2024 Album Showdown Results: Tier 6, Part 3

Looks to be a rainy weekend as we get drenched by hurricane run-off. Hunker down with these Tier 6 winners.

Autechre - LP5 VS. Nacht Plank & Futuregrapher - Music for Kettle (Grandma’s Edition)

Autechre - LP5

Music for Kettle (Grandma’s Edition) is a standout ambient recording, to the point of nearly overturning the momentum that keeps me coming back to LP5 (despite the annoying but characteristically mid-90's “hidden track).  In the end, LP5 contains some fascinatingly mathy moments that clearly contributed to the evolution of the “intelligent dance music” genre and, by extension, Venetian Snares.  That gives it the win.

The Skatalites - Hi-Bop Ska VS. Hjalmar - Skyjaborgin

Hjalmar - Skyjaborgin

Hi-Bop Ska has an almost irresistibly infectious energy that seems to lift the spirits of a room that clearly aligns it with styles that sit at the root of reggae’s stylistic tree.  Hjalmar clearly owes something to the music that The Skataltes are dedicated to, but the way that they subtly shift the focus by injecting the characteristic Icelandic liminality is attention-grabbing.  Also -great, memorable songs that transcend language barriers further cements their placement.

Toehider - I Have Little to No Memory Of These Memories VS. Pepe Deluxe - Comix Sonix

Toehider - I Have LIttle to No Memory Of These Memories

Toehider might be enjoying a home team advantage here, as it is a complexly composed album that just didn’t click in January, but has worn very well with repeated listens as it has reappeared throughout the year.  I think, however, that in this particular “showdown of the genre-hoppers,” I Have LIttle to No Memory of These Memories has a laser-sharp focus, whereas Comix Sonix's more playful approach is a bit less well-defined.  

Subsignal - A Poetry of Rain VS. Asgeir Trausti - Dýrð í dauðaþögn

Asgeir Trausti - Dýrð í dauðaþögn

As an excellent example of late-period neo-prog, A Poetry of Rain has also worn well as it has traveled from Tier 1 to here.  It has several magical moments that buoy the entire album.  In comparison, Asgeir Trausti’s debut is almost a sustained moment, creating a distinctive environment that is relatively unique and unhinged from any shorthand genre descriptors.

Viewer’s Choice

Jlin - Akoma VS. Nacht Plank & Futuregrapher - Music for Kettle (Grandma’s Edition)

Jlin - Akoma

The Skatalites - Hi-Bop Ska VS. Hjalmar - Skyjaborgin

Hjalmar - Skyjaborgin

88Kasyo Junrei -  ◯△☐  VS. Pepe Deluxe - Comix Sonix

Pepe Deluxe - Comix Sonix

Slift - Ilion VS. Asgeir Trausti - Dýrð í dauðaþögn

Asgeir Trausti - Dýrð í dauðaþögn

2024 Album Showdown Results" Tier 6, Part 2

This week has been very interesting, with a couple of very big upsets and significant divergences between the Viewer’s Choice and the prime list.  Read on!

Low - Things We Lost In the Fire VS. Beth Gibbons - Lives Outgrown

Low - Things We Lost In the Fire

First upset of the week.  Low has risen in my esteem in the past few years, and even earned Album of the Year with Hey, What! a couple of years ago.  Things We Lost In the Fire predates that album by quite a bit, and initially, I didn’t find it as engaging as I anticipated.  Like many albums that returned in Tier 5 from Tier 1, however, it gained a new life in recent months.  Beth Gibbons’ album is also quite stellar, but also has some intermittent songwriting shortcomings that allowed the emerging genius of this early Low album to shine more brightly.

Ora the Molecule - Human Safari VS. Joanna Wang - Hotel La Rut

Joanna Wang - Hotel La Rut

Human Safari really is great, and its 80’s influenced psychedelic dance approach has made it a go-to for family car rides and evening meals.  Hotel La Rut, however, hits me a bit closer to home.  Its subtly complex pop songwriting and progressive rock interludes remind me of what it is I love about both of those genres while also challenging their conventions.

Death’s Dynamic Shroud - Keys to the Gate VS. Various Artists - Heiladans 3

Death’s Dynamic Shroud - Keys to the Gate

The Heiladans 3 compilation is unquestionably an interesting and engaging compilation of electronica.  Death’s Dynamic Shroud is simply next-level stuff.  

Willow - Empathogen VS. Mdou Moctar - Funeral for Justice

Mdou Moctar - Funeral for Justice

This was a huge, huge upset, because I genuinely think that Willow’s album is ingenious and going into this showdown, I thought for sure that she would plow right over Mdou.  In my research, however, I watched Willow’s Tiny Desk concert in which she played a couple of songs from Empathogen and her performance felt insincere.  Don’t misunderstand, I have a huge amount of respect for Willow, especially for pushing on the boundaries of her musicianship.  She is obviously on a quest to find her unique voice, and Empathogen is an impressive step forward, but it seems like she still is not quite sure what she is trying to say, even though the way that she is saying it is impressive.  When I put that up against Funeral For Justice, an album by a guy who literally taught himself to play guitar in the desert and is using his platform to speak out against colonial power imbalances, the convictions that drive the album add a weight to his musical voice (even though he sings in a non-English language).

