Team Sisson's Best of 2024

Happy holidays from Team Sisson, and congratulations on receiving Chris Schuck's 23rd Annual Surprise Birthday Bash for Jesus. As always, we've picked and exquisitely sequenced tracks from 20 of our favorite albums of 2024 for your listening pleasure. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

1. The Smile - "Bending Hectic"

Album: Wall Of Eyes

Vinnie (aka DJ Luppa) aand I caught The Smile at the Midland in the summer of 2023 and that was one helluva show!  If you're somehow not aware, the Smile is Thom and Johnny from Radiohead and the drummer from Sons of Kemet,  Tom Skinner.  I spent most of that show with my jaw on the floor watching Tom Skinner, appreciating the crazy stuff Johnny was doing with pedals and general noisemaking and barely making out anything Thom said (maybe the sound was better in the middle of the theater, but we couldn't understand a word he was saying).  "Bending Hectic" was released as a B-side single just a day or two before that show so it's been around for a while, but luckily for you it wasn't included on a proper album until this year's Wall of Eyes.  W of E is superb front to back and "Bending Hectic" came in #1 on my Spotify wrap for most plays in 2024.  I just love how it's a gentle Radiohead song for the first 5:27, then turns into a cacophony of unpleasant noise a la the There Will Be Blood score (which was done by Johnny Greenwood) and finally that drop at 5:58.  Oh my god that's so good. I should also mention they released a second album, Cutouts this year which is also worth a listen. Pretty good right? Guess what?  We're just getting started baby!

**Also, speaking of singles, last year we kicked off the Bash with a single by Party Dozen, "Wake In Might."  Usually I would wait until the following year when the album is released to add it to the Bash playlist, but it was so damn good I just couldn't wait.  They finally did release a proper album, Crime in Australia, in September of this year and whoooboy is it good!  The sounds and grooves they pull out of just drums and a sax are really impressive.  I hope you check it out.  Here's "Coup De Gronk."**

Also check out: "Wall of Eyes", "Friend Of A Friend", "I Quit" 

2. Cloud Cult - "I Am A Force Field"

Album: Alchemy Creek

This is a weird one for me.   There was a brief time about ten years ago when I was really into Cloud Cult, having been introduced to them while streaming 89.3 The Current out of Minneapolis.  The problem is when I discovered a lot of their music was centered around the lead singer, Craig Minowa, overcoming the death of his two year old son Kaidin in 2002 I just couldn't handle it anymore.  I had a two year old son at the time of that discovery and I just couldn't imagine what that must have been like, but actually I could because every time I heard one of their songs it took me to that place or fear and dread and misery and mourning.  It's interesting because as music fans we (or at least I) always want to know what songs are "about."  Lyrics are often so abstract you don't know what if anything they mean.  This is a case where I wish I'd never found out the meaning.  So, what has changed?  I don't really know.  Maybe nothing.  Even as I type this I'm listening to Alchemy Creek and there are lyrics that are borderline destroying me.  It's a beautiful record though so I hope you guys all get a chance to hear it. 

Also check out: "The Universe Woke Up As You", "One Human Being", "As Beautiful As It Hurts"

3. bby - "hotline"

Album: 1

"hotline" was the first track we added to our Best of 2024 list way back in January.  In fact, it was a single that was released in August 2023 so I guess we might have considered it for last year's Bash but there wasn't an album until this year.  Often, the first few tracks we add to the Best of ___ list don't end up on the Bash because they get the most plays throughout the year and when the end of the year comes around I'm kind of sick of hearing them.  bby was in that same boat as I was really not feeling them when I started to finalize the track listing, but then I watched the video for "hotline" and I was hooked all over again.  The youthful exuberance of these guys is one of the things I love most about music.  From what I can gather, they formed in 2023 and have quickly cultivated an existence that includes weekly "hang-outs" in their "HQ" (practice space?) which is in a warehouse in east London.  Per Deon (the bassist) "You sign up online and get chosen – not everyone that RSVP’d gets in. Then – lucky you! – when you get here, someone from the band will greet you and sign your name off the list and take you to our room. The actual space itself is a warehouse and massive. We walk you through and it’s more of a party or gathering than a gig."  So basically instead of hauling gear all over London to play random shows, they host their own intimate shows every week.  What a great idea!  We're only three tracks into the Bash and you've already heard two UK artists.  How many more will there be........

Also check out: "Kinky", "Breathe"

4. Swamp Thing - "SOS"

Album: Slap Slap

I'm honestly not sure how I came across Slap Slap, but I'm glad I did.  This kind of sound is totally my jam!  "SOS" has become a bit of a running gag at our house.  On Halloween, after Isaac and I got back from trick-or-treating in our neighborhood (Charlie had peeled off to run around with his friends at this point), we were sitting by the fire pit and doing a you pick one I pick one thing with the Bluetooth speaker.  I had just discovered Slap Slap that day and I picked "SOS" every time, partly to drive him crazy (which it did), but also because it's just a great Halloween track.  Now I play it every chance I get to see his reaction, which is usually to fly into a rage and attack me!  I had never heard of  this Canadian hip-hop trio, but it turns out they have "have a ritual of delivering dark, b-movie inspired, heavy duty thunderclaps every Halloween."  Looking back at their discography it looks like they've released an album around Halloween every year since 2014, and there were a couple more before that.  Looking at the play counts on Spotify it doesn't look like any of this effort has led to anything resembling a hit, yet they continue to do it every year.  Kind of sounds like the Birthday Bash doesn't it?  It's been years since anyone was interested in this thing yet here I am year after year sweating it out to try to make a cool thing for you guys. Much respect Swamp Thing!

Also check out: "Pure Quality"

5. Idles - "Gift Horse"

Album: TANGK

One of my goals every year is to make a Bash playlist that includes as few repeat artists as possible.  For a while I thought this might be the years I'd have zero repeats, but here we are, track 5 and we're hearing from Idles...AGAIN.  Don't be too sad though.  TANGK rocks and so do Idles. Oh, and if you're counting, there are five repeat appearances this year.  Hmmm, that might make a pretty good trivia question!

Also check out: "Dancer," "POP POP POP"

6. Nathan Jacques - "Words of Caution"

Album: Dark Wanderer and the Bounty Heart

Now we move on to another very ambitious effort by the Massachusetts born, LA based independent Americana artist Nathan Jacques.  Dark Wanderer is a double album whose concept is as follows (from his website): "In the mid 1900s, singing cowboy movie star Nathan Jacques released his second film...Dark Wanderer and the Bounty Heart. Convoluted and dreary subject matter not found in singing cowboy movies at the time led to Jacques' negative critical response. Nevertheless, that didn’t knock the skip from his step nor the shine from his smile."  The initial Bash track listing featured "Loveless Country" which we consider the standout track, but there were a lot of great options.  Overall we're really smitten by this album so I hope you give it a listen!

