Let's face it- rock music ain't dead, but you sure do have to dig for it these days. The only radio station in my neck of the woods that plays it almost exclusively focuses on old stuff, rarely playing anything past, say, the late 90's-early 2000's, and more often than not dwelling on stuff from the 70's and early 80's that you've all heard a billion times before.
That said, thanks to YouTube, Spotify, Pandora and the like, it can still be found for those willing to go out on a limb for bands they've never heard, with a particular renaissance, in terms of 90's-style indie rock, happening over the last few years, with bands/performers like Best Coast, Wolf Alice, Soccer Mommy, Elbow, Fazerdaze, Joy Formidable, Still Corners, Snail Mail, Battles, Ex Hex, Princess Chelsea, King Princess, Grimes, Haim, Chvrches, Sunflower Bean, The Voidz, Starcrawler and lots more you probably never heard of- if you've even heard of some of the ones I just mentioned.
That said, though these performers and bands do release singles and music videos, I can't say I heard many of them on the radio, save maybe the occasional left-field hit like Portugal. The Man's unavoidable hit "Feel It Still" or Grouplove's "Tongue Tied." They probably play them on college radio stations, but I'm just a hair too far away to have access to any of those, save online, and I'm the first to admit I usually just end up listening to my own playlists or whatever albums I want to when I'm online, rather than going the web-radio route.
So, for the purposes of this list, I tried to stick with actual singles, but in some cases, I just picked songs by people I liked that have videos for said songs, whether they were singles or not. Trust me, you get a better list that way. Plus, if I can get some people into bands or performers they have never heard of before, mission accomplished. Keep an eye out for a forthcoming list of my fave lesser-known acts in the near future as well.
Let's get started with my fave rock track of the year... be sure to click on the title for the music video, if there is one.
Song of the Year: "This Land"- Gary Clark Jr.
In my music lists for 2018, I lamented the lack of more political-minded music. After all, if ever there was a time for the resurgence of protest rock, punk and rap music, it's now, what with everything that's been going on since the 2016 election of Voldemort, to say nothing of his sleazy cronies, who have been dropping like flies and ending up in jail with alarming regularity, while the Big Cheese remains elusive, in terms of culpability.
Sure, he got impeached in the House, but what are the chances that the Senate Republicans come to their senses and follow through on removing him, even though they'd have impeached a Democrat in a second if he (or she) had done half the shit this guy has done. Ugh. But I digress, because we've had at least got a few takers addressing this mess in 2019, notably this track, which hits harder than a locomotive with its timely message.
Starting off with an ominous, intimidating electronic intro, it soon gives way to equally menacing guitar that would do Jimi Hendrix proud. Indeed, it's precisely the sort of thing Hendrix seemed headed towards doing before his untimely death in the early 70's, i.e. "Machine Gun." Telling the tale of a black man dealing with racism at seemingly every turn, it features the problems faced by minorities in "Trump country," and not just from the expected sources, such as red-hat-wearing redneck types, but the likes of "BBQ Betty," "Permit Patty," and plenty more aggravated white women where that came from, calling the cops with their white privilege decidedly not in check.
This is precisely the kind of songs we need more of, be it from rappers, rockers or even country musicians. Because the sort of thing Clark is singing about here is not cool, and it needs to stop, and I don't think it will until we get this current asshole out of the White House, who seems to have given covert permission to every racist douchebag to come out of the woodwork. The only good thing to come out of it is: we now know who you are, people, and don't think a reckoning isn't coming soon. Bad news: once you come out of the shadows, there's no going back.
Kudos to Clark for telling it like it is, and for shining a light on all this mess, deftly connecting the dots between racism then and racism now. Like The Who said: meet the new boss, same as the old boss. The more things change, the more they stay the same. The good news is that people are getting fed up with all of it- and thankfully, those people outnumber those who are still living in the Dark Ages. Let's just hope they vote, come November.
The Best of the Rest (in no particular order)
"Fear Inoculum"- Tool
Leave it to Tool to release the longest single ever to crack the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Top 10 Hot Rock Tracks charts. It's the band's first release in a whopping 13 years, after a bunch of legal and personal issues caused the band near-constant turmoil for well over a decade. Both it and another track from the album ("7empest") were nominated for a Grammy as well, for whatever that's worth.
