Great albums of 2024

For me it's about sharing what I have discovered, know, and what interests me, and I am interested to see what others like and I like to compare lists and interests.  It might help if I would at least describe each album a bit, even if it's just sharing the tags/genre labels.  I do like sharing specific tracks off albums to hone in on my and others interests as  a way to expose people to acts, albums, styles etc.  What I have always wished is that we would try to respond and comment on each others lists more rather than just listing our own as I like that interactivity.  I like, say, the Interactive Polls because we listen, show interest in and comment on what all who participate decide to share.  It feels more communal and like the listening room experience I have always wanted at PA.  I like seeing the lists, but this is still a discussion forum so hopefully we are discussing each others choices and trying to get to know a bit, at least, about the music, and maybe sharing our own impressions of other people's likes.  This of course happens, but I do sometime wish it was more the norm.  That can be time-consuming, and we all have our preferred ways of communicating, sharing and socialising online, I guess.  A big part of it for me it trying to make connections, both with people and music.  But being an introvert who mostly favours being alone, I'm also not the most sociable of people.

What bothers me is when others complain about or make broad claims about how they think others think, what approaches they think others make, and how wrong it is.... It is disrespectful, uncharitable, and often lacking justification or evidence for the claims, and arrogant to think that one's attitude, approach and thinking is better than others.  I would rather hear people talk from their own perspective about what they think rather than talking about what they think others think and are doing wrong from their perspective.  "I like" are two of my favourite words.

siLLy puPPy wrote: ^ just listened to the Eunochs. Should be on PA. Eclectic probably. A bit too derivative of black midi and Black Country, New Road but enjoyable

Agreed on all counts.

"Do not say a little in many words, but a great deal in a few" (Pythagoras).

I only have two more albums, Uboa's and Herhum's.  The order does not mean very much, especially as there is some major contrast in the music, and feel awkward ranking when they have their own unique qualities and virtues.

I think the BEST way to find out what someone likes is to see a list of favorites. Instead of trying (and failing) to describe it, show it! And that is exactly what you are usually refusing to do. Of course you are under no obligation whatsoever to post a list of your favorite releases from 2024, or maybe even a list of releases you do not like. But until you do, the best we can do is speculate. 

BTW: It is deeply offensive for you to suggest that the less someone says/writes about a release, the less they have listened to it. There can be many other - and I would say much more likely - reasons for that.

2. Musicianship

3. Innovation

There are other criteria, but this is how I prioritise the above three. When it comes to innovation, I have heard so much innovative music during the last four decades, plus I've played a lot myself (on the guitar and keyboards), and listened to so many discussions about music theory and watched documentaries on how my favorite bands write and record their music, that I'm now much less easily impressed by flashy "innovation" at the expense of musicianship and/or substance. 

I'm gonna go down Richard's list one at a time ... but in general, I have to say that I have not exactly heard anything that blew my ears off.

It's there somewhere I'm sure, but again, I just hope I don't get to hear the same old, same oooohhh .... MoR stuff.

On subsequent listens my rating has dropped a bit, but I still think it's an awesome release. Previously I had given them a pass for sounding too much like Pain of Salvation on several occasions, now that is annoying me a little bit more - and I think that sometimes they are "over-achieving", cramming too many gimmicks and extras into the songs.