2025 Playlist

One of the great dilemmas for me in creating a best songs (or albums) of the year list is that while I spend all year amassing favorites, inevitably I come across new music right at the end of the year that blows my mind, typically after reading someone else's list. Is it fair to a song that I've loved for six months or more to share space with a song I heard for the first time this week?

Case in point. Yesterday, Pitchfork published their Top 50 Albums of the Year list. Scanning the list, I came across the #17 ranked album It's A Beautiful Place by Brooklyn via Chicago duo Water From Your Eyes and Arielle Gordon's brilliant review that was so evocative that I immediately had to listen to the album. She wrote:

That mysterious girl in your math class—the one who’s always carving the Anarchy A into her desk—is looking at you. She has a cassette tape in her hand with your name on it. Do you accept? Of course you do. Cramming it into your Walkman, a shimmering and strange world comes into view: Stereolab’s Dots and Loops, Slint’s Spiderland, and Smog’s Knock Knock combined into an ecstatic kaleidoscope. You’re listening to It’s a Beautiful Place, the exquisite new record from Water From Your Eyes. Ten songs beamed in from some far-off land of power pop, electronica, and grunge, the album proves that the band sounds far greater than the sum of its two-person lineup. “So, what’d you think?” the girl asks the next day. “I think we should start a band.”

That mysterious girl in my math class was Ginny Kao. She wasn't so much mysterious as effortlessly cool and in her defense, would never deface school property. But in the fall of 1986, in Mr. Dibari's Geometry class, she gave me a cassette of R.E.M.'s Lifes Rich Pageant and it changed my life forever. Am I likely Ms. Gordon's senior by at least 25 years? Yes. Does this make me feel old? A little bit. Did I listen to the album on my Walkman? Most certainly - this was around the time that I upgraded to one of the yellow plastic ones that were allegedly waterproof. So, it was with this memory at the front of my mind that I listened to It's A Beautiful Place.

After ten listens in the last 24 hours, this is a bonkers album and the second track "Life Signs" is quickly competing with Snocaps' "Doom" as my favorite track of the year. Honestly, these two songs could not be more different - "Life Signs" is so complex, like three completely different songs oddly patched together to create a single magnificient piece; "Doom" is the most hauntingly beautiful song on the Crutchfield twins' brilliant self-titled album (and my album of the year). So, there you have it - at tie at the top on my list.

The other songs are assemblage of old favorites with strong releases in 2025 (Superchunk, Neko Case, Sharon Van Etten, Wednesday), newer discoveries (Bummer Camp, Sharp Pins, Wet Leg), and the greatest live band on Planet Earth (Perennial). One bonus track reissued this year by Sleepytime Trio, a band formed 30 years ago at James Madison University, where coincidentally my son will be graduating from next May. No, none of this makes me feel old.

Big love, Mike

2023 Playlist

 

December 20, 2023 

It doesn’t escape me that today would have been my father’s 80th birthday and while there is no Seger or Springsteen on the list, I’d like to think that he might have liked a song or two included on my 2023 playlist. It is also a reminder for me of the reflective powers that music provides. So, without further ado, here are 10 songs I loved in 2023. 

Car Colors – “Old Death (12” version)”
Twenty years after the release of the much beloved The Meadowlands, the last remaining Wren, Charles Bissell, returns mightily to the fold in 2023 with a three-song 12” inch single featuring the magnificent “Old Death”. An epic tune clocking in at just over seven minutes, with hints of “Faster Gun” and “Everyone Choose Sides”, “Old Death” is a logical extension of Charles’ previous work while at the same time being completely fresh and new. 

Jeff Rosenstock – “I WANNA BE WRONG”
Is there anyone better at providing insightful social commentary in a more tuneful and celebratory punk rock manner than Jeff? Absolute genius and HELLMODE is a top five album of the year. 

Magazine Beach – “Totally Cool”
Yes, I realize that this is music for my older children and not someone who now regularly receives AARP mailings. But c’mon, it’s catchy as all be. 

boygenius – “$20”
We are firmly a Lucy Dacus family here in Charlottesville, as she is from nearby Richmond. But when you get Lucy together with Julien and Phoebe, it’s kind of magical. 

