Andrew Stewart Poop 2024


BEST: 2024

Buy MJ Lenderman – Manning Fireworks New or Used via Amazon    Buy New or Used via Amazon     Rent via iTunes [?]
1. MJ Lenderman / Manning Fireworks: It is a testament to the appeal of this album – shambolic and off-kilter for sure – that it showed up on so many year-end lists this year. This ain’t no Charli XCX, people. This fact should not deter anyone from listening to or loving this album. Here Lenderman finds a sweet groove, the country-rock songs loping along with a relaxed swing, full of heart-thumping electric guitar moments, and colored by a laid-back vocal style that meshes perfectly with the lyrics, themselves full of funny, weird sidelong observations and resigned disappointments. With a big role on this year’s Waxahatchee album, MJL is having the kind of moment every musician dreams about. There’s no reason not to come along for the ride. (playlist: “She’s Leaving You”)

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2. Being Dead / EELS: Last year’s top dogs come back with perhaps an even better album this year, and the fire is still burning hot. These art-rock songs branch off into unexpected directions, jumping at times perilously from one genre to another in complex suite-like constructs, but there’s purpose and intention to this manic approach. They’re harnessing something incredibly unique and exciting here, and having fun doing it. (playlist: “Firefighters”)

Buy Program / It’s a Sign via Bandcamp    Buy via Bandcamp    Rent via iTunes [?]
3. Program / It’s a Sign: A near-perfect indie-rock album from this Aussie outfit, nostalgic for the ‘80’s without being imitative, shiny and jangly and catchy as hell; but also weird in all the best ways. Viva Melbourne! (playlist: “Sparks”)

Buy Anna McClellan / Electric Bouquet New or Used via Amazon    Buy New or Used via Amazon    Rent via iTunes [?]
4. Anna McClellan / Electric Bouquet: Strange, loose and soulful, this is love-it-or-hate-it stuff, with off-key vocals and broken-heart lyrics – but there’s also something powerful here that feels almost magical. (playlist: “Jam the Phones”)

Buy Perennial / Art History New or Used via Amazon    Buy New or Used via Amazon    Rent via iTunes [?]
5. Perennial / Art History: Straight-ahead art-punk from this he-she duo out of Connecticut never ever lets up, going 6 / 8 in your face until you’re squeezed out like a toothpaste tube and ready to come back for more. (playlist: “Up-tight”)

Buy Ty Segall / Three Bells New or Used via Amazon    Buy New or Used via Amazon    Rent via iTunes [?]
6. Ty Segall / Three Bells: Tempted to skip a release from this mad genius? Not this year. This is definitely among his best albums, broad in scope and power, packed with rock hooks, loud, confident and awesome – again. (playlist: “Wait”)

Buy Friko – Where We've Been, Where We Go From Here New or Used via Amazon     Buy New or Used via Amazon    Rent via iTunes [?]
7. Friko / Where We’ve Been…: Amazing debut from this Chicago band, who are Pinegroveian in style but eclipse that band’s confessional folk style with something more complex, and more moving. (playlist: “Where We’ve Been”)

Buy English Teacher - This Could Be Texas  New or Used via Amazon    Buy New or Used via Amazon    Rent via iTunes [?]
8. English Teacher / This Could Be Texas: A holy-shite debut from this Leeds band kicks you in the teeth with soaring, romantic art-rock, using an uber-modern palette to sound both intimate and epic. (playlist: “The Best Tears of Your Life”)

Buy  Sam Evian / Plunge New or Used via Amazon    Buy New or Used via Amazon    Rent via iTunes [?]
9. Sam Evian / Plunge: Is this a lost soul record from 70’s England? No, you’re just high as hell and listening to this gorgeous set of retro-tinged songs from this Hudson Valley-based artist; thanks to Griffin for the heads up! (playlist: “Rollin’ In”)

Buy Shellac / To All Trains New or Used via Amazon    Buy New or Used via Amazon    Rent via iTunes [?]
10. Shellac / To All Trains: RIP Steve Albini, who left one last table saw of an album, still spinning. “They say time waits for no one / You couldn’t be more wrong / Time is patient, like a hunter waiting for you to come along.” (playlist: “Tattoos”)

