TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Dec 3, 2023 10:37:49 GMT 1
My #21 is a tough call, it could be any of these next three albums. Love the bands but these are not their best, one is their worst so far. But It will go to the one I have listened to the least. 21 Blur - The Ballad of Darren
I was not sure about this at first but everything about it, I grew to love, all the singles and most of the album. I would go as far to say their best album since '13'. This is their ninth album and although I really enjoy it now, I probably won't come back to it that often but "Barbaric" is worthy of any Blur playlist. So not a classic but a real return to form, Damon is killing it in 2023. The record reached #1 in the UK and #94 in the US. 4/5
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TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Dec 4, 2023 19:12:47 GMT 1
ok top 20 time 20 We Are Scientists - Lobes
Their eighth album and they have had some ups and downs, a couple of records and a few singles I have not liked as much but this is up there with their best albums, probably since 'Barbara'. They have also been super consistent every album they have released has made the UK top 50, this is the first one not to chart eventhough it reached its usual position in the indie charts and its their 3rd highest peak in Scotland so it is streaming to blame really. I am just glad they are back to their best even if they are not really spoken about much anymore. 4/5
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TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Dec 4, 2023 19:29:34 GMT 1
19 Teenage Wrist - Still Love
The third album from the Californian grunge-shoegaze band. I am going to see them in a couple of weeks but it is a shame to say this is their weakest album and their support band Paerish surpassed them this time I feel. It is still excellent just it lacks some of the magic and some of the collabs don't work so well, although of course the collab with Softcult is a total dream. 4/5
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TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Dec 4, 2023 19:48:55 GMT 1
18 Wednesday - Rat Saw God
One of three debut albums in the top 20, although they are the only one of the three not to have success already with our projects. So this makes them the most successful act that is completely new to me in 2023. Similiar to Blondshell this is indie rock that we just don't get much of these days especially in the way that it is so fresh, yes you can pick out influences but it is not blatant retro revivalism like a lot of indie rock around, not that it stosp me loving that stuff as well. This was also a record that I chose to listen to with no hype either, it really was because Jordan said it was one of his picks of the week. And I am so glad I did. It is just an amazing record with hints of Americana and Mid West emo along with some of the best alt-rock you can get. It is now one of the few critics albums of the year that I am totally on board with. Oh go on... 4.5/5
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TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Dec 4, 2023 20:02:59 GMT 1
17 Crown Lands - Fearless
Speaking of revivalism we have possibly the best Rush sound alikes ever, although Coheed & Cumbria have done that as well, they also experimented with different sounds everything from post punk to electronic music. Crown Lands are totally Rush !! They are also Canadian and this is their second full-length album, their debut was brilliant as well. Giving Wednesday 4.5 really broke things. If I give this album 4.5 that means I rate it higher than any 80s Rush album. That feels so wrong but compared to other music out in 2023, it is just next level. Also the fact that I have played 8 Rush albums in the last 12 months has done them a big favour as well. I was never that into prog I was a little too young but I am getting there with it now and I always felt Rush would be one of my favourites as they are all about traditional instruments and melodies, they are not as crazy as some of the others, they are just insane musicians. Are so are Crown Lands, they have the skills and the tunes. 4.5/5 (sorry Rush) Actually, I put it down to 1980 being my first year and my marking system started off more mean than it is now. 'Permanent Waves' by Rush is #24 for 1980 so that beats #17 in 2023.