Fucked Up – “Lords of Kensington”
The Spotify machine tells me that this was my most played song of 2023. I only listen to Spotify sparingly, but still, it is a banger as the kids would say. I am infatuated with Mike Hailechuk’s guitar sound – it’s like the 21st century extension of Hüsker Dü-era Bob Mould.

Open City – “Gassed”
So I’ve been a fan of Chris Wilson’s drumming for over 20 years, starting with his work with Ted Leo and the Pharmacists and then Hammered Hulls and Titus Andronicus, so I was excited to check out Open City’s first album a few years ago. The band also features Rachel Rubino (Bridge and Tunnel) on vocals, Andy Nelson (Paint It Black) on bass, and everyone’s favorite punk rock child psychologist, Dan Yemin (Lifetime, Paint It Black) on guitar. If I have a crap day at work, on goes the Open City S/T album for my ride home and things are a whole lot better. “Gassed” is my favorite track from their recently released album Hands In The Honey Jar. 

Yo La Tengo – “Fallout”
Is there a more winning recipe for a Yo La Tengo song than a midtempo Yo La Tengo song replete with vocal harmonies and just the right amount of feedback? 

Blonde Redhead “Snowman”
I hadn’t seen (or listened to) Blonde Redhead since 1998, though I was almost run over crossing the street by Amadeo and Kazu in 2002 somewhere in the East Village (the near miss didn’t push me to revisit their music at that time). Fast forward to 2023 and I decide to go see them at the Levitation Festival in Austin, which inspired me to familiarize myself with their 21st century output including the 2023 release Sit Down For Dinner and my favorite tune “Snowman”. 

Militarie Gun – “Very High”
Hotline TNT – “Beauty Filter”
Each year when I go to SXSW, I try to make an effort to at least check out a few of the so-called buzz bands that the tastemakers claim will be shortly breaking through. In recent years, it’s been Snail Mail and Soccer Mommy and Viagra Boys and Ratboys and on and on. Sometimes I leave impressed and other times, the shows leave a little to be desired. That was the case with both Militarie Gun and Hotline TNT at this year’s festival. Playing at 3pm for 30 minutes without time for proper soundcheck after being out all night isn’t always the best recipe for success for young bands. I’ve haven’t seen either band live since last March, but both released excellent albums in the interim.

For Your Listening Pleasure -- 2018 Birthday Mix

The 15th in a series of annual mixes in celebration of my crazy children.

Ten Favorites of 2017

Fig. 1. video for "My Best Friend (Is A Nihilist)"

1. Album - Iron Chic You Can't Stay Here (SideOneDummy Records)

Fig. 2. Live on Pressure Drop TV

2. Song - Priests "JJ" (Sister Polygon Records)

Fig. 3 Live from The Rock Room

3. Song - Meat Wave "Run You Out" (SideOneDummy Records)

Fig. 4. "Wrong Gong" live on KUTX 98.9

4. Live Act - Octopus Project (Austin, TX)

 Fig. 5. "Good Old Boy" live on Spectra Sonic Sound Sessions

5. Live Act - Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires (Birmingham, AL)

 Fig. 6. live at Pitchfork Paris

6. Song - The National "The Day I Die" (4AD)

Fig. 7 Hüsker Dü

7. Archival Material - Hüsker Dü Savage Young Dü (Numero Group)

 Fig. 8. Video for "You"

