tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54510028825815870332024-03-28T04:06:56.487-07:00Can't Write If You Can't RelateWhy express yourself when you could express something better?Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.comBlogger229125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-43821042608678770702024-01-07T23:45:00.000-08:002024-01-07T23:45:26.061-08:00Mandatory New Year Crap<div style="text-align: left;">It's difficult for me to write a detailed personal blog post these days. Why is that?</div><div style="text-align: left;">I've been really freaking depressed for years.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I could sincerely just stop writing there and say I spoke the truth. But note how I ended that sentence with the words "for years." And we are now at the start of a new year. So perhaps this post will be more about what happens in years. The simple answer to this would be "life." Life is what happens every year. But some years are built different than others.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4q7VhwbnkIaQt79A6j577UjWAOzTl6TPe6WZMKRYtIEgKCHnaN2Sijiaw7ObPqJRUC9W1kYKSAMwGi2RN92PbPBdagZkyVSVKFb-zT2ooLKYbicL3u2kX9u87EdtHVl4WlcLokio2lchIEMD4EWeEAg9Gooy852OYCQr14ryl87_nSmLjMc_U4ArVcpH2/s666/MANDATORY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="666" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4q7VhwbnkIaQt79A6j577UjWAOzTl6TPe6WZMKRYtIEgKCHnaN2Sijiaw7ObPqJRUC9W1kYKSAMwGi2RN92PbPBdagZkyVSVKFb-zT2ooLKYbicL3u2kX9u87EdtHVl4WlcLokio2lchIEMD4EWeEAg9Gooy852OYCQr14ryl87_nSmLjMc_U4ArVcpH2/s320/MANDATORY.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">2023 Recap</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">So what do you want to hear about my 2023? I don't really know what information about my life people would care to hear. Which makes it hard to keep up a conversation. Like, every conversation ends when the other person asks me about my life. I suddenly realize I have nothing to say. Nothing particularly interesting, nothing I'm proud to admit, no hopeful news in my future. 2023 was my 7th consecutive year feeling this way; all 7 years since graduating college. Today, I talk about whatever the heck I want.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I have a hard time thinking about 2023 without the very first thing coming to mind being my going off psychiatric medication. I've been off meds since the last week of June. I've only told this to like 5 people. But it's always the first thing on my mind. Not going to my first music festival, not moving to Smithfield, not the big family vacations to the Florida coast or the Grand Tetons, not all 3 of my remaining grandparents dying within 9 months of each other, not doing a 10-mile run for my first time in years, not seeing my favorite band Wilco play live, not the couple of small music gigs I played, not buying a new used car with monthly payments for my first time ever, not all the hiking trails I checked out, not my makeshift trip to Idaho with a friend from Taiwan. The end of meds was the end of an era for me. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"It's the end of an era, it's true."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">While I had randomly assorted brief bouts with medication throughout my adulthood, this run was huge for me. April 2018 - June 2023. I still have very fond memories from October 2018 - October 2019. I was feeling physiologically more like myself than I had in a decade, and I owe it all to my meds at that time. But that magic eventually ran out with my own life changes, and I've since felt particularly hopeless for these last 4 years. </div><div style="text-align: left;">My last few months newly off meds technically have not changed my life or behaviors at all. I'm still very much depressed on a daily basis. But my emotions no longer feel like a "life or death" circumstance. I feel them, they eventually pass, and they eventually come back. And the flow of emotions isn't as confusing to me; whereas meds often influenced good or bad emotions to arise out of nowhere. This is all interesting to me, although perhaps not something to talk about with someone you just met.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I Go Back</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">While I've long been guilty of overanalyzing my past, I'm kinda going through a bittersweet phase of introspection right now. I'm starting to emotionally recollect the times of my life I had once tried to erase. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Country singer Kenny Chesney released this rather classic song when I was a teenager. A song I never revisit, but often consider its chorus: <i>"Every time I hear that song, I go back!"</i> There are lots of songs that can take me back to specific beautiful memories. And of course, songs I tend to avoid, because I don't wanna go back (if you know what I mean). </div><div style="text-align: left;">Songs aside, I can look back at past behaviors and find myself cringing all the way. Some very distant memories, some very recent memories. How recent? Well, I've realized that I even dismiss my current behaviors in life. I assume I'll eventually "learn" to shrug them aside and change for good. That I'll return to my <i>real</i> self and my current life will one day just be another regrettable memory. </div><div style="text-align: left;">That's not how it works. </div><div style="text-align: left;">However, returning to my distant negative memories has helped me realize how connected all sides of me have always been, and always will be. Perhaps a lot of the dread I feel at the workplace is reminiscent of experiences I had as an LDS missionary; or real talk, even stuff dating back to struggles in elementary school. While I admit there are eras in my life--all garnered from my distant past--where I can say I found my truest self, those days are all connected to even my ugliest years. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I've wondered for awhile if I've thought too much about my past in order to move forward. Yet I'm pretty sure it's natural to be drawn to good memories. My much bigger issue is not accepting the whole of my past. And therefor, eventually becoming unable to accept my present. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">2024 </span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Earlier in this blog, I wrote that "life" is what happens every year. "Life" as a word I've come to use more poetically than literally. Especially with the modern uptick of people employed as life coaches, I don't think I'm the only one with a loose definition of "life." Literally, I've been living for 33 years. Technically, I've spent a lot of time existing as deadweight. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Perhaps the truest form of living life means you're living in the moment. I have not been doing this. I would see this as some kind of "hard to swallow" life lesson and I just need to buck up live my life right. But in my defense, living in the moment has been extremely hard for me for my entire adulthood. And any of the people reading this who think I can just flip that switch from 0 to 100, it's like, cool. Have fun believing that.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Like I mentioned in my last section, I'm kinda going through a bittersweet process of self-acceptance. I'm trying not to hate my most personally hate-able qualities. And I'm realizing those add up to make a really long list. This process probably doesn't have an end. But I really freaking hope that practicing self-acceptance leads to living in more moments. Cuz this stuff is hard.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm often scared to live in the moment because that means I'd give off more expressive behavior. I associate that with my clinical anxiety. Behavioral things I've increasingly tried to hide out of shame, leading to cumulating years of clinical depression. It's bittersweet (again, I know)... But this thing I'm scared of is probably my biggest goal for 2024.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's it. That's the blog post.</div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-82527018346716863202023-12-01T21:39:00.000-08:002023-12-01T21:42:00.310-08:0025 Favo/Best Albums of 2023<div style="text-align: left;">Hey there folks. Here's a list of my 25 favorite (and therefor the best) albums of 2023. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I've been making these lists on this blog since 2013. I recently claimed that this will be last year-end albums list. I stand by that. I absolutely want to keep making music lists. And I want to keep up with new releases. But it's come to mess up the comfortable view of music I used to have. </div><div style="text-align: left;">See, I listened to 80 new albums in 2023. But also, this year, I revisited zero (0) albums from 2022. It's just hard for anything new to stick with me. Maybe it's because new music sucks, but I think it has to do with me thinking too critically to feel any momentary inspiration or enjoyment. </div><div style="text-align: left;">That being said, I'm not sure about the shelf-life of the bottom half of this list. But the stuff towards the top is stellar. Some of my favorite albums of this decade. </div><div style="text-align: left;">As usual from me, here are a few honorable mentions...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">-</span></b> Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit <i>Weathervanes</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">-</span></b> Noname <i>Sundial</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">-</span></b> Matana Roberts <i>Coin Coin Chapter Five: In the garden...</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And here's the actual list...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJzXa9iMBJ0yaSUDnDlgBZX1BbbloldBDbEOrEjz8G6PsUDOFGp0BZy8FaOD8PN7zE0LH-cBp16Ck1_JICfiocQLKtdBLEpBi6NrqvSx7bFoF-_XUp7-vFcgGDu-1owAQOAISs-Ca0dw9un7Ncec2-Rq2Bt06RbliilDE1NdsVm-f-ru9mrVdsklpHdIW/s516/dumbpic23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="516" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJzXa9iMBJ0yaSUDnDlgBZX1BbbloldBDbEOrEjz8G6PsUDOFGp0BZy8FaOD8PN7zE0LH-cBp16Ck1_JICfiocQLKtdBLEpBi6NrqvSx7bFoF-_XUp7-vFcgGDu-1owAQOAISs-Ca0dw9un7Ncec2-Rq2Bt06RbliilDE1NdsVm-f-ru9mrVdsklpHdIW/s320/dumbpic23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This first section is kind of a shitstorm of bands I have a love/hate relationship with. Very flawed music. Some of it too ironic for its own good. But I choose to applaud them for that. Pretty much interchangeable rankings.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">25</span></b> 100 gecs <i>10,000 gecs</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuQpxLJI_Vje4vwrjk6_70hRiBrZioSASmqcKcKxyItUiBdiwDb36Sm25PXXSz6Q3sDoQ-T9s7LhUUlCZ1WSsmnKf-DGTcPjOZGh3vKcFToqznqhLqZb-ls_NHOQ7N11H5NUpMx0fdBeQQSS7GPQUQIjBkMHci9-Kakz1xqoZ1JO3NOxcMufQcpkkpdR3/s316/gecs.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="316" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuQpxLJI_Vje4vwrjk6_70hRiBrZioSASmqcKcKxyItUiBdiwDb36Sm25PXXSz6Q3sDoQ-T9s7LhUUlCZ1WSsmnKf-DGTcPjOZGh3vKcFToqznqhLqZb-ls_NHOQ7N11H5NUpMx0fdBeQQSS7GPQUQIjBkMHci9-Kakz1xqoZ1JO3NOxcMufQcpkkpdR3/w200-h199/gecs.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">24</span></b> MSPAINT <i>Post-American</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcQCcuZldG9ngWsu5lvn-r8KpbIah8QU3KrOjjyx2krjREUYOyFYLxQ0B0XH0AUmXQV0hRtikZIFnTU4roHP37hOAF5i9d21ZjJ6GJRJ6DdIVDvTlfQ7IxbXotR-YDoG5mlHUV7fYce3jsCZG7AiQjfG0P_jjVB_9FyTQw-f1JIHpGHBymFFUFT2dtPu_/s700/mspaint1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcQCcuZldG9ngWsu5lvn-r8KpbIah8QU3KrOjjyx2krjREUYOyFYLxQ0B0XH0AUmXQV0hRtikZIFnTU4roHP37hOAF5i9d21ZjJ6GJRJ6DdIVDvTlfQ7IxbXotR-YDoG5mlHUV7fYce3jsCZG7AiQjfG0P_jjVB_9FyTQw-f1JIHpGHBymFFUFT2dtPu_/w200-h200/mspaint1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">23</span></b> Home Is Where <i>the whaler</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMERgLPL2SqnFHpdFKoBUKr0DrfUza-z1wVAFCzGwH9QLM2l5j_0YdR-hd4-F2murD71IxSYF-tRlmDugeKS4u6iIewOUDwN0LVX8oaXyeF5RJfqdLB7psSYniS22whjITV2pr4VQ1LYBWO2tgoXX7g3pBGtQU9ODXmiggzy1nz_tGFDXKzR33cVHTraK/s1200/whaler.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMERgLPL2SqnFHpdFKoBUKr0DrfUza-z1wVAFCzGwH9QLM2l5j_0YdR-hd4-F2murD71IxSYF-tRlmDugeKS4u6iIewOUDwN0LVX8oaXyeF5RJfqdLB7psSYniS22whjITV2pr4VQ1LYBWO2tgoXX7g3pBGtQU9ODXmiggzy1nz_tGFDXKzR33cVHTraK/w200-h200/whaler.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">22</span></b> shame <i>Food for Worms</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kr3NT5Jhpssuj9xlZoW_Ke9U4Nst4xhznSp9hMq-jMuDzp8BUa-1r0m8nkv6sev_2jNhjTYIveRtMYBaKedT1ft7R068mA38z1O8DmKGyjaNEf0CuXQI4_60PecjYG3u7u3AyDY3zEq55t3q3Kkhp0Xhuj4lVuBqPbtnil_V4ejLWPjDIBccWZoC7H7n/s700/shaaaame.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kr3NT5Jhpssuj9xlZoW_Ke9U4Nst4xhznSp9hMq-jMuDzp8BUa-1r0m8nkv6sev_2jNhjTYIveRtMYBaKedT1ft7R068mA38z1O8DmKGyjaNEf0CuXQI4_60PecjYG3u7u3AyDY3zEq55t3q3Kkhp0Xhuj4lVuBqPbtnil_V4ejLWPjDIBccWZoC7H7n/w200-h200/shaaaame.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">21</span></b> Model/Actriz <i>Dogsbody</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfF1gqD-iGvB8xVsyHhOfQ8z_CfvfppzKjHcpucTxU8Nc52tnfL3_wt8krvu-o6is-TWgsPMnD1__pjOD-WJWeZd63DazdFab9uo1jocbeYkFzqOSTOQmDt9pqxhELkdSndb8IuE2vkEFQKTOu9velbPLYfQBdjDgJMfHqxZuSXzRb0_IjnGkElN4KlVPd/s700/dogsbody.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfF1gqD-iGvB8xVsyHhOfQ8z_CfvfppzKjHcpucTxU8Nc52tnfL3_wt8krvu-o6is-TWgsPMnD1__pjOD-WJWeZd63DazdFab9uo1jocbeYkFzqOSTOQmDt9pqxhELkdSndb8IuE2vkEFQKTOu9velbPLYfQBdjDgJMfHqxZuSXzRb0_IjnGkElN4KlVPd/w200-h200/dogsbody.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">20</span></b> Hotline TNT <i>Cartwheel</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJE2hL-SX0fNUrmcCrLoJ7pxiGVYgznPSOgBavg3sLvQFLxjdoVaHdY47JIB4pIR_AOFiBQu4UlnY6ToF4qC8RsIunYJxCpKmjtYN6uSpm_CbL0f0MFOT-wGCYBUeGNGmkSXcES04PJSyqB0QvPIYioIegjnQ6UQhUX_cVI9giaGd8_mIllcHNPEgoPSNg/s700/cartwheel.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJE2hL-SX0fNUrmcCrLoJ7pxiGVYgznPSOgBavg3sLvQFLxjdoVaHdY47JIB4pIR_AOFiBQu4UlnY6ToF4qC8RsIunYJxCpKmjtYN6uSpm_CbL0f0MFOT-wGCYBUeGNGmkSXcES04PJSyqB0QvPIYioIegjnQ6UQhUX_cVI9giaGd8_mIllcHNPEgoPSNg/w200-h200/cartwheel.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This section is much more tasteful. I have my bones to pick here, but solid listens compared to the competition. Also interchangeable rankings.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">19</span></b> Kali Uchis <i>Red Moon In Venus </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPqRWxm3NTsYRwLrKzZ_vZoliGbriuIj_EHjThgZMA5kJHZsA5GucmhdMJ0YNUFwV5nMUabROgy-I7aXB-6yz2aSJ-FeYi0e1HULXzNKtXzPnLIbAXyZHYhEfiaioFW_YWHjw4U6EM7RS_bFuyTv0ad2_KO8ies9NfYF_Qk7bCw4XLaNLaaxlJ72Sleeh/s1000/kaliU.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPqRWxm3NTsYRwLrKzZ_vZoliGbriuIj_EHjThgZMA5kJHZsA5GucmhdMJ0YNUFwV5nMUabROgy-I7aXB-6yz2aSJ-FeYi0e1HULXzNKtXzPnLIbAXyZHYhEfiaioFW_YWHjw4U6EM7RS_bFuyTv0ad2_KO8ies9NfYF_Qk7bCw4XLaNLaaxlJ72Sleeh/w200-h200/kaliU.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">18</span></b> McKinley Dixon <i>Beloved! Paradise! Jazz?!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfd05hE6cvQwMFuDu0oCVdBj5lLgIiK_HHukqpwgquFcAjCB4L3g9CS5VmubCZHZdSNGF9prvCXnpQa6KtgsfVFhjLtjlbyT0-MgrhF6qKXz67UyqJ04QV2isFCZm77WoMA8oNYEJVXjSXMSd03q6YqYUh_hb0C0eo3qf7gmD1OzKeUdtq8b58VcxJZDe/s240/Beloved!-Paradise!-Jazz!.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="240" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfd05hE6cvQwMFuDu0oCVdBj5lLgIiK_HHukqpwgquFcAjCB4L3g9CS5VmubCZHZdSNGF9prvCXnpQa6KtgsfVFhjLtjlbyT0-MgrhF6qKXz67UyqJ04QV2isFCZm77WoMA8oNYEJVXjSXMSd03q6YqYUh_hb0C0eo3qf7gmD1OzKeUdtq8b58VcxJZDe/w200-h200/Beloved!-Paradise!-Jazz!.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">17</span></b> Yves Tumor <i>Praise A Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFluZQBPT156qfQ7KNvYFVOvkj4Uj2PzVYADdFdVjvbVYEMk0f-tyF9fN1Lk1ZjlOWm0q6OwEofoGb4Xnd8X12FyySV5TOL0b9q6z_ZHIz1sM2vIX7dBr0JAm5p4cIIIofnvrlgddAOhtUzZI2vTXrYUWTK_mRf3YAaWz7aqmGr27MGz3u5gJFbLN7l2X9/s700/yvest.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFluZQBPT156qfQ7KNvYFVOvkj4Uj2PzVYADdFdVjvbVYEMk0f-tyF9fN1Lk1ZjlOWm0q6OwEofoGb4Xnd8X12FyySV5TOL0b9q6z_ZHIz1sM2vIX7dBr0JAm5p4cIIIofnvrlgddAOhtUzZI2vTXrYUWTK_mRf3YAaWz7aqmGr27MGz3u5gJFbLN7l2X9/w200-h200/yvest.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">16</span></b> Amaarae <i>Fountain Baby</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAmnB-k3OYjtnrzRQ2JdshvttqLoLHwv7cCM2PrGZqaTJtI_AVtSbWPcvfn8w3vuL0cqg6IAWNpshQs5G_-TzAKXGDtWz1fNcZ_eHbqxBMxqt0JhiebJggrAzGd91rGvXvXqK9I8uDX8v4DNO0LI2r17slsCN88c7qPBArF9f72auSARLNDCCvyI9GkFa/s1200/amaarae.