1. Retribution Gospel Choir
Alan Sparhawk, frontman of Low, cranks up the volume in his rock side project. It blows my mind this isn’t on any other “Best Of” list I’ve read.
2. Colour Revolt – The Cradle
More restrained than their previous releases, but I think it’s their best yet. Perfectly sequenced. No filler. Great live band.
3. The Austerity Program – Backsliders and Apostates Will Burn
An awesome guitar/bass/drum machine duo from New York. Did anyone else write a song about a disgruntled cartoon bunny, fed up years of physical abuse via anvils and dynamite, plotting his revenge on the children who watch his show? Didn’t think so.
4. Nina Nastasia – Outlaster
Beautiful voice. Beautiful songs. Beautiful recording.
5. Melvins and Isis – Split LP
I was pretty bummed when Isis called it quits earlier this year, and I’m even more bummed now since their two songs on this split are the best they’ve written in the last 10 years. This reminds me, I still need to get the Melvins record that came this year.
6. Daughters – Daughters
This record is BONKERS.
7. Autolux – Transit Transit
I was disappointed with this one at first since they don’t step on the gas pedal like on their more guitar oriented debut, Future Perfect, but with each listen I realize there’s a lot going on and the songs are actually catchier.
8. Bottomless Pit – Blood Under the Bridge
I didn’t find out about Silkworm until after their tragic end in 2005, but this is Tim Midgett and Andy Cohen’s “new” band. Their guitar and baritone interplay is stellar.
9. Tim Kasher – The Game of Monogamy
So after 3 perfect Cursive records, 2 perfect records with The Good Life, he writes an amazing solo record? Show off.
10. Future of the Left – Travels with Myself and Another
This came out last year, but I probably listened to it more than any other record this year so I’ll put it at #10.
Alan Burcham is a recording engineer from Memphis, TN. He records the Ardent Live podcast series and plays guitar in American Gods. American Gods’ debut EP, Chariot The Ghost, will be released in late January via Austin, TX’s Withdrawl Records.
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- Cursive’s Tim Kasher Releasing Solo Record (buzzgrinder.com)
