More blog entries in 2022 (a few already in progress) but until then...
My Top-20 Favorite Music Releases of the Year
Another Life - Late 80’s/early 90’s indie-influenced Spanish/Scottish band. Definitely a Feelies vibe (hence the name) but I hear a lot of Connells and Teenage Fanclub in the mix on this album too.
3. CALYX - Stay Gone -Pittsburgh trio led by singer/guitarist Caitlin Bender, playing music that would not be out of place on either of fIREHOSE’s last two albums
4. FRESH - The Summer I Got Good at Guitar Ep - Singer/guitarist Kathryn Woods fronted a Pop/Punk band out of 
the UK. Make sure to check out their last couple of albums too.
the UK. Make sure to check out their last couple of albums too.
5. DINOSAUR JR - Sweep Into Space - Another favorite band but I have to say the last couple of albums have been good but more for background music. This one has me right up front and singing along again.
6. AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS - Comfort Me - Steamrolling rock 
and roll out of Australia with an unbelievable vocalist named Amy who is not afraid to tell it as it is.
and roll out of Australia with an unbelievable vocalist named Amy who is not afraid to tell it as it is.
7. CHIME SCHOOL - S/T - Jangly hook-filled indie guitar pop out of San Francisco
8. LOU BARLOW - Reason to Live - 
Dinosaur Jr bassist in a quieter yet more intense setting.
Dinosaur Jr bassist in a quieter yet more intense setting.
9. INSTEP - Demo 2021 - Fast, fuzzy, and melodic sideband of the much heavier Canadian band Gazm. They call themselves “Lifetime (band) worshippers” but I also hear an early Snuff vibe
10. BLACK MIDI - Calvacade - Pretty hard to describe band. 
Dillinger Escape Plan reforms as a lounge act? Definitely the strangest release on this list.
Dillinger Escape Plan reforms as a lounge act? Definitely the strangest release on this list.
11. HARD-ONS - I’m sorry sir, that Riffs Been Taken - an Australian band (long one of my favorites) replaces singer Keish with You and I (who are HUGE down there) singer Tim Rogers and released an album which would be right at home among their 80’s Waterfront/TAANG! Releases.
12. ALIEN BOY - Don’t Know What I Am - Shoegazey Dream 
pop with a slightly awkward singer. Out of Portland, OR
pop with a slightly awkward singer. Out of Portland, OR
13. TURNSTILE - Glow On - Baltimore, the band releases an album leaps and bounds above their previous stuff. The record is impossible to get and their shows sell out in seconds. They were just on Seth Meyers so expect them to blow up even more.
14. NAKED RAYGUN - Over the Overlords - Another long-time 
favorite with their first new album in 31 years! So many hooks with plenty of their patented “oh ohs” and “hey, heys”. The day this came out I listened to it about 5 times in a row.
favorite with their first new album in 31 years! So many hooks with plenty of their patented “oh ohs” and “hey, heys”. The day this came out I listened to it about 5 times in a row.
15. THE STRANGLERS - Dark Matters - 18th album of their 40-year punk/pub/new wave/rock/whatever you want to label their career. Definitely, my favorite since Hugh Cornwell left the band years ago
.
16. MEAN JESUS - Noble Ambitions/Survive Eps - Melodic 
anthemic hardcore out of Virginia. The two eps share three songs but each has one or two of their own too
anthemic hardcore out of Virginia. The two eps share three songs but each has one or two of their own too
17. WAR ON DRUGS - I Don’t Live Here Anymore - Pop/Psych/Americana? I’ve heard this band described a million ways but never really listened to them until now. Also never knew how big they were. They’re playing Madison Square Garden at the end of January
18. BRUTALLIGATORS - This House is Too Big, This House is Too
Small - UK indie/emo/punk who is not nearly as heavy as their name might make you think.
Small - UK indie/emo/punk who is not nearly as heavy as their name might make you think.
19. THE CORAL - Coral Island - If I made you a tape/CD mix circa 2003/2004 The Coral’s “Dreaming of You” was definitely on there. They have consistently put out very good neo-psychedelic pop-rock albums since. This one is no exception
Shellac/Volcano Suns Weston on bass and Codeine’s Chris Brokaw on drums, along with guitarist Elisha Wiesner create an album with the perfect mixture of hooks and distortion, recalling bands like Jawbox, Tar, Archwelder, or Failure (first album)
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