The Indie Dad’s Albums Of 2019
2019 Top 10 Albums
10/ John Mouse – The Fen Sessions.
Should I even list reasons or just “Get List Done”?
John did a write/record and upload 10 tracks in a day experiment. However much was prepped before the day – I have no idea – the results still ad up to a great LP. As usual he tells tales with deft skill. You’ll have to take my word it was deleted from Bandcamp after a few days.
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9/ Crywank – Wearing Beige On A Grey Day.
Currently on a 10 YEAR anniversary and farewell tour to rival any of Status Quo’s farewells. A horn section on a couple of tracks brings even more joy to the Lo-Fi party. Sad but Happy. Or is it Happy but Sad? Catch them before some more promo friendly name pushes their tunes to the mainstream.
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8/ Daniel Thorne – Lines Of Sight.
Saxophone and synth soundscapes. Not exactly Ambient. But a bit. A pure sound journey.
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7/ Snapped Ankles – Stunning Luxury.
Uneven but often great – some sounds like Devo, some KrautRock. When they get on a groove it MOVES YOU.
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6/ Plague Vendor – By Night.
Gobsmackingly good live, this LP is a bit too polished and New Wave to prove that statement but several tracks are as good as anything this year. Punk the American way from a band that one Later performance would push over the top.
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5/ The Comet Is Coming – Trust In The Lifeforce Of The Deep Mystery.
The first of 2 LPs from them this year. Don’t know if it’s the best but it’s the only one I’ve heard.
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4/ Black Midi – Schlagenheim.
I said they’d produce the LP of the year last year. I was wrong but the “annoys as many as enthrals” prog meets Mutant Funk (and consequently sounds like 80s King Crimson). Fun in small doses, not bursting with joie de vivre.
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3/ Feet – What’s Inside Is More Than Ham.
They have taken bits of Baggy and Brit Pop to the extent that you listen and think of many, many bands without pinning down a song as a rip-off. Genius steals… The whole album is consistently good and they are great live – in a “start slow and build to plateau of euphoric grooving” way.
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2/ These New Puritans – Inside The Rose.
A masterpiece, coming second as I’ll generally put passion above artifice. A beautiful piece of art, a warm bath in mystery and 80s style synth pop that remains in the shadows that Japan cast.
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1/ Fontaines D.C. – Dogrel.
Street poets, a wonderful listen that keeps you moving and thinking, trying to unpick the words. Not obscure but kitchen sink drama and theatre of the everyday. Blue Aeroplanes came to mind.
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