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAmnB-k3OYjtnrzRQ2JdshvttqLoLHwv7cCM2PrGZqaTJtI_AVtSbWPcvfn8w3vuL0cqg6IAWNpshQs5G_-TzAKXGDtWz1fNcZ_eHbqxBMxqt0JhiebJggrAzGd91rGvXvXqK9I8uDX8v4DNO0LI2r17slsCN88c7qPBArF9f72auSARLNDCCvyI9GkFa/w200-h200/amaarae.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">15</span></b> ANOHNI and the Johnsons <i>My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Jnri-zt6CPpJdTFFTnMhP5G0jpE3mW6HDg2kFWjhegYGmXAWgeak79QQ915mYYwd__m6l1K4KH9LLU7y4ytYdLKncXYGOSrQQmqGLge8I4KfE9eDy2w3wDgZcHb_kV9vYRZUAi5bOymo02KKtQeH8E0555D7s9kifiXhuZJDiFXHhWz0lY9e9WEyk-yn/s1200/anohni1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Jnri-zt6CPpJdTFFTnMhP5G0jpE3mW6HDg2kFWjhegYGmXAWgeak79QQ915mYYwd__m6l1K4KH9LLU7y4ytYdLKncXYGOSrQQmqGLge8I4KfE9eDy2w3wDgZcHb_kV9vYRZUAi5bOymo02KKtQeH8E0555D7s9kifiXhuZJDiFXHhWz0lY9e9WEyk-yn/w200-h200/anohni1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">14</span></b> Mitski <i>The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_N9jpaTADZeKTERrgmsZ-Ozc1hvsBw27I10jTmo_6N0gTG5ulXRzR8R_9BWb8NYdT1qvKWWZD5hR1qQLU46PzCHQRW_4fPkV6ypYa9zH5WDcyxUuzyT0XJhI9auW-K6GuIMEluyPfHFGbqDl3D8kYEQaPQBQAD68RNxY-m8g5NkxVAQ7szVtzUzt7sIRg/s894/bigmitski.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="894" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_N9jpaTADZeKTERrgmsZ-Ozc1hvsBw27I10jTmo_6N0gTG5ulXRzR8R_9BWb8NYdT1qvKWWZD5hR1qQLU46PzCHQRW_4fPkV6ypYa9zH5WDcyxUuzyT0XJhI9auW-K6GuIMEluyPfHFGbqDl3D8kYEQaPQBQAD68RNxY-m8g5NkxVAQ7szVtzUzt7sIRg/w200-h200/bigmitski.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">13</span></b> Gia Margaret <i>Romantic Piano</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszrs0iJCFSxyjjAevOFHO4tH37g_xkfzRcLGszuiNwKkJJ5tPuPL-V8E8Z3TyyYubtv9K0fKh5Molbek4U3iPwoVUaN9qaT1qNHcVYU2-cidhwUdZn7khWa7oNFsuTNWks-jNiJ8p7KzQ_gb_pDFUgv6I6b6Q1Vk2acguX0nSr6m3Hh7Ple6biEp0F7o8/s700/romanticpiano.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszrs0iJCFSxyjjAevOFHO4tH37g_xkfzRcLGszuiNwKkJJ5tPuPL-V8E8Z3TyyYubtv9K0fKh5Molbek4U3iPwoVUaN9qaT1qNHcVYU2-cidhwUdZn7khWa7oNFsuTNWks-jNiJ8p7KzQ_gb_pDFUgv6I6b6Q1Vk2acguX0nSr6m3Hh7Ple6biEp0F7o8/w200-h200/romanticpiano.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another interchangeable section, only these are albums I think could make my top 10 any given year. They're awesome. And I could write very long reviews of each of these.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">12</span></b> Lana Del Rey <i>Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCV8GAcxAoPrpgHyzps_8tf8a2gbOnamYTuxMTYQzMTFWoOKTZZ6dOLeR9JCRhmv_JPU3RDiB2btQAMrhpsL-EFeAXud-t9Rk_st7wi3cZ5mNy9rneyWo4KcsBdb0l13oh3tJc1JcXCL4zNbcvJayWfOfhP9Aedl9O3H2cBv-M1wKES3iqx2-MZEm0w-Ap/s1000/lanadr.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCV8GAcxAoPrpgHyzps_8tf8a2gbOnamYTuxMTYQzMTFWoOKTZZ6dOLeR9JCRhmv_JPU3RDiB2btQAMrhpsL-EFeAXud-t9Rk_st7wi3cZ5mNy9rneyWo4KcsBdb0l13oh3tJc1JcXCL4zNbcvJayWfOfhP9Aedl9O3H2cBv-M1wKES3iqx2-MZEm0w-Ap/w200-h200/lanadr.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">11</span></b> Joanna Sternberg <i>I've Got Me</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALLApDcfapv9tePpv5RFjvADGkzZVbRpwZaAya4wenxsf0gnm5EGOVME_FDuhMLvcZg5ddYZAeA5PW7SR_a4xjrkCDdJ-vL6DzeMznIwM1NEzMp8ITB1ofxT_HtBKDF7o9508Rurr7iUHZXUzZTSiRsJYJcL0w0cc5QaSAaUQzK6KuFxf5AQAuwbnXVaC/s700/ivegotme.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALLApDcfapv9tePpv5RFjvADGkzZVbRpwZaAya4wenxsf0gnm5EGOVME_FDuhMLvcZg5ddYZAeA5PW7SR_a4xjrkCDdJ-vL6DzeMznIwM1NEzMp8ITB1ofxT_HtBKDF7o9508Rurr7iUHZXUzZTSiRsJYJcL0w0cc5QaSAaUQzK6KuFxf5AQAuwbnXVaC/w200-h200/ivegotme.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">10</span></b> Jeff Rosenstock <i>HELLMODE</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgW8ZHyyGrB7PTon994MJTTTkSCLOl_qJmh5W6z9tt_teP5okU0sVGpNXYMTKNNOiJxysHe_SQ-pjCz6R0SfUm3_MJAPqEsa5pgeYEyv5gaEqUtELAsKkeHIrtPtnqJNqnVq1pRBff2IMtPj_6joyMxdkdWSwerM-iwOZ1sI6fYhm422xhnoE_hrEhfVS/s1200/hellmode1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgW8ZHyyGrB7PTon994MJTTTkSCLOl_qJmh5W6z9tt_teP5okU0sVGpNXYMTKNNOiJxysHe_SQ-pjCz6R0SfUm3_MJAPqEsa5pgeYEyv5gaEqUtELAsKkeHIrtPtnqJNqnVq1pRBff2IMtPj_6joyMxdkdWSwerM-iwOZ1sI6fYhm422xhnoE_hrEhfVS/w200-h200/hellmode1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">9</span></b> Wiki & Tony Seltzer <i>14k Figaro</i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUHDbiVMm9yLvpnoZ76R5aqkJCnkDO2CqGtiOj2euVzQHMeerRvcTLakvEfCYq9BZXd9kOffmqoxGFkyIDzhUqnuC-lkggd-jpjGwfCkjy5e0dExlUD7aiMC8mmHf6wr2cI7DO-a2JyJD5GcbrtCJxd4mhUftCDPaMvcRzqKEMEn1DJPih3J9jJe6lPSm/s700/14kfigaro.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUHDbiVMm9yLvpnoZ76R5aqkJCnkDO2CqGtiOj2euVzQHMeerRvcTLakvEfCYq9BZXd9kOffmqoxGFkyIDzhUqnuC-lkggd-jpjGwfCkjy5e0dExlUD7aiMC8mmHf6wr2cI7DO-a2JyJD5GcbrtCJxd4mhUftCDPaMvcRzqKEMEn1DJPih3J9jJe6lPSm/w200-h200/14kfigaro.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">8</span></b> Liturgy <i>93696</i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBraRSoYOW-ORhvvXy4KFe5QQZ_O0zo3-zrpzZdBTmizIYUhaGaj9UoX8OhKXyurrfg25ZotSEXy6LI-GI5toPCompW0iOT470Wdi2cPRdXZy16NOTrQtM4xLPH2mIQD1Gbolcj10i-oK9zLDysMUWbNUprw_qhcyalFwSNMF8AHJrJM_ExQLC3rXVZljq/s700/litrurgy9.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBraRSoYOW-ORhvvXy4KFe5QQZ_O0zo3-zrpzZdBTmizIYUhaGaj9UoX8OhKXyurrfg25ZotSEXy6LI-GI5toPCompW0iOT470Wdi2cPRdXZy16NOTrQtM4xLPH2mIQD1Gbolcj10i-oK9zLDysMUWbNUprw_qhcyalFwSNMF8AHJrJM_ExQLC3rXVZljq/w200-h200/litrurgy9.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I think very highly of this top 7. I honestly have had a hard time connecting with new music in the 2020's. But all of these really scratched my itch. Excellent production quality, unique songwriting... I see myself coming back to this stuff in years to come. Here's another interchangeable section before we get to the very very top.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">7</span></b> billy woods & Kenny Segal <i>Maps</i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUKZQ44aeiLXZuSW-atFaOJ-NMBkyPRqw7XBeTKtvz_wZ_g_A-OE4cm7QM1yyibDBRske2LXZ4HVoi-27n-zMk9pxI2Fppox9tr44mzqSg69xP4ctgZ0cFY1O1_yxGK5SvxVu4XAuCHrgMIeAvn9IXhvdb8sYs17etH7tU0y0G-PK21BAfDggdt4BxePI/s700/billymaps.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUKZQ44aeiLXZuSW-atFaOJ-NMBkyPRqw7XBeTKtvz_wZ_g_A-OE4cm7QM1yyibDBRske2LXZ4HVoi-27n-zMk9pxI2Fppox9tr44mzqSg69xP4ctgZ0cFY1O1_yxGK5SvxVu4XAuCHrgMIeAvn9IXhvdb8sYs17etH7tU0y0G-PK21BAfDggdt4BxePI/w200-h200/billymaps.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">6</span></b> Parannoul <i>After the Magic</i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4ZT4ejRNIPELKNtDWk734qJnmY0FNPVAM58aWQwM-qaTq4jhAIpALrbzqaeEO279HCEiH_TdTvp4IzLugBg2RHPpgzMEw7YJMAy75dGlSTEzaMaD-leDgjsX4-iz2jVuCsIhnh_7o74exLjMF622jKnj8qF-AWlANRIwicLyNC_POMdOzohDlIbDvA_i/s700/parannoul1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4ZT4ejRNIPELKNtDWk734qJnmY0FNPVAM58aWQwM-qaTq4jhAIpALrbzqaeEO279HCEiH_TdTvp4IzLugBg2RHPpgzMEw7YJMAy75dGlSTEzaMaD-leDgjsX4-iz2jVuCsIhnh_7o74exLjMF622jKnj8qF-AWlANRIwicLyNC_POMdOzohDlIbDvA_i/w200-h200/parannoul1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">5</span></b> Caroline Polachek <i>Desire, I Want To Turn Into You</i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqinQJeIFTC7ymAzQBQE0eelXVFHF-0_EcLqJ5E-Q-9AlhxFG4CKoX0eVSRU5jfsPkzehMs146XB1KqoiTpS2jn1G3Y65WWyfUuWVChHc9IfoxmtGTH81n3RO5n6vSpolJDxeVo7UBOK3qcEf3U7CrN6zJRcximcOoFkOGMJrrDGADBGzjIFDrkr5em1E/s700/caroline1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqinQJeIFTC7ymAzQBQE0eelXVFHF-0_EcLqJ5E-Q-9AlhxFG4CKoX0eVSRU5jfsPkzehMs146XB1KqoiTpS2jn1G3Y65WWyfUuWVChHc9IfoxmtGTH81n3RO5n6vSpolJDxeVo7UBOK3qcEf3U7CrN6zJRcximcOoFkOGMJrrDGADBGzjIFDrkr5em1E/w200-h200/caroline1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">4</span></b> Armand Hammer <i>We Buy Diabetic Test Strips</i></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAE1CSmt6TLLVMs_wcDIceCnpsT9JkdMwCHt1q5F1c5KCgjKKBLf1XOAdw-D_HbaHe48wdScyQRr1vLAvbiKGHv-XfEjz2VoE80F5PU22VDkDVvsD-bwS43x8zQ6gK0SRf5C9YAxm_EngWa-juBDtxqA8c8yUXsn9ULH6IjcMF7uYwchm_IBGqTFxp1-zY/s1200/armandhammer1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAE1CSmt6TLLVMs_wcDIceCnpsT9JkdMwCHt1q5F1c5KCgjKKBLf1XOAdw-D_HbaHe48wdScyQRr1vLAvbiKGHv-XfEjz2VoE80F5PU22VDkDVvsD-bwS43x8zQ6gK0SRf5C9YAxm_EngWa-juBDtxqA8c8yUXsn9ULH6IjcMF7uYwchm_IBGqTFxp1-zY/w200-h200/armandhammer1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In my heart, I don't really know what my album of the year is. But it's one of these three. So yes, even my top 3 is interchangeable. But it's the strongest, most exciting top 3 I've listened to in years. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">3</span></b> Lonnie Holley <i>Oh Me Oh My</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_y0z25UDaBItvri9OENByuNBXnOaxn5piYkWBSuCY95cbBi6EOMESNncC6xYzXOzDtF1QE1GddZd5LUc61hBJjeLYE4sffL4J7oSmFC_zFG2ncWKJPP6u6Y7fndq9GCmD9iOThGRMmrc3L1_Rl6GfEbjouQfV5Wg7tY2StbJNujBl4ZJTZOUZBB9nbys/s700/ohme1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_y0z25UDaBItvri9OENByuNBXnOaxn5piYkWBSuCY95cbBi6EOMESNncC6xYzXOzDtF1QE1GddZd5LUc61hBJjeLYE4sffL4J7oSmFC_zFG2ncWKJPP6u6Y7fndq9GCmD9iOThGRMmrc3L1_Rl6GfEbjouQfV5Wg7tY2StbJNujBl4ZJTZOUZBB9nbys/w200-h200/ohme1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">2</span></b> Kara Jackson <i>Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love?</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNQMSCLUklALX6q_-j7Fuj6-ic1nz5hpDfRyCYLJPyDwGbkGXNh_e3b9R8Xrgl9mFhpms8GO_-RlYAbP1a40JtnIfOc8t11a9cVKBOop2eLZArw80AlQpcNn7iWVb_zQuLKod666TJoHqySF04CVoy8tjrghnkxHKURLIN3oA2Bni0hb41ltn900hThvF/s300/karaj.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="300" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNQMSCLUklALX6q_-j7Fuj6-ic1nz5hpDfRyCYLJPyDwGbkGXNh_e3b9R8Xrgl9mFhpms8GO_-RlYAbP1a40JtnIfOc8t11a9cVKBOop2eLZArw80AlQpcNn7iWVb_zQuLKod666TJoHqySF04CVoy8tjrghnkxHKURLIN3oA2Bni0hb41ltn900hThvF/w200-h197/karaj.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">1</span></b> Sufjan Stevens <i>Javelin</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOj7CDxOqLDQ8U6_myZTeGwnA1VhfNYc38FE0xLLFPEZnuWXjBruJQUn4NXZ2Ax8xbjr6a2X9ip5nBHxv1DajQ90cEjo0sIbWZLmKnZb-ub9zUoVek7PT5XyOgIV3kj-EdSIr5hmwkwUCcSFbqWxJEi5jChhyakE2M-vPlqDy4tLkLeeclrLLb2FUWtqxs/s1600/sufjan-stevens-javelin.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOj7CDxOqLDQ8U6_myZTeGwnA1VhfNYc38FE0xLLFPEZnuWXjBruJQUn4NXZ2Ax8xbjr6a2X9ip5nBHxv1DajQ90cEjo0sIbWZLmKnZb-ub9zUoVek7PT5XyOgIV3kj-EdSIr5hmwkwUCcSFbqWxJEi5jChhyakE2M-vPlqDy4tLkLeeclrLLb2FUWtqxs/w200-h200/sufjan-stevens-javelin.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-82203109007271998402023-05-28T12:06:00.000-07:002023-05-28T12:06:04.774-07:00Blogging After College Has Sucked<div style="text-align: left;">I've enjoyed blogging for over 10 years now. But I gotta admit. There were times when I enjoyed it much more. Certain semesters of college. I would often get a ton of views and feedback, too. For the majority of my time since graduating college in December 2016, I don't think I've written much worth reading. I still write a lot, but it's usually a trudge of a read. There are reasonable reasons for this.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For starters... Nothing is happening. College was a fun little package of time where my social situations would change every 4 months. I think of that time in terms of summers and semesters. Since graduating, I've spent most of my time just working a full-time job and doing stuff by myself. Nothing new to report. I miss writing about my life and mental health with this unique anxious energy about my present and future.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Then there's music. I used to write about music passionately. I can't do that anymore. Why not? I feel like I maybe know too much now. Particularly after 2021, where I spent the whole year listening to albums I've never tried before on a daily basis. I can write extremely long pieces about music I love, but nothing hits me like it used to. Miss hearing an album for my first time and obsessing over it. Buying CD's and saving music on mp3 player, long before downloading everything on my premium subscription to the Spotify app on my phone. I now listen to more music than ever. But the thrill is gone.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I think the biggest hit on how I feel about writing was when I started taking psychiatric medication.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This started a few months into 2018. Whether it's been through blogging or social media or real life, I feel like I've spent a ton of the last 5 years just complaining about my life and how I feel. Looking back at how much I've done this (especially over social media), it's honestly embarrassing. And yet, it's not like I was lying. It's just like... Dang. I felt 10 times less mature as a 30 year-old than I ever did in my 20's. Just so many behavioral changes and contradictory emotional experiences. I promise I'm going somewhere with this...</div><div style="text-align: left;">I distinctly remember a couple antipsychotics I took over the span of 1 year that actually made me feel desirably better. Late 2018 through late 2019. I've been on a bunch of pills since then. Some underwhelming, some straight-up bad. I can't go back to those antipsychotics because I was honestly sleeping too much. But I've reached the point where I wonder if I should just go off medication. <i>Unless</i> I come across something that can have powerful positive effects and <i>not</i> also overpower me with sketchy side effects. I'm currently on 1 medication, so you could say I'm almost out. But there is 1 thing I'm afraid of, that I also kinda miss. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ever since I've been on medication, I haven't felt this anxious tension in my stomach. I felt it constantly since I was like 19, all the way until I was a few months into age 27. During that whole time, I wanted that to go away, and it did. But dang, I've definitely switched from being used to daily anxiety to being used to feeling critically depressed. Going back to the 2nd paragraph here where I talk about "anxious energy" and stuff, I miss that feeling. Yet I'm also afraid to go back to it. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I mean, I look at the numbers, and my recent years with medication have been harder to look back on than my years without. There are a few exceptions; some periods of my adult years where the anxiety was too high. But dang, the 3+ years since going off those antipsychotics have mostly been super depressing. Plenty of distress and dread. I guess I'm willing to try different meds, but I don't feel bad about setting a high bar for how well I expect them to work.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Perhaps it's all about that 2nd paragraph here, where blogging used to be more exciting simply because I was younger and<i> life</i> was just more exciting. I could make music lists all day, although I find that very self-serving. But whether I have more exciting life updates to write about, or some music takes that people want to hear... Could I at least get more excited about this stuff? Excited about <i>anything</i>?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-60584787832616959132023-05-21T15:22:00.003-07:002023-05-21T15:32:55.297-07:00Kilby Block Party Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMBHPMA2gLXE7hL6BwbG02DS5PNfWT3URzh7rGIG01QjzvlVyk_SN9WpcOxL5cuyHF7is5OnW5I0Aev7poVImCaS5Fn9dm6duTPkklVZ1SPpDjqheYrfY9Zvx8DW9zXnouRKfZFu11z47WEWGJLZDxIG-rBZLbPkITA0P0WVINHBsrS1ypIB6LOhFRg/s3264/PXL_20230515_020417539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMBHPMA2gLXE7hL6BwbG02DS5PNfWT3URzh7rGIG01QjzvlVyk_SN9WpcOxL5cuyHF7is5OnW5I0Aev7poVImCaS5Fn9dm6duTPkklVZ1SPpDjqheYrfY9Zvx8DW9zXnouRKfZFu11z47WEWGJLZDxIG-rBZLbPkITA0P0WVINHBsrS1ypIB6LOhFRg/s320/PXL_20230515_020417539.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I went to my first concert festival last weekend and I'm here to review it. I'll be talking about the 10 bands I saw and 1 particular band I didn't see. This will be split into 5 sections.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>i. INTRO</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't want to talk to much about the festival experience because it was kinda predictably inconvenient. Just a ton of sweaty young adults smokin' and drinkin'. Super crowded. Overpriced food. Porter potties. The works. I went by myself, which wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be. I either just kept to myself or talk to strangers about music. And the kicker here... For someone who loves music so much, I've never been too big into the concert life. Why did I go to <i>this</i> music festival? </div><div style="text-align: left;">I live in Logan UT. Kilby Block Party takes place in Salt Lake City UT. I could drive to this place. I saw the lineup this year and knew I had to go. A solid list of artists that I've been a big fan of over the last 10 years, some as far back as my rose-tinted high school days. </div><div style="text-align: left;">The band I wanted to see most was Pavement. From my hometown of Stockton CA, they broke up in 1999 and essentially only tour once every 10 years. Mostly due to the time of my life I was getting into their music, I can honestly call them one of my top 5 favorite bands of all time. They were the closer on the final night. And I didn't get to see them. