Favorite Albums of 2019
This year featured a lot of veteran artists pushing themselves outside of their boundaries to make records that in some cases, were career-bests. There was so much great music to sift through this
Brendan Hilliard
Strand of Oaks "Eraserland" is an Essential Visit
Strand of Oaks – Eraserland Let’s get it out of the way: Eraserland is a career-defining record from Strand of Oaks. That’s saying a lot, as the project from Tim Showalter
Favorite Albums of 2018
As usual, extremely hard to make a list of my favorites this year. There are plenty of great records from 2018 to check out beyond these ten! Spotify playlist of the top ten
Drug Church's "Cheer" is an Excellent Punk-Pop Evolution
What does it mean to be a punk band in 2018? It’s hard to say, really. Ten, fifteen years ago if a band with the reputation of Drug Church made a record
On "Nearer My God", Foxing Craft an Instant Classic
I’ve been struggling to write about this album since I first heard it a few months ago, and it’s mostly because I’m overwhelmed by every listen of Nearer My God.
On "Lessons", The Sharp Shadows Show Off Some New Skills
On Lessons, The Sharp Shadows sophomore album, it’s clear the band has learned something after 2016’s Small Victories. The Brooklyn-by-way-of-Boston power-pop trio led by Stephen Bailey has returned with a collection
On "Dose Your Dreams", Fucked Up Return to Their Magnum Opus With an Even Better One
Let me be very clear here: Dose Your Dreams, Fucked Up’s first album in four years, is unquestionably their best record. For a group already known for their ambitious 2011 rock opera
Restorations Tackle The Tough Stuff on "LP5000"
On Restorations first album in four years, LP5000, the group delivers an emotional wallop over seven songs in a 25 minute span. It’s a look into being in your thirties – appreciating
Lucero Address Change on the Magnificent "Among The Ghosts"
Lucero – Among the Ghosts 2018 marks twenty years together for the Memphis-based Lucero, a group no stranger to making classic record after classic record. That’s why it’s not surprising that
Wild Pink's "Yolk in the Fur" is Grand Ambition Unfolding in Real Time
Wild Pink – Yolk in the Fur Any band’s second album is cause for concern. It can go two ways – a retread of the first, a brand new direction, or
Hear/Here: John Prine, Courtney Barnett and Maps & Atlases
John Prine – The Tree of Forgiveness John Prine’s first album of new material in 13 years is a great place to start with the legend’s career, as it kind of
Hear/Here: New Hop Along, Young Fathers, Kacey Musgraves and Wye Oak
Hop Along – Bark Off Your Head, Dog Hop Along have been on a tear since the release of their 2012 debut, Get Disowned and came to proper prominence with 2015’s