When it comes to “albums of the year”, I like to project what the
albums do for me today and how they might last.
For this year, a few works that I really liked don’t make the list. I just can’t imagine re-visiting them that
often in the future (sorry Ms. Eilish, Ms. Madonna, Ms. National, Ms. Solange,
Ms. Zayne, Ms. Rhi and Rhye).
I present 12 of the best albums of 2019.
Morrissey, California Son - Cover songs need to have a context and purpose that relates to the
artist. Moz croons these songs as though
he wrote them.
Broods, Don’t Feed The Pop Monster - This is how I want my sugar pop.
It isn’t all happy, but it is all catchy and unexpected.
DIIV, Blankenship - This album caught me by surprise.
Obviously, I am a Gen X’er with a love of early ‘90s post-grunge angst,
and this swirls with the best Pumpkin stuff.
The Twilight Sad, It Won/T Be Like This All The Time - Another obvious KLF connection is goth themes and brooding
synths. For some reason, this album
feels heavier to me and was near perfect song for song.
Angel Olsen, All Mirrors - When someone has a voice and a vision, an album like this can get
made. Normally, Angel comes across as
granola/acoustic/simple (yuck). Here,
the same basic themes become huge and symphonic.
Vampire Weekend, Father Of The Bride - Nervous would best describe my anticipation of this album. Perfection is a high bar after-all. However, the melodies, song structure,
stories, [note the oxford comma that Grammarly didn't need] and delivery continue the excellence with a little added maturity.
Lizzo, Cuz I Love You - I’m probably going to listen to my Lizzo 5 year playlist more than
this single album, but we gotta give her some props for finally “making
it”. I’m fascinated by the idea that she
had to come from “nowhere” and prove herself.
Well, she did it!
Tove Lo, Sunshine Kitty - OK. As mentioned
previously, I like my sugar pop like the Broods. However, I realize that pop hooks and storylines can be even better.
“Met her in the summer
Thinking life will get better
But she's gone now
Took my heart and sunk with it
She was just as bad as the boys”
Marika Hackman, Any Human Friend - Oh, and while we’re at it, pop hooks done by queers with something
clever to say must be even better.
Marika doesn’t always lighten up enough for me to be engaged, but I
bought into this album totally.
“Oh,
monkey glove”
Thom Yorke, Anima - God, again. I hang on every
note, beat, and word.
FKA Twigs, Magdalene - Everything she’s done has been beyond belief (aka
“unbelievable”). Magdalene brings a
cohesiveness to multiple songs. All it
takes is a break-up with a vampire.
“A woman's hands…So dark and
provocative…A nurturing breath that could stroke”
Lana Del Rey, Norman Fucking Rockwell - Masterpiece. Never would I
have expected this far along Lana’s path to still be so engrossed. The songs don’t waiver that much from album
to album or even song to song. Somehow
though, she brings it all together in the compelling dialog that you want more of
as soon as it finished (I want to listen to the whole thing right now as I
type). The lyrics reference exactly the
mood of the music.
Verse in motion -
“Your poetry's bad and you blame
the news”
“I miss the bar where the Beach
Boys would go
Dennis's last stop before Kokomo”
“Give me Hallmark
One dream, one life, one lover
Paint me happy and blue
Norman Rockwell
No hype under our covers
It's just me and you”
“Maybe I'd get less stressed
If I was tested less like all of these debutantes
Smiling for miles in pink dresses
And high heels on white yachts
But I'm not”
I will be listening to this album for the rest of my life.
