I had every intention of completing my annual music review a couple of weeks ago, but a) I came down with influenza that evolved into a nasty case of bronchitis, and b) it appeared that the three people who have read my reviews over the last couple of years did not notice an absence in 2022. Feeling a bit sorry for myself (physically and emotionally), I put on my daughter's expensive headphones and listened to old George Michael records (those were the days!). Today, however, while driving in the car with my lovely wife, she inquired with a fairly high level of sincerity: "Aren't you going to make your music list thing this year?" I was energized! So, after a long delay, here it is at last! I present to you my Top 10 List of Favorite Music in 2022!
10 (tie). Asphalt Meadows by Death Cab for Cutie & Cruel Country by Wilco. Both albums are a bit twee. But loyalty is loyalty, and both bands have been good to us over the years. DCC produced more of the same (which is a good thing). Wilco made (according to insiders) their "country" record. Ummm...and what would you call AM? Being There? A middling and derivative effort, but enjoyable just the same.
9. In These Times by Makaya McCraven. Chicago guy. Jazz, ambient, psychedelic. Makaya puts it all together and makes it work well. Great background music.
8. Colder Streams by The Sadies. Canadian guitar virtuosos (and brothers) Dallas and Travis Good put together their best album since 2010's Darker Circles. Aggressive, dark, and melodic, this is paisley punk at its best.
7. A Light for Attracting Attention by The Smile. Any band with Jonny Greenwood and Thom Yorke (of Radiohead fame) is going to be phenomenal. This is a phenomenal record.
6. Pulse of the Early Brain: Switched On, Vol. 5 by Stereolab. Trippy, druggy, creative, inventive, and ridiculously weird. "Milky...white...spiiiiiiiidersssssss."
5. Blue Rev by Alvvays. Brilliant female vocals, shoegaze-y guitars, melody-driven songs, and strong pop sensibilities makes...The Cocteau Twins? No! Alvvays! It was a good year for Canada (see #8).
4. Inside Problems by Andrew Bird. The singer-songwriter/violinist/whistler produces yet another solid album. Can a record with the song "Lone Didion" be merely average? "Atomized" is not only one of the year's best songs but might also be an oblique Michel Houellebecq reference. Yes, I am a fanboy and fellow bibliophile!
3. (watch my moves) by Kurt Vile. He is just so wonderfully unassuming and talented. Solid from top to bottom.
2. Things Are Great by Band of Horses. This is the most underrated band of the last 50 years in America. Consistently good musicianship, catchy tunes, brilliant songwriting, and sing-along choruses from the nicest guys east of the Mississippi. They do Mt. Pleasant, SC proud!
1. The Tipping Point by Tears for Fears. Yes, I am biased, formed as I was by The Hurting, Songs from the Big Chair, and The Seeds of Love (three of the best albums of the 1980's) and Elemental (one of the best albums of the 1990's, though noticeably lacking the contribution of Curt Smith). But this is truly brilliant. Absolutely outstanding in every way. A masterpiece.
Dishonorable Mention: The Absolute Worst Albums of 2022
Taylor Swift's Midnight, Bad Bunny's Un Verano Sin Ti, Beyoncé's Renaissance, The Weeknd's Dawn FM, and every bro' country album produced this year.
Bonus Feature: My All-Time Favorite Techno/Trance/House/Ambient Albums
5. The Richest Man in Babylon (2003) by Thievery Corporation.
4. The Campfire Headphase (2005) by Boards of Canada.
3. From Here We Go Sublime (2007) by The Field.
2. Apollo (1983) by Brian Eno.
1. Moon Safari (1998) by Air.
Honorable Mention: Selected Ambient Works Volume II (1994) by Aphex Twin; Radio Retaliation (2008) by Thievery Corporation; Dig Your Own Hole (1997) by The Chemical Brothers; The Man-Machine (1978) by Kraftwerk; Melody AM (2001) by Röyksopp.
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