At the end of each year I have the best of intentions of putting together a post on the albums I connected with most during that calendar year, but more times than not those posts seldom reach completion. But, this year felt different from the start and in a banner year for music that it was I found the time and focus to share some thoughts on my favorite releases. Before we start I’d like to share a personal note: This year was a bit of a two sided coin, on one side I experienced the indescribable pain of losing my older brother to cancer and on the other side I discovered a little hope when I brought our shared vision that began as teenagers sharing a room littered with musical instruments, Replacements, Husker Du and REM records to start are own label. Best Brother Records came to fruition last fall and was named with intention, for him. The thread that ran through most of my year was as usual music, new records to get lost in and a lot of live music experiences seem to be a way to try to move forward. Weather it was making my inaugural trip to Dayton, Ohio for Guided By Voices 40th Anniversary celebration with my oldest son, or standing front and center while Australia’s post-punk upstarts, Vintage Crop made their U.S. debut at The Lilypad, or getting to see my beloved Swirlies at Nice, A Fest it was all gold and I’m grateful to all those who had a hand in making these records and those show a reality. I hope you find something you like or even something new to obsess over on this list. If so, please hit the links that are provided to support these deserving artist. Now without further delay are the 30 Albums, EP’s, Comps., and Reissues I found indispensable in 2023.
30. Luxor Rentals – Burn Yr Trash (A Sham Decade Production)
Over the summer, Luxor Rentals quietly released, Burn Yr Trash and it landed so firmly in my lo-fi wheelhouse I continue to play it regularly and endlessly. The songs at times can veer into sprawling jams at others more direct and concise pop nuggets. Luxor Rentals have created their own identity that incorporates both 90’s lo-fi weirdness of early GBV, The Clean, Chris Knox as well as a touch classic rock oddity reminiscent of Syd Barrett. Burn Yr Trash is peculiar, engrossing , mysterious and I just can’t hear it enough.
29. Smug Brothers – In The Book of Bad Ideas (Anyway Records)
On their 9th release Columbus, OH’s long running mid-fi pop concern, Smug Brothers have turned in a career highlight with an album overflowing with Kyle Melton’s rich melodies and exquisite pop hooks buoyed with big guitar crunch and dexterous percussion courtesy of former Swearing at Motorists/GBV drummer, Don Thrasher.
28. Nicole Yun – Matter (Kanine Records)
Nicole Yun issued her 2nd solo LP in April with the wonderful guitar driven indie pop that occupy Matter. The Eternal Summers guitarist and vocalist explores themes of race, discrimination and inclusion on songs that are both infectious, thought provoking, and anthemic. Yun continues to display a gift of lyrical phasing and expertly expressing emotional depth.
27. Red Pants –Not Quite There Yet (Meritorio Records)
Not Quite There Yet, finds the The Madison WI, duo of Jason Lembeth and Elsa Nekola creating melodic, fuzz drench pop songs that are times delicate, at others charging and always captivating. Witching Hour and See You At The Turnstile are both a superb examples of the wonderful noise pop that Red Pants create, but there is plenty more to compel me throughout the rest of the album.
26. Birthday Girl – s/t (Army Brat Records)
Without a doubt one of the years most pleasant discovery was D.C.’s Birthday Girl, who released a debut album full of lovely melodies and shimmering guitar chords over 8 tracks in a brisk 24 minutes that bring to made 90’s greats, Bettie Serveert and early Blake Babies, but with a bit more tension and Mabel Canty’s vocals are completely bewitching. For the uninitiated this rising trio consists of Canty and Isabella MacKaye the children of Brendan Canty (Fugazi, Rites of Spring, Messthetics), Alec MacKaye (The Faith, Ignition, Warmers and Hammered Hulls) and rounded out by drummer Tess Kontarinis. I’m very much looking forward to catching the trio Live this year when they stop in town in March to support Mary Timony.
25. Landowner – Escape The Compound (Born Yesterday Records)
The 4th album from Holyoke’s, MA’s Landowner, Escape The Compound makes another case that they are one of the most captivating young acts around. Each of the albums 12 tracks are as vital as the next, jam packed with with taut rhythms and clean angular guitar lines as singer Dan Shaw delivers his twitchy and contorted speak/sing vocal. Escape The Compound is a compelling minimalist post-punk record with a timeless quality.