That said, it was pretty damn funny seeing the T-Swift contingent flip the F out when Tool's subsequent album of the same name ended up displacing their heroine from the top of the charts. Even lead singer Maynard got in on the fun. And I say that as a fan myself, and can only hope that the ensuing frenzy might have gotten through to a few of them and hipped them to one of the best rock bands ever.
This monster song, which clocks in at nearly eleven minutes, is primo Tool, which must have been like an early Christmas present to longtime fans, who couldn't have been surprised by the length of it, if they've ever been to a concert of theirs. I've seen 'em a number of times, and one time they played over two hours and maybe played 8 or 9 songs tops. Such is the price one pays for being a fan- if you don't like Prog Metal, this is not for you, to say the least. For the rest of us, it was like manna from heaven.
"PA PA YA!!"- Babymetal, feat. F. Hero
If you aren't familiar with Babymetal, they are an insane Japanese girl group backed by a full-throttle heavy metal band that are unlike anything you've probably ever heard, ever. It's as if a Death Metal Thrash band, complete with the whole "Cookie Monster" vocal thing, randomly decided to layer their songs with samples of a Japanese anime theme song. It's crazy AF, as you might have guessed from that description.
Babymetal first hit the scene around 2010, breaking big internationally with their second album, Metal Resistance, in 2015. In 2019, they released their third album, Metal Galaxy, from which this song was taken, and which became the first Asian act to reach the top of the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart ever.
I could have just as easily put "Elevator Girl" (one of their rare English language songs, and perhaps a better entry point for newbies), "Distortion" or "Starlight" on this list, all of which were singles, but I picked this one because it may well be the most bonkers song on the album, being as how, in addition to the more typical (for them, at least) metal/J-Pop mash-up, there's also a Thai rapper, F. Hero, rapping in his native tongue on it, just to add to the insanity.
Sadly, the trio of girls that front the group are down a member, due to her ailing health, as of last year, though they have since added some backup dancers called The Avengers to help fill the void. But only the two core members, Suzuka Nakamoto (aka "Sumetal") and Moa Kikuchi (aka "Moametal") still do the singing, with Yui Mizuno (aka "Yuimetal"), their fallen comrade, reportedly considering a comeback as a solo artist as sometime in the near-future. No word on whether she'll still be doing the metal thing.
Either way, the band is well-worth checking out, especially if you're looking for something different- and boy, is this ever different. I honestly couldn't think of anything to compare it to. It's neither truly in the realm of J-Pop or "serious" metal. As such, some metalhead purists might be horrified by it, but I think Babymetal are far and away one of the most original things I've heard, music-wise in many a moon. If you like your metal adventurous, it doesn't get much more out there than this.
"Scary Mask"- Poppy, feat. Fever 333
Unless, of course, you're talking about Babymetal's American equivalent, Poppy, who is too weird to categorize. Poppy first came to my attention via a series of incredibly weird videos, which featured her saying things like "I'm Poppy" over and over or reading from the Bible! It was as if Andy Warhol was alive and well and had created a performer in his own image. Her music started out as chirpy technopop, a la obvious influence Lady Gaga, but with a dark side- check out all the Satanic imagery in videos like "Lowlife" and "Let's Make a Video," for instance.
Somewhere along the way, though, her music got a lot darker, too. I'm inclined to think she got wind of Babymetal and had an epiphany to start mixing genres with breakneck speed- see also "Concrete," which tosses in chirpy, anime-style vocals, thrash metal, and even a Beach Boys and Queen influence! And mind you, this is in just over three minutes.
She parted ways last year with her musical cohort and producer, Titanic Sinclair, who also directed most of her eye-popping videos, and got involved with Ghostemane, a former thrash metal bandleader-turned-rapper, which may help to explain her radical left turn into metal/pop hybrid territory. Whatever the case, I love it.
Insofar as her other current singles go, "I Disagree" is maybe catchier and more tuneful, and "Bloodmoney" and "Anything Like Me" are perfect for those who find Billie Eilish to be too sedate, while "Fill the Crown" sounds like what a collaboration between her and Marilyn Manson might sound like.
But I picked this one because it certainly got my attention the first time I heard it, and really was among the first tracks that got me thinking that Poppy might be a contender and not just another pop star also-ran. If you like your music adventurous to the point of courting insanity, this is for you.
