By Null
What follows is a list of records and/or bands that I was obsessed with this year for one reason or another. However, there are a number of bands that I obsess over every year. Typically, these are my favorite bands, so they don’t appear on my Musical Obsessions list, as I tend to save said lists for novelties, new discoveries, surprises, and outliers. The list of bands that could appear on my Musical Obsessions every year, are as follows: Dead Kennedys, Bad Religion, Joy Division, The Cure, The Smiths, Dead Moon, Les Thugs, Seaweed, Fugazi…and possibly a few others. Usually, I revisit their entire catalogs throughout the year. I don’t know if I could make it without these bands. I love you.
Here’s to 2018:
Kvelertak, Nattsferd (Roadrunner, 2016), Meir (Roadrunner, 2013), Kvelertak (Indie, 2010)
SoDak turned me on to this band. Indeed, my favorite musical memory from 2018 was discovering the amazing Norwegian band, Kvelertak. Just thinking about the band makes me happy. I was introduced to their albums in backward chorological order because that is how I heard them. I suggest you do the same.
Listening to Kvelertak is like getting bitch-slapped by a rainbow. Somehow, they are all familiar things at once and like something completely new. They are from another land and speak in a language I don’t understand. This aspect only widens their mystery and allure. They grind in with blast beats, then they hunker down and rock, then they hit you with some blistering punk rock in between acoustic flourishes, then your eyes start to glow an other-worldly blue and beams shoot out of your pupils. Maybe it’s just me.
At one point I got so excited that I called SoDak and offered to give him a hand job for introducing me to this band.
Chvrches, Every Eye Open (Goodbye, 2015)
It is safe to say I freaked out on Chvrches records this year. After I heard the track “Clearest Blue,” there was simply no going back. At first I thought they might be too commercial, or pop, for me to truly embrace. However, after hearing the album Every Eye Open, I just didn’t care. I was in love. They’re kind of like every great 1980s synth pop tune wrapped up into a single band with crystalline vocals, via Lauren Mayberry, floating on top of the songs. After obsessing on Every Eye Open, I bought their first album, The Bones of What You Believe (2013), which has more of a hard-edged-homemade feel, followed by their newest album, Love Is Dead (2018), which is a much more polished affair. The new album is the first album in which they sought out an outside producer; previously they produced their own albums. I hope in the future they revert back to producing their own albums because Love Is Dead is even more commercial and slick, two things this band didn’t need, as they were already about as commercial and slick as any band ever needs to be.
With only three members in the band, Lauren Mayberry, Martin Doherty, and Iain Cook, these guys churn out some of the best synth-pop around. The singer is also a pretty outspoken feminist and isn’t shy about it. Though the main musicians in the band mostly stand behind their synths and computer-loop-doohicky-boxes, they do integrate bass and guitar from time to time.
I even saw them in concert this year. It was a little weird, with all the electronic stuff played live, but it was also one of my favorite concerts of the year.
Phil Collins, Phil Collins Plays Well with Others (4 CD Box Set) (Rhino, 2018)
To be honest, I haven’t even listened to all of these disks yet. I noticed that they seem to get progressively worse as you go. Why then, you may ask, is this on my Musical Obsessions of 2018 list? Well, because this box set is a pretty unique idea with its fair share of great music. First of all, it isn’t 4 discs of Phil Collins songs, rather, as the title suggests, it is made up primarily of songs that Phil Collins guests on playing his drums. Disc 1 alone is worth the price of admission, as it is a glimpse into Phil’s early life as a prog-rock drummer, among other things. This first disc makes his skills on the skins abundantly, and, often shockingly, clear. I’m not a big fan of prog-rock, which makes this collection nice because the listener gets glimpses into the prog-world without being overwhelmed by it. The listener gets tastes of Eno, Brand X, Argent, etc. In addition, these songs are surrounded by pop gems like Frida’s “I Know There’s Something Going On” and Robert Plant’s “In the Mood.” There are some songs that Phil sings. He records an impressive rendition of Elton John’s “Burn Down the Mission.” Still, there is a lot of painful stuff when one chronologically progresses through these discs. Prepare to hit the skip button, but don’t miss the gems hid within. The last disc is mostly Phil live with his friends and his band or something. I’ll listen to it sometime this coming year. Either way, the first disc and hidden gems on disc two were interesting enough to merit its inclusion in this list. It is an interesting slice of musical history, if you’re a music nerd, like me.
