Top 50 Albums Of 2024: 40-31
Continuing The Countdown And The Breakdown
These middle of the week holidays are messing with my mind. It’s Friday, but I’m not sure what I should be doing, getting some work done or looking forward to another weekend. It’s not going to be easy getting back in full swing the week of January 6, 2025.
But I’ll start worrying about that late next week! Until then, more albums that wowed me in 2024. Let’s get cracking!
NUMBER 40: Ghost Radio by The Jack Knives
If you enjoy The Gaslight Anthem, I believe you’ll get a kick out of The Jack Knives. While the songs are a little more polished, a little less rough around the edges, the sentiment and the storytelling vibe are much the same. It’s a decidedly American sound, despite the British lead singers and chief songwriter.
The band says their influences are varied and cross genres, but I don’t hear any real similarities to the bands they mention in their bio: The Beastie Boys, The Pogues, and Bob Dylan. I do hear the influence of Social Distortion, though!
This is a fantastic listen if you love some storytelling along with a rollicking rock and roll good time.
Standout Tracks: “Are You Alright?,” “Ghost Radio,” and “Jean Jacket”
Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/ghost-radio/1719448578
NUMBER 39: I Wonder If The World Knows by The K’s
It was “Sarajevo” that introduced me to the K’s, just in time to anticipate their 2024 release, I Wonder If The World Knows. There’s something about Jamie Boyle’s vocals that really speaks to me.
I’m a sucker for violin AND mythology, so it’s no surprise that “Icarus” grabbed my attention. These four lovely lads from Merseyside won the 2024 "Breakthrough Act of The Year" award at the inaugural Northern Music Awards.
There’s something very poignant and pressing about these songs. They keep me on my virtual toes through each listen. There’s plenty of pace, but it never pushes the vocals too far to the back of the mix.
It’s absolutely lovely when the pace slows down on “Hoping Maybe.” I often find myself disappointed in ballads wedged between faster tracks, but there’s no disappointment here.
Standout Tracks: “Icarus,” “Heart On My Sleeve,” and “ Hoping Maybe”
Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-wonder-if-the-world-knows/1725017303
Number 38: Howl by She Drew The Gun
More love for British artists as we dive into my #38 selection. Louisa Roach, better known in music circles as She Drew The Gun, caught my ear in the the last quarter of the year, though she’s not new to the scene.
Generally speaking, electronica is not a genre I seek out. In fact, I generally stumble upon these listens. But 2024 marked a year where synth-wave and electronica started gaining a hold on me.
Repeat listens, especially to “Washed In Blue” landed this album in my Top 50.
Standout Tracks: “Howl,” “Washed In Blue,“ and “Nothing Lasts”
Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/howl/1774269241
NUMBER 37: New Lost Ages by Tyler Ramsey
I love a good singer/songwriter. While I like pace and a little anger, I’m also a fan of storytelling and quite reflection. That’s what you get when you spin Tyler Ramsey’s 2024 release.
This is probably what I was looking for from Father John Misty, which might be why that album didn’t climb out of the contender pile.
I love the combination of vulnerability and strength in both the music and the vocals. There’s a sense of sharing secrets or deep thoughts, even in the simplest of terms.
I’m reminded, a bit, of The Red House Painters. Do any of you hear it? Especially on “Arrow To Bow.”
Standout Tracks: “Fires,” “New Lost Ages,” and “You Should Come Over”
Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/new-lost-ages/1702033149
NUMBER 36: Pick-Up Full Of Pink Carnations by The Vaccines
This album got a lot of guff and plenty of flack from other reviewers. It seems that I’m in the minority on this one. And, that’s okay.
Maybe it’s because I was late to their discography. Is it as good as Come Of Age or Combat Sports? No. But that certainly doesn’t make it bad.
Is the album name a bit unwieldy. Absolutely. Again, this doesn’t mean the album itself is bad or even mediocre. In fact, I quite enjoy it as a whole. Hence it’s #36 spot.
I’m prepared for a bit of debate and polite dissenting opinions about this selection.
Standout Tracks: “Heartbreak Kid,” “Primitive Man,” and “Love To Walk Away”
Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/pick-up-full-of-pink-carnations/1705269718
NUMBER 35: Final Summer by Cloud Nothings
I love this band. And I had the highest hopes for this release. And maybe that’s the problem. Or, if not a problem, maybe that’s why it didn’t earn a higher spot on this countdown and list.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s good. Quite good, in fact. It just doesn’t quite tip the scale and fall into great. I could have done without the long, experimental opening of the lead-off track. And I’d have preferred more of the angsty anger I’ve come to expect from this trio.
This wasn’t a miss, but it also didn’t nail the bullseye as I expected it to do. I’ll keep listening, but not as much as I will listen to their previous releases.
