2023 Album Showdown Results: Tier 1 Week 6

HHY & the Kampala Unit – Lithium Blast VS. Sault – Earth

Sault – Earth

This is more like a punt than a showdown result.  Sault's Earth is simply more immediate than Lithum Blast.  With its gospel choir and West African drumming components, Earth also represents one of the more cohesive entries in Sault's 2022 5-album drop, so its also a compelling representative of that pool of albums.  I need more time with the denser but no less compelling content of Lithium Blast, which will be back this Summer.

Viewer’s Choice: Sault – Earth

Fleetwood Mac – Tusk VS. Alvvays – Blue Rev

Alvvays – Blue Rev

Tusk has some very, very high points that are made even more compelling due to their nostalgic weight.  IN comparison, Blue Rev is chock full of powerfully written and brilliantly executed songs that are both familiar and novel.  It invites repeated listening, whereas Tusk gets bogged down in unevenness.

Viewer’s Choice: Fleetwood Mac – Tusk

 

Accordo dei Contrari – UR- VS. The Meters – Rejuvenation

The Meters – Rejuvenation

A central tenet of composition is that if a piece of music remains at the same level of intensity and volume, it loses its effectiveness.  As incredible as the musicianship is on UR-, the sense that the band is going full-throttle in lurching asymmetrical time signatures wears thin.  The Meters are way more accessible and fun, and have a similar level of musicianship that is simply executed in a different style.  

Viewer’s Choice: The Meters – Rejuvenation

 

clipping. – Visions of Bodies Being Burned VS. Sault – Untitled (God)

clipping. – Visions of Bodies Being Burned

clipping. is just on a different level.  The somewhat disturbing subject matter of the lyrics might be a turn-off for some, but their adventurous and often avant-garde reinvention of hip-hop conventions wins out for me.

Viewer’s Choice – Sault – Untitled (God)