24. Lost Film – Keep It Together (Relief Map Records)
In a year that was marred with deep personal loss, Keep It Together was an album that expressed a lot of the things that I couldn’t. The things that come along with such profound experiences. It may seem dark or heavy but rest assured there was light to be found with these wonderfully infectious jangle and dream pop songs. On Keep It Together, Lost Film’s principle member Jim Hewitt channels his affinity for classic C86/Sarah Records bands and combines with his considerable lyrical gifts while addressing themes of loss, surveying the past and cautiously stepping out of your comfort zone. Keep It Together is place to take a respite and enjoy the beauty of guitar based pop music.
23. Eldridge Rodriguez – Atrophy (Midriff Records)
Cameron Keiber formally of Boston’s noise rock concern, The Beatings has been recording sad fuzz pop under the Eldridge Rodriguez moniker for the past 16 years issued ER’s most sonically direct and arresting song cycle to date. I immediately connected with Atrophy on personal level. Perhaps, it’s the perfect balance of dread and hope that occupies these songs coupled with it’s biting lyricism and massive hooks that keeps me coming back. Atrophy has it all.
Buy/Stream| Eldridge Rodriguez
22. Wednesday – Rat Saw God (Dead Oceans)
Wednesday’s 5th LP is the most crystal clear outing for the Ashville’s NC’s quintet. The band that started as the songwriting project of Karly Hartzman has certainly evolved over handful of releases and with the addition of MJ Lenderman they’ve seamlessly been able to widen their sonic pallet. On Rat Saw God the band create a stunning document of Hartzman’s weighty tales of dysfunctional America which find buoyancy above a chaotic and affecting blend of aggressive shoegaze and lap steel. An intersection of disaffected punk and bleak country musings. I’m glad I’m here for it.
21. The Lost Days – In The Store (Speakeasy Studios SF)
Born out of a mutual admiration for The Byrds, Bill Fox, and GBV, Tony Molina and Sarah Rose Janko (Dawn Riding) formed The Lost Days. With Molina handling songwriting duties and Janko taking on the lion share of the vocals, save for a couple of tracks the album In The Store offers up a wonderful collection of lo-fi folk pop and further cements Molina as one of the most gifted songwriters around.
20. Connections – Cool Change (Trouble In Mind Records)
The Columbus OH, mid-fi pop dynamos returned in March with their first album in 5 years. A faux break-up album with a shit ton of killer hooks. Cool Change is brimming with outstanding scrappy power pop songs and pristine melodies. With a collection this strong it really is difficult to pick a favorite, but I happily point you to tracks such as The Bird Has Flown, I Confess, and It’s A Start which effectively display Connections’ penchant for creating gloriously catchy guitar driven pop songs.
19. R. Ring – War Poems, We Rested (Don Giovanni Records)
The musical pairing of Kelley Deal (The Breeders) and Mike Montgomery (Ampline) returned in January with their sophomore full length and what a return it is. With the two seasoned artists displaying their songwriting prowess over an album of varied and exhilarating guitar driven rock songs that incorporate punk, folk, and funk. The 1st time I head War Poems, We Rested I knew it was going to be a personal favorite.
18. Pardoner – Peace Loving People (Bar None Records)
San Francisco’s Pardoner continued their hot streak by following up 2021’s excellent Came Down Different with a bit of a step forward in the evolution of the bands pop friendly punk. Peace Loving People seems to be a bit more accessible with elements of punk still firmly in place, but its the big guitar riffs and massive hooks are at the forefront on tracks like Get Inside and the insanely catchy Deadbeat that keep me reaching for this album.
17. Drop Nineteens – Hard Light (Wharf Cat Records)
Back in January Greg Ackell sent a tweet stating that he had been in contact with his former bandmates to talk about what a modern Drop Nineteens song would sound like and by August they had reunited and recorded a new batch of song for Hard Light. The announcement came along with the albums astounding advance track, Scapa Flow. Hard Light is deeply rooted in the shoegaze textures of their 1992 debut Delaware, but the new material finds the band exhibiting a little more finesse, grandeur and sonic sophistication on the new material. It’s a highly rewarding LP that never sounds like a nostalgia trip, quite the opposite actually these songs find Drop Nineteens sounding as fresh and fascinating as ever.
16. Yo La Tengo – This Stupid World (Matador Records)
With album 17, Yo La Tengo delivered their most raucous album in a decade. A love at first listen experience, but somehow it reveals something new on every listen. The band recorded most of the album Live to tape and jammed it full of distortion drenched rock songs, tender ballads, and woozy drone. Delivered with skill and subtly the way only Yo La Tengo can.