Also check out: "All I See", "The King Underground", "Shapeshifter"

7. Foxing - "Gratitude"

Album: Foxing

Foxing hail from just down I-70 in St. Louis.  While I've heard of them for a long time, I've never really heard them until I happened upon their new self-titled album this summer.  I've seen Foxing described as post-rock, Midwest emo, industrial, etc. but I would say this album defies singular classification.  I will say, the first thing I noticed was there's a lot of screaming on it, which is usually an automatic skip for me, but  I stuck with this one and by the end I was hooked.  This might be the most interesting and ambitious album I heard all year.  If that's not glowing enough praise, here's what the Sputnikmusic review said: "When Foxing stake their name to something, they fucking mean it. There’s no way to delve into the band’s self-titled, self-produced album without immediately discussing how heavy and unhinged this thing is. It’s arguably the most powerful and complex record I’ve heard since mewithoutYou’s masterful [Untitled] career finale, and it’s also the most off guard I’ve been caught by a release’s sheer fury since ‘Vices’ barged down the doors to Daisy. This is the kind of company I’d place Foxing in: it’s an immediate tour de force that goes full throttle instantly and unrelentingly, battering listeners with its sheer intensity. Remember how 2018’s Nearer My God oscillated between panicked, earth-shattering climaxes and emotive anthems on its way to establishing itself as the band’s de facto classic? Consider this: Foxing is Nearer My God in even fuller crisis, with no guard rails, wavering on the brink of complete mental collapse. It’s the best release I’ve heard – regardless of genre – in at least half a decade. Welcome to Foxing’s real magnum opus." I also have to give it up to the humor of this band.  The video for the first single, "Greyhound," is set up as a press conference the band called at an event space in St. Louis where none of the media outlets that they ACTUALLY INVITED showed up.  I really hope you guys give Foxing a listen. 

Also check out: "Greyhound", "Hell 99"

8. MEMORIALS - "Cut It Like A Diamond"

Album: Memorial Waterslides

One thing you will notice on this year's Bash is a shocking lack of saxophone!  That's what makes the 3:00 mark of "Cut It Like A Diamond" maybe my favorite moment on the whole playlist.  From their bio: "MEMORIALS is Verity Susman (Electrelane) and Matthew Simms (Wire, Better Corners, It Hugs Back, Uuuu, Fitted). The duo channel the spirit of free jazz to create cosmic journeys through the garden shed into psychedelic rock, far out folk and wild analogue electronics."  I will point out this is already the fourth UK band on the list, with many more to come....

Also check out: "Lamplighter"

9. Kendrick Lamar - "reincarnated"

Album: GNX

Who had a better year than Kendrick?  It's one thing to be Team Sisson's Best Rapper of the 21st Century.  For most that would be enough, but for Kendrick?  That's just icing on the cake!  If you were living in a cave this year you might not know Kendrick and Drake got into a bit of a hip-hop kerfuffle this summer that effectively was won with Kendrick's virtual defenestration of Drake on "Not Like Us," which for our money is hands down, without a doubt the song of the year.  Holding true to the best album of the year format, "Not Like Us" wasn't eligible for the Bash, but days before we firmed up the final track listing K-Dot surprise released GNX.  If you haven't heard it check it out.  There are like two tracks produced by the same producer of "Not Like Us" (Mustad) that sound verrrrry similar.  There's also some production by Taylor Swift's go-to producer Jack Antonoff.  But whoever is producing, Kendrick is over the top with his usual inventive, captivating, shape-shifting style.  "reincarnated" sounds a lot like an homage to Tupac because that's what it is!  If I wasn't irrationally worried about kids being in the room when the Bash was being played I would probably had given you the opener "wacced out murals."  GNX is all killer no filler though.  Now, that being said, I would still rank it above Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers, but below GKMC, TPAB & Damn, so I'm not saying it's K-Dot's best work, but Kendrick's mediocre work is better than the best work of most.  As Kendrick would say about me, "he a fan, he a fan, he a fan." .....oh wait, maybe not like that!

Also check out: "squabble up"

10. Honeyglaze - "Don't"

Album: Real Deal

I'm not sure how I came across this south London trio but I was smitten when I hit play on the first track, "Hide".  These guys and gal aren't really breaking any new ground with their sound, but what they do they do extremely well.  There are a lot of great tracks but to me the standout is clearly "Don't"  Hope you like it!

Also check out: "Pretty Girls"

11. Wilco - "Hot Sun"

Album: Hot Sun Cool Shroud

Our affinity for Wilco has been well documented.  Among my best friends growing up were two dues that moved to my tiny town (NOBODY moved to my tiny town so this was a big deal) from St. Louis and were Uncle Tupelo fans.  My first ever live show was Golden Smog.  One of Leanna and mine's first dates was to a Wilco show at the Blue Note.  Our first dance was to "I'm the Man Who Loves You."  I spilled a beer all over Gabe the last time they were in town. So yeah, we go way back.  That said, recent albums have not necessarily received white glove entry to the Bash.  In recent years, while strong, Schmilco, Ode To Joy & Cruel Country have all been left off the final track listing.  However, we really enjoyed Cousin last year, and we really really enjoyed their EP Hot Sun Cool Shroud this year. Recently they've did three night residencies in Austin, Tulsa & St. Paul where they did a completely different setlist each night.  Austin and St. Paul I get.  Tulsa?????  I'm trying not to be offended here, but don't they know I don't live in Tulsa?  Anyway, hope you like "Hot Sun."

Also check out: "Annihilation"

12. Strand of Oaks - "Communication"

Album: Miracle Focus

Sharp-eared listeners may remember we included Strand of Oaks' "JM" on the 2015 version of the Birthday Bash.  To be honest we had lost track of SoO since then, but were re-acquainted when I listened to episode 180 of Allen Epley's podcast Third Gear Scratch featuring an interview with Timothy Showalter (aka Strand of Oaks). I may have said this last year, but if you haven't already done so, please check out Third Gear Scratch.  Allen Epley has some KC connections, having attended William Jewel and playing in some local bands, most notably Shiner, before moving to Chicago where he now tends bar and has a regular musician gig with the Blue Man Group.  The guests on TGS aren't what you might call heavy hitters, but that's sort of the point.  If you've ever wondered what it would have been like if you'd tried to be a rock star, this show might make you feel better about your decision to be an accountant instead, although I'm invariably inspired by the sacrifices professional musicians make, not because they want to, but because they have to in order or follow their muse.  It's an incredibly honorable pursuit and we're all better for it, but it rarely leads to fame and riches.  All that being said, maybe it did lead to some fame outside of music for Timothy Showalter who acted in a show called Mayans MC (apparently a Sons of Anarchy spinoff?).  Anyway, the SoA we used to know was more guitar heavy while "Communication" is way more synth heavy, but the songwriting is still superb.  Superb, one of the great words in the English language.  

Also check out: "Party At Monster Lake" 

13. Father John Misty - "She Cleans Up"

Album: Mahashmashana

For an artist that has been in our collective consciousness for over a decade, FJM still manages to sound fresh with every release.  Like a lot of you, we first became acquainted with Joshua Tillman after he left Fleet Foxes and released his first solo album, Fear Fun in 2012.  As I recall "Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings" was in the running for the Bash that year.  As for Masashmashana, if there were unlimited time we would have brought you the title track.  Unfortunately that effort clocks in at 9:19 so you get "She Cleans Up," which is a freaking fantastic song, but I fear some of you may already be sick of it as I'm guessing if you've already heard it, you've been compelled to play it over and over and over again like we have.  What a great song!  FTJ is touring the US in early 2025 before heading over to Europe in the Summer.  I don't see any tour dates anywhere near KC, but if you mosey on over to Bandcamp you can buy his performance at the Midland Theater from 8/9/22.  Looks like he has a few live shows available there but not a lot so there must have been some magic in the Midland that night!  Next time he comes around you can bet we'll be there. 

