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Eric Wiersema writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2019: Eric Wiersema
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Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2019. Our next list is from volunteer Eric Wiersema. 2019 was yet another phenomenal year for music! I listened to over 150 new releases this year and this list consists of the 40 albums that received the bulk of my love and attention. Please take these rankings with a grain of salt as these largely depend on my mood at the time and usually change on a daily basis. That being said, all of these albums are top notch and highly recommended by yours truly! |
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#1 Midnight by Stef Chura (Saddle Creek) |
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#2 Morbid Stuff by PUP (Rise) |
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#3 Remind Me Tomorrow by Sharon Van Etten (Jagjaguar) |
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#4 Schlagenheim by Black Midi (Rough Trade) |
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#5 Jaime by Brittany Howard (ATO) |
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#6 Pony by Orville Peck (Sub Pop) |
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#7 Thrashing Thru the Passion by The Hold Steady (Frenchkiss) |
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#8 Ladytron by Ladytron (K7) |
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#9 Patience by Mannequin Pu**y (Epitaph) |
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#10 This Mess is a Place by Tacocat (Hardly Art) |
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Sheer Mag- A Distant Call- Wilsun’s Recording Company |
Stef Chura combines the angst of grungy ‘90s singer-songwriters like Liz Phair and Julianna Hatfield with the folk sensibilities of many of her new labelmates and alumni including Big Thief and The Mynabirds. Chura’s pop instincts are strong and her songwriting is highly confessional. Midnight was producted by Will Toledo of Car Seat Headrest and he contributes guest vocals on "Sweet Sweet Midnight" Favorite Tracks- "All I Do Is Lie", "Degrees", "Jumpin' Jack"
The Toronto pop-punks return with their third album and strongest to date. PUP’s songwriting is more focused, the music is heavier, and this is the band’s first album to have an overarching concept- coping with depression and mental illness. “Free at Last” features guest vocals from Charly Bliss frontwoman Eva Hendricks. The band even delves into hardcore and metal territory on the closer, "The City". Favorite Tracks- "Free at Last", "Scorpion Hill"
Sharon Van Etten has been busy since the release of her last full-length, Are We There back in 2014. During this time, she returned to school to study psychology, landed a role in the Netflix series, The OA, and became a mother. These life changes inevitably influenced her music resulting in Remind Me Tomorrow being her most experimental album to date. She has traded in her stripped down folk rock in favor of various electronic sounds. You’re undoubtedly familiar with the singles- the synth pop of “Comeback Kid”, the ambient Beach House-esque “Jupiter 4”, and the synth/piano rock hybrid “Seventeen" but these only scratch the surface of this fantastic comeback! Favorite Tracks- "Memorial Day", "You Shadow", "Stay"
Schlagenheim is the debut album from these highly technical experimental rockers from London. This album takes influence from math rock, jazz, post-hardcore, and noise rock bringing groundbreaking acts like King Crimson, Slint, The Dismemberment Plan, and The Mars Volta. Favorite Tracks: "953", "Near DT MI"
The Alabama Shakes frontwoman takes a step back from her band to release her debut solo album. Rather than merely release an Alabama Shakes album under her own name, Howard steps outside the confines of southern rock to experiment with her other musical influences including R&B, gospel, funk, soul, and spoken word. This results in a very diverse album that showcases all facets of Howard's immense talent. Favorite Tracks- "He Loves Me", "Goat Head", "13th Century Metal"
Orville Peck is a mysterious queer Canadian alt-country artist. Very little is known about his personal background and he is notorious for never revealing his face by always wearing a Lone Ranger mask. All we know is this guy has pipes and excellent songwriting skills that harkens back to a time when country music was truly something special. Favorite Tracks- "Turn to Hate", "Queen of the Rodeo"
Craig Finn and co triumphantly return with their first album in 5 years! This album sounds closer to Craig Finn's solo releases than The Hold Steady's back catalog taking more influence from Elvis Costello than Husker Du. Finn is still at the top of his storytelling game and Thrasing Through the Passion is probably their best effort since 2008's Stay Positive. Favorite Tracks- "Epaulets", "Denver Haircut", "You Did Good, Kid"
Ladytron's self-titled album is worthy comeback album following their 8 year hiatus. The band experiments with the full spectrum of electronic music touching on elements of new wave, electropop, industrial, and even a bit of dream pop and shoegaze. Favorite Tracks: "Paper Highways", "Deadzone"
I first discovered Mannequin Pu**y when they opened for Japanese Breakfast at Subterreanean 2 years ago. Now, that's a pretty awkward billing! Patience, however, finds the band expanding their sound and softening their explosive punk sound just a little bit. I guess we all have to grow up sometime! Favorite Tracks: "F.U.C.A.W", "Fear and Desire", "High Horse"
Tacocat is one of my favorite Seattle bands at the moment and I can't help but love their fun brand of surf-tinged pop-punk with feminist undertones. On This Mess is a Place, the band gets a little more serious and provides a commentary on the exhaustion, fear, and anxiety we are all experiencing from the current administration. Favorite Tracks: "Hologram", "The Joke of Life",
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