"Mary on a Cross"- Ghost
Alright, so technically "Kiss the Go-Goat" was the A-Side (and got the music video treatment) of the hilariously-titled single Seven Inches of Satanic Panic, but I thought this was the catchier of the two "lost" 60's-style tracks that the prog-metal band Ghost released last year. That chorus is a killer, the lyrics are amusingly offensive (and funny- "I will tickle you internally," lol), and the song in general sounds like prime-era Blue Öyster Cult, with some Doors-esque flourishes.
It's catchy AF, and shows that the rewards would be considerable if Ghost ever decided to ditch the whole metal thing and just dive into alternative pop-rock music. Sure, the lyrics are still the sort of thing that would never pass muster on Top 40 radio these days, but it's their loss.
For the rest us, who don't mind a little melody in their metal- or their metal vocals, for that matter- this is pretty great. I could absolutely deal with an entire album of this sort of thing, and I hope we get that chance. If not, well, any Ghost is worth hearing in my book.
"Lo/Hi"- The Black Keys
Their first release since 2014, the album 'Let's Rock' (which should be a familiar quote to Twin Peaks fans, as should the track title "Fire Walk With Me") marked a sort of "back to basic" approach that saw them eschew hit producer Danger Mouse, with whom they'd enjoyed a great deal of success, in favor of producing themselves.
They lost the keyboards and the neo-psychedelic/soul vibe of their last album, Turn Blue, as well as the more melancholic attitude- singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach was going through a divorce at the time- and decided to go for a more full throttled rock album- hence, in part, the title of the album, which also references murderer Edmund Zagorski, whose last words were reportedly said title before he was executed via electric chair- see also the cover of the album below.
All of the singles from the album were pretty solid, but I kind of liked this one the best, thanks to that fierce guitar solo by Auerbach, firmly in Jack White screechy guitar mode- more on him in a minute. It's definitely a return to form for the group, though I didn't mind them experimenting with their sound during the Danger Mouse era. You gotta try new stuff before you realize what your wheelhouse truly is, and the band has clearly realized on this album, if it ain't broke...
"Sunday Driver"/"Bored and Razed"- The Raconteurs
Well, I cheated with Halsey on the last list by picking two songs, now I'm doing the same with The Raconteurs. Picking "Sunday Driver" and "Now That You're Gone" would have been reasonably justified- after all, they were released in tangent with one another as a double "A-side." The latter is a good song, with a fantastically retro Russ Meyer/Doris Wishman-style homage B&W video and some wonderfully sick guitar work by the boys, Jack White and Brendan Benson, but I decided to go with these two instead.
The former, "Sunday Driver," is the type of down-and-dirty rock song you rarely hear anymore- think The Hives, with just the right amount of psychedelic rock thrown in to keep things really interesting and not just by-the-book classic rock; while the other, "Born and Razed" sports some great hooks, a perfect sing-a-long chorus and some great back-and-forth from the boys, vocally and guitar-wise. If this were the 70's, both would probably be classic rock radio staples- it is not, so you can just settle for them being great additions to your modern rock playlists.
On a side note, for those who maintain that "rock is dead" BS, note that the album from which this was taken went to #1- the group's first such achievement, and many of the albums the songs on this list were taken from, as well as the songs themselves, fared quite well on the charts, so those declarations may have been a little premature. Rock ain't dead- it was just waiting for its moment.
"I Dare You"- The Regrettes
Kind of like a female version of The Strokes- okay, three girls and one guy drummer, to be more accurate- The Regrettes are an LA-based group that also owes a debt to 60's-era girl groups (think The Shangri-Las, The Crystals and The Ronettes), as well as the expected Riot Grrrl influences (Bikini Kill, L7, Hole), only they're way more melodic and lend themselves to singing along better, rather than shouting.
The girls are all pretty adorable- just try and not smile as lead singer Lydia Night impromptu half-ass dances her way through the video for "Dress Up"- if you don't fall in love immediately, you're made of stronger stuff than I am. "I Dare You" also features some dancing in the video, this time from the entire group, who halfheartedly do their best, bringing to mind Van Halen's A-for-effort, C-for-execution dancing in "Hot for Teacher." But the song is an A+ all around.
