Every year we “joke” about having the best “Best of the Year List” list. We half-kid, since there some truly smart and well-seasoned music lovers out there, but I think this year we mean it. Every publication has had a best-of list more laughable than the next. Yes, everyone is talking about Geese, but can’t we go with less obvious picks? Tell you what, any Best-of list that doesn’t have Lambrini Girls is not worth the trouble. At least you know that here on GC, we don’t care about seeming cool or hip to what the kids are listening to. The kids are always wrong about art. Fuck the kids. Also, we don’t care about appeasing Conde Naste or David Remnick. We “keep it real” as the kids said 30 years ago. Our picks might ruffle some feathers or seem confusing, but that’s because, as always, we’re way ahead of the pack, music-wise. And we’re proud of it. Witness, once again (?), the best (BEST) Best-of music list of the year. You’re WELCOME!
1. Lambrini Girls – Who Let the Dogs Out?
Yeah, that’s right! Look, Who Let the Dogs Out is not perfect. It’s a little too basic in its politics and overly simplistic and a little formulaic in its song structure. But it’s also good. Really good. GREAT. There has been nothing out this year that has been more fun, more interesting, or more honest. This band pulls off in 30 minutes what most bands can’t pull off in their entire discography, and that’s to make something that’s smart, relatable, and moving. This was the year of Lambrini Girls!
2. Personality Cult – Dilated
Being a fan of this band for years, I don’t know why Dilated came as a surprise. It’s got that buzzy, catchy, guitar-driven quality you expect from good punk rock. I don’t know what happened to the genre but Personality Cult put out the record that put buzzpop back on the map. Dilated is also a more mature step forward for the band and one that will please the punks and the sophisticates.
3. Bob Mould – Here We Go Crazy
Call me crazy, but Bob Mould’s post-Husker Du output has been every bit as good as the Du catalog. Maybe even better. Here We Go Crazy has everything you want in a good power-trio album: a tsunami of guitars and loud pounding drums. It doesn’t hurt that he’s got one of the greatest drummers in rock music right now behind the kit. For those old fogies who forgot about their heroes, you’re missing out on one of the greatest releases of the year.
4. Propagandhi – At Peace
The great thing about a new Propagandhi album is that, when you first hear it, you’re unsure about it. But, let it sink in and you’ll quickly start realizing that this band is still at the top of their game. At Peace is dreadfully honest and still self-aware. It also fucking rocks like only a good Propagandhi album does. The wait was worth it. Now if only they could cross the border into the US and play some shows for us.
5. Aesop Rock – Black Hole Superette
Our boys Aes is unstoppable. He might be the wordiest rapper ever but he’s also maybe the smartest. Rap music is alive and well and, as always, most interesting when it’s not in the mainstream. Black Hole Superette is cunning and creative and is strongest when it elevates the supposedly-mundane: like borrowing your car to your friend, getting a new aquarium, or going to an artist lecture. It’s all right here and Aes makes it cool as hell.
6. Panda Bear – Sinister Grift
I’ll never stop associating Animal Collective with Montreal. Even when I listen to Panda Bear, I can’t stop thinking about Montreal. Why? That’s another story. I forgot how much I enjoy Panda Bear. For some reason he makes music that’s more coherent and down-to-earth than Animal Collective, and for me that means it’s easier to connect with. Sinister Grift is beautiful and soulful but also playful and up-beat. Honestly, it’s got a song for every mood.
7. Pulp – More
Reunions and comebacks are fraught with issues. Most of them have to do with bands becoming tribute acts: only playing the old hits to an ageing audience. Who knows why it took Pulp so long (maybe Jarvis’ solo albums didn’t get the attention they deserved?), but More is an older, more thoughtful band with a dignified confidence. It feels and sounds like a friend.
8. Alex G – Headlights
Is it easy listening? Sure, but it’s also weird as hell. But that’s Alex G for you. On a major label now and no longer sandy, this guy is more popular ever. Headlights is his strongest album since Rocket (I think? He’s got like 10 albums) and one that brings an indistinguishably raw and tender side to the masses. They’re bound to like it, and why shouldn’t they? Headlights is an experiment that’s easy to swallow. It’s good for them!
9. Ty Segall – Possession
I think out of all his contemporaries, Ty Segall is the only one who hasn’t lost the plot. He picks a project and devotes himself entirely to it. Some might be more miss than hit, but you can be convinced that every new Ty Segall project comes complete. Possession sounds like a classic glam rock album a la Bowie and T Rex. For a guitar maestro, there’s an awful lack of it here, opting more for strings and piano. Is it more grown-up? I don’t know. But being a Ty Segall album, it still can’t help but rock.
10. Civic – Chrome Dipped
The grower of the year. Let me tell you, I thought Civic’s previous album was good, but nothing too special. Chrome Dipped was fine on a first couple listens, then grew to become one of my favorites of the year. Here it is breaking the top ten! It IS the season for miracles! Chrome Dipped is a seedy Australian rocker that’s got a punk attitude still prevalent in all these hard rocking tunes. It’s just edgy enough to make you a little bit scared every time you turn it on. “Is he singing about ME?”
Best of the rest (in no particular order):
Viagra Boys – Viarg Aboys
Radioactivity – Time Won’t Bring Me Down
The Darkness – Dreams on Toast
Superchunk – Songs in the Key of Yikes
Die Spitz – Something to Consume
Young Widows – Power Sucker
Mclusky – The World is Still Here and So Are We
PUP – Who Will Look After the Dogs?
SEXFACES – Bad Vibes OST
Snooper – Worldwide
Sharp Pins – Radio DDR
Best albums from last year we didn’t hear until this year:
Radar – Selftitled
Kim Deal – No One Loves you More
Best reissue:
Charif Megarbane – Halawat (Habibi Funk 030)