11.Feeling Figures / Everything Around You: Montreal crew get wonky with this filthy song set, part nostalgic space-psych, part art-grunge. As deep as you want it to be, this one promises even better stuff to come. (playlist: “Social Anatomy”)
12. This Is Lorelei / Box for Buddy, Box for Star: Nate Amos, one half of Brooklyn’s heralded Water From Your Eyes, unleashes his hidden pop persona and makes waves with this ambitious and hooky debut. (playlist: “I’m All Fucked Up”)
13. True Green / My Lost Decade: This no-fi debut out of Minneapolis is sit-up-straight good, slacker jams evoking Mac DeMarco, Doughty and Gibbard among others, with sharp lyrics and power hooks. (playlist: “My Lost Decade”)
14. Rick Rude / Laverne: New Hampshire rockers absolutely kick the doors in with this album of straight-up indie shit, swerving between fist-pump anthems and moodier meditations like a poor man’s Pixies. (playlist: “Wooden Knife”)
15. Stylianos Ou & The Cortisol Cows / Fucked Forever: Deep cut out of Athens (Greece) is the year’s biggest surprise, a masterpiece of David-Bermanesque weirdness, all woozy songs about sex and desire. (playlist: “Prophet Squirting”)
16. Mock Media / Mock Media II: If Joe Strummer had grown up in the Canadian west, might he have taken things less seriously? This reissue from last year is delightfully fun, tongue-in-cheek Clash-worship. (playlist: “Louis won’t break”)
17. Corey Madden / Taste the Hour: Color Green frontman transcends those Dead-inspired trappings and delivers an album of haunting psych-rock that evokes sonorous ‘60’s British acts like early Pink Floyd, transmuted. (playlist: “Free Again”)
18. PACKS / Melt The Honey: A favorite this year out of Toronto, this act plays beautifully-crafted, romantic indie-rock songs, and Madeline Link’s processed vocals are the secret, like Liz Phair outtakes played at 32 1 / 3. (playlist: “Honey”)
19. Gustaf / Package Pt. 2: This adventurous Brooklyn band does stripped-down indie rock as well as anyone, sounding more Green Park than Greenpoint with their brash, sinewy London-ish vibe. (playlist:“Starting and Staring”)
20. Good Morning / The Accident: Melbourne duo generates a very specific sound that can best be described as summer-day, soft-rock Wilco – which is a go-listen-to-this sales pitch if there ever was one. (playlist: “A Telephone Rings”)
21. Christopher Owens / I Wanna Run Barefoot Through Your Hair: Girls frontman returns after time in the wilderness, invigorated and maybe even reborn with this newly windswept, doom-hearted sound. (playlist: “Beautiful Horses”)
22. Dehd / Poetry: A step down from their last two albums, they’re reaching for something a bit too commercial that robs their sound of the weirdness that made their last two albums so amazing. That said, it’s still great. (playlist: “Light On”)
23. A Country Western / Life on The Lawn: A solid album from this little-known Philly band just stuck around all year and kept getting better, with more layers to peel than first apparent. Something great is coming. (playlist: “The Dreamer”)
24. Babe Report / Did You Get Better: Chicago band debuts with pure pop-punk, unafraid to cut loose the howling wind but never forgetting the importance of a sweet melodic turn; this may be just what you’re missing. (playlist: “Allergy 2000”)
25. Variety / Subtropical: Texas indie-punk stuff sounds like Lou Barlow’s grungy early shit, but incorporates more psych elements. I’m still pissed this cassette never arrived, but fuck it; let’s embrace the chaos together. (playlist: “Valentine”)