Standout Tracks: “I’d Get Along,” “Mouse Policy,” and “The Golden Halo”
Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/final-summer/1724226035
NUMBER 34: KLANG by Fluffy Machine
My penchant for music from across the pond continues with Switzerland’s Fluffy Machine. Fans of power and punk pop will enjoy this listen immensely.
There’s something almost anthemic about the choruses on tracks like “i’m always high (when I see you smile)” and “nah nah yeah.” They’ll prompt a smile and a head bop or three.
It’s fun, a little frenzied, a little frantic, and did I mention fun! Sometimes fun is exactly what you’re looking for in a listen. And KLANG is a great option when that’s what you’re looking for!
Standout Tracks: “i’m always high (when I see you smile),” “viviane,” and “lazy day”
Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/klang/1726772342
NUMBER 33: Strike One by Thunder Queens
Who doesn’t love a little female-fronted power pop/pop punk goodness?
I’ve seen a lot of love for this album across Substack, and I’m thrilled to be in good company. This is such a fantastically fun listen.
The Canadian trio came out strong, intending to win on their debut. And they were successful!
It’s poppy and peppy, but there’s plenty of edge, a bit of grunge, and just enough darkness to keep it from being frivolous. It’s a no skips listen from start to finish!
Standout Tracks: “Breakout,” “Lo-Vi,” and “Fighter”
Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/strike-one/1738550699
NUMBER 32: Romance by Fontaines DC
This is another album that’s been discussed across all corners of Substack and Threads. Even then, it took me a while to warm up to it. It wasn’t until I heard the title track, also the album opener with its nods to Depeche Mode and Martin Gore that I got on board.
And, yeah, there’s a definite similarity to Radiohead. But as one of the few abstainers from joining team Radiohead, that didn’t do the album any favors.
After repeat listens and time spent reflecting I can see and hear what all the hype is about.
Standout Tracks: “Starburster,” “In The Modern World,” and “Death Kink”
Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/romance/1737990072
NUMBER 31: UTOPIA NOW by Rosie Tucker
Rosie Tucker has quickly become one of my favorite female artists. I pre-ordered this album, knowing it needed to be part of my vinyl collection, and I was not disappointed.
While I don’t think UTOPIA NOW hits all the highs that Sucker Supreme did, it’s still a fantastic album. No skips. It highlights Tucker’s quirky lyrics and vocal delivery from the yipping and yelps on “All My Exes Live In Vortexes” to the plaintive longing on “Maylene.” It’s a no skip listen.
I haven’t felt such an affinity for a solo artist since my first time listing to Mirah. I look forward to many future releases. The future looks rosy with upcoming Rosie releases!
Standout Tracks: “All My Exes Live In Vortexes,” “Gil Scott Albatross,” and “Unending Bliss”
Apple Music Album Link:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/utopia-now/1712371469
That’s day two and twenty albums shared. What say you? What do you think of these ten selections? Did any of them make your top lists? I love chatting with you in the comments, so please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts!
Spot on assessment of Final Summer. I listened to this a lot, but in the end, it just wasn’t enough to make my top 10. I will say that I was lucky enough to see these guys play and they are loud AF. Sometimes I feel like wearing earplugs to a show telegraphs that I’m old. Not this time- I haven’t been that happy to have had them in years. Incredible show, but damn…
Fontaines DC’s “Favourite” has my vote as the hook of the year, and I might be off here, but I think Lou Tilsley turned me onto The Vaccines?
The rest are all new to me, so
I’ve got some homework to do!
I love A Pick Up Full If Pink Carnations and have no issue with its inclusion in your list. I think your assessment is spot on. It absolutely is not as good as Come of Age or Contact Sports but those are big shoes to fill and it’s a great listen from start to finish. It sits quite happily in my top 40 this year maybe a bit higher than in yours.
I love Romance too. It’s a top 20 album for me, I think, although outside of a top 10, I haven’t been precious about ranking them. I didn’t make a connection with Radiohead to be honest. My friend pointed out that it owes something of a debt to Oasis and I can definitely hear that in songs like Bug. Anyway, I rate it very much. I knew I would from the second I heard Starburster. I love how different all the singles were but just how well they all fit together on the album.
Where we are going to disagree a little is with The K’s. I’ve actually just put it on again to check but I’d have to say that while it’s very good, there is nothing really stand out about it for me (except maybe No Place Like Home which is an excellent track.) I also love Sarajevo which is how I first found them but I just think they have a sound that is very typical of a lot of British indie bands and I don’t find exciting because I’ve heard it so much. I’d rather stick to specific songs than a whole album from these guys. I can totally see why you like it though.