Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2024. Our next list is from Music Director and DJ (Mondays 10pm) Matt Barr.

When the ground falls away beneath you and you’re hovering, suspended in mid-air like Wile E. Coyote before he falls, don’t look down. Just wrap yourself in music and let it float you over to the other side.

There are a ton of records from this year to keep you floating for a while. These are the ones that held me the most.

#1 Plunge by Sam Evian (Flying Cloud)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

I felt 2021’s Time to Melt was a slight step in the wrong direction. Something about the funkiness felt forced compared to the effortlessness of his first two records.

I was happy to find Sam loose and breezy on Plunge. The record blends 70’s rootsy mid-tempo rock like the Band, or Dr. Dog, with enough modern sounds and chord structures to stay fresh.

The record has zero duds and wears like comfortable clothes. Favorite tracks: “Wild Days” “Rollin In” “Wind Blows”

#2 Rose Main Reading Room by Peel Dream Magazine (Top Shelf)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

I enjoyed their 2020 record Agitprop Alterna, but completely slept on 2022’s Pad. My bad. As a result, this new album took me by surprise. All the fuzzy guitars are gone, replaced by tight, cleanly picked acoustics and twee organs. And the catchiest tunes, some like lullabyes. You’ll hear a strong influence from Stereolab and Sufjan Stevens. Favorite tracks: “I Wasn’t Made for War” “Four Leaf Clover” “Counting Sheep”

#3 Triple Seven by Wishy (Winspear)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

This Indianapolis band has put together the best debut of 90’s alternative rock/gaze since, well, the 90s. Sweet harmonies, chunky guitars, and more catchy tunes. RIYL: The Darling Buds, Silversun Pickups, Monsterland Favorite tracks: “Sick Sweet” “Persuasion” “Spit”

#4 Opaque by Mo Dotti (self-released)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Another 90’s throwback, L.A.’s Mo Dotti go full shoegaze on this debut, when shoegaze meant tons of pedals and effects, but didn’t rule out hard rockin’. This is one to turn up loud. RIYL: Lush, Swervedriver, Ringo Deathstarr, Alvvays Favorite tracks: “Pale Blue Afternoon” “For Anyone and You” “Whirling Sad”

#5 Rack by The Jesus Lizard (Ipecac)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Speaking of loud, this MFer begs to be blasted at extreme levels. What a welcome return after 26 years. No notes. Favorite tracks: “Hide and Seek” “Lord Godiva” “Moto(R)”

#6 Basilisk by J. Robbins (Dischord)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

A rock solid outing from the former Jawbox frontman. He does a terrific job of delivering edgy rock songs with both hooks and guitar flourish. Favorite tracks: “Exquisite Corpse” “Ray of Sunlight” “Deception Island”

#7 The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis by The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis (Impulse)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

I always flip through the jazz section of my local record store looking to add to my collection of jazz/rock: Stanley Clarke, John McLaughlin, Larry Coryell, Billy Cobham. But sadly, I don’t often seek out enough modern jazz rock.

So I was thankful that this one fell in my lap. Ex-Fugazi members paired with saxophonist Lewis to produce a fun and ferocious record. It’s way less technical than some of the aforementioned artists, but instead has a raw, small group sound. Favorite tracks: “The Time is the Place” “Fourth Wall” “Emergence”

#8 Guided Tour by High Vis (Dais)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Shouted vocals and beefy drums combine with atmospheric guitars to create a kind of soft hardcore. Didn’t expect to find this one in the top ten, but there’s something irresistible about it. Favorite tracks: “Drop Me Out” “Feeling Bliss” “Untethered”

#9 Swell by Animal Ghosts (self-released)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Sometimes an album is so good at creating a mood, it doesn’t matter if there are any individual standout tracks. This album nails the loud, My Bloody Valentine stylistic aspects of noisy shoegaze, even more so than Mo Dotti above.

Despite the sameness of the songs, it all touches a sweet spot in my brain and earned a last-minute spot on this list. Favorite tracks: “Bruise” “Swallow” “Closer”

#10 Songs of a Lost World by The Cure (Fiction)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Growing up, The Cure was always my friend’s band, not mine. At some point, I recognized their greatness, but I wasn’t paying attention the last time they released an album (2008’s 4:13 Dream, which is better than it gets credit for), and don’t even remember when I finally heard it.

This new release had a lot of fanfare, and rightly so – it’s really good. It’s not exactly “fun” though, and I wonder how much I’ll go back to it in future years, but it’s fitting nicely in my life right now. Favorite tracks: “Alone” “And Nothing is Forever” “Endsong”

Honorable Mentions

Next Ten:
11. Kishi Bashi – Kantos
12. +/- -- Further Afield
13. The Smile – Cutouts
14. Real Estate – Daniel
15. DIIV – Frog in Boiling Water
16. Sharp Pins – Radio DDR
17. Washed Out – Notes from a Quiet Life
18. Grand Public – Sensations Diversions
19. The Smile – Wall of Eyes
20. Ride – Interplay

There are many more. It was a great year for music. Thanks for reading, and thanks for listening to CHIRP!