Andrew Stewart Pooplist 2024YouTube playlist

THE REST
Amen Dunes / Death Jokes II: Stripped remix of an earlier album from this year lets the songs shine, but spells curtains.
American Culture / Hey Brother, It’s Been A While: Underrated and unknown Denver band is squarely in the alt-rock slot.
Amy O / Mirror, Reflect: Charming and delightful lo-fi indie-folk from Bloomington is all bedroom eyes, magical and winning.
Bad History Month / To Be Free EP: Singer Sean Sprecher stays mysterious and transcendent with this five-star EP of great shit.
Lee Baggett / Waves for a Begull: Whoa now, who put Kurt Vile and Roger McGuinn in a blender with a dash of peyote? WTF.
Sam Bambery / Rubricator: Mysterious and mischevious folk-pop from NZ is a surprise, just weird enough to not let you go.
Bermuda Squares / Outsider: Short set from this Minnesota group is fast, raw and awesome, a weekend flamethrower.
Karl Blau / Vultures of Love: Our family’s consensus favorite musician right now delivers more excellent laid-back country-soul.
Bnny / One Million Love Songs: Everyone needs guilty pleasures, and this is just a sweet pixie stick of an indie-pop album.
BODEGA / Brand on the Run (Our Band Could Be Yr Life): Expanded re-release adds flavor to this Brooklyn indie band’s latest.
Kate Bollinger / Songs from a Thousand Frames of Mind: With another beautiful pop-folk album, she’s ready for the spotlight.
Bon Iver / SABLE, EP: After all the weirdness, a return to Emma form, but it’s merely a tease. Is there really more to come?
Boy Golden / For Eden: Saskatchewan hipster cowboy sings songs that don’t sound like any of those things, just amazing stuff.
The Bures Band / Fool Circle: Aussie band has that special something where everything sounds familiar. Worth a listen.
Caroline Says / The Lucky One: Stunning West Coast-via-Texas dream-pop is a surprise, deep as hell and uniquely special.
Clairo / Charm: Clairo tries on the Big Crown, and these sophisticated retro-soul songs fit just fine, and sound great.
Cola / The Gloss: Tim Darcy (of Ought) breaks into new territory with these Pavement-y percolations of alienation and desire.
Color Green / Fools Parade: More California desert rock, this one is heavier and more driven than the last; with Corey Madden.
Corridor / Mimi: Montreal dream-pop act is tough to get with because of all that, you know, French; but it doesn’t matter.
Crumb / AMAMA: Like 2019’s Jinx, this is a moody electronic British folk-pop, though this one’s more abstract and spaced-out.
The Deslondes / Roll It Out: New Orleans country-blues dudes with a simple, sweet-sounding album of traditional-type songs.
DIIV / Frog in Boiling Water: As close to Smashing Pumpkins as you can get without copyright infringement, but that’s OK.
Doris / Ultimate Love Songs Collection: Busted, crushed and twisted R&B songs are like a reflection in a broken mirror.
Ducks Ltd / Harm’s Way: Perhaps the best of a raft of throwback-type jangle pop albums this year, this one’s bright and shiny.
EggS / Crafted Achievement: Another French band that plays American, sounding a bit like Wolf Parade, though more brittle.
Erick the Architect / I’ve Never Been Here Before: Despite hip-hop albums this year from several genre giants, this is the best.
Fake Fruit / Mucho Mistrust: Oakland weirdos’ feisty retort to a world that doesn’t care, this one spits flaming-hot fire.
Father John Misty / Mahashmashana: Yes, fine; but self-derivation doesn’t get you far. Does it even matter if it’s any good?
Finom / Not God: Theatrical art-pop is full of invention, and heart. With Sima Cunningham’s solo album, it’s a nice catalog.
Fontaines D.C. / Romance: Abandoning the dark, angsty sound that made them heroes, they’ve transformed into…The Killers?
Mabe Fratti / Sentir Que No Sabes: Utterly gorgeous, completely unconventional avant-garde cello-based pop, from Mexico.
From Indian Lakes / Head Void: Dreamy indie rock from Yosemite, this is a high wind in heavy boughs, all dramatic shadows.
Future Islands / People Who Aren’t There Anymore: Underrated album features a reimagined sound, with stunning lyrics.
Andrew Gabbard / Ramble & Rave On!: He’s taking a hard turn away from trad-country and into singer-songwriter territory.
