Favorite Albums of 2015

1. Viet Cong-Viet Cong
Naming my favorite album of 2015 is tough because nothing truly touched me, or shaped my year as much as Dry the River's Shallow Bed did. But that record is three years old, and I'd rather not talk about it. So I turned to the two records I just thought were the strongest releases of the year, Viet Cong and Are You Alone? Which ranks higher? One is all head, the other is all heart. But still two incredible, albeit different, records. So they're tied.

Viet Cong is probably the best new band since Fleet Foxes. And their debut is one of the best debuts in a long, long time. It's like an assault, and doesn't give you a chance to breathe at at point throughout. It's so incredible cohesive, and there isn't a weak track among the eight on the album. And wow, what tracks those are. "Continental Shelf" is one of the bet songs to come out in years, and "Death" is incredible and ambitious and lets you lose yourself for eleven minutes. I cannot wait to hear what Viet Cong has in store for the future. No matter what they call themselves.

Favorite Tracks: Continental Shelf, Death, Silhouettes


Majical Cloudz-Are You Alone?
I wrote about this record in detail so I won't go too into it but this album is special. It does the perfect job of expressing that anxiety over wanting to be with people even though people have let you down in the past. Devon Walsh's songs feel real and relatable.

Favorite Tracks: Downtown, Are You Alone?, Disappeared 

3. Sufjan Stevens-Carrie & Lowell
I have been a Sufjan Stevens' fan for a long time. A long, long, long time. And his music had a significant role in my high school and college years. While I worship Illinois, I almost want to say that Carrie and Lowell is his best record. Because this is Sufjan at his (understandably) most vulnerable. It's (obviously) his most personal collection of songs. It may not have all the bells and whistles of his previous works but this one cuts so deep, and it's a thing of beauty.

Favorite Tracks: Eugene, Fourth of July, Carrie & Lowell

4. Frank Turner-Positive Songs for Negative People
Sometimes one of your favorites is trusty and reliable and puts out a great album of pop songs.

Favorite Tracks: Josephine, The Next Storm, Glorious You

5. Beach House-Depression Cherry/Thank Your Lucky Stars
Yes, I'm grouping these together. Perhaps that is unfair, perhaps that is just buying into the whole "everything they put out sounds the same" bullshit that everyone brings up whenever Beach House enters the conversation but for me, I group them together because well, it's all Beach House. And I love Beach House. They are probably the most consistent band around right now (hey, Frightened Rabbit too but it's possible I'm a wee bit biased there) and I'm not sure why Victoria Legrand isn't considered one of the best female songwriters around. Depression Cherry hit me right away, it was heavy and dark and beautiful but Thank Your Lucky Stars took a bit of time for me to fall in love. It seems way more playful, flirtatious even, and Victoria Legrand even sounds pretty sexy.

Favorite Tracks: Bluebird, Sparks, The Traveler

6. Joanna Newsom-Divers
A Joanna Newsom record with drums and guitars? With songs shorter than six minutes? What world are we living in? But it didn't disappoint at all. In fact, about fifty seconds into "Anecdotes," I was ready to burst into tears just from hearing her harp again in a brand new song. Because it was all just so beautiful. Joanna makes us wait and wait and then really delivers. I just love it. If I have any complaints about this record, it's that I wish there was more harp and less piano, and her lyrics aren't as clear on this record than before so it makes it harder to follow them. And c'mon, that's why you listen to Joanna Newsom, right?

Favorite Tracks: Leaving the City, Divers, Sapokanikan, Time, As a Symptom

7. Lower Dens-Escape From Evil
I don't mean to be reductive, and I think Jana Hunter is great but it's like Beach House with more guitars! Regardless, it is an incredibly strong pop record. Not a weak song among the bunch. I didn't care for Lower Dens' debut, but now I definitely need to revisit it.