Also check out: "Mahashmashana," "Josh Tillman and the Accidental Overdose," "I Guess Time Makes Fools of Us All"

14. OldBoy Rhymes - "Strange Kids"

Album: The Sane Asylum

This summer I remember wondering whatever became of my favorite Rhode Island rapper Sage Francis, but I saw something shiny and moved on.  Less than a week later "American Pyramids" by OldBoy Rhymes appeared on the Spotify Release Radar playlist.  Mr. Lif and Sage were features on the track which caught my eye, and the sick beat and gravel voiced OldBoy Rhymes caught my ear.  Turns out this guy was newly signed to Strange Famous which I learned is Sage's record label.  Pretty random right?  I honestly have had a hard time finding out any info about OldBoy.  From his bio: "From the dark tundra of Alaska to the heaving jungles of Papua, OldBoy Rhymes has experienced a lot -- from terrorist attacks to home invasions. He's befriended billionaires, kids in "third world" slums, and people at all levels in between,   OldBoy Rhymes has lived a crazy, multi-polar life, and his lyricism is drenched in the love and angst he soaked up along the way....OldBoy’s journey includes a visit to a mental health ward and a life-and-death street scuffle. It almost ends in a plane crash."  Sounds like a crazy life.  During all of that he somehow developed some serious skills with a mic and the beats are sick.  No idea how he was discovered, but I'm sure glad it happened.

Also check out: "American Pyramids", "Somehow", "Liftoff" 

15. SPRINTS - "Heavy"

Album: Letter to Self

Dubliners SPRINTS have been around since 2019, but only released their first full album in January of this year.  We've been rocking out all year to this one so we struggled to pick which track to include. " Initially you were going to hear "Adore Adore Adore", but then we changed our minds and picked "Cathedral" before making a last minute switch to "Heavy."  You really can't go wrong with anything on Letters to Self though. 

One cool thing about these UK rock bands is they don't wait forever between releases.  SPRINTS already has a single out ("Feast") with a pretty kickass video that presumably will be on their next record

16. Chris Fox & the Beasts - "How It Blows"

Album: Rubatosis

This fall I was listening through my Best of 2024 list and lamented the severe lack of anything I would call lovely.  Shortly thereafter I came across Rubatosis and exclaimed, Eureka! What a lovely album!  According to his Spotify bio, "Chris Fox & the Beasts if the moniker for folk songs written b  Fox and recorded with the help of his friends.  Splitting time between New Jersey and the Catskills, the "band" features friends of Fox adding their charms to song about lovelorn ghosts and the dog days of Summer."  Looking at the number of YouTube subscribers the band has (4.....yeah, 4), I'm pretty sure we're the only Best of 2024 list to feature Rubatosis.  Pass it along, these are some good tunes!

Also check out: "Ghosts (Out in the Night)," 

17. Deerlady - "Believer"

Album: Greatest Hits

From Wikipedia, "Deer Woman, sometimes known as the Deer Lady, is a spirit in Native American mythology whose associations and qualities vary, depending on situation and relationships. Generally, however, to men who have harmed women and children, she is vengeful and murderous and known to lure these men to their deaths. She appears as either a beautiful young woman with deer feet or as a deer."  Deerlady's "Masterpieces" was featured on an All Songs Considered episode sometime this year and I immediately added it to my Best of 2024 playlist.  As I recall it was a Lars pick but who has the 10 seconds it would take to confirm that?  Not me.  I'm living in the moment, and in this moment I'm all in on "Believer." Deerlady is Mali Obomsawin, Magdalena Abrego.   Mali Obomsawin is a bassist/singer-songwriter from Odanak First Nation, and Magdalena Abrego, is a Chicago-born guitarist whose parents migrated from Mexico and Puerto Rico.  Mali Obomsawin is a Berklee-trained bassist and composer who tours the jazz festival circuit as the leader of the Mali Obomsawin Sextet. In 2022, she released an acclaimed free jazz album called Sweet Tooth, which she sang entirely in the Abenaki language.  Magdalena Abrego also studied jazz guitar performance at Berklee before moving on to the New England Conservatory of Music, where she’d eventually become a faculty member.  Those are some serious bona fides!  It seems like the Bash is not complete without at least one female sung track featuring a simple 4/4 beat and simply strummed guitars that may or may not get heavy.  It  took us 17 tracks to get there this year but if you were waiting for it, there was the drop!  

Also check out: "There There"

18. Starflyer 59 - "909"

Album: Lust for Gold

There's always room for a little shoegaze!  Starflyer 59 have been around since I was a freshman in high school although somehow I only found out about them this year.  Yet another example of why I continue to do this every year.  Imagine how many awesome bands that you probably love that you've never heard of simply due to circumstance?  Anyway, Starflyer 59 is the project of Jason Martin who hails from Riverside, CA which is the home of Barry Bonds, Reggie & Cheryl Miller, Don Imus and fo course, say it with me, Skee-Lo.  If you like "909," and I'm confident you do, you'll like the rest of Lust for Gold.  

Also check out:  It's linked above but I'll link it again.  The "909" short film is  really something to behold!

19. Been Stellar - "Start Again"

Album: Scream from New York, NY

Been Stellar were critical darlings this year, or so I thought.  I'm surprised I actually haven't seen them on many year end lists, but man oh man did we wear out Scream from New York, NY this year.  Most of the press on this band centers around them being the "it" band from NY right now, filling shoes formerly owned by Sonic Youth, The Strokes, Interpol, etc.  Given the album title I guess they're embracing this role.  Wherever they're from though the songs are freaking fantastic. They spent the September & October opening for former and very nearly 2024 Bash artist Fontaines DC on their North American tour.  Man I wish they would have come through here. Oh wait, upon further research they DID come through here!  They played the Granada in Lawrence Oct 4th.  Sounds like it was a great show.  As another "it" NY band LCD Soundsystem put it, "I'm Losing My Edge."  

Also check out: "Pumpkin," "Passing Judgement," "Sweet," Their KEXP Live Session

20. Bill Ryder-Jones - "This Can't Go On"

Album: Iechyd Da

I'm pretty sure I first heard of BRJ while perusing the Quietus Best Albums of the Year So Far list. Apparently iechyd da means good health in Welsh. Sorry guys.  I'm running on fumes here.  I just re-listened to this album and it might be my overall favorite of the year.  I really wanted to move "This Can't Go On earlier in track listing because there's a lot of sameness in the middle that this one would break up, but it just fits perfectly here at the end.  As the song title goes, the Bash can't go on any farther.  At least for this year!

Also check out: His Take Away version of "This Can't Go On", ""How Beautiful I Am," "If Tomorrow Starts Without Me"

Damn!  That was pretty good right?  Here are some of the albums we also considered this year.

Faye Webster - Underdressed at the Symphony

Alejandro Escovedo - Echo Dancing

Mannequin Pussy - I Got Heaven

Fontaines DC - Romance

Sadistik - Oblivion Theater

Wishy - Triple Seven

Brittany Howard - What Now

Sego - Two Boys

Dirty Three - Love Changes Everything

Milkweed - Folklore 1979

Japandroids - Fate & Alcohol

Captain Howdy & The Sunset Serenaders - Howdy Reigns

English Teacher - This Could Be Texas

Dustbunny - Machinery

Geordie Greep - The New Sound

MAITA - want

Great Grandpa - Doom

Amyl & The Sniffers - Cartoon Darkness

Yard Act - Where's My Utopia

Warmduscher - Too Cold To Hold

Once again, happy holidays from Team Sisson and have a great 2025!

