Top lists

Top 60 Albums of the Year 2018 – Part One: 60-46

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Part two
Part three
Part four

What a year it has been. I really struggled putting this list together, because there’s just so much great music. I get that you think picking 60 might be a little bit silly, but I feel like it could have been twice as long without any drop in quality. I had to leave out so many great albums and every cut broke my heart. Making of the weekly playlist sure changed my listening habits, because I tried to at least quickly listen all interesting albums every week to find songs for the list. That’s why I also fell for even more albums than during previous years. I will have even bigger struggles next year, if I keep it up for a full year. Now I started it in the summer. Let’s see if I manage to do it every week for a full year. At the moment, it still feels fun to do it every week, even though I’m not really sure does anyone actually listen to it (other than myself on my work commute).

That’s enough of pointless rambling and it’s time to get on with the list. It almost feels like I should make another pop list, because this will be pretty heavy on folk/americana/country. Again the order is pretty insignificant. It’s just 60 great albums that mattered to me during the year 2018. Music is life, not a competition.

Note: Twain’s masterwork Rare Feeling was my #3 last year, so it’s not included this year even though BB*Island released it in Europe during 2018.

Top 60 Albums of the Year 2018:

60. Scott Hirsch – Lost Time Behind the Moon (Scissor Tail Records)

We shall begin our year end journey with the absolute latest entry to the list. This Scott Hirsch album came out a week ago and therefore I haven’t spent a whole lot of time with it yet. Nevertheless, it’s already clear that it has to be on the list and could also be way up, if I had listened to it more. The numbering isn’t all that important, so I just drop this here on the last spot. Scott Hirsch is a former Hiss Golden Messenger member, but is nowadays making his own music. Add a little cosmic american groove to your life and introduce your heart to this album. I already love this song so much.

59. Mariel Buckley – Driving in the Dark

One of the new finds of the year was Canadian songwriter Mariel Buckley. Her album Driving in the Dark is full of beautiful country songs delivered with grit and honesty.

58. Jerry David DeCicca – Time The Teacher (Impossible Ark)

Jerry David DeCicca from Bulverde, TX delivered two really good albums this year. It’s pretty much a coin flip, which one makes the list. Tonight the light, gentle charm of Time the Teacher takes slight edge over its classic rock brother Burning Daylight. I fully recommend investigating both of these fine albums.

57. Jake Nicoll – Stone Arch

This album lives in a land unknown to everyday stress. Listening to it is almost meditative and resting on its shoulders is a perfect way to ease into the night. Jake Nicoll and Kira Sheppard created a really beautiful stripped-down album. Just two lovely voices with a guitar and a harp, but sometimes that’s everything I need.

56. Riley Pinkerton – Nothing Ever Is

Next up is Riley Pinkerton from New York and her captivating debut full-length Nothing Ever Is. Maybe some more consistently great albums didn’t make the cut, but there’s 4-5 songs on this album that I love madly and therefore this has to be on the list.

55. John Cathal O’Brien – These Borders

Staying in NY for the next selection. John Cathal O’Brien is Irish-born, but he currently lives in New York. His latest album These Borders is mesmerizing collection of haunting and melancholic folk songs.

54. Anna Burch – Quit the Curse (Polyvinyl)

Moving on to Detroit to meet up with Anna Burch and her magnificent debut album Quit the Curse. It reminds me a bit of Rose Melberg, The Softies and all that greatness. This is something that I maybe don’t listen to that much these days, but thankfully sometimes I still see the light.

53. T. Hardy Morris – Dude, The Obscure (New West Records)

Even though I liked it, I wasn’t a super fan of the previous T.Hardy Morris album. This new album Dude, The Obscure is right up my alley. I really dig the sort of hauntingly beautiful side of his music and there’s a lot of that here. So damn good.

52. The Other Years – The Other Years (No Quarter)

The Other Years are Anna Krippenstapel and Heather Summers from Louisville, Kentucky. Their self-titled debut album has beautiful lead vocals, surrounded by lovely harmonies and accompanied by fiddle, banjo and guitar. Old-timey vibe, brand new love. The song Talkeetna is incredible.

51. Nap Eyes – I’m Bad Now (Paradise of Bachelors / You’ve Changed Records)

Canadian Nap Eyes continues to write unique, literate and blissfully weird indie rock songs. Not always the catchiest and might need a few spins, but eventually these songs will find a home in your heart.

