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There are no rules on Tickle Your Taint Blog. Our reviewers might make you laugh, or piss you off; both results are legitimate. One reviewer might write a glowing review of an album another might tear it apart. We may end up adopting a single review system, such as five stars, or each reviewer may use his own or none at all. We may have a new review every week or we could end up with one every six months. This blog exists as a social experiment to build community among a diverse group of music maniacs – our reviewers and hopefully you. Pull down your knickers, lube up and join us in tickling yours and our taints.


Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Beert’s 2023 Music in Review

By Beert


This past year, 2023, turned out to be a stellar year for new music for me. Whereas, in the past, I have had a definite Album of the Year selection, 2023 gave me 6 contenders. Damned if I could choose just one, so they all win!

Let’s get to it!


Acid King gave us a new album, Beyond Vision, in March 2023. https://acidking.bandcamp.com/album/beyond-vision

I was very excited that Acid King was releasing new music this past year, and it did not disappoint. I was a bit cautious with this album, as their previous record, Middle of Nowhere, Center of Everywhere was alright, but it didn’t seem to hold the same heavy power that they had in previous releases. I don’t expect another Busse Woods, but their previous offering was just lacking. Beyond Vision is missing nothing. A great album, entirely. Spacey and heavy and giving all the brain tingles.


May 2023 gave us two great releases.

First, Year of October just continued to get better with their album Keep on Fighting. https://yearofoctober.bandcamp.com/album/keep-on-fighting

They offer their own brand of heaviness with a twist. They bill themselves as a “rock band,” but they are so much more. In 2021, I reviewed their album Wastelands (http://tickleyourtaint.blogspot.com/2021/03/year-of-october-wastelands-2020.html).

Keep on Fighting reveals more growth and quality from YOO. They get better and better with every album, and this one had to be put on my Album of the Year list.


Second, in May, I stumbled onto the amazing They Watch Us from the Moon. They released their debut record Cosmic Chronicles I: The Ascension. https://theywatchusfromthemoon.bandcamp.com/album/cosmic-chronicles-act-i-the-ascension

This album blew me away. It’s heavy, it’s doomy, and the dual simultaneous harmonizing vocals make this a standout record. And, by chance, I found out I had booked their drummer’s old band (Jumbo’s Killcrane) a few times in years past. If you like heavy music, you should really give this a listen.



June 2023 gave us a fantastic record from Cable Ties out of Melbourne, Australia. All Her Plans is phenomenal. 

https://theywatchusfromthemoon.bandcamp.com/album/cosmic-chronicles-act-i-the-ascension

It’s got anger, thought, heart, fury, and emotion. It’s got all the things! This album is one I can listen to on repeat.


October 2023 birthed two killers as well.

Hippie Death Cult, Helichrysum. 

https://hippiedeathcult.bandcamp.com/album/helichrysum

This album is all I could want and more from Hippie Death Cult. On this record, the band is now a trio. No shade to the member who left, but HDC seems to have just stepped up to another level. Helichrysum has a myriad of sounds and textures. If you take the time to listen, I think you’ll understand why this is one of my contenders.


Howling Giant gave the world their seceond album, Glass Future. https://howlinggiant.bandcamp.com/album/glass-future

This band has been on my radar for some time. They just put forward stellar music. It’s heavy, it’s heady, and it’s alright by me! This is my final offering for an album of the year!


There were numerous other releases that I really enjoyed in 2023 as well. In no particular order, they are:

Mars Red Sky released 2 slabs in 2023: Mars Red Sky w/Queen of the Meadow EP and Dawn of the Dusk LP.


If You Gotta Go-Go, Go-Go Now.

Go-Go’s cover compilation on Sympathy For The Record Industry


Cruel Curses, We All Get Lost Along the Way EP.


Closet Witch, Chiaroscura.


Taxi Girls, Coming Up Roses EP.


System of Slaves, Master of Mankind.


Dead Bob, Life Like.

John Wright from NoMeansNo’s solo project, now featuring an all-star band when playing live!


Epiq, Pas Bravo Las Viande.


Death Pill, Death Pill LP and split 7” w/Shooting Daggers.


Ex-Parents, Ex-Parents.

 

Dopelord, Songs for Satan.


Filth Is Eternal, Find Out (!!!).


Amazombies, End of the Line. 

Recorded 19 years previously and released digitally on Spotify only, for now.


I had the opportunity to see very few live shows, and my memory has trouble recalling the ones that I saw, but there some that stand out in my memory:

Twin Wizard in Rapid City

Wizzerd in Spearfish

Off With Their Heads in Denver, where I really enjoyed catching Denver openers, Tuff Bluff!


Things to look for in 2024:

Sprints, Letter o Self (Out January 1, 2024)

Bellyard, Bellyard EP

1 comment:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 3, 2024 at 12:53 AM

    Holy shit, John Wright has a new music project. Awesome.

    ReplyDelete

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