Check it out for yourself, and then go ahead and stream the whole album- if you like the aforementioned songs, you'll dig it, too, I promise. BTW, if Lydia looks familiar, you also might know her from the bands Pretty Little Demons (check out their Twin Peaks-inspired vid here, complete with a cameo from the Log Lady) and Dead Man's Bones- aka actor Ryan Gosling's band- which may be why The Notebook gets a shout-out in "Pumpkin." They may be cute, but trust me, these chicks rock.
"Heavenly"- Cigarettes After Sex
Like the band's name, this one has a restful, dreamy vibe that wouldn't at all be out of place on the aforementioned show Twin Peaks. Labeling themselves "ambient pop," the band will definitely appeal to fans of that show, as well as fans of shoegaze, slowcore and dream pop.
I could have sworn there was a girl singer in the group, as Greg Gonzalez sounds so ethereal and dreamy- not typically qualities a male singer possesses. But this one does. This is music to get lost in, and perfect to nod off to, and I mean that as a compliment.
"Salt & Pepper"- Dope Lemon
2019 saw a mini-return of stoner rock, that laid-back strain of rock perfect for smoking weed- or vaping, I suppose, these days 😒- or drinking beer and chilling out with your friends. Fitting then that the mastermind behind the band is named Angus Stone, perhaps slightly better-known for his work with sister Julia. The Australia-based Stone has also recorded music under the band name of Lady of the Sunshine with Finn, aka Govinda Doyle, as well as under his own name as a solo artist, with varying degrees of success, particularly in Australia, where the album this tune came from landed at #2 on the charts.
Honestly, I could have just as easily picked "Hey You" for this slot. Both have that near-comatose vibe to them. I picked this one because I especially dig the Jorma Kaukonen/Jerry Garcia-style guitar, which could have been inspired by a song that both collaborated on, Jefferson Airplane's "Pretty as You Feel." It is interesting, though, that the song name-checks cocaine in the lyrics so often, given how lethargic the song is- you'd think it'd be faster if, as he says in the song, he has that "cocaine flame in my brain."
Whatever the case, this is required listening for you stoners out there, and be sure and check out their videos, which are equally hallucinogenic. "Hey You" is the Frank-like adventures of a band of furries, while "Salt & Pepper" chronicles- with an emphasis on the chronic- the adventures of a stoner chauffeur, complete with a nifty Yellow Submarine-style animated sequence. I could listen to their album, Smooth Big Cat, on repeat for some time, and I don't even smoke weed. But this song sure is dope (lemon).
"Harmony Hall"- Vampire Weekend
Speaking of the Dead, there's definitely GD vibes on this one, which combines a "Touch of Grey"-style chorus with lovely acoustic guitar and a verging-on-Madchester-style bridge- think Happy Mondays (circa "Step On") or Primal Scream (circa "Moving On Up"). It's immaculately produced, like nearly everything they do, and the cool video features Jonah Hill, among others.
If you've been sleeping on the band because you found them, ahem, "Unbearably White" (also a fantastic song on their new album- and incidentally, not true- see above pic), maybe it's time to give them another chance- they're actually really good, especially if you like a certain type of easygoing classic rock.
Yeah, granted, your old hippie uncle or groovy dad might dig on them, too, but so what? Music should bring people together, not drive them apart. Okay, most of the time, at least- I've got no problem with the occasional rabble-rousing my own damn self. This is the polar opposite of that, which may why some hate on the band- but it's also why a lot of people love them, myself included. Sometime, you just gots to chill.
"Venice Bitch"- Lana Del Rey
Honestly, you could throw a dart at any of the tracks off of Rey's sixth- and arguably best- album, Norman Fucking Rockwell, and I wouldn't complain about choosing them for this list. But I'm going with her most ambitious song to date, and her longest, which almost gives Tool a run for its money in the length department, clocking in as it does at nearly ten minutes.
Of course, the lyrics, as ever, are wonderful ("Fresh out of fucks, forever," "You're beautiful/I'm insane") with the by-now expected nods to other influences, including quoting Robert Frost's "Nothing Gold Can Stay," famously featured in the book and movie of The Outsiders, an inverted reference to the movie Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and a direct quote of psychedelic classic "Crimson & Clover."