50. Aaron Lee Tasjan – Karma For Cheap (New West Records)

Aaron Lee Tasjan delivers again. This time he has written a damn enjoyable rock album. A bit of 70s, glam, psych and Petty and a whole lot of greatness.

49. Harrison Whitford – Afraid of Everything

Harrison Whitford has played a lot with Phoebe Bridgers, but he also quietly released a remarkable album called Afraid of Everything. I actually found him thanks to that guy above him, Aaron Lee Tasjan. The album is definitely sad and almost devastating, but it’s never an issue for me. My moderate happiness is built on devastatingly sad songs.

48. John R. Miller & The Engine Lights – The Trouble You Follow (Emperor)

Next one comes from West Virginia where John R. Miller & The Engine Lights gave birth to a beautiful country folk album The Trouble You Follow. Red Eyes is such a magnificent song. Well they all are.

47. I’m Kingfisher – Transit (Fading Trails)

The lone Nordic selection on this list comes from Swedish I’m Kingfisher. I caught a small part of his set at STHLM Americana and loved it so much that I knew I had to buy this album. The opening song What Good Would Loving Do Me Now? is one of the songs of the year. If you dig the Molina and Jurado songbooks for example, give this album a spin. Of course nobody is that good, but this guy is still pretty damn good.

46. Philippe Bronchtein – Me and the Moon

Closing the first chapter of this year end list is Philippe Bronchtein. If the name doesn’t bring a bell, he used to operate under the moniker Hip Hatchet. Philippe relocated from Portland to Nashville and self-released a beautiful new folk album Me and the Moon. The highlight of the new album for me is this beautiful title song about the road-weary life of a musician.

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Finnish music, Top lists

Top 50 Finnish Songs of the Year 2018

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If the ranking of albums is a bit silly, then this ranking of songs is absolutely ridiculous. So don’t pay much attention to the numbers side of this. It’s pretty random after the first 10-15 songs. This is just list of 50 great songs from 50 different Finnish artists. It’s a bit too long for a year end list too, because I wanted to make a playlist to go with it. This was actually just as important and to be honest the flow of the playlist had a little bit to do with the order here and there. So that’s one reason why the numbers are useless. Music is life, not a competition.

I’m sure there’s again some that I forgot (and of course lot that I haven’t even heard), because it’s difficult to find enough time push these list through while working the day job too. The real monster lists. International albums and songs still to come. That’s why I also kept my ramblings to a minimum. Not that those would be interesting anyway. There’s a Spotify below, if you are into that sort of thing.

Top 50 Finnish Songs of the Year 2018

50. Kadonnut Manner – Antroposeeni
49. Petäjä – Fading (Pinetree Music)
48. Sammal – Suuliekki (Svart Records)
47. Matti Jasu – The Money Pit (listen here)
46. Pienet Koirat – Lähehä (listen here)
45. Puunhalaaja – Vanha kettu (Soliti)
44. Pottonen Band – Juggling Eggs (NXVX)
43. Antti Autio – Kallio (Soit se silti)
42. Linkopii – Bedillä (Luova)
41. Pastis – Amazon (Stupido Records)
40. Merries – Starting Over (Royal Mint)
39. Kielo Kärkkäinen – Kuunnelkaa (Texicalli)
38. Havut – Muisteja (Lumpeela julkaisut)
37. Kiki Pau – Leaves (Beyond Beyond is Beyond)
36. Tams – Sori Sori Sori
35. The Handkerchiefs – The Law
34. Lähtevät Kaukojunat – Tyttö tuollainen (Airiston Punk-Levyt)
33. Mara Balls – Maailma Palaa (Stupido Records)
32. Jylhä Yrjö – Miksi me teimme sen (Iso Pinkki)
31. Joonas Holmen + The Lossy Codecs – Launching Down on Tracks (Fuu Recs)
30. Mahonies – Apology (Iso Pinkki)
29. Skip Zone – Nobody Cries
28. Rami Vierula – Pakko liikkua
27. Message Field – Substance (Soit se silti)
26. Klasu – Kultaakin kalliimpaa (Soit se silti)
25. Janne Tapion sisäinen avaruus – Harmaa kivi (Lumpeela julkaisut)
24. Hullu Ruusu – Kun heräät aamulla (Helmi Levyt)
23. Tomi Nordlund & Syvä joki – Olen täällä sinua varten (Soit se silti)
22. Karina – Bambi (Playground)
21. The New Tigers – In the Tall Grass (Soliti)
20. New Silver Girl – Alms (Soliti)
19. J. Karjalainen – Terve, Sirkka Lautamies (Warner)
18. Laura Moisio – Syyt (Texicalli)
17. Kynnet – Mitä muuta (Svart Records)
16. Litku Klemetti – Miksi en lähtisi kaupunkiin (Luova Records)
15. Too Slow – Flairs (Royal Mint)
14. Iron Country Sisters – Go Slow
13. Rosita Luu – Äiti (Helmi Levyt)
12. Vuoret – Mennään rannalle (Soit se silti)
11. Kuumat Siivet – Itke hänet pois (Rhythm Barrel Records)
10. Tuomas Palonen – Hämärä (Palatsi)
9. Jolly Jumpers – Morning Glory (Jukan musiikki)
8. Jukka Nousiainen – Suuret unelmat (Jukan musiikki)
7. Liljankukka – Liverpool L8 (Karhuvaltio Records)
6. Penniless – Dark Room (Soit se silti)
5. Mitä helvettiä nyt taas – Kohta kuollaan kaikki (Nature Sucks Anyway Records)
4. Pää Kii – Sä veit mun levyt kirpparille (Stupido Records)

