I... really don't think it's the 24-hour churn. the only person I can speak for is myself, but the problem isn't that I have insufficient time, the problem is that I suck
― a self-reinforcing downward spiral of male-centric indie (katherine), Saturday, December 17, 2016 2:32 AM (fifteen hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
ha, from the perspective of myself and my professional insecurities, i have missed out on like 90% of things i wanted to write about in 2015-16 purely through only formulating what i want to say and what argument i want to make a week after all the thinkpieces were published. (it's also weird, as someone who was formed by the internet in many ways, to realise how bad i am at social media in 2k16)
― lex pretend, Saturday, 17 December 2016 18:05 (seven years ago) link
oh man i feel that lex
― maura, Saturday, 17 December 2016 18:08 (seven years ago) link
- no ready supply of gifs for every occasion- still don't know how to make emoji- would rather die than do a 20-tweet thread because the POINT IS TO BE CONCISE- still gives up on 90% of tweets because i can't say what i want to in 140 characters- essentially unable to be funny
let me just scurry back to tennis twitter, it's all i enjoy on there
― lex pretend, Saturday, 17 December 2016 18:11 (seven years ago) link
I was ready to get all pedantic and say pfft I know albums from that list but I didnt knew a single one. Is any of those worth the time?
― dance cum rituals (Moka), Saturday, December 17, 2016 10:16 AM (three hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
The Terrace Martin record is really good, a great companion piece to To Pimp a Butterfly. Terrace was one of the driving forces behind that record's mutated L.A. Jazz and Velvet Portraits boasts a gentler, funkier version of that style (plus some extended instrumentals from TPAB).
The Phony Ppl record is great as well, some amazing songwriting. I voted for it in the ILX albums poll last year
― altony rightano (voodoo chili), Saturday, 17 December 2016 18:22 (seven years ago) link
Here's LargeUp's soca list. They go by carnival season not calendar year:
1. Voice, “Cheers to Life”2. Tron, RR Rhythm (feat. Salty, M1, Orlando Octave, Blaxx and Fantom DunDeal)3. Marz Ville feat. Snap Brandy, “Bang Bim”(Honorable Mention: Stiffy, “Tek Off Something”)4. Olatunji, “Oh Yay”5. Machel Montano, “Need It”6. Erphaan Alves, “Intentions”7. Angela Hunte, “Mon Bon Ami”8. Bunji Garlin, “Take Over Town”9. King Bubba FM, “Calling in Sick”10. Kew, “People”11. GBM Nutron, “Scene”12. Machel Montano, “Waiting on the Stage”13. Mason, “Dem Vincy”14. Ricky T feat. Eempey Slicker, “Freaky Girls”/Motto feat. Problem Child and Mr. Legz, “Bend Dong” (Remix)15. Machel Montano and Timaya, “Better Than Them”16. Marvay, “Know The Face”HONORABLE MENTION: Runtown featuring Machel Montano, Wizkid and Walshy Fire, “Bend Down Pause” (Remix)
― rob, Saturday, 17 December 2016 18:35 (seven years ago) link
like, to be clear, i am firmly pro SJW, and writers from that perspective are very attuned to how things look from a non industry perspective, which is very valuable bc quite a lot of music writers are way too wrapped up in the industry. but at the same time they mostly don't - and nor is it their job to - pore over credits, dig deep into the tropes of a genre they only casually follow, even consider beyoncé's last two albums in the context of her entire career (side note: how many articles about the s/t and lemonade read as if the writer has never previously heard a beyoncé album?)
which brings me to another problem which is the 24-hour churn! good writers aren't being given the time (OR MONEY) to do the research, a lot of the time.
― lex pretend, Saturday, 17 December 2016 01:33 (twenty hours ago) Permalink
Yeah, I wouldn't say the problem is "those damn SJWs" encroaching on traditional music writing, and more about the way in which the collapse of criticism as an industry and its increasing focus on clickbait content tends to result in all these previous areas of concern (music fandom, celebrity gossip, politics) drifting closer together, because there's no space for them to exist separately from one another, and everyone is looking to maximise eyeballs.
This development feels more entrenched than it perhaps is precisely because it's been embraced by the kinds of organs which also tend (or would otherwise tend) to be less hidebound in their approach to music writing who perhaps recognise it's the best or least worst way to facilitate interesting writing while maintaining an audience, the alternative being to retreat into the safe space of lavish retrospectives and reissue culture. And I think his trend has in fact resulted in some great writing, and that some sites have navigated the new landscape pretty well.
