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D Rock: Apocalipstick Beatz writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Danielle Sines
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our next list is from DJ Danielle Sines.
What was 2021 to me? The thrill of vaccination. The first show back in a sweaty Lincoln Hall singing DRAMA, just as I hoped for last year on my end the year list. I got to play live music again with my band, Impulsive Hearts - and our first show back was opening for fellow CHIRP volunteer & Outreach Director Marites Velasquez of Ovef Ow at the Beat Kitchen. <3 I hosted an open mic event in my backyard with Girls Rock! Chicago which was fun, and so beautiful that I met new friends and cried. My A-Z record challenge is coming along; I end this year on “T” of “The Tallest Man on Earth.” I hope that 2022 continues to bring us new music that we can share, connect with and become obsessed with.
#1 Emphatically No. by Cheekface (New Professor)
In another year that months seem to blend into the next with no real delineation between 2020 or 2021; Cheekface’s witty, sarcastic and honest songwriting delivered a punch in the face I needed to wake me from the malaise. The sarcasm oddly put me in a good mood, screaming, “yes, someone finally gets it!” Admittedly, I became pretty obsessed with this record, when they rolled through town in October, I was first in line to get tickets, but was slightly nervous. Not because of Covid, mind you, but rather because I was so obsessed, possibly built them up to be too great, and perhaps also because I was mentally prepared for the lead singer to be a jerk?! I’ve dated people like this before - heck even have been in bands with them - cool, sly, funny guys who actually are sociopaths. But to my delight, the band sounded great and lead singer Greg Katz was charming, grateful and even made space for bassist and vocalist Amanda Tannen; sharing that she co-writes songs and that the band wouldn’t be a band without her friendship and musicianship. This feels especially personal to me, because her sing-song lyrics and coos remind me sooo much of a version of myself when I played in a band with aforementioned sociopath. If you don’t like talk singing akin to Lou Reed or British post-punk bands like The Fall, and proto-indie bands like Minutemen, you probably will hate it. But that’s fine - coz everything is fine, everything is fine.
Austin B. Harvey presents: The Liquid Diet writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Austin B. Harvey
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our next list is from Softball Team Manager/DJ/Assistant Music Director Austin B. Harvey.
We made it. Here we go.
#1 Spread Joy by Spread Joy (Feel It)
The Chicago band's debut is a tight 10 songs in 13 minutes. What you get from this mini-album is a heaping helping of spastic, delirious post-punk that marries the distorted yelps and angular beats of Love Is All with Dadaist monologuing, Gang of Four-adjacent guitar work, and basslines off in a plane of their own. Deliriously technicolor rock that you can dance to. It so satisfying seeing members of bands from Chicago's scuzz-punk era of the 2010's reconstitute newer and better bands, making records that are as much statements of purpose as they are statements of potential.
Mauricio Reyes- Radio Maoheem writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Mauricio Reyes
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our next list is from DJ Mauricio Reyes.
#1 Actual Life by Fred Again... (Warner Music UK)
Actual Life 2 is just as good!
Libby writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Libby Wait
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our next list is from Assistant Music Director Libby Wait.
#1 On All Fours by Goat Girl (Rough Trade)
Marites Velasquez writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Marites Velasquez
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our next list is from Outreach Director Marites Velasquez.
Oh, 2021. We did our best. At least we got to enjoy new music along the way. Here are my favorites:
#1 Volcano Park by Meat Wave (self-released)
Every new release from Meat Wave seems to top the one before, and this EP did not disappoint. I know it's good if it's been on repeat. Favorite track: "Yell At The Moon"