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Janelle Monae's "Screwed" gets my vote among a lot of contenders (e.g. Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Beach House) - kinda surprised to not see more love for it in the comments!

This is the correct answer

Yes RAM is a stone-cold classic in my estimation, had no idea this was a controversial opinion

life can be a hot mess

This is excellent news. Cat looks and sounds great here, getting very Angel Olson vibes here and this warms my heart ('My Woman' was my AOTY in 2016). Can't say I was a huge fan of 'Sun' but after all her absolutely untouchable run as a lo-fi, heartwrenching singer-songwriter (WWTCT, Moon Pix, and You Are Free are world-class, and The Greatest, though more polished and more inconsistent, is a must too), I appreciated the effort in expanding her horizons. I also admire that she's taken her time with this one. She's always been both a human and musician, and that's one of the things I admire most about her.

Also, I just have to add that I'm super stoked to get to see Tomb Mold and Mutilation Rites (and Panopticon, and Krallice, ...), among others, at Migration Fest at the end of July :)

Awesome write-up Ian. I just recently got into Elvenefris for the first time after coming across a review that called it the greatest death metal album of all time. Can't say I quite agree personally, but at the very least, I can't say it's hyperbole either. As an album it's a truly remarkable achievement, made all the more intriguing by the backstory - but I'd much rather have a followup than just a backstory! At the same time, I can also understand the challenge of following up such great work with a worthy successor, ie the way perfectionism can get in the way of actual *production* (something which as a writer I can empathize with musicians and other artists). Which makes the achievements of great followups after long absences (Surgical Steel, Colored Sands, mbv, just to name a few recent examples) all the greater. In other news, I've been on a death metal kick for some time now, with new Cthe'ilist, Lago, and Tomb Mold getting lots of spins from me in June. Also, anybody else been having ambivalent feelings about the new Zeal & Ardor? Like there's parts of it that I really, really love (e.g. 'Built on Ashes' is a SOTY contender) and other parts that not only I wouldn't be surprised to hear if I were flipping through on my local 'alternative' station, but if I did hear I would probably keep flipping (ie the intro to "Row Row"). And, somewhat paradoxically, it's also precisely those 'hard rock' elements that intrigue me the most? Still trying to figure that one out.

Amazing record. Like Burial's "Untrue" and a handful of other albums, there is something so singular and transcendent about not just the sound but the entire vibe of the record - like it's very dark and haunting and alienating, and yet at the same time there's something very warm and comforting about it. It's like the reverb and haze just wraps you up in a bundle and takes you away. This is the type of music that is made for listening when you're by yourself and it's dark outside. On a personal note, I listened to this album a ton when I was living by myself out of the country and it will always have a place in my heart. I also love the fact that it's got all-time great songs like "Heavy Water / I'd Rather Be Sleeping" that you can just pluck out and listen to at any time, while at the same time the entire album is just so cohesive it's hard not to listen to it all at once. A stunning achievement.

This was tough. It's been a very good year for music, but for whatever reason I'm not as excited about what I've heard from 2018 so far as I was last year, for example. That said, I think some albums (Panopticon, Jon Hopkins) will be regarded as among some of their respective genres best of the decade. My top-5 non-metal albums so far (alphabetical): -A.A.L. - "2012-2017" -Beach House - "7" -Carolyn Rose - "Loner" -Jon Hopkins - "Singularity" -The Voidz - "Virtue" My top-5 metal of the year (so far) -Apocrophex - "AEternalis" -The Atlas Moth - "Coma Noir" -Panopticon - "The Scars of Man..." -Slugdge - "Esoteric Malacology" -Sleep - "The Sciences"

