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Austin B. Harvey presents: The Liquid Diet writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2023: Austin B. Harvey
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2023. Our next list is from Assistant Music Director Austin B. Harvey.
i barely had any time to do anything this year, let alone critically listen to music. My baby and I liked these tunes.
#1 The Window by Ratboys (Topshelf)
I think about the title track from the latest (and best) Ratboys’ album often. The lyrics recount the mid-2020 death of lead Ratboy Julia Steiner’s grandmother from non-covid causes through the eyes of her grandfather, who had to observe the painful events and say his goodbyes through the titular open window. It’s wistful, heart-wrenching, melodic, and incredibly moving all at once. It’s a Tom Petty arrangement with a Dolly Parton melody. It’s jangly country-emo without affect or petulance. “The Window” is a tidy four-minute AOR radio hit that will stop you where you stand. The only other comparison I have is Alvvays’ “Belinda Says” from last year, and even that juggernaut doesn’t possess the heft, or the ability to tackle the immense psychological weight of the first couple years of the covid era (better than any other song has to this point, it should be said), of “The Window”. Much like Alvvays’ 2022 magnum opus Blue Rev, The Window exists with its massive climactic track as merely one focal point of many on a mood board of what are mostly exquisitely-crafted post-breakup grunge anthems. Steiner is, at varying points, sad, embarrassed, lustful, pissed, and, by the end of proceedings, exhausted. This album is a triumph which readily admits that, once you reach the summit, you still have to get back down.
Mauricio Reyes- Radio Maoheem writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2023: Mauricio Reyes
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2023. Our next list is from DJ Mauricio Reyes.
From "The Rest" to #1, I really, really, really liked & loved all of these.
#1 Heaven Is A Junkyard by Youth Lagoon (Fat Possum)
Daniel Edelstein writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2023: Daniel Edelstein
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2023. Our next list is from volunteer Daniel Edelstein.
i've seen a way by Mandy, Indiana (Fire Talk)
Paul LaScolea writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2023: Paul LaScolea
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2023. Our next list is from DJ-in-Training Paul LaScolea.
#1 Indiana Jones by Boldy James & Rich Gains (RRC Music)
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2023: Clarence Ewing
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2023. Our next list is from DJ and Online Media Co-Director Clarence Ewing.
Another banger year for music, at least the non-mass-marketed kind (that's a subject for another blog post). I wasn't able to establish a ranking for my favs this year, so here they are in alpha order...
Altin Gün by Altin Gün (ATO)
