2025 Album Showdown Results: Tier 1 Week 6

This post brings Tier 1 to a close with a set of very contentious showdowns.  In most of these cases, there really weren’t any wrong answers.  There were, however, a couple of surprises, as comparative listening changed my mind about several of these albums.  In the end, my list lined up with the Viewer’s Choice selections as well.

Circe Link and Christian Nesmith - Arcana VS. Nik Millevoi - Digital Reaction

Circe Link and Christian Nesmith - Arcana

This was a low-key upset, because I went into this showdown riding really high on the eclectic electro-guitar rock of Digital Reaction.  Like many good progressive rock albums, though, Arcana revealed itself to me at a much slower pace.  Its “ABBA sings for Yes” approach to melody and playful deference to classic progressive rock tropes won me over in the big picture.

Meer - Wheels Within Wheels VS. Clarence Clarity - Vanishing Act II

Meer - Wheels Within Wheels

This showdown followed almost the exact same path as that of Arcana.  I have no small amount of attraction to Clarence Clarity’s jittering electro-pop, and it seemed like its riskier approach would give it the edge over Meer’s polished alternative prog.  In the end, however, Wheels Within Wheels is stacked with memorable moments that emerge with repeated listens.  

Melt-Banana - 3+5 VS. El Michaels Affair and Black Thought - Glorious Game

El Michaels Affair and Black Thought - Glorious Game

I have a lot of respect for Melt-Banana, and I am very interested in delving deeper into their catalog after getting into 3+5.  Glorious Game, however, is a very good example of skilled, well-executed hip-hop, which is underrepresented in my listening this year.  It goes on.

Boogie Down Productions - Criminal Minded VS. Missing Persons - Spring Session M

Missing Persons - Spring Session M

This was actually way closer than anyone could think.  As great as Spring Session M is, it does have some minor songwriting shortcomings.  Criminal Minded, despite being a bit dated, is a pristine example of late 80s rap.  An argument could be made that it is as important an example of this era of hip hop as Spring Session M is to the new wave era.  I couldn’t deny, however, the ridiculous amount of musicianship and detail hidden below the surface of Spring Session M.