Team Sisson's Best of 2023

Happy holidays from Team Sisson, and congratulations on receiving Chris Schuck's 22nd Annual Surprise Birthday Bash for Jesus. As always, we've picked and exquisitely sequenced tracks from 22 of our favorite albums of 2023 for your listening pleasure. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

1. Party Dozen - "Wake In Might"
Album: n/a

Let’s kick things off with some gnarly key/sax/percussion from Party Dozen.  I first became aware of Party Dozen this summer when they did a session at KEXP that I happened to be streaming in my office.  What first caught my ear was when they introduced the band one of the members was Jonathan Boulet.  Sharp eared listeners may recall we featured the Jonathan Boulet track “You’re A Animal” on the 2012 Bash.  This was, and remains one of my favorite songs we ever featured on the Bash, but we haven’t heard anything from this Aussie since then.  It appears he’s been keeping busy with other projects though and we’re glad to be re-introduced.  Their Spotify bio states Party Dozen is “a sonic partnership of saxophonist Kirsty Tickle and percussionist Jonathan Boulet, Party Dozen is a project loosely based around improvisation.” Truth be told they didn’t actually release an album this year.  Digging into their back catalog I highly recommend you check out 2022’s The Real Work.  As far as I can tell all they’ve released in 2023 is the single “Wake In Might” which we’re just too excited about to wait for it to be included on an album so here you go.  Hope you like it.  

2. The Gaslight Anthem - "Positive Charge"

Album: History Books

Today we right a wrong committed 14 years ago.  My biggest Birthday Bash regret is completely missing “The ’59 Sound” back in 2009 and failing to include it in that year’s still very strong Bash. I remember buying The ’59 Sound from eMusic the following year and I’ve been loving it all these years since.  You guys remember eMusic?  The model was you paid them $10/month and you got to download 30 songs per month.  It was a better deal than iTunes which was $1/song, but they had a pretty limited catalog of available music which worked great for me since I was trying to find cool unknowns at the time.  Now we pay $10/month for every song ever recorded.  What a world.  Have you heard Gary Gulman’s phone bit?  Anyway, Cory invited me to see the Gaslight Anthem this summer and they put on a fantastic show at the Midland. History Books is their first album since 2014’s Get Hurt and we’re super glad they’re back. 

Also check out: "History Books", "Spider Bites"

3. Sufjan Stevens - "Goodbye Evergreen"

Album: Javelin

You guys know we've been long time Sufjan fans.  I'm sure you all are too.  I mean what's not to love? We found out the day of Javelin's release that Sufjan's long-time and secret partner had passed away, and that's the context of "Goodbye Evergreen" and perhaps the whole album.  If you haven't heard it yet it's as pretty as you're imagining so just click play and thank me later.  

Also check out: "Will Anybody Ever Love Me?"

4. Petite Noir - "Blurry" feat. Sampa the Great

Album: MotherFather

Spotify says I added "Blurry" to my best of 2023 playlist on April 14, but I feel like it's been in my life forever. It just feels like one of those timeless songs that would have been just as good 30 years ago and will be as good 30 years from now.   According to his Spotify bio, "Petite Noir is the architect of Noirwave - a musical and cultural movement that draws creative energy from punk aesthetics and the fragmented identity of today's African diaspora."  Duh. 

Also check out: "Finding Paradise", "777" 

5. Lila Blue - "Sweet Pea"

Album: Sweat Pea

In November I was on a long early morning walk to Firestone where I was to pick up our mini-van with a new set of tires.  Earbuds were in and I was searching 2023 releases for something that might appeal to the Mankin boys.  To that point my best of 2023 playlist was dominated by gnarly guitar rock bands and sleazy hip hop.  I needed something softer and gentler to provide balance.  On that walk I found both Daneshevskaya ("Somewhere In The Middle" was a late cut) and Lila Blue.  Not sure either fit my criteria but damn were they both good.  

Also check out: "Changeling"

6. FIGHTMASTER - "Bad Man"

Album: Violence

One of the Sound Opinions producers introduced me to "Bad Man" on their fall Buried Treasures show.  I've been unable to get it out of my head ever since.  I don't think there's anything groundbreaking about the playing but the lyrics are so earwormy!  Plus, can you think of a better name for an artist than FIGHTMASTER?  Go ahead.  I'll give you a year and you won't be able to top it.  Speaking of a year, I think that's how long it will take for this song to escape your head.  "I've got one hand free, the other's on you knee"!!!!!!!

Also check out: "Wild One", their cover of "I Will Follow You into the Dark"

7. 6LACK - "Inwood Hill Park"

Album: Since I Have A Lover

I've had "Inwood Hill Park" and "Talkback" on my list since March.  I think 6LACK was mentioned on All Songs but I really don't remember.  Looking at the reviews Since I Have A Lover doesn't appear to have made a big impression with the critics, but I've been loving it for nine months and I guarantee you're loving what you're hearing too.  

Also check out: "Temporary (ft. Don Toliver)"

8. Geese - "2122"

Album: 3D Country

I really can't tell you how I got into Geese.  I'm pretty sure I investigated and wrote off a band called Goose as a potential Birthday Bash track last year or the year before.  Interestingly, just yesterday both Geese and Goose announced they had each lost a member of their respective bands.  Anyway, now that I poke around YouTube I think you can blame The Needle Drop for cluing me into this weird af Connecticut jam band.  I usually hate this kind of music but something about 3D Country has me dancing in the aisles.  

Also check out: "Cowboy Nudes", "I See Myself"

9. Lisa O'Neill - "All Of This Is Chance"

Album: All Of This Is Chance

Now that you're listening to "All Of This Is Chance," it should come as no surprise that my Spotify year-end wrap up listed it as my most played song of the year.  Lankum is getting all of the critical acclaim (#1 album on Loud & Quiet’s list) but we turned to Lisa O’Neill this year to satisfy our Irish folk/drone needs. 

Also check out: Her Tiny Desk Concert, "Silver Seed", "Goodnight World", "Old Note"

10. Wilco - "Infinite Surprise"

Album: Cousin

Surprise surprise.  It's no secret Wilco has a special place in the hearts of Team Sisson.  My first concert ever was a show at the Blue Note in Columbia my junior year in high school.  I was dragged to it by the Kesterson boys who had moved to our tiny town a couple of years before from St. Louis.  They wanted to see these bands I had never heard of.  The opener was the Geraldine Fibbers and the headliner was Golden Smog which was an alt-country supergroup of sorts featuring members of Big Star, Soul Asylum, The Jayhawks along with Jay and Jeff from Wilco.  It was an amazing show and years later I realized the guy in the Geraldine Fibbers who was playing an upright bass with an electric mixer was Nels Cline (who has since joined, and remains in Wilco). One our our first dates was to a Wilco show.  Our first dance was to a Wilco song ("I'm the Man Who Loves You").  She got me an picture autographed by the entire band as a pharmacy school graduation present.  Yeah, we go way back.  All that being said, I have to say I haven't been gaga for the last couple of Wilco albums.  Cousin though?  I think it's their best work since The Whole Love. Gabe and I caught them at the Midland a couple of months ago and it was a stellar show.  