Thanks for your perspective. Growing up in the Midwest I know far too many people who have become addicted to opiates, and the obituaries are full of young people who died b/c of addiction (not to mention the more famous obits we see on sites like this). I just really hope he means what he says and that he stays committed to staying clean off opioids. I don't know the guy personally, but I guess I just appreciated the fact that he admitted he had a problem and that he has been seeking help. It's really super important for people to be open and honest about addiction precisely b/c it's so devastating, which is why I'd exercise caution in reading too much one way or the other into the specific things he's saying here. Everyone's experience is unique, and even if he (or anyone else for that matter) does end up relapsing, it doesn't mean they're a bad person or whatever. Not saying that you're implying that at all, in fact I really appreciate the nuanced perspective. I just really hope and wish people who want to get help can find the help they need when it comes to addiction, and that we should try to understand and respect that before passing judgement.

Frankly I've never listened to The 1975 (and can't really say I have much an interest to) but I honestly have to respect his candor and his (apparent) willingness to get sober. Opiate addiction is a scary thing, and he's absolutely right that the US is in the middle of a crisis right now that is killing way too many people, far too ahead of their time. I really and truly hope he stays clean.

This all sounds amazing. I still think there's a great time to be had on the American festival scene, but I agree that right now what we have here in the States pales in comparison to what is regularly featured across the pond. The best way to enjoy festivals today IMHO are the smaller and locally-curated ones. I went to Bonnaroo a couple times at its peak (06 and 07) and Pitchfork once around the same time, and a few here and there between, but honestly it hasn't been since 2010 or so that I've seriously considered making a special trip for a festival of that scale. The sole exception I would consider today is Maryland Deathfest, and that's precisely the type of exceptional festival I'm talking about: pretty small (2-3 stages MAX), a carefully curated lineup, and people running it who care about music AND the community where it's located. A few weeks back I went to the National's Homecoming festival and had an absolute blast: just two stages, a wonderfully eclectic yet cohesive set of bands, and *flawlessly executed* - punctual, clean, well-organized, and in a beautiful location. What gets better than that? And guess what: it wasn't crammed cheek to jowl either! I think there's plenty of options out there for great festival experiences in the US, but I think you gotta decide whether to go based on a lot of factors beyond just the headliners and lineup card. It's a cliche of course but Bonnaroo has long since sold out, ie it's been utterly and completely commercialized and it definitely has had a negative influence on the experience. It was already on that way when I went, when all the deadheads were complaining that it wasn't a jam festival anymore, and the same can be said for a lot of the smaller festivals too (that they ain't what they used to be), but the action today IMHO is the small to mid-range circuit, not the mega-festivals. I can't say how we stack up with Europe in that respect, but I think it may be closer than some folks seem to be suggesting.

Oh and I'd be remiss if I didn't recommend Ana Tijoux! She was featured in that scene from Breaking Bad. I've got a couple of her albums and they're both good. The band she started out with (Makiza) was also an influential hip hop group from the 90s/early 2000s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpFDJNLIjZA

Doogan Nash, based on your taste I would suggest you check out the band "Como Asesinar a Felipes." I saw them open for Tortoise when I lived in Chile a few year back and they were pretty cool, kinda like a jazz/electronic/hip hop hybrid IIRC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89jYU7zwuKE

These are all great recommendations for Latinx música. I would also add: -Calle 13 (rap, reggaeton) -Los Fabulosos Cadillacs (Argentinian rock) -Los Prisioneros (super influential 80s rock group, Chilean) -Victor Jara (left-wing singer-songwriter, notoriously murdered by Pinochet govt) -Violeta Parra (very influential Chilean singer-songwriter, there's a recent movie about her that's supposed to be good) -Los Bunkers (contemporary Chilean rock band) -Chico Trujillo (cumbia chilombiana ;)) Plus a bunch of other stuff. ¡Que disfrutes!

I have to admit to only having really started seriously listening to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs after reading "Meet Me in the Bathroom," but just based on my limited experience with the band, I saw this list and immediately thought two things: there's no way 'Maps' shouldn't be #1, and 'Art Star' had better be on it. Accordingly, this list checks out.

