2021 So Far

I’ve seen a lot of people suggest that 2019 was a “better” year than 2020, but I don’t know that there is much difference at all. If anything, I’m inclined to think 2021 was better - for me. And that, ultimately, is what it comes down to. Last year was a phenomenal year for music that I like. And, thanks to reviewing for TPA, I was also introduced to quite a few bands I would never have heard of, or who I’d heard of but never listened to. Several I went into not expecting to enjoy much, only to find they blew me away.

I made a list on the previous page (with Bandcamp links) for the albums I’ve particularly enjoyed so far this year, and I know it will soon be outdated. I have a few albums in my inbox I’ve simply not got around to, yet. For example, I’ve had Kurushimi’s new album sitting in my downloads folder for almost a month now. I know I will love it, because there’s not been a single Kurushimi release yet that I haven’t loved. (It’s only because I know the band, that I’ve not listened to it yet.) Honestly, 2021 is looking like it’s going to be just as good a year as the last two have been, music-wise.

( https://viakurushimi.bandcamp.com/album/chaos-remains )

[EDIT] I’ve given it a little more thought, and I think that actually 2020 was better than 2019 (for me), and a lot of that was due to covid. A lot of music was written in reaction to covid and lockdowns and the suchlike, and a lot of that was really, really good. A lot of music was also written because there was not much else to do for some artists. Necessity is the mother of invention, and out of great adversity comes great triumph, and all those good old clichés.

2020 saw more artists with multiple releases in one year than any other year for a very long time. That’s not necessarily a good thing, of course, hence why the constant caution of quality over quantity. But there was so much quality. 2019 was a great year, for sure. But I think 2030 might jus5 have been greater...

Steven Wilson - The Future Bites . He's not the messiah just a naughty boy. Yeah its okay but 3 stars at most for me.

Lifesigns - Altitude . Maybe not as good as their stellar debut but very solid and enjoyable all the same. 3.5-4 stars.

I usually but a lot of average stuff at the beginning of the year until recommendations start filtering through. Looking forward to the Frost* release certainly , but not sure what else is on the horizon.  

1) Be Bop Deluxe - Drastic Plastic box set

2) Jon Anderson - Olias of Sunhillow reissue due out this month

3) Japan - Quiet Life box set

01-God Is An Astronaut: Ghost Tapes #10,

02-Meer: Playing House,

03-AmartiA; Daylight Beauty,

04-Illuminae: Dark Horizons.

2. Antony Kalugin - Stellar Gardener

3. JPL - Sapiens 2

4. The Besnard Lakes - Are The Last Of The Great Thunderstorm Warnings

5. Tusmorke - Nordisk Krim

6. Kerrs Pink - Presence Of life

7. Caligonaut - Magnified As Giants

8. Needlepoint - Walking Up That Valley

9. Soen - Imperial

10. Strawbs - Settlement

11. Like Wendy - The Fisher

12. Lifesigns - Altitude

13. Meer - Playing House

14. Arc Of Life - s/t

15. Steven Wilson - The Future Bites

And we are looking forward to new ones from The Neal Morse Band, Jordsjo, Big Big Train, Liquid Tension Experiment and Motorpsycho.