But it's the music that gets me here, with those quirky neo-Dr. Dre-by-way-of-Daft Punk synth squelches, which eventually give way to some seriously laid-back guitar jamming that wouldn't be out of place on a Pink Floyd album. It's wonderful, and so is she- talk about GF goals. 😍
"Dark Places"- Beck
I just love Beck, and have ever since I first heard "Loser" and promptly bought everything he'd put out to date, including some of the more left-of-center stuff like Stereopathic Soul Manure. After a lot of back-and-forth, I ultimately decided that I prefer his more experimental stuff, though there's nothing wrong with his more mellow acoustic stuff, a la Sea Change and Morning Phase.
That said, the mellow stuff has grown on me over the years, and his latest album, Hyperspace, is interesting in that it tries to bridge the gap between the two, by bringing a more experimental, psychedelic vibe to the proceedings that's not too far removed from what Lana Del Rey was up to on her latest.
It's like a hypnotic, trancey variation of what Beck was doing on those aforementioned albums. Not that it's that different, there's just more in the way of sweeping synths, keyboard doodlings and oddball instrumentation than he's previously done on his previous acoustic-leaning efforts.
That may well be because of the presence of uber-producer Pharrell Williams, who also contributed musically to the proceedings as well, co-writing many of the songs on Beck's latest album, Hyperspace. Honestly, my picking this song for my list was pretty arbitrary, as the entire album has a similar, blissed-out, synth-driven thing happening. Although "Saw Lightning" does mark a return to the "Loser"-type vibe that made Beck's name- only, once again, with a more prominent synth element.
But overall, of all the singles released to date, this one is probably my favorite. As you can tell from a lot of the songs on this list, I was on the mellow tip a lot of the year. After all the political rabble-rousing, I think I just needed a break, which is where losing oneself in music is truly ideal- and this is a great one to get lost in, to be sure.
"Falling Down the Stairs of Your Smile"- The New Pornographers
I just loved their album Twin Cinema, but they lost me somewhere along the way since then- I think Together was the last album of theirs I bought- but I happen to spot this on the new releases list one day and took a chance, hoping lightning would strike twice.
I'm glad I did, as the new album, In the Morse Code of Brake Lights, finds them in fine form, including this single, which is catchy AF, with beautiful harmonies, as ever, and a humming bass line. Check out the nifty video as well, by clicking on the title. And yes, Neko Case is still in the group, thank the heavens.
"Hurry On Home"- Sleater-Kinney
A collaboration between SK and St. Vincent, aka Annie Clark? Yes, please. The experimental nature of the production (by Clark) takes the band in a completely new direction with some heavy New Wave vibes, but not without forgetting to deliver the old sounds we know and love in the cracks and crevasses of the multi-layered song. I gather that this new direction divided fans, and even band member Janet Weiss, the drummer, who promptly left the band shortly after the album was released, citing "creative differences."
I certainly get that, as this album is worlds away from the likes of Dig Me Out, but if a band doesn't grow, it tends to slowly fade away, largely due to a lack of solid ideas and repeating oneself one too many times. That's why so many bands tend to break up: some want to move with the changes around them in music, others want to stay true to their roots.
To me, the new SK2.0 does a little of both, and while Clark's production can be a little overwhelming at times, it does force SK to get out of old habits and to embrace something new, which, in turn, goes a long way towards making them vital all over again. I can live with that.
Besides, they've gone on hiatus before, and came back strong. If they decide this new sound is a bit much, they can always return to their roots later on. For now, though, I'm digging it. It's different, but very cool, especially if you love St. Vincent, as I most certainly do.
"History Repeats"- Brittany Howard
Okay, granted, "He Loves Me" has that fierce-ass solo from Mrs. Howard, which is alone worth the price of admission, but this song is so relentlessly experimental and wonderfully weird, that I just couldn't not honor it here. It sounds like Sly & The Family Stone circa There's A Riot Goin' On, if Prince took a wayback machine to join the band and push them in an even stranger direction.
That rock-solid rhythm section (seriously, that BASS!) and Howard's superlative guitar action throughout and the way the song relentlessly pushes forward may not be exactly radio-friendly, but it's not as if they're playing any of this stuff on my list on the radio, anyway, so who cares? If anything, I wish it was longer. BTW, it's also up for two Grammys, so there's that.
"Alligator"- Of Monsters and Men
Those bone-rattling drums and crunchy guitars, that soaring-yet-subtle chorus- listening to this is like what it might sound like if Florence Welch fronted a 90's grunge band. And yet, Icelandic singer Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, like Björk before her, doesn't forget that the melody's the thing.
