My top 50 albums of 2022:

https://swanfungus.com/2022/12/the-top-50-albums-of-2022/

#lists #bestof2022 #newmusic

#NowPlaying #ZolaJesus #Arkhon

This is about as "pop" as my tastes get these days. Maybe instead of ranking albums numerically based on the amount of joy they bring me, I should rank them on a scale of how dark they are. This would be the low end of the spectrum ("Dark"), and something like the Mizmor/Thou collab would be the opposite pole ("None More Dark").

#SacredBones #BestOf #2022 #List

Went down a #YouTube rabbit hole last night looking for footage from random concerts I attended in my twenties and this one floored me: Wolf Eyes at TT's in 2005 (supported by Prurient and Sunburned Hand Of The Man). I doubled checked my review of the show and this video is the last song of the night. At some point a bartender slams a rowdy dude to the ground and tries to choke him out.

Racheal, wherever you are, sorry I thought this was a good idea for a first date.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiBtvJie_LA&t=54s

#NowPlaying #ComeToGrief #WhenTheWorldDies

It might not reinvent the wheel but it certainly checks all the right boxes. Sludgy, monolithic riffs juxtaposed to caustic, throat-shredding vocals. We are living in volatile times, and every so often you just have to lean into it.

#TranslationLoss #BestOf #2022 #Lists

#NowPlaying #GreetDeath #NewLow

I normally revile EPs and shun them on my year-end lists but a few this year stood out as worthy of inclusion. This is one. Misery, Nihilism, Contempt. They've never come wrapped in such cute hooks! RIYL the idea of Aidan Moffat (sans accent) backed by Cloakroom.

#DeathWish #BestOf #2022 #lists

#nowplaying #shearwater #greatawakening

The most Rook-ian Meiburg has sounded in years. Those who find this album "plodding" or "frustrating" likely weren't old enough at the time to comprehend just how brilliant the post-Will Sheff era was, from Palo Santo to Animal Joy. Or, maybe their critical touchstones extend only as far as Mark Hollis, so a Kevin-Krebs-meets-Mid-Air-Paul-Buchanan stunner like "Milkweed" is described as filler. Shame.

#JonathanMeiburg #bestof #2022 #list

#nowplaying #birth #born

Insanely accurate portrayal of '70s prog from a San Diego band formed in 2018. Is it original? Nope. Is it good? Quite, yes! Come for the mellotron and Hammond B3, stay for the soft, effusive vocals that elevate a couple tracks. Fans of #kingcrimson and #nektar and #khan will be pleased.

#BadOmen #bestof #2022 #list

#nowplaying #Saor - Origins

Melodic/atmospheric black metal with some inspiring moments and folksy flourishes (InB4 bagpipes!). Think Scottish folk-inspired metal sounds a bit much? Trust me, it's really catchy.

#SeasonOfMist #blackmetal #bestof #2022 #list

#nowplaying #orenambarchi #shebang

This is not your "Suspension" / "Flypaper" Oren Ambarchi. It is as quiet a tour-de-force as you will encounter this year. A focused groove is embellished upon with impeccable restraint by an ensemble of supremely talented players. It unfurls over 35 minutes, never content to entrench itself in any one genre like, "this is math rock" or "this is jazz" or "this is trance". It just is.

#dragcity #bestof #2022 #list

I suppose -- as we hurtle towards the end of 2022 -- I should start evaluating my favorite albums of the year. This seems like a good place to hash things out...

@sctttnnnt sabbath-like off the top of my head there is pallbearer, khemmis, spirit adrift… and for stonery try elder, elephant tree, windhand (and cough), bongripper…oh, and yob

@sctttnnnt now would be a good time to reacquaint youself with the last 5-6 Swan Fungus top 100 lists. I could recommend good metal for days…

Hey @sctttnnnt if the kiddo enjoys it, let me know. I don’t think this fits me anymore.