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I complained about this on the internet and I'll get to the full story later. But honestly--for a lot of my friends who are into alternative rock or indie or whatever--if they knew which bands I <i>did</i> see, they wouldn't feel bad for me at all. Sure, Pavement was my personal favorite band in this lineup. But the rest of the weekend was pretty freaking solid.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>ii. FRIDAY</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Deerhoof --</b> I guess I could have showed up every day in the morning and saw a million bands. But being honest with myself, all the bands I wanted to see were the bigger names in the afternoon. And spending 3 entire days on my feet by myself sounds miserable. But straight up, I wanted to see Deerhoof. I've heard 4 of their albums before, although I was worried I wouldn't recognize individual contorted rock songs. I kinda didn't, which was ok, because they freaking killed it. Their drummer (Greg Saunier) was easily my pick for best drummer of the weekend. And they at least busted out "This Magnificent Bird Will Rise" just to appease me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Japanese Breakfast --</b> I missed most of this show and there were clearly bigger fans there. I do remember her (Michelle Zauner) saying that Kilby Block Party had "the best lineup of all the festivals." And I actually agree. I know established festivals like Coachella get much bigger names and much bigger crowds. But I think Kilby was made for folks like within in a specific circle of music media. I really felt like I was getting more bang for my buck this weekend. Which is why I usually like smaller indie shows. I'm even intimidated to see a band as big as Wilco. But anyways... She wrapped up, and I immediately pressed forward for a good standing spot to see Yeah Yeah Yeahs.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Yeah Yeah Yeahs --</b> I've never been through a life-changing YYY's phase, but I knew they would kick ass live, which they did. Karen O is a commanding stage presence who just wants to dress pretty and rock out. And they know how to have fun. As they started playing "Zero," they released giant beach balls that looked like eyeballs. Which yes, I did get in on that action. But I didn't get into <i>all</i> the action from this show. Before the band showed up, I watched this chick next to me very casually snort a spoonful of cocaine. No, I had never seen that before. She ended up just dancing to herself the whole show, which is what I did, so what the hey. I found the drunk people much more annoying. Anyways, I forgot YYY's released a new album nobody liked last year, which dragged the show a bit. But they luckily played the hits. Predictably closed with "Maps" and "Heads Will Roll," although they surprised me with <i>Fever To Tell</i> banger "Date With The Night" for the encore. This included Karen O sliding her microphone down her jumpsuit and playing around with it like she had a dick, which I can only assume is a stage move she's been doing for over 20 years.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMDtZBQwLXyKjdRwvpawcvWpBvi-jOEHaDbbkS-abGKoLzTO1jYj7UH-eE14FYOZxmA52ceu_pVBcz1OB58yD2Fs0ta82D7A_RKZ3LzTTjuMxyrXLt3-ghUyvkurXoMAPzJlkAYRsABbI7pWXzQw0Ozy33Xj2pvofYkq43gLqCmTGW8iNr5UArKv3hw/s1334/PXL_20230513_023356693.MP~2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1323" data-original-width="1334" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMDtZBQwLXyKjdRwvpawcvWpBvi-jOEHaDbbkS-abGKoLzTO1jYj7UH-eE14FYOZxmA52ceu_pVBcz1OB58yD2Fs0ta82D7A_RKZ3LzTTjuMxyrXLt3-ghUyvkurXoMAPzJlkAYRsABbI7pWXzQw0Ozy33Xj2pvofYkq43gLqCmTGW8iNr5UArKv3hw/w200-h198/PXL_20230513_023356693.MP~2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdZuHFSu9z2-7_xBRJExQwa9DzmkNlTWlgqJ3r90Y2uKPPCbpxtSwsjKgyeTcu2_FiAoTRN9FkQHY1zrHI9ypRprXk27QD2_j8bijZCUNH04EmkA5AmP_8HHxZPum8npyXj2t4m1HMgPdyuheCqPgt4O7MvbLj1kv-uENEq--xFGcGU_8oNAsemLusg/s4032/PXL_20230513_025818325.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdZuHFSu9z2-7_xBRJExQwa9DzmkNlTWlgqJ3r90Y2uKPPCbpxtSwsjKgyeTcu2_FiAoTRN9FkQHY1zrHI9ypRprXk27QD2_j8bijZCUNH04EmkA5AmP_8HHxZPum8npyXj2t4m1HMgPdyuheCqPgt4O7MvbLj1kv-uENEq--xFGcGU_8oNAsemLusg/w200-h150/PXL_20230513_025818325.MP.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /> </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>iii. SATURDAY</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Caroline Polachek --</b> So the new Caroline album sits as my current pick for album of the year. Of course I had to see her. I met up with a buddy of mine from Logan that afternoon. He came to see different bands, but we at least I got him to see Caroline with me. Some quotes from him on the show: <i>"This woman has a beautiful voice." "This woman is beautiful."</i> He's right. It was cool seeing her perform her new album in almost its entirety, although it reminded me why I usually don't see pop acts live. You get the vocal gymnastics with some appropriately loud synthesizers in the background. Just hard to recreate a studio experience in a concert setting. Still kept me drawn in though. Beautiful songs.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFz9KstuCHpzFQQOYDDeV5kMInYW0tYXy7sTv8rWI8kDBGY1eVm7P2AqlesMM0yYx_5NvsC9CrvILh1hjiLqgLzgw_KJpSA4FtF-mTU4iqcZDkm-Bf5xq8OyXxmEHGw0a_VGXSpXkl9tvcOfXtB4YAKgxZ8ZuLWcP9i2jAR4yi5HCVQj2MBm9z23TCA/s2222/image.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2222" data-original-width="1838" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFz9KstuCHpzFQQOYDDeV5kMInYW0tYXy7sTv8rWI8kDBGY1eVm7P2AqlesMM0yYx_5NvsC9CrvILh1hjiLqgLzgw_KJpSA4FtF-mTU4iqcZDkm-Bf5xq8OyXxmEHGw0a_VGXSpXkl9tvcOfXtB4YAKgxZ8ZuLWcP9i2jAR4yi5HCVQj2MBm9z23TCA/w166-h200/image.jpg" width="166" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Weyes Blood -- </b>This is a tough one for me to explain. I've listened to her (Natalie Mering) 2019 album <i>Titanic Rising</i> a million times and have a spiritually personal relationship with it. Yet they gave her a super small stage for some reason. There weren't a lot of people there and folks kept leaving early. As for me, even though I like her newest release, it was hard for me to stay interested in these renditions of its songs. That is, except "God Turn Me Into A Flower," which suddenly turned the show into holistic experience. I awkwardly wandered between stages as her set was wrapping up, but I wandered back in awe as she closed with "Movies," which again, turned the show from something disjointed to holistic like a light-switch. I will give her the award for best stage banter though. I'm convinced that AI and astrology are equally fake answers to life's questions.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMURMZU3469pNyRZsXN3Tl-qCbcdDKAHQMWOixC3JrUjOYQIx1rIuUnWkfjnDyAevWMD-CHcLYMbRLPZhM1WpQF-k-RzG6Qfn-0bH6vfS4IPoOnks7lVl0jrvmiR1nU6cXu1lDfyngrT5d7AGdL0C43sveb-pesFJRg0Ub955CIgjCWSQ4TXu8DPzFiw/s904/PXL_20230514_013139897.MP~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="863" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMURMZU3469pNyRZsXN3Tl-qCbcdDKAHQMWOixC3JrUjOYQIx1rIuUnWkfjnDyAevWMD-CHcLYMbRLPZhM1WpQF-k-RzG6Qfn-0bH6vfS4IPoOnks7lVl0jrvmiR1nU6cXu1lDfyngrT5d7AGdL0C43sveb-pesFJRg0Ub955CIgjCWSQ4TXu8DPzFiw/w191-h200/PXL_20230514_013139897.MP~2.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Run The Jewels --</b> Listen man... This was the only big ticket rap act the festival had. And it was just what the doctor ordered. I've been a fan of this duo since their debut album in 2013, and in fact love all 4 of their albums. I had a terrible spot in the back of the crowd, but that did not stop me from yelling a bunch of NSFW lyrics and dancing my pants off. Killer Mike opened things up with "SALT LAKE CITY! I FEEL LIKE JOHN STOCKTON UP IN THIS MUTHAFUKKA!" He later gave a heartfelt speech in honor of Mother's Day. These guys are a special breed. I had to take a moment to admire that I was watching 2 rap legends who've been at it since the 90s. Yet their careers are now stronger than ever, and for this show, it was just all about giving the RTJ fans what they wanted. And I was totally fine with that. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgQB_vHPAWoUClCnm7B8n39G8Nsf864jAl7pYyRiM9jWRfQmwRcfmOLpNR4fljtLWVWqSn6ridwyUYR0ISpJ_R2BNOT0g6HYLPQWeYdqOlqAfghayD59-_1fBBqnctfKPyZNnR9ke6y9vBKSzj7Au7tx2YcJBVtPWebnwN6XTcNCeQf6ifqEzTp44_g/s2660/PXL_20230514_023733114~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2059" data-original-width="2660" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgQB_vHPAWoUClCnm7B8n39G8Nsf864jAl7pYyRiM9jWRfQmwRcfmOLpNR4fljtLWVWqSn6ridwyUYR0ISpJ_R2BNOT0g6HYLPQWeYdqOlqAfghayD59-_1fBBqnctfKPyZNnR9ke6y9vBKSzj7Au7tx2YcJBVtPWebnwN6XTcNCeQf6ifqEzTp44_g/w200-h155/PXL_20230514_023733114~2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The Strokes -- </b>The Strokes was the biggest show of the weekend (at least specifically for the Utah crowd) and I was sad that I was gonna be miles away from the stage. So many people came just to see this band. But that even included a group of friends I had back from my last summer working at Redfish Lake. I bumped into them and they let me join their crew for The Strokes. So many freaking people. The stage really looked like it was miles away. But you know what. I got into this band when I was in high school and I was kinda loving it. I've heard their first two albums hundreds of times over the years. And they realllly stuck with that material. Honestly played the majority of<i> Is This It</i>. Sung along with every word. I said I'd leave a little early, but I didn't know they would close with "Someday," so I found myself dancing with strangers as I made my way outside the crowd. Like the rest of the weekend, it was kinda awkard, but definitely memorable. Also like this photo I took of a couple I just met that night.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioG2EnLKxDt7dZpPNmac5SCrrDJSgI_Y5OBwv3oollFDnNwJPpM25kGt1UfreXTph0B6rGSmAH8R3cK7NEGzaqNL9_PKlPK6zu_4Ub1HCgVEh3hId0SKF4tN1n3AnBy2F7TmjNBC8M8P4KCe8sdAZATbeTXHw5sWBIJbWsta4dcBaoiiazRxeLxhWQw/s4032/PXL_20230514_034151811.PORTRAIT~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioG2EnLKxDt7dZpPNmac5SCrrDJSgI_Y5OBwv3oollFDnNwJPpM25kGt1UfreXTph0B6rGSmAH8R3cK7NEGzaqNL9_PKlPK6zu_4Ub1HCgVEh3hId0SKF4tN1n3AnBy2F7TmjNBC8M8P4KCe8sdAZATbeTXHw5sWBIJbWsta4dcBaoiiazRxeLxhWQw/w150-h200/PXL_20230514_034151811.PORTRAIT~3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>iv. SUNDAY</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Duster -- </b>I showed up tired on Sunday afternoon, and hoo boy, this act didn't help. I do like Duster and I made a point of seeing them. But I spent a lot of it looking for a place to sit. And even sitting didn't feel comfortable. Someone near me described their sound as "just background music to get high to." Technically <i>every</i> band that played this weekend took that title for some, but I knew what he meant.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The Walkmen -- </b>Hamilton Leithauser. Remember that name. He's the lead singer for The Walkmen and talented as they come, he's probably the most likable, charismatic frontman I've ever seen. The Walkmen are touring for the first time since their breakup 10 years ago, and you can just tell he felt like the luckiest man in the world just to be back with the band. He ended the show running through the walkway into the audience giving everyone high-fives. But he gave me probably the greatest stage moment of the weekend. As the band started playing their biggest song "The Rat," he runs up to the mic with 4 baguettes cradled in his arms, and asks the audience "Who wants some bread?" He then proceeds to to chuck the baguettes into the audience. You can witness some of this at the start of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMIzccxbfEM">this YouTube video</a>, from which I stole the good quality photo shown below.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeMhsXvZqL4OVyUC83Q5iW2r0QEuFnkxgpPz5BFoWBC6NQ62B43P0-tnFEwTxzywK1aq8Oy94OdxK7JzO49mlIJQkT8B02l4pZ8Ds9Yzvf4AjNQAo5eK2MhzArFBFlQErLR54ayCcHnkxZaVDSihffI1L2S2djgoEoKpT6g4hLpxc-QQzq5fUQj-ZqQ/s267/kilbyyy.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="244" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeMhsXvZqL4OVyUC83Q5iW2r0QEuFnkxgpPz5BFoWBC6NQ62B43P0-tnFEwTxzywK1aq8Oy94OdxK7JzO49mlIJQkT8B02l4pZ8Ds9Yzvf4AjNQAo5eK2MhzArFBFlQErLR54ayCcHnkxZaVDSihffI1L2S2djgoEoKpT6g4hLpxc-QQzq5fUQj-ZqQ/w183-h200/kilbyyy.PNG" width="183" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Pixies --</b> I moved up the crowd right after The Walkmen to get a good spot for Pixies. Got into Pixies in high school, and I thought this was totally worth it. It mostly was. Especially since the place was packed. Got some great photos while I could (including the one at the top of this blog post). I told myself beforehand that Pixies would probably be the best band for moshing, even if that's not my thing. Welp. A bunch of other people had that same thought. And I found myself in the center of chaos. Moshpit, crowdsurfers, it was all up in my face. Nobody was able to stand still or go untouched. My crotchety 32 year-old ass would complain about this, but the show itself was so freaking good. There was no stage banter. In fact, it seemed like there was a mere 3-second gap between songs. I knew every song and the energy was relentless. Well, they did eventually relent... They had to stop mid-song during "Vamos" due to lighting. And I can't tell a lie: This was a real storm.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRHkisQqcqPaqav5E0k8J9S1-hTSpTNBA8li2oluYqCtZFrsr6sDte6o1sI7YVAI3tT8F-bgjBzhkuY8lzwdPdyKUilJ3LR0fEAL7FeG46ujCqRXejtwOFe4lcPt-mH9SwoiYV1a485X1iugwjwmQVpbnRogLdcy1weHsuPjZoxo9QSbfWggViZO8rw/s4032/PXL_20230515_015140229.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRHkisQqcqPaqav5E0k8J9S1-hTSpTNBA8li2oluYqCtZFrsr6sDte6o1sI7YVAI3tT8F-bgjBzhkuY8lzwdPdyKUilJ3LR0fEAL7FeG46ujCqRXejtwOFe4lcPt-mH9SwoiYV1a485X1iugwjwmQVpbnRogLdcy1weHsuPjZoxo9QSbfWggViZO8rw/w200-h150/PXL_20230515_015140229.MP.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>v. CLOSURE</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">The only band left was Pavement. I made a run for their stage immediately in case the storm stopped. But it only got scarier. I decided to leave, considering how late it was. Even my hopeful side drove past the venue again 30 minutes later, and it was still silent. But I found out the next morning that they let Pavement do a whole set an entire 90 minutes later that night. I was so pissed and distraught and sad and confused. I bought a tour merch t-shirt for these guys. I saw the band post a clip of the show on Twitter, playing in front of a really small audience in the rainy darkness. I commented with my grief of having left too early. And I actually got a reply from a member of the band (Bob Nastanovich) who sympathized with me and said "See you next xs." I don't know what xs means. But with such a bummer ending to the weekend, this is probably the best closure you can ask for.</div><div style="text-align: left;">So would I ever go to a music festival again? Even though this was fun, I'm actually gonna say no. It made me realize just how much I like specific concert experiences. Going to see a favorite band where you know you'll know every song. Going to a small show in an intimate setting. I think the next shows I go to will be like this. Or heck, on a personal level, taking more opportunities to be a performing act yourself. There are clearly just people who like going to concerts more than I do, or actually find the festival atmosphere more enjoyable (smells included). But this was just such an excellent lineup right in my back yard, it was hard for me to say no. <i>(sigh)</i> Pavement may never come to Utah again. But I'm glad I went.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWUUseavz6mFXXrwP7_8VqXKqBdy8UkJ5ZMqWHYWbLFn-IIYFb9dVGIhHIiqz5jARLYewXbCGJYjDSwsWS7VSNm_L6GzKf5FkxmhyP615-MGYQ-0vDhfDQ2AOvOd87oCN1ETEZFFsA_BIjUH1pvC5sf_ur0ErbGB737UombZLmZMUxkt1hhE33vRmAA/s4032/PXL_20230515_022532996.