As such, the song manages to be heavy and tuneful at the same time. It's not entirely representative of the album, TBH, but that's what singles are for. (Doesn't mean the album isn't worth hearing- just don't expect it all to be like this.)
"Cool Your Battles"- Band of Skulls
Like Sleater-Kinney, 2019 saw Band of Skulls experiment heavily with their signature sound, which was more rootsy and bluesy in the past, a la Jack White's stuff. But with the departure of drummer Matt Hayward, and noticing the general ugliness of the times we're currently living through, they decided to take a leap of faith and try something different.
Basically, they set out to address the angriness of the current socio-political climate with something that was meant to encourage positivity and togetherness- hence "Cool Your Battles." The overall end result of the band's new sound may, as with Sleater-Kinney, divide some fans, but it may also win them some new ones.
Thanks to the efforts of producer Richard X, who encouraged them to experiment with electronics and drum machines and the like in the absence of Hayward, the band has a completely new sound, which is much more tuneful and even danceable, almost like a heavier version of Arcade Fire or even the aforementioned New Pornographers.
How you feel about that, especially if you're a fan of their older stuff, will likely color your impression of the band now, but I basically like it, and I certainly support their endeavor to bring people together with a more positive message. As with SK, it may cost them some fans, but it's likely to win over some new ones in the process. I can live with that.
Be sure to check out the other singles "Love Is All You Love" (which has a nice Jack White-ish solo) and "We're Alive" as well, before making up your mind. It's a different sound, but I dig it.
"Everybody Here Hates You"- Courtney Barnett
Armed with a voice that sounds like a grittier version of Karen O (of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs), and wielding a fierce guitar, Barnett is almost single-handedly helping keep that classic rock groove alive, at least on the female end. (See Jack White and The Black Keys for the guys' similar efforts.)
This stopgap single, meant to tide fans over until her next album, is a great mid-tempo rocker that is a perfect entry point for newbies, equal parts Velvet Underground and Stones-y shuffle. It's pretty fab. If you like this, be sure and check out her last album, Tell Me How You Really Feel.
"Father of All..."- Green Day
Of all performers/bands to take a stylistic leap last year, I'm not sure anyone took a larger left turn than the boys of Green Day, at least if this advance single from their upcoming album is any indication. Sure, Green Day have taken risks before, including the acoustic "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)," the power ballad "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and the "punk rock opera" album American Idiot, which was subsequently adapted into a stage musical- all of which are relatively eyebrow-raising endeavors.
But this single was so different that the first time I heard it, I didn't even realize it was Green Day. I'm aware that the band and frontman Billie Joe Armstrong have done various side projects that have explored different genres of music (i.e. The Network), so I get that this may not be a new thing to certain hardcore fans, but this, to me, was the band's most radical departure from its typical sound to date, to such an extent that some have suggested they might be trolling their fans.
All of which is not to say I don't like it- if I didn't, it wouldn't be on this list. But yeah, if you haven't heard it yet and you're a fan of the band from way back, it might take you by surprise, because it really is pretty different, with much more of a New Wave vibe. It could almost be something by Portugal.The Man, believe it or not, and I don't mean that as an insult, as I like that band just fine.
I dig it, but it admittedly took a few listens to get there because I was so surprised it even was Green Day in the first place. I can only imagine the band released it as a single to ease fans into their new sound. If so, mission accomplished- now, bring on the new album!
"It Might Be Time"- Tame Impala
The second single from their upcoming album, The Slow Rush, this sounds like some weird mash-up of Supertramp and Stereolab, by way of Beck at his most experimental, only with modern technology and electronics. It's very strange, but undeniably catchy, and those lyrics hit home, as someone who's "of a certain age," lol.
I dig these guys. They're from Australia, a la Dope Lemon, and have a similarly laid-back vibe, only slightly more accessible- less songs about weed and cocaine, for instance, lol. They also put on a great show, as evidenced by their recent performance at Coachella.
The other advance singles from the album, "Borderline" and "Posthumous Forgiveness" are really good, too, and very trippy, especially the latter, which I very nearly picked instead, mostly because of that cool ending. Looking forward to the new one. Check 'em out!
