This week represents the end of Tier 1 for 2024. Lots of really GREAT stuff came through this year - and keep in mind that no albums were actually “eliminated” in this go-round. The albums that advance will go on to compete for the Mid-Year Top 12, and THOSE albums will get preferential treatment for the year-end list. The others will form the basis for Tier 5 this summer. Very often, those albums have the advantage of familiarity upon their return, so they are still very much in the running.
After another “bye week,” we’ll start in with Tier 2. The rules will be a little different, and the stakes will be a little higher, but no music is actually harmed in the process. In fact, the end goal is ultimately exposure. If by participating, you find your new favorite album, it fulfills the whole point of the project.
Polyphia - Remember That You Will Die VS. Van Halen - A Different Kind of Truth
Van Halen - A Different Kind of Truth
Both of these albums are fantastically great, and they both have significant flaws. In the end, however, I connected more readily with Van Halen’s swan song, despite the clear vocal limitations of Roth at this stage of his career. Undoubtedly, the Van Halen family, as they are represented on A Different Kind of Truth, still had “it” here. It might not stack up against the band’s best work, but I would confidently rate it above Diver Down (which is not without its own moments).
Devo - Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo VS. Marnie Stern - The Comeback Kid
Devo - Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo
Marnie Stern is clever and a uniquely proficient guitarist. Despite some sketchy vocal moments, fans of noisy, Japanese-tinged math rock will find a lot to connect with here. But dang……I’ve never listened to a full Devo album and this one surpassed my expectations. Delving deeper into their concept only enriches the effectiveness of their musical output.
Slift - Ilion VS. Subsignal - A Poetry of Rain
Slift - Ilion
Subsignal represents everything I like about neo-progressive style music. It's beautifully melodic, immaculately structured, and performed with no small amount of musicianship. Slift, however, fires on a different side of my progressive rock interests, sidling crushing power-trio intensity alongside ambient passages with cosmic horizons. It's like the soundtrack for House Harkonnen.
The Smile - Wall of Eyes VS. The Yoshida Brothers - Hishou
The Smile - Wall of Eyes
This wins the contentious showdown of the week award. As much as I like and respect The Smile, The Yoshida Brothers had favor going into this one. Every time I listen to Wall of Eyes, however, it seems to sound richer and more nuanced than before. On one listen in particular, I really noticed its cinematic scope, especially in context of Jonny Greenwood’s lengthening resume as a movie score composer. I find it fascinating, and I just want to keep listening to it to see what else emerges.
Viewer’s Choice Results
Polyphia - Remember That You Will Die VS. Van Halen - A Different Kind of Truth
Polyphia - Remember That You Will Die
Devo - Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo VS. Marnie Stern - The Comeback Kid
Devo - Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo
Slift - Ilion VS. Subsignal - A Poetry of Rain
Subsignal - A Poetry of Rain
The Smile - Wall of Eyes VS. The Yoshida Brothers - Hishou
The Smile - Wall of Eyes
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