It’s that time again! I’m excited to announce my favorite music of the season, highlighting some of the musicians that deserve recognition the most.
While I can only include my top three albums, please know that if your band/your favorite band wasn’t included, it does NOT mean they lack in any way, it just means that the field is so competitive that only the best of the best (in my opinion) can be considered.
Everything about these submissions was analyzed, from the production of the song as a whole to the quality of each instrument and vocal part. Without further ado, these are my top three Albums from Fall 2019 submissions from September-December, excluding singles:
3. Prey for Me by The Cold Year
“The introduction to “Kill Yourself” features light, classic rock-inspired guitar picking and boomy, deep bass parts that aren’t afraid of moving to the forefront. In this track, the group’s jazz roots really come into play within the vocals. Scratchy, swinging delivery makes the track incredibly catchy within just the first round of listens. The combination of funky percussion and perfectly-executed phrasing are combined with just the right amount of guitar and bass in the mix to make “Kill Yourself” unforgettable even without the lyrics coming into play, although they add just as much to the track: “Take me from the people / Take me, break me / I ain’t worthy of your time / Waiting, laying / Thinking ’bout wonderful ways to die.” When the tongue-in-cheek lyrics are combined with the impossibly funny video, the track is somehow improved even further! “Kill Yourself” is not a track you want to miss.”–Pray for Listeners of The Cold Year: Their Latest Album is Killer!
2. I am the Atom by Bishop LaVey
“The guitar picking at the beginning of “Romulus” brings a flighty feel to the song before it quickly deepens and slows through plodding, resonating notes as the vocals enter. The heaviness of the instrumentals brings extra emphasis and focus to the lyrics and the dynamic storyline within them: “Well, I was born up on the mountain / And they’ll drown me in the lake / Well, I breathe in Armageddon / And they’ll die for my mistakes / If my body is a temple / Well, then it’s seen some better days / So you can throw me from this hilltop / I see no sacrifice in vain / Now I am coming home / You’ve seen how I / I stand alone….” The character that Bishop takes on is one that we get to know well through the lyrics’ twists and turns, and it is a sonic pleasure to do so—In fact, “Romulus” is one of my favorite songs of the album.” —Bishop LaVey is The Atom
1. Escape Route by Through the Motions
“‘Voyeur” was released on September 19, 2019 as Through the Motions’ debut single, but it also appears on Escape Route. The track begins with driving guitar lines and rhythmic percussion that keep everything steady for the drifting vocals. Out of all the songs on Escape Route, “Voyeur” has to be my favorite thanks to its lyrics: “You’re the lighthouse to guide me home / In my head when I’m all alone / You’re the frequency coming in clear / Saying don’t worry baby, I’m right here.” Although the lyricism is there in other songs, there’s something special about “Voyeur’s” writing as well as its phrasing. Combined with flowing-yet-rhythmic instrumentals, the delivery of the lyrics creates something truly special.” —Review: Escape Route by Through the Motions
What were your favorite albums from this quarter?