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWUUseavz6mFXXrwP7_8VqXKqBdy8UkJ5ZMqWHYWbLFn-IIYFb9dVGIhHIiqz5jARLYewXbCGJYjDSwsWS7VSNm_L6GzKf5FkxmhyP615-MGYQ-0vDhfDQ2AOvOd87oCN1ETEZFFsA_BIjUH1pvC5sf_ur0ErbGB737UombZLmZMUxkt1hhE33vRmAA/s320/PXL_20230515_022532996.NIGHT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-27545548217383871502023-03-09T19:29:00.000-08:002023-03-09T19:29:14.694-08:00"A good memory."Let's talk about me. That's what we usually talk about on this blog.<div>But first, let's talk about <i>OK Computer</i>. Oddly enough, another popular topic for this blog.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was about 19 years old when I got myself a used CD copy of Radiohead's heralded 1997 art rock classic <i>OK Computer</i>. This was during my sole semester as an acting major at the College of Southern Idaho, in the fall of 2009. I actually love and appreciate this album way more now than I did back then. I find it undeniably futuristic and influential. Sure, I liked it back then, but for different reasons. I mostly related to its discomforting themes.</div><div>Instead of reviewing this whole album, we're gonna talk about 1 song. "Fitter Happier." Not so much a "song" as it is a computerized voice reading off the society-approved descriptions of a perfect person, as broken classical music plays in the background. This track alone deserves a novella-sized review, but there's literally just 1 line I want to talk about today...</div><div><i><b>"A good memory."</b></i></div><div>So yeah, if you want a long list of stereotypical traits "the perfect person" may have, maintaining a good, strong memory of what you've done in the past and things you've learned before should be mentioned. No real reason to dive into this. Unless you're Scott E Hall at age 19. And you absolutely 100% misinterpreted this simple line into something more specifically personal and pertinent in your life.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vTkedby31q1MtmXpGCA9F7FjPMHhakeXTU-pFJAKnw9PahMSI5XR3kaoMmseLxWVTwvceZlrh8PrZWIqSc4R6SjEYzybwHdjf2j3W6gNEhYLGJ0IiMwNnt_hGMWEj_Xj7sV3K3IhpGTOb4zzUHQIXAXtQRp3NLtAmIMC9-LyhFv3L1LDubSYjyFWDw/s165/okc7.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="162" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vTkedby31q1MtmXpGCA9F7FjPMHhakeXTU-pFJAKnw9PahMSI5XR3kaoMmseLxWVTwvceZlrh8PrZWIqSc4R6SjEYzybwHdjf2j3W6gNEhYLGJ0IiMwNnt_hGMWEj_Xj7sV3K3IhpGTOb4zzUHQIXAXtQRp3NLtAmIMC9-LyhFv3L1LDubSYjyFWDw/w314-h320/okc7.PNG" width="314" /></a></div><br /><div>I write about depression and anxiety a lot. And I'm doing it again today.</div><div>It's crazy how quickly you can lose grasp of your mental and spiritual stability. To just get utterly destroyed. Junior college very quickly whipped me into a state of frustration and confusion I had never experienced before. 2009 had been a beautiful year for me, up until that point. But I was doing what I wanted to do with my life. I was acting, I was starting a college education off scholarship money, and more importantly, I even had plenty of friends living in town. Yet acting didn't feel the same. Being with friends didn't feel the same. Pretty much everything (even in my alone time) didn't feel as good or normal as the previous months of my life. This is called anhedonia, by the way.</div><div>It was hard for me to tell if the memories of my recent life were even real. They were good memories that came with strong feelings. And these events even happened recently in my life. Yet they suddenly felt so very distant. And even unreal. To this day, I try to explain this to people and I don't think I can fully explain it in a way y'all can understand. Anyways, I had something itching the back of my mind throughout this semester. During every social event, or any potential spiritual experience, or moment of learning something new, I always thought in the back of my mind: <b>When I look back on this, will this be a good memory?</b></div><div>I guess this thought that makes total sense on paper, but in practice, it was one of many thoughts preventing me from living in the moment. Because I had valued all the memories I made in my later teen years. But during those good times, this thought was never on my mind during any of it. Now here I am approaching age 19 and my inevitable Mormon mission, and I was quietly losing my goddamn mind. Probably a bad time to get into <i>OK Computer</i>, but that was my newest purchase. And when I heard them talking about <i>"a good memory,"</i> I really thought they were talking about making (or being part of) moments that will be looked back on as good memories in your future. It's a thought process that would go on to haunt me for 3 more years.</div><div>Sidenote: Notice I was already experiencing negative thoughts without the influence of these songs in the first place. Nirvana-hating boomers, take note.</div><div><br /></div><div>So why am I writing about this interesting (albeit random) lyrical misinterpretation as a 32 year-old man in 2023? I've realized this is a problem I still have today. It's just taken a very different form. All my favorite memories are from years ago. Age 17 and 18 are probably still my favorites, as those were my last days without anxiety and depression struggles. But I can list off other really good years from my college life. Problem is, I graduated from college over 6 years ago. I had a similar crisis post-college as I did when I started junior college. I lived with my parents for months and was usually unemployed, scared stiff of making any life choices whatsoever. And I would go on to spend much of the following 5 years on medications that weren't a reasonable fit for me. </div><div>I think my 2 most immediate struggles these days are loneliness and daily dread. And yet, I really like spending time alone and I'm too scared to change my current work situation. Sometimes, the best feelings I get all day come from memories. </div><div>Much like myself at age 19, it's hard to believe the good times ever happened. When I talk to people about who I am, I can only talk about things I've done in the past, because there is no present worth discussing. When I talk to people about my hobbies and interests and accomplishments, I feel like I'm lying to them. Or that they don't believe me. Either way, I have 0 internal validation of how accurately I view my past, particularly when I look back on something fondly. Is it possible that I can get older and go back to living in times that will make for good memories? Feeling a mental and emotional sense of stability that will keep me living in the moment?</div><div>I'm calling 50/50 yay or nay.</div><div><br /></div><div>Honestly, I realize I just punched you guys with some of my most unhealthy mindsets, both past and present. I figured this was all worth mentioning because I often consider these things when I think about music. I often try to go back to music I used to love. It used to be like a spiritual experience. Like these songs would engulf my body as I listened to them, or even simply had them stuck in my head. I still love music today, but I long for the ways it used to make me feel. </div><div>And speaking of music... <i>OK Computer</i>! I actually never listened to that album much during my Utah State University days because it brought back bad memories of me being 19. But I've gotten over that. Now? I have a hard time revisiting most music I got into from most of the last 6 years. That sounds bad, but I'm sure I'll come back around to those songs in time. Meanwhile, I always switch up my rotation with new songs, and also go back to those old soundtracks to good memories.</div><div>While most of my blog posts about mental health end with a generic way of saying "things are getting better these days," I actually don't want to say that this time because I'm afraid I'll just jinx it. I'll instead leave with another "Fitter Happier" lyric...</div><div><i>"No longer empty and frantic, like a cat tied to a stick that's driven into frozen winter shit."</i></div><div>That imagery is just as depressing as it is cartoonish, but there. We can only hope that we no longer feel empty and frantic. We can't force ourselves to not feel insanely bad, nor tell other people to stop feeling that way. We can only let other people know when we are feeling this way, and hopefully they give you a hug or something. Which sounds like a good memory.</div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-84415023371695272602023-02-20T12:57:00.003-08:002023-02-20T14:52:04.373-08:00Let's Review 'In Utero'<div style="text-align: left;">So this blog post really isn't gonna be a good ol' fun time. In fact, this is gonna be PFL (pretty freakin' long). But I'll try to at least keep this interesting. Because I think about this album a lot. And I wanted to make sure I go over this with a more "self-as context" approach, instead of while I'm caught up in the sauce. I'm in the middle of a 3-day weekend right now, which means I'm like 80% less stressed than if I were to write this on a work day. While perhaps reviewing a music project that's historically tied with mental illness sounds like a defective way to spend an empty day, I actually feel like both this music and the topics surrounding it are appropriate for me to bring up. Because I love this album and I often want to talk about it. Yet nobody really brings up this album, nor the corners of mental illness that are directly/indirectly related. So why not just let it all out in a blog post? This is what the internet is for.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4H8zKQ4a93lS7R6RFSxrJbCDq0-SxckuFuqKfhPPfE65y0ABmPvYJ9GmoMFZ12HLpuwn__Q2qmg9iB6PUswQFWV6_u6dwjwv2ZVf5BcL5nEU45LBxiaC06riuh4cQkdalEZwj08GvPq3a1g7yG8JSOPhu2Xc8NiyRZ_VLdPhj9wS6CyhlHrQCFUZPJQ/s1017/in%20u1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1002" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4H8zKQ4a93lS7R6RFSxrJbCDq0-SxckuFuqKfhPPfE65y0ABmPvYJ9GmoMFZ12HLpuwn__Q2qmg9iB6PUswQFWV6_u6dwjwv2ZVf5BcL5nEU45LBxiaC06riuh4cQkdalEZwj08GvPq3a1g7yG8JSOPhu2Xc8NiyRZ_VLdPhj9wS6CyhlHrQCFUZPJQ/s320/in%20u1.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>MUMBLING AND SCREAMING: WHY?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I do a pretty decent Kurt Cobain vocal impersonation. I was 19 when I started noticing his vocal approach wasn't too different than that of my favorite 90s indie rock slacker skateboarder singers. You just take those voices, and make them sound really perturbed. I guess I can't really do Kurt's iconic growling where it sounds like he's singing through some cud in his mouth. The "Come As You Are" voice. But I really approve of his mumbling and screaming. And there's plenty of that on <i>In Utero</i>. Not to mention he has plenty of say that's worthy of mumbling and screaming.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I rather detest the idea that people shouldn't be listening to music like this. Like, a lot. People are out there like: Why would you listen to something that sounds ugly and has consistently negative messages? I actually take this kind of logic as more reason for bands like Nirvana to exist; and thrive, for that matter. If we were to only fight off our ugly emotions with music that opposes them, that's pretty darn similar to just ignoring that these feelings exist. And it's not like these artists are introducing these negative concepts to us. Especially for those of ud suffering with mental illness, we were already indulging in our own mentally unhealthy thoughts long before we discovered our favorite distorted rock bands. </div><div style="text-align: left;">As a kid, I found Nirvana super overrated for years. I'm listening to my local radio station trying to listen to Matchbox Twenty and Barenaked Ladies, then they decide "Smells Like Teen Spirit" fits in with this rotation for some reason. It really never did. I took an alternative route to becoming an Nirvana fan. I went down indie rock rabbit holes via internet in my teen years that led me to Pixies and Dinosaur Jr. Then I realized Nirvana sounds right at home next to these folks.</div><div style="text-align: left;">So yeah, I actually totally get why someone wouldn't like Nirvana for their sound alone. Some people just don't like much noisy music. Some aesthetically unappealing vocals, guitars that border on metal. Of course it's not mandatory for people to like this. I just wish y'all would simply admit that was the reason you don't like them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>THE POSTERCHILDREN FOR MENTAL ILLNESS STIGMA</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Every therapist I've had knows right off the bat that I'm a music fan. Every counselor I ever had with LDS Family Services has asked me if I like Nirvana. Or as the first one called them, "that one band from Seattle with that Kurt Cobain fellow." I answer yes, they write down a quick note, and we proceed like that never happened. Look. It is the saddest thing in the entire universe that people stereotypically associate one band with suicidality like this. Heck, even just Cobain's tragic life story itself. Yet I don't think folks realize this... I listen to A LOT of music. Do you have any idea just how many artists I listen to that have struggles with suicidality?</div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking at my top 50 most-streamed artists on Spotify, Nirvana isn't even on there. Yet there are multiple artists on this list who are either currently living after having attempting suicide, or have died as a result of their attempts. One artist I'd like to focus on here is Nick Drake. He released only 3 albums, all beautiful folk music, between 1968 and 1972. He died in 1974 at the age of 28 after an intentional drug overdose. I bought a CD copy of his 1972 album <i>Pink Moon</i> during my first semester of junior college. While his previous albums featured a bunch of different instruments to sounds as full and bright as a movie soundtrack, the entirety of <i>Pink Moon</i> is just his voice and his acoustic guitar. The lyrics are depressing as hell. It is extremely hard not to look at a work so bleak and not try to connect it with Nick's apparent struggles with suicidal depression. </div><div style="text-align: left;">But your therapist never asks you if you listen to Nick Drake. Just Nirvana.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Your dad listens to your Nick Drake CD sometimes. Just not Nirvana.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Apparently being a Nirvana fan is bad for your health. For 30 years and counting. Much like in real life, people are more willing to show care and comfort to those expressing depressive and anxious thoughts by way of sadness. But anger is an ultimately unwelcome emotion. Respectively, angry people are hard to talk to. Apologies to anybody I ranted at this weekend while I had a migraine. Although, the generational backlash of Nirvana-phobia is apparent proof that angry people are also hard to listen to. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Now for the record, Nirvana was the most popular band in the world for a few years. And Nick Drake never sold many records during his lifetime. So your parents or your friends or your therapists have most likely only heard of the generational phenomenon rock band, and not the old folk singer you can only find on the internet. I can't help but compare the Nick's story Kurt's. Because the amount of fame Kurt achieved was beyond anything any of us will ever experience. It's a story that people have used to dissect the mentality of rock stars for about 30 years now. Nick Drake was a clinically depressed unpopular artist who quit making music to live with his parents. As someone who also writes songs that nobody listens to and has a history of suicidal thoughts, a review of <i>Pink Moon</i> might actually hit too close to home for me today. While the story of Kurt Cobain after <i>In Utero</i> was equally tragic, I really feel like the toxic reputation behind this man's name and his music needs defending. Or at least I feel like a review of this album would be a defense of myself being a 100% fan of it. Like, I'm just not cool with all the disrespect the mentally ill get for simply being a fan of this particular famous rock band. So let's pick up where I left off a few paragraphs ago. <i>"Mumbling and screaming."</i> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>THE ACTUAL REVIEW</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Nirvana has 3 albums. 1988's <i>Bleach</i> was a pure dose of Seattle's grunge scene, and while it will always be my #3 pick from their discography, it's still a great rock record. 