Also check out: "Evicted", "Ten Dead", "Pittsburgh"

11. Wednesday - "Hot Rotten Grass Smell"

Album: Rat Saw God

I was just thinking, when I was in college there was this emo band called Thursday that I liked a little but not a lot.  This made me think, "has a band/artist been named after every day of the week?"  The answer is yes (go ahead, see for yourself), but by faaaaarrrrr the most successful so far has been the Ashville, NC quartet, Wednesday.  I had "Bull Believer" on my best of 2022 list but the full album wasn't released until this year.  I was blown away when I first heard Rat Saw God, but it turns out I'm not the only one who noticed.  Rat Saw God has been DOMINATING year end best of lists.  Speaking of "Bull Believer," check out this passage from the Sputnik Music review; "Bull Believer” may end up being one of the most important songs of the year. With its two-part narrative, the first half of the song tells the sad vision of watching someone you know succumb to addiction while the latter half embraces a bittersweet reflection on teenage years. With every passing line and gritty guitar passage, the sadness builds and tension grows thicker. Yet all of this tension is released at once as the gut-wrenching screams of ”Finish Him!” pierce through the cacophony of instrumentation as the narrator comes to terms with the person they are today. It’s beautiful, emotional, and resolute – and it perfectly captures the essence of Rat Saw God."  That's a lot of info about a song not even on the Bash, but seriously, check it out.  And seriously, the whole album is great.  Looks like they're playing Omaha May 30th.  In one of the live performance videos I saw, Karly told the crowd before the last song, they "don't do encores because encores are goofy."   I totally agree!  Zentz, you in?  

Also check out: "Quarry", "Got Shocked"

12. Briston Maroney - "Body"

Album: Ultrapure

The past couple of years I’ve felt compelled to include the song I hear on repeat on The Bridge that makes me think, “oh, what is this?” even though I’ve already heard it a bunch of times.  Last year it was “Growing/Dying” by The Backseat Lovers.  This year it’s Briston Maroney’s “Body.”  I mean you can’t blame me right?  This song is catchier than chicken pox. In fact, I just searched the YouTube video to link it and the top comment was "I just heard this song today for the first time May18, 2023.  It hits really hard when you’re 71 years old and you feel most of your life has just been used up. I can only hope and pray that I have some more time on earth… So that I can start living."  I mean damn, that's powerful. There's a lot more good stuff on Ultrapure too, though it doesn't look like the major publications/sites noticed.  The third search result I found when searching for Ultrapure reviews was a review in the Mizzou student newspaper, The Maneater (Briston Maroney’s ‘Ultrapure’ is a tranquil masterpiece).  Obviously it was an exceedingly well written piece and it was a real blast from the past for me to be reading The Maneater again. Apparently this dude was a semi-finalist on American Idol in when he was 15 years old. 

Also check out: "Sunburn Fades", "Chaos Party", "Breathe"

13. Palehound - "The Clutch"

Album: Eye On The Bat

This summer, Tim, The Mankin boys and I stumbled upon a killer music festival in rural Utah where we just happened to be camping and hiking (and very nearly dying but that's a story for another time).  One of the bands we saw was Houndmouth and those dudes were awesome.  Why am I brining this up? I don't really know aside from the fact that both Houndmouth and Palehound have the word hound in their names.  Plus that Utah trip was one of the highlights of my year so I had to find a way to get it in here.  Anyway, Eye On The Bat is so freakin' good you guys.  Palehound have been around since 2014 and I've seen the name before but this is the first album I've really listened to and I'm excited to dig into the back catalog. They're playing The Truman March 25!  I may set aside my disdain for that venue and go get my face blown off.  Let me know if you want to join!

Also check out: "Independence Day" "Eye On The Bat", "Good Sex"

14. feeble little horse - "Freak"

Album: Girl with Fish

You like fuzz?  You like guitars?  You will like feeble little horse!  You know how the last two or three years of the Bash have been dominated by UK post-rock/experimental/jazz guitar bands?  2023 is the year of the female fronted gnarly guitar rock band baby!  From the Pitchfork review: "Half a decade or so ago, the electric guitar received a wellness check. As sales plummeted and legacy manufacturers slogged through financial straits, concerned parties blamed the popularity of pop, hip-hop, and electronic music, genres more often built from synthesizers and drum machines. Even Paul McCartney chimed in, telling The Washington Post in 2017 that young people lacked “guitar heroes.”  Safe to say that the four members of Feeble Little Horse, most of whom were still in high school at that point, were not tuned into this conversation. The Pittsburgh noise-pop band’s second record, Girl With Fish, speaks to the idea that a younger generation of musicians would recognize the confluence of guitar music and digital sounds as a doorway rather than a death knell. It’s a familiar story, but Feeble Little Horse’s wall of influences—textured shoegaze guitars, exacting pop hooks, idiosyncratic production flourishes—has been wheat-pasted with such vim that it feels fresh and, just as importantly, emotionally resonant.

Also check out: "Tin Man", "Steamroller" 

15. Paris Texas - "BULLET MAN"

Album: MID AIR

Wanna feel old?  In their Lemonade Stand interview the guys are asked what music they listened to growing up and the first album mentioned was Outkast's Idlewild.  Not Southernplayalistic, not Stankonia, not Aquemini.  Idlewild. This gives me a great idea.  Instead of listing birthdays on drivers licenses, they should list the first Outkast album you listened to.  I would argue this information would be far more relevant than a random date with no context.  Don't you think?

Also check out: "Everybody's Safe Until...",  "DnD (feat. Kenny Mason)", "Lana Del Rey" 

16. The Rural Alberta Advantage - "CANDU"

Album: Conductors

You know, the idea of my "favorite ____" used to seem so important. Hopefully I'm not the only one but when when I was younger it seemed like your favorite whatever was a huge part of defining you as a person.  That need to constantly be ranking things has never really left me, although at this point I'm intellectually aware that as a 40 something year old no one will ever again ask me what my favorite anything is.  It doesn't matter anymore.  It probably never did.  That being said, if you were to ask me over the past ten years what my favorite bands have been, I'd say Wilco, Drive-By Truckers and The Rural Alberta Advantage.  What I'm trying to say is I think The RAA is about as good as it can get.  For years though I thought they were done. Their last album was 2017's Brother.  That year we featured "Dead/Alive" but have since heard crickets from our darling Canadians. This year though they released Conductors with little fanfare.  No matter.  We still found it and we love the hell out of it.  You will too!

Also check out: "Plague Dogs", "AB Bride" 

17. Yves Tumor - "Echolalia"

Album: Praise A Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds)

Did you know Yves Tumor is from Tennessee?  I was almost positive they were from outer space. I feel like I have no idea what is going on with this music, but I love it anyway.  I can't put it any better than the Pitchfork reviewer did.  "Yves Tumor began their career in the low-ceilinged world of experimental noise, but from the outset, their yearning—for bigger stages, sweeping statements, limitless horizons—was palpable. “I only want to make hits,” they said with a laugh in 2017. “What else would I want to make?” Since signing to Warp, Yves Tumor has scaled upward so quickly that it sometimes seemed their own music was racing to contain their ambitions. As 2018’s darkly sensuous Safe in the Hands of Love gave way to the sex-god theatrics of 2020’s Heaven to a Tortured Mind, the only true constant was Tumor’s near-religious devotion to the possibilities of recording—for the careful placement of perfect sounds within implied space. For Tumor, headphone space is holy space, a sanctuary in which all sorts of transfigurations become possible.  With Praise a Lord Who Chews but Does Not Consume (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds), Tumor reaches an inflection point in their arms race with their own talent and ambition." Headphone space is holy space.  I love that.  I also read that passage and know I could never be a music writer (though I try every year with this dumb blog).  In some rare agreement with this publication, "Echolalia" came in #45 on The Quietus' top 75 tracks of 2023 list.  