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TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Dec 4, 2023 20:12:07 GMT 1
16 Ash - Race the Night
We have had a few bands making their best album in years but Ash really surpassed themselves in 2023. And here we go another eighth album how many have we had in the top 100, feels like loads. This is for me and no exaggeration or nostalgia, their best album since 'Free All Angels'. It is maybe marginally superior to 'Meltdown' overall but it is a close call. It certainly destroys anything else since. I don't know where they found their mojo, I think they were never quite right after Charlotte leaving. But these singles "Usual Places" absolute classic, "Race the Night" and "Like a God" are both brilliant as well, the whole record is just excellent. The record reached #14 in the UK. 4.5/5
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Post by Jordan on Dec 4, 2023 20:43:31 GMT 1
18 Wednesday - Rat Saw God
One of three debut albums in the top 20, although they are the only one of the three not to have success already with our projects. So this makes them the most successful act that is completely new to me in 2023. Similiar to Blondshell this is indie rock that we just don't get much of these days especially in the way that it is so fresh, yes you can pick out influences but it is not blatant retro revivalism like a lot of indie rock around, not that it stosp me loving that stuff as well. This was also a record that I chose to listen to with no hype either, it really was because Jordan said it was one of his picks of the week. And I am so glad I did. It is just an amazing record with hints of Americana and Mid West emo along with some of the best alt-rock you can get. It is now one of the few critics albums of the year that I am totally on board with. Oh go on... 4.5/5 Great pick. Will be featuring a bit higher in mine (not that it's in anyway a taste-off) This rundown has been absolutely littered with quality so far
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Post by greendemon on Dec 4, 2023 22:51:30 GMT 1
I really wanted to like the Wednesday album but couldn't get into it at all.
Love Teenage Wrist and Ash, both guaranteed strong finishes for me as well.
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TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Dec 5, 2023 17:36:10 GMT 1
15 You Me at Six - Truth Decay
Guess what, it is another eighth album. And it is another best for years one. This record is easily their best since 'Cavalier Youth', they have been trying so many things with their sound, going more pop, going more metal, going electro, but in the end when they are at their best is with good old straight down the middle emo tinged alt-tock. There is still a mix of genres, a bit of pop-punk with "God Bless the 90s Kids" and post-hardcore with "Heartless" and the dance-metal of "No Future? Yeah Right" but still manages to be their most complete and consistent record in 15 years. The record reached #4 in the UK 4.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Dec 5, 2023 17:45:17 GMT 1
14 Heavenward - PyrophonicsThis is a record that I never saw coming and the first single almost passed be by until I went hang on..... After leaving Teenage Wrist to form his chillwave project The Chain Gang of 1974 which are a fantastic band, but unknown to me Kamtin Mohager also had a grunge band Heavenward who walk a very similar path to his previous band. So much so I would say Heavenward have actually made a better album than Teenage Wrist but this is a debut, so that always helps. This also contains my most played track of 2023 'Choke' which is just an awesome song but then almost every track is awesome. 4.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Dec 5, 2023 17:49:48 GMT 1
13 Paramore - This Is Why
The sixth album from the US rock band and a bit of a departure in sound, moving into a more indie dance Bloc Party/Interpol direction. Some tracks were instant love, others took a bit longer and one I really don't like, which is why it misses the top 10. "C'est Comme Ça" is super annoying and by far the worst song on the album. The rest though is damn good especially "This Is Why" and "Running Out of Time". The record reached #1 in the UK and #2 in the US. 4.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Dec 5, 2023 17:58:04 GMT 1
12 Depeche Mode - Memento mori
