Continue reading 100 gecs – Hollywood Baby
(2 votes, average: 9.00 out of 10)
Loading... One of the best tracks on the unfortunately titled Western C*m, another banger of an album from Cory Hanson. I had all sorts of delusions about having a bunch of interesting things to say about music this year in this post but I just couldn't find the time... which I guess is a perfect summation of 2023, which I'm not too sad to see come to an end soon. Hope everyone is doing well!
(4 votes, average: 9.25 out of 10)Loading... 2023 was a pretty great year for metal, especially thrash and melodic death, and Cattle Decapitation put out another banger. But my best for this year was Kalmah's self titled. They're a drastically underrated band.
(2 votes, average: 8.50 out of 10)Loading... Joanna Sternberg released their second album this year. Their first album was not released in 1971, though this album of indie folk gems would fit along perfectly next to Barbara Keith, Norma Tanega, Margo Guryan, and Vashti Bunyan
I turned 40 this year which seems like the right time to make an effort to start getting into new music again, right? Some newer/new to me groups I really enjoyed were 'Cusp', 'Hotline TNT', 'feeble little horse', 'Florry' and 'Palehound'. Some good efforts from GBV, Lydia Loveless, Jason Isbell (King of Oklahoma, whooo boy), and Joshua Ray Walker (very cool cover album). FTLT favorites Hold Steady and New P put out new albums too.
Here is a playlist of things I liked this year for your listening enjoyment: https://tidal.com/playlist/45a53753-cb6f-4058-9a42-8e812b33cb78
(3 votes, average: 8.33 out of 10)Loading... I had a moment of consternation when Rhu Ru led with a Steven Wilson song, but not only was it a different Steven Wilson song, it was a different Steven Wilson … Steven, not Stephen. Anyway, enjoy!
(2 votes, average: 8.00 out of 10)Loading... (3 votes, average: 8.33 out of 10)Loading... I love Vincent Peirani’s playing, but Ballaké Sissoko’s work on kora rounds this quarter with Vincent Ségal & Émile Parisien into something truly special.
I do want to commend to your attention Brad Mehldau’s 2023 album Your Mother Should Know. I can’t link a live Mehldau performance here because of the fun police, but listen to his version of “Golden Slumbers, “one of the most beautiful tunes in the Beatles’ catalog.
(4 votes, average: 8.00 out of 10)Loading... Lots of options for best of 2023, but Mabe Fratti (and her group Titanic) were the things I found this year that I came back to over and over again that felt new and different for my musical tastes. The full KEXP performance by Fratti that this is excerpted from is pretty cool as a full show.
(8 votes, average: 8.25 out of 10)Loading... 2023 saw a lot of excellent new albums from bands with a female lead and dudes playing indie rock. Bully, Wednesday, Blondeshell all had amazing albums (and local shows). Bully and Wednesday also made the 2023 Summer Mix. Ratboys also had a great new album and I really like this opening song.
(2 votes, average: 9.00 out of 10)Loading... Based in Mankato, Bee Balm Field released Whiskey Walkin' off the local Round Bale Recordings label in August and its been a constant in my music rotation since. The album is a mixture of Americana and Blues and Rock. I couldn't find a decent live performance of title track so here is their video for "Whiskey Walkin' "
(3 votes, average: 8.67 out of 10)Loading...