This is the space where I usually vent about the year just passed. Guns are bad, liberals are good, blah, blah, blah.
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• This Will End In Tears: The Miserabilist Guide To Music | Adam Brent Houghtaling
Yup, a book tops my list for the first time ever. My wife always complains that I listen to too much of what she calls “sad bastard music” and that was before I was armed with “the definitive guide to the sad songs that make us so happy.” I spent most of the year with this collection by my side as I wallowed in favorites old (American Music Club, Leonard C., Townes etc.) and new to me discoveries (Mickey Newbury, The Field Mice, Black Tape For A Blue Girl). An essential book for any pop mope worth their Morrissey.
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• Japandroids | Celebration Rock
This has basically been my favorite kind of music in some form or another since I was about 15 years old. Ragged glory guitars and shout to the heavens choruses that actually make me jump around like the 15 year-old idiot still trapped in my middle-aged body and brain.
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• Craig Finn | Clear Heart, Full Eyes
I forgot about this and just got it a few weeks ago. I like most of this subdued record and Finn’s writing is as always inspired. On some of the songs, however, it feels like he’s trying too hard to not be The Hold Steady.
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• Dinosaur Jr. | I Bet On Sky
Another echo of teenage angst and exploding guitars.
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• Nightmares For A Week @ Rondout Music Lounge
A blistering set in a cool new venue. The unquestioned highlight (at least for um, me) was when I took over the lead vocals for “I Will Dare”.
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• New Multitudes | New Multitudes
I always enjoy listening to Jay Farrar and Anders Parker sing.
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• Rhett Miller | The Dreamer
Local hero delivers another solid set of songs.
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• Carly Rae Jepsen | “Call Me Maybe”
No, I’m not being ironic. This ear worm ate my brain all year. Pure pop bliss.
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• Cheap Girls | Giant Orange
I guess I dug guitars this year. And jumping around like an idiot.
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• Jimmy Cliff | Rebirth
Worth it for the “Guns Of Brixton” cover alone.