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The Audible Snail writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: The Audible Snail
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our next list is from DJ The Audible Snail.
Entwined with the best of albums is the elation of attending more live shows again. Some of these albums stationed themselves in my heart because I saw the bands live, sometimes in advance of full album releases.
The generative joy of music making, orchestration, and ensemble so readily felt in Chicago music venues, and through our bodies, deepened an appreciation for how very important music is. Let these albums carry our feet, our hearts, our collaborations, our collective wonder and sorrow in the new year. Enjoy!
Too Late for Edelweiss by The Tallest Man on Earth (ANTI-)
Banjos come full circle on this album. The Tallest Man on Earth was the last musician I saw live before the quarantine shelter in place order in March 2020, so my music heart is sentimental mush for this album. It opens with Swedish vocals, which is rare for Kristian Matsson, and absolutely gorgeous.
The cover of Nico’s “Fairest of the Seasons” reminds us of the regret and revision we long for in the new year—and it will feel like kinship.
Songs for wonder: “För sent för Edelweiss,” “Metal Firecracker,” “Blood Bank,” “Fairest of the Seasons," and “Pink Rabbits.”
Patrick Masterson writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Patrick Masterson
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our next list is from volunteer Patrick Masterson.
Per tradition, this list features Chicagoland acts only. There are a lot of strange absences on here as I look back at what I did (and didn't) listen to, but the great thing about CHIRP's polyphonic Favorite Albums of the Year series is that we can each listen through my gaps via other volunteers' lists together as we roll into 2023. I hope you look forward to doing so as much as I do.
#1 Malign Hex by Meat Wave (Swami)
Meat Wave has been doing this a long time — a decade, in fact, if you're going by the self-titled debut recorded wherever The Kitty Box in Algonquin and Joe's garage were in Chicago at the time.
Though the trio has always been great at the kind of gritty, rhythm-forward post-punk at which they've honed their trade, Malign Hex felt more like a spiritually aligned hex coming out on John Reis' Swami imprint.
The ghosts of Hot Snakes and, to a lesser extent, Drive Like Jehu ("Jim's Teeth" breaks five minutes, the first time the band has done so on record that I can recall) really shine through here, and though the pandemic delayed its release, the wait was worth it.
I knew from the from the first play of "Honest Living" that this one would be up there and am pleasantly unsurprised it landed on top. Great cover, too.
subtextclapper writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Matt Jaccarino
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our next list is from Assistant Music Director Matt Jaccarino.
#1 Sick! by Earl Sweatshirt (Tan Cressida/Warner)
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Clarence Ewing
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our next list is from DJ and Online Media Co-Director Clarence Ewing.
It's been another great year for music. As the years pass, I’m even more grateful for the existence of outlets like CHIRP Radio (and its spiritual siblings across the country) that continue to flourish at exactly the same time commercial music radio has bottomed out.
Here are 10 albums that perked my ears up in 2022, and here’s to more in 2023 and beyond...
#1 Social Music at Troost Vol. 3: (Other) People's Music by 75 Dollar Bill featuring Sue Garner, Cheryl Kingan & Chris Nelson (Social Music 2022)
The kind of rustic, crunchy, fiery, funky, raw, and groovy stuff that pairs just as well with a frozen winter day as with standing in front of a midnight summer bonfire.
Sarah Spencer writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Sarah Spencer
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our next list is from DJ Sarah Spencer.
I've been saying this every year for the last 4 years, but I'm going to say it again: this year was an excellent year for music. Perhaps this one above all.
Each January, I start keeping a list of contenders for my yearly top 10. By July 2022, I thought I had a solid top 10. I thought if the rest of the year was rubbish, I'd still have 10 great albums on my list.
But of course, the rest of 2022 WASN'T rubbish, and I found myself making new additions to the top 10, jostling things around right up until the start of December.
For all this talk of a top 10, in the end, please consider this a very fluid top 10. These are all records I've spent a lot of time with: some I've danced to, some I've cried to, some I've created art alongside... and some I've done all three. The order of my favorites fluctuate daily, so this is a suggestion of an order.
And In the Darkness, Hearts Aglow by Weyes Blood (Sub Pop)