8. Band - Slingshot Dakota (Bethlehem, PA)

 Fig. 9. "Mineral" live at Bowery Ballroom 5-13-17

9. Reissue - Buffalo Tom Let Me Come Over 25th Anniversary Edition (Beggars Banquet) 

 Fig. 10. "Soap" Live at Prisma Guitar Shop

 10. Live Act - Never Young (Bay Area, CA)
 

Instagram Post of the Day - courtesy of Brian Baker

Everything's coming up Milhouse

A photo posted by Brian Baker (@brianbakers) on Mar 1, 2016 at 11:17am PST

2015 Mixtape

fig. 1 Beach Slang

I am a complete and total sucker for year end lists - have been as long as I can remember - and I love comparing my own rankings to those of the digital/print media world.  But this annual exercise is making a number of things clear to me: 1.) I know absolutely nothing about new hip-hop/rap (or pop or EDM); 2.) My lists continue rely heavily on bands and artists I have listened to for decades (see Sleater-Kinney and Mac McCaughan below); 3.) I listen to relatively little new music in relation to the volume released; and 4.) If your musical hero is also Paul Westerberg, chances are good that we will get along (see Beach Slang below).

So here's another mix for 2015.  Not necessary the best songs of the year, but those that I keep coming back to.  Cheers.

Despite The Mix Vol. 16 - WDC Version

fig. 1 The Shirks

 

 fig. 2 Chisel

 fig. 3 Jawbox

 fig. 4 The Make-Up

 

fig. 5 Title Tracks

 fig. 6 The Most Secret Method

fig. 7 The Paranoid Style

We're getting ready to move from DC this summer and as I am inclined to wax nostalgic I've put together a little mix of homegrown favorites. Cheers.

2014 Mixtape

fig. 1 Priests

I'm stealing from the boys over at Sound Opinions and making a mix tape instead of a Best Of list.

1.  Braid - East End Hollows
The sound of a emo band creeping up on 40 (in a good way).

2.  Wussy - Teenage Wasteland

3.  Angel Olsen - Forgiven/Forgotten

4.  Sharon Van Etten - Taking Chances
Wow, this part of the mix is a tad depressing.

5.  The New Pornographers - War on the East Coast

6.  Priests - New (fig. 1)
Katie Alice Greer is at the same time the most unnerving and captivating performer I saw all year. 

7.  Alvvays - Archie, Marry Me

8.  J. Robbins - Abandoned Mansions
This is a new song from an acoustic album J. recorded that otherwise contains Jawbox, Burning Airlines and Office of Future Plans songs. I heard the full band version a few weeks back with Office of Future Plans and let's just say it translates well. Not on Spotify so listen here.

9.  Phantogram - Fall in Love

10. Bob Mould - Hey Mr. Grey
Unapologetically 1992 - the sound of getting old (in a good and self aware way) 

11. CANCERS - Be Cool 
Speaking of 1992...Also not on Spotify, mp3 here.

12.  Ex Hex - New Kid
My favorite song from my favorite album of the year.

13.  Cymbals Eat Guitars - Warning
Joe D'Agostino describes his best friend looking like David Bowie on Soul Train in the first verse - brilliant.

14.  Cloud Nothings - I'm Not Part Of Me
Is this the best song of the year? Probably.

15.  Protomartyr - Come & See (mp3)

16.  Haley Bonar - Last War

Survival Knife

On further review, Unwound is a band I probably should have loved at the time.  From 1991 to 2002, the Olympia, Washington trio released a number of post-hardcore works that challenged convention. My one and only live exposure was an opening slot for Fugazi in the spring of 1995 and while I remember being impressed, I didn't pursue them any further.  Now, 12 years after the demise of Unwound, 2/3 of the original line up is back as Survival Knife.

So if you are a sucker for angular guitars and scream/sung vocals (a la Drive Like Jehu, Hoover, Jawbox, early Modest Mouse), this is for you. Follow link for SoundCloud streams. Enjoy.

Divine Mob 
Roman Fever 
Name That Tune
Fell Runner

Despite The Mix, Vol 15

fig. 1 Cancers

It has been just over 650 days since my last post. So much has changed over that time. Most notably as it relates to the posting of music on the internet - as in, the whole downloading a physical file has largely gone the way of floppy disks and Palm Pilots.  I envision this as my last mix with actual downloads and then I'll move (hopefully sooner than 650 days) to this whole new world of streaming music. Yes, I get it, I'm about three years behind the curve.  Some of us just like the idea of physical music - even the notion of physical property is a series of 1's & 0's on my computer or Ipod. 