But while on the one hand the last few years have created some upside for writers, the flipside is that the need to find an angle on everything makes it a lot easier to talk about how Beyonce is empowering (insert) or to treat Kanye v T-Swift in exactly the same terms as Bernie v Shillary than it is to write (or rather get commissioned to write) about music where the battle lines aren't already drawn.
You can see this in the exceptions to the rule, too. We (or "we") might complain about an artist like Dawn Richard not getting enough coverage, but one way in which artists like Dawn are a beneficiary of this paradigm (though not enough to stop them from being a net loser overall) is that just about the only angle that works is "underappreciated, visionary genius that you should stop sleeping on" - just because there's a subconscious, reflexive awareness that writing, to be effective now, needs to embed some sort of moral exhortation.
― Tim F, Saturday, 17 December 2016 22:42 (seven years ago) link
Some fun stuff in the bottom 60 or so:
http://www.undertheradarmag.com/lists/under_the_radars_top_100_albums_of_2016/
― Fastnbulbous, Saturday, 17 December 2016 23:35 (seven years ago) link
Fuck Brumpxit its the 2016 Metal and Hard N' Heavy Rock Poll Results Thread (With spotify and bandcamp links)
― Cosmic Slop, Sunday, 18 December 2016 01:50 (seven years ago) link
dude crazy kudos to Rolling Stone for a "best you didn't hear" list that's actually (a) good stuff that I (b) didn't hear (save Haley Bonar). one of the best lists of the season so far....
― alpine static, Sunday, 18 December 2016 02:52 (seven years ago) link
Thanks for the recommendation, Whiney! I will listen to it tomorrow!
― dance cum rituals (Moka), Sunday, 18 December 2016 05:02 (seven years ago) link
My favorite albums of 2016.
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 18 December 2016 05:28 (seven years ago) link
(Psst you know that Redemption is losted both at 11 & 13?)
― sushi and the banh mis (Drugs A. Money), Sunday, 18 December 2016 08:22 (seven years ago) link
Caught -- thanks.
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 18 December 2016 12:54 (seven years ago) link
Maybe I'm just getting older, but The Wire Rewind list looks pretty good to me this year.
― MikoMcha, Monday, 19 December 2016 08:04 (seven years ago) link
could someone post the genre-specific wire lists ?
― ANU (sisilafami), Monday, 19 December 2016 10:57 (seven years ago) link
the saidthegramophone list really is awesome(as per)
― nxd, Monday, 19 December 2016 11:13 (seven years ago) link
popjusticehttps://www.popjustice.com/articles/the-top-45-singles-of-2016/
― nxd, Monday, 19 December 2016 16:55 (seven years ago) link
The NorteñoBlog list is interesting, at least in part because most folks here (including me) will not have heard the majority of the norteño albums on it.
― Don Van Gorp, midwest regional VP, marketing (誤訳侮辱), Monday, 19 December 2016 17:30 (seven years ago) link
popjustice albumshttp://www.clickhole.com/article/5-disney-princesses-reimagined-caucasian-698
― r|t|c, Monday, 19 December 2016 18:25 (seven years ago) link
lol
― forgive me fader for I have sinned (wins), Monday, 19 December 2016 18:29 (seven years ago) link
lmao
― J0rdan S., Monday, 19 December 2016 18:31 (seven years ago) link
RA Poll: Top mixes, compilations and reissues of 2016 - https://www.residentadvisor.net/features/2861
Some good stuff on there. Still find it weird though how hard RA rep Giegling tho, it's like I never see or hear any reference to that label anywhere else.
― MikoMcha, Monday, 19 December 2016 20:44 (seven years ago) link
I like that EP by DJ Metatron (Traumprinz) that came out on Giegling this year, "2 the Sky"
― Dan S, Monday, 19 December 2016 22:16 (seven years ago) link
Hey, check it out, Vice have done an actual list instead of the unfunny joke list they do every year!
http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/the-vice-albums-of-the-year-2016
...oh hold on, it's just another, even less funny version of the unfunny joke list they do every year.
― Camaraderie at Arms Length, Monday, 19 December 2016 22:40 (seven years ago) link
Giegling is just nu-Kompakt, sad emotive techno that lends writing about dance music a perceived sense of legitimacy that covering Jamie Jones and Dusky doesn't because writers can talk about melancholia instead of ecstacy.
I've been sensing that Popjustice is feeling old and uninterested in actual pop music for a while and that list has me now fully convinced.
― boxedjoy, Monday, 19 December 2016 22:41 (seven years ago) link
sad emotive techno is one of the best things
― Number None, Monday, 19 December 2016 22:48 (seven years ago) link
it's not that I don't think Giegling have put out some good releases or love a bit of soft sad techno, it's more just that I don't think it's surprising the way those releases get spoken about with such reverence. Pantha Du Prince and The Field have kept doing their thing with lesser results, Kompakt have been churning out mostly fart-bass rote tech-house of late, Villalobos has been making music that doesn't have the same immediate appeal as the stuff he was doing ten years ago - their aesthetic is similarly populist but fresh enough to warrant attention.
