First things first, I have to confess that for this year, I do not have a "Number #1-Album Of The Year" choice as I really feel that I did not hear that singular release that announces itself as being heads and shoulders above the rest. That being said, I heard a tremendous amount of music that represented musical artists working at the peak of their powers, all releasing music that demanded the fullest of my attention and affection and I am so, so happy to reveal those titles here for you with this series which will extend itself into 2020 and will then further extend itself into my favorite releases from the decade of 2010-2019.
But, let's not get ahead of myself. It's time to go back to the start of 2019...
POST SOCIAL
Released December 29, 2018
-Technically a bit of a cheat but since the band released this single just on the edge of 2018 turning into 2019, I kind of like to think of this selection as being akin to The Clash's classic "London Calling" (released December 14, 1979), a double album which has often been listed as being one of the best albums of the 1980's although differing from its actual release date. Also, like The Clash, Post Social's epilogue to their raucous 4th album entitled "Major Congrats" (released June 29, 2018), extends from that album's more post punk rock leanings making for what is unquestionably their angriest release to date.
Working in collaboration with their Madison, WI musical compatriot Isaac De Broux-Sloane of Disq as their Producer (a Post Social rarity as the band typically is solitary in their recordings), the quartet of Shannon Connor (guitar, vocals), Mitch Deitz (guitar, vocals), Sam Galligan (bass guitar) and Brendan Manley (drums) are worlds away from the lush innocence of their previous albums as they are in the throes of confrontation in a confrontational world. Where Deitz's "No Guidelines" is literally one minute of impressionistic whirlwind fury fueled by a call-to-action, Connor's "Desert Eagle (In The Sky)" is a rightfully angst filled howl of paranoid filled rage at our epidemic of gun violence.
As of this point in time, Post Social is on an extended hiatus due to new life responsibilities and commitments by the lifelong friends and bandmates. But, I have been assured that the band is nowhere near finished, and new material is being composed. Until the day a new full length musical statement arrives, Post Social's double sided single is a powder keg!
DISQ
Released January 25, 2019
-On the heels of seeing this band deliver their downright scorching performance live in my fair city, I am more anxious than ever to hear what may arrive in 2020. Yet, at the beginning of 2019, we had our first taste of new music from Disq in three years with their debut release on the Saddle Creek label and it proved to be even more seasoned and sensational than I could have hoped for.
With these two tracks, the propulsive "Communication," and the expansive, brood to explosive psychedelic finale wail that is "Parallel," Bassist Raina Bock and Singer/Multi-Instrumentalist Isaac De Broux-Slone have more than proven that they are serious young musicians who can craft stellar, superb material that is tailor made to be blasted fully from any and all open windows and demand repeated listenings as their songcraft is first rate. With a band lineup now expanded to five members, more touring including some stops in England and with increased attention from the independent music press, the ascension of Disq and the arrival of the year 2020 feel to be of a potentially perfect match. Clearly, these two songs are the combustible spark to the musical flames to come!
SUNFLOWER BEAN
Released January 25, 2019
-WSUM FM's DJ Nightway led me here!! I did not hear of this EP until near the end of 2019 and even so, that first listen was right on time! This trio is not one that necessarily re-invents any wheel sin rock and roll but you know, they do not have to when the songwriting, singing and performances are this top flight. I cannot place my finger upon it but the band sounds very reminiscent of the power pop of the 1970's/early 1980's that filled my adolescent heart so long ago while also existing strongly as music of this moment in time as it represents the stunning melodicism and songwriting skill of the current class of indie rock bands. More please!
CHERRY GLAZERR
Released February 1, 2019
-Filled with Zeppelin-esque riffs and the feminist punk rock swagger and bite of L7 and Hole, Cherry Glazerr returned this year with a roar of an album that again presents Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Clementine Creevy as an inimitable force to be reckoned with and then some. Trust me, do not let Creevy's breathy vocals fool you for a minute as she unleashes a full, feral manifesto of melodically rich and beautifully loud songs that explore and detail roles and perceptions of women within the music industry and throughout everyday life with a rapaciousness that can slash your speakers ("Wasted Nun" is one of the rock standouts of 2019)...and you keep turning that volume up!
ANNA WANG
Released February 10, 2019
-Madison, WI's Anna Wang has once again showcased why she is truly one of our music community's most compelling artists as her first class songwriting, innovative production and captivating, siren song vocals is consistently riveting to experience. For her one and only music release of the year, Wang unquestionably demonstrates that everything is about quality over quantity as evidenced by the 2 minutes and 44 seconds of her club banger "Ritual."
