Ten Favorite Albums of 2018

Ten Favorite Albums of 2018

10. I'm with Her: See You Around
"See You Around" is the proper debut album of I'm with Her. Featuring folk superstars Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O'Donovan, "See You Around" is a great reflective album of where we are at as a society. (This seems to be a common theme for the majority of my favorites of this year. I think we have a lot to reflect on, and change.) It was first released in January, and has stayed with me since then. Expect great things to come from this trio in the future. 

9. Lord Huron: Vide Noir

Lord Huron's third album "Vide Noir" continues the bands trend of uplifting, almost spiritual music. Very slowly, very quietly, Lord Huron is becoming one of the most important bands in the world. I almost thing the question is, when will the rest of the world discover this. I love this album, and I love the track Lost in Time and Space.

8. Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats: Tearing at the Seams
God this band is good. Like I feel guilty that I'm just getting into them now good. Like where have I been the past few years? Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats tear it up with "Tearing at the Seams". Perfectly blending southern rock, garage rock, folk, and country into one perfect symmetrical sound. (I can't believed I just typed country there, but there you go. 2018 is full of surprises.) My prediction, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats will be headling a major festival soon. Lollapalooza, Bonaroo, whatever. It's coming.

7. Snail Mail: Lush

The future of indie rock may very well be Snail Mail. This album is epic. And it was written by 19 year old Lindsey Jordan. "Lush" is reflective, hard hitting at points, and full of catchy tunes which will get your foot tapping for days on end. Snail Mail deliveries the perfect indie rock album of 2018.

6. Moby: Everything was Beautiful, and Nothing Hurt
After two releases of the industrial sounding Moby & the Void Pacific Choir, "Everything was Beautiful, and Nothing Hurt" is a return to that "classic" Moby sound. It's melodic, mournful, and captivating. I really, really like this album. The more I listen to his music, the more I think I could argue that Moby has never been better, than right now. "Everything was Beautiful, and Nothing Hurt" is a perfect beginners Moby album.

5. DeVotchKa: This Night Falls Forever

DeVotchKa has my favorite song of the year. Lose You in the Crowd is an utter masterpiece. If you haven't listened to it yet, stop what you are doing, and listen.  "This Night Falls Forever" is a wonderful reminder just how great DeVotchKa is. The band combines gypsie punk, classical orchestral, and indie rock into a perfect marriage that is beyond pleasing to the ears. Again look to "Lose You in the Crowd" as a perfect example. Do it! I'll wait.

4. We Are Scientists: Megaplex
"Megaplex" is We Are Scientists' BEST album since 2008's Brain, Thrust, Mastery. If you just want to listen to an incredibly fun, and catchy album, this is the record for you. It's a perfect indie pop album that should be listened to by all. 

3. Ry Cooder: The Prodigal Son

From the opening notes of its first track Straight Street, Ry Cooder had my full attention. Cooder's music is an incredible example of modern American roots music. The overall theme and lyrics remind me of spirituals recorded in the 1930s. The music itself, is outstanding. This record is a very "religious/spiritual" album, and I really like that. It's not overall preachy, but a simple reminder that we are all on the same journey. I love this album, and I want to listen to ALL of Cooder's music. I'm a fan.

2. Paul McCartney: Egypt Station

With "Egypt Station", Sir Paul McCartney once again proves that he is Sir Paul McCartney. At age 76, McCartney puts out one of his best solo albums in years. It's catchy, it's modern, it's classic, it's everything we've come to expect from him. It has very quickly become one of my all time favorite McCartney solo albums. Personally, I can't wait to see these new songs live. 

1. Punch Brothers: All Ashore
This is difficult for me to admit, but when I first heard "All Ashore" by the Punch Brothers, I didn't like it. Since the bands 2015 masterpiece album the Phosphorescent Blues, Chris Thile and company have grown to almost mythical levels in my mind. (I currently put them in the same breathe as The Beatles in my favorite bands listing in my head.) Needless to say, when "All Ashore" was announced, and I first listened to it, my expectations where sky high.

The album totally caught me by surprise. I think deep down I was expecting it to be an almost spiritual sequel to Phosphorescent Blues. While "All Ashore" does have some similar characters to Phosphorescent Blues, it is a truly unique album and very different from its predecessor. With "All Ashore" the band took a collective step back, and reflected on all aspects of life. (Tying it back to I'm With Her here.) The majority of the music is melodic, and very honest about the times we are living in, while also discussing family life, and growing older. While I was expecting something more upbeat, the Punch Brothers delivered an album that, for me at least, will be a time capsule of what 2018 felt like. I only discovered this after a second and third listen. Now I absolutely love this album, and it is without a doubt my favorite album of 2018. I hope you give it a listen to at some point. I feel that you will absolutely love it. 

New Episode of the Looking Glass Coming Soon

I'm very excited. I'm almost done with the latest episode of my podcast series. With this episode, I've tried something totally new, an audio essay. Here's hoping it doesn't suck!! Also, check out this wonderful announcement.

Favorite Albums of 2018: The Honorable Mentions

2018 is about to come to a close, which means it's time to share with you my ten favorite albums of the year. But before we get to that, here first are my honorable mentions.

Honorable Mentions

Yo-Yo Ma: Six Evolutions- Bach Cello Suites

The main reason why this album isn't on the proper list is because it's technically not new music, or a new interpretation of the pieces. That being said, Yo-Yo Ma performing the Bach cello suites soar! It's music that Ma was born to perform, and it gives you a wonderful reminder of the absolute genius of Johanna Sebastian Bach. If you are looking at getting into classical music, start here. 

Coldplay: Live in Buenos Aires

If you've never seen Coldplay life before, Live in Buenos Aires gives you a first hand account of what it's like. The energy oozes off of every track. For me, it's a reminder of what it was like seeing them perform for the first time. If this album was released earlier in the year, it very well could of made it to my top ten list. This is without a doubt Coldplay's best live album to date.

William Elliott Whitmore: Kilonova and Middle Western's Debut album
2018 saw William Elliott Whitmore release two records. First was his new bands full life self-titled debut. It's an excellent record, that shows a band with a lot of promise. The second is his debut album for Chicago's very own Bloodshot records. Kilonova is a covers album of some of his favorite tracks. If you've ever seen him live, chances are you've seen him cover a number of these songs on the album. As always, Whitmore performs these songs with his characteristic soul and passion. 

Sick at the Holidays

For the past three years I've taken extended vacation time in December. And for the past three years, I've gotten sick during that vacation time. This past week, it was that stomach virus that is currently going around. I'm much better now, but for a while, yikes!! It was not a pleasant experience. Although, do you ever find that after you've been sick, you have a much clearer perspective on life? I have, and I do. 

I have a goal of three more posts before the end of the year. One of them will be my annual favorite albums of the year. The other two, no clue. I'm just winging it. I think a goal for the new year will be for me to plan out my postings.