Favorite Tracks: Company, I Am The Earth, Quo Vadis

8. Editors-In Dream
I've liked Editors for a few years now, mostly because of Tom Smith's incredible voice. When I found out they released a new record (and hey, toured with The Twilight Sad! Why aren't I British!?) I figured, "Okay, I'll give it a whirl." And nothing but "Ocean Of Night" really stuck out at me. But for some reason, I kept going back to this record. And started watching some live videos on YouTube and I was floored at how incredible they sound live. They really expand their sound, and bring it. I mean, listen to a full band version of "Nothing." How could you possibly improve on a song that good? Oh, but they do! Editors live, it seems, are what I want The National to be. I'm really excited t see them live for myself in February.

Anyway, In Dream. I have totally fallen in love with it over the last few weeks, and I'm just warning you: Editors could be my band of 2016. That's how it's shaping up already.

Favorite Tracks: Ocean Of Night, Forgiveness, Life Is a Fear

9. Chvrches-Every Open Eye
What is my favorite genre of music? Sad bastard acoustic pop? Moody bastard rock? Pop-punk with a lot of "oh ohs" and "yeah yeahs?" Well, I'm beginning to think it's female-fronted electro-pop. And there's nobody doing it better these days than Chvrches. This record wasn't as great as The Bones of What You Believe but it's still a solid pop record. And Lauren Mayberry has definitely become a better singer.

Favorite Tracks: Leave a Trace, Clearest Blue, Keep You On My Side

10. My Morning Jacket-The Waterfall
Much like Frank Turner's newest record, this is a collection of songs by a trusty and true rock band. My Morning Jacket are great at what they do, and this album is just one more example. Sometimes you don't have to reinvent the wheel to do something great. Yet another record without a weak or skippable track. And c'mon, there aren't many front men better than Jim James.

Favorite Tracks: Thin Line, Get the Point, Compound Fracture

11. Titus Andronicus-The Most Lamentable Tragedy
Too many people ignored this record, and unjustly so. Patrick Stickles is a straight out genius, and this is just one more example of his brilliance. Not everyone would even attempt to write a triple-disc, 98 minute rock opera with an intermission, full-on choral numbers, "Auld Lang Syne," a Pogues (!) cover, and an actual plot with characters! I feel like Stickles was always building up to this, and it's refreshing to find a meat-and-potatoes rock band being this ambitious. Rock is somewhat ignored these days because people don't seem to think you can do anything ambitious or innovative. Well, Titus Andronicus proves again and again that that is bullshit.

Favorite Tracks: Dimed Out, Fired Up, Stranded (On My Own)

Honorable Mentions:
Belle and Sebastian-Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance
Panda Bear-Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper
Admiral Fallow-Tiny Rewards
Destroyer-The Poison Hour

Most Disappointing Records:

Beirut-No, No, No
I've spoke about this at length but I'm sorry to say this record just didn't work for me a whole. It felt like sketches or ideas of songs, and nothing except for "No, No, No" and "Gibraltar" felt full fleshed out and realized. But I still love Beirut, and they came off way better live, so I'll just accept this album with a shrug, and be glad we got two great songs off of it.

Ellie Goulding-Delirium
I'm not sure why I'm so disappointed in this record. Well, I guess because I LOVE her second album. I still listen to it to this day. But between then and Delirium, Ellie blew up. And that's okay. She's great, I love her, I want her to do well. But Delirium is just another run-of-the-mill mainstream pop record, and it's stripped of anything that made Ellie stand out from all the other female pop stars. I do think the second half of the record is pretty strong, and there are some very enjoyable songs on the album but Ellie doesn't show any personality on it.

Favorite Concerts of 2015

1. Dry the River at The Music Hall of Williamsburg
I've written about this show extensively, and yes, I'm still pretty heartbroken but I'm glad I have the memories of this show. And that's all there is to say about that.