Also check out: "Heaven Surrounds Us Like a Hood", "Meteora Blues" 

18. Kate Davis - "Consequences"

Album: Fish Bowl

I have no idea how Kate Davis ended up on my Best of 2023 playlist but I freakin' love "Consequences."  The rest of Fish Bowl is great too.  

Also check out: "Call Home", "Fish Bowl"

19. KAMAUU - "advantages"

Album: LACUNA in The House Of Mirrors

KEXP's Don Yates had this to say about LACUNA; "This Maryland rapper’s official debut full-length is a potent blend of hip hop, funk and R&B, combining a variety of adventurous, often-densely produced beats with rhymes of struggle, escapism, spirituality and community." I added "don't play with my money" to the Best of 2023 playlist in June and have been intrigued by KAMAUU ever since.  This one I'd say was more of a grower but we're all in now.  Looking at the Spotify plays "advantages" seems to be the most popular track but there is a ton of good stuff on here.  Do yourself a favor and listen to LACUNA a couple of times...and call me in the morning! 

Also check out: "switch up", "flings", "antidote" 

20. Jolie Holland - "Feet on the Ground"

Album: Haunted Mountain

We've been Jolie Holland fans for almost 20 years now.  At some point I put the song "Old Fashioned Morphine" on an early mix CD for Leanna and we've been loving her ever since.  This year both she and Buck Meek (from Big Thief) released albums called Haunted Mountain.  In the great Haunted Mountain vs Haunted Mountain battle of 2023, we preferred the Jolie Holland offering, though probably the best song on it ("Highway 72") is actually duet with Buck Meek.  What a world!  The last edit to the 2023 Bash playlist was to swap "Highway 72" with "Feet on the Ground" which saved us  47 seconds and got us under the 80 minute compact disc ceiling.  Which probably brings up an obvious question.  Why am I STILL making this as a CD?  I wonder that myself every year.  It's just one of those things I do.  To just make a playlist seems way too simple.  Anybody can do that.  Lots of people make playlists.  They take no time at all and require about as much thought.  Hopefully when you get the Birthday Bash you understand it took a lot of time and effort to make. Which I guess is sort of the point.  This year I've been repeating to my kids, my staff, whoever, the phrase "if it were easy it wouldn't be any fun." I guess that's the point.  Nothing ventured nothing gained.  Not that I'm gaining much besides personal satisfaction, but that's enough.  Ok, that's enough about that!

Also check out:  "Orange Blossoms"

21. Maruja - "Thunder"

Album: Knocknarea (EP)

Wikipedia says "Maruja is a Spanish given name, a diminutive form of the baptismal name María."  I say Maruja is yet another killer rock band from the UK. The past few years of the Birthday Bash have been dominated by two things.  Bands from across the Atlantic and saxaphones.  Maruja checks both of those boxes.  From their bandcamp bio: "From obscurity to notability, Manchester four-piece Maruja’s continual rise has yet to meet its upward limit. The convergence of vocalist and guitarist Harry Wilkinson, drummer Jacob Hayes, bassist Matt Buonaccorsi and saxophonist Joe Carroll makes for a formidable end result."  Formidable indeed!  These guys have released an album's worth of material over the past two years but Knocknarea is the only collection of songs so you get the stand out from that offering.  I considered bringing you the single "One Hand Behind The Devil," also released in 2023, but you'd be happy with any of their tracks.  These guys absolutely rip. If they release an LP next year I predict you'll see it on the end of year lists.  Remember though, you heard them here first!

Also check out: "One Hand Behind The Devil", "Zeitgeist"

22. Buck 65 - "Mono No Aware"

Album: Super Dope

Looooong-time Birthday Bash listeners might remember we included Buck 65's "1957" on our 2007 list.  After that we lost track of him, but it seems he's been keeping busy.  Super Dope is actually just one of three albums Buck 65 released this year after recently returning to the game following a 7ish year hiatus from music.  In researching this blurb I found a pretty good long form interview podcast called Kreative Kontrol where Buck did his first interview in 10 years.  This dude is fascinating.  First of all, he was an Anticon rapper back in the day and was the first one to sign a major label deal.  He was also a damn good baseball player growing up and as an adult, which explains why he mentions baseball in almost every one of his songs.  He's taken up the impossible task of finding and cataloging every drum break ever recorded and has an anonymous Instagram account where he features seven breaks every week and has earned the attention of some heavy hitting music producers who have no idea who he is.   Dude is fascinating.  Check it out if you can, and for sure check out Super Dope! 

Also check out: "Turf Rider" 

 

Here are some other albums that were in contention and deserving of recognition this year.

Young Fathers - Heavy Heavy

Pile - All Fiction

Black Belt Eagle Scout - The Land, The Water, The Sky

Lucero - Should've Learned by Now

MIRRROS - Motion and Picture

100 gecs - 10,000 gecs

The Tallest Man On Earth - Looking For Love

Cusp - You Can Do It All

McKinley Dixon - Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?

Far Caspian - The Last Remaining Light

Noname - Sundial

Cherry Glazer - I Don't Want You Anymore

Slowdive - everything is alive

Lifeguard - Dressed in Trenches 

Hotline TNT - Cartwheel

Daneshevskaya - Long Is The Tunnel

Glen Hansard - All That Was East Is West Of Me Now

Once again, happy holidays from Team Sisson and have a great 2024!

Team Sisson's Best of 2022

Happy holidays from Team Sisson, and congratulations on receiving Chris Schuck's 21st Annual Surprise Birthday Bash for Jesus. As always, we've picked and exquisitely sequenced tracks from 21 of our favorite albums of 2022 for your listening pleasure. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

1. Sasami - "Feminine Water Turmoil"
Album: Squeeze

Before we get into Sasami, please let me point out the 2022 Birthday Bash is the most jam packed Bash of all time (I think)! As you have most certainly forgotten, if you ever knew to begin with, the maximum capacity of any Compact Disc is 80 minutes.  The 2022 Birthday Bash checks in a 1:19:58.  We left only two seconds to spare this year!  You don't care?  Oh right, neither do I.  Anyway, late summer/early fall I listened to Squeeze in its entirety while on a long walk.  Obviously I liked it a lot.  Serious Chelsea Wolf vibes....delicate vocals over heavy music.  If you listen to music from the same sources as me there's a change you've heard "The Greatest," but I was most drawn to the closing track "Not A Love Song."  What I liked most about that song though was the string intro which turned out to be a separate track. It also turned out to be a killer intro to the 21st Birthday Bash.  21 years.  Can you believe it?  Do you care?  Oh right, neither do I. Can I point out, the video for "Sorry Entertainer" features Patti Harrison who absolutely kills me on I Think You Should Leave (Tables anyone?).  I know, that show is a little old, but we didn't get Netflix until this year.  I want my Corncob TV!