15. Spare Snare – The Brutal (Chute Records)
Scotland’s Spare Snare took to celebrating their 30th anniversary by once again enlisting Steve Albini to record their 12th LP. The Brutal instantly became a go to album for me upon it’s release in September because it simply hit all right sonic spots. The stunning post-punk of Hold Your Sex and Ring To Me, a bit of kraut rock excellence with I have you and the reflective Bleached Out Rainbows make for one of the years most satisfying listens.
14. Slowdive – Everything Is Alive (Dead Oceans)
The remarkable 5th LP from these shoegaze legends arrived in September and found the quintet delivering an album still very much rooted in the genre that they helped to define, but one that finds Slowdive continuing to push their sound in new directions. Check out the gorgeous, Andalucia Plays, a dreamy number that finds Neil Hallstead’s gentle delivery vocal floating above acoustic guitar strums and modular synths. Elsewhere, Chained To A Cloud finds Rachel Goswell’s angelic vocal being immersed in layers of guitars, drums, and electronic drone for one of the albums most captivating tracks.
13. Brother of Monday – s/t (Self Released)
One half of Philadelphia’s lo-fi vets Von Hayes, Peter Bothum returned In July as Brother of Monday armed with 10 wonderful pop nuggets. The albums centerpiece, Tomb of Falcons display Bothom’s gift for delivering songs ripe with melancholy and lovely hooks. It’s nearly impossible for me to play this album just once and due to the 25 minute run time and the homespun quality to these tracks, Brother of Monday seems to reveal something bright and enticing with each listen.
12. Quasi – Breaking The Balls Of History (Sub-Pop)
The duo of Sam Coomes (Heatmiser/Jon Spencer & The Hitmakers) and Janet Weiss Sleater Kinney/The Jicks/Wild Flag) have been making bright ramshackle power pop together on and off for the past 30 years. Reportedly, fueled by the pandemic and general state of the world, Breaking The Balls Of History is a cutting collection of songs that should be worthy soundtrack to the coming election year or to help the general the world is burning sentiment. Quasi strikes a balance between joyous pop moments and sinister lyricism which are elevated by the duo sharing vocals duties, Coomes providing a tuneful racket behind his rocksichord and accompanied by one of the most creative and captivating drummers around in Weiss.
11. Sparklehorse – Bird Machine (Anti Records)
An unexpected gift in the form of a new Sparklehorse album 13 years after Mark Linkous’ passing. The album was pieced together by Mark’ brother and sister in-law consisting of material Mark was recording for the 5th Sparklehorse album. The results are captivating and this collection gives us a glimpse of what Mark Linkous had in store for us. Just as ramshackle, fractured, and beautiful as we’ve come to expect, and somehow better than we imagined.
10. Circus Devils – Squeeze The Needle (GBV Inc.)
File Under: Psychotic Soul. The cracked art prog trio of Robert Pollard, Todd and Tim Tobias returned after putting the project on the shelf in 2017 with the flat out superb, Squeeze The Needle. The 20 track LP sits proudly next to the outfits best releases with 20 tracks that blend elements of classic rock in the vein as if Beefheart and Blue Oyster Cult, as well as pristine acoustic balladry, and skewed pop. Circus Devils are back!
9. American Analog Set – For Forever (Hometown Fantasy)
The beloved Austin quintet released their first new album in 18 years with For Forever in late October. Throughout the LP they retain their knack for sparse arrangements that marry slowcore, post-rock and kraut rock which are on full display on the one two punch of Long Limbs and By The Bridle. Then there’s Camp Don’t Count that displays a brighter and dare I say grittier side of the band. I find myself reaching for For Forever regularly, not just because it’s an album I never expected but because it’s better than ever could have wished for.
8. Eyelids – A Colossal Waste of Light (Jealous Butcher Records)
In March Eyelids marked a decade since their formation by teaming up with Peter Buck to produce their follow up to the excellent, Accidental Falls. A Colossal Waste of Light firmly cements the quintet as indispensable purveyors of moody and thrilling guitar pop. The band certainly benefits from two gifted songwriters in Chris Slusarenko (Boston Spaceships/Sprinkler) and John Moen (Boston Spaceships/The Decemberists) which contributes to the dynamic sound of the LP. Both of whom dish out hooks expertly and at times with beautiful subtlety.
