Back in the day (“the day” being 2004 when I was at my journalistic peak writing about music while running HowWasTheShow.com in Minnesota), I was pretentious enough to make a “Top 100 albums” list. These days I barely have time to listen to 100 albums a year, let alone pick 100 of them out of several hundred spun.
Well, maybe I listened to 100 new albums this year. But a top 10 list is more my style now. I am old, so I notice more overlap these days with, for example, Jon Pareles of the New York Times, rather than some of the young blood on some of the newer blogs.
A glance is enough to notice that half my list is of artists that were already around twenty years ago. Some were already around forty years ago, and two of them (The Rolling Stones and Paul Simon), were already around sixty years ago before I was even born.
I’m late to the game, as most critics published their top lists weeks ago. But I needed the Christmas holiday to get on top of my own.
At least one of the artists is new to me this year. Caroline Polachek is now one of my new favorites.
Here’s my list. It’s not definitive and reflects my taste. But everything here is worth a listen. Who knows, you may find a new favorite amongst my picks.
(Album names below link to Spotify.)
1. Slowdive - everything is alive
Hands down my favorite album of 2023, and one I can’t stop playing this record since it came out in September. It’s amazingly evocative and will change the atmosphere in your home each time you put it on.
2. Caroline Polachek - Desire, I Want to Turn Into You
This album will grip you from the first song and not let you go. On repeat in my house these last few days of the year. Alt-pop reminiscent of some of the music I loved in the 80s (looking at you, Kraftwerk.)
3. Mitski - The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We
Mitski just keeps getting better! I caught her live show in Helsinki a couple of years ago and she’s something special. Heartbreaking, poetic, art rock without pretension, or without the kind of pretension that’s annoying.
4. Lana Del Rey - Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd
Another moody, atmospheric album. Notably ambitious, evoking Wall-era Roger Waters at times. Her best since Norman Fucking Rockwell.
5. Paul Simon - Seven Psalms
Fifteenth solo album from Paul Simon. Probably his farewell album. An album steeped in spirituality and a meditation on mortality up there with Bowie’s “Blackstar” and Leonard Cohen’s “You Want It Darker.”
6. Everything But the Girl – Fuse
I’ve been in love with this band since 1983. Still am. Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn are back and more than keeping up with the cool kids.
7. Sufjan Stevens – Javelin
I almost missed this record, but once I listened to it, I realized it’s up there with Sufjan Stevens's best records, and that alone is enough to bump it into my top 10.
8. Lloyd Cole - On Pain
I’ve been following Lloyd Cole since the 80s when he performed as Lloyd Cole and the Commotions. I’m a super fan, and I’m a super fan of very few artists. (Robyn Hitchcock would be another. And the Jayhawks.) So glad he’s still putting out new music and touring (I’ll be seeing him in January in Helsinki.) This album is one of his best in years, memorable songs you can listen to over and over. Even my wife’s ears perked up.
9. The Rolling Stones - Hackney Diamonds
It's not a surprise the Stones have a new album, but maybe a surprise it’s this good. My “best of” list isn’t the only one this album made. The hits are good and Keith Richard’s song “Tell Me Straight” is a keeper.
10. The Clientele - I Am Not There Anymore
The eighth album from the breathy, London shimmer-pop band I’ve been enjoying since the early 2000s. This one is a slight deviation, enough to keep it interesting, the only challenge is the length of the album (63 minutes).
To tell you how old I am, I never heard of anyone on this list other than Simon and the Stones. And Simon is the only one I ever actually listened to. Generational disfunction is on display for sure. :)