1991's <i>Nevermind</i> was their major label debut, and now sits as one of the 30 highest-selling albums of all time. You know, the one with the naked baby reaching for a $1 bill underwater. Myself being born in 1990, I clearly see their surprising rise to popularity as the most culturally significant shift in the worldwide music scene humanly imaginable. They made a big fat loud alternative rock record that sold so much that suddenly every 80s trend became immediately obsolete. I actually think that whether or not they ever got stanky rich, Nirvana woulda made followed up this sound with an album like <i>In Utero</i> anyways. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Utero</i> was produced by Steve Albini. Cobain's personal list of his 50 favorite albums of all time has circulated the public eye for years, and it includes a couple of albums produced by Albini. The Breeders' <i>Pod</i>. Pixies' <i>Surfer Rosa</i>. Like the staunch beautiful bastard he is, Albini did not want to work with a major-label act of ignoramus musicians like Nirvana. But they actually got along with each other very well. It's documented that Albini specifically liked the band, but hated all the record label snakes involved with them. This hate lingered after the recording process. <i>Utero</i> was apparently originally recorded in the classic Albini style similar to his early-90s works with Jesus Lizard and PJ Harvey. The most raw rock sounds possible, with the amount of clear crunch and extreme volume dynamics to make it sound like you're in the room with the band yourself. But the folks at DGC Records apparently messed with Albini's original mixes, adding some muddied effects to closer match the tones and timbres heard on<i> Nevermind</i>. You know, the record that made them a ton of money. While I'm totally fine with how <i>In Utero</i> sounds as/is, I would LOVE to hear the original Albini recordings.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sorry for telling you stuff you coulda learned yourself on Wikipedia. Back to some personal meaning... Without access to streaming service yet, I never heard this whole album front-to-back until I bought a CD copy of it while I was at Utah State University in 2013. It was in a $1 bin at the local Hastings (RIP). I do remember an alt-rock station that played the singles "Heart-Shaped Box" and "All Apologies" on a regular basis back when I was a teenager. And I stumbled upon a couple other assorted tracks from it back when I was 19, right before my mission. One of those songs was "Dumb." And I don't think I ever really associated with Nirvana's music until I heard this song.</div><div style="text-align: left;">When I heard this song, I was suffering from then-undiagnosed anxiety. I heard the lyrics: <i>"I'm having fun. I think I'm dumb. Or maybe just happy."</i> This was absolutely not a new concept to me. I was like, "THANK YOU." In a pretty non-poetic way, just hearing this dude mumble about how he feels like he's a stupid person every time he finds himself having a good time... It's a mindset I still struggle with today. I already knew I was gonna love this album the day I bought it.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The opening track "Serve the Servants" is full of golden one-liners.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"Teenage angst has paid off well. Now I'm bored and old."</i> For the record, my mom claims I was the most chill teenager she ever raised. But personally, as an adult, I still feel the same inner sense of rebellion I had as a teenager. Now I find adult life even less satisfying than my angsty teen years.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"I tried hard to have a father, but instead I had a dad."</i> This is technically the dumbest statement I ever heard and I love it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"There is nothing I could say that I haven't thought before."</i> Of course. Because that's how freaking thinking and talking works.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I haven't said much abut the screaming on this album. Because I didn't exactly expect it. It shows up in full force on the track 2, "Scentless Apprentice." I honestly don't always like screaming in my music. But the break into the chorus here with that "HEYYYYY, GO AWAY" is just kinda my archetypal example for screaming on rock songs, at this point. I credit the Steve Albini touch on the vocal recording here. Kurt screams on a few other tracks on this album, with my other favorite example being "Milk It." On this track, he screams "TEST MEAT, DOLL STEAK," which is just some ugly imagery thrown into a song that already has some rather grotesque statements on self-negativity. Respectively, this is probably why our parents hate Nirvana more than Nick Drake.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyways... My other two favorite tracks are "Pennyroyal Tea" and "Radio Friendly Unit Shifter." "Pennyroyal" has is an excellent show of Nirvana's quiet/loud dynamics, while sneaking in a shoutout to Leonard Cohen. And "Radio Friendly" has my favorite guitar parts on the whole album, and includes the mumbling <i>"What is wrong with me?"</i> refrain, which is a question I ask myself all-too frequently.</div><div style="text-align: left;">So perhaps I did a terrible job promoting this album to people who I already know aren't gonna like it. It pretty much contains the opposite of what you want to discuss with your friends and family. Both musically and lyrically. In fact, going back to that question: <i>"Why would you listen to something that sounds ugly and has consistently negative messages?"</i> That's actually a fair question. I guess it should just be put out there that maybe people actually <i>want</i> to express that part of themselves. Some of us want to see that internal distortion reflected in our stereos. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>MANDATORY SECTION REGARDING A CERTAIN SONG</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I did not mention every song on this album because I don't have to. Although when it comes to my personal moral code, I think the most disturbing thing someone could try to defend is the fact that this album has a song titled "Rape Me." Sure, I get that this is an expression of pain. And while the song doesn't actually talk about the experience of sexual abuse, you gotta wonder. Why did Kurt decide to go with such a controversial title? Noted; There's a B-side to this album titled "I Hate Myself and Want to Die." As far as I see it, this is the exact same disturbing message. I guess in the year 2023, I see label executives switching one track with the other. And I honestly do take points away from this album for including a short song that comes off as an attempt at shock value by saying "rape" 26 times. "I Hate Myself" is a perfectly fine substitute that definitely gets that painful message across. Because straight up, "I want to die" is something a lot of people say to themselves. </div><div style="text-align: left;">We aren't supposed to judge an artist's mental state based on their music alone. Because we know about how Kurt died, it is extremely difficult not to do this. This is why I think, both as people and as artists, we can only front so much with serious topics like death. If you say "I want to die" and you don't mean it, I find that pretty screwed up. Because a lot of people, Kurt included, actually mean that. I guess in a perfect world, nobody says that at all. In a world next to songs about feeling dumb every time you smile, or feeling a burdensome chain attached to your romantic relationships? I think this is a welcome place to just let out all your darkest thoughts and emotions. And I can make an extremely long list of albums I like that work as a place to do this. <i>In Utero</i>, <i>Pink Moon</i>, <i>Red House Painters</i>, <i>Disintegration</i>, <i>Elliott Smith</i>, <i>The Downward Spiral</i>. To name a few.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>GOOD AND BAD REASONS TO HATE NIRVANA</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I know I feel like this review is never going to end, and it's a painful read, I just have to share another thought about appropriate judgment here. There are lots of reasons to dislike Nirvana. And I've even met in the middle and admitted that even I have my limits when it comes to something being legitimately inappropriate. But then we have Oasis's Noel Gallagher. He critiques Kurt's negative lyrics, saying: <i>"There was a guy who had everything, and was miserable about it... Kids don't need to be hearing that nonsense."</i> He then goes on to compare that to himself learning to love life, even when when he and his band were starting out in dirt-poor conditions. I think I speak for myself, and for Kurt Cobain, and for Nick Drake when I say this to Gallagher: WELL GOOD FOR FREAKING YOU. </div><div style="text-align: left;">While I like the idea that we should try to enjoy our lives under any given circumstance, I disgust the idea that expressing joy is the ultimate expectation. Whether you're a struggling artist who can't seem to make it big, or a rock star with kajillion dollars, we are all susceptible to feeling miserable, angry, or falling into clinical mental struggles. And god forbid we express that, right? So hard to listen to "Champagne Supernova" knowing that dude is part of the mental illness stigma machine...</div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyways. <i>In Utero</i> rocks. Nirvana is a great band. This much is just opinion. I've associated with their negative side for years. And it's bittersweet to feel like you're listening to a friend speak to you, and knowing that those destructive thoughts could climax to severe internal levels. But it's bad enough that people get judged for not acting happy enough. Heck, I already mentioned before, when I'm happy, <i>"I think I'm dumb."</i> But let's up the ante one more notch: Could we just not judge people for liking Nirvana? Like a lot of other bands out there, the music and lyrics are always there for me if I feel like it. It's the never-ending social stigma that's always working in opposition of progress.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-89326192724596374312023-02-08T21:19:00.003-08:002023-02-11T14:16:31.140-08:00Talkin' Psychiatric Medication Blues<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"I wouldn't trade 1 stupid decision for another 5 years of life."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">-James Murphy</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kkfeMHZ0XBbVbDreJyyXGg8WkuE7aTtiSDX_ooaLfv2R1ystk8AY319c8RXRUVKUgdM4wJdrqxkcLq-knbztQ3UruHFEjMBPwgGwfdCDx7-mbtNA3P3gNS-cTJ5JBZkUcpoZbdP_LXq1BgbGLWVEeqZOBNjjWG-hXFqNH7RK5MTBGYEMM1P8saenMQ/s640/PXL_20230208_225840574~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="640" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kkfeMHZ0XBbVbDreJyyXGg8WkuE7aTtiSDX_ooaLfv2R1ystk8AY319c8RXRUVKUgdM4wJdrqxkcLq-knbztQ3UruHFEjMBPwgGwfdCDx7-mbtNA3P3gNS-cTJ5JBZkUcpoZbdP_LXq1BgbGLWVEeqZOBNjjWG-hXFqNH7RK5MTBGYEMM1P8saenMQ/w200-h193/PXL_20230208_225840574~2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Let's talk about drugs.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Or if you're like me, let's take some drugs.</div><div style="text-align: left;">But not too much. This is a super long read.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">5 YEARS AGO</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">We're gonna go back to 5 years ago. February 2018. That was the last time I ran a half marathon. That's really striking a chord with me this February. See, this is the coldest winter Logan has had in years. So cold, I started a gym membership to run on treadmills instead of trying to keep running outside. Hard to believe that 5 years ago, I was running 4 days a week outside throughout January. And I was running farther and faster too. I ended up doing that February half marathon in Boise in 100 minutes. I was not cold. I also was not on any psychiatric medication at all. At least not yet. And maybe I should have been? Let's talk about it.</div><div style="text-align: left;">In October 2017, god congratulated my existence with my first-ever kidney stone. I remember a day after trying out some acupuncture, I wondered if I had passed it unknowingly. Because instead of constantly, my kidney pain simply was reduced to being felt on-and-off. Surely enough, an x-ray didn't find anything, and a lab test showed I was no longer peeing blood. I did it! Let me tell you man, I've heard horror stories, and I'm aware that me passing my kidney stone without excruciating pain is hitting the ultimate jackpot. But I was so confused. Why were my kidneys still in pain?</div><div style="text-align: left;">My doctor talked with me for like an hour about how the kidneys are sensitive to stress, and that I was probably experiencing continuous pain because I am a very anxious person. He actually prescribed me some SSRI's. But I can't remember what they were called. Because I never picked them up.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I compensated a bit. I at least started seeing a therapist in November. Honestly, I had been diagnosed with anxiety years ago. Yet I was in denial of how bad it was at this time in my life. Looking back? Of course I think I should have listened to my doctor and started out on SSRI's. But for different reasons than one might think.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">THE MIGRAINE HORRORS</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">At this time, I started running a lot, eventually leading to my half marathon. It was around March 2018 when I started experiencing some trippy shit. Numbness in the face and wrists. Feeling like life around me isn't going on. Prolonged bouts of eerie clarity, borderline euphoria. Randomly losing balance while I walk. Waking up in the middle of the night feeling fuzzy. Pains in different assorted areas all over my head. Frequently dizzy. A tingling crown around my scalp. Slowed speech, where I often forgot how I was going to end a sentence as I was speaking. And scariest of all, feeling an entire side of my body go numb, with slurred speech included. I thought I was suffering from some neurological disease, and even had a brain MRI scheduled within the month. But one day in March, I had a surprise attack while I was at work. Everyone around me watched me freeze up and try to speak slowly through one corner of my mouth. Ended up taking an ambulance to the local hospital and getting a brain MRI right there and then. Despite experiencing most of the common symptoms for a stroke, they found absolutely nothing.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I was diagnosed with "worsening migraines." They gave me a packet of migraine info and told me to go home. I was so freaking confused. I thought I knew what a migraine was. Lightheaded. Cluster headaches. Auras occurring in one eye. Eventual nausea. Apparently there are lots of different types of migraines. I had been experiencing hemiplegic and vestibular migraines. I still get migraines all the time these days, but usually in the form of feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or feeling those assorted pains around my head. Luckily no more stroke symptoms.</div><div style="text-align: left;">So how did doctors help me out? They gave me a couple meds. One that stood out to me was effexor. Effexor is a common drug used to help with severe migraines, and I could tell it was working for me. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">EFFEXOR</span></b> </div><div style="text-align: left;">It wasn't until a couple months into taking it that I found out they also worked as SSRI's. My doctor did not bring this up. Found out via internet. But I was ok with it. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I figured I was supposed to be on that stuff anyways. So I chose to prolong my prescription. For as long as I saw fit. It was hard for me to notice at the time, but this led to me having a very weird summer.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I started having these new breakdowns. Something clearly physiological about them. My body just going comatose out of nowhere, and breathing gets bizarre. They last anywhere from 10 to 90 minutes. I did not see the connection between all this and the pills that had helped me lose my migraines. I've had multiple diagnoses as to what these breakdowns actually are, but most doctors agree that they're panic attacks. And it's apparently common for them to attack you like that, out of the blue. I've had them scattered over the last 5 years, but that 2018 summer, they were pretty darn prevalent.</div><div style="text-align: left;">It was also that summer that my suicidal thoughts felt very real. It was the first time I ever called the suicide hotline. I was luckily still seeing my therapist at the time, who had officially diagnosed me with depression. That was a first. Not surprising, but a first. And in a September visit with this therapist, I had surprise panic attack right in front of her. She claimed that she basically watched me "pass out" right in front of her. Her clinic shared a building with a doctor, so they were able to help me walk over to his office right away.