7. Califone – Villagers (Jealous Butcher Records)
With Villagers, Tim Rutili’s gift for writing and performing compelling music that sounds both new and old simultaneously is on full display. His fractured folk songs adorned with electronics, static and fuzz so tastefully layered into each track that they become vital elements of each song. At it’s core Villagers finds Rutilli delivering his most direct set of songs which are warm, complex and compelling often at the same time. On Ox Eye a bluesy folk song that give a nod to Rutilli’s former band Red Red Meat, albeit a bit more raucous and rattling. Villagers is a rare thing, rich with emotion but never heavy handed and each song is as vital as the next. Califone pull off a neat trick of delivering both warmth and inventive exploration.
6. Cuticles – Major Works (Siltbreeze Records)
Located just 80 miles outside of Dunedin, NZ is the town of Oamaru, perhaps an unlikely place to find the creators of one of my favorite album of the year, Cuticles. Major work finds the a trio tossing off an album full of spectacular lo-fi songs rooted just as much in 90’s American indie touchstones as in Flying Nun’s classic acts. Right out of the gate you notice how well written and executed these songs are. Throughout Major Works, Cuticles take a refreshing approach to their songcraft by blending their influences with both deft exploration and wry sense of humor. I can’t wait to see what Cuticles have in store for us next.
5. Bug Club – Rare Birds: Hour of Song (We Are Busy Bodies Records)
Released at the peak of autumn Rare Birds: Hour of Song, a sprawling 47 track LP with 23 of those being spoken word interludes between the Welsh trio’s whipsmart punk, garage, and distorted psych leanings make for an enthralling listen. At times Bug Club wear their influences like badges of honor, channeling The Clean on We Call Can’t Play Saxophone and Marriage might just be the catchiest track on the album, think Pavement at their hookiest. Rare Birds is a wonderfully odd collection of skillfully written and played fuzzy folk pop that continues to reveal it’s charms with subsequent listen.
4. Guardian Singles – Feed Me To The Doves (Trouble In Mind Records)
Auckland, NZ post-punks, Guardian Singles somehow managed to follow up their tremendous 2021 self titled debut with an album that picks up pretty much where they left us. Feed Me To The Doves finds the band continuing to pay homage to their early post-punk influences particularly Mission of Burma, while managing to create something completely unique. A fine example is Pit Viper where Guardian Singles unleash buzzing guitars and infections melodies while delivering a socio-political commentary.
3. Guided By Voices – Welshpool Frillies (GBV Inc.)
The 2nd of 3 LP’s that Robert Pollard and Co. issued this year. The middle child if you will, between La La Land and the recently issued Nowhere To Go But Up. Welshpool Frillies is chock full of captivating songs, performed with deft and captivating musicianship while Pollard fires off 14 tracks the give the listener exactly what you want from a modern GBV LP, big riffs, soaring choruses, and two tracks of concise gorgeous lo-fi. For a band on an unparallel 16 album run, Welshpool Frillies stands tall as a modern classic.
2. Famous Mammals – Instant Pop Expressionism Now! (Siltbreeze Records)
Comprised of vets of the Bay Areas underground, Famous Mammals released a captivating record of off kilter pop, tape loops, and catchy as hell fuzz guitar compositions. Instant Pop Expressionism Now! is a gem of album that combines bits of 60’s psych, Elephant 6, and 90’s lo-fi through a post punk filter. On tracks like Comets For Poets and Private Anchor, Famous Mammals reveal a gift for creating propulsive and exhilarating pop songs with guitar jangle, fuzzy melodies and an anything goes ethos. The album has a wonderful sense of adventure, like some lost artifact of 90’s home recording heyday, but the more I listen the more it becomes apparent that Instant Pop Expressionism Now! could only have been created in the present to incorporate these influences so seamlessly to create a record this special.
1. Washer – Improved Means To Deteriorated Ends (Exploding in Sound Records)
Mike Quigley and Kieran McShane made their recoded return last spring after a couple of excellent pre pandemic releases with their debut LP, Here Comes Washer and 2017’s All Aboard. The minimalist garage punk that the duo displayed on those earlier albums are still very much present on Improved Means To Deteriorated Ends and that alone would make for a satisfying listen, but Washer went ahead and enhanced things with an album full of tension, clever melodies and lyrical depth. The addition of Becca Ryskalczyk on a few tracks adds warmth to some of the more dour themes that run through the album, specifically on Answer To Hell. Since it’s release last April, Improved Means To Deteriorated Ends continues to find it’s way on my turntable, on long runs, and long work commutes because it succeeds so wonderfully at expressing fears, thoughts and hope that we all feel from time to time. Also, it’s a truly expectational and cathartic rock record.
