5. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Weathervanes: As a middle aged Caucasian, it’s such a treat to listen to Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit’s Weathervanes. An album where Isbell tries to make sense of the world around him and how to be a positive force in it. “Cast Iron Skillet” made it onto Barack Obama’s playlist this year. The one on my playlist is “Save the World” whose beginning instrumentation already feels dreadful as Isbell sings of a(nother) school shooting. Remarkable stuff.
4. Mitski – The Land Is Inhospitable And So Are We: A late addition to the list was the very well received Mitski album that was released in mid September. A quietly powerful album, Mitski’s lyrics are beautiful as she drops line of wisdom and makes bleak thoughts sound poetic on tracks like “When Memories Snow”. Third single “My Love Mine All Mine” also made it onto Barack Obama’s year end playlist, one of the better tips of the cap an artist can receive these days.
3. blur – The Ballad of Darren: One of the best surprises of the year was blur releasing The Ballad of Darren last summer. As the band matures, so do their songs and themes. “Russian Strings” sees Damon Albarn sing, “there’s nothing in the end, only dust” before adding the uplifting line, “so turn the music up”. Songs like “Barbaric” and “The Narcissist” are classic blur tracks. While the album could use a bit more energy, the deluxe version that adds a couple of songs is the one to get
2. Yo La Tengo – This Stupid World: 17 studio albums in and the Yo La Tengo trio continue to release great music. On this February release they include several songs that hit right away in “Apology Letter” and “Fallout”. They also leave room for the atmospheric closer sung by Georgia Hubley, “Miles Away”. A wonderful album that is still worth exploring in extended listens nearly a year later.
1. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Council Skies: Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Bird’s fourth album returns the chief to areas that he and fans know very well. While the single “Pretty Boy” had a different sound, songs like “Open the Door, See What You Find” and especially “Easy Now” have the feel of his first band. The fans who are still clamouring for an Oasis reunion are the ones not paying attention the excellent rock and roll music that both Gallagher brothers are putting out on their own.
5. Kacey Musgraves – Golden Hour: Arguably the biggest country crossover into the indie rock world of 2018. Musgraves’ fourth major album release was as slick as they come but hard not to appreciate the quality of the songs. “Lonely Weekend”, “Space Cowboy” and album standout “High Horse” are the touchstones. But those are accompanied by opener “Slow Burn” and “Velvet Elvis”. While many of these songs could easily be featured in almost every commercial on TV, it doesn’t take away from the fact that virtually every one is a winner.
4. Mitski – Be The Cowboy : The first vocal on Mitski’s fifth album claims “you’re my number 1” which is fitting as this is topping album polls across the world. Clocking in at just over 33 minutes with most songs around the two-minute mark, it is easy to leave this one on repeat for a few hours. First single “Nobody” provides the longing that is at the heart of this album. The hard rocking “Remember My Name” is followed by the defiant “Me and My Husband”. There is a reason people keep talking about this album, the quick snapshots of music cut across numerous styles but most of all, it does them expertly.
3. Tracyanne & Danny – Tracyanne & Danny : Quietly one of the most welcome returns to music was from Camera Obscura’s Tracyanne Campbell. Her voice is like a warm fire on a cold winter night. Here she appears with Danny Coughlan and together they create one of the best runs of music in 2018 from first track “Home & Dry” to infectious single “Alabama”. Second half highlight belongs to Coughlan with his 50s style “Anybody Else”. Overshadowed by bigger releases, this Merge Records release is an easy album to fall in love with.
2. Courtney Barnett – Tell Me How You Really Feel: In the disposable world of streaming and downloads, it’s rare that an album is a grower but Tell Me How You Really Feel did just that. Hard to get into at first, it feels disjointed and a bit of a downer album about touring but repeated listens prove that is not true. “City Looks Pretty” and “Nameless, Faceless” are dynamite indie rock songs. “Need A Little Time” features a pretty melody in the chorus and it’s all closed down with the melancholic uplift of “Sunday Roast”. Barnett tore the Winnipeg Folk Fest down on the Friday night this past summer. Too hard rocking for a lot of the crowd but was a glorious racket for the rest of us.
1. Beach House – 7: When reviewing the latest Beach House on the Celebration Rock Podcast, critic Steve Hyden talked about how 7 does exactly what he wants from a BH album. This is pretty much bang on. “Pay No Mind”, “Lemon Glow and “Dive” standout and the rest of the album does a very good job of being atmospheric and ethereal. “Lose Yourself” is beautiful as is “Woo” but with an 80s synth feel. 7 glides along on its rails and is happy to take the listener to the next station for its duration.
The Light Appears 