Also check out: "Skin A Rat", "Make It Right", "Sorry Entertainer" 

2. COIN - "Watering a Dead Flower"

Album: Uncanny Valley

I was driving home one day this summer and Sirius XMU was doing their live broadcast of Lollapalooza.  I was unfamiliar with the band that was onstage, but what I heard was what sounded at the time like one of the best songs I'd heard in a long time.  I tried to Shazaam it but since it was live nothing came up.  I was able to deduce the band was COIN so when I got home I listened to a ton of COIN to try and figure out what that song was.  I never did, but in doing so I became a huge fan of Uncanny Valley. These guys met while attending the musically prestigious Belmont University in Nashville and have been making music together since 2012. The infectious "Brad Pitt" has been in very high rotation at Team Sisson HQ but we decided "Watering a Dead Flower" fit in better with the overall motif of the 2022 Bash.  

Also check out: "Chapstick", "Cutie" 

3. Danielle Ponder - "Some Of Us Are Brave"

Album: Some Of Us Are Brave

Guys, Danielle Ponder spent over ten years as a public defender in Rochester, NY before finding mainstream success with Some Of Us Are Brave. Pretty impressive and interesting path to what I can only assume was her ultimate goal; top five placement on the Birthday Bash.  Congrats Danielle! The album title and title track are a reference to a book she read in law school, "All The Women Are White, All The Blacks Are Men, But Some Of Us Are Brave."  Every morning I turn on 90.9 The Bridge for the boys while they eat breakfast, and Danielle Ponder is the runaway winner for artist I hear that makes me say "hey boys, listen to this."  She's just fantastic.  Now you know. If you were unsure check out this "Creep" cover!

Also check out: "Only The Lonely"

4. Big Thief - "Little Things"

Album: Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You

I've been a big Big Thief fan since I first listened to their debut Capacity while deliriously tired on an overnight bus trip through Kansas & Colorado back in 2017. I'm not their only fan though as Dragon has been featured heavily on the various year end lists.  In fact, according to Metacritic, Dragon was the third most mentioned album on critic year end lists, following only Beyoncé & Rosalia.  BPM & Paste had it in their #1 spot and I think if I were to rank these I'd probably have it there too.  This was one of the albums I struggled most with deciding which track to include.  

Also check out: "Sparrow",  "Red Moon"

5. Just Mustard - "Seed"

Album: Heart Under

Big thanks to Sonic Spectrum hosted by Robert Moore for introducing us to Just Mustard this summer. Turns out a lot of people discovered them as well.  I've seen Just Mustard popping up on several other best of 2022 lists. If you're somehow reading this but haven't yet heard "Seed," here's what Paste had to say about it. "As Heart Under standout “Seed” progresses towards its explosive denouement, a sea of guitars shrouded in phaser and tremolo effects builds a sense of simultaneous rest and unrest that hints at some big-time pressure relief at the song’s end. Ball’s voice likewise maintains an eerie sense of equilibrium even as she starts enunciating her words more urgently and loudly. A quieter stretch gives way to her absolutely wailing atop guitars that shriek and whine like horses let loose in a steel factory, and the fact that this was obviously right around the corner makes it no less powerful. It reminds me of how, no matter how much your anxiety compels you to prepare for some terrible theoretical event, that moment will still feel just as awful as if you hadn’t prepared at all."

Also check out: "Blue Chalk"

6. Nilüfer Yanya - "midnight sun"

Album: PAINLESS

Nilüfer Yanya is a British singer-songwriter who's been making music since 2014, and found quite a bit of success this year with PAINLESS.  "midnight sun" was one of our most listened to tracks all year

Also check out: "stabilise", "the dealer"  

7. Paolo Nutini - "Through the Echoes"

Album: Last Night In The Bittersweet

I listened to the entirety of Last Night In The Bittersweet on an early morning riverfront walk in Chattanooga this summer.  That morning I also listened to Steve Lacy's Gemini Rights which has earned way more critical love on the year end lists, but didn't hook me nearly as hard as Last Night.  Every year I try to predict which Bash track will be the earworm for most of you and this year there's no doubt you'll be shouting "over and over" in the shower after you hear it like I have for the past six months. 

Also check out: 

8. Abby Sage - "Pool Party"

Album: The Florist

I really can't tell you how "Pool Party" ended up on my list and it was a bit of a late bloomer for me, but better late than never.  

Also check out: "Backwards Directions", "High Five"

9. Spoon - "On The Radio"

Album: Lucifer On The Sofa

Spoon have been together for >25 years and somehow still seem pretty hip.  It helps that they're still putting out great  music and obviously since we're talking about it, Lucifer On The Sofa is no exception.  From the Guardian review; "Maybe the hardest trick in rock music is to do what John Peel credited as the singular ability of the Fall – to sound always different, but always the same. Plenty of groups have flourished by always being the same; plenty more artists see it as their duty to make sure each album sounds utterly unlike the one before. But to sustain a career without ever completely repeating yourself, yet never leave anyone wondering what the heck you’ve done to the group they loved, is something few manage to pull off. Ten albums and nearly 30 years into their career, Spoon still sound like Spoon: fresh, timeless and wholly in control of their work." I've been a fan since I was first introduced to "The Way We Get By" on a CMJ sampler.  God I  miss those things.  I  mean I still have every one of them I ever received, but I wish the sampler CD was still a thing. Oh, and please do me a favor and get off my lawn. I think this is either the fifth or sixth time Spoon have been featured on the Bash so I hope you're not tired of hearing them, but I know that you're not. Back when we did the Birthday Bash Trivia Contest probably the best swag we ever gave away was a Spoon prayer candle.  Who got that?  Zentz?  Jananas? Anyway, you get it.  We've liked Spoon for a long time.  We still like them.  Yada yada yada.  

Also check out: "Wild", "The Hardest Cut", "My Babe"   

10. Loyle Carner - "Hate"

Album: hugo

Loyle Carner's "NO CD" was one of the last cuts from the 2017 Bash so we were excited to learn about hugo on All Songs Considered this fall.  Aside from being one of the UK's best rappers, he apparently is involved with a cooking school for kids with ADHD called CHILI CON CARNER.  I can't make this stuff up.

Also check out: "Nobody Knows (Ladas Road)" 

11. Wet Leg - "Angelica"

Album: Wet Leg

If you haven't heard Isle of Wright's favorite daughters Wet Leg by now you might want to re-evaluate some things.  In fact, I have to assume you've already heard "Chaise Lounge,' and "Wet Dream" which were released as singles in 2021 before the self-titled album was released this year.  If you like lyrics chock full of innuendo sung over irresistible indie pop Wet Leg is for you. Like a few other Bash artists Wet Leg have been dominating year end lists. Here's their Tiny Home Concert.

Also check out: "Too Late Now", "Ur Mum"

12. The French Tips - "Halo"

Album: All the Rage

This always happens. Every year we say we're going to make a Bash with no repeat artists. Then the year ends and of course we liked a lot of the bands that we already liked going in to the year.  Actually I think we did pretty good this year with only five repeats.  As far at the French Tips, I'm willing to be we're the only entity that had them on both our best of 2019 AND 2022 lists.  We have to be their biggest fans outside their home turf of Boise, ID.  I get Sleater-Kinney vibes when I listen to them. In case you need more motivation, the bio on their website says All the Rage "is a multicourse meal with pulsing dance beats, heavy guitar riffage and the nimble interweaving vocals of the three musicians." Sounds pretty good right?  That's what we've been trying to tell you!