3. Salaliitto – 29250 (Soit se silti)

If I ever end up on some kind of quiz show, I hope they ask Nakkila’s post code because I think I will remember that for as long as I live. This good kind of earworm 29250 is the first single from the next Salaliitto album. It’s not necessarily even the best new Salaliitto song that I’ve heard during their live concerts, but it’s still absolutely wonderful and insanely catchy. A glorious nostalgic anthem for the small town hearts. It certainly takes me back to the 80s and 90s and my 42700/42560 days.

2. Lac Belot – D ‘n’ A (Solina Records)

It’s pretty much a coin flip with these first two, but Lac Belot has to settle for the second place in this category. We can’t let him run away with all these imaginary awards. Still D ‘n’ A is a song worthy of all hearts. Enchantingly beautiful folk song with rich and thoughtful arrangements.

1. Topi Saha – Valo tulee alhaalta (Warner)

And the song of the year is Valo tulee alhaalta by Topi Saha. This song absolutely floored me on first listen. There are few lines here that capture my daily inner feelings so precisely that it is almost frightening. So there’s a bit of hurt there, but it’s the good kind of hurt. The way song can heal you by first ripping you into pieces and then rebuilding the blocks in a way that you feel more whole than before listening. Topi Saha sure knows how to write a powerful and moving end to his albums.

Playlist Link

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Top lists

Top 20 EPs of the Year 2018

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Another day, another end of the year list. This time it’s the EPs of the year. There were so many great ones that I expanded this to top 20. I’m really scared how long my albums of the year list is going to be. Anyway, here are my favourite EPs of the Year 2018. I hope I didn’t forget anything important. I’m always scared of that (and I did and it was one of the really important ones, Gladie, so now there’s actually 21 EPs on this). Again, there is some kind of order, but it’s not that important and I didn’t spend ages thinking is this better than that one etc. That’s all nonsense. So if you flip it over, it’s pretty much just as good. Music is life, not a competition.

20. Wes Allen – Funny Thing

I would have so many excellent choices for this last spot, but let’s go with the recent crush Wes Allen. I just stumbled upon this Toronto-based songwriter a few weeks ago and I’m very fond of this EP. So lovely.

19. Kent Eugene Goolsby – Every Way But Easy

Next up is Kent Eugene Goolsby from Nashville who continues where his band The Only Sons left off some years ago and delivers some gorgeous countrified rock.

18. Hermina Jean – Hot Grey

This one might be a bit more obscure pick. Hermina Jean is a songwriter from Montana who might still be fairly unknown. Not for long though, if she keeps on writing music as powerful as this.

17. Waxahatchee – Great Thunder (Merge Records)

While Hermina Jean might be a bit unknown, Waxahatchee doesn’t need an introduction. Her new Great Thunder EP is very stripped-down, but still dazzlingly beautiful.

16. Blue Wilson – Younger (Forged Artifacts)

This lovely bedroom pop/folk EP from Blue Wilson has been one of my last music crushes of the year. I need to dig deeper into that Forged Artifacts label, because I’ve really loved this and the Mr. Husband album during the past month.

15. Sera Cahoone – The Flora String Sessions (Lady Muleskinner Records)

Beautiful versions of some classics from Sera Cahoone’s song vault. Might demand a higher place, if I had not been familiar with these songs in some shape or form. Still absolutely beautiful and inspiring.

