Last week I counted down albums #30 - #16 (see way down below somewhere). Now we get to the REALLY good stuff! Top 15 albums of the year. It was surprisingly easy to make the list this year, with the possible exception of the top 6 which I kept flipping (and flopping!) around. But I feel good about the final list... and I hope you will check out a few of these albums. Also: send me your recommendations. What did I miss? Always eager to discover new music! The debut album from the R&B / soul singer is warm, infectious, and - at times - pretty darn funky. Great stuff! The lead singer of Alabama Shakes releases her first solo album. Such a powerful voice! This is quite a varied album. There are parts that rock out and others that are much more subtle. Killer songwriting from a true musical force! ANOTHER debut album makes the top 15, this one from New York based, "genderqueer icon", Mikaela Mullaney Straus. Her sound is pretty 80-ish (maybe that's why it appeals to me so much) and isn't short on hooks. Catchy! Whoa! This is crazy! ANOTHER debut album. I swear I did not plan this. Talk about a talented musician; her style ranges from pop to rock to soul to hip hop. You need to listen to this album a few times... and there will still be so much to discover. Her last album won rave reviews but I was kind of luke warm. This, on the other hand, is right up my alley. Epic soundscapes, dramatic crescendos, warm strings, soaring vocals. What a triumph! At first I thought this album was headed for the "Most Disappointing" list. But - after a few more listens - it kind of "clicked" for me. What was never in doubt was FKA twig's beautiful voice. I was definitely late to the party with this album but it's become one of my favourites of the entire year. I know, I know. Everyone HATED this album. But there were a few of us who liked it... a lot! The choir is rather soul-stirring and Kanye's production - as always - is worth listening to the album alone. Lots of people slamming to vocals on this record... good thing I don't really listen to the lyrics at all - but the music is fantastic! I do believe that Bon Iver is incapable of writing a bad song. It's virtually a guarantee that every one of Justin Vernon's albums will end up near the top of my end of the year list. Weird and wonderful! I KNOW you heard parts of this album this year. Talk about a commercial success! And critical success too! So catchy. So positive. So fun. So good! We waited over 13 years for this album and - somehow! - it lived up to the hype. It's the same old Tool: loooong songs building toward towering crescendos, multiple time signatures and key changes in the same song, Maynard's howling vocals, and the best drummer in rock n' roll (all hail Danny Carey!!). What a triumph! The album is named after Saadiq's brother, who died of a heroin overdose after contracting HIV. Amazing that such a sad set of circumstances could lead to this true work of art. Raphael Saadiq has been around forever (used to be a part of Tony! Toni! Toné! in the early 90's) but he is releasing better music than ever! Somehow I made it through my teens and early 20's without hearing more than a few Nick Cave songs. What a treat, then, to discover all his outstanding music over my recent years. 2019's Ghosteen continues on the theme of loss (after the tragic passing of his son). It's truly beautiful music while also capturing sadness and disbelief. When I compile my annual list, I always check professional critics' Best Of lists (mostly to see if there are albums I have missed). And every year there are a few albums on MY list that don't show up anywhere else (The Chemical Brothers, RY X, Black Pumas). But it is very rare for such an album to show up near the very top of my list. But so it goes with Dawn Riachard's "new breed". I'm not sure what everyone else missed (or what is wrong with me) but there is no album I listened to MORE this year (thanks, in part, to its release near the start of the year but - most of all - because I just love it). It's a bit odd at times (the Black Indians of New Orleans??? Whaaaat?!?) and it's too short but the songs are strong, the bass kicks butt, and Ms Richard commands your attention. A few years ago, Michael Kiwanuka topped my list with his album Love & Hate. This year, he takes the #2 spot. No shame in that! I actually feel the album starts a bit slow but part way through it picks up steam... and then some! If anyone can get me a ticket to his show next month at the Commodore I would be forever grateful. Can't believe Michael Kiwanuka isn't more a household name. How can someone so talented still be somewhat anonymous? I didn't have high hopes for this album. I have found much of Lana Del Ray's work hit or miss. Some fantastic stuff and a lot of filler. The album title was not encouraging. Even the album cover was / is kind of cheesy. So when I finally got around to listening to "Norman F*****g Rockwell" I was pretty pessimistic. But the first two songs alone completely blew me away. Mesmerizing! Hypnotic! Gorgeous! The rest of the album is (almost) just as good; an incredible achievement. I am so impressed and very thankful for this album. Congrats Ms Del Ray, you made the #1 album of 2019! The shiniest Shazzy of all goes to you!
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