The 3rd collection gets contemplative, explores grief and love, travels the globe, celebrates the year's best cover tunes, and finishes with a few ambient instrumentals.
Whoa, what an awesome selection, Steve 👏 So many entirely new to me things on your list. No 1 and 17 both truly conquered my heart. You definitely made my morning. This Monday isn't blue anymore ;)
Well done, Steve. Just when I thought I heard all the fantastic music from 2023, you added much more to explore. Here's my initial list of faves from 2023. I suspect my list will increase after I finish listening to your tunes.
HOLY CRAP that Steven Wilson video. I've heard the song, but never seen the music video. Wow. WOW. (I'm a sucker for a good dance video, though.) Also that Shiny Happy People cover is fab!
No crossover with my Top 25 but Mitski and Maria BC will be included on an upcoming "Rock/Fok" list, both excellent. Like you, I've been more an admirer of Mitski than a fan, but this album dug deep. As for Maria BC, I found her through MIZU's wonderful album, Distant Intervals, which is featured here: https://anearful.substack.com/p/best-of-2023-classical.
Scrolling down, all I could keep saying was, "Sigh....'23, and yet another artist I've never heard of!" Then, Lambert and Dolenz! Woo-hoo! Brad-adjacent artists!! Adam: I'll challenge you on the "most talented A.I. artists," but will certainly vouch for his stunning instrument. But, for "talent," I gotta go with David Archuleta, who infuses (for my money....and heart) so much feeling, soul, and heart into his performances. I think I'm generally left kinda cold by Adam's certainly astounding instrument, and as Randy might've said, "I'm jes' not feelin' it, dawg!"
I'm wondering, too, if Adam's foray with Queen has informed his cover choices at all....not sure where he normally is, musically-speaking, but if he was ever Broadway musical and/or pop ballads, his Queen reign may have turned him more into a rocker. Just a thought....which, then, may explain his Duran choice...and, good call! With his instrument, it shines when not buried under other instruments and over-production!
Mickey.....thanks for turning me onto the fact he's still "working"! Only really an occasional-song fan of REM ("Losing My Religion" being one), I also love what Mickey did with "SHP"! I couldn't help but peek at who might've been on this cover (I actually suspected a Beach Boy or two, just due to the bouncy, happy feel), but alas, he's got his sister, Coco, singing on it, and Mike Nesmith's eldest son, Christian, who not only produced, but played virtually all the instruments! It's a fambly affair! I'll chime in with more once I get past Mickey! And, what an amazing home video he used! What a gift for us...thanks, Mickey! And, thanks, Steve!
Glad you gave Anohni & The Johnsons a listen. "My Back was a Bridge for You to Cross" was their first album of theirs I checked out and I've been addicted ever since. You should also check out "I am a Bird Now."
Whoa, what an awesome selection, Steve 👏 So many entirely new to me things on your list. No 1 and 17 both truly conquered my heart. You definitely made my morning. This Monday isn't blue anymore ;)
Well done, Steve. Just when I thought I heard all the fantastic music from 2023, you added much more to explore. Here's my initial list of faves from 2023. I suspect my list will increase after I finish listening to your tunes.
https://dustywright.substack.com/p/all-hail-the-best
THAT's what I'm talking about. Brilliant list - Dolenz's rescue of a dire REM track is worth it alone. Thanks!
HOLY CRAP that Steven Wilson video. I've heard the song, but never seen the music video. Wow. WOW. (I'm a sucker for a good dance video, though.) Also that Shiny Happy People cover is fab!
Great list(s). Find myself drawn in by the overlaps with my 2023 list but intrigued by the (many) songs I don’t know. Thanks.
No crossover with my Top 25 but Mitski and Maria BC will be included on an upcoming "Rock/Fok" list, both excellent. Like you, I've been more an admirer of Mitski than a fan, but this album dug deep. As for Maria BC, I found her through MIZU's wonderful album, Distant Intervals, which is featured here: https://anearful.substack.com/p/best-of-2023-classical.
Scrolling down, all I could keep saying was, "Sigh....'23, and yet another artist I've never heard of!" Then, Lambert and Dolenz! Woo-hoo! Brad-adjacent artists!! Adam: I'll challenge you on the "most talented A.I. artists," but will certainly vouch for his stunning instrument. But, for "talent," I gotta go with David Archuleta, who infuses (for my money....and heart) so much feeling, soul, and heart into his performances. I think I'm generally left kinda cold by Adam's certainly astounding instrument, and as Randy might've said, "I'm jes' not feelin' it, dawg!"
I'm wondering, too, if Adam's foray with Queen has informed his cover choices at all....not sure where he normally is, musically-speaking, but if he was ever Broadway musical and/or pop ballads, his Queen reign may have turned him more into a rocker. Just a thought....which, then, may explain his Duran choice...and, good call! With his instrument, it shines when not buried under other instruments and over-production!
Mickey.....thanks for turning me onto the fact he's still "working"! Only really an occasional-song fan of REM ("Losing My Religion" being one), I also love what Mickey did with "SHP"! I couldn't help but peek at who might've been on this cover (I actually suspected a Beach Boy or two, just due to the bouncy, happy feel), but alas, he's got his sister, Coco, singing on it, and Mike Nesmith's eldest son, Christian, who not only produced, but played virtually all the instruments! It's a fambly affair! I'll chime in with more once I get past Mickey! And, what an amazing home video he used! What a gift for us...thanks, Mickey! And, thanks, Steve!
Glad you gave Anohni & The Johnsons a listen. "My Back was a Bridge for You to Cross" was their first album of theirs I checked out and I've been addicted ever since. You should also check out "I am a Bird Now."
Huge +1 for Altın Gün. I don't know what she's saying, either, but it's sure fun to listen to.
"This Ain't It" drew me to Weathervanes, but "King Of Oklahoma" kept me there. Just an incredible amount of "story" squished into a few verses.