FIX RAMBLES ABOUT 2018 STUFF
MUSIC
Here’s my list in no particular order though I often alphabetically group the LP’s because that made sense to me.
At times shiny and quirky while other times uncomfortable and buzzy; always satisfying and intriguing. I know what you’re asking, this grouping makes no sense… hey, it’s my list.
- Amen Dunes – Freedom
- Kacey Musgraves – Golden Hour
- Mitski – Be the Cowboy
- US Girls – In A Poem Unlimited
World got you on edge? Feeling anxious, angry, confused and ready to act up? You are not alone and you are right. I may have the antidote or at least the accompanying soundtrack. A bit of raw, post-puck, electronic noise-rock, blah, blah – labels – hah!
- Fucked Up – Does Your Dreams
- Idles – Joy As An Act Of Resistance
- Parquet Courts – Wide Awake!
- Shame – Songs of Praise
- The 1975 – A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships
Sure the sound can be retro, jangly Neil Young/Byrds and a bit samey at times BUT it gets my foot tapping, makes me feel swoony, & basically I start grooving. Yes, it’s a master class in multi-tracking that would make Jeff Lynne or Tom Scholz green with envy, and that’s just fine with me.
- Israel Nash – Lifted
Sure, just from the concept, song construction and theme behind this album I was ready to love it still it exceeded my expectations. It tears me up – in both senses of the word.
At times sparse then just enough layered fuzz, strings, harmonies distortion, etc and an omnipresent rhythm section driving and soaring to match the sometimes plain yet always poignant lyrics making each song magic.
- Lucy Dacus – Historian
- Soccer Mommy – Clean
- Snail Mail – Lush
Complex, orchestral, jazzish compositions and although challenging at times in their seeming… meandering, well worth investing time unpeeling and exploring. Akin to a soundtrack to a Bjorkish fairlyland struggling with it’s identity. Huh?
- Julia Holter – Aviary
MUSIC – HONORABLE MENTION
- Arctic Monkeys – Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino
- Beach House – 7
- The Beths – Future Me Hates Me
- Brandy Carlile – By The Way, I Forgive You
- Film School – Bright To Death
- First Aid Kit – Ruins
- Iceage – Beyondless
- John Coltrane – Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album
- Kamasi Washington – Heaven And Earth
- Neneh Cherry – Broken Politics
- Superchunk – What A Time To Be Alive
MOST GLORIOUS MUSIC/BOOK of 2018
Dead Moon – Book & Album * Eric and Mississippi Records created an absolute gem, a magnificent labour of love that this seminal band truly deserved. RIP Fred.
BOOKS
Richard Powers – The Overstory, Timothy Snyder – The Road To Unfreedom, Ronan Farrow – War On Peace
MOVIES
Unfortunately I have a long list to see (Roma, The Favourite, Sorry To Bother You, etc) and therefore there’s not much to offer here except to observe – the top twenty+ grossing films of 2018 – straight up meh to bleh! I’m talking to you Black Panther, Incredibles 2, Avengers: Everyone Dies, Deadpool 2, ad nauseum.
PODCASTS
Slow Burn, Guardian: Today In Focus, The End Of The World, Serial: Season 3, 16 Shots, On The Media, Trump Inc., Deconstructed