Rui Gabriel / Compassion: Front man of New Orleans band Lawn delivers sharp, appealing, upbeat indie rock songs.
Good Looks / Lived Here for a While: Austin rockers flex an appealing and familiar alt-country sound that got noticed.
GospelbeacH / Wiggle Your Fingers: Beachwood Sparks offshoot keeps that sunny sound, but adds a little War on Drugs flair.
Geordie Greep / The New Sound: Black Midi’s frontman smashed it all to bits, then gave us this surprisingly straight-up debut.
Guided by Voices / Strut of Kings: Surprisingly and undeniably fucking amazing, again; maybe his best album in ten years.
The Hard Quartet / The Hard Quartet: Malkmus-led supergroup stays varied and restrained on this set of instant classics.
The Heavy Heavy / One of a Kind: This Brighton band traffics exclusively in an uber-nostalgic British soul sound, but it works.
Helado Negro / PHASOR: Another beautiful, meditative album that seemed to get slower with each listen, not enough for now.
Holiday Music / 333 EP: Weird-ass psychedelia with rock and electronica accents, this one’s a stocking stuffer for the oddball.
Horse Jumper of Love / Disaster Trick: Evolving into a heavy shoegaze sound, this is awesome but also oppressively dreary.
Humdrum / Every Heaven: More new New Wave, with Buck-like guitars chiming over dreamy vocals, a familiar, happy sound.
Hurray For The Riff Raff / The Past is Still Alive: Serious, thematic roots-rock album about where we’ve been, and what’s next.
Islands / What Occurs: Have you given up because there’s too much? You’re missing a great one from a master of indie pop.
JCRG / Grim Iconic…(Sadistic Mantra): This is complicated as fuck and challenging on many levels, like a rewarding puzzle.
Khruangbin / A LA SALA: They’re just about eating their own tail by now, but the fundamentals remain sound, and this is good.
The KVB / Tremors: Post-industrial music for people who don’t like to dance, this felt manufactured but with great moments.
Kendrick Lamar / GNX: Like a hard punch this was shocking and tough to get over. A shot at radio play that didn’t feel right.
Laughing / Because It’s True: If Wilco covered The La’s outtakes you might get this spangly, jangly, wonderful pop-rock album.
Cindy Lee / Diamond Jubilee: Hard to find, abstract and massive, this felt formless and elusive, despite moments of genius.
Lightheaded / Combustible Gems: New Jersey and dream pop don’t always go together – but this arrangement works just fine.
Lily Seabird / Alas,: Acetic-voiced folkie from Burlington holds and then explodes on this great album, on Lame-O Records.
Liquid Mike / Paul Bunyan’s Slingshot: Another guilty pleasure, these artfully slung songs sound like peak ‘90’s alt-rock.
Los Campesinos! / All Hell: Welsh weirdness is wildly wonderful; while you may wonder whether it’s worth it, one word: wow.
Lutalo / The Academy: Mixing elements of Bartees Strange, TVOTR and David Garza, this rural Vermont artist is one to watch.
Magic Fig / Magic Fig: This theatrical, romantic prog-emo out of San Francisco is somehow winning, despite all those signifiers.
Mannequin Pussy / I Got Heaven: A relative letdown, this grab at the brass ring of fame, at the price of their identity, stings.
Marcel Wave / Something Looming: If the barrow boys are going out, this London post-punk group is coming in, hot and fast.
Jon McKiel / Hex: You put the hex on me, of that there is no doubt. Nova Scotia knows no bounds on this one-of-a-kind gem.
Merce Lemon / Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild: Upbeat pop-tinged folk from this Pittsburgh artist is soaring and emotional.
Mdou Moctar / Funeral for Justice: This powerhouse of Nigerian trance-blues has wrested the mantle from Bombino, for now.
Mt. Misery / Love in Mind: Matthew Sweet-ish harmonies make these pop songs from northern England shine through.
David Nance / David Nance & Mowed Sound: Like a Stills to Rosali’s Young, he’s great – and this album is full of quiet surprises.
Office Dog / Spiel: A weighty sound from this New Zealand band evokes Corgan, Brock & Martsch, but is slicker and shinier.
Doug Paisley / Sad Old World: A true country favorite out of Toronto slips us the bill with this great set of mostly covers.
Pale Jay / Low End Love Songs: Thanks to Morgan Coy for this groovy, mellow, LA-based soul-jazz, red knit mask and all.