Viewer’s Choice

somesuprises - Persieds VS. Beth Gibbons - Lives Outgrown

somesuprises - Persieds

Ora the Molecule - Human Safari VS. Joanna Wang - Hotel La Rut

Ora the Molecule - Human Safari

Death’s Dynamic Shroud - Keys to the Gate VS. Various Artists - Heiladans 3

Death’s Dynamic Shroud - Keys to the Gate

Willow - Empathogen VS. boygenius - the Record

Willow - Empathogen

2024 Album Roundup Series Special Edition: What is "Icelandicness?"

My wife went to Iceland and all I got was some GREAT music like:

Ásgeir Trausti - Dýrð í dauðaþögn (2012) Hjálmar - Skýjaborgin (2014) Uniimog - Yfir hafið (2014) Nachi Plank & Futuregrapher - Music for Kettle (Grandma's Edition) (2022) Various Artists - Heiladans 3 (2023) Hildur Guðnadóttir - Saman (2014)

Thanks to Lucky Records Reykjavik

And the ever-growing Dr Spin's Radio playlist, with example songs from throughout the year.

2024 Album Showdown Results: Tier 6, Part 1

Its not uncommon for Tier 1 albums that get a second chance in Tier 5 to cause upsets due to increased familiarity. That definitely happened with a couple of these showdowns. Read on:

Maria BC - Spike Fields VS. Hildur Guðnadóttir - Saman

Maria BC - Spike Fields

A bit of an upset here.  The Spike Fields didn’t really resonate with me last January as a Tier 1 contender, while Saman immediately presented itself as an emotionally charged, if melancholic, exploration of Guðnadóttir’s voice and cello.  Increased familiarity, however, has been very kind to The Spike Fields, and when I listened to it in comparison to Saman, it seemed to be an entirely new and rich experience.

St. Vincent - All Born Screaming VS. La Luz - News of the Universe

St. Vincent - All Born Screaming

I really connected with News of the Universe.  It has a classic psychedelic vibe, excellent performances, and hooky songwriting.  All Born Screaming, however, showcases the eclectic genius of St. Vincent as well as her classic rock singer-songwriter vibe.  

Nick Hakim - Cometa VS. Lo Moon - I Wish You Way More Than Luck

Lo Moon - I Wish You Way More Than Luck

Cometa  is another Tier 1 album that has grown on me over the past half-year.  In many respects, it is the equal of I Wish You More Than Luck.  It comes down, then, to personal preference, and I would be less than honest if I claimed that Lo Moon’s Talk Talk meets Hogarth’s Marillion vibe didn’t lodge itself in my nostalgia gland.  

Knower - Knower Forever VS. Uniimog - Yfir hafið

Knower - Knower Forever

I really hate this particular decision, because I LOVE the vibe and execution of Yfir hafið.  There is something really special, however, about Knower Forever,  Many things, actually, including unbelievable musicianship, a defiant vibe, and a self-effacing approach that allows them to dodge criticisms of self-indulgence.

Viewer’s Choice

Maria BC - The Spike Fields VS. Hildur Guðnadóttir - Saman

Hildur Guðnadóttir - Saman

Caroline Rose - The Art of Forgetting  VS. La Luz - News of the Universe

La Luz - News of the Universe

Naoki Sato - Godzilla Minus One OST  VS. Lo Moon - I Wish You More Than Luck

Lo Moon - I Wish You More Than Luck

Knower - Knower Forever VS. Uniimog - Yfir hafið

Knower - Knower Forever

2024 Album Showdown Results: Closing Out Tier 5

This round represents the last of the Tier 5 showdowns!  Many interesting scenarios are developing as we move into Tier 6 for the next few weeks.  Very interesting, indeed.

Polyphia - Remember That You Will Die VS. Black Country, New Road - Ants From Up There

Polyphia - Remember that You Will Die

This showdown really gave reason to pause.  All the odd dissonances that go into both the music and the concept of Black Country, New Road are compelling.  In a direct comparison, however, Polyphia's playful energy gives it the edge.

Subsignal - A Poetry of Rain VS. Glass Beach - Plastic Death

Subsignal - A Poetry of Rain

From a conceptual standpoint, one could argue that Subsignal and Glass Beach share more common ground than not through a clear connection to the progressive rock paradigm.  Glass Beach takes Radiohead's aesthetic and pushes it into fusion realms, while Subsignal leans into a more classic take on neo-prog.  In the end, however, A Poetry of Rain has several emotionally charged moments that elevates it above its more brooding competitor.

Marnie Stern - The Comeback Kid VS. Disasterpeace - Rise of the Obsidian Interstellar

Disasterpeace - Rise of the Obsidian Interstellar

Two quirky albums, to be sure. The Comeback Kid has been on my mind since January.  Her tunes are fun and her guitar playing is wicked, but the post-punk vocal approach doesn't always stick the landing.  I immediately connected with the 8-bit soundscape of Rise of the Obsidian Interstellar, however, and its efficient compositional structures hold up well under close scrutiny.

The Yoshida Brothers - Hishou VS. Dewa Alit & Gamelan Salukat - Chasing the Phantom

Dewa Alit & Gamelan Salukat - Chasing the Phantom

Tough one, for sure, if for no other reason than the obvious stylistic crash.  As torchbearers for traditional shamisen in a contemporary context, The Yoshida Brothers are clearly the artists to watch, but the tuning system that Dewa Alit is using on Chasing the Phantom is just plain wicked.

Viewer’s Choice Results

Van Halen - A Different Kind of Truth  VS. Black Country, New Road - Ants From Up There

Van Halen - A Different Kind of Truth

Slift - Ilion  VS. Glass Beach - Plastic Death

Slift - Ilion

Marnie Stern - The Comeback Kid VS. Disasterpeace - Rise of the Obsidian Interstellar

Disasterpeace - Rise of the Obsidian Interstellar

The Yoshida Brothers - Hishou VS. Dewa Alit & Gamelan Saludat - Chasing the Phantom

Dewa Alit & Gamelan Salukat - Chasing the Phantom