We have past the point of saying happy new year (per Larry David) so it is about time that I get my year in review list out. The end of year list brings me much joy as I get to relive the first time I heard or skipped through an album. This year there were some solid albums put out and even more great albums that could have used an edit of 3-4 songs. It feels as if we are back in the days of filling a double cd. There is just no need for that anymore. With the vinyl resurgence and ability to stream anything - why put out long albums? Like do you think every song is worthy - unafraid to cut something? I don’t get it. My most valuable assets in my life are my time and attention. When an album gets so deep into the time spent listening to it that you cannot remember how it started - I feel like my time is wasted. A short, concise album or even a longer album that can hold you attention and feel like a valuable use of time - that is for me. XWEAPONX pulls a hard number 2 for me this year - probably my most listened to album and clocks in around 8 minutes. Raw emotion, rage, power and a message - A fucking men. Each of CLOAKROOM’s albums gets better and better. It is my winter music and Dissolution Wave is about 37 minutes or so but completely immersive and visceral. Their mix of doomy stoner metal and shoegaze gets me every time. The album hits hard on the global catastrophe and getting through it with what we know - survival and well music. It’s the parallel story that I need to listen through to get through some days. Here’s to a brighter 2023 - hoping that you get to spend your time and attention on those things that fulfill you in life. I know changes are a’ coming for me in that department.
Be well, eat well, & enjoy. XOXO, a
1:CLOAKROOM - Dissolution Wave
2:XWEAPONX - WeaponX Demo
3:MARTHA - Please Don't Take Me Back
4:THICK - Happy Now
5:AUTHOR & PUNISHER - Kruller
6:BEYONCÉ - Renaissance
7:COME TO GRIEF - When the World Dies
8:SHOOTING DAGGERS - Athames
9:ENACT - s/t
10:NINE OF SWORDS - Beyond the Swords
11:WHITE LUNG - Premonition
12:M!R!M - Time Traitor
13:SOFT KILL - Canary Yellow
14:RLYR - s/t
15:KENDRICK LAMAR - Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
16:END IT - Unpleasant Living
17:SOUL GLO - Diaspora Problems
18:BLOOD INCANTATION - Timewave Zero
19:BODY FARM - Living Hell
20:STANDARDS - Fruit Town