14. William Matheny – Moon Over Kenova (Misra Records)

The best part of William Matheny’s year was the release of the magnificent Christian Name single late in the year. However, this Moon Over Kenova EP is also pretty damn good and a great companion piece to his 2017 album Strange Constellations.

13. M G Boulter + The Froe – Blood Moon EP (Hudson Records)

Something beautiful from the UK as well. Folk singer-songwriter M G Boulter teamed up with string quartet The Froe and released a captivating EP Blood Moon.

12. Joan Shelley – Rivers and Vessels (No Quarter)

A stunning covers EP from Joan Shelley. Just by thinking of the quality of the music, it could well be in the top three. Somehow I just don’t value Cover EPs as much as originals on these silly lists. Nevertheless, I absolutely love Joan Shelley’s music and singing (and I love the whole Shelley household. The instagram sensation Dwight again brought so much joy to my year).

11. Little Star – Waltzing with Tears in My Eye (Good Cheer Records)

This EP is actually my introduction to Little Star and one of my new year resolutions needs to be introducing my heart to the Little Star discography. This is so damn good. Especially the first two songs. Oh my.

10. Nickel & Rose – Americana

Next up is the roots duo Nickel & Rose from Milwaukee. Carl Nichols and Johanna Rose share the lead vocal duties and sing powerful and thought-provoking songs in beautiful harmony.

9. Fables – Portraits (Second Hand Records)

A small step to New Zealand to find Fables and their debut EP Portraits. Especially How To Be Comfortable and All The Pretty Horses are so brilliant, but everything else works too.

8. Shonna Tucker – Dreams Of Mine

This new Shonna Tucker EP Dreams Of Mine came out of the blue. I had not heard anything before it was out, but these are the kind of surprises that I love. Extremely good stuff.

7. Evan Cheadle – Chasing Shadows (Big White Cloud)

Besides being a member of The Deep Dark Woods, Evan Cheadle also writes and releases his own music. Chasing Shadows EP is his latest release and it’s a magnificent combination of psych folk, country blues and baroque pop. Timeless and enchangtingly beautiful.

6. Ian Noe – Off this Mountaintop (Silver and Gold Recordings)

This is actually late December 2017 release, but I don’t have the heart to leave it out (and well Leuven Letters by Courtney Marie Andrews was even once my EP of the year, even though it did not come out that year). Anyway, Ian Noe is a fabulous songwriters based on this EP and few youtube clips I’ve seen and I can’t wait to hear full-length album. Especially the title track of this EP is pure gold.

5. Julie Arsenault – Mom Rock

Toronto-based songwriter Julie Arsenault was on this list last year and will be next year (well if I still have a blog and she releases music during the year). Her new EP Mom Rock came out very late in the year, but instantly won my heart over. This transparently feminist EP is powerful and moving.

4. Boygenius – Boygenius (Matador)

A collaboration between some of the finest current songwriters. Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker have released stunning music on their own and everyone knew that this was going to be special even before hearing one single note.

4. Gladie – Everyone is Talking But You

Major catastrophe. How could I miss Gladie. I’m sure I had put the cover on this draft, but somehow it wasn’t and then I just wrote the piece, published it and then noticed there’s no Gladie. Monumental mistake. I love this indie rock EP from Philadelphia-based Gladie and the opening track 20/20 is a contender for the song of the year. I don’t want to change the numbering, so Gladie can be tied 4th together with Boygenius and rest can stay were they were. There’s just now 21 EPs on the list.

3. Jim Bryson – Tired of Waiting (Coax Records)

Canadian singer-songwriter Jim Bryson is a long time favourite of mine and this new EP Tired of Waiting is another winner. Oh well, maybe not a winner, because it looks like it’s on the third place. But you get my drift, it’s an awesome EP.

2. The Weather Station & Jennifer Castle – Collaboration #3 (Paradise of Bachelors)

This is not really an EP. It’s just a collaboration single with two a-sides, but hey this is my blog so I can bend the rules. And I love this so much that I wanted to put it on some list. Two of Canada’s finest songwriters The Weather Station and Jennifer Castle together. What else could one possibly want?

1. Haley Heynderickx & Max Garcia Conover – Among Horses III (Son Canciones)

These first two were equally important and I love both madly. In the end it felt a bit more suited if the EP of the year was well actually an EP. Therefore the EP of the year award goes to Among Horses III, which is a collaboration between Haley Heynderickx and Max Garcia Conover. These two songwriters spent seven days on a farm in Spain and wrote and recorded this gorgeous EP during their stay among the horses. It sure has been a year of Haley Heynderickx for me, because she will also be really high on the forthcoming album and songs of the year lists. However, this one is not just about Haley. Max Garcia Conover also delivers some excellent songs for this EP of the year.

