International music, Top lists

Top 50 Albums of 2016 – The International Edition (Part Three 30-21)

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Part One 50-41
Part Two 40-31
Part Three 30-21
Part Four 20-11
Part Five 10-1

30. Caleb Caudle – Carolina Ghost

Moving on to the top 30. North Carolinian americana/country singer-songwriter Caleb Caudle has become a big blog favourite over the last few years and I will buy everything he releases. I really love the song Tuscaloosa, but obviously it’s not just that. The whole album is pretty amazing.

29. China – Pool Of Tears

This might be a little obscure pick, because San Francisco-based China is still criminally unknown. That’s unfortunate, because Pool of Tears is a wonderful record. Not exactly the happiest record you might ever hear, but somehow it’s still damn enjoyable one to listen to.

28. Cody Jinks – I’m Not The Devil

Looking for some real and true country music instead of country songs about sipping rum drinks by the pool (that was slightly modified late great Ben Bullington quote). Well look no further. Cody Jinks is the man for the job. I’m Not The Devil is an extremely convincing album and it has already picked several #1 spots in the country/americana blogosphere and rightfully so.

27. Caleb McCoach – Vanity

I accidentally stumbled upon this Caleb McCoach album Vanity during one of my aimless bandcamp browsing sessions. I listened to this for hours and hours and oh how badly I fell in love with it. It’s dark and fragile, but also somehow peaceful and warm. Caleb actually released another album in December. I have to get into that sometime soon, because this one is special.

26. Freschard – Sunday Night

Regular visitors are probably well aware that I’m seriously addicted to the music of French-born, but Berlin-based Freschard. Shh.. Boom Biddy Boom and now Sunday Night is an album trio that I could just listen to all day long. This new one maybe didn’t have anything as highly addictive as Cheese and Crackers or glorious as Tweet Tweet, but it’s definitely another winner.

25. Michael Nau – Mowing

Page France and Cotton Jones guy Michael Nau charmed me early in the year with his solo album Mowing. Full of sweet folk-tinged pop songs and irresistible low-key beauty. It all sounds so smooth, lovely and easy-flowing. I have the US version, but it also came out in the Europe very late in the year.

24. Itasca – Open To Chance

Paradise of Bachelors is a label whose taste I trust and I will listen to each and everyone of their releases. I didn’t know Itasca aka L.A based folk singer-songwriter Kayla Cohen before this album, but Open to Chance instantly became very dear to me. I’ve spent a lot of time just lying on the floor wrapped into the mesmerizing serene beauty of this album.

23. Matt Woods – How To Survive

New Matt Woods album How To Survive has been in really heavy rotation. The man has the voice and of course the songs too. This one Fireflies for example. So damn brilliant and the rest are pretty much on the same level.

22. Kacy & Clayton – Strange Country

Did I ever feature this when it came out on New West Records? If I didn’t, I’ll turn myself in tomorrow to the local police station. One shouldn’t get away with such a crime. Anyway these Canadian second cousins put together a stunning album that echoes both the North American folk tradition and British 70s folk. Very impressive.

21. Robert Ellis – Robert Ellis

Robert Ellis didn’t play it safe and the new album has very ambitious and innovative arrangements and more sonic adventures that I’m usually willing to take. Robert Ellis is such a talent that he can make this all work beautifully and this genre-blending break-up album turned out to be absolutely wonderful. Robert Ellis and California from his self-titled album is a perfect way to end this third chapter of this pointless albums of the year list.

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International music, Top lists

Top 50 Albums of 2016 – The International Edition (Part Two 40-31)

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Part One 50-41
Part Two 40-31
Part Three 30-21
Part Four 20-11
Part Five 10-1

40. Mount Moriah – How To Dance

I was only vaguely familiar of North Carolinian Mount Moriah when I saw the video for the song Baby Blue early in the year. Instantly loved it and later grabbed a vinyl copy of the album How To Dance from the local record store. That was one of my better decisions of 2016, because what I got was a mighty fine album.

