Another year in the books! Something feels different about what’s to come. Any ideas why? Stay safe out there people! — Arooj Aftab /// MJ Lenderman /// Still House Plants /// Mount Eerie /// Mannequin Pussy /// Mk.gee /// Friko /// Shellac,Beth Gibbons /// Magdalena Bay
The word of the year is Silence. If I’m being honest about what I listened to the most, it was nothing, literally silence. Most nights ended with me, my noise cancelling headphones, and my thoughts. I found the quiet to be quite musical. Of course, I heard a handful of strong records reflected below, but this newfound muted music has led me to explore ambient and minimalism, hence the bonus lists. Enjoy! Rock and the like 1. Frog – Grog One of the most unique records I’ve heard in a long time. Difficult to lock them down to one genre,…
When Mark reached out a few weeks with his annual reminder I thought to myself, hmmm, do I have it in me again? Then I realized how much I enjoy the process and how I always go in with such a negative attitude. Well, not this year. I am going to appreciate the opportunity to hear so much great new music and share with the world. So, thanks Mark for keeping the torch alive today and hopefully for another 25 years. — —
Wilco, Superchunk, Elvis Costello, Built To Spill,Father John Misty, Alex G, Perfume Genius, Tomberlin, The Smile, Big Thief,
Hello world. Emerging from another year of cabin fever. Covid is still here, no end in sight. The country is as divided as ever. Even feeling the effects of global warming as we kick the new year off with record high temps. Wish I could say music was the one bright spot keeping me going, but it is more like music is helping me to cope. Lots of repetitive, atmospheric sounds – nothing too disruptive to the system. Sure, a few rock records slipped through, but mostly I looked for a mood. That said, here goes with what kept me afloat.
Hello world. Anything new happen recently? I will leave pandemic/political discussion for another time, as I am sure we are all sick of talking about it. What I will say is the drugs must be working because I am encouraged that we are headed in the right direction and contrary to just about every other year I have been “POOPing”, I actually found a bunch of solid releases this year. With that, here goes.
Wow – in the 25 years I have been participating in the POOP, this might be the least interesting list of releases. Truth be told, I spent the majority of the year moving back and forth from jazz to classical. More interested in background music than foreground, I guess. Nonetheless, the draw to put down my opinions on paper are too strong to quit now. With that, let’s see what I can eke out from what I’ve heard this year. Buy New or Used via Amazon Rent via iTunes [?] 1. Brittany Howard – Jaime A real eclectic collection…
The Tops Buy New or Used via Amazon Rent via iTunes [?] 1. Pinegrove – Skylight I will leave the history alone. Google it for an interesting read. Emo is still alive and well on this official sophomore release. At times introspective, it’s a slow grind that builds to something big. I expect this record to stand the test of time. Best live show of the year – all due to the energy in the room. Buy New or Used via Amazon Rent via iTunes [?] 2. White Denim – Performance Where have these guys been all my…
Where do I begin? Like so many of us, it all changed on Election Night 2016. As I sat and watched the deterioration of our home, I was thinking about how I truly live in a bubble in New York, and the confirmation of ignorance from the rest of our country was devastating. I’m trying to be hopeful, but with every office appointment, it keeps getting worse. Just like Seth Meyers said, “we gave him his chance.” Can’t really say I heard a lot of music that inspired me this year as well. Drumming up the strength to talk about…
Brothers and sisters, we survived another year on this planet. The best thing I can say about 2015 is that it is behind us. No looking back from here – blue skies ahead.
Where does the time go? I thought I just finished writing the 2013 list, and here I am again. POOP and taxes – the only 2 things I can count on to start the New Year off right. And the similarities don’t end there – they are both painful to get out but once I receive something back in the mail, all the pain becomes worth it. Thankfully, the % of money Mark requires is substantially less than my accountant. Anyway, here’s last year’s notables, as I see it:
Wow, I really cut it down to the wire this year. Tons of great music, but the thought of actually sitting down and typing it all up seems daunting. Some of my favorites put out solid new releases and there were plenty of new artists to hold my attention for years to come. Buy New or Used via Amazon 1. Mayer Hawthorne – Where Does This Door Go I feel like a bit of a sellout putting this at the top of my list this year. But if I am to be honest, it was my most played release. Buy…
Ladies and gentlemen, I now present to you by favorite records of 2012. It wasn’t easy admitting to all of these R&B records, but dammit, I am comfortable in my music skin! Buy New or Used via Amazon 1. Kelly Hogan – I Like To Keep Myself in Pain Genres aside, her beautiful voice, slight twang, and vibrant melodies make this a winner. Buy New or Used via Amazon 2. Best Coast – The Only Place Ah, a nice breath of fresh air. Jangly pop to soothe the soul. A real warm record. Buy New or Used via Amazon 3….
Wow, Mark… 25 years of PooP!!! Congratulations!!! Although I know I have not been there since day 1, it sure feels like I have been pooping my whole life! I think 2011 is the year I finally I felt old. Tons of my favorite bands from years ago put out records, although I did not enjoy any of them. I see hall of fame baseball players retire – younger than I am now. And the majority of music I listened to this year was from 20+ years ago. However, my addiction to seek out new music keeps me coming back…
Is it me or is it getting harder and harder to get my POOP out? Pun very much intended. I know everything seems much harder these days. One of the benefits of being on the other side of 40, I guess. Nonetheless, I somehow managed to get in it, just under the wire. My soft rock tastes of 2010… Buy New and Used via amazon 1. Junip – Fields Can a record be both light and heavy at the same time? Deep and bass heavy with a 70’s pop/rock sensibility. Pop shines though in the lightness and the rock brings…
Is it me or is it getting harder and harder to get my POOP out? Pun very much intended. I know everything seems much harder these days. One of the benefits of being on the other side of 40, I guess. Nonetheless, I somehow managed to get in it, just under the wire. My soft rock tastes of 2010… Buy New and Used via amazon 1. Junip – Fields Can a record be both light and heavy at the same time? Deep and bass heavy with a 70’s pop/rock sensibility. Pop shines though in the lightness and the rock brings…
Hello world. Time to wake up again, cram as much music into my brain for a few days and put some ramble on paper and pretend I have immersed myself in music this year. Truth be told, I find most of my time is spent listening to old Stevie Wonder records. Perhaps I should just review those? Nonetheless, I did find a few items that stood out. Surprisingly, or not, much of my “new” music was either compilations (limited attention span?) or reissues. Anyway, to quote the late, great George Michael (from The Machine, not Wham): “Let’s go to the…