</div><div style="text-align: left;">This doctor knew I had anxiety and depression, but he did not know what was going on. So he told me to come back right away if I had another episode. I did so, in October. And this time, he was just really bugging me. I particularly remember telling him that when he was talking to me, it felt like he was talking down at me. Without much explanation, he decided to prescribe a little sumthin-sumthin called quetiapine. And it blew my mind. I felt instantly sedated. I was sleeping like 10 hours a day, and I was ok with it. Because the way I felt while I was awake was super refreshing. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">QUETIAPINE</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">It wasn't until a couple months into taking it that I found out these meds were antipsychotics. My doctor did not bring this up. Found out via internet. But I was ok with it. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Because I had moments where I felt more like myself than I had since freaking 2009. That is no lie. Particularly when it came to music. Since my anxiety rocked me around late-2009, I had missed the way music used to make me feel. It's crazy, to this day, much of my favorite music memories come from 2019. And that was a big deal to me. While I often think fondly of this time, there were some clear outlying issues in my life. I was still also on the effexor, which apparently kept me depressed. I was sleeping much more than working, by a lot. But I was just this warm ball of sedation. I guess it was "good." But it was 0% "normal." </div><div style="text-align: left;">I decided to switch up my life and get a job as a TV news producer at a station in Twin Falls. I could live with my parents while also feeling like I had a cool job. I didn't actually want to do it, and I kinda just agreed to it to appease my parents. People make choices like this all the time. What made this particularly life-altering was my newfound difficulty with living a more stressful lifestyle on my hefty medication. It was not pretty.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">2020 SUCKED</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">What's crazy to me is that people couldn't recognize that I was dying inside. I had a slew of underwhelming new therapists, including a psychologist. I did take a GeneSight test that revealed which medications worked better with my gene patterns than others. While this changed what specific pills I would stop and start taking, I insisted that I stay on antipsychotics. I insisted that the stuff I was on in 2019 changed my life, and I should go forward with those types of drugs. It's crazy that all the meds I took in 2020 were positive matches on my GeneSight test, because they all made me feel like different types of terrible. Those suicidal thoughts I experienced in 2018 were in full force during this time. But I didn't tell anybody about it.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I eventually moved back to Logan and got my old Logan job back. By 2021, I started taking a new trio of antipsychotics, anti-anxiety, and SSRI meds. I thought it was a vast improvement from any of my 2020 drugs. Which is weird, because little did I think to research at the time: None of these pills were positive on my GeneSight test. Not sure how my doctor came up with these meds, but I didn't even think twice about it. I should probably blame him for all this, but I really should have said something. Or tried getting an opinion from someone else. And this "new" SSRI? It was the return of effexor. The one that started it all.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I actually already had a weird history with SSRI's in years past. Effexor was not my first. I was on something from 2010-2012 (my mission era) that wasn't really much to write home about. Also a couple different times in college where I was taking 3-month prescriptions, after talking with a doctor about my struggles with common migraines. But when it comes to my 5-year mess with medication, effexor is what started it all.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">2021-2022 WAS A MESS</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyways. This trio of meds would be my monthly refill for over 18 months. I eventually decided I was tired of how unnatural my nightly antipsychotics made me feel. I finally found a new doctor I could talk with about this, and he agreed that I should try going off them. This was July 2022. It made me feel free on multiple levels. Free, but not necessarily "healthy." </div><div style="text-align: left;">My struggles with suicidal thoughts had continued throughout 2021 and 2022. I would call the hotline on randomly assorted nights. But more often than suicide, the act of self-sabotage I often envisioned was running away. I made a makeshift attempt at this sometime this last August. And I'm gonna blame this on my increased dose of effexor.</div><div style="text-align: left;">After not being considered for a leadership position at work, I decided I'd try running away somewhere without telling anyone. I left my phone at my work desk, alongside my literal Bachelor's Degree with the words "WHO DO I HAVE TO BE?' written in pen on the back. I drove to the middle of nowhere. Ended up spending the night in Soda Springs. Returned back to Logan the next day because I had a CBT/ACT therapist appointment, and realized I probably needed to talk to her more than anyone else. This wasn't without stopping by the workplace and giving an R-rated, self-deprecating speech to 2 of my bosses. I believe I said "fuck this and fuck that and fuck me" multiple times. After randomly snapping out at my podiatrist the next week, my doctor decided to tone down the effexor and give me an atypical antipsychotic. While this helped with my freewhein' sense of angst, I eventually took a leave of absence from work in October. Because I caught myself noticing how used I had become to having suicidal thoughts. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Luckily, this doctor encouraged me multiple times to try to find my 2020 GeneSight test results. I finally found them stashed on an old document on my laptop. Not shockingly, effexor was in my affective red zone. I immediately got switched to a pill with a more positive response. This helped out A LOT. And my story is getting better from here.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">THINGS HAVE GOTTEN BETTER</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ever since I started quetiapine in October 2018, I've had nightmares every night. It doesn't seem to matter which pills I'm on anymore, the nightmares have just stuck around for some reason. In January, my doctor suggested I stop taking the SSRI's I had just started a couple months ago. While the nightmares are still here, I would dare say the results of this change were better than expected. Without a morning SSRI for the first time in 5 years, I FEEL EVEN BETTER now. Like, as I'm awake. I tried explaining this to him the other day, and he responded with something a doctor has never told me before: "I can tell." </div><div style="text-align: left;">For the record, I still take that atypical antipsychotic at night. But that's it for now. I am kinda curious what it would be like if I went from 1 psychiatric medication to 0. But I'll definitely talk with my doctor about this in a couple weeks. This stuff, latuda, it works with both serotonin and dopamine. And it's also approved by my GeneSight results. It's hard for me to tell if I should just do away with medication entirely these days, but latuda has a lot going for it in this argument. I'm ok either way.</div><div style="text-align: left;">So I'm off SSRI's for the first time in 5 years. Aside from the weather getting much colder around here, this is the real reason this February has me thinking of February 2018. And honestly, this is the most "normal" I've felt in forever. I wonder if going completely off meds would help me feel more normal, but it's a tough call. Like, straight up, I was extremely anxious 5 years ago. That doctor who prescribed me SSRI's in 2017? He knew what he was talking about. My anxiety got much worse after I graduated college in December 2016. And life has kinda sucked since then. Especially with my failed games of musical chairs with psychiatric meds. I wish I took those original prescriptions so that I could understand the immediate effects of the pills I take, a skill I only picked up a few months ago. The fact that my first 2 sets of drugs in 2018 were given to me without explanation is pure insanity. And no matter how pressed for time a doctor tends to be, they really gotta explain this shit to their patients. </div><div style="text-align: left;">But going back to my life sucking since I graduated college... That's not really what this post is about, so I'll try to tie this in briefly. I've struggled with my identity, and trying to separate that from my occupations. I refuse to settle with a stable career, and have preferred to just stay at this job clicking through utility bills with my headphones on. 5 years ago, I was doing this same job, and I'm still doing it today. And it was driving me nuts back then. I really don't reminisce about that time, other than how fast I was running. I honestly must admit, I'm actually less anxious than 5 years ago. More depressed, yeah, probably. But since I stopped taking those morning SSRI's, I've felt much more "normal." And I intend to go forward with that trend.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">UNNECESSARY POSITIVE OUTRO</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I know it sounds like I just talked a lot of shit about the world of psychiatric medication, but hear me out on this. Try to get a GeneSight test and don't lose it. You could go backwards on mistake. Do whatever it takes to find doctors who will actually talk to you and listen to you. And you should talk to them and listen to them. My current guy just so happens to specialize in this specific medical field, so I lucked out there. Find out what therapy works for you. I take cognitive behavioral therapy mixed with acceptance and commitment therapy. I personally prefer it to talk therapy. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Holy crap. I just wrote a whole paragraph giving other people mental health advice. God forgive me. I think the overarching message behind my advice and my stories is that we can only find what's specifically right for us, and not for other people. It's honestly the path we <i>have</i> to take. Like honestly, screw all the drugs I've been talking about if they've been bad to you. There's literal science behind why certain drugs work better (or worse) with certain people. You can be on 10 meds or 0. Whatever makes things better. I'm just so glad I feel noticeably more normal these days. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I absolutely resent all the folks out there who say people are becoming mentally unhealthy out there with their endless search for endless happiness. Maybe some people do that, but I myself have been hunting for some basic psycho-emotional stability. Being able to function with proactive behaviors and being able to feel your full range of emotions sounds like a beautiful combo to me. </div><div style="text-align: left;">And that's the end of this blog.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-91245056044235925262023-01-01T14:01:00.001-08:002023-01-01T14:01:45.152-08:00Years Accumulate [enter 2023]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQ3SNL54Mp77KUARJT-_QFmuDqW2W5DHfiEFUpajvgbClN-ZFViOd5-KPNn1FHUWFYQSHX6Fvr1HAPc8mU7dKbek2nbWKND5kAORyWlL0rBlxhsCyqke_03mZ_X4iaw96357-C0dEY9fcp3OdM0qddxaHuiL9zC-mqxcdiyuzcW5x5AnuTkxiCLwvUw/s1440/Screenshot_20230101-125320~2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1440" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQ3SNL54Mp77KUARJT-_QFmuDqW2W5DHfiEFUpajvgbClN-ZFViOd5-KPNn1FHUWFYQSHX6Fvr1HAPc8mU7dKbek2nbWKND5kAORyWlL0rBlxhsCyqke_03mZ_X4iaw96357-C0dEY9fcp3OdM0qddxaHuiL9zC-mqxcdiyuzcW5x5AnuTkxiCLwvUw/w320-h181/Screenshot_20230101-125320~2.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div><br /></div><div>Most years are just ok. Some years are bad. A few years are good.</div><div>It's funny how little I care about New Year's Eve. Because I actually think about years a lot. Particularly with music. I always remember and rank album releases from each individual year. This is actually what helps me remember the specific years of my own life. Like, 2007 is when I started my junior of high school. I still remember the release of albums like <i>Kala</i>, <i>In Rainbows</i> and <i>Graduation</i>. There are a couple other factors that make years easy for me to remember. I graduated from high school in May 2009. Graduated college in December 2016. But throughout my adulthood, I remember years in waves of rising and falling mental health. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3cH1JpjVG-OQT_pKKARtROE4i5S1c3g9-briqWZ7nZrv6vlWsA0_WLwx91FyXwx9SEfB1Ay5RYmlSvLNkMcCjJYFVEphW3SjEgJ7ylBG7mU2rPdW3fbQsbesxLRey8_lMii0x1vwrXO35pwsph1KyuNxHdKi2_hLWEvSdcdzVrBrLHR3R8YGJUDI2A/s531/years1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="517" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3cH1JpjVG-OQT_pKKARtROE4i5S1c3g9-briqWZ7nZrv6vlWsA0_WLwx91FyXwx9SEfB1Ay5RYmlSvLNkMcCjJYFVEphW3SjEgJ7ylBG7mU2rPdW3fbQsbesxLRey8_lMii0x1vwrXO35pwsph1KyuNxHdKi2_hLWEvSdcdzVrBrLHR3R8YGJUDI2A/w312-h320/years1.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><br /><div>I'm gonna say 2022 was just ok. Most of my bad memories were at least backed by some explanation. Being sick. Dealing with a foot injury. Finding out none of the psychiatric meds I was taking were actually recommended on my GeneSight test. Actually, yeah, the medication stuff was at the top of my list of troubles (and solutions). I went through strong medication changes in July and November. I'm glad I got that figured out. Most of my biggest emotional struggles I couldn't get over were associated with affects from specific individual pills. </div><div>While things are better for me now than they were a couple months ago, I still wonder when my next "good" year is gonna arrive. I really hope it's 2023. I think that's possible. Different years come with different feelings. Like, I reminisce about 2019 because of the mind-blowing antipsychotics I was on at the time. I reminisce about 2016 because of my friends. I reminisce about 2013 because of my vast personal improvements beyond my multiyear stint with generalized anxiety disorder. I reminisce about 2008 and 2009 because of everything. A lot of the feelings I experienced during these years seem near-impossible to recapture. As though I've lost a lot of these good feelings and they can never come back. Particularly going back to when I was 18 and I felt more free, "in the moment," and like my true self. Luckily, I think it's possible to experience new brands of good memories.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TtTA8rZH7coalaqXV1i2tf7fQQ2VbaUPy-J0WRjarZhubfPzy4gpIfKIVzmN_-3jzCGXrHCDmvyu5HzNHZmL_nhP7HIFdjxTJh42LLljLjyJxDVTlBeEhUx3U50q2Is2_NaCjK68qVxaE78a-wDc1a84tXmF9rEchK0Ea-kH4jRMlvoqfkF1zPVIog/s749/yearss2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="749" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TtTA8rZH7coalaqXV1i2tf7fQQ2VbaUPy-J0WRjarZhubfPzy4gpIfKIVzmN_-3jzCGXrHCDmvyu5HzNHZmL_nhP7HIFdjxTJh42LLljLjyJxDVTlBeEhUx3U50q2Is2_NaCjK68qVxaE78a-wDc1a84tXmF9rEchK0Ea-kH4jRMlvoqfkF1zPVIog/s320/yearss2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Is it possible to predict how my 2023 will go? Nope. But I mean, I think it's going to be good. I don't have a lot of evidence behind that. I'm just going into it with a lot more emotional knowledge than usual. Equipped with good drugs and good therapy. And money. I have no idea what I'm going to do this year. Like, outside of clocking into work everyday, I have zero plans at all. I'd like to do what I'd like to do. Not so much what I may think I need, or what I impulsively want. Just doing what I'd like to do. Interpret that however you'd like.</div><div>I no longer remember the point of this blog post. </div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-21356140042337239852022-12-20T11:06:00.004-08:002022-12-20T11:09:09.148-08:0025 Favo/Best Albums of 2022 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuDERE3_0EF7MYsDnC-qsZe4QK3BplURE3WZAZF14VzKXlNpFLK8JnbvUs-SxrnTNO2lloY10Rx37gYMBcVCShxX2UPD0hxNiHXPAf4ftMwbZutxE0-lz21QN_6e_2WyBs5SvnfM_kW1rjZ4WqXuzmRnVsFa9wKHNynpJX4LoJoXiVyiFpsJ3M-lPRw/s417/theyearis2022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="292" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuDERE3_0EF7MYsDnC-qsZe4QK3BplURE3WZAZF14VzKXlNpFLK8JnbvUs-SxrnTNO2lloY10Rx37gYMBcVCShxX2UPD0hxNiHXPAf4ftMwbZutxE0-lz21QN_6e_2WyBs5SvnfM_kW1rjZ4WqXuzmRnVsFa9wKHNynpJX4LoJoXiVyiFpsJ3M-lPRw/s320/theyearis2022.