is a blend of classic sounding metal and heavy rock, although I would classify it clearly in the metal genre. Safe on the Other Side is full of tasty riffs and some of the best clean metal vocals you'll hear around. The songs are short and to the point, you'll have no chance to get tired of a song. The album has a clear theme, although how you might choose to interpret the lyrics can go a few directions. My favorite song is Loving You.
2. Blood Star - First Sighting
Wow, First Sighting is a great album. Blood Star is a band I managed to see live this year and they put on a helluva show. First Sighting is a blend of rock and metal, but I would classify this one in the firmly metal category. But your rock and roll friends will love it as well. I think the factor that makes this one stand out is the combination of what each member brings to the table. These musicians compliment each other's talents so dang well. Somehow a 70s early metal vibe and modern sound all at once, yea that's Blood Star. Favorite song: Going Home.
3. Roosevelt - Embrace
I came across Roosevelt a lot while building a playlist on my YouTube Music account, the Chillestness mix. When they came out with a new album this year, I was excited. The music is perfect for the Chillestness mix, mellow with some electronics sprinkled in, breathy vocals, catchy enough... but not so slow that it'll put you to sleep. This album is more upbeat than some other Roosevelt selections, I would say a bit funky and damn near danceable at times. Play this in the car, in your living room, for your friends, and put the room in a damn good mood. Favorite song: Luna.
4. Tanukichan - Gizmo
I can't imagine Tanukichan surpassing Sundays for me, but this album is an excellent release. The sound reminds me of the music I loved and listened to so much during my college radio station DJ days, and am still very much in the mood for at times. It drones and can put you in a trance, simple arrangements that satisfy especially in the current climate of mainstream over produced music... Gizmo is a reminder that there is still human made human felt stuff out there (a lot of it actually! But you have to look!). I dig the vocals and think they make Tanukichan stand out in the crowd more than anything else. Weird, indie, shoegaze, I don't know how to classify it... but I like it. Favorite song: Don't Give Up.
5. Lord Mountain - The Oath
Someday I'll make one of these lists without something stoner, doom, throwback metal on it, but not today. Lord Mountain has made something worth checking out The Oath. Honestly, the album may remind you of lots you already like in the genre, but I find their sound more interesting with the nordic and fantasy themes (opposed to the weed smoking hum drum the genre is known for). The riffs are solid. The vocals are epic and clean. And yea, it's heavy enough. Favorite song: Serpent Temple
6. The Dirty Seeds - Beware the Beast Man
Okay, okay... sometimes I just want to hear heavy bong ripping riffage super stoned out mega tones, that's The Dirty Seeds. The songs on Beware the Beast Man are long and riff filled, probably improvised along the way, with vocals are not amazing, not a lot of range or anything special, but they get the job done. I like this kind of music because it makes me feel like I could start a band tomorrow and become something. I would definitely go see The Dirty Seeds live, I bet they put on a show. Favorite song: Living Robots
7. Altin Gun - Ask
Altin Gun remains one of the most interesting, talented, and unclassifiable bands I've heard of in recent years. So much blending of genres on this one, too... Ask features pop sounds of the 80s, folk, traditional, middle eastern, disco, funk, I don't even know... but these musicians are some of the most talented individuals on the planet! Watching videos of Altin Gun on YouTube will mesmerize you! This album may be more of the same from them, but they're a band I can say, I can't get enough. Because their song titles are not in English, they're sometimes hard for me to remember, but the whole album is amazing... also probably the only album I purchased on vinyl this year.
8. Baroness - Stone
Baroness has always been a band I've felt pushes creative boundaries and I think they have continued to do that with Stone, taking their sound to new heights. The song structures sound much more prog to me on this one, blending all kinds of heavy and soft, and the vocals as well... clean to the more shouting sound they're known for. Immensely talented since forever, I feel like Stone is a product of massive amounts of practice and polishing. It's not an album I'm likely to turn to as often as some of their older stuff, but that doesn't mean it's any less good. This is an album to sit down and focus on. Really, really cool. Favorite song: Beneath the Rose.
9. Cannons - Heartbeat Highway
The more I hear of Cannons, the more I love this band. Electronic, whispy, mellow, dance, they do a few things very well. In recent years, this is the kind of music I've wanted to listen to most. A few songs from Heartbeat Highway were released as singles this year and I found myself listening to them all numerous times, and loving them. The album as a whole lacks some cohesion of some of their other albums, but some of the individual tracks are as top notch as they come. Favorite Song: Desire.
10. Ben Folds - What Matters Most
Probably the best live show I saw all year, Ben Folds live at an outdoor amphitheater venue absolutely blew my mind. I have known of him for eons, never someone I was interested in seeing live, really just enjoyed that album he did with Nick Hornby and the live stuff he posted that was super improvised and entertaining. Anyway, saw him... awesome show... he played a bunch of songs from this album and they were clever and entertaining, and he's an immensely underrated and talented pianist. Favorite Song: Exhausting Lover. Also, second favorite song: Kristine from 7th Grade.
Bring on 2024!!
