I wasn't that big on I Love You, Honeybear either (though I love Fear Fun), but Pure Comedy is really just an hour long drag. It has some gorgeous song but I don't think I've ever managed to sit through one straight listen of the whole thing (not to speak about Leaving LA)
Best: All My Friends, Ultralight Beam, Alright
Worst: Seasons, Round and Round, Oblivion (I mean, it's Bodak Yellow, but you said to leave that one out)
I find it amazing that there isn't a single metal/garage/punk album on their list despite numerous albums from those genres receiving 8.0+ reviews and/or BNM (I also just found out they never even reviewed Reflections of a Floating World.. wtf). Gas' Narkopop isn't on there either even though it got one of the year's best scores which is just odd.
Also not having Saturation II on this list is criminal, but I guess they're mad that unlike Odd Future those guys didn't need them to break big
I have no fucking clue how this happened. Pitchfork gave to a lot of good press before it came out and then just kind of ignored it since, which also happened on here. And it's not like it's "a bunch of new Mac songs" like Another One kind of was, I think on this album he showed actual growth and maturity as a songwriter and performer. For me it's his best album since 2
I liked it a lot when it came out (just bought the vinyl actually!) and admittedly haven't went back to it much since it came out, but even a lesser album from these guys is still a wonderful listen to me. Some songs on it are just absolute gems, Darling is such a great lead single. I think if this album hasn't come out on The Year of Mostly Neglecting White Indie it would have been received much better, just like with This Old Dog
Thank you for talking about Moonlight on the River. this is pretty likely Mac's best song, and say what you will about the dude, he has real songwriting chops, and this is no small feat. This song is just genuinely beautiful, touching, and is nothing short of a masterwork.
In this occasion I'd love to shed some light on Real Estate's Two Arrows which to me is the counterpart of this song in terms of mood and songwriting, and unfortunately went mostly unnoticed this year with the influx of great music (and, well, the fact that In Mind was not as good as it's two predecessors). But don't miss out on Two Arrows. it's a fucking jam.
It's in my top 10 albums, and I really wanted to pick Blood On Me for SOTY, but it came out last August or something, so I didn't think it would count :(
If we're talking DAMN.: I'm sure Humble will win but what is everyone's actual favorite from the album?
Mine is either Lust (the real underdog) or Fear
Finally someone who appreciates Mura Masa!! Such a great album. Nuggets might be my favorite (tho it's a close competition with 1 Night and Messy Love)
I kind missed Hug of Thunder when it came out but I re-listened to it yesterday and it's just SO GOOD. I wish I hadn't missed them at Primavera, I love those guys so much and probably won't ever get another chance to see 'em :(
Ty Segall released the fantastic Shallots EP this year! And Steve Lacy's Demo is also very good. Other than that the best EP of the year hands down is Harmony of Difference. Holy shit is that thing good
Same for Converge! They're both tremendous albums but I feel we didn't have enough time to digest either & school year started so I'm not in the mood for those most of the time, which sucks. Hope that I continue going back to them next year too
Fucking hell. I wish we could get those crazy 5-6 band bills here. If we get any hardcore bands coming our way it's usually just one for like $25-30 with the same one or two local bands opening.
kinda regret not going to Turnstile when they came here though
The first 3-song stretch is a fucking beast but I can't say anything after that has stuck with me. I wish it would, but so far I'm comforting myself in Biscuit Town
Everything Now is definitely AF's worst album and probably won't live beyond this year but it's more than a solid listen. It flows by and is pretty fun to listen to in general. The only real stinkers are the two Infinite Contents. The other two you named are definitely some of the lamest songs they recorded, but they're listenable
I really don't get how this album got such a seemingly lukewarm reception. It's front-to-back gorgeous, it has some of their best ever songs, it has the best drumming in any album this year (thank god for Chris Bear), it's the perfect follow up to Shields which was one of the best albums of 2012.
Why was this brushed off? the only explanations I've read from people were "it's a bit samey" and "it's boring", but this came from people who have Pure Comedy on top of their lists, an album which is double as samey (and for my money pretty boring to sit through). This sucks. this album deserves more.
HONORABLE MENTIONS!
** Baio - DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS ALBUM LIKE Y'ALL DID LAST TIME. This man is a genius. Ezra and Rostam gets all the press but this dude's my favorite.
** Glassjaw - They would have probably reached my top 20 or even 10 if I had more time with the album, but it's fucking great. go listen to it and celebrate them being back.
** Converge - I just wish I had more time with this album. It's so good. Haven't listened to it enough.
** DFA1979 - Their album had the misfortune of dropping on the same day as the National but it's great
** All Them Witches - Blew my mind live and their album is pretty fucking sweet. Never saw them discussed around these parts, definitely check it out if you're into bluesy stoner rock.
** Ty Segall - his 2017 was as prolific as ever but it already seems like his 2018 is going to top it
** Gorillaz - just kidding. that album was trash.
Alright then, seems like it's time to make my mind up (and of course not do the homework that I should).
I'm in the middle of the annual "re-listen to everything that came out this year" marathon, so things might change around a bit, but so far, this is it:
01 Vince Staples - Big Fish Theory
02 Grizzly Bear - Painted Ruins (robbed as fuck)
03 Brockhampton - Saturation II
04 Kendrick Lamar - DAMN.
05 Mura Masa - Mura Masa (WHY HAS NO ONE LISTENED TO THIS? this album fucking bangs)
06 Mac DeMarco - This Old Dog
07 Tyler, the Creator - Flower Boy
08 Dirty Projectors - Dirty Projectors (robbed as fuck #2)
09 Sampha - Process
10 LCD Soundsystem - American Dream
11 Slowdive - Slowdive
12 Mount Kimbie - Love What Survives
13 Brand New - Science Fiction (wonder what place this was in on the 'gum's list before the allegations broke)
14 Queens of the Stone Age - Villains
15 The xx - I See You
16 Pond - The Weather
17 Real Estate - In Mind
18 Los Campesinos - Sick Scenes
19 Thundercat - Drunk
20 King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Polygondwanaland
Some honorable mentions & albums that deserve a special mention in the next comment...
Inter Alia was/is a great comeback, although admittedly I haven't went back to it much, but there just has been SO MUCH great music something had to left behind.
They have a new EP out that they released for RSD Black Friday btw
Honestly though even if it's their 3rd best it's still better than almost any other album I've heard this year which speaks more about them then about "other music"
to this day historians are still trying to pin the exact date on which Blochead made the transition from a regular bottom 5 resident to a regular guest on the top 10
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