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Last week we broke the news that the site was going on hiatus but we did promise that each year we will continue to roll out year end lists.
So it begins.....the rollout of various music lists from us as we look back at the year that was and present our picks for the most recognizable albums of the year.
It has become a Thanksgiving weekend
tradition for us to issue our first year end list -- Honorable Mentions.
This is the first of three lists we will bring out over the next three
weeks, next week we will present our coveted League of Their Own and
then finally, the Top 10 albums of the year.
Here we go -- our Honorable Mentions, albums that were very good, but
not good enough to crack the Top 10 but still worth of note.
As we always do, we breakdown the list in short form and then with explanations.
2018 Honorable Mentions in Short Form (In No Particular Order):
- Nas "Nasir"
- Internal Bleeding "Corrupting Influence"
- Editors "Violence"
- Albert Hammond Jr. "Francis Trouble"
- Blu & Nottz "Gods in Spirit, Titans in the Flesh"
- The Good, The Bad, and The Queen "Merrie Land"
Now, in Long Form (In No Particular Order):
Nas - "Nasir"
Nas fell into the Kanye West production hole that many artists did this year and while some of the releases were hit or miss, the Queens emcee came out with his follow-up to 2012's instant classic, "Life is Good," and handed a solid album to fans. While critics were mixed on some of the messages Nas was saying about vaccinations and failing to address allegations set forth by his ex-wife, the rapper lyrically may have played it safe on some songs but on others like "Not for Radio," "Cop Shot the Kid," and "Bonjour," the legendary rapper flexed over vicious West beats. It was a grand combination that yes, could have been grander, however, with another album allegedly in the can by Nas, "Nasir" was a taste of what seems to be coming.
Internal Bleeding - "Corrupting Influence"
The Long Island slam-core icons returned with not only the most brutal and intense release of 2018 but their greatest album to date. Following the death of long time drummer Billy Tolley, the band could have called it quits or could have rested on their laurels but instead they channeled the spirit of their fallen brother and crafted a record that is not only shaking up heaven but one that also frightens the devil himself. "Corrupting Influence" not only pays homage to Tolley is also hits on the society we live in today thanks to themes of selfishness, loneliness, and always looking for something more.
Editors - "Violence"
Editors have been on a rocky path for 8 years thanks to various line-up changes, alterations in sound and style, but also trying to figure out their place in music after the hype around them settled. After 8 years, they not only threw their own rule book out the window the finally sound like a band who are comfortable with who they are and what they have become. "Violence" is the British band's best album since "In This Light and On This Evening" and the gap between the two records were clearly growing pains to get to where they wanted to be and for fans, it was well worth the wait.
Albert Hammond Jr. - "Francis Trouble"
Albert Hammond Jr. has been releasing quality solo records since 2006. While he has always lived in the shadow of being the guitarist of The Strokes, after 12 years he finally sounds comfortable with not just that title but being a solo artist as the band continues to be on hiatus. "Francis Trouble" is a deeply personal and tragic record about his family in which he tells the story about finding out later on in life that he was supposed to be a twin but his brother died in the womb. The child was to be named Francis, whom Albert paid tribute to in title and song. The album, which dealing with heavy themes, does in fact have a summer time light feel to it and as you bopping around to dense lyrics but all equipped with perfect pop hooks.
Blu & Nottz - "Gods in Spirit, Titans in the Flesh"
While this album is sorta cheating in effort to get on this list, it is so good they managed to break the rules. The very underrated West Coast rapper Blu and equally underappreciated Virginia producer Nottz released two EPs in 2013 and 2016 respectively,
"Gods in Spirit, Titans in the Flesh" is the combination of both of them in one package bringing fans the 90s throwback hip-hop vibe of boom bap and soul. The songs were reorganized in a much more logical song order telling the story of their underground musical dominance while bringing in couple new songs to the mix that were not featured on either EP.
"Gods in Spirit, Titans in the Flesh" is the combination of both of them in one package bringing fans the 90s throwback hip-hop vibe of boom bap and soul. The songs were reorganized in a much more logical song order telling the story of their underground musical dominance while bringing in couple new songs to the mix that were not featured on either EP.
The Good, The Bad, and The Queen - "Merrie Land"
The supergroup of Blur / Gorillaz member Damon Albarn, The Clash's Paul Simonon, The Verve's Simon Tong, and Fela drummer Tony Allen return with their second album in 11 years. Unlike its 2007 predecessor, "Merrie Land" does not feature production by Danger Mouse instead behind the decks was long-time David Bowie producer Tony Visconti. The album is a love letter to England but unlike their self-titled debut, it isn't about the doom and gloom aspect of growing up in the kingdom but honoring the fallen soldiers who fought for the monarchy during World War I. Perfectly timed to be released during the 100th anniversary of the end of the first Great War, the supergroup show their appreciation in song.