2. We Were Promised Jetpacks at Pier 83/The Mercury Lounge/Warsaw 
Yes, I ended up seeing We Were Promised Jetpacks three times this year. And my goodness, has my opinion of their live shows changed! In fact, I've now seen them five times in total and they have gotten better each time. WWPJ are a solid band, and I am really excited for their future because they're still young and they're getting stronger.

3. Frank Turner at Irving Plaza
I've been to a lot of shows, and I've seen a lot of different artists but I don't think I have as much at anyone else's show than I do at a Frank Turner one. He seems to always be giving 100% from the very start, and nobody has more fun at a Frank Turner show than Frank Turner. I've talked about how off-putting it is to watch someone on stage who just does not want to be there but with Frank that's never a problem. He is loads of fun, especially when you're the type of person who likes to shouts along to songs like I do. I've seen him three times now and he never disappoints. The best thing about this show was that I brought someone who had never seen/heard him before and LOVED him.

4. Andrew Bird at Le Poisson Rouge
I'm pretty much ride or die for the Birdman at this point but this show was still a treat. Getting to hear "Anonanimal" for the first time since 2009 should've been good enough but getting to hear "Tenuousness" and "Armchairs" for the first time EVER (I know, you didn't think there could possibly be an Andrew Bird song I haven't heard live) was so exciting. And then he played new songs! That sounded like Armchair Apocrypha stuff! I'm just so happy that it seems like he's gotten out of his old-timey, one microphone phase and will start making great pop songs again. And guess what? I get to see him again in April!

5. Beirut at Dansforth Music Hall
Yes, I flew all the way to Toronto to see Beirut. And it was completely worth it. The only other time I had seen Zach Condon live was in 2011 at Central Park Summerstage. And I wasn't close at all. He was great but I felt very disconnected. Well, Dansforth is small, and we were right at the stage. And Zach and company were FANTASTIC. I wasn't a fan of the new record at all but the new stuff came off so good live. It was worth getting up at 6 after going to bed at 2 (after the EL VY show the night before) to fly to another country. Zach Condon is one of the most talented musicians making music today.

Honorable Mention: My Morning Jacket at The Beacon Theater
I don't even think I was enjoying myself at this show while it was happening but once I left I was like, "ALL THE MY MORNING JACKET! ALL OF IT!" Jim James is so fucking great, you guys. The whole band is so fantastic. This was a bit of a religious experience. Even though I've seen MMJ already, and I've been listening to them for years. But with religious experiences, you don't know they're happening until they're over and you're like, "WHOA! What just happened?" Well, that's what happened at the Beacon.

Most Disappointing: Glen Hansard at The Beacon Theater
Ah, jeez, I hate to be negative on this post but I haven't been this disappointed after a concert in a long, long time. And I know what you're thinking: Glen!? Really? Really. And don't get me wrong, he was giving it his all but his setlist and the crowd were a major disappointment. He primarily did his solo stuff, which I guess I should've expected but I could really take or leave his solo stuff. I don't mind it but it's nothing I want to listen to regularly. And holy crap, the crowd. I've never felt so young and out of place, and I've been to a MTC matinee! The crowd sat the whole time and didn't say a word. I've hear more noise during a Broadway play! I think what was even more disappointing is the fact that I know he can put on a fantastic show. Some of my fondest concert-going memories are courtesy of Glen Hansard. But now I have to reconsider shelling out big money to see him again.

Favorite Albums of the Year (So Far)

1. Viet Cong-Viet Cong
I'm kind of surprised I even like this record, let alone love it. Usually I find these hyped up bands overrated but Viet Cong deserves heaps of praise. This record is a challenge, and is really hard to love initially. You have to give it time. And really, what's more rewarding than that? And admittedly, this record took me a few listens before I was blown away. But the truth is, these seven songs are perfect. This is one of the most cohesive albums I've heard in a long time (okay, since Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave), and I can't believe how well it lives up to the hype. It's also very ambitious for a debut record. Not to mention, "Continental Shelf" is definitely the best song of the year. I swear, when the tempo change happens, I get chills! Still! After listening to it dozens of times! It's brilliant. And do I even have to explain about "Death?" Talk about ambition. Because this record's only seven songs, I'm really, really left wanting more, and I hope they get their second record out quickly. It's just refreshing to have a band who is/was as hyped as Viet Cong to not be obnoxious or shoved down our throats.