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's a list of my favorite (and therefore the best) albums of 2022.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I already released this list on my AOTY account like 2 weeks ago. I wanted to release it in video form. But I don't want to work too hard on that. So I'll stick with the ol' Blogosaurus Rex. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I must say... 2022 was an excellent year for new music. I haven't said that in forever. Just a large chunk of new albums I thoroughly enjoyed. In fact, I have 14 artists I'd like to give an honorable mention:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Alvvays. Amber Mark. Angel Olsen. Beach House. Cate Le Bon. Gilla Band. JID. Jockstrap. Little Simz. Natalia Lafourcade. Petrol Girls. Pusha T. $ILKMONEY. Special Interest. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's a lot. And I only see a thin gap between my #15 and #35 picks. But this list has always been top 25, so I guess I'll stick with tradition.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's the list!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>25</b></span> Destroyer <i>LABYRINTHITIS </i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dan Bejar gives us more prophesies from his therapist's lounge chair and the band sounds looser than ever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrD2wQ0wCEkdretE22Xcce7Sxy3wQZQGlxu0rt-KNSvLdikpjfLCK-bI3z7PBg4wK9lNm1MOvXCGb2zroJVegYpFJSsrq7x6T2_qNumW_-GGWJlCEG_jSvzrybYiuWfGveXwsc-McqSpjuet52HSgJwBZMbdBTGgfJGteGPQPLxw5LPig2JNaqVlQoEA/s300/Labyrinthitis_(Destroyer).png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrD2wQ0wCEkdretE22Xcce7Sxy3wQZQGlxu0rt-KNSvLdikpjfLCK-bI3z7PBg4wK9lNm1MOvXCGb2zroJVegYpFJSsrq7x6T2_qNumW_-GGWJlCEG_jSvzrybYiuWfGveXwsc-McqSpjuet52HSgJwBZMbdBTGgfJGteGPQPLxw5LPig2JNaqVlQoEA/w200-h200/Labyrinthitis_(Destroyer).png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">24</span></b> Lucrecia Dalt <i>¡Ay!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Natural instruments from traditional Columbian roots are used to create an eerie, supernatural mood.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56m_Xjn_jeIUUdJHBkW6b3AJah-1nU0wyy47fw1Dvq4bO4GAGEMK-jLni01oeM6DTDMor_mOr1TlEovQUj-jrNHZO1noUI_HTbTQC1gR9rQX6XvfPnHfipiKZE779uv0SmOzSz0XLYpO3Jqw6_8TgOxny7HJJrbYuL18mbYic3JWLCJP-zusM-B0nDQ/s1200/a3987420617_10.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56m_Xjn_jeIUUdJHBkW6b3AJah-1nU0wyy47fw1Dvq4bO4GAGEMK-jLni01oeM6DTDMor_mOr1TlEovQUj-jrNHZO1noUI_HTbTQC1gR9rQX6XvfPnHfipiKZE779uv0SmOzSz0XLYpO3Jqw6_8TgOxny7HJJrbYuL18mbYic3JWLCJP-zusM-B0nDQ/w200-h200/a3987420617_10.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">23</span></b> Black Thought & Danger Mouse <i>Cheat Codes</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Kind of a safe pick, but hey, call me back when you find any skips in the tracklist.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganFO0syzfmo8oUbf-6rGlXsAmXuXELLMGDFbq_E6KYB3pplzG64QiaMfZpuKV70rUGmFS5nRe6rsUzwQPDDhtRCGpAryfV_C7yvN3zlwiDHS_2O3TW1YN0dT_8R8kll4A4yz36xgszxv1i09k69QkN1k8518bIrCJGTJ6ixK72Cc0naEvYuvHd6LAFg/s220/Cheat_Codes_2022_Album.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganFO0syzfmo8oUbf-6rGlXsAmXuXELLMGDFbq_E6KYB3pplzG64QiaMfZpuKV70rUGmFS5nRe6rsUzwQPDDhtRCGpAryfV_C7yvN3zlwiDHS_2O3TW1YN0dT_8R8kll4A4yz36xgszxv1i09k69QkN1k8518bIrCJGTJ6ixK72Cc0naEvYuvHd6LAFg/w200-h200/Cheat_Codes_2022_Album.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">22</span></b> KA <i>Languish Arts</i> / <i>Woeful Studies</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">KA works with his most experimental instrumentals in years to deliver a masterclass lesson on life and pain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBC0pzNshrLQZhwG3guNfvSAeruMX9viEOZd4jfFqjwdwFa8Qk3sqUF4j4ohc5iKrblkNC1nrVzu1lNDNvZqpIMtkQN97GCh2OAtyXBLnSXC4e2qRjo9SElW9ASDcQsCkbnDZrMDp53XBlPsgVYdjW45OeTYwiXeYoW8Rgb9G7o82sqRazvXgTfc1bg/s1035/ka2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="1035" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBC0pzNshrLQZhwG3guNfvSAeruMX9viEOZd4jfFqjwdwFa8Qk3sqUF4j4ohc5iKrblkNC1nrVzu1lNDNvZqpIMtkQN97GCh2OAtyXBLnSXC4e2qRjo9SElW9ASDcQsCkbnDZrMDp53XBlPsgVYdjW45OeTYwiXeYoW8Rgb9G7o82sqRazvXgTfc1bg/w320-h158/ka2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">21</span></b> Perfume Genius <i>Ugly Season</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of the most talented artists alive takes a turn in a much less accessible direction, while sounding as beautiful as ever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJDhnfNocTU3e1oL0V_z2FZHX8ohC33EoVmxWIMO3EgcR2RjdLuxf5t_J9FbIZ01BjEJF_DdyG3fPo7mOt6aFupCIiHvueDSmbsljo3fxAXCCI5iCx7XLOGdx2TuouHwfo2PJPqjfo5vdXjco3T96xxv1fMEQL4u_QfUbdVyOZeA2_HvMUd9_VqUQyQ/s300/Perfume_Genius_-_Ugly_Season.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJDhnfNocTU3e1oL0V_z2FZHX8ohC33EoVmxWIMO3EgcR2RjdLuxf5t_J9FbIZ01BjEJF_DdyG3fPo7mOt6aFupCIiHvueDSmbsljo3fxAXCCI5iCx7XLOGdx2TuouHwfo2PJPqjfo5vdXjco3T96xxv1fMEQL4u_QfUbdVyOZeA2_HvMUd9_VqUQyQ/w200-h200/Perfume_Genius_-_Ugly_Season.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">20</span></b> Daniel Rossen <i>You Belong There</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Grizzly Bear co-founder guides us through his own adventurous take on folk music.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68cOL8yCsZUOLr6rAk83QbajiuLfCHDknDhejt1dAuzGzoqPfRgmlf7qqxqRKOMFMdHSqDK3NkhWPHKlZ_pK3ZLmjKH7vk6t-ZS0sflGzQzZh_ySxyjgMqbssD4xZqpK8yrMfQYP0lM5Lt4MxTsiSxrndtf7qS3YocfLAbNyjFJHOOAr_2V15J-ocSA/s300/You_Belong_There_(Daniel_Rossen).png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68cOL8yCsZUOLr6rAk83QbajiuLfCHDknDhejt1dAuzGzoqPfRgmlf7qqxqRKOMFMdHSqDK3NkhWPHKlZ_pK3ZLmjKH7vk6t-ZS0sflGzQzZh_ySxyjgMqbssD4xZqpK8yrMfQYP0lM5Lt4MxTsiSxrndtf7qS3YocfLAbNyjFJHOOAr_2V15J-ocSA/w200-h200/You_Belong_There_(Daniel_Rossen).png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">19</span></b> Kenny Beats <i> Louie</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">A refreshing instrumental hip-hop experience that can get muddy, but finds room to shine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbpTLn-qQUlj7fGDMAhNl9P5hqsgtAID2K3ZhM7BszGVexJEgrBITGcc86Ae3J0CTx1AIjKhGK-N6Gk0kPjpxIuA47SmObFA4tV4sxI0Xg_p7khN-bRiE-FinkrbDxY8cY174b_GvaDVCQXyHyLRwOx8KWPFsRhpDQOKL3TiRom7VAc3xo01nrGBTvg/s461/louielouie.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="457" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbpTLn-qQUlj7fGDMAhNl9P5hqsgtAID2K3ZhM7BszGVexJEgrBITGcc86Ae3J0CTx1AIjKhGK-N6Gk0kPjpxIuA47SmObFA4tV4sxI0Xg_p7khN-bRiE-FinkrbDxY8cY174b_GvaDVCQXyHyLRwOx8KWPFsRhpDQOKL3TiRom7VAc3xo01nrGBTvg/w198-h200/louielouie.PNG" width="198" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">18</span></b> ROSALÍA <i>MOTOMAMI</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">ROSALÍA does not disappoint in her promise to deliver some of the most left-field Latin pop you can possibly get in 2022.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pYMf-pPQBZMu5nvheSbg3brZPv-cTpEdrbb1yfnhgzLNycUPGCT8r7d5cUphflb979Wg6IykBrjNcyUe21ZX5Fu7Oa3KcVojM6djUPlYYzFCN2o7yYruDXWp3FZBihmOFc6OKpkecxW-AX1sCLOefUr7r60TVgjEtuKIp5q6aENlVR24gIBuLvO5Rw/s220/Rosal%C3%ADa_-_Motomami.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pYMf-pPQBZMu5nvheSbg3brZPv-cTpEdrbb1yfnhgzLNycUPGCT8r7d5cUphflb979Wg6IykBrjNcyUe21ZX5Fu7Oa3KcVojM6djUPlYYzFCN2o7yYruDXWp3FZBihmOFc6OKpkecxW-AX1sCLOefUr7r60TVgjEtuKIp5q6aENlVR24gIBuLvO5Rw/w200-h200/Rosal%C3%ADa_-_Motomami.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">17</span></b> The Smile <i>A Light for Attracting Attention</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some self-serious folks from Radiohead work with jazz drummer Tom Skinner for an album that comes off just as fun as it is ambitious. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHARpqg8F8m15bGUvL6h6mGPIvOJPsx2HSqPWNGDJfzfKvD5sTnCcxnqMiDhvkfr7aLwWMwc39oUGbcH2VjTpQLS2TbsYjhjDwaqrTCjlbbtgUgLGGJD-SGGz3GIOiFpxonDzsoSGg0r67ZrkaeCCjajybw0Y-AC0cuJF6LDHQseuIHbWbDPQT3nbyQ/s300/A_Light_for_Attracting_Attention_(The_Smile_album_-_cover_art).png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHARpqg8F8m15bGUvL6h6mGPIvOJPsx2HSqPWNGDJfzfKvD5sTnCcxnqMiDhvkfr7aLwWMwc39oUGbcH2VjTpQLS2TbsYjhjDwaqrTCjlbbtgUgLGGJD-SGGz3GIOiFpxonDzsoSGg0r67ZrkaeCCjajybw0Y-AC0cuJF6LDHQseuIHbWbDPQT3nbyQ/w200-h200/A_Light_for_Attracting_Attention_(The_Smile_album_-_cover_art).png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">16</span></b> The Weeknd <i>Dawn FM</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Finally, a twisted album from a mainstream pop artist that got me questioning what in god's name I'm listening to.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFhvVeblSVFUxpRuMbK8i8tFKXA6KtTw-SJBJ32IXZvF4sl4_VLoZgj3Qtq0uYZUUpzgXP1fl1-sEcnyIMOIoR5Qb7_R7k3jpVtOnNvUiJAQH64OQfGooAdrTzi6ZoIXb82jTsAwyQiLd4q53h8yNR8YzvhWvrVJ1n6_HgeMc7bKp_64nQlkgUlRzBA/s220/The_Weeknd_-_Dawn_FM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFhvVeblSVFUxpRuMbK8i8tFKXA6KtTw-SJBJ32IXZvF4sl4_VLoZgj3Qtq0uYZUUpzgXP1fl1-sEcnyIMOIoR5Qb7_R7k3jpVtOnNvUiJAQH64OQfGooAdrTzi6ZoIXb82jTsAwyQiLd4q53h8yNR8YzvhWvrVJ1n6_HgeMc7bKp_64nQlkgUlRzBA/w200-h200/The_Weeknd_-_Dawn_FM.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">15</span></b> black midi <i>Hellfire</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">The stellar production and chaotic performances coulda launched this higher up the list, if only the songs didn't sound like they were being sung by a guy in a bowler hat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjL8VU4Il7DA1mqV7kumGucQlDDPmunFazZ9GlfbDC3oTvu2vjmLXq4X9RJO_JzKn4ubhYm6RC48BTraeQ1MqnXWJPu71CX_IAk_XZNHaG_foxKZc3JJIzlpFZgwjsO4Yg_OPkC7mANgDw8zvXbvIp6AvYuLPVEt7KJ3WSE-Dbj8GrBB4ahLQ3F2kzA/s220/Black_Midi_-_Hellfire.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjL8VU4Il7DA1mqV7kumGucQlDDPmunFazZ9GlfbDC3oTvu2vjmLXq4X9RJO_JzKn4ubhYm6RC48BTraeQ1MqnXWJPu71CX_IAk_XZNHaG_foxKZc3JJIzlpFZgwjsO4Yg_OPkC7mANgDw8zvXbvIp6AvYuLPVEt7KJ3WSE-Dbj8GrBB4ahLQ3F2kzA/w200-h200/Black_Midi_-_Hellfire.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">14</span></b> Conway the Machine <i>God Don't Make Mistakes</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Conway represents Buffalo with some of the coldest and toughest rap songs of the year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI43KCPHu8EpiWkYhgJqUOEZ4G3iW8jiQtHHWyupZrnLXbHsFC_9R5RXArY0_B2nMnEM_R7NMZnID8BRNMX08NXgBg2SOv-KamJDWihXxhmLLB978cjzp4lQfsQXo9qg-vr9Dk0aCOt0x_XimUZEJFC3396iwymeDLCLeB7U08w0XvYOmZN2_I8_cxMQ/s288/God_Dont_Make_Mistakes_Album_Cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="288" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI43KCPHu8EpiWkYhgJqUOEZ4G3iW8jiQtHHWyupZrnLXbHsFC_9R5RXArY0_B2nMnEM_R7NMZnID8BRNMX08NXgBg2SOv-KamJDWihXxhmLLB978cjzp4lQfsQXo9qg-vr9Dk0aCOt0x_XimUZEJFC3396iwymeDLCLeB7U08w0XvYOmZN2_I8_cxMQ/w200-h200/God_Dont_Make_Mistakes_Album_Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">13</span></b> Kendrick Lamar <i>Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Kind of an awkward album flow, but this album consistently shows off Kendrick's knack for intriguing songwriting and quality bars. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Akq4KzmGcmGUc-0jHvajyfbwO6QcjGjpkRN7dDCyoEmmonTvpmBkSiqc4HIPOyOXEVnRQDYqk-B30vjFIgx16WLEMD5olAPJs9cMhAm2Kj7Haf0cBJmCaHDfB7d26o7kmQqW5q8DVtPEUlxH395GGLPeELS27ubQ8Uiroex_5-veINIEeLdlFNyIjA/s220/Kendrick_Lamar_-_Mr._Morale_&_the_Big_Steppers.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Akq4KzmGcmGUc-0jHvajyfbwO6QcjGjpkRN7dDCyoEmmonTvpmBkSiqc4HIPOyOXEVnRQDYqk-B30vjFIgx16WLEMD5olAPJs9cMhAm2Kj7Haf0cBJmCaHDfB7d26o7kmQqW5q8DVtPEUlxH395GGLPeELS27ubQ8Uiroex_5-veINIEeLdlFNyIjA/w200-h200/Kendrick_Lamar_-_Mr._Morale_&_the_Big_Steppers.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">12</span></b> Weyes Blood <i>And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">A step back from the grandiose approach on the classic <i>Titanic Rising</i>, Natalie Mering's songs remain elegant and true to the most humble corners of the heart.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2ULuRBV1Onuai6pg7JFWPsfHsp0nnR3Cg-YdCqxKsT2MatwtS_MDotv6tytpZsmmz3oIYq6mSgSr-W6MAWW6eyM7Zg7_SfjjRAO44pppQzj4QmIHUNRoOj7mV4I9l7V4tnVzNZUtBMaJlY3COOzcm8N6pNjM0ScPCzTDkgqnTh1dyHpRkvm963x3bw/s300/Weyes_Blood_-_And_in_the_Darkness,_Hearts_Aglow.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2ULuRBV1Onuai6pg7JFWPsfHsp0nnR3Cg-YdCqxKsT2MatwtS_MDotv6tytpZsmmz3oIYq6mSgSr-W6MAWW6eyM7Zg7_SfjjRAO44pppQzj4QmIHUNRoOj7mV4I9l7V4tnVzNZUtBMaJlY3COOzcm8N6pNjM0ScPCzTDkgqnTh1dyHpRkvm963x3bw/w200-h200/Weyes_Blood_-_And_in_the_Darkness,_Hearts_Aglow.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">11</span></b> Makaya McCraven <i>In These Times</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">An undeniably beautiful cycle of jazz pieces that balances creative ideas with dope shit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8WF4YHwL2QWXWzUQ4OeOghnaTP7tsZ5-sGDPiY5kpkKOt3KPiJCt9u7AE3DM5g-z3DuDUpa6W7N_zEZd3BDI7eZsTzGUQTiQOANcLNv-OJK2YtunrmVe1ZfVjdnGIdcKVFJsErhLjameiqhcd2MyP-k8JjAagLFk5WlAF5Vs_imfQ6AxfuhG0IeD5Q/s1200/a3992958598_10.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8WF4YHwL2QWXWzUQ4OeOghnaTP7tsZ5-sGDPiY5kpkKOt3KPiJCt9u7AE3DM5g-z3DuDUpa6W7N_zEZd3BDI7eZsTzGUQTiQOANcLNv-OJK2YtunrmVe1ZfVjdnGIdcKVFJsErhLjameiqhcd2MyP-k8JjAagLFk5WlAF5Vs_imfQ6AxfuhG0IeD5Q/w200-h200/a3992958598_10.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">10</span></b> Beyoncé <i>RENAISSANCE </i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Respectively the type of music I'd play if I ever stripped naked to ride an electric horse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3d0_uSly5Ke939g-Mgq7RyoxeDki9OI5eTcmvYQ_821R6OzsU_HCP2jSQvLYfPnzU0Tl3AFyk9Nq2H8jg6DFJhUFHtNNtITRGJy1YwrjCcmpEjtdVpVHYjJ23k2jFC9BYyitlYGdF3sbFMRMLTTOr1cR4nuTZiPwRBdHwYXNTeU_4zOBinj8hAPA3g/s220/Beyonc%C3%A9_-_Renaissance.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3d0_uSly5Ke939g-Mgq7RyoxeDki9OI5eTcmvYQ_821R6OzsU_HCP2jSQvLYfPnzU0Tl3AFyk9Nq2H8jg6DFJhUFHtNNtITRGJy1YwrjCcmpEjtdVpVHYjJ23k2jFC9BYyitlYGdF3sbFMRMLTTOr1cR4nuTZiPwRBdHwYXNTeU_4zOBinj8hAPA3g/w200-h200/Beyonc%C3%A9_-_Renaissance.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">9</span></b> Rachika Nayar <i>Heaven Come Crashing</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">True to its celestial title, this is easily one of the most ethereal listens of the year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmzmthXrgtJcHKlFPj2ia6fZfvANreWM-9EByAyKFZzyjMIdCx2wNSoNCq575EsCy0oU40FxNYpTSKWaXFaBCxwjvqYcT-MzuDftU3KtpHagI7OAbUMGV1FG5eaSqBPZ_yfP0m-71SRjmUbbqzvXc6rMBjBVjrOl5UOP_yNmF61S-K5wpBWLhrbAuuQ/s1200/a0542441266_10.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmzmthXrgtJcHKlFPj2ia6fZfvANreWM-9EByAyKFZzyjMIdCx2wNSoNCq575EsCy0oU40FxNYpTSKWaXFaBCxwjvqYcT-MzuDftU3KtpHagI7OAbUMGV1FG5eaSqBPZ_yfP0m-71SRjmUbbqzvXc6rMBjBVjrOl5UOP_yNmF61S-K5wpBWLhrbAuuQ/w200-h200/a0542441266_10.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">8</span></b> Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul <i>Topical Dancer</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Electropop that takes influence from all over the world, with some help behind the soundboard from quirky DJ veterans Soulwax.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlv09wkU7fJqpacmoFStgZz9QGrMAWEg9_iTJphm0X2xPmdahv1mKY8BmZ26ulHKle6P_GftnyrJTL3oYh6y6coGV5eQo6qDqKxGs38fU6WpS0rYrpI6XD17EqPT6ukN_uhVh3ZQm7uGcg5Pgkw-jWwgCnnyF3iIM85rhzuB8Zv8DfUq6m_Z0x_xRKEw/s316/Topical_Dancer_cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlv09wkU7fJqpacmoFStgZz9QGrMAWEg9_iTJphm0X2xPmdahv1mKY8BmZ26ulHKle6P_GftnyrJTL3oYh6y6coGV5eQo6qDqKxGs38fU6WpS0rYrpI6XD17EqPT6ukN_uhVh3ZQm7uGcg5Pgkw-jWwgCnnyF3iIM85rhzuB8Zv8DfUq6m_Z0x_xRKEw/w200-h200/Topical_Dancer_cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">7 </span></b> Chat Pile <i>God's Country</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love the hell out of this thing, and you probably won't, but this whole thing just reminds me of the type of discomforting noise rock Steve Albini would get behind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2X6eOaXHQjzvFAuWDX173bE72Mz8aJNHUtQZNorYSx-_ZXxSsg4N1RhI_V6u2iy29QgZ_xVGUcsH5_tZFPC38yqY9UmMDS72JmlhIGY69kumR2Tn5fCjF68rTGQKHV5y1KVpvFtz1AA82-CMI6tzhO-Y42cgcFwfbKY3AsFWDstpNxInSOjladVxvQ/s300/God's_Country_-_Chat_Pile.