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The CHIRP Blog
Peter Zimmerman writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Pete Zimmerman
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our next list is from DJ Pete Zimmerman.
I listened to a lot of great music in 2022, but these are the records that I continued to come back to throughout the year.
angel in realtime by Gang of Youths (Warner Bros.)
Bobby Evers writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Bobby Evers
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our next list is from DJ / Producer Bobby Evers.
I always have a heard time ranking albums, because I feel like I mostly listen to my old favorites rather than spending much time with new stuff. But I do hear bits and pieces of albums when I play them on my show.
I have noticed a trend with this list - many of the artists I was able to see live or get the album on vinyl. If I saw it live or got the album on vinyl, I am more likely to add it to this list. If neither is true, I probably didn't put it on.
Some albums absent from this list were PROBABLY good and i just DIDN'T HEAR THEM! It is only ones I actually heard.
#1 Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You by Big Thief (4AD)
This was #1 on my list with a bullet and it was never knocked out of the top spot all year, though there were a few close calls.
This album demonstrates the full range of Adriene Lenker's songwriting ability and there are some deeply memorable tracks on this double album.
From the country lovesong earwarm "Certainty" to the Modest Mouse-esque "Simulation Swarm," the depths of Lenker's genius knows no bounds.
Also do not sleep on "Dried Roses" which will gently punch you in the same place over and over again for two and a half minutes.
Patchouli Cyanide writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Juniper Balbus-Holmquist
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our next list is from volunteer Juniper Balbus-Holmquist.
2022 was a really solid year for music across a bunch of genres so deciding on just ten is really difficult. However, there are some that I love enough to make this list easy enough.
I’ll probably change my opinions ten minutes after I publish but that’s music for you. Disagree, be mad but all opinions ARE my own.
#1 Ants from up there by Black Country, New Road (Ninja Tune)
Okay if this doesn’t win the CHIRP overall poll I’m gonna riot. This is without a doubt one of the top 100 albums ever released and probably my third favorite post-rock style post-punk album ever behind F#A#8 and soundtracks for the blind. It’s just that good.
If you somehow have never heard it, check it out. I think it’s a perfect mix of chamber, post-punk and and post-rock. My mom likes it, my dad likes it, I like it, RateYourMusic likes it. You’ll probably like it too. End rant.
Chris Siuty writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Chris Siuty
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our next list is from DJ Chris Siuty.
Wild year! I had back-to-back-to-back respiratory infections, bought a ton of records, watched my kid start her second year of pre-school and after a very long absence from CHIRP, I returned to the airwaves.
Ups, downs, goods, bads, whatever. Music really kept it together for me if I'm being honest, so here's a totally unranked list of albums I thought killed it this year.
Drugs by MEDICINE (MPLS Ltd)
Long running dream pop/shoegaze/noise pop/psych rock/experimental mad man Brad Laner returns as a two piece to put out another fantastic Medicine album.
Included is the fourth version of their minor hit, "Time Baby." ("Time Baby 2" was on The Crow soundtrack and they made a cameo in the film.)
If I were pressed to say what's my favorite album this year, I'd probably say this one (or maybe Syndrome 81 or Yard Act, but we're getting there.)
Heathen Disco with Doug Mosurock writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Doug Mosurock
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our next list is from DJ Heathen Disco Doug Mosurock.
Saw too many lists this year that were, like, dozens of releases. It's OK to like a lot of stuff but there's value in editing. There's also value in looking beyond what's in front of you, so once again the diligent listener is the one who's listening. The pandemic is still with us, the mere effort of creating isn't an act to applaud. You gotta come out on top. Here are the records that did that.
Offed by Roller (Radical Documents)
Stunning debut from this electroacoustic noise/claustrophobia duo out of Los Angeles, the group's first release after 15 years of playing together. The cream rises to the top.
Glorious brain snags of synth/twang, alien maze soundscapes, abrupt rhythms and an oddly danceable presence. Maybe the only noise you need from 2022.