It’s getting to the time when all the Top 10 lists have been printed and read.
And even the list of all lists has been made.
And all the questions asked…
How did I miss Angel Olsen?
How did everyone else miss The Rails?
Was Steve Gunn’s album really as good as I thought it was?
Why do people like this War on Drugs album better than the last one?
Why did Royal Blood not chart higher everywhere when we thought it would?
And why didn’t FKA Twigs chart higher when we wanted it to? (actually, it did)
Did Aphex Twin actually merit the hype?
Where would Taylor Swift be if it wasn’t by Taylor Swift (ironically or otherwise)?
Where would they have put D’Angelo if it had come out in January?
Where would they have put East India Youth if it had come out in December?
Was Manipulator finally a really good Ty Seagall record?
How did La Roux make a record no one but critics liked?
How did I forget BadBadNotGood III?
Yes, the Beck album (really truely surprisingly) was that excellent, even after I had zero expectation?
Why did TuNeYaRdS feature so low with most people?
Did people really like Scott Walker and Sunn ((o)) or even find themselves able to listen to it? Same for Swans?
Why did people still show interest in Azealia Banks (especially Americans)?
Does it matter that Sturgill Simpson is country?
Was Hiss Golden Messenger country?
Did I need to go back to Turn Blue?
So many questions. But It’s all gist to the mill isn’t it? Good pub chatter. And another way to find new music, and review what acts you used to love but had given up on our doing now.
But one album is sticking a bit. Brazilian psych rock isn’t a place one would normally stumble into, but Fumaca Preta was an endearing and enduring listen that gives pleasure every time.
It’s not all easy listening, but it’s fun listening and that’s likely more important.
Contains “elements of tropicalia, psychedelic rock, fuzz funk, musique concrete, acid house, radiophonic electronics, hair metal, voodoo and African, Brazilian and Latin rhythms” according to Amazon. And it really does.
Thanks to the Rough Trade end of year list and up sell for that one.
Worth a try I’d reckon if you missed it.