Metal and baseball, these are two of my favorite things. Right now I'm jamming the new Apocrophex, and really enjoying it on first listen. Very excited for the new Yob tomorrow, though it's hard for me to imagine that they can top Clearing the Path to Ascend, my metal AOTY of 2014, but I sure hope they can!

Just came here to say that I love this column, even (or especially) though I'm not a regular listener of jazz. Reading it makes me def makes me want to check out more! Also wanted to say: if you're reading this and you like metal, be sure (if you haven't already) to check out the recent Howling Sycamore and White Ward albums - pretty sure you won't be disappointed.

I can't believe there's no votes yet for "Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings," I loved that song instantly when I heard it and it's been my favorite of his since.

I totally get what you're saying and I used to have similar feelings, or at least a similar impression, about metal as a genre, ie its fanbase being so insular, obsessed with 'purity,' etc. FWIW while there are obviously still too many metalheads that think and act like that, I think it speaks to the relative health of the genre (or "scene") that most of us have no time or patience for that sort of gatekeeping and holier-than-thou (or in the case of metal, 'unholier-than-thou') BS. Most metalheads I know, or most metal sites I frequent (e.g. Toilet ov Hell) have pretty eclectic tastes that also extend well beyond metal - not sure that's as much the case with other genres like jazz (Phil Freeman, Hank Shteamer, and others who frequent this site notwithstanding). At the end of the day though, you just gotta go after what you love!

Nice catch, haven't heard the album yet but will check it out. (Apparently it must be good if Stosuy's gonna write his first review for The Other Site in two years on it!)

I already commented about this weekend on another thread but it bears repeating: this was one of the best festival experiences I've been to, hands down. The location, the facilities, and above all the performances were all outstanding. The only other time I've had the good fortune of seeing The National live was at Bonnaroo 2007 when they were touring behind Boxer, when they opened with album's original opener 'Start a War' (according to Aaron Dressner at least - personally I'm perfectly happy with the sequencing as it turned out). I had accordingly high expectations for this event and The National's performances and they were absolutely met/exceeded. There is a strong case to be made that they are among America's greatest rock bands right now, and this weekend was a strong a statement in that regard as any I've seen. Other highlights: -Matt Berninger is a low-key goofy and hilarious dude. I loved how he kept throwing water bottles up directly into the air and they kept landing on the stage. He also had some funny quips about Sufjan's feedback on Boxer ("Change 80% of the chords and all of the lyrics") among other things. -Future Islands had probably the tightest one hour set I've ever seen. They literally played ever single song I wanted to see them play this weekend (Balance, Seasons, Dream of You and Me, Light House, Tin Man, Spirit), and I can't say enough about Sam as a performer. Absolutely do not miss seeing them live if you have the chance. (Also worth noting - this was easily the most punctual festival I've ever been to. Every band started, and finished, right on time, which also contributed to the festival experience as a whole.) -Julian Baker was another personal highlight for me, though she was kind of a 180 from most of the other performances I was excited about. She kinda had some sound issues and others I spoke to were a bit underwhelmed by her performance, but I thought she was magnificent. Probably much more suited to an indoor venue. Also worth noting that any sound issues were definitely resolved by the time Alvvays played the next day. Everybody else, especially The National, sounded excellent. -Again, big props to The National and the Dressner brothers and everybody who helped organize this event. I thought they did a really good job integrating the city and local collaborators and such, and I found it to be a very welcoming and family-friendly space. I also appreciated the gender balance in the lineup, like literally almost every other act was female-fronted, which is all-too-often a rarity at shows. The National definitely seem to work hard to support young and upcoming artists, it was great to see the diversity in talent with everyone they collaborate. Would 100% go again if I have the chance.

Amazing festival - absolutely tremendous live acts (everything I saw was great, including both nights of The National of course, but Future Islands was a particular highlight, go see them if you haven't) at a great venue (beautiful location downtown on the river, and kid-friendly too). I had high expectations and this met and exceeded them. The National absolutely know how to put on a show - they definitely deserve to be one of the best and biggest American rock bands around right now.