Talking Heads, Remain in Light (Sire, 1980)
I have known this album was a masterpiece for years, but this year it hit deeper than in previous years. I always felt that this album was a warning. It lays bare the anxiety, schizophrenia, alienation, existential angst, darkness, betrayal, and dystopian future that capitalism conjures up with its mixture of bullshit, glitter, and lies. This was the message the Heads had in 1980 and we are living in it today. I felt it in elementary school then and I feel it even more today. This is one of the greatest punk rock records ever. Yes, I said punk rock. Primarily influenced by Fela Kuti and African polyrhythms, the music is some of the funkiest and intriguing I have ever heard on record. This album is simply brilliant; it makes you shake your ass to your own demise.
Metallica, …And Justice For All (Elektra, 1988)
This is weird, because I hate Metallica. Disliking Metallica has been a pretty big part of my personal identity for years.
Let me tell you a story. There I was in high school listening to Joy Division, The Cure, The Smiths, and various punk rock bands that were changing my life. I was, in high school, hating Metallica, while it seemed so much of the world was in love with them.
My friend had let me borrow his The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited cassette tape to see whether or not I liked it. It consisted of a handful of cover songs recorded by Metallica. Some of the songs had a good groove, but The Misfits cover was stupid, probably because The Misfits are stupid. I returned his cassette tape and informed him that I wasn’t too impressed.
Several weeks later I was walking home from school and noticed a cassette tape on the sidewalk. I picked it up to find that it was Metallica’s …And Justice for All. It was brand new and fully intact with the cover and lyrics. I went home, slapped it in my Walkman and listened to whole thing while reading the lyrics. I hated the voice. I hated the way the drummer’s bass drum sounded like he was slapping a wet seal. Was there even a bass player on this album? The lyrics were pretty good for the most part, but I just didn’t believe them, and this was before the world found out the band was made up of a bunch of rich crybabies. I did think they had a few good grooves and “Eye of the Beholder” seemed kinda funky. Needless to say, I did not fall in love with Metallica. I did, however, hang on to the tape for the next decade, listening to it every couple of years just for the hell of it.
A few years ago, I saw the album used on CD and picked it up simply to keep it as a part of my record collection considering that I rarely listened to cassette tapes anymore. I listened to it on CD and realized that I had actually become familiar with the album after listening to it once every few years over the last 30 years. This year it was remastered, and I was curious to see if they had decided to actually bring the bass guitar up in the mix. Against my better judgement, I bought, yet again, an album I didn’t particular like. Well, they didn’t fix it. However, there were deeper bass frequencies in the remaster; it wasn’t fixed, but it did sound better.
I put it into the CD player in my car on the way to work. It stayed there for 2 weeks. I simply couldn’t stop listening to it. The pessimistic environmental lyrics in the opening song “Blackened” sounded truer than ever. The following lyrics about corruption and political power plays also sounded great, and timely. They rang true for the first time in all these years. Maybe it is because I stopped comparing them to Jello Biafra’s lyrics. Hey, these lyrics are pretty good for Metallica. I really liked the lyrics on this record and the music suddenly became infectious to me—fucked up drum sound and everything. I had to admit that I loved this record.
Now, I am still not a Metallica fan per say. I know that metal fans are some of the most fervent and opinionated in the world. I don’t pretend to know Metallica’s work. The endless debates about when and where Metallica “sold out” or went “prog” don’t interest me. I simply don’t care. I don’t know Metallica’s records before or after …and Justice for All and at this time I don’t really care to. I want to keep our relationship simple. I love …And Justice For All and that’s just how it is. Did Trump make me love this album? I don’t want to talk about it.
