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Tony Breed writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2015: Tony Breed

CHIRP Radio Best of 2015

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2015. Our next list is from DJ & Board Member Emeritus Tony Breed.

My main criteria for choosing my favorite albums is how much I listened to it this year, and how much I think I'll continue to listen to it in the future. Also, every year, I call out a song of the year—a song I loved, even if the album didn't make my top 10 list. This year there's a tie, plus an honorable mention:

SONGS OF THE YEAR: Veruca Salt, “Laughing in the Sugar Bowl” / Treasure Fleet, “Max Consumption”

Honorable Mention: Ryley Walker, “Sweet Satisfaction”

 

#1   Ratchet by Shamir (XL)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Shamir RatchetBasically a party album, but oh, what masterful songs these are. Shamir’s voice is like honey, and the beats makes you get up and dance.

 

#2   Mandarine by Les Innocents (Jive Epic)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Les Innocents MandarineSo sunny, so beautiful, the album just feels like a hug. This was their first album after 16 years and damn, every comeback should be this good.

 

#3   Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit by Courtney Barnett (Marathon Artists)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Courtney Barnett  Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just SitListening to Courtney Barnett is like sitting with a friend who’s telling stories at a party.

 

 

#4   Paper Mâché Dream Balloon by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard (ATO)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard  Paper Mâché Dream BalloonThe band name is ridiculous, but the songs are great. There’s a lot going on here; these folks know what they’re doing.

 

#5   Simple Songs by Jim O'Rourke (Drag)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Jim O'Rourke Simple SongsCountry-twinged, introspective songs from a Chicago classic.

 

#6   Magic Whip by Blur (Parlophone)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Blur Magic WhipDamon Albarn is a master song-crafter, and it shows in every release he’s involved in. Of course the new Blur album is excellent. Of course it made my top 10 list. It’s almost boring, how good this album is. Almost.

 

#7   Escapists by The Autumn Stones (Chic Monk)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

The Autumn Stones EscapistsThis album touched some tender spot in me, and I couldn’t stop listening to it. The sound is so nostalgic of the New Romantic period it made me ache. When was the last time you heard someone wail on a saxophone that way? In an album released past 1985, I mean.

 

#8   Born Under Saturn by Django Django (Because)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Django Django Born Under SaturnIt’s arty, but it’s full of hooks, and you can dance to it. Like someone grew it in a lab specifically for me.

 

#9   Daniel Knox by Daniel Knox (Carrot Top)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Daniel Knox Daniel KnoxDaniel Knox’s music is like a melancholy carnival. Like a secret cabaret you found in someone’s attic. Like the soundtrack to a movie no one made. Daniel Knox’s music makes me want to come up with creative similes in the hope that you’ll check it out.

 

#10   Guitars and Microphones by Kate Pierson (Lazy Meadow)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Kate Pierson  Guitars and MicrophonesAfter nearly 40 years as a part of the B-52’s, Kate Pierson finally put out a solo album. Also, her show at City Winery was the last concert my husband and I went to together, and the song “Wolves” will probably always make me cry.

 

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Dream Version – Beginners

Calexico – Edge of the Sun

Daughn Gibson – Carnation

New Order – Music Complete

Veruca Salt – Ghost Notes

 

1/2 Decade of Wonder (2011-2015)

5 ALBUMS THAT REALLY GOT UNDER MY SKIN AND CHANGED ME:

Jen Lekman – I Know What Love Isn't

Baths – Obsidian

Daughn Gibson – Me Moan

Owen – L'Ami du Peuple

Kelis – Food

 

 

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Categorized: Best Albums of the Year

Topics: best of 2015

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