39. Zachary Lucky – Everywhere A Man Can Be

I’m still in the very beginning of my journey with this new album Everywhere A Man Can Be from Canadian country singer-songwriter Zachary Lucky, but I’m really enjoying the road so far. I could see this one hitting pretty hard with his fellow songwriters that travel far and wide. However, it does hit pretty hard also with yours truly who spends way too much time inside the same four walls.

38. M. Lockwood Porter – How To Dream Again

M. Lockwood Porter released his finest album How To Dream Again. Full of gorgeous songs that aren’t afraid to tackle difficult but important issues like social injustices.

37. Lee Fields & The Expressions – Special Night

We definitely need some romantic soul burners on this list. Lee Fields is a perfect man for the job and together with The Expressions he put together a thoroughly convincing soul album.

36. TUNS – Tuns

Tuns are Chris Murphy (Sloan), Matt Murphy (Super Friendz, The Flashing Lights), Mike O’Neill (The Inbreds + great solo albums). After that I probably don’t need to even tell you that this is one of the finest pop albums of the year. Whole lot of fun, catchy melodies and great singing.

35. Turner Cody – Hiding in Plain Sight

A new Turner Cody album. Well count me in. This New York-based songwriter is criminally unknown at least in this corner of the world. I’ve been seriously addicted to his song catalog during the past three years or so. Hiding in Plain Sight is not his best album in my books, but still so wonderful.

34. Shuyler Jansen – The Long Shadow

The new Shuyler Jansen album The Long Shadow has a lot of variety. Folk treasures, pop melodies, country rockers, psych rock, experimental thingies etc. There’s not much variety on the quality of the songs. All nine are damn good.

33. Kent Eugene Goolsby – Temper of the Times

I’ve followed Kent Eugene Goolsby since the The Only Sons days and he is getting better all the time. Which is a lot said, because there was nothing wrong with that original starting point of the relationship of my heart and Kent’s music. Temper of the Times is his finest album so far and there are songs here that I really love. It sounds extremely naive, but there are lines on this record that make me want to be a better man.

32. Scott Nolan – Silverhill

I finally know more Scott Nolan songs than just Bad Liver and a Broken Heart and I’m so glad that I do. Silverhill is a magnificent album full of excellent songwriting and cosy laid-back atmosphere.

31. The Burning Hell – Public Library

The Burning Hell has a new album Public Library. This one contains my favourite song of this current decade. I still love Fuck The Government, I Love You wholeheartedly. The only reason it won’t win the song of the year 2016 award is that it was already my song of the year 2015. The song Men Without Hats is also stunning and you’ll might find that one from forthcoming song list. Nothing wrong with the rest either, but now let me see.. Which song I will choose to end this second chapter on the albums of the year list.. Oh hell yes..

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International music, Top lists

Top 50 Albums of 2016 – The International Edition (Part One 50-41)

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Part One 50-41
Part Two 40-31
Part Three 30-21
Part Four 20-11
Part Five 10-1

Time for the dreaded and pointless albums of the year 2016 list. Yeah, I know this list is ridiculously long, but it was already difficult enough to cut this down to 50 so I decided to stop breaking my heart anymore and just go with this long list. Sorry about that. The order is pretty insignificant and I didn’t think that long about it. Any album could go 10-20 spots up or down on some other day. It’s basicly just 50 albums that I held dear during the year 2016.

50. Frederick Squire – Spooky Action at a Distance

Canadian Frederick Squire can do the honors and kick off this list with his quietly spectacular new album Spooky Action at A Distance. You might know him as the Fred in Daniel, Fred & Julie, but his solo albums are treasures as well. Maybe this one didn’t hit me as hard as March 12 or Sings Shenandoah and Other Popular Hits, but it’s still gorgeous.

49. Luka – Summon Up A Monkey King

Sticking in Canada for the time being. Luka aka Luke Kuplowsky loves cats, Kaurismäki and Richman. So my kind of guy most definitely. Summon Up a Monkey King is a great late night listening and presents love through different perspectives. And Rohmer plays his important role both in the album cover and the music videos with grace and absolute perfection. What a beautiful cat.

