Field Music - Limits of Language VS. Todd Rundgren - 2nd Wind
Todd Rundgren - 2nd Wind
This is a pretty big upset, considering that I was pretty apprehensive about the somewhat stiff performances and production polish found on 2nd Wind. This one was enhanced greatly, however, by context. The unique “live in the studio” setting was too interesting and rich to pass up, and its sonic connection to Zappa’s contemporaneous work gave it a slight edge over hometown favorites Field Music.
Hotline TNT - Cartwheel VS. Slothrust - Parallel Timeline
Slothrust - Parallel Timeline
The noisy ‘90s shoegaze vibe of Cartwheel has served it very well in the tournament up to this point, but Slothrust’s superior songwriting could not be ignored.
Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band - Extensions VS. Missing Persons - Spring Session M
Missing Persons - Spring Session M
Superficially, Spring Session M contains some blunt songwriting. Under the hood, however, there’s an insane amount of detail and virtuosic performances. Extensions is entertaining, fun, and in many ways quite ingenious, but the Missing Persons wins out.
Brendan Byrnes - Transfigured Earth I & II VS. betcover!! - Jikan
Brendan Byrnes - Transfigured Earth I & II
I find Byrnes’s microtonal songwriting and experimental instrumentals endlessly interesting and musically satisfying. betcover!!’s prog-adjacent noir psychedelia could have posed a real threat if it weren’t for a couple of curiously distasteful guitar solos.
Viewer’s Choice
Field Music - Limits of Language VS. Todd Rundgren - 2nd Wind
Field Music - Limits of Language
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Soft Machine - Bundles VS. Slothrust - Parallel Timeline
Soft Machine - Bundles
Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band - Extensions VS. Missing Persons - Spring Session M
Missing Persons - Spring Session M
Noah Kahan - Stick Season VS. betcover!! - Jikan
Noah Kahan - Stick Season
I love that you picked Stick Season. When I listened to it in the fall, it felt like a pumpkin latte and a stick of cinnamon! I just love how unique his voice and sound was.
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