Contenders & Countdowns #1

Many of us are frantically try to figure out our top albums of the year ...

Hi there. Before I dive into today’s topic I’d love to share some fun news.

Unbeknownst to me, until this morning, yesterday’s Friday Fifteen publish was my 150th post since I started my Substack account last November. Wow! And that’s with some breaks when I life got in the way.

That also means my one-year anniversary is coming up. I’ll have to plan something very fun for that day. The wheels are turning.

Back to topic!

End Of Year BEST Time Is Around The Corner

The feed is already full of early talk about this year’s best albums compilations. There’s excitement in the air. But for many of us, there’s also hesitation.

Have we chosen wisely? Will we choose wisely? That’s a me question, because I haven’t dialed in all of my selections and don’t believe I will until will into December.

And that’s another thing on my mind. I’ve never understood releasing best of posts before the year is close to over. While there are fewer new releases in December, that doesn’t mean there won’t be contenders. For example, we’re expecting something new from The National in mid-December. Does that release not deserve consideration?

Last Week of December, First Week of January

That’s when I’ll be sharing my multi-part, five, I believe, list of my top 50 albums of 2024. Why fifty? Because as an avid music discovery kind of gal, I’ve probably listened to ummm, 300+ new releases this year. On the low end. I’ll try to get a full count to go along with the Top 50 list. There will also be honorable mentions. I’m still figuring out the format. More to come.

Contenders?

I probably should have been sharing contenders earlier than November. But I wasn’t even sure if I’d be compiling a best of list. So you’ll, pretty please, excuse my tardiness.

God Looks Out For Fools by Family Dinner - August 2024

I like female fronted grungy goodness, and Family Dinner delivers on that, with just enough shoegaze thrown in to add an ethereal vibe.

Pick-Up Full Of Pink Carnations by The Vaccines - January 2024

I expect this album will be on a few lists. It’s their 6th studio album, and I’ve loved them all, so I knew they’d be a contender before I heard the album, and before I knew I’d even be doing a Top # list.

Stampede by Orville Peck - August 2024

I was late to the Orville Peck party, but once I arrived I was fully on board. It’s not his schtick. It’s his voice. And this with friends look back to great songs past is glorious. There’s plenty to unpack here, even for those who aren’t fans of country music.

New In 2024, But …

And what would a list of the best be without those that didn’t make the list. I’m not out to yuck anyone else’s yum, but these two 2024 releases won’t be on my Best Of list.

Glory by The Airborne Toxic Event - September 2024
Forever by Charly Bliss - August 2024

While both albums added several songs to my ever growing Spotify Liked Songs List, there were more skips than additions, so, while I love both bands, these releases just aren’t contenders.

That’s all for today. I’ll be digging into more contenders and nailing down my timeline over the few weeks left before 2025 takes us into a new year full of new music!