After already using Depeche Mode in HF, I have also listened eight of their albums in 2023. And I must admit this new record really stands up well against their 80s output. I have not ranked any albums past 'Violator' yet. What helped as well is that "Ghosts Again", is such a brilliant single sometimes less is more and it is interesting that the band took this route partially due to being a tribute to Andy Fletcher, who has left a big hole in the band and of course a massive effect of his bandmates and the themes of this album. But I was very glad, although this album has dark themes it is not depressing, it is just so well-made and Dave sounds great. The record reached #2 in the Uk and #14 in the US. 4.5/5
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TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Dec 5, 2023 18:06:54 GMT 1
So who misses the top 10, this was very close 11 The Chemical Brothers - For That Beautiful Feeling
The tenth album from the veteran superstar DJs. I wouldn't say Chemicals Brothers have been releasing duds but their albums especially the last two have not been as great as their previous records. This album is next level though, they have not made an album with so many bangers and amazing collaborations since 'Push The Button' in 2006. I get that they maybe wanted to do something different for a while but was so happy to play this record and love every song, although I did know a lot of them before release. Just a close to perfect album but I couldn't quite make it top 10. The record reached #6 in the UK. 4.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Dec 5, 2023 22:11:32 GMT 1
100 Semisonic Little Bit of Sun 99 The Silencers Silent Highway 98 ††† Goodnight, God Bless, I Love U, Delete. 97 Drop Nineteens Hard Light 96 Gengahr Red Sun Titans 95 Georgia Euphoric 94 Fireworks Higher Lonely Power 93 Cloth Secret Measure 92 B.C. Camplight The Last Rotation of Earth 91 Cathedral Bells Everything at Once 90 Bell X1 Merciful Hour 89 Belle and Sebastian Late Developers 88 Superlove follow:noise 87 Screaming Females Desire Pathway 86 Meet Me @ the Altar Past // Present // Future 85 Jadu Heart Derealised 84 Sundara Karma Better Luck Next Time 83 New Arcades Leave Something Behind 82 Broken Records The Dreamless Sleep of the 1990s 81 cursetheknife There's a Place I Can Rest 80 Taking Meds Dial M for Meds 79 Black Honey A Fistful of Peaches 78 Art School Girlfriend Soft Landing 77 Holding Absence The Noble Art of Self Destruction 76 Temples Exotico 75 Metallica 72 Seasons 74 Enter Shikari A Kiss for the Whole World 73 White Reaper Asking for a Ride 72 Dude Safari YUSSUS 71 The National Laugh Track 70 Circa Waves Never Going Under 69 All Time Low Tell Me I'm Alive 68 Chappaqua Wrestling Plus Ultra 67 Teenage Fanclub Nothing Lasts Forever 66 Alison Goldfrapp The Love Invention 65 OMD Bauhaus Staircase 64 Caroline Polachek Desire, I Want to Turn Into You 63 Holydanger The Ethereal Beauty 62 As December Falls Join the Club 61 Can't Swim Thanks But No Thanks 60 Carly Rae Jepsen The Loveliest Time 59 Pool Kids Pool Kids 58 Tom Meighan The Reckoning 57 Baby Queen Quarter Life Crisis 56 Speedy Ortiz Rabbit Rabbit 55 Madder Rose No One Gets Hurt Ever 54 Lonely the Brave 53 The Dirty Nil Free Rein to Passions 52 PONY Velveteen 51 Superbloom Life's a Blur 50 City and Colour The Love Still Held Me Near 49 Peter Gabriel i/o 48 The Front Bottoms You Are Who You Hang Out With 47 Pierce the Veil The Jaws of Life 46 MisterWives Nosebleeds 45 Hotline TNT Cartwheel 44 New Found Glory Make the Most of It 43 Holly Humberstone Paint My Bedroom Black 42 Somebody’s Child Somebody’s Child 41 Olivia Rodrigo GUTS 40 The Smashing Pumpkins ATUM 39 Inhaler Cuts & Bruises 38 The Japanese House In the End It Always Does 37 Royal Blood Back to the Water Below 36 The Gaslight Anthem History Books 35 Fall Out Boy So Much (For) Stardust 34 Boys Like Girls Sunday at Foxwoods 33 Blink-182 One More Time... 32 Tigercub The Perfume of Decay 31 Gorillaz Cracker Island 30 Hundred Reasons Glorious Sunset 29 Day Aches One Last Dream Before Dying 28 Slowdive Everything Is Alive 27 Narrow Head Moments of Clarity 26 Nothing But Thieves Dead Club City 25 Bombay Bicycle Club My Big Day 24 Blondshell Blondshell 23 Sleep Token Take Me Back to Eden 22 Wayside What Does Your Soul Look Like 21 Blur The Ballad of Darren 20 We Are Scientists Lobes 19 Teenage Wrist Still Love 18 Wednesday Rat Saw God 17 Crown Lands Fearless 16 Ash Race the Night 15 You Me at Six Truth Decay 14 Heavenward Pyrophonics 13 Paramore This Is Why 12 Depeche Mode Memento mori 11 The Chemical Brothers For That Beautiful Feeling
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TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Dec 5, 2023 22:17:55 GMT 1
Just like I do for my retro lists a top 10 preview
We have 7 US acts, 2 UK and 1 French
We have one debut album, 4 bands make their top 10 debut and 5 have had top 10 year end albums before.
