Even More Best Albums of 2024: Checking Out Lists of Others (Part 2)
For this final wrap-up of the Best of 2024, I'm continuing to go through other's best albums of the year lists to find additional albums I missed that are worth checking out. In the previous post (part1) I covered what I liked (and didn't like) from the AOTY aggregated list compiled from over 100 other lists. Today, I'm going to talk about additional albums from various other lists that I particularly enjoyed and was not previously aware of. These are all albums that I probably would not have discovered if not for thethem being highlighted on these other, more out of the way lists.So, thanks to them for finding and featuring these gems. Once again, though, I need to reiterate that although these are some very fine albums, none of those I found on these other lists would replace what I previously picked as my top 25 or so favorites of the year (posted here, if you haven't checked those out yet, and here are more faves). So, here are some very brief descriptions of more of my favorites from other's lists.
From Uncut, NPR, and other lists
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings - Woodland
The first new album of all original songs in many years from this veteran duo, and the result is wonderful, simply beautiful acoustic folk. 4ó
Nolan Potter - The Perils of Being Trapped Inside a Head
With a varying arsenal of diverse styles, this surprisingly proggy and psychedelic indie rock offering provides a delightful blend of clashing rock styles and wonderful guitar work on this ambitious and adventurous but still quite melodic album. 4ó
Ducks Ltd - Harm's Way
Tuneful, breezy, catchy guitar rock reminiscent of the jangle pop heyday of early R.E.M., Mitch Easter, and Don Dixon productions. 3.5ó
Pillow Queens - Name Your Sorrow
All-female indie rock band from Ireland delivers a varied, satisfying blend of folk, rock and singer-songwriter angst. 3.5ó
Friko - Where We've Been, Where We Go From Here
Debut album from this indie rock/folk-rock duo presents a compelling array of sounds and styles, from subdued ballads to cathartic rockers, and an endearing vulnerability. 3.5ó
Rosali - Bite Down
Compelling, atmospheric indie folk, with nice guitar embellishments. 3ó
Slump - The Improvement Movement
Quirky and engaging acoustic rock. Great vocal harmonies reminiscent of Crosby, Stills & Nash or America, but with odd song structures more along the lines of XTC or 10cc, and a variety of styles. May move from Simon and Garfunkelesque to Steely Dannish and beyind, but always with unexpected twists and turns, while still maintaining catchy melodies and hooks. 3.5ó
Field Music - Limits of Language
Edgy, but melodic art-rock. Definite Steely Dan vibe but with a proggier, angular edge. Interesting rhythms and arrangements yet maintains engaging melodies and groove. 3.5ó
Peel Dream Magazine - Rose Main Reading Room
This collection of mellow atmospheric vibey tracks is a low-key charmer, with varying styles and feels that work both individually and as a shimmering whole here. I think this is much more successful achieving the kind of thing Cindy Lee-Diamond Jubilee was going for, but it works much better because the individual songs are better and more engaging (and shorter, 15 tracks, under an hour). 3ó
Others
Kim Deal - Nobody Loves You More
Debut solo album from veteran rocker (Pixies, Breeders) features a wide variety of sounds, styles, and moods, with some ups and downs, but mostly works quite well. 3ó
The Hard Quartet - The Hard Quartet
Engaging lo-fi mixed rock, blend of late-60's Kinks with American roots rock, with folk, quirky modern indie rock, and other elements. 3ó
Redd Kross - Redd Kross
More rock than power pop from this veteran band, but solid throughout. 3ó
Phosphorescent - Revelator
Soothing, melodic singer-songwriter folk. 3ó
OK, so I guess the lesson here is that there is a lot of great music out there, being made all the time by talented artists. But you really have to seek out the music that is best and most appropriate for you, no matter what style(s) that is. You can't just rely on the mainstream outlets, but need to search deeper within the various music communities that you most enjoy, but also don't be afarid to venture out to some different styles and genres, cause you may find other stuff that you really enjoy as well.
Anyway, that wraps up my look at 2024. As I said, I made a concerted effort to listen to more new music in 2024, and after all the end of year additions, I listened to over 200 new albums. Well over half of those were quite good, and the very best were really great. However, I don't think I will go as far this year, as I spent a bit too much time exploring new music and didn't have enough time to go back and listen to all the best stuff either from 2024 or previous years, as much as I would have wanted to, so I will try to strike a bit more balance, with a good mix of new and old albums that I really love. Let me know what some of your faves were? What did I miss out on?
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