Tier 6 is framed by the albums that passed through Tier 5, the bracket consisting of eliminated entries from January. These winners are now going against new music in the Fall. This was a new approach this year that I found greatly rewarding. It actually gave some of these entries new life and, in some cases, a shot at the Top 20.
Two difficult decisions this time around. The first one was Kendrick Lamar VS. The Freestyle Fellowship. There is no doubt in my mind that Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers is a groundbreaking album that innovates in unique ways. I have a real soft spot for early 90s hip hop, and To Whom It May Concern is such a pristine and outstanding example of the style that I just couldn't eliminate it. Lamar, however, received my first "save" of the Fall.
The second was Goro Yamaguchi VS. Tim Reynolds & Greg Howard. Again, I feel confident in saying that Sticks & Stones is beautifully textured and constructed, especially since is was essentially a recording improvised in 1988 in Greg Howard's bedroom. Conversely, Goro Yamaguchi's solo shakuhachi work is comparably monochromatic, his expressiveness is emotionally moving in ways that Sticks & Stones doesn't quite access.
Avalalanche Kaito – Avalanche Kaito VS. Leprous – Aphelion
Avalanche Kaito – Avalanche Kaito
Fantastic Negrito – White Jesus, Black Problems VS.
Flying Lotus – Yasuke OST
Flying Lotus – Yasuke OST
Sault – Air VS. Juliana Barwick – Healing is a Miracle
Sault – Air
Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
VS. Freestyle Fellowship – To Whom it May Concern
Freestyle Fellowship – To Whom it May Concern
Tim Reynolds & Greg Howard – Sticks & Stones
VS. Goro Yamaguchi – Kinkoryu Shakuhachi
Goro Yamaguchi – Kinkoryu Shakuhachi
Porcupine Tree – Closure/Continuation VS. Transatlantic
-The Absolute Universe: Forevermore
Porcupine Tree - Closure/Continuation