48. Ryan Allen and His Extra Arms – Basement Punk

I’m way behind with 2016 power pop or melodic pop and haven’t even heard some important ones like the new Legal Matters album. I need to go through the year-end lists of the pop blogs sometime early in the 2017 to see what I’ve missed. However, I do have a few great ones on this list. Ryan Allen and His Extra Arms from Michigan is a long time favourite and this one is his finest album. Mal n’ Ange is one of my jams of 2016.

47. Hayes Carll – Lovers and Leavers

The new Hayes Carll album got a little mixed reviews, but I think it’s rather stunning. It sure is a little ballad-heavy and requires a certain mood. Therefore this is one of those that could easily jump into the top 20 on some day and out from the list on another. But the songwriting is excellent. This song The Magic Kid is one of the best of the year.

46. Jeremy Squires – Shadows

Jeremy Squires from North Carolina is somehow able to present fragility and sadness in such manner that all that gloom gets overshadowed by the peace and warmness that flows through the listener.

45. Joe Purdy – Who Will Be Next?

The new Joe Purdy album deals with difficult issues like gun violence, refugee crisis, police brutality, racism. Actually everything it tells should be naively obvious to all of us, but it’s still an important and welcome reminder, because somehow lack of empathy seem to be a running theme in this current world. Children of Privilege by Joe Purdy from Red Barn Studio Live Sessions.

44. Shotgun Jimmie – Field Of Trampolines

I’m not sure is happiness consultant a thing, but if it is I could definitely use one and Canadian Shotgun Jimmie would be a strong candidate for the job. One sure needed a Field Of Trampolines when the year constantly tried to drag us down. It might not be over yet, but I’m sure we can bounce back. Let’s love, laugh and listen to Jimmie.

43. Al Scorch – Circle Round The Signs

Al Scorch from Chicago released his Bloodshot Records debut Circle Round The Signs in the spring. There’s both banjo-driven high-tempo foot stompers and beautiful ballads. Saw him live in Stockholm in the fall and that was a great evening.

42. Big Shoals – Hard Lessons

Big Shoals from Gainesville, FL was a completely new find to me and their latest album Hard Lessons turned out to be a great americana / alt.country album. Very convincing already and I expect them to one day hit the top 10, if both a) they keep making records b) I keep writing a blog.

41. Margo Price – Midwest Farmer’s Daughter

Country singer-songwriter Margo Price has received a lot of hype during the year and righfully so. This might be a surprisingly low position for this excellent album. This was actually jumping up and down while I was making this list, because on the other hand there are songs that I absolute love like Hands of Time, but also some I don’t care that much for like the first single Hurtin’ (On The Bottle). Easily ends up on a positive and high note though. The perfect way to end this first chapter of the albums of the year list is Margo Price and her songs Hands Of Time that is one of the finest songs of the year.

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Headline, International music, Top lists

Top 15 EPs of the Year 2015

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Moving on the final end of the year 2015 list. My favourite Eps of the year list. I won’t do the reissues list, because I only bought a few. So much good new stuff plus close to two thousands euros spent on various doctors, chiropractors and physios didn’t leave any money whatsover left for the reissues. I highly recommended the Epic Soundtracks vinyl reissues, if you don’t own those records yet. The classic DM3 also had a new remastered compilation out on the Alive/Bomp lavel. And of course everything that Light in The Attic or Ace puts out is always worth a visit. Anyway, here’s the EP list and then it’s time to finally move on to 2016, The fifteenth and quite possibly final year of One Chord To Another. I guess I should also start planning the 15th birthday celebrations that takes place next September. Would be fun to organize something special. We’ll see how it goes. It’s quite possible that nothing happens.

widowerdark

15. Widower – Dark Blue

The album Fool Moon by Widower holds a very special place in my heart. During 2015 Kevin Large returned with a new EP Dark Blue. Your Copy of The Catcher In The Rye was the highlight. I hope we will get a new album during 2016.

darrinbradbury

14. Darrin Bradbury – The Story of Bob

Darrin Bradbury is a damn fine storyteller and songwriter. This is The Story Of Bob.

