Though the core focus of this site is live music — my Top 8 Concerts of the Year post will be up next week — I still obviously listen to a lot of new stuff. Here’s my Top 10:
10. Hidden Pictures – Rainbow Records: Power pop without the fuss. One hook leads into the next and each song is a tight earworm. Reminds me of the best of Michael Penn. Hope to bring this Missouri band to Indianapolis in the Spring.
9. PAWS – Cokefloat!: Distilling the best part of 90s distortion pop. A dual bill with Yuck would be shiver-inducing. Like Dino Jr. merged with Eugenius and way fab.
8. Corner Laughers – Poppy Seeds: An absolute joy of a record. Shimmery, feel-good music. I said it all here. Another band I’d love to get to Indy.
7. Titus Andronicus – Local Business: An already great band that keeps getting better. Local Business has all the hallmarks of past records but with more open production. A rock ‘n’ roll blast.
6. Dinosaur Jr – Bet on Sky: The second-most pleasant comeback of the year. Every song snarls and rages.
5. The Luyas – Animator: My chill-out slot held by Pallers last year. Gorgeous record from the Canadian group.
4. Father John Misty – Fear Fun: Not much that hasn’t already been said. A tremendous collection of songs.
3. Redd Kross – Researching the Blues: The best comeback of the year. The essence of perfect power pop.
2. Nada Surf – The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy: Perhaps the band that best speaks to me personally — and has done so consistently — for the past 10 years. Another classic.
1. Ken Stringfellow – Danzig in the Moonlight: A restless artist collecting all the elements that inform his songwriting, Danzig is an album that never stands still. Stringfellow explores so many avenues with this album. The most thrilling thing I heard all year.