Another enticing roundup of new albums, all of which I probably should have paid more attention to. Today, I started at the beginning and listened through the American Aquarium album. I liked that one a lot and will definitely be returning to it. It's a well-thought-out and carefully crafted country rock album. As a first-time listener, I wondered if the album might have been stronger if the faster numbers were spread out a little more instead of nearly all grouped at the beginning, but I'd need another listen to decide. What did you think about the track arrangement?
The running order was part of the reason it didn't stick with me at first. It comes out of the gate strong and then you get all those songs that are slower and more acoustic. "Crier" is such a strong track that the rest of the album has to live up to. So yes, a different track order might work better in the long run, but after listening to it a bunch, I have come to appreciate what's there and don't fret as much about the track order (though maybe still some minor fretting).
It's always fun to read your reviews, Justin! I had the same experience as you with the X record. I knew it was objectively "good" but I needed to let it marinate before I elevated it into my top 25. Good to see you mentioning Wussy too. It's a grower.
Great write ups! Love that description of Wussy’s record! Fontaine D.C.’s record never really landed with me outside of “Favourite,” which is just a gorgeous bit of pop.
Here you go, Justin. Looking forward to yours too!
1 lady blackbird slang spirituals
2 jack white no name
3 guided by voices strut of kings
4 vampire weekend only god was above us
5 hurray for the riff raff the past is still alive
6 water damage in e
7 bug club on the intricate inner workings of the system
8 ducks ltd. harm's way
9 miranda lambert postcards from texas
10 wussy cincinnati ohio
11 bad nerves still nervous
12 yasmin williams acadia
13 nick cave & the bad seeds wild god
14 hinds viva hinds
15 mdou moctar funeral for justice
16 x smoke & fiction
17 body meπa prayer in dub
18 buffalo tom jump rope
19 fox green light over darkness
20 hayes noble as it was, as we were
21 sprints letter to self
22 division 7 hundhuvudet
23 cardinals cardinals ep
24 writhing squares mythology
25 meatbodies flora ocean tiger bloom
Thanks for sharing, Paul. Quite a bit that I've written about and a lot that I'm unfamiliar with. That's the beauty of these lists, right?
Exactly! If we all liked the same thing it would be pretty boring.
Another enticing roundup of new albums, all of which I probably should have paid more attention to. Today, I started at the beginning and listened through the American Aquarium album. I liked that one a lot and will definitely be returning to it. It's a well-thought-out and carefully crafted country rock album. As a first-time listener, I wondered if the album might have been stronger if the faster numbers were spread out a little more instead of nearly all grouped at the beginning, but I'd need another listen to decide. What did you think about the track arrangement?
The running order was part of the reason it didn't stick with me at first. It comes out of the gate strong and then you get all those songs that are slower and more acoustic. "Crier" is such a strong track that the rest of the album has to live up to. So yes, a different track order might work better in the long run, but after listening to it a bunch, I have come to appreciate what's there and don't fret as much about the track order (though maybe still some minor fretting).
All hail our Father! Mahashmashana was my #2 album...here's the whole list: https://anearful.substack.com/p/best-of-2024-the-top-25
Awesome - thanks for sharing! Planning to have my list out early next week at the latest.
It's always fun to read your reviews, Justin! I had the same experience as you with the X record. I knew it was objectively "good" but I needed to let it marinate before I elevated it into my top 25. Good to see you mentioning Wussy too. It's a grower.
Thanks, Paul! I'd definitely be interested in seeing your top 25 list.
Great write ups! Love that description of Wussy’s record! Fontaine D.C.’s record never really landed with me outside of “Favourite,” which is just a gorgeous bit of pop.
Thanks! Thought about letting it go, but decided to push and get it written.
I’m glad you did!