As how the members of the Madison music community have demonstrated over and again, the song is the star and for Ms. Wang, who is indeed a visually captivating performer, her devotion to the possibilities and eventual mastery of songcraft is paramount and therefore, more than obvious within her latest single. Not one second is wasted. Not one moment is superfluous. And her ability with conjuring the "hook," and within a seemingly myriad of elements (vocals, melodies, drum tracks, sound effects), ensure that her song will burrow deeply into your synapses while inspiring your bodies to leave all emotional baggage out there on the dance floor.
Please don't wait too long to make a return!
GARY CLARK JR.
Released February 22, 2019
-Gary Clark Jr. returned this year with his most ambitious release to date and to my ears, it is just this close to being his first masterpiece. As with "Blak & Blu" (released October 22, 2012), "This Land" is an expansive, sprawling, wildly diverse album yet one with an increased, intense focus upon race and racism in 21st century America under Trump, living "paranoid and pissed off" while Black. While the blues and Clark Jr's flamethrowing guitar heroics are the bedrock, it is via the vast musical reach, the forays into R&B, hip-hop, punk rock, funk and even some Latin tinged soul that further reconfirms that this is a formidable, fully rounded artist and not just one more guitar gunslinger.
REIGNWOLF
Released March 1, 2019
-Along with Gary Clark Jr, Reignwolf, the musical brainchild of singer, song writer, multi-instrumentalist and guitarist Jordan Cook proves that the death of the guitar as a musical force of nature is news that has been greatly exaggerated. In fact, if guitar based rock is dead, then as far as I am concerned, Reignwolf made a deal with the Devil to resurrect it as "Hear Me Out," the band's debut album, is a 29 minute flow of pummeling, downright lusty molten lava that would clearly make the likes of Jack White look over his own shoulder. This album was a dynamite calling card.
TAL WILKENFELD
Released March 15, 2019
-Tal Wilkenfeld, phenom Bassist who has worked with figures none other than Jeff Beck, Herbie Hancock, Todd Rundgren, Ryan Adams and others, released her debut album as a singer/songwriter and for me, it has remained as one of the strongest albums I heard in 2019. Flowing effortlessly between Robert Plant howls, Joni Mitchell elegance and all in between and beyond, Wilkenfeld, through her voice and instrumentation, firmly established herself as a furiously forward thinking musical artist whose work demands to be full experienced in all of its crystalline, tornado whirling adventurousness.
EX HEX
Released March 22, 2019
-Much like Sunflower Bean, the rock trio of Mary Timony, Betsy Wright and Laura Harris, collectively known as Ex Hex, is not doing anything that necessarily re-invents the rock and roll wheel. But again and just like Sunflower Bean, when the songwriting, singing and performances are this first rate (often making me think of a harder edged Bangles), what more does one need when listening to an album that is instantly infectious and demands repeated listenings immediately?
DONNA GRANTIS
Released March 22, 2019
-A true surprise. My knowledge of Donna Grantis was when she was one third of 3RDEYEGIRL, one of Prince's final backing bands, an all female power trio of which Grantis served as an extraordinary guitarist (and a great counterpoint to Prince's own sky scorching heroics).
On her debut album, there is very little that would ever suggest of her time with Prince and decidedly much more of her apparent devotion to the 1970's fusion era of Miles Davis, most notably that sweet spot that exists somewhere between "Bitches Brew" (released April 1970), "Jack Johnson" (released February 24, 1971) and "On The Corner" (released October 11, 1972) "Diamonds & Dynamite" is an entirely instrumental album fueled by deep funk bass, swirling tablas, propulsive rhythms and the stunning guitar vortex of Donna Grantis who truly takes the listener upon an enveloping sonic journey that not only makes you thirsty to hear it all over again but anxious for whatever she devises in the future.
JENNY LEWIS
Released March 22, 2019
-The former member of Rilo Kiley returns with her finest solo release to date as well as one of 2019's highest achievements.
On this latest chronicle of confessionals and peerless storytelling, Lewis establishes an even grander sonic palate to accentuate her lyrical gifts by embracing the BOOM of hip-hop production techniques with the ace musicianship of her collaborators which range from drummers Ringo Starr and Jim Keltner, plus Jason Falkner, Don Was, Benmont Tench, Beck (who produces a few songs here) and yes, even Ryan Adams (who plays guitar throughout and produces--and despite his troubles and controversy this year, I refuse to pretend that he doesn't exist and did not participate in the making of this album).
Despite all of the famous guest stars, the album is firmly Jenny Lewis' artistic vision as her songwriting voice is powerfully sound and filled copiously with grief, mourning, confusion, strength, resolution, revelation and a new found autonomy as a woman, artist and human being.
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