Please enjoy this assortment of digital goodies.  My favorite is the first track by the Athens, GA-based Cancers which answers the question, if post-punk and dream-pop had a baby, what would it sound like?

Cancers - Moral Net (mp3)
Cymbals Eat Guitars - Warning (mp3)
Thurston Moore - Forevermore (mp3)
Protomartyr - Come & See (mp3)
Protomartyr - Scum, Rise! (mp3)
Say Hi - Such A Drag (mp3)
Say Hi - Love Love Love (mp3)
White Reaper - Funn (mp3)

Top Albums of 2012

fig 1. Rebecca Gates and the Consortium

My favorite albums of 2012. Enjoy.

Rebecca Gates - The Float 
Stream "Suite Sails" and "&&&" here

The Evens - The Odds 
Stream "King of Kings" here

Bob Mould - Silver Age 
Stream the entire album at Merge Records

A.C. Newman - Shut Down The Streets 
Download mp3 of "Encyclopedia of Classic Takedowns"

Cat Power - Sun
Download mp3 of "Ruin" and "Cherokee (Nicholas Jaar remix)"

Sharon Van Etten - Tramp
Download mp3 of "Serpents"

Japandroids - Celebration Rock
Download mp3 of "Younger Us"

Archers of Loaf - Vee Vee (Best Reissue)

Top Tracks of 2012

fig1. Pontiak

Well, no post in over a year.  No good excuse for the long hiatus but an end of the year list is a good enough reason to break the cycle.  Instead of the traditional top 10/20/50/100 list, here are a bunch of songs that resonated with me in 2012 - no order, just placed into random groups at the last minute.

fig 2. Mean Jeans

 

Nothing Groundbreaking But Still Totally Rocks

Cloud Nothings - Stay Useless

Swearin' - Here To Hear

Mean Jeans - Anybody Out There?

fig 3. METZ

LOUD
Pontiak - Lions Of Least
METZ - Headache

fig 4. Sharon Van Etten

The Ladies
Sharon Van Etten - Serpents
The Mynabirds - Generals (link to free download via email)
Cat Power - Cherokee

fig 5. The Evens

The Old Guard
Bob Mould - Keep Believing
The Evens - King of Kings (stream)
Superchunk - Cruel Summer

Top 10 Tracks of 2011

figure 1. Wye Oak

2011 - another year of looking back? At first glance it appears that way. Amazing reissues from Archers of Loaf (Icky Mettle), Superchunk (Foolish), R.E.M. (Life's Rich Pageant - p.s. their best album) and Dinosaur jr. (the first three records). Despite all the old material out there, there was some fantastic new music. What follows is my top ten. All links to music are free and legal.








10. Kurt Vile - "Jesus Fever" (mp3)







9. The Cave Singers - "Black Leaf" (mp3)








8. The Get Up Kids - "Regent's Court"







7. Buffalo Tom - "The Big Light"








6. We Are Augustines - "Chapel Song" - link to free download of song








5. Office of Future Plans - "FEMA Coffins"








4. Dum Dum Girls - "Bedroom Eyes" (mp3)







3. Des Ark - "My Saddle is Waitin' (C'mon, Jump On It)"









2. Fucked Up - "Queen of Hearts" (mp3)







1. Wye Oak - "Civilian" - stream it here

Dum Dum Girls

God Bless America, it's been a while since I've updated this thing. So for the seven of you out there that actually read this blog, my sincerest apologies.

With all due respect to the groups in recent years attempting to take on the torch passed down by The Rondelles and The Supremes (e.g. Vivian Girls, Pipettes, etc), none can touch the Dum Dum Girls. Informed not only by the aforementioned 60's girl groups, there is a touch of shoegaze and a healthy dose of Hope Sandoval-esque (Mazzy Star) vocals. All of these influences come together to make some dreamy pop music. Check out these free and legal tracks below and search out their cover of The Smiths' "There is a light that never goes out".

