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