2023 Album Showdown Results: Spring Mix 2

For the next couple of weeks, we are moving to six showdowns.  This is particularly challenging at this point because we are very close to finalizing the mid-year list and the finalists all represent quality work.  Its also particularly interesting because the prime list and the viewer's list are starting to diverge in really compelling ways.

Algiers - Shook! VS. clipping. - Visions of Bodies Being Burned

Algiers - Shook!

Full transparency: I am completely committed to clipping.’s clear desire to focus their incredible skills to push the boundaries of rap and hip hop. Visions of Bodies Being Burned has some of the best examples of what clipping. can do, but there are a couple of tracks that take the paradigm pretty far out - like an ambient track primarily composed to cows lowing. Algiers similarly challenges boundaries, often to a similar aesthetic outcome, but is more consistently relatable.

Sloan - Steady VS. Big Star - #1 Record

Sloan - Steady

Here we have a debut album by a group that pioneered the power pop style against a group who has enjoyed the benefits of several decades of experience in the style. For me, the refined, easy, and energetic approach of Steady sounds more vital and relevant, despite Big Star’s obvious importance and genius.




Rich Ruth - I Survived, It’s Over VS. Aiming for Enrike - Empty Airports

Aiming for Enrike - Empty Airports

Both of these albums are great examples of instrumental prog-adjacent styles, but Aiming for Enrike inhabits the musical space that King Crimson and Brian Eno opened up in the late 70s and early 80s. That really hits me where I live.




Bronze Gods - 私​た​ち​は​ロ​ボ​ッ​ト​を​ク​ソ​で​す​か ? ! VS. Nnamdi - Please Have a Seat

Nnamdi - Please Have a Seat

Really tough choice between a pair of well-crafted, if eclectic, albums. My choice to go with Nnamdi is the ongoing sense that there is way more to him as a musician than meets the eye.




Ryuchi Sakamoto - The Thousand Knives of Ryuchi Sakamoto VS. Laurie Anderson - Big Science

Laurie Anderson - Big Science

I would love to let Sakamoto advance. Thousand Knives is a groundbreaking debut album from a composer whose career would stretch way beyond even what it suggests. Laurie Anderson, however, is so unflinchingly unique and confident in her quirkiness that I can’t deny its appeal.

Kate Davis - Fish Bowl VS. Soccer Mommy - Sometimes, Forever

Soccer Mommy - Sometimes, Forever

Very, very, very difficult choice on this Tier 3 showdown. Both of these albums are top-notch examples of distinctive women songwriters. At this level, distinctions come at the gut-level subjective sensation of how it “feels.” Soccer Mommy gives me the feels. For realz.




Viewers Results

Algiers - Shook! VS. Sault - 11

Sault - 11

Rufus du Sol - Solace VS. Big Star - #1 Record

Big Star - #1 Record

Rich Ruth - I Survived, It’s Over VS. Gruff Rhys - Seeking New Gods

Gruff Rhys - Seeking New Gods

Bronze Gods - 私​た​ち​は​ロ​ボ​ッ​ト​を​ク​ソ​で​す​か ? ! VS. Nnamdi - Please Have a Seat

Bronze Gods - 私​た​ち​は​ロ​ボ​ッ​ト​を​ク​ソ​で​す​か ? !

Ryuchi Sakamoto - The Thousand Knives of Ryuchi Sakamoto VS. Laurie Anderson - Big Science

Ryuchi Sakamoto - The Thousand Knives of Rhychi Sakamoto

Soup - Visions VS. Kate Davis - Fish Bowl

Soup - Visions

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