I own all but one of the albums but two have not been delivered yet, delayed CD releases. Out of the rest of the top 25 I am only missing Wednesday and Crown Lands
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Post by greendemon on Dec 5, 2023 23:26:44 GMT 1
Well I know who the French act is And a couple of the others...
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TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Dec 6, 2023 8:43:26 GMT 1
10 Bully - Lucky for You
The fourth album from the US rock band. I have always loved this band and I was not super into the first single at first and even the Soccer Mommy collab didn't hit me super quick but the other singles and when I heard the album it all changed, I love it all now. I am not yet or probably ever be sick of the 90's grungy alt-rock revival. Bully have already been doing this for sometime, and they are one of the best at it, even the cover looks like it could be from 1992.4.5/5
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TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Dec 6, 2023 13:51:15 GMT 1
9 The Menzingers - Some Of It Was True
I am going to get Co-Pilot to review this as it does it better than I ever couldThe Menzingers are a punk rock band from Scranton, Pennsylvania, who have been making waves in the scene since their debut album A Lesson in the Abuse of Information Technology in 2007. Known for their catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and energetic live shows, the band has released eight studio albums, each one showcasing their growth and diversity as songwriters and musicians. Their latest album, Some Of It Was True, is no exception, as it delivers some of their most immediate and lively songs to date. The album features 12 tracks that explore themes of nostalgia, love, loss, hope, and uncertainty, with the band’s trademark honesty and humor.Some Of It Was True is a stunning album that showcases the Menzingers at their best, delivering songs that are catchy, honest, and emotional. The album is a testament to the band’s longevity and relevance, as they continue to evolve and impress with each release. The album has received critical acclaim from various outlets, such as Kerrang!, Sputnikmusic, Glide Magazine, and Far Out Magazine, and has reached number 12 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart, and number 4 on the Billboard Top Alternative Albums chart. The album is a must-listen for fans of punk rock, and for anyone who appreciates great music and storytelling.Really what can I add.4.5/5
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TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Dec 7, 2023 8:45:53 GMT 1
8 Hot Milk - A Call to the Void
Maybe I should have involved Co-pilot earlier as although it certainly doesn't feel like it, this is actually a debut album. So we actually have two. They are a rock duo from Manchester who I have been a fan of since their debut single "Awful Ever After" in 2019. They have been mostly brilliant but the EP 'The King and Queen of Gasoline' was a bit of a weaker effort imo. Thankfully they are back to their best for the album, I really had no idea where it would go. It is a fantastic mix of heavy rock, pop punk and EDM infused hardcore. Best moments are "Bloodstream" and "Breathing Underwater" I would say. The record charted #40 in the UK and reached #2 in the rock charts.
4/5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Dec 7, 2023 8:53:25 GMT 1
7 Mammoth WVH -Mammoth II
Speaking of heavy rock, we have the second album from the son of Eddie Van Halen. Another artist I was a bit late to introduced to me through Daz mostly. This second album pretty much continues where he left off. It is just anthemic rock music which harks to the past but also sounds fresh as well. Not much more I can say it is just a perfect example of the genre. The record reached #29 in the US and #76 in the UK.
4.5/5
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