(Post Script—I have also been enjoying the aforementioned Garage Days EP. In addition, right before I sent this in to be published, I bought Master of Puppets. The moral of this story is that I can’t predict the future.)
Various Artists, To The Outside Of Everything: A Story of UK Post Punk 1977-1981 Five CD Box Set (Cherry Red, 2017)
There is a ton of great politically charged punk rock songs on this box set. There are also weird experimental songs as kids in garages discovered synthesizers and were trying to figure out what to do with them. Even the stuff that isn’t great is at least historically interesting. I love it.
Various Artists, The Best of Flipside Vinyl Fanzines (Flipside, 1993)
This is a 2-disc compilation from Flipside’s Vinyl Fanzines that SoDak suggested I pick up, and it contains a large number of politically charged hardcore punk rock songs, most of which I have never heard before. It is mind blowing and has provided me with an endless number of punk rock bands to research. 55 tracks.
Kendrick Lamar, Damn (Top Dawg, 2017)
This album was a mega-big hit, and somehow it got all infection-y under my skin. Kendrick Lamar is a complicated guy. He has Christian religious beliefs that appear on this album intertwined with ignorant and even dangerous socio-political ideas. Most notably when he relays a recording made by his uncle(?) on his answering machine about how black people have suffered throughout history because they have displeased god, therefore they are being punished by him, as opposed to any considerations of economic and systematic repression. What bullshit.
Still, despite “god” showing up on this album from time to time, it is cohesive and a somewhat magical piece of work. Actually, when I first listened to this album, the references to god felt like they were displaying the absence of a god, at least that was my interpretation in the grand scheme and greater context of the album. I still interpret it this way.
Kendrick has a myriad of voices and styles that he pulls from in an apparently endless bucket of possibilities. His flow is great and his lyrics are often clever and quick witted. He also isn’t the first artist I love that is riddled with contradictions. There are socio-political topics that come up on this album, but they feel incomplete, as if Kendrick doesn’t fully understand them. This is probably true. Still, the album moves like a cinematic panorama of his insecurities, loves, and fears. He seems like a nice guy. I am currently checking out his previous albums.
Conan, Blood Eagle (Napalm Records, 2014)
Conan is the sound of Pangaea’s great journey and whale blubber. See my review from July of this year: http://tickleyourtaint.blogspot.com/2018/07/conan-blood-eagle-napalm-records-2014.html
Nova Mob, Nova Mob (Restless, 1994)
After spending a lifetime as a mega Hüsker Dü fan, I discovered this Nova Mob record. I love it. See my review from February of this year: http://tickleyourtaint.blogspot.com/2018/02/
Wipers, Wipers Box Set (Zeno, 2001)
I feel betrayed that no one told me how incredible the Wipers were. Do I even have friends? The Wipers were a seminal punk rock band from Portland. I can hear Dead Moon in there. Great lyrics and great music. This box set contains their first three albums and 23 bonus tracks. The sound….the sound….
Nina Simone, The Colpix Singles (Mono) (Rhino, 2018)
Nina Simone was one of the greatest recording artists ever. She can be whimsical, sultry, and politically devastating. This collection of mono singles from 1959 to 1964 is interesting, as it shows her blossoming from being a contained hit maker to a more radical and outspoken artist. However, it barely hints of the social commentary that would be unleased in the years to follow. It is a wonderful companion for a cold, dark night. I find the sound of these mono recordings very comforting in a discomforting world.
Various Artists, History of Portland Punk Vol. 1 (Zeno, 2004)
Holy Mother of Jesus, this is a great compilation. I picked this up while in Portland. It introduced me to the Wipers (mentioned above), as well as Sado-Nation, Neo-Boys, Stiphnoyds, and others. The first half of the CD contains several studio tracks by the aforementioned bands, while the second half contains live records from Smega, Rubbers, and others. There is some crazy shit on here. Get this album.