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2X6eOaXHQjzvFAuWDX173bE72Mz8aJNHUtQZNorYSx-_ZXxSsg4N1RhI_V6u2iy29QgZ_xVGUcsH5_tZFPC38yqY9UmMDS72JmlhIGY69kumR2Tn5fCjF68rTGQKHV5y1KVpvFtz1AA82-CMI6tzhO-Y42cgcFwfbKY3AsFWDstpNxInSOjladVxvQ/w200-h200/God's_Country_-_Chat_Pile.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">6</span></b> Soul Glo <i>Diaspora Problems</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't know everything about the punk genre, but I don't think you have to be the "punk police" to recognize just how electrifying and coked-up this band's sound is.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qjVGTXyAvtjnPtw9aSF_IXiuZ-bGoQ3KeCGv0OkMOuz6ArOTgwDO9D2RTIx1hlAZoQ229pHN21wzhqomkyvbhekmcbKHFEO64tUjzdFrqQE6WbGPM8jmibehCDUe60utPj7boJ14lHjhmWfsN6g6R_7dWE71wF6Uif_6IU5Kp5c6ntcJsF1VRb-G0g/s220/Diaspora_Problems_-_Soul_Glo.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qjVGTXyAvtjnPtw9aSF_IXiuZ-bGoQ3KeCGv0OkMOuz6ArOTgwDO9D2RTIx1hlAZoQ229pHN21wzhqomkyvbhekmcbKHFEO64tUjzdFrqQE6WbGPM8jmibehCDUe60utPj7boJ14lHjhmWfsN6g6R_7dWE71wF6Uif_6IU5Kp5c6ntcJsF1VRb-G0g/w200-h200/Diaspora_Problems_-_Soul_Glo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">5</span></b> Leikeli47 <i>Shape Up</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">The most inventive instrumentals and catchiest hooks of the year appear on this album that sounds like Missy Elliott reincarnated into the cloud rap world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0gBggiEXO5WhSb6aduANZlnKon8kAnlSRzX6oJVATVvvmGh4CaVknbW6xpgOKsN_iV8yFzoPQjyDZ_c-XX_42cC5SOGLGmIzstesoEs3XxdUZgPa7icDDj_PrEh2nUw7L2jC67Ue5VhKfWmuYNNGP25gyaL_BUbsh-39hrFtLNd9kngMuN9ZwQIE4A/s640/ab67616d0000b2734db21df57e9405d39828a836.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0gBggiEXO5WhSb6aduANZlnKon8kAnlSRzX6oJVATVvvmGh4CaVknbW6xpgOKsN_iV8yFzoPQjyDZ_c-XX_42cC5SOGLGmIzstesoEs3XxdUZgPa7icDDj_PrEh2nUw7L2jC67Ue5VhKfWmuYNNGP25gyaL_BUbsh-39hrFtLNd9kngMuN9ZwQIE4A/w200-h200/ab67616d0000b2734db21df57e9405d39828a836.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">4</span></b> billy woods <i>Aethiopes</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Billy Woods successfully wrestles through concepts of race, mental health, history, and power on this absolute Rubik's Cube of a rap album. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJf3O5Slp81__NximTZqHwR1NnR5sLzPP_tEwBpCJB0CUPs46Sk-M_MJvmhM_WJUOcWUPj0LiN-6fwoZKcN9GeGjBuYdqbo7xoR3w65NErQFeZrpwh3pLjtQsB5Dp92rwAKU55waGFDTIEdO_92TpPWFJvudm5ZXTal7IVM9wOTGW8SKXb6lU1Fjktw/s1200/Aethiopes_Album_Cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJf3O5Slp81__NximTZqHwR1NnR5sLzPP_tEwBpCJB0CUPs46Sk-M_MJvmhM_WJUOcWUPj0LiN-6fwoZKcN9GeGjBuYdqbo7xoR3w65NErQFeZrpwh3pLjtQsB5Dp92rwAKU55waGFDTIEdO_92TpPWFJvudm5ZXTal7IVM9wOTGW8SKXb6lU1Fjktw/w200-h200/Aethiopes_Album_Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">3</span></b> Big Thief <i>Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Basically Big Thief's greatest hits, as they actually sound like a full band for once and try to attack every angle of the warmest folk rock imaginable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zF3lND_G--hyel3Ac-pMoReQw6S22V4pJBAUvsEXgTj6lZt7-Et3VFH6I4uJhGy5WQ_QYuj1NpfdxH5H4_YXF14rbb_OEaMuBPTh3QaOXZinVQZu5OOYYDlKfA64Ll-A1Ie0fSMRToQ3_l2ERh33277JDvPR3zDGqSbi9tPcq8Nr-AxYY24KQ_ApPQ/s300/Dragon_New_Warm_Mountain_I_Believe_in_You_(Big_Thief).png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zF3lND_G--hyel3Ac-pMoReQw6S22V4pJBAUvsEXgTj6lZt7-Et3VFH6I4uJhGy5WQ_QYuj1NpfdxH5H4_YXF14rbb_OEaMuBPTh3QaOXZinVQZu5OOYYDlKfA64Ll-A1Ie0fSMRToQ3_l2ERh33277JDvPR3zDGqSbi9tPcq8Nr-AxYY24KQ_ApPQ/w200-h200/Dragon_New_Warm_Mountain_I_Believe_in_You_(Big_Thief).png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">2</span></b> Sudan Archives <i>Natural Brown Prom Queen</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">This album has only been growing on me, as its show of artistic prowess and explosive sounds just get better with every listen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgy2sTmd3nfI44x79LqK20dx0M_c9SFFleGtvP0IaJeOsp0038tCb15VjDsmXRNpsSI3EC5HNw6YchaSNJ6AAPK8Mmhpoz3L1AQNsPK0Mu6tlYVE6P5h4j3KUyu4DbJHtVOXmKpeXwimfq8y6EWFqkKuH3oNZQWXh90cXc-Mtu6C7c5PiM92DKNSJ5bg/s300/Sudan_Archives_-_Natural_Brown_Prom_Queen.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgy2sTmd3nfI44x79LqK20dx0M_c9SFFleGtvP0IaJeOsp0038tCb15VjDsmXRNpsSI3EC5HNw6YchaSNJ6AAPK8Mmhpoz3L1AQNsPK0Mu6tlYVE6P5h4j3KUyu4DbJHtVOXmKpeXwimfq8y6EWFqkKuH3oNZQWXh90cXc-Mtu6C7c5PiM92DKNSJ5bg/w200-h200/Sudan_Archives_-_Natural_Brown_Prom_Queen.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1</span></b> Black Country, New Road <i>Ants From Up There</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">The best indie rock album I've heard in years not only carries a heartbreaking emotional weight, but holds a distinctive musical aesthetic that nerds with guitars can only dream of. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdZDMeAMYa0jo4K-d75tcqAjxbZVhvawI1RRDQgQjcDchbuPUXrT377zcq3W0CVPzZbEG8sLpvGAQv6td_yMo68nk2oOibzNjcp4pE4fY5487egnvUC-HU95ACeRtaK7rY9um8nndhGJAcCUTTRAAi_0HgMbSnvHFfxy3zCsP-uw6lKgjmllA_6QmrA/s300/Ants_from_Up_There_-_Black_Country,_New_Road.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdZDMeAMYa0jo4K-d75tcqAjxbZVhvawI1RRDQgQjcDchbuPUXrT377zcq3W0CVPzZbEG8sLpvGAQv6td_yMo68nk2oOibzNjcp4pE4fY5487egnvUC-HU95ACeRtaK7rY9um8nndhGJAcCUTTRAAi_0HgMbSnvHFfxy3zCsP-uw6lKgjmllA_6QmrA/w200-h200/Ants_from_Up_There_-_Black_Country,_New_Road.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-72343246806993161482022-10-22T10:57:00.001-07:002022-10-22T10:57:39.449-07:00100 Favorite/Best Beatles Songs, Ranked<div>The Beatles got their first #1 hit with "Love Me Do" 60 years ago. Sounds like a good excuse to make a Beatles list.</div>I decided to keep this list to 100. This is hard, because I listed my favorite Beatles songs, and I came up with 117 songs. I won't share the honorable mentions, but if feel free to ask about them. Spoiler: The song that inspired this list--"Love Me Do"--somehow did not make my actual top 100.<div>I made this list while listening to music. But not The Beatles. So I really went out of my way to not think about this too hard. </div><div>Are these my favorite Beatles songs? Or me trying to think of them from a universally-critical perspective? It's a mix of both.</div><div>I heard that focusing on numbers keeps your frontal cortex busy instead of staying stuck inside the reptilian side of your brain. So I guess I make lists because it's good for my brain. </div><div>Let's not do real blurbs or links for these. Just look at the song titles and the numbers next to them. And I'll add a cool little picture to kick things off.</div><div>Here's the list. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhhA54gEcHUtybrDhfWsJz4Q3v36rYJtKaHimqwnVfeeIqvpQK0reIAYgsncaBpqa8av3HO70CrDLx8FYUZQNJZBam37JL8sPK23urlnKKpmJX9lfpKOYEqxpyWQCtY69HXtM5CvKw0DI1j1JrjZ5sKU7uUHfzhVwlrrn1eEFzgGIeOXT1_Fc6K7_xw/s333/beatlessssss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhhA54gEcHUtybrDhfWsJz4Q3v36rYJtKaHimqwnVfeeIqvpQK0reIAYgsncaBpqa8av3HO70CrDLx8FYUZQNJZBam37JL8sPK23urlnKKpmJX9lfpKOYEqxpyWQCtY69HXtM5CvKw0DI1j1JrjZ5sKU7uUHfzhVwlrrn1eEFzgGIeOXT1_Fc6K7_xw/s320/beatlessssss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">100</span></b> It Won't Be Long</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">99</span></b> Blue Jay Way</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">98</span></b> Hey Bulldog</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">97</span></b> Dig A Pony</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">96</span></b> Because</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">95</span></b> Baby, You're A Rich Man</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">94</span></b> Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite!</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">93</span></b> Eight Days A Week</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">92</span></b> From Me To You</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">91</span></b> Fixing A Hole</div><div><br /></div><div>Are these songs really better than "Love Me Do"?</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">90</span></b> Paperback Writer</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">89</span></b> We Can Work It Out</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">88</span></b> Day Tripper</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">87</span></b> Can't Buy Me Love</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">86</span></b> Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">85</span></b> Birthday</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">84</span></b> Sexy Sadie</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">83</span></b> I Will</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">82</span></b> Things We Said Today</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">81</span></b> Do You Want To Know A Secret</div><div><br /></div><div>Still 80 tracks left, and I already know how to play some of these songs on guitar.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">80</span></b> The Long And Winding Road</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">79</span></b> Hello, Goodbye</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">78</span></b> Old Brown Shoe</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">77</span></b> Rocky Raccoon</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">76</span></b> Octopus's Garden</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">75</span></b> Oh! Darling</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">74</span></b> I've Just Seen A Face</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">73</span></b> For No One</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">72</span></b> The Fool On The Hill</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">71</span></b> Magical Mystery Tour</div><div><br /></div><div>Animal song title count: 5. Blue jay, Bulldog, Pony, Raccoon, Octopus. Spoiler: My honorable mentions include song titles with Piggies and a Monkey.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">70</span></b> I Feel Fine</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">69</span></b> She's Leaving Home</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">68</span></b> Back In The U.S.S.R.</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">67</span></b> Revolution 9</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">66</span></b> Yer Blues</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">65</span></b> Taxman</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">64</span></b> Get Back</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">63</span></b> Twist And Shout</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">62</span></b> All My Loving</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">61</span></b> Don't Let Me Down</div><div><br /></div><div>"Twist And Shout" is simply a pleasant cover, and y'all need to get over it.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">60</span></b> Drive My Car</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">59</span></b> The Ballad Of John And Yoko</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">58</span></b> Girl</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">57</span></b> Good Day Sunshine</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">56</span></b> Love You To</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">55</span></b> Within You Without You</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">54</span></b> Julia</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">53</span></b> Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">52</span></b> Michelle</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">51</span></b> I'm Looking Through You</div><div><br /></div><div>I love that even the Beatles are too lazy to write the whole word "sergeant." </div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">50</span></b> And Your Bird Can Sing</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">49</span></b> Got To Get You Into My Life</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">48</span></b> I'm Only Sleeping</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">47</span></b> Mother Nature's Son</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">46</span></b> Long, Long, Long</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">45</span></b> You've Got To Hide Your Love Away</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">44</span></b> Please Please Me</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">43</span></b> You Won't See Me</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">42</span></b> I'll Follow The Sun</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">41</span></b> All You Need Is Love</div><div><br /></div><div>We're getting into the "that's ranked way too high" vs "that's ranked way too low" debate territory.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">40</span></b> She Said She Said</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">39</span></b> Rain</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">38</span></b> I Want You (She's So Heavy)</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">37</span></b> Nowhere Man</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">36</span></b> Blackbird</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">35</span></b> I Saw Her Standing There</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">34</span></b> With A Little Help From My Friends</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">33</span></b> Getting Better</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">32</span></b> And I Love Her</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">31</span></b> If I Fell</div><div><br /></div><div>"Rain" is the only real "deep cut" on this list. Never released on an album, but a B-side to "Paperback Writer" that's obviously from the <i>Revolver </i>sessions, and I highly recommend it.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">30</span></b> Help!</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">29</span></b> Across The Universe</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">28</span></b> If I Needed Someone</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">27</span></b> Revolution</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">26</span></b> Penny Lane</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">25</span></b> Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">24</span></b> A Hard Day's Night</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">23</span></b> Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">22</span></b> Here, There And Everywhere</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">21</span></b> Let It Be</div><div><br /></div><div>We're getting into the "greatest songs of all time" territory.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">20</span></b> She Loves You</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">19</span></b> Two Of Us</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">18</span></b> Ticket To Ride</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">17</span></b> Come Together</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">16</span></b> Helter Skelter</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">15</span></b> Hey Jude</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">14</span></b> Here Comes The Sun</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">13</span></b> Happiness Is A Warm Gun</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">12</span></b> Dear Prudence</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">11</span></b> I Am The Walrus</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, I like "I Am The Walrus" more than "Hey Jude." Put on a good pair of headphones. "Walrus" sounds way cooler.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">10</span></b> While My Guitar Gently Weeps</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">9</span></b> Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">8</span></b> Eleanor Rigby</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">7</span></b> In My Life</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">6</span></b> Strawberry Fields Forever</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">5</span></b> I Want To Hold Your Hand</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">4</span></b> Something</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">3</span></b> Tomorrow Never Knows</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">2</span></b> Yesterday</div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">1</span></b> A Day In The Life</div><div><br /></div><div>Not