Monday, December 23, 2024

TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2024

Here are the best albums of the year 2024. I kept it to a tight ten this year in the hopes of really highlighting the best of the best. Here we go!

10. Rhumba Country by Pokey LaForge

Pokey LaForge is like a treasure you find at a Stuckey's on Route 66. He is Americana through and through. His latest is pure gold. 

9. Luck and Strange by David Gilmour

David Gilmour reminded the world this year why he is a cosmic legend. His latest album oozes stardust and mind bending sonics.

 

8. Handle With Care by Love Fiend

L.A.'s own Love Fiend proved that 80s power pop is still alive and strong. Seriously, did they fall out of a conversion van?

 

7. Star Sign by Ryan Adams

The ever prolific Ryan Adams released a multitude of records in 2024. This was his best. Calling all AM Gold fans..

6. L.A. Times by Travis

The Glasgow lads stormed back on to the scene with a stellar record about Los Angeles. There is some pretty deep and introspective stuff on this one, especially connected to the culture of the western United States.

 

5. Nonetheless by Pet Shop Boys

In many ways, the perfect summer album. It was my soundtrack during that time as I wandered around disc golf courses and the city pavement. Pet Shop Boys keep the 80s and synth pop alive forever...

4. 66 by Paul Weller

The Modfather showed us this year where he is at after sixty six years. It is wonderful.

 

3. Good Together by Lake Street Dive

Most musicians wish they could make music like Lake Street Drive. A variety of style combined with a killer mission. They sound like my AM radio in 1979.

 

2. Macro by Brijean

Brijean created a cornucopia of aural delight on their latest record. "Bang Bang Boom" was my track of the year. An amazing duo with a very bright future ahead of them.

1. Blue Electric Light by Lenny Kravitz

The best album of the year goes to none other than Lenny Kravitz. Holy crap what a record. Clearly, the absolute high point of his now thirty plus years in the biz. Every track is magnificent and shows a real respect for ALL that have gone before. 

 

If these ten aren't enough for you music lovers out there, check out my "Album of the Week" tag. Happy listening! 


Saturday, December 21, 2024

Track of the Year 2024: Brijean: Bang Bang Boom

It is with great honor that I announce the 2024 Track of the Year. (drum roll please...)

"Bang Bang Boom" by LA's own Brijean is an absolute stunner of a song. Is it lounge? Is it EDM? Is it psychedelic pop? All of the above and more. It's just so incredibly cool and makes the listener feel like they are sipping a martini with early 1960s go go dancers swirling all around. 

Groovy...

Friday, December 20, 2024

Track #2 of 2024: Lenny Kravitz: It's Just Another Fine Day (In This Universe)

Lenny Kravitz released an incredible album this year (more on that later). The title track is deeply amazing in its groove and positivity. 

It is indeed another fine day in this universe with Lenny doing his thing...

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Track #3 of 2024: Pet Shop Boys: Feel

The Pet Shop Boys proved in 2024 that they are the eternal and infinite synthpop band. "Feel" is a gorgeous track that was my summer vibe...

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Track #4 of 2024: Still Corners: Today Is The Day

The slinky slow vibe of "Today Is The Day" by Still Corners clocks in at #4 of 2024. This songs is a cinematic adventure!

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Track #5 Of 2024: Love Fiend: Hard Feelings

Stumbling out of a conversion van in 1980 is Los Angeles's own Love Fiend with an absolute corker of a track called "Hard Feelings." Making music like the old days! 

Monday, December 16, 2024

Track #6 of 2024: Pokey Lafarge: Made To Be Loved

Pokey Lafarge is an American treasure and the track "Made To Be Loved" is pure Americana, in an "enchantment under the sea dance" type of way. A magical track from a magnificent human...

Sunday, December 15, 2024

Track #7 of 2024: Peggy Gou: I Believe In Love Again

The vibe that comes out of Peggy Gou's "I Believe In Love Again" essentially creates its own magnificent universe. It just pulsates with perfection. And soul...

Saturday, December 14, 2024

Track #8 of 2024: Lake Street Dive: Good Together

Lake Street Dive makes me so so happy. They play music that used to come out of my AM radio when I was 12 years old. And yet it's brand new! This is the opening track of their latest release.

Friday, December 13, 2024

Track #9 of 2024: David and Romany Gilmour: Between Two Points

Easily the loveliest track of the year, "Between Two Points" a cover track from David Gilmour's latest effort, Luck and Strange, showcases the vocal stylings of Romany Gilmour. David's daughter is a true gem on this one. 

And of course the solo at the end...

Thursday, December 12, 2024

TRACK #10 OF 2024: Kaiser Chiefs: How 2 Dance

Leeds' own Kaiser Chiefs have the number ten track of the year with "How 2 Dance." This number is mega infectious and does indeed inspire me to learn how to dance...at least better than I do now:)

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Track #11 of 2024: Jack White: Old Scratch Blues

Musical treasure Jack White released yet another shovel to the head stunner of a record this year. The standout track was the opener. Rock on, laddies!

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Track #12 of 2024: Aaron Frazer: Thinking Of You

Soul is seeing a big resurgence in the last few years and Aaron Frazer is right in the thick of it with this amazing song. Just a big fat kiss...

Monday, December 9, 2024

Track #13 of 2024: Matty: Fool 4 U

The pure pop beauty of Matty's Fool 4 U makes me want to fall in love all over again. We need to capture these kinds of moments in bottles forever...

Sunday, December 8, 2024

Track #14 of 2024: La Luz: News Of The Universe.

Calling all psych-pop fans! "News of the Universe" by La Luz is just the track for you!! Streaming the cosmos, baby...

Saturday, December 7, 2024

Track #15 of 2024: Royal Otis: Foam

Royal Otis has quite a funky number out called "Foam." The track comes from their debut record called Pratts and Pain which showcases why the Sydney outfit will be a pop force for years to come.

Friday, December 6, 2024

Track #16 of 2024: The Libertines: Merry Old England

The Libertines are back with a most excellent track called "Merry Old England," a deeply cultural track about my favorite country on the planet. So poignant!

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Track #17 of 2024: San Cisco: High

 Love is in the air on the 17th best track of 2024. San Cisco continues to make pitch perfect pop!

Track #18 of 2024: Travis: Bus

I love Travis so much. The Glasgow lads have an incredible new record out called L.A.Times and the opening track is a stunner. 

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Track #19 of 2024: MGMT: Mother Nature

Next up in the countdown is a gem of a track by Middleton, Connecticut's own MGMT. Such a bright and happy number!