What caught me by surprise was the hurried formatting—a sight for sore eyes, indeed. I would've liked to see The Zawose Queens up there. Although I'd not put their album on my hypothetical full A shelf, it was my most played last year. Finally, Kul 'Am Wa Antom Bi Khair! (May you be well with every passing year).
I have the first two on your list and agree that they are tremendous. I believe that Wussy is one of the greatest bands outside the national radar, and that Armstrong is perhaps the finest musical artist of the 20th century.
Just listened to it a week ago for the first time on a whim and I agree. Not a huge fan of "alt-country" or "americana" as such, but that record just feels like I do.
Thought I'd answered this. Most of these aren't 2024s by me, just stuff I got to late, which happens and always will. The Jeff Evans (an oversight) is an exception. Shikamoo and arguably Rollins maybe.
I’m very excited, especially about Louis, Phelimuncasi (the album cover I’ve seen around Internet but didn’t realize what it was) and A Dancefloor in Ndola because I’ve been binge-listening to sub-Saharan music over the last three months (even procured for myself rare and forgotten African Connection Vol. 1: Zaïre Choc! and love it, thanks for the review). I liked Billie’s great album much better than Beyoncé’s great album, and wouldn’t put them together. Seems like Buck 65 can’t stop releasing greatness even though I still haven’t got enough of his earlier two records. On the other hand, one of my favorites Kendrick indulges in a lot of heroic posturing nowadays and at some point it’s too much ego to make the best of even with the usual introspection and couple of hooks as an analgesic. After multiple listens and loss of interest didn’t expect to see him here.
Thumbs up for Rail Band, and Bill Orcutt, but I’d definitely add Joy Guidry, Carme López, De Beren Gieren, Linda Smith, Alvidrez, Alain Goraguer, Phil & The Tiles, Adriaan de Roover, Baby Rose, Hannah Marcus, Meril Wubslin, Moon People, JJ Whitefield, K Yoshimatsu, Another Dancer, Family Ravine, Sachi Kobayashi, Mo Dotti, Brian Duffy, Lerryn, Dennis González Legacy Band, Johnny Coley, Dorothy Carter, V/A The Past Is A Wound In My Heart, Pound Land, The Smashing Times, Frank Yotko, V/A Nippon Acid Folk, Lewis Spybey, Alain Pierre, Water Damage, Sexores, Torn Hawk, Bile Bear, Tony Jarone, Teho Teardo & Blixa Bargeld, and Julia Sabra.
I see three albums featuring the remarkable Jon Langford; 2 are with his sometimes band The Men of Gwent. Are you a particularly big fan of Mr. Langford, or are these just 3 top albums from 2024?
I'm a big fan of his music can't always keep up with the releases.
And I agree that a Louis Armstrong record can be a really great thing to hear.
Langford and I were say close acqaintances around the turn of the century--see for example "Loser on a Roll" on my site. But I kind of lost track of his music for a while. So when he came to perform in NYC for the first time in a while I went to see him and we said hello and when I got home I realized I'd lost track of his releases. So I did some research and then some listening catchup and published a Consumer Guide that I'd link to for you if I was any good at that stuff with a bunch of them in it. So by fiat I just decided to make those 2024 releases for Dean's List purposes. I am the Dean--I whiz where I will
You do know you included Dolly Parton’s Rockstar on last year’s list? And with Charli XCX placing so high, is it safe to assume you rate it higher than your original B+ grade? What does to compel you to list so many A- albums above previously graded As? I’ve noticed this to be a trend over the years.
The Rockstar duplication was a gaffe. I kept thinking that it looked wrong but never did a check. I do all this list-organizing stuff myself and errors and anomalies do creep in. As for XCX, I'd almost forgotten about it but dug it out as it started showing up elsewhere. Way more impressed this time than I had been initially. It is of course totally possible that I'll change my mind again. None of this stuff is written in stone and shouldn't be. You just honestly observe and register your own responses and draw you own conclusions as best you can.
Pitchfork made me listen to that new Hurray for the Riff Raff. Sadly I confess to being put off them historically by the name but I found its mix of inner and outer lives lived was both tuneful and acute. Sounds like boho lesbian country is a thing. (With Sabrina Carpenter surrender is inevitable.)
The radical move would be to call it the best album of 1968.
With The Immortal Otis Redding that same year he probably wouldn’t.
What caught me by surprise was the hurried formatting—a sight for sore eyes, indeed. I would've liked to see The Zawose Queens up there. Although I'd not put their album on my hypothetical full A shelf, it was my most played last year. Finally, Kul 'Am Wa Antom Bi Khair! (May you be well with every passing year).
I have the first two on your list and agree that they are tremendous. I believe that Wussy is one of the greatest bands outside the national radar, and that Armstrong is perhaps the finest musical artist of the 20th century.
Thank you for recognizing Wussy.
The new Hurray For the Riff Riff is easily their best.