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Finnish music, Top lists

Top 10 Finnish Albums of the Year 2018

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It’s time to get the ball rolling and post the year end lists. Starting with my favourite Finnish albums of the year 2018. I admit that I haven’t been a great supporter of Finnish music during the recent years and that’s a little bit sad, because my love for Finnish pop music was the reason I founded this little blog/website back in 2001. My main interest just has drifted towards North American folk/country music during the last few years. However, that doesn’t mean that I’ve stopped listening to Finnish music. Not at all. Actually I struggled big time to pick just 10 and thought about expanding it to 20. There’s some kind of order, but it’s really not that important and you could flip it over and it wouldn’t be any worse. Music is life, not a competition. Anyway, here it goes.

TOP 10 Finnish albums of the year 2018

10. Laura Moisio – Laura Moisio (Texicalli Records)

The self-titled Laura Moisio album came out early in the year, but it has still been kind of a late riser for me and I’ve had it on heavier rotation since I saw Laura and her band live a few weeks ago. A really beautiful folk album full of intriquing songwriting.

9. Rosita Luu – SOS (Helmi Levyt)

Merita Berg continues to impress. If I had to choose, I think I would prefer that Hullu Ruusu album over this one. Thankfully I don’t have to choose and I can love both, because both of them are glorious collections of unique pop music.

8. Topi Saha – Lopunajan rakastavaiset (Warner Music Finland)

Maybe a surprisingly low place for a Topi Saha album, because he is usually in the top 3. No worries though. Topi Saha is still one of my favourite Finnish songwriters and this new album is also a great one. And yeah, Topi Saha will get his top 3 or top 1 place when the songs of the year list drops within a week or two.

7. Vuoret – Portti (Soit Se Silti)

If I tried to make an objective list, Portti by Vuoret might take the album of the year award. However, these are always entirely subjective and painting landscapes with guitars isn’t the closest thing to my heart. Nevertheless, the album is so damn good that it does rule my world too.

6. Pää Kii – Jos huonoo onnee ei ois, mul ei ois onnee ollenkaan (Stupido Records)

Every list needs a little bit of punk rock and I sure couldn’t find be a better band to provide it than Pää Kii. And don’t worry if you’re not a punk. Neither am I, but I still love every second.

5. Litku Klemetti – Taika tapahtuu (Luova Records)

This new Litku Klemetti album might not be as instantly catchy as Juna Kainuuseen, but it’s still equally wonderful. Some of it goes into the proge-zone, which is usually a total no-go zone for yours truly. Thankfully with the help Litku Klemetti, I’ve been able to make that step into the area and somewhat suprisingly find being there fairly comfortable. I’m still a little bit wary though and I have the early The Beatles hits on speed dial.

4. Tuomas Palonen – Tuomas Palonen (Palatsi)

An absolutely charming solo album from Tuomas Palonen. Occasionally this almost gets a little too weird for me, but sometimes it’s worth it to spend time with something that challenges my taste. An ethereal and eternally beautiful folk and psych folk album with late 60s and 70s vibes.

3. Jukka Nousiainen – Ei enää kylmää eikä pimeää (Jukan musiikki)

Moving on to the top 3. Especially these last three could be in any order and I love them all to bits. Jukka Nousiainen made an outstanding and powerful rock album that brings much needed light into these unnecessarily dark times. We should all be a little more like this album.

2. Penniless – X (Soit Se Silti)

The alternative rock legends and one of my all-time faves Penniless returned with a new album. I think it’s been a five or so years from the previous one, but this sure isn’t some lukewarm nostalgia trip. X is a damn magnificent album full of dark rock songs that shine brightly.

1. Lac Belot – ABRACADABRA! (Solina records)

And the Finnish album of the year award goes to ABRACADABRA! by Lac Belot. Lac Belot aka songwriter Jarno Takkumäki released a fabulous EP some years ago and I had been waiting for him to release more music. In 2018, Solina Records released this debut full-length and it sure didn’t disappoint. This is an enchanting and beautifully arranged collection of compelling and ambitious folk-tinged pop songs. Even the few more ordinary compositions shine thanks to the gorgeous arragements and orchestrations. Most of the times that beautiful disguise isn’t a need, because everything from the core to the decorations work perfectly. ABRACADABRA! sure is a magical album and I can’t wait for more.

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