A little different for 2024. I picked the records back in December 2024 but didn't actually put this out as a post until December 2025. Wish I could say this was some kind of intentional project to see how my picks aged one year later but not the case. I could just say that was true but why lie about it. Nobody reads this and, truthfully, I just got behind with extraneous things like music, lists and Google blogging. None of these things are exactly on the vanguard of culture in 2024 or 2025. I just felt the need to get this out on 12/31/2025 before the clocks struck 2026. So Happy New Year! You can pick the year.
Some lines were added to these entries that bring up the year lapse. Some don't. I didn't change the order of the list from December 2024 but did let it be known if the pick took up any of my headspace throughout 2025. Kinda interesting. To me anyway. Just glad to have this one up in any form (even if the reviews are way shorter than usual). So, one year late, let's get to the list.
23
Doug Paisley
Sad Old World
This should be higher on the list. No physical release makes it harder to justify moving up though. Calm music for an uncalm world. Let's try and get that word in the dictinary next year.
22
Laceration
I Erode
21
Beak>
>>>>
This has vibes for days. Mostly because the songs are so long. It’s easy to figure kraut their influences.
20
Yesness
See You at the Solipsist Convention
Drums doing the work. The other instruments too. Lotta jams. El Don Cabeleven but also not exactly.
19
Chained to the Bottom of the Ocean
Sisyphean Cruelty
Bottom end in your face. Depression that has a beat and you can dance to it. Or, more likely, do nothing to. Ugly but perfectly so.
18
Witch Vomit
Funeral Sanctum
Well executed death. An album made by Slayer fans for themselves.
17
Thou
Umbilical
These dudes know heavy and proper production. No clue what they’re saying but I’m guessing these are mostly love songs if you dig down deep enough.
16
Chat Pile
Cool World
The latest to find the formula. Not exploit. Find. The newest variations on the theme. And that works for me. I really like the theme.
15
Silver Scrolls
Mind Lines
I still think about Polvo. This band helps me remember to remember. Solid band in their own right. This should also be higher on the list.
14
Dirty Three
Love Changes Everything
Honestly. They could have put out a previous record under a new title and it would make this list. Legends? Yes- Legends! They can do no wrong even when they’re not right.
13
Civerous
Maze Envy
Black death with pro duction. A musical onslaught with atmosfear (patent pending). Nothing bottom notch about this record. It’s all top.
12
Zombi
Direct Inject
A return to form. The misstep of adding vocals has been corrected. I think anyway, it's been a year. Carpenter worship to the synth degree. I should listen to this more.
11
Charles Moothart
Black Holes Don’t Choke
First thought - how does he know? Science barely understands black holes. Complete hubris on his part. Nobody knows nothing except that this is a pretty decent rock record.
10
Judas Priest
Invincible Shield
Looking at this a year later, how did this end up on my list? Never been a huge Priest fan. They’re fine. Haven’t listened to this once since I made this list 12 months ago. I’m sure it’s fine. It’s fine.
9
Cindy Lee
Diamond Jubilee
El Duderino wasn't into brevity. Cindy Lee agrees. Take a weekend and dive into this thing. Definitely some uncut gems to find in this release.
8
Bill Orcutt
How To Rescue Things
Honestly, not a huge repeat listen for me. But a piece of work that demands attention and its flowers. Even in his advanced age, dude is still releasing multiple records a year like people still buy them.
7
David Gilmour
Luck and Strange
Thought I would be loving this one a year later. With many repeat listens, breaking down the solos, looking into the lyrics trying to figure out if any are about Roger Waters. Turns out I didn't do any of that and decided to completely forgot about it instead. Still a solid album. Just not an all timer (so far).
6
Horse Jumper of Love
Disaster Trick
Indie rock lives in various forms in 24/25. This is one of them. They’ve had better records. Or have they? A few records into their career and still keeping it (me?) interesting.
5
Mint Mile
Roughrider
The college rock pedigree is all over this thing. Chicago/Touch and Go royalty. Almost a thing of the past now. Slowly moving from the present into the annals of history. I’ll take the scraps of what’s left and cherish them like museum worthy relics.
4
Grandaddy
Blu Wav
Bummer Twins- Part 1. Break up record or divorce record given the age of these dudes. This thing was basically stuck in my car’s cd player for months. It wore me down in every way possible. Jason Lytle writing about his bummer present.
3
Pedro the Lion
Santa Cruz
Bummer Twins - Part 2. This had nothing to do with my car, I just liked it. David Bazan’s personal memoir in music. Unlike Grandaddy’s recent bummer life, Bazan is writing about his bummer past. A Bummer History of his entire life in multiple chapter albums. Maybe I like the Bummer Brothers better? No, Bummer Twins is better.
2
Ty Segall
Three Bells
This album is one very great note. That’s my only note from last year. I guess that’s a little bit true but not my main takeaway. I would go with, this record is a grade A hit! Inventive and upbeat. Medium paced bliss for the rock enthusiasts in your life. A year later and I still love this record (and Ty’s follow up). Solid tunes with radio ready vocals. The new classic rock?
2B (or not 2B)
Shellac
To All Trains
This might be the record of the year. Or maybe it isn't. I don't know. I didn't listen to it. I couldn't listen to it. The finality of this recording is too much to consider at this point in my life. If I don't listen, there will always be a new Shellac record I haven't heard. And, if I do spin it, their catalog will be fully written. Sure, a sessions record or a b-sides record could come out but it will never be this much of a complete work. I'll be ready one day but not in 2024 or 2025 apparently.
1
Blood Incantation
Absolute Elsewhere
Last year, as notes for a review, I had “ambient death Floyd”. That’s right. All I had was those three words with this record sitting (correctly) at the top of the list. And I’m not changing that review in 2025. This record is the best of electronic/ambient, death metal and Pink Floyd tendencies. All cut together seamlessly for a varied and, honestly, unique listening experience. Something only Blood Incantation could deliver in 2024. Still listen to this all the time. A year later, there is no doubt this is 24’s AOTY.