Just listened to it a week ago for the first time on a whim and I agree. Not a huge fan of "alt-country" or "americana" as such, but that record just feels like I do.
Comparing this to your 2024 CGs, I count seven (7) albums that seem to be missing from the list:
1. Shikamoo Jazz: East African Legends Live (RetroTan '22) A
2. Sonny Rollins: Freedom Weaver: 1959 European Tour Recordings (Resonance) A
3. Jeff Evans Porkestra: Willow Pillow (self-released) A-
4. Rosie Tucker: Sucker Supreme (Epitaph '21) A-
5. Rosie Tucker: Never Not Never Not Never Not (New Professor '19) A-
6. Mike Cooley/Patterson Hood/Jason Isbell: Live at the Shoals Theatre (Thirty Tigers '21) A-
7. Wan Fambul: One Family Many Voices (Catalyst for Peace '12) A-
Were any of these downgraded or were they just overlooked or omitted for some reason?
Thank you
Thought I'd answered this. Most of these aren't 2024s by me, just stuff I got to late, which happens and always will. The Jeff Evans (an oversight) is an exception. Shikamoo and arguably Rollins maybe.
Rosie Tucker's Utopia Now! is so wonderful.
I’m very excited, especially about Louis, Phelimuncasi (the album cover I’ve seen around Internet but didn’t realize what it was) and A Dancefloor in Ndola because I’ve been binge-listening to sub-Saharan music over the last three months (even procured for myself rare and forgotten African Connection Vol. 1: Zaïre Choc! and love it, thanks for the review). I liked Billie’s great album much better than Beyoncé’s great album, and wouldn’t put them together. Seems like Buck 65 can’t stop releasing greatness even though I still haven’t got enough of his earlier two records. On the other hand, one of my favorites Kendrick indulges in a lot of heroic posturing nowadays and at some point it’s too much ego to make the best of even with the usual introspection and couple of hooks as an analgesic. After multiple listens and loss of interest didn’t expect to see him here.
Thanks so much for including The Cucumbers!
Love it. TU.
These days I think of Brooklyn as the Huntington Beach of New York City.
Thumbs up for Rail Band, and Bill Orcutt, but I’d definitely add Joy Guidry, Carme López, De Beren Gieren, Linda Smith, Alvidrez, Alain Goraguer, Phil & The Tiles, Adriaan de Roover, Baby Rose, Hannah Marcus, Meril Wubslin, Moon People, JJ Whitefield, K Yoshimatsu, Another Dancer, Family Ravine, Sachi Kobayashi, Mo Dotti, Brian Duffy, Lerryn, Dennis González Legacy Band, Johnny Coley, Dorothy Carter, V/A The Past Is A Wound In My Heart, Pound Land, The Smashing Times, Frank Yotko, V/A Nippon Acid Folk, Lewis Spybey, Alain Pierre, Water Damage, Sexores, Torn Hawk, Bile Bear, Tony Jarone, Teho Teardo & Blixa Bargeld, and Julia Sabra.
Duncan Edwards
I see three albums featuring the remarkable Jon Langford; 2 are with his sometimes band The Men of Gwent. Are you a particularly big fan of Mr. Langford, or are these just 3 top albums from 2024?
I'm a big fan of his music can't always keep up with the releases.
And I agree that a Louis Armstrong record can be a really great thing to hear.
Langford and I were say close acqaintances around the turn of the century--see for example "Loser on a Roll" on my site. But I kind of lost track of his music for a while. So when he came to perform in NYC for the first time in a while I went to see him and we said hello and when I got home I realized I'd lost track of his releases. So I did some research and then some listening catchup and published a Consumer Guide that I'd link to for you if I was any good at that stuff with a bunch of them in it. So by fiat I just decided to make those 2024 releases for Dean's List purposes. I am the Dean--I whiz where I will
You do know you included Dolly Parton’s Rockstar on last year’s list? And with Charli XCX placing so high, is it safe to assume you rate it higher than your original B+ grade? What does to compel you to list so many A- albums above previously graded As? I’ve noticed this to be a trend over the years.
The Rockstar duplication was a gaffe. I kept thinking that it looked wrong but never did a check. I do all this list-organizing stuff myself and errors and anomalies do creep in. As for XCX, I'd almost forgotten about it but dug it out as it started showing up elsewhere. Way more impressed this time than I had been initially. It is of course totally possible that I'll change my mind again. None of this stuff is written in stone and shouldn't be. You just honestly observe and register your own responses and draw you own conclusions as best you can.
Pitchfork made me listen to that new Hurray for the Riff Raff. Sadly I confess to being put off them historically by the name but I found its mix of inner and outer lives lived was both tuneful and acute. Sounds like boho lesbian country is a thing. (With Sabrina Carpenter surrender is inevitable.)
Dude, you need to listen to Corb Lund's album "El Viejo." I know you get hectored, but it is a gem and you know the guy...