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Austin B. Harvey presents: The Liquid Diet writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2023: Austin B. Harvey

CHIRP Radio Best of 2023

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2023. Our next list is from Assistant Music Director Austin B. Harvey.

i barely had any time to do anything this year, let alone critically listen to music. My baby and I liked these tunes.

 

 

 

 

#1 The Window by Ratboys (Topshelf)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Ratboys The WindowI think about the title track from the latest (and best) Ratboys’ album often. The lyrics recount the mid-2020 death of lead Ratboy Julia Steiner’s grandmother from non-covid causes through the eyes of her grandfather, who had to observe the painful events and say his goodbyes through the titular open window. It’s wistful, heart-wrenching, melodic, and incredibly moving all at once. It’s a Tom Petty arrangement with a Dolly Parton melody. It’s jangly country-emo without affect or petulance. “The Window” is a tidy four-minute AOR radio hit that will stop you where you stand. The only other comparison I have is Alvvays’ “Belinda Says” from last year, and even that juggernaut doesn’t possess the heft, or the ability to tackle the immense psychological weight of the first couple years of the covid era (better than any other song has to this point, it should be said), of “The Window”. Much like Alvvays’ 2022 magnum opus Blue Rev, The Window exists with its massive climactic track as merely one focal point of many on a mood board of what are mostly exquisitely-crafted post-breakup grunge anthems. Steiner is, at varying points, sad, embarrassed, lustful, pissed, and, by the end of proceedings, exhausted. This album is a triumph which readily admits that, once you reach the summit, you still have to get back down.

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Categorized: Best Albums of the Year

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Mauricio Reyes- Radio Maoheem writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2023: Mauricio Reyes

CHIRP Radio Best of 2023

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2023. Our next list is from DJ Mauricio Reyes.

From "The Rest" to #1, I really, really, really liked & loved all of these.

 

 

 

 

#1 Heaven Is A Junkyard by Youth Lagoon (Fat Possum)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Youth Lagoon Heaven Is A Junkyard

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Categorized: Best Albums of the Year

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Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2023: Clarence Ewing

CHIRP Radio Best of 2023

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2023. Our next list is from DJ and Online Media Co-Director Clarence Ewing.

Another banger year for music, at least the non-mass-marketed kind (that's a subject for another blog post). I wasn't able to establish a ranking for my favs this year, so here they are in alpha order...

 

 

 

 

Altin Gün by Altin Gün (ATO)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Altin Gün Altin Gün

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