provincial4

13. The Provincial Archive – The Provincial Archive

The Provincial Archive became a trio and took a step towards 90s power pop and melodic indie rock on their self-titled EP. I don’t have anything against that.

aaronlee

12. Aaron Lee Tasjan – Telling Stories to The Wall

The most important Aaron Lee Tasjan release of 2015 was the album In The Blazes, but this EP also got a lot of airplay in this household. There was a couple of even better ones on the album, but Living Proof is still among my favourite ALT tunes.

wilder

11. Wilder Maker – Everyday Crimes Against Objects of Desire Vol I, II & Vol III

Wilder Maker finished their EP trilogy (or will there be more?). Vol 1 was late 2014 and the other two came out during 2015. They do also contain a couple of not-that-great tunes as well, but mostly brilliant.

kentep

10. Kent Eugene Goolsby – Minor Wear

Kent Eugene Goolsby also made the album list, but the prolific songwriter also released a really good Minor Wear EP late in the year. This is just as good. Sometimes it feels like it’s even better.

calvin

9. John Calvin Abney- Vice Versa Suite

John Calvin Abney also released a damn fine album Better Luck early in the year, which was close to making the cut on the albums list. Thankfully he also released a damn fine EP Vice Versa Suite late in the year, so I can still show some year end love to this fine artists who besides making great solo releases also plays on a lot of other albums that I love.

andyreedrelay

8. Andy Reed – Relay Vol 1.

A long time favourite Andy Reed now operates under his own name and delivered a great melodic pop treasure Relay Vol 1.

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7. Pearl Charles – Pearl Charles

Pearl Charles from LA delivered a really delightful blend of garage pop, psych pop/folk and west coast rock. I’m so eager to hear more material from her. Irresistible stuff.

china

6. China – Toward The Sun & The Wall

I teamed up the two China EPs here, because I bought them at the same time and have been listening to them together as well. The Wall was a Dec14 release and Towards the Sun came out in Apr15. Odawas is often on the borderline of my comfort zone, love some of the material, don’t even like all of it. China is more my cup of tea and these are both wonderful releases.

micahhh

5. Micah Schnabel – Not The Boy You Used To Know

A long time favourite Micah Schnabel who also kicks ass with his band Two Cow Garage released another great solo release. An Ep called Not The Boy You Used to Know. The best part of Micah’s year was Two Cow’s Let The Boys Be Girls that also appeared on my songs of the year list, but this one is really good as well.

jaygonza

4. Jay Gonzalez – The Bitter Suite

Jay Gonzalez plays the keys in Drive-by Truckers, but the man is also a bit of pop wizard on the side. Making a 5-song rock medley is a rather ludicrous idea, if you ask me, but Jay was able to make this work wonderfully.

buffaloo

3. Buffalo Gosbel – Waiting For The Lights To Go Out

I’m not entirely sure does a two song digital release count as an EP, but they call it themselves an EP so who am I to disagree. There’s no doubt about the greatness of it though. I really loved the previous Buffalo Gospel album and this is equally brilliant. Especially the title track Waiting For The Lights To Go Out is just stunning.

taylorknox

2. Taylor Knox – Lines

Toronto-based Taylor Knox has played the drums for some of favourite artists like Hayden, but Lines EP shows that he is also more than capable of leaving the drum set behind and stepping under the spotlight. This is wonderful Sloan-ish melodic pop and rock’n’roll. Basicly my favourite EP of the year 2015, because my #1 pick is technically a late 2014 release.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoRmKIuPtlw]

courtneymarie

1. Courtney Marie Andrews – Leuven Letters

I’m still arguing with myself is it alright to name Leuven Letters by Courtney Marie Andrews as my favourite EP of the year, because it actually came out in late 2014. In the end, I just don’t have the heart to leave it out, because it’s by far the EP I loved the most during the year. I can never get enough of They Say or Near You. I’m so looking forward to the next full-length from this gifted singer-songwriter, because this EP is so remarkable and beautiful.

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