Vinylwriter’s Top Ten Albums of the Year
At best, a good year-end list can feature a few albums that may have gone unnoticed. So let’s take a look at the 10 albums that are worthy of a second glance. Do not pay too close of attention to the order- almost all of these could have fit into the top spot.
1) Pere Ubu “The Long Goodbye“
These desperate old dogs trying to warn the world – nostalgia is deadly for music and culture. An eerie, odd and uncomfortable journey through the ashes of a dead empire. (Read our review here)
2) Yutaka Hirose “Nova & 4“
1986 environmental music reissued for the first times. Experimental electronic music that is a frozen moment – minimal, detailed and pure essence. Beautiful noise that provides a little hope that we won’t destroy ourselves.
3) Black Flower “Future Flora“
Destroying the rule book for new jazz with dense funk and dubbed murkiness. A modern masterpiece. (Read our review here)
4) Move D “Building Bridges“
A club house album that lets you keep your head on your shoulders. Intelligent dance music doesn’t have to be a thing of the past.
5) Binker & Moses “Alive In The East?“
A rare occasion when jazz music isn’t snobby, elitist and orthodox. The music of Binger and Moses is an explosions of freedom, life and spirit. And yes, this came out 2018.
6) The Comet is Coming “Trust In The Lifeforce Of The Deep Mystery Impulse!”
Could have been (or should have been) album of the year? A Challenging musical vocabulary that quickly becomes your best friend. Sounds become colors. A reminder that spring will return. (Read our review here)
7) Kit Sebastian “Mantra Moderne“
So when is the last time you had your faith restored in music and love? A dizzying mix of all the best things the world has to offer. Keep this one close to your heart.
8) Efdemin “New Atlantis“
2019 was not a good year for electronic music. Efdemin creating progressive electronic music with nuisance and intelligence instead of brain numbing beats.
9) Brian Jonestown Massacre “Brian Jonestown Massacre“
Anton Newcombe proves he’s not done with his “tepid peppermint wonderland”. Long live rock music’s most consistent and greatest songwriter. (Read our review here)
10) Laibach “Party Songs EP“
Only an EP release? When it’s from the most important band currently making music, shouldn’t matter. Purchase this EP or be condemned to the corporate re-education center.
by Shawn Ciavattone
Best Top Ten list of 2019 that I’ve seen so far! Also loved today’s Tony Iommi review. You rule!
Thank you for your amazing articles and music picks, Shawn, great list and descriptions… This year, you introduced me to a lot of amazing artists/bands that I would´ve never discovered: Black Flower, The Comet is Coming, The BJSM.. And so on, and so on. I played some of your picks on Christmas, and will do the same on New Year´s Eve.. Enjoy the season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !…
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you for your kind comments. Some good music here. Vinyl Writers is that rare opportunity for people who care about music, film and culture but without the compromised by commerce or hipness.
Cool list, I’ll check these out! You have the freshest recommendations 👍☑️
Thank you. Tried to focus on a few special albums that went under appreciated this year. If nothing else, check out the Kit Sebastian and Pere Ubu albums. 🌲
I appreciate that your list is different from most boring lists, the Pere Ubu is a great pick. But I just keep rolling my eyes at the new jazz hype. I guess we have to live with it for another year or half. I’ll check out the other 7 picks bro
Appreciate your comments. Give them a chance. These were three releases that go way beyond all the talk. And the factors that, I agree, can be nauseating.
Thank you for the comment. The BJM track is brilliant. Check out the Kit Sebastian song. The record is just that good. The Pere Ubu is something that shouldn’t be missed.
I don’t know any of these albums… I consider 2019 a bad year for music, so I will be curious to have a listen at these. Already digging the Brian Jonestown Massacre track, thank you.
That’s a wild list. Laibach!
Laibach – maybe the most intelligent, misunderstood and important band we have!