"Win"- Nasty Cherry
Charli XCX needed an outlet for the material she had amassed that wasn't quite appropriate for herself and the sound she was known for, so she formed a band, including long-time bestie Georgia Somary (bass), Kitten frontwoman Chloe Chaidez (guitar), Debbie Knox-Hewson (drums), Charli's tour drummer, and newcomer Gabi, a model-turned-singer that worked on one of Charli's videos with her.
The idea was that it had been a while since there had been a successful girl group that played rock music, so Charli decided to build one from the ground up, a process chronicled in the Netflix series I'm with the Band: Nasty Cherry. She closely collaborated with the band early on, but eventually left them to their own devices, plopping them down in a house in LA and telling them to have it and practice, practice, practice. It was tough going at first, especially for the London contingent of the band, but, against all odds, the band got pretty good in time.
While Nasty Cherry has been generally well-received, they haven't really had a break-out single as of yet. This one, which sounds a bit like New Order or The Cure or something in that vein, falls directly into the category of a "should-have-been" hit. See also "Music with Your Dad," which is about a girl having an affair with a friend's dad, which seems to be a semi-trend lately: see also Billie Eilish and Tove Lo. Thus far, they've just released an EP and a few singles, but give them time- they could be contenders.
"Red Bull & Hennessy"- Jenny Lewis
I've been a fan of Lewis since I was a kid- she was a child/teen actress who starred in movies like The Wizard, Troop Beverly Hills (one of my sister's favorites) and Foxfire (one of mine). I was a little surprised when I discovered she'd basically quit acting to pursue a music career with her band Rilo Kiley, who I just loved. That band broke up in the mid-2000's, just as they reached their peak with Under the Blacklight, which damn near broke my heart.
Not helping matters was the revelation that she'd gone country, which was not exactly my favorite genre at the time, to say the least. But my fandom was too strong to resist, so I checked out her album with The Watson Twins, Rabbit Fur Coat, and was surprised by how much I liked it. (Here's a great vid for one of the songs, with Sarah Silverman being Sarah Silverman.) She's since slowly wound her way back to rock music, but very much on her own terms, which just makes me respect her all the more.
This track- which features an all-star line-up that includes Benmont Tench (lead guitarist of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers), uber-producer Don Was on bass and no less than Ringo Starr on drums- is a fun little song that perfectly encapsulates Lewis' current groove, complete with a great video with even more stars, like St. Vincent, Beck, David Arquette, Jason Schwartzman, Jeff Goldblum and Mac DeMarco. The song itself has a bit of a 70's-era Fleetwood Mac vibe.
Sadly, her latest album was blemished somewhat by the presence of the disgraced rocker Ryan Adams, who co-produced the album to a certain degree. (Lewis says he worked on the album all of five days, then left her high and dry to finish it herself.) The allegations against him, which included confirmations by ex-wife Mandy Moore, came out a good month before this was released, which may be why it didn't do as well as it should. But now's your chance to right that wrong- if you dig this, there's plenty more where it came from. Check it out!
"Lark"- Angel Olsen
We end with what is undeniably one of the prettiest tracks of the year. Angel Olsen hails from St. Louis, Missouri, but moved to Chicago after high school, where she subsequently got signed and released her first EP in 2010.
Her debut album followed in 2012, with her second album, Burn Your Fire for No Witness (which featured the track "Windows," which was prominently featured on the Netflix show 13 Reasons Why), serving as her commercial breakthrough, reaching the Top 20 on various Billboard charts.
Her third album, My Woman, was even more successful, reaching #4 on several Billboard charts and landing on many magazine's best of the year lists, including Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Paste and even Time. It was poppier and more upbeat than her previous work, though not without some slow burns. Her latest, All Mirrors, changes up her style yet again, trading in the pop stuff for something artier, not unlike something Kate Bush would do.
This song is just gorgeous, with swirling orchestral backing and fantastic vocals from Olsen, accompanied by a lush music video. It's admittedly less rock-oriented than her last album, but it's not really pop, either, so I put it here, as, at the very least, it certainly qualifies as alternative. Check it out, then check out some of her older stuff, which is more guitar-driven. You won't regret it. 😉
Well, that about does it for this list- join me next time for a look at my favorite dance/remix tracks, as well as some great songs by alternative/indie artists you may be even less familiar with than the ones on this list- look for it ASAP. Thanks for reading! 😎