Favorite EP’s & Singles:
Mclusky – Unpopular Parts of A Pig/The Digger You Deep (Self Released) Buy/Stream
Car Colors – Old Death 12″ (Absolutely Kosher) Buy/Stream
Healing & Peace – s/t (Self Released) Buy/Stream
Sleepies – Smhoakstock EP (Self Released) Buy/Stream
Married FM – s/t (Self Released) Buy/Stream
Mac Krol – For Some Other Reason b/w Fair Warning (Merge) Buy/Stream
Cuticles – Pavlova EP (Self Released) Buy/Stream
Blues Lawyer – Sight Gags On The Radio (Dark Entries Records) Buy/Stream
Paper Jays –Asbestos Quote (Self Released) Buy/Stream
Sunoco Sunset – s/t (Holy Smokes Recordings) Buy/Stream
The Reds, Pinks, & Purples – Murder, Oral Sex, & Cigarettes (Burundi Cloud) Buy/Share
Non Plus Temps – Dark On Harmon (A Public Nipples Unlimited Release) Buy/Share
Balloon Thief – s/t (Self Released) Buy/Stream
J. Robbins –Three Masks (Self Released) Buy/Stream
Cigarette Camp – Chalk (Dead Broke Rekerds) Buy/Stream
The Lost Days – Lost Demos (The Long Road Society) Buy/Stream
Emerald Comets – Homemade Time Machine (Self Released) Buy/Stream
Equal Parts – s/t (Self Released) Buy/Steam
Epic45 – Another Year EP (Wayside & Woodland Recordings) Buy/Stream
Daughter of The Vine – Mystic Valley PKWY (Self Released) Buy/Stream
Plastic Candles – Blue Gray and Black (Self Released) Buy/Stream
Carnations – s/t (Self Released) Buy/Stream
Jordan Holtz – Not Close For Comfort (Pretty Purgatory) Buy/Stream
Animal Hospital – Ok, Kevin (Sipsman) Buy/Stream
Tatooine Punk Scene – Lunchbox (Self Released) Buy/Stream
Strange Pains – 2023 Single Series (Self Released) Buy/Stream
Cassells/Beige Palace – Split Single (God Unknown Records) Buy/Stream
The Telephone Numbers – Weird Sisters (Self Released/Meritorio) Buy/Stream
Mould – Birdsong (Self Released) Buy/Stream
Lee Marvin Cordial – s/t (Art Is Stupid) Buy/Stream
Favorite Comps & Reissues:
Pernice Brothers – Overcome By Happiness 25th Anniversary Edition (New West) Buy/Stream
Ego Summit – The Room Isn’t Big Enough (old 3c) Buy/Stream
The Replacements – Tim, Let It Bleed Edition. (Sire/Rhino) Stream
The Sundae Painters – Sundae Painters (Leather Jacket Records) Buy/Stream
The Shapiros – The Collected Works… (World of Echo) Buy/Stream
Sonic Youth – Live in Brooklyn 2011 (Goofin’) Buy/Stream
Thinking Fellers Union Local 282 – These Things Remained Unassigned (Bulbous Monocle) Buy/Stream
Tall Dwarfs – Unraveled: 1981-2002 (Merge) Buy/Stream
Swervedriver – Petroleum Spirit Daze (Outer Battery) Buy/Stream
Counter Intuits – Monosyllabilly (Old 3c) Buy/Stream
Superchunk – Misfits & Mistakes (Merge) Buy/Stream
Edinburgh School For The Deaf – New Youth Bible (Absolutely Kosher) Buy/Stream
Illusion Of Choice – A Girlsville Benefit Comp. For Feline Rescue, Inc. (Girlsville) Buy
Everyone Asks About You – Paper Airplanes, Paper Hearts (Numero Group) Buy/Stream
Shelf-Life – Small World Experience (Siltbreeze) Buy/Stream
Dirty Babies Club – feckin demos 19′ (Self Released) Buy/Stream
Tsunami – Poodle b/w Old City (Numero Group) Buy/Stream
Strange Mono – Benefit For Prevention Point (Strange Mono) Buy
Pitchman – My Angel Age (Jinxed) Buy/Stream
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