― boxedjoy, Monday, 19 December 2016 22:57 (seven years ago) link
I would probably take all the Pampa Records over Giegling but they seem a little more functional and that's a harder sell when your content is EOY catch-ups for (the type of) people not paying attention all year
(this is a bad example because Pampa didn't release much this year but the intent is there)
― boxedjoy, Monday, 19 December 2016 23:00 (seven years ago) link
Prepare your sneers!
Classic Rockhttp://teamrock.com/feature/2016-11-25/the-best-rock-albums-of-2016
― Fastnbulbous
YOU KILLED THEM
― increasingly bonkers (rushomancy), Monday, 19 December 2016 23:26 (seven years ago) link
or more likely their entire subscriber base cancelled in rage over #RaittGate
― increasingly bonkers (rushomancy), Tuesday, 20 December 2016 02:47 (seven years ago) link
I was actually poking fun at those who do sneer at the type of stuff covered by Classic Rock. I like the mag, a friend at work subscribed and would pass on the issues of that and Metal Hammer and Prog magazine. They're all gone, which is sad. So apparently is Rock A Rolla, which hasn't had a new issue since summer. I hope Terrorizer isn't next.
― Fastnbulbous, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 05:53 (seven years ago) link
Happy to learn, from the Under the Radar list, that Springtime Carnivore put out a new album this year. And it's good!
― geoffreyess, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 06:48 (seven years ago) link
Guardian writer listshttps://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/dec/20/the-best-albums-and-tracks-of-2016-how-our-writers-voted
― nashwan, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 12:33 (seven years ago) link
quelle surprise that vice thing is the fucking unfunniest + worst
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Tuesday, 20 December 2016 12:49 (seven years ago) link
that vice thing really is like being clubbed over the head with a dinosaur bone. you would almost think it directly provoked by flopson's post the other day comparing the tone then and now
― r|t|c, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 13:20 (seven years ago) link
i will assume my browser blocked several adverts for 55dsl as i read it
― r|t|c, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 13:24 (seven years ago) link
Yeah, it's good. I was surprised there wasn't more interest, given the TPAB connection. Maybe if Kendrick hadn't dropped another record 3 weeks earlier it would have received attention.
― duped and used by my worst Miss U (President Keyes), Tuesday, 20 December 2016 13:44 (seven years ago) link
I wanted to like the Terrace Martin album more than I did.
That said, Kamasi Washington bassist Miles Mosley's album, which comes out at the end of January, is fantastic. Keep an eye out for that one.
― Don Van Gorp, midwest regional VP, marketing (誤訳侮辱), Tuesday, 20 December 2016 14:21 (seven years ago) link
Caroline SullivanAlbums Warpaint – Heads Up Madam – Back to the Sea Suede – Night Thoughts The Anchoress – Confessions of a Romance Novelist Ala.Ni – You & I Pretenders – AloneJem – Beachwood CanyonLady Gaga – JoanneTanita Tikaram – Closer to the PeopleJosienne Clark and Ben Walker – Overnight
I've never liked Caroline Sullivan as a writer but some begrudging respect is due for this.
― Matt DC, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 14:42 (seven years ago) link
Yeah, that's quite a selection.
― Hey Bob (Scik Mouthy), Tuesday, 20 December 2016 14:46 (seven years ago) link
see also the guy who put Marillion at #1
― nashwan, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 14:56 (seven years ago) link
noodle vague writes for the guardian?
― Cosmic Slop, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 14:57 (seven years ago) link
oh my lord
― illbient microtonal poetry Surbiton (imago), Tuesday, 20 December 2016 15:14 (seven years ago) link
Was it Dom Lawson btw?
