Good Riddance to the Bad Rubbish of a Year; Here’s a Nonet of Things to Start Digging Us Out.
BEST MUSICIAN WEBSITE – Nick Cave’s “The Red Hand Files”
While spending more time with “Ghosteen” this year, I went down some Nick Cave rabbit holes (as one does). I was delighted to find “The Red Hand Files” website. Here, Nick responds to correspondence he receives on a wide range of topics…anything from the serious (like the death of his son) to the less consequential (like his recent thoughts on “Fairytale of New York”). Reading through the posts you feel a real intimate human connection with Nick and his fans.
GIF OF THE YEAR – The Naked Congress Space Cow
In reviewing some music from Naked Congress in January, I initiated some discussion about their song “Will There Be Any Cows in Space?” Here’s one of their responses:
SOME OF THE BEST WE LOST IN 2020 – Toots Hibbert, John Prine, and Adam Schlesinger
We lost many great musicians in 2020, but there are three very different artists I’d like to mention who created some of my favorite music. All three apparently passed away from complications related to COVID-19. It’s just…ugh. Let’s not lose any more to this pandemic. Be careful and wear a mask; the vaccine is coming.
The word “legendary” is sometimes overused, but for Toots Hibbert it no doubt applies. His song “Do the Reggay” ultimately became the name for a whole musical genre (reggae, if that’s not obvious). And he’s also responsible for one of my all-time top reggae songs “54-46 (That’s My Number)”:
John Prine cemented his excellent reputation with his self-titled debut album. It’s a master class in song writing. It’s low key, both beautiful and depressing by turns, and includes some clever social commentary. I still have it in regular rotation. Here’s one with one of his most famous lyrics:
And finally, Adam Schlesinger was part of the band Fountains of Wayne and co-wrote one of my favorite pop songs. “Radiation Vibe” is just perfection:
BEST OF SHAMELESS FAMILY SELF-PROMOTION – “Titan” by Kilian Flowers
I’ve mentioned my son Rhombus on these pages in the past; he’s the extremely talented musician in the family. He’s done all kinds of music that I’ve been fortunate to enjoy, including making turns over the last couple years into jazz and shoegaze (among other styles). This one (released under his Kilian Flowers moniker) has hints of jazz, electronica, and instrumental hip hop. It’s all his vision, mostly his playing, and listening to the album just once will make you feel good for the whole day.
BEST INTERNET LABEL – I Fought the Ant and the Ant Won
MuteAnt Sounds was a label I was already familiar with, but at the beginning of the year I decided I was going to spend some focused time trying to keep up with all their releases. Well, I failed at that because they are so prolific (I’d guess 2-3 releases a week). But you know what? I have no complaints; it was the delightful combination of quality and quantity for the whole year. I did get a fair number of reviews out (which you can find on The MuteAnt Project tab), but the important thing is that the label continued to put out consistently interesting, challenging and excellent music. Jazz, noise, experimental, avant garde…if you like anything “outside the box” you should go buy the MuteAnt catalog; you’ll get a pulsating mountain of musical enjoyment.
BEST MUTEANT RELEASE – Well, ummm….
Since I spent so much time with MuteAnt this year, I guess I should pick out some favorites. I hate to leave anyone out because there were so many amazing releases, but let’s look at it this way: If I had to name a single album, I’m going with “The Harmolodyssey” by Anthony Osborne, which really affected me. If I had to pick one artist, I’ll pick Other Matter because they not only introduced me to their great music, but also other sounds created by OM’s two members (Michel Kristof and Julien Palomo). And finally, if I had to pick one “experience,” I’m selecting the wonderful and frightening world of “Eagleclaw Ghost of Fulci.” But, honesty, MuteAnt artists, I love you all.
BEST CONCERT (FILM) – David Byrne’s “American Utopia“
So, this @!%#ing global pandemic certainly put a huge roadblock in our ability to see live music this year. However, David Byrne released a video of his recent tour. It was certainly a different style of presentation that was very compelling to both hear and watch. Lots of Talking Heads tunes were included, which was a nice bonus.
BEST BRILLIANT IDEA PROBABLY LONG OVERDUE – “Our 50 States Project”
In the early 2000’s Sufjan Stevens released his Michigan and Illinois albums, indicating in various interviews that he’d be releasing future albums dedicated to the other 48 US states. While we probably all could have guessed this “promise” was just hyperbole, there was still faint hope among fans that it would happen. As the years have gone on with no new entries in the series, most have definitively given up.
But one brave soul did not give up. Joey Clift took the bull by the horns, rallied the internet, and has now completed the “50 States Project.” Sure, it’s not music from Sufjan himself, but scores of talented people have created hundreds of songs in the spirit of the original idea. And it could not be more delightful. So, I say a hearty “well done” to the man of the hour, Joey Clift, and thank you to the internet.
BEST ALBUM I HAVEN’T HEARD YET – “Shadow of Fear” by Cabaret Voltaire
CV is definitely on my Mount Rushmore of all-time favorites. I know the band is now down to only Richard H. Kirk, and perhaps this could have been released as another one of his excellent solo works, but I don’t care…it’s Cabaret Voltaire and that’s good enough for me. I have not had a chance to hear this latest album yet; I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I’m confident I’ll like this one a lot, so here’s hoping Santa brings it to me and I can kick off 2021 in fine fashion.