"Bergtatt-era Ulver" is all I need to see to start salivating

There should be a separate list for live versions of MMJ songs: Cobra would definitely be on that list

+infinity for They Ran. My personal MMJ deep cut favorite is The Bear, but there are easily a dozen others you could pick (Nashville to Kentucky, If All Else Fails, Bermuda Highway, By My Car, If It Smashes Down, etc.). They are such a great demo/B-side band: like 'O is the One that Is Real' for example (from their split w/ Songs:Ohia). Also, if you haven't checked out their Chapters 1 and 2 B Sides and Early Recordings, check that stat.

Wordless Chorus -> It Beats 4 U is easily one of my favorite 1-2 album openings of all time

Z to my ears is the conclusion of a progressive arc that started w/ Tennessee Fire (which is basically a lo-fi record, IIRC Jim recorded the vocals in an empty grain silo) and which at each stage saw their sound gradually expand and refine itself. FWIW I think all 4 of those records are basically perfect, though my personal favorite ranking would go something like It Still Moves - At Dawn - Z - Tennessee Fire. That said, to the extent that Z is the 'conclusion' of this first period of MMJ, then yeah I agree you could see it as their magnum opus :)

It Still Moves was the first album of theirs I heard and they've pretty much been my favorite band since

very good list, big props for The Bear HM, that is one of my low-key favorite songs of all time

That'd be on my Honorable Mentions list, but hard to crack top 10.

Great write-up, Ryan, a solid list albeit a bit conservative perhaps. (Hard to argue with 'One Big Holiday' at #1 though.) MMJ will probably always be in the running for my favorite band, and that is almost entirely based on their 4 album run from Tennessee Fire - At Dawn - It Still Moves - Z, which IMHO is one of the greatest 4 album run/progressions in any modern rock band ever. I also totally agree that The Waterfall was a return to form. I've had the good fortune of seeing them 4 times, which is probably quite low considering how much I love them and I currently live in the Midwest but one of those times was their legendary 2006 Bonnaroo set, which along with Radiohead's 2007 Bonnaroo set will go down as one of the greatest performances I've ever seen in person. As far as my own personal list goes, you could probably ask me again in a couple of days (or hours) and it will change but here goes: 10. In Its Infancy (The Waterfall) 9. Mahgeetah 8. Anytime 7. Run Thru 6. Steam Engine 5. Dondante 4. Wordless Chorus 3. One Big Holiday 2. The Bear 1. The Way That He Sings

They are both great

I love this man

I totally have a similar relationship to M83, though I probably like this album (and what came after it) a little bit more than you do. I mean, I think Junk had some great moments on it (like "Go!"), but Dead Cities, Red Seas, & Lost Ghosts is a 10/10. "Unrecorded," "Noise," "Gone," those songs are sheer perfection to my ears.

Yes totally, no reason why you (phospho) should be receiving downvotes - I can't say I've ever been a big fan of Nicki's music, but I want to live in a world where her and Cardi B and all kinds of other black women and women of color can be bold and brash and can all thrive at the same time. And Nicki seems to want that too - even her barbs at Miley, while harsh, had a pointed edge that I feel like she justified, and I also find it hard to blame her for working hard to carve out a space for black women and POC (how she sees fit) in an industry that massively exploits black people, even those who "succeed" in it.

my new favorite stereogummer. Any relation to Doris?

I had the exact same reaction when I saw K-Dot on his last tour. Still a great show, but the kung fu bit wasn't a highlight IMHO...

So glad to hear you really like that Panopticon as well phospho! It's really an amazing album isn't it? You getting excited about music gets me excited too, so I'm definitely gonna check out this Princess Nokia :)

(in reply to El Gummo of course - don't know why this is all the way down here)