My favorite albums of 2019

My Favorite Albums of 2019
For the first time in many years, I think I listened to LESS new music than older music.  This was really a year for digging back for me--for example, I probably listened to The Magnetic Fields' 69 Love Songs (released in 1999) more than anything else.  Also, I've spent a ton of time listening to old crooners like Sinatra and Crosby.  So, I haven't taken in nearly as much new music this year.

That being said, it was still an exciting year for new releases, and a lot of them caught my attention and kept it.  Also, as you're about to read--2019 was the year I returned to loving pop music at an alarming level.

(#10) - In Cauda Venenum
So many people are critical of the changes Opeth have undergone over the past few records, but I think it's just a natural progression for a musician like Akelfeldt, who is getting a bit older and has always had a strong connection to progressive rock--stronger than his identification with metal.  This album has the usual epic structure you'd expect from the band, but the song's are more memorable than their last couple outings.  I can't wait to watch this band shift from album to album, and I can't wait to finally see them live early this coming year.


(#9) Alcest - Spiritual Instinct
I've heard several songs about this band over the past few years, but this album is my first real experience I've had becoming smitten with a full length from them.  Some try to pigeonhole them as a black metal band or something, while others want to call them shoegaze or ambient metal.  Personally, they're a blend of all of these elements and more.  If you want a taste, just listen to "Les jardins de minuit"--which will fully engulf you.  But don't miss out on a chance to hear a complete album and listening experience.


(#8) A four way tie - MY POP OBSESSIONS
Charli XCX - Charli
James Blake - Assume Form
Lizzo - Cuz I Love You
Billie Eilish - WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?

First, I feel absolutely no shame.  So cut that shit out.  It started with James Blake (a musician I've loved for several years now) releasing his strongest album since his solo debut near the beginning of the year.  Billie and Lizzo both hit me about the same time (and truthfully, I've listened to Billie's album the most out of these four discs).  My dude Dave Biscella turned me on to the Lizzo track, "Juice." Then Charli XCX dropped, and the song "1999" was too infectious.  I know that of these four, I really am only the target demographic for the Blake album--sort of.  But these albums are all filled with solid lyrics, catchy beats, endless hooks--damn.  I just love all four of these albums.  I don't love any of them enough to put them about the rest on the list.  All of them have merit, though.



(#7) Soen - Lotus
While you all were waiting around for the new Tool album (ok--I was too) for the past 13 years, I had found a band that filled that void for me.  The vocals are top notch and the band is tight beyond belief.  Honestly, their past couple of efforts are definitely better than 10,000 Days.  So Soen was my Tool fill-in.  Once the fanaticism of Fear Inoculum passed, I realized that I do like that album.  However, I still prefer Soen's 2019 release more.  There's nothing on Fear that's as good as Soen's tunes, "Martyrs" and the title track for this disc.  At times, brutal--but most times, beautiful--you have to give Soen a listen.


(#6) Gatecreeper - Deserted 
The only death metal band that really snagged me with an entire album this year.  If you had to ask me before 2019 to name one death metal group I was digging on from the past two years, I'd have said Gatecreeper.  This excellent album just furthered that excitement.  Heavy, with a groove--just like I like it.


(#5) Fitz & The Tantrums - All the Feels
For the first time ever, there's a hint of melancholy in the music of Fitz & The Tantrums.  This album is long and ambitious--but most impressively, there are lyrics that tie in to the struggles of their front man.  I have a feeling this is a band in a period of transition--and I don't know when we'll get another Fitz album.  However, this may be their most complete album.  It's not as good as More Than Just a Dream, but tunes like the title track, "Ready or Not," and "OCD" are instant mainstays on the band's set list.  One last tip--see them live if you haven't.  Erin and I have caught them three times, and they never disappoint.


(#4) Sturgill Simpson - Sound & Fury
From what I understand, this is Sturgill's soundtrack for an anime film he helped to create.  I don't know.  I DO know that this is an awesome psych rock record--a severe departure from the country sound Sturgill usually embraces. The songs were inspired by his obsession with Macbeth as of late--and his disenchantment with the music business that I longed to be a part of for so long.  Some of these lyrics make me rather happy it never happened. His LP "A Sailor's Guide to Earth" was my favorite album of 2016--and while this one has a couple of momentary lapses, I really dig the overall vibe of the record.  I don't like anime, so I won't be watching the film.  But methinks I'll be digging on this album for many years to come.  Lyrically, this was probably the best record I encountered this year.


(#3) Life of Agony - The Sound of Scars
Honestly, I was concerned when LOA separated from Sal Abruscato, since I've always thought he was an important part of their overall sound.  However, new drummer Veronica Bellino has done a great job forming her own path on this new record.  Also, she gave me HEY DOYLE videos--but I digress. Thematically, this album is intended to be a continuation of River Runs Red--perhaps my favorite metal album ever.  I think the thematic link works, and it probably made a few pay attention who haven't followed the band since their breakthrough 1993 record.  For me, the band is really hitting their stride on this new record.  Mina Caputo--who carries a vibe of love and positivity through most of her daily social media posts--really delivers poignant lyrics on this album that represent the continuation of our protagonist's story line.  If I had to suggest just one song, it would be "Empty Hole."  The Sounds of Scars will likely be placed near the top of the band's discography once their illustrious run comes to an end--which I hope will not happen anytime soon.


(#2) Puppy - The Goat
I wish I would've kept track of how many times my wife said, "Is this that damn Puppy band again" throughout the year.  I was OBSESSED with this album for a few months.  They also dropped an EP near the end of 2019, which is solid in its own right.  But The Goat is just loaded with earworms, crunchy guitars, and soaring vocals which would sound right at home in the very grungiest of grungy atmospheres.  "And So I Burn" is one of my very favorite songs of the year, but there isn't a weak point on this album.  This would've been my absolute favorite records in most years--but this album had the distinction of being released in the same year as an absolute audio juggernaut...


(#1) Devin Townsend - Empath
...this.  Hevy Devy made the risky decision of disbanding his merry band of masters, The Devin Townsend Project.  Then he sold the rights to release all of his past albums on vinyl for $175,000.  Then, he used every penny to abscond to an isolated studio, paid the greatest players he could find, and recorded Empath.  You've never heard an album like this.  It is everything Devin can do, with no limitations of genre or expectations.  He just did everything he likes to do, all on one disc.  He also recorded the planning and sessions, releasing them on YouTube to build up anticipation--and more importantly--to document his journey.  I can't sum up this album in words.  You simply have to listen to it on your own.  All of it.  Then allow the final track on the album, the 23-plus-minute beatdown and cradling of "Singularity," to decimate you.