Also check out: "Rearview" 

13. Fontaines D.C. - "I Love You"

Album: Skinty Fia

The UK has been absolutely killing it with their post-punk, prog rock, jazz rock (is that a thing?) scenes.  This year's Bash could have easily featured 50% or more bands from across the pond, and nearly was as Yard Act & Black Country, New Road were last minute cuts. I promise I'm not only reading Quietus for music discovery but it wouldn't be a bad idea either.  This will be the third year since 2019 we have included Fontaines D.C. on our list.  This whole album rips.  

Also check out: "Jackie Down the Line", "Skinty Fia", "Roman Holiday"  

14. Pluralone - "Offend"

Album: This is the Show

Pluralone was a nice discovery for us this year, although this is the third Pluralone album since 2019, and that's if you don't count the soundtrack album to the FX series Under the Banner of Heaven.  Turns out, Pluralone is a side project of  Josh Klinghoffer who seems to have his hand in a lot of pies.  He actually played guitar in the Red Hot Chili Peppers for ten years, but left in 2019 when John Frusciante re-joined the band. He's also worked in the studio and toured with Gnarls Barkley and is now a touring member of Pearl Jam.  Not exactly a lightweight.  Also, apparently guitar players hate him.  Well at least this one guy.  Good thing I'm not a guitar player though because I really like This is the Show.  Hope you do too.  Also, for those of you who have both great taste in music and are fans of Comedy Bang Bang, by now you hhave surely identified the word pluralone as a clumsy portmanteau!

Also check out: "Any More Alone", "Fight For The Soul"  

15.Robocobra Quartet - "Wellness"

Album: Living Isn't Easy

I've been a Robocobra Quartet since I first heard them last year on KEXP.   I mean, how could a band with a name that cool do anything but wreck shop?  Luckily my assumption is true with these guys. Like 2021 Birthday Bash band Squid, the lead singer of Robocobra Quartet is also the drummer.  Here's their Glastonbury set.  Really hoping these guys tour around here someday. 

Also check out: "Chromo Sud", "Heaven", "Night" 

16. black midi - "Welcome to Hell"

Album: Hellfire

From the Pitchfork review; "The preposterously talented English band’s third record is pitched between clinical precision and crazed abandon."  What a great and accurate description.  I actually think black midi might be the best band in the world right now.  Even if you don't like what you hear, you have to admit their sound is anything but boring.  You may recall we closed the 2019 Bash with "953" from their debut Schlagenheim.  If they keep it up I expect you'll see them on our year end list again.  Private Tristan Bongo, hereby discharged!

Also check out: "Sugar/Tzu", "Eat Men Eat" 

17. The Daisy Cull - "Little More Time"

Album: Know My Name

The process for how we come up with the stellar playlist you're currently jamming to has evolved over the years.  As has been well established, my original inspiration was Jason Cafer's Best of 20__ lists which were loaded to the listening stations at Streetside Records.  Oh man, I'm now realizing I need to explain both record stores and listening stations to the youngsters in our midst.  Let's put a pin in that for now though.  So anyway, this all used to be pretty simple.  I'd go through the CDs I bought that year and pick out the best tracks.  Soon after that iteration Napster & Kazaa became vital tools, but even then I was still using the record store to determine what deserved listening. These days, I use various podcasts, internet stations and subreddits to discover new and interesting music.  So basically anything I hear throughout the year that sinks its teeth into me gets saved onto a Best of 20__ playlist that I listen to throughout the year.  That brings us up to this year where I found myself loving the song "Know My Name" by some random band called The Daisy Cull that somehow ended up on my best of 2022 playlist.  Now imagine my surprise when in putting this project together I discovered The Daisy Cull is not only a killer Americana band not afraid of featuring horns, but hail from just up the road in Raytown, MO (Not Raymore Laycock!). 

Also check out: "No Wake Zone"

18. Andy Shauf - "Satan"

Album: n/a

You know, one of the things people like me feared would happen as the music experience shifted from physical to digital formats was the end of the album.  I mean really, if no one is going to purchase your collection of 10-15 new songs, why bother?  Why not just release your work a song at a time?  To my surprise, for whatever reason, albums are largely still a thing. That brings us to the Canadian singer-songwriter Andy Shauf.  He released two songs, "Satan" and "Jacob Rose" way back in February.  I have absolutely worn "Satan" out and have been waiting all year for and album that never came. Now I sit here on Dec 21st and see he in fact will be releasing an album next February.  No idea if "Satan" will be on it or not.  Either way you can bet I'll be listening, and until then you can enjoy what has been one of my favorite songs of the year.  

19. Nas - "Michael & Quincy"

Album: King's Disease III

Generally regarded as one of the best rappers of all time, Nas returned to our lives late this year when we heard a track from King's Disease III.  Apparently he never left, we just lost track of him.  I have specific sense memories of blasting "Nas Is Like" out of my GMC Sonoma on the way to work the graveyard shift at Wal-Mart 20 years ago.  As the album title indicates, this is the third album in a series following I & II, all produced by Hit-Boy who we know best for producing Kendrick's "Backseat Freestyle" Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City.  Something you might notice is there isn't a single guest spot on the whole album, which is pretty rare these days.  The good thing is Nas still has it.  Glad we found him again.  Have a listen. 

Also Check Out: "Thun", "Ghetto Reporter", "30" 

20. The Backseat Lovers - "Growing/Dying"

Album: Waiting to Spill

This one may be the last one in.  The Bridge has been playing "Growing/Dying" a lot and every time it starts I think, "Ooh, this sounds interesting.  I wonder who this....oh, right." I was unfamiliar with these Provo, UT boys until this year, but it appears a song called "Kirby Girl" from their 2019 album When We Were Friends has as of this moment 195,703,347 plays on Spotify.  For the less mathematically inclined among you, that's 195 MILLION plays.  You can add one more to that tally as I'm currently listening, enjoying, but not quite understanding how it became such a hit.  Good for them though. For context "Growing/Dying" currently has 4.5 million plays.  Anyway, I hope you check these guys out.  Looks like they have a ton of tour dates next year, but nothing in the Midwest.  If you find yourself in Footscray, Victoria (Australia) on February 7th though you'll be in luck!

Also check out: "Close Your Eyes"

21. Nick Hakim - "Happen"

Album: COMETA

Aaaaand we bring the 21st Birthday Bash for Jesus to a close with the beautiful and slow moving "Happen."  According to his Spotify bio, "Nick Hakim is a singer, songwriter and producer who has demonstrated that his talent can't be contained within the restrictions of categorization."  I'm pretty sure All Songs Considered is where I first heard this guy who I can't categorize.  When that happened (get it?  "Happen"?) I immediately stopped the podcast, listened to Cometa twice and was soothed and grooved all afternoon.  Check out his La Blogotheque Take Away Show. 

Also check out: "Feeling Myself", "Vertigo"

Here are some other albums that were in contention and deserving of recognition this year.

Yard Act - The Overload

Fly Anakin - Frank

Coast Contra - Apt. 505

Danger Mouse, Black Though - No Gold Teeth

Wilco - Cruel Country

Sudan Archives - Natural Brown Prom Queen

Murder By Death - Spell/Bound

Black Country, New Road - Ants From Up There

Drive-By Truckers - Welcome 2 Club XIII

Typhoon - Underground Complex No. 1

Ibibio Sound Machine - Electricity

Devin Townsend - Lightwork

Viagra Boys - Cave World

Logic - Vinyl Days

Superorganism - World  Wide Pop

Once again, happy holidays from Team Sisson!  Have a great 2023!