Also, side note, I did see them live and they are quite good. I just needed more show.

Favorite Tracks: Continental Shelf, Death, Silhouettes

2. Sufjan Stevens-Carrie and Lowell
We all know this is fantastic, right? I don't need to go on and on about it? I want to say that this is a return to form for Sufjan but that's just because I hated The Age of Adz. Carrie and Lowell just reminds me of old-school Sufjy, circa Seven Swans, which is my favorite record of his after Illinois (I don't want to meet a person whose favorite Sufjan record isn't Illinois, quite frankly). Anyway, Carrie and Lowell is subtle yet powerful, and, like most of his work, gorgeous. Yes, it is a heavy record but art isn't easy, right? It's raw and beautiful and full of pain and demands repeat listens. I feel like he truly bared his soul on this one, to the point where it feels almost uncomfortable and invasive. And that's kind of what makes it so brilliant.

Favorite Tracks: Fourth of July, Eugene, Carrie and Lowell

3. Admiral Fallow-Tiny Rewards
What, did you think I'd let this list go without a band from Scotland? This record is relatively new, and I've just begun listening to it but it's good. It's very, very good. I've tried to get into Admiral Fallow in the past but other than Louis Abbott's voice, I wasn't very taken with them. But they put on their big boy (and girl) pants and made a really great, enjoyable record. It feels...darker than their previous work, which is most likely the reason I enjoy it so much. Their first records were a little too poppy for my tastes, and kind of inconsequential. (I should go back and revisit them.) However, the  beauty of this record is that the songs truly sneak up on you, and you feel like you have to keep starting them over and over again before you can actually finish them because you're like, "wait, what!? Amazing." It's kind of like the feeling of your body getting used to a really cold pool of water. You weren't sure at first, you wanted to get out, but you stuck around and now it's awesome. Plus Louis Abbott's voice, am I right? The last record I felt this way about was The Midnight Organ Fight.

Favorite Tracks: Holding the Strings, Some Kind of Life, Building as Foreign

4. Lower Dens-Escape From Evil
I'm gonna be honest with you here: I like this because it sounds like Beach House, and Beach House is a perfect band. And I haven't gotten a Beach House record in three years. (*whispers* Soon.) But regardless of Lower Dens' Beach House-like qualities, this is a great pop record. Jana Hunter's voice is terrific and in songs like, "I Am the Earth," it's downright haunting. I tried to get into their first record and it just didn't happen (running theme this year, I suppose) but this one really stuck with me.

Favorite Tracks: Your Heart Still Beating, I Am the Earth, Company

5. Belle and Sebastian-Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance
I wrote extensively about this album earlier in the year so I won't get into it but bottom line: this is the most enjoyable record to come out all year.  

Favorite Tracks: Enter Sylvia Plath, Play for Today, The Party Line

I'm going to stop at five simply because I feel like...it's been a good year for music already, certainly but I kind of lost four months of it listening to Dry the River. And quite frankly, if I had to say what my favorite record of the year has been so far, I'd say Shallow Bed. And I don't care that it's three years old. If you ask me which record has shaped the year for me, I'd say Shallow Bed. It is a terrific album, and I think it already ranks up there with all of my other favorite albums. Every damn song stands on its own, and there is no filler.

Anyway, I suspect this list will change and grow by December, considering there are records coming out by Destroyer and Beach House and Beirut and Titus Andronicus and Frank Turner and Glen Hansard (and maybe Frightened Rabbit?) and I'm bound to fall in love with at least one of them. I listened to the new Tame Impala record yesterday for the first time and that's quite good as well. So...exciting things to come, certainly!