― Cosmic Slop, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 15:17 (seven years ago) link
btw we are into the top 25 of the ILM pollFuck Brumpxit its the 2016 Metal and Hard N' Heavy Rock Poll Results Thread (With spotify and bandcamp links)
will finish wednesday I think
― Cosmic Slop, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 15:28 (seven years ago) link
here are my ~final standings~
ALBUMS1. Dawn Richard, Redemption2. King, We Are King3. Beyoncé, Lemonade4. Miranda Lambert, The Weight Of These Wings5. Ariana Grande, Dangerous Woman6. Cardi B, Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 17. Brandy Clark, Big Day In A Small Town8. Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, Ears9. K. Michelle, More Issues Than Vogue10. Hannah Peel, Awake But Always Dreaming11. Solange, A Seat At The Table12. Britney Spears, Glory13. Brothers Osborne, Pawn Shop14. Anohni, Hopelessness15. Maren Morris, Hero16. Raime, Tooth17. Rae Sremmurd, SremmLife 218. Nina Kraviz, Fabric 9119. Jamila Woods, Heavn20. P Money, Live And Direct21. Tweet, Charlene22. Leonard Cohen, You Want It Darker23. Maxwell, blackSUMMERS'night24. Trim, 1-800 Dinosaur Presents: Trim25. Kyle Hall, From Joy26. Róisín Murphy, Take Her Up To Monto27. Ricky Blaze, Conquer The Moment28. Corinne Bailey Rae, The Heart Speaks In Whispers29. Kevin Gates, Islah30. Floorplan, Victorious
TRAX1. Beyoncé, "Formation" / Lōtic, "Formation (Election Anxiety/America Is Over Edit)"2. Avalon Emerson, "The Frontier"3. Dreezy ft. Jeremih, "Body"4. Mazi Chukz ft. Maleek Berry, "Dem Hail"5. Yemi Alade, "Koffi Anan"6. Charly Black, "Gyal You A Party Animal"7. Rihanna, "Needed Me"8. Kiss Daniel, "Mama"9. Young M.A, "Ooouuu"10. Fantasia, "Ugly"11. Krishane ft. Patoranking, "Inconsiderate"12. Tory Lanez, "Luv"13. Tekno, "Pana"14. Èbony, "Real Truth"15. Miguel ft. Kacey Musgraves, "Waves (Remix)"16. Dexta Daps, "Trigger Finger"17. Carrie Underwood, "Church Bells"18. Alkaline, "One More Time"19. Dawn Richard, "Not Above That"20. Konshens, "Bruk Off Mi Cock"21. Zara Larsson, "Ain't My Fault"22. ShiiKane, "Loke"23. Kwamz & Flava, "Take Over"24. Kehlani, "24/7"25. Double S ft. JME, "Style & Flows"26. Shay, "PMW"27. Fifth Harmony, "Big Bad Wolf"28. Nadia Rose, "Skwod"29. Karen Gwyer, "Prophase Metaphase Anaphase"30. Eva Alordiah ft. Phyno & Reminisce, "Kanayo"31. Sevyn Streeter ft. Gucci Mane, "Prolly"32. Sir Spyro ft. Teddy Bruckshot, Lady Chann & Killa P, "Topper Top"33. GBM Nutron ft. Fay-Ann Lyons, "Scene"34. Paul Woolford, "Heaven & Earth Part 2"35. Tinie Tempah ft. Zara Larsson, "Girls Like"36. Spice, "Indicator"37. Babes Wodumo ft. Mampintsha, "Wololo"38. Alicia Keys, "In Common (Black Coffee Remix)"39. Young John ft. Lil Kesh, "Bend Down Select"40. Mella ft. P-Square, "Ginger"41. Serge Beynaud, "Remanbélé"42. AY ft. Diamond Platnumz, "Zigo (Remix)"43. Stunnah Gee ft. Davido, "Dengeme"44. Equiknoxx ft. Devin Di Dakta, "Bubble"45. Bjarki, "Bæpolar"46. No Lay, "Gotta Love It"47. Reniss, "La Sauce"48. Keke Palmer ft. Jeremih, "Enemiez"49. Fat Joe & Remy Ma ft. French Montana, "All The Way Up"50. Lil Uzi Vert, "Money Longer"
EPs1. Melanie De Biasio, Blackened Cities2. Abra, Princess3. Willow, Workshop 234. AJ Tracey, Lil Tracey5. Jammz, Warrior
― lex pretend, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 15:43 (seven years ago) link
oh bollocks i meant to post that on the "your own fav tracks" thread!!! never mind
https://boomkat.com/charts/2016
― don't take my kindness for wokeness (seandalai), Tuesday, 20 December 2016 16:30 (seven years ago) link
Probably an unfair gripe but checking out a few things on the FACT/Boomkat lists that I hadn't heard and... I'm just feeling uninspired. A lot of it seems to be trying hard to be forward-thinking and current, but it's all just a bit empty. This kind of hipstery quasi-dance makes me feel like I'm trapped in a perpetual 2010 listening to Joy Orbison and early James Blake EPs. Just don't see the point in that Lorenzo Senni thing at all...
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Tuesday, 20 December 2016 16:52 (seven years ago) link
that is unfair... precious few works of art can ever hope to attain the level of dog latin eureka moment
― r|t|c, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 17:30 (seven years ago) link