Julien Baker, Kendrick Lamar, and Reba Meyers
The end of the year is upon us and my favorite time of the year begins. I’m excited to dive deep into 2017’s seismic year for music. It’s one of the best of the decade, perhaps on the level of 2012 when Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar, The Contortionist, and Japandroids were putting out their seminal projects. I really can’t wait to sharing my take on this year’s offerings. Imagine walking into this hyped gourmet bistro you’ve heard so much about and it exceeding your presumptions. This year has something for everyone. For me it’s a year where the albums I hoped for were above all the expectations I had.
Living in a post-fact world in Trump’s America, after a supposed post-racial world with Obama, I knew music, as always, would reflect the counter reality in the country. In the 80’s you had Black Flag and punk hardcore’s no surrender battle cry to Reagan’s morning in America facade. Earlier this decade, the metal scene I came from rejected the conventional business practices and embraced the independence and freedom of the internet. I’ll remember this year as one where woman said “fuck you” and used the internet, their social media platform, and wealth to stand against misogyny, sexual assault, and unbalance in their respective societies.
I’m still trying to find my own place in it as a man. In one way I fear I may be too ignorant. Of course I’ll never understand their experiences but I know how ignorant I was in the past with my language. What else am I doing wrong? I don’t fear making a mistake, how else does one learn? I’m afraid however of the exile and branding this overzealous society marks you with. I want someone to explain my wrongs and see I’m not an evil person. Champion my growth as a person, don’t banish me from the village.
Now conversely, I couldn’t be prouder as a citizen of the world to see woman, and all victims of sexual assault, come after their perpetrators’ throats, ruthlessly. I’m so proud to see woman continue to rise in music while the market still favors and is dominated by men. I’m excited to share with you Reba Meyers’ incredible musicianship and stage dominance this year. Meyers and Code Orange are must see live music and in my opinion the hottest ticket in the world right now. Just look. Seriously. No wonder they get to play with Gojira. They’re as sick live as The Dillinger Escape Plan or anyone else I’ve ever seen. It’s hard not to bow down like you did to your childhood legends, for me James Hetfield, Dave Mustaine, Dimebag, so many others. She’s in that group now and Code Orange took their place as one of the best bands around.
Women weren’t the only ones scribing about modern society. Kendrick Lamar owned this year, and officially owns the decade. When I think about last decade Thursday, Mew, Jimmy Eat World, Radiohead, Slipknot, Foo Fighters, so many formative bands come to mind immediately. For me it’s hard to say who dominated last decade but without question Kendrick stands above everyone else since 2010. DAMN. made him completely untouchable. Where Tupac Shakur was this mythical figure my biological father introduced me to, K Dot will be same for my children (someday, I hope). He’s a one of the greats and we should appreciate his work while he’s here.
Past and Present
I’ll also remember this year for exorcising metalcore and “heavy” music predominately out of my system. Before someone says I think I’m above something, let me just say yeah you might be right. I still enjoy a good heavy album. I just recently wrote about one where I pointed out most of these bands struggle writing just one good song, let alone an album. I crave a complete installation. In becoming a vinyl connoisseur this year I expect a full canvas and subtle details to hit me in all the right places when I put needle on wx. If I’m spending on average $20, when I could just stick with my $15 a month for Apple Music. You better not bore me with bullshit and half-assed product. I expect your best and you better occupy my living room as well as your recording space.
Heavy music will always have a place in my life. I went to shows religiously and played with these bands. How I managed an opportunity to perform before Fallujah, Lorena Shore, Wovenwar, and a bunch more is beyond me. Those were fortunate experiences I’ll always be proud of and brag about forever. Once my life changed last year I opened myself to so many new experiences. The music never pushed me away, who I became didn’t identify with heavy music anymore. I can’t go to the gym without it. Veil of Maya, Novelists, and Threat Signal are this years best in the gym for me but I don’t seek out this music outside the gym.
After completing my therapy I didn’t feel the same. I’m not angry, hateful, and thankfully as spiteful as I was. Sure I still have short comings but I’d rather remove myself from my negative emotions and situations. I was at peace for the first time in a long time when I spent time in Japan this past spring. Real Estate’s In Mind or Father John Misty’s Pure Comedy let my mind daze. I marveled at the Japanese country standing still as I sped by seasoned farmers tending to their rice paddies. Men and women driving unfamiliarly small vehicles. School kids making out by the train tracks. These albums were the soundtrack for those trips. Like anesthesia, I sat and saw outside myself. My body was just a vessel for a moment and I flew through the countryside. It was a high without the substance abuse.
In living on my own for about 18 months I’ve had to find ways to enjoy solitude. I’m writing this in a neighborhood cafe by my place. It’s a modest pleasure I’ve always considered a luxury. I made this place my spot when I moved to North Park. The apartment is great but it’s also nice to leave and go somewhere. As Christian Madsbjerg writes in the bible I’m reading “escape the zoo… observe life on the savannah.” Out here I can walk around the savanna I wanted and enjoy how my life looks and sounds. This year Julien Baker, Hodera, Turnover, and so many more resonated with my experiences. I’m excited to share with you what I meant by that last sentence and how these artists stack up as this year comes to a close.
Starting next month I will have a new piece every Friday leading up to my top album of the year on December 29th, right before new years. I’m sharing this post with a wider audience than last year so if you haven’t read my work before check out last year’s list. Aside from my annual top 10 albums I’ve put together new lists. Next Friday I’ll share albums that should have made last year’s top 10. At least I found them this year! See you all then.
Disaesthetic 