As to what constitutes an "album", my rules haven't changed here. It has to be a full-lengther, which has either 7 or more songs, or runs at least 30 minutes. It also has to be all by one artist -- no multi-artist compilations allowed. As has become my practice in a reluctant nod to the times, digital-only releases now qualify. (Especially because, given the limited amount of room in my house, and the ridiculous number of CDs my wife and I own, I'm probably going to have to go mostly digital this year.) And although I don't think I've ever explicitly pointed this out before, I really only consider studio albums for this -- no live or best-of comp albums.
Without further ado, here, in reverse order, are this year's picks.
Top 10 Albums of 2019:
10. Deep Cut - Different Planet
This is the latest effort by this female-fronted alternative rock band from London, which features Matt Flint, the former guitarist of Revolver. To my ears, they've managed to build an LP around songs that sound musically like variations, in different speeds, on the old Byrds song "So You Want to Be a Rock 'N' Roll Star" and still make it interesting. It's no mean feat, let me tell you. This is good. Give it a listen.
9. Joe Jackson - Fool
I was pretty shocked by this one, I don't mind telling you. I had no idea that Joe Jackson had an album this good still left in him. Yeah, he was terrific in the eighties, and while I didn't love the Look Sharp album as much as everybody else, I loved the shit out of I'm the Man and Night and Day. But then he left us for awhile, went shuckin' and divin', went full on jazz, and even fancied himself a classical composer, all before finding his way back to what he does best -- well-written pop rock. If you're a fan of Jackson't old stuff but haven't paid him any mind in decades, you'll be amazed at how good this is.
8. The Cranberries - In the End
One of my friends from the Sputnik Music website says simply that this album was a gift. I couldn't have put it any better. We lost a jewel when Dolores O'Riordan passed away suddenly two years ago in the middle of recording a new Cranberries album. And much credit is owed to her often-overlooked bandmates for grieving as they needed to, and then getting to work and editing this LP together. It's a beautiful goodbye to a much-loved artist.
7. Tegan and Sara - Hey, I'm Just Like You
These two Canadian sisters constitute another one of these bands who are just amazingly consistent. I think their last five albums have made my Top 10 Albums list. It's right up my alley -- melodic, slightly alternative, pop rock.
6. Lily & Madeleine - Canterbury Girls
These guys are a folk-pop duo from Indianapolis. A lot of the music is vaguely sad, maybe even a little despairing. Which works for me. Apparently they've been singing together since they were in high school, and it shows -- they've definitely got a chemistry.
5. Bruce Springsteen - Western Stars
Again, color me shocked. Not that The Boss hasn't written anything worthwhile in the last few decades -- just give "The Wrestler" a listen, for instance. But this is the best, and most consistent album Springsteen has put out in probably thirty-five years. This one finds him exploring cowboys and the great American West, and for once, it's not all social injustice and despair. The LP is low-key, but top notch.
4. The Gloaming - The Gloaming 3
The Gloaming is an Irish/American musical conglomeration who mostly perform in Ireland. Their music is part folk, part classical, a little jazzy and very Celtic. This band is the real deal, not just the "Danny Boy" tripe the Irish trot out for the tourists. Some of the tracks are instrumental, and some are sung by a traditional male singer in the "sean-nos" style.
3. All Hail the Silence - Daggers
This is an electronic music duo comprising American electronic musician BT and British singer-songwriter Christian Burns. They're another one of those eighties-loving proteges of Vince Clarke of Erasure, and their music seems heavily influenced by Depeche Mode. They're noted for their use of analog synths.
2. Bayside - Interrobang
What can I say? You know I love these guys. The driving guitars, the biting lyrics, and Anthony Raneri's instantly-recognizable vocals. Every album of theirs has been a winner, and this one is no exception. The track I linked you to on the Top 10 Local Albums list is the LP's biggest banger. The song on the playlist below is the one with the most penetrating lyrics.
1. Charly Bliss - Young Enough
So this Brooklyn-based band made a clean sweep of my top album awards this year. I'm not sure this one broke them fully into the national consciousness, but it certainly deserved to. I saw them on tour this summer opening for Chvrches, and that band is a good role model for these guys. Just as Chvrches started out as an acclaimed "cult" band a few years ago and worked their way into being a top-level alternative band, that's the path I hope to see Charly Bliss take. Their music and songwriting is already there.
So an interesting year overall. I feel like in many ways, this is an old man's list -- there are a lot of older, or retro artists on here -- but I guess that's kind of understandable, given the author. Here's the link for a playlist giving you a sample from each of these ten albums. Hope you enjoy it. Note that just like this list, the playlist is in reverse order. Top 10 Albums of 2019
Anyway, I'll be back in a few days with Part 1 of my Top 20 Songs list of 2019. Expect to see a few these artists on that list as well.
