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CHIRP Radio writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2023: Barry Owen
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2023. Our first list is from Board Member Barry Owen.
The Land, The Water, The Sky by Black Belt Eagle Scout (Saddle Creek)
Powerful record
Follow the Cyborg by Miss Grit (Mute Records)
First heard on CHIRP! Title track is such a banger
Strange Disciple by Nation of Language (PIAS)
Lucky for You by Bully (Subpop)
Heavy Heavy by Young Fathers (Ninja Tune)
This one came out early and stuck with me all year.
The Answer is Always Yes by Alex Lahey (Liberation Music)
Alex Lahey played maybe my favorite show of the year at Schuba’s. Great performance and her between song banter is hilarious! I want to party with her and her band!
O Yinne! by Alogte Oho and His Sounds of Joy (Philophon)
I definitely would’ve gone to church when I was young if Alogte Oho and His Sounds of Joy were palying! Just love this music.
Black Rainbows by Corrinne Bailey Rae (Black Rainbows Music)
Blown away by this one on my first listen and it’s gotten better every listen since.
Every Day Like the Last by Wye Oak (Merge Records)
Jen Wasner’s powerful voice is one of my favorites of the last 20 years.
Principia by En Attendant Ana (Trouble in Mind)
Love this band. Missed them at the Bottle - need to see them live!
Honorable Mentions
Also loved these: Yo La Tengo, This Stupid World; Colin Currie Group, Music for 18 Musicians; Vagabon, Sorry I Haven’t Called; Dinner Party, Enigmatic Society.
And the bar italia records - call me crazy but this band gives me old school Morphine vibes and any band that does that will always be a winner in my book.
Song of the year was not really from this year, but I first heard it this year. "Smile Real Nice" by Courtney Barnett is 2 perfect minutes. It is part of the soundtrack for kids’ show Harriet the Spy on Apple. Just loved discovering this while vegging out with the kiddos. Can’t wait to see everyone else’s lists!
Next entry: CHIRP Radio Weekly Voyages (Dec 4 - Dec 10)
Previous entry: CHIRP Radio Q&A With Flowtone (Performing at CHIRP Night at the Whistler on 12/5)