Bedroom Eyes (mp3)
Coming Down (mp3)
Bhang Bhang, I'm a Burnout (mp3)
He Gets Me High (mp3)
D.A.L. (mp3)
Jail La La (mp3)

Also check out their cover of Big Star's September Gurls on the AV Club's Undercover 2011 here

New Kristin Hersh/50 Foot Wave

In the last ten years Kristin Hersh, the 44-year-old mother of four boys, has released four solo albums, one album with her beloved Throwing Muses, a memoir entitled Rat Girl (Penguin Books) and a whole bunch of material (one LP, four EPs, and a bunch of singles) with her post-punk outfit 50 Foot Wave, which also includes Throwing Muses' bassist, Bernard Georges. To say that she has kept herself busy is an understatement. So busy that filmmaker Jackie Weissman chose Hersh to focus on for her documentary Rock and Roll Mamas (set for a Fall 2011 release). Now word today from Hersh's twitter feed of some new (FREE!) 50 Foot Wave music to check out. Please enjoy.

Free Fall (mp3)
Grey (mp3)
Radiant Addict (mp3)

Despite The Mix Vol. 14

Greg Dulli of the Twilight Singers

Check out the new Twilight Singers track plus a few other newbies and a 2009 track from Monahans. -mike

The Twilight Singers - On The Corner

Parts & Labor - Constant Future

Papercuts - Do What You Will

Obits - You Gotta Lose

The Cave Singers - Swim Club

Wolf People - Silbury Sands

Monahans - It's Enough To Leave You

Top 20 Tracks of 2010: 10 - 1

the countdown continues

fig 1. Marvelous Darlings


10. Marvelous Darlings - I'll Stand By Her






fig 2. Against Me!



9. Against Me! - I Was A Teenage Anarchist






fig 3. Arcade Fire



8. Arcade Fire - Empty Room





fig 4. Black Wolf of Kings Go Forth




7. Kings Go Forth - One Day







fig 5. Rocky Votolato



6. Rocky Votolato - Red River






fig 6. The New Pornographers


5. The New Pornographers - We End Up Together






fig 7. The National



4. The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio






fig 8. Craig Finn of The Hold Steady


3. The Hold Steady - The Weekenders






fig 9. Kristian Matsson aka The Tallest Man On Earth


2. The Tallest Man On Earth - King Of Spain







fig 10. Superchunk


1. Superchunk - My Gap Feels Weird

Top 20 Tracks of 2010: 20-11

End of the year list time. My favorite time of year. Yes, there are plenty of the usual suspects, but I'm pushing 40 and that's what we old people do...hang onto the past. So with further ado, Song 20 - 11 of my top 20 tracks of 2010. Enjoy.







fig 1. Lissie


20. Lissie - Bad Romance

A few years back I heard Ted Leo perform a cover of Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone". Friends called bullshit when I told them it was the first time I had ever heard the song, but it was the honest truth. I'm comfortable enough with myself to report that I absolutely love the Clarkson version, I just needed Leo to introduce me. Which brings me to Lissie whose 2009 song Little Lovin' was one of my favorite of the year. So apparently, this is a Lady GaGa cover. Who knew? Apparently, all of the western world. Thanks to my wife for cluing me in.





fig 2. The New Pornographers


19. The New Pornographers - Your Hands (Together)






fig 3. The National



18. The National - England





fig 4. Phantogram



17. Phantogram - Mouthful of Diamonds
Reminds me of the Cardigans...and I'm mean that in a really good way.




fig 5. The Morning Benders



16. The Morning Benders - Excuses




fig 6. Jaill



15. Jaill - Everyone's Hip






fig 7. Versus


14. Versus - Saturday Saints/Cicada/Scientists
OK, so I am cheating by picking three songs for this entry, but these three songs encompass in a nutshell why Versus was arguably the best indie rock band of the 90's. Stream the whole album here






fig 8. Ted Leo/Pharmacists' The Brutalist Bricks



13. Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Gimme The Wire




fig 9. Retribution Gospel Choir



12. Retribution Gospel Choir - Hide It Away






fig 10. Surfer Blood



11. Surfer Blood - Swim (To Reach The End)