Tau Cross, Tau Cross (Relapse, 2015)
I picked up this album at the 2018 Punk Rock Family Reunion. Andy Lefton plays guitar in this band. Andy is in War/Plague and they played at the reunion this year. Tau Cross is a “supergroup” of sorts with members of Amebix, Voivod, War/Plague, etc. They sound like a heavy metal version of New Model Army…kinda. I listened to this album in my headphones every night when I went to bed for about a week. There are some really powerful and emotional songs on this record. “No wall, no guard, no wire, no yard. We are the perfect prisoner.”
Live Shows:
2018 Rapid City Punk Rock Family Reunion
The 2016 reunion was a beautiful thing. I had written about it previously and my feeling remain the same. Important stuff—community, friendship, history. This year’s reunion was another emotional blast, just like last time. It was great to see Born to Suffer with all of its members present. I met some old friends again, made some new friends, and heard great music. I could write many paragraphs about the experience. I’ll just leave it there. Punk rock saved most of our lives. Also, American Heavy Metal Weekend invited me up on stage to sing a Bad Religion song. Happiness.
J. Mascis, Washington’s in Fort Collins
It was just J. Masics and an acoustic guitar with some effects pedals. He didn’t look like he wanted to be there and only played for about an hour. He was awesome though.
Superchunk, Live in Portland and in Denver
SoDak, Kris, Kelly, and I took a trip to Portland, Oregon, this year. The record stores were fucking amazing. I love the trees and moss. I miss the Northwest. We were able to make it to a Superchunk show in a little venue. They were great. I talked to Mac and he agreed to have his picture taken with Kelly, who is the biggest Superchunk fan in the world. Beautiful things. I had many beers.
April (of Black Dots fame) got us last minute tickets to see Superchunk in Denver the day before they played. Kelly and I hopped into the car and arrived just before they took the stage. One of my literature professors from university showed up behind us in the crowd. We rocked out up front with April and Kevin. Kelly had a good Superchunk year. I also bought her most of their remastered albums this year.
Killing Joke, Live in Denver
SoDak took me on a date to see Killing Joke play in a little place down in Denver. Though I had known of the band for years, I was not familiar with their work. The concert was great. Though I was hearing many of these songs for the first time, they were instantly likable and catchy. The lyrics really cut through, and I liked what I was hearing. While watching them, I realized what a strange group of misfits they are. Killing Joke is a very unique band. I picked up a 2-disc collection of their singles after the show, which I am currently digesting. It is very likely that said collection may end up on next year’s Musical Obsessions list.
Chvrches, Live in Denver
I am used to seeing live shows that are generally guitar driven, so I was excited to check out this (mostly) electronic band. I wanted to hear the loud drums and synths in a live setting. They did not disappoint. It was loud, and laser beams and lights were flying everywhere. Lauren’s crystalline voice cut through the mix. It was a little different than what I was used to, but it was exactly what I wanted.
Son Volt, Live at Washington’s in Fort Collins.
I’ve seen Son Volt a million times and they are always great. This show was no exception. We were right up near the front of the stage and we didn’t have to travel too far to see the show.
Drive-By Truckers, Live at Washington’s in Fort Collins
I have known of the Drive-By Truckers for many years. Friends have shared some of their great songs with me and I have played several on the radio. Their newer, politically charged songs say much of what needs to be said. Unfortunately, we don’t get enough of these thoughtful reflections on the state of the world these days.
These guys played for about 3 hours, and they didn’t miss a beat, or mince their words. They had a big “Black Lives Matter” sign on the stage and spoke several times about how punk rock saved their lives. Who knew that the children of The Clash would come from the south and play folk/country/rock. I was simply blown away. I picked up a few of their records at the show and have been enjoying them profusely.
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