Parsnip / Behold: More from Melbourne, a hotbed of excellence, this girl-group stuff is playful and nostalgic, but also kicks.
Pom Poko / Champion: Norwegian pop band named after an anime film delivers exactly the aural confection you’d expect.
Porcelain / Porcelain: Heavy shit out of Austin is grungier than At the Drive In, but retains that quiet-loud-louder dynamic.
Porches / Shirt: Like Dehd, he’s reaching for something more commercial here, diluting his unique white-boy R&B-pop sound.
Porridge Radio / Clouds in the Sky…: More formless than their last, but still bold and searching stuff from this Brighton group.
Pouty / Forgot About Me: FOZ (Friend of Zauner) finds a very nice power-pop niche after some bicoastal experimentation.
Quivers / Oyster Cuts: This Melbourne sound recalls 80’s British new wave acts like The Cure, with a heavier guitar sound.
Daniel Romano’s Outfit / Too Hot to Sleep: Done with country and indie rock, he’s on to rockabilly, and all that that implies.
Rosali / Bite Down: Powerhouse album from a should-be-bigger artist, with David Nance backing; too thorny to break through.
Shannon & The Clams / The Moon is in The Wrong Place: Poised and ready to break out, they feel stuck in an imitative gear.
Jeffrey Silverstein / Roseway EP: Portland, Oregon psych-country guy is as dry as the desert, funny as hell, salty and sardonic.
The Smile / Wall of Eyes: Yorke, yes! Greenwood, go! My dirty secret? I may have liked the Cutouts album even more.
Sour Widows / Revival of a Friend: Powerhouse debut from this Oakland trio, who go full-bore rock legend in Act 1, scene 1.
Special World / Special World EP: How to explain this funhouse stuff? Is that a robot singing, or is the fuse blown? Uh, yes.
Spiral XP / I Wish I Was a Rat: Seattle band runs it back 97 yards on the opening kickoff with this dark, dank indie-rock album.
Vince Staples / Dark Times: Vince moves back toward a more commercial and upbeat sound and it’s solid, though not special.
Still Woozy / Loveseat: Damn-near irresistible Bay-area emo-pop is straight-up magical. Thanks Milk & Cookies for the hookup!:
Styrofoam Winos / Real Time: One of an expanding group of classic-rock-and-alt-country-influenced bands that sound great.
Luke Temple / Certain Limitations: More neon-glow arch-pop songs from this genre master, here channeling Cass McCombs.
Toro y Moi / Hole Erth: Chaz can’t miss right now, his kaleidoscopic gaze turned here toward an icy-cool hip-hop club sound.
Trummors / 5: A rootsy country sound with dueted harmonies and plenty of pedal steel, this sounds unforced and authentic.
Tyler, The Creator / Chromakopia: To be honest, this felt like work given the album’s heavy sound and thematic construct.
Vessel / Wrapped in Cellophane: An unbridled sax goes haywire all over these songs, like a wet dog jumping on the furniture.
Waxahatchee / Tiger’s Blood: A big early wow that lost steam, this paradoxically may be her best, but also isn’t good enough.
Wayne Graham / Bastion: Kentucky band-not-a-guy Wayne Graham are poised for fame with another sophisticated album.
Weak Signal / Fine: NYC Lou Reed acolytes add another tough, wiry, hypnotic album to an expanding and excellent catalog.
Webb Chapel / World Cup: What’s in the fucking water down there in Philly? (Hint: whiskey.) Adventure, turmoil and fairy dust.
Faye Webster / Underdressed at The Symphony: She struggles with fame’s dark side, partially reflected here in this soulful set.
Writhing Squares / Mythology: More Philly shit. Every list needs a certain number of filthy punk-rock, and this spot is earned.
Nilufer Yanya / A Method Actor: British powerhouse is on the cusp of serious fame, her mythic vocals earning every plaudit.
youbet / Way to Be: After time in the top ten, late deflation dropped this sensitive indie album; but it’s well worth seeking out.

MISSED in ‘23
Bed Bits / Bed Bits
Chet Sounds / Changes Happen to Everyone, Everywhere
Holy Wave / Five of Cups
Ox / Ktel

STILL DON’T GET IT
Arooj Aftab / Night Reign
Magdalena Bay / Imaginal Disk
Jessica Pratt / Here in the Pitch
Donald Trump / Resident Evil 2

A FUN RADIO PROJECT THAT ENDED TOO SOON
A Strange Stage (with Morgan Coy of Tubby’s) on Radio Free Rhinecliff, archived on Spotify.

Andrew Stewart
Rhinebeck, NY: