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!
I know! Unbelievable video. I wrote about it earlier this year when it came out. The choreography is stellar. And yes, the arrangement of SHP makes it sound fresh again.
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.
I completely missed your best of classical post -- so thanks for linking to it! I'm sadly lacking in keeping up with much classical. Unless it leans more ambient, or in the vein of people like Max Richter and Boris Rogowski, it passes me by. So I have a lot to explore in your list!
Wow, and thank you for that! No special classical episode, just the ones I share to open each roundup of album reviews - so you may be more caught up than you think!
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!
My comment was partly to trigger your reaction, Brad!;) So mission accomplished! Yeah, I’m not going to put Mr. Archuleta on the AI pedestal but I always appreciate how much you love his music!
And thanks for researching the details on the Dolenz’ covers EP. I like all of the versions on it. Awesome that it was a family affair!
Plus, knowing Christian played so many instruments on it helps us understand why there are only about 4 people involved with the recording (including Mickey)!! If I was more of an REM fan, I'd actually consider doing a full-blown article on the EP!
Only one song is by REM so you don’t have to dive deep on that one...plus, haven’t you written pieces about artists you didn’t necessarily love before? I feel like I can recall one or two...
Artists I don't necessarily love? Possibly, but, in that case, the song rules the day. But, my future-article Q now numbers well over 70, so there are so many pieces on artists and/or songs that I'm emotionally or creatively motivated to write about, and it's definitely a pick'n'choose affair......and, I don't have much time.
I actually wasn't sure....but, going by Mickey's title, and I KNEW "RFE" and "Man on the Moon" was that Andy Kaufman song (that I thought I remembered was REM), but I certainly wasn't slam-dunk sure!
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."
Oh, yeah-- I am a Bird Now is one of my favorites! I love all of their albums, but it was as Antony that I came to know their music. Such a wide range of influences and styles, yet wholly unique and inspired.
I'm gonna have to find time to check out the other Altın Gün albums this year! I'm honestly glad to be done with this 75 song project. So much attentive listening in a short period of time is tiring! I know, I know, first world problems...
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 ;)
What a nice comment, Stygi! Your posts are almost always new-to-me artists! Love the international exchanges of music!
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
Great list, Dusty! I dig all the legends you give mention to. I’ll respond more fully on your post.
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!
I know! Unbelievable video. I wrote about it earlier this year when it came out. The choreography is stellar. And yes, the arrangement of SHP makes it sound fresh again.
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.
You bet! I’d be curious to know which ones new to you are standouts.
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.
I completely missed your best of classical post -- so thanks for linking to it! I'm sadly lacking in keeping up with much classical. Unless it leans more ambient, or in the vein of people like Max Richter and Boris Rogowski, it passes me by. So I have a lot to explore in your list!
Cheers! And if you want an easy way to get an introduction to some of the stuff I feature, can I humbly offer my podcast? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/discover-music-with-anearful/id1588981051
I’ve listened to several episodes!;) I will check out the classical one--I think I missed it.
Wow, and thank you for that! No special classical episode, just the ones I share to open each roundup of album reviews - so you may be more caught up than you think!
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!
My comment was partly to trigger your reaction, Brad!;) So mission accomplished! Yeah, I’m not going to put Mr. Archuleta on the AI pedestal but I always appreciate how much you love his music!
And thanks for researching the details on the Dolenz’ covers EP. I like all of the versions on it. Awesome that it was a family affair!
Plus, knowing Christian played so many instruments on it helps us understand why there are only about 4 people involved with the recording (including Mickey)!! If I was more of an REM fan, I'd actually consider doing a full-blown article on the EP!
Only one song is by REM so you don’t have to dive deep on that one...plus, haven’t you written pieces about artists you didn’t necessarily love before? I feel like I can recall one or two...
These aren't REM songs?
Radio Free Europe
Man On The Moon
Leaving New York
Artists I don't necessarily love? Possibly, but, in that case, the song rules the day. But, my future-article Q now numbers well over 70, so there are so many pieces on artists and/or songs that I'm emotionally or creatively motivated to write about, and it's definitely a pick'n'choose affair......and, I don't have much time.
Oh- you are right. Duh!
I actually wasn't sure....but, going by Mickey's title, and I KNEW "RFE" and "Man on the Moon" was that Andy Kaufman song (that I thought I remembered was REM), but I certainly wasn't slam-dunk sure!
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."
Oh, yeah-- I am a Bird Now is one of my favorites! I love all of their albums, but it was as Antony that I came to know their music. Such a wide range of influences and styles, yet wholly unique and inspired.
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.
I'm gonna have to find time to check out the other Altın Gün albums this year! I'm honestly glad to be done with this 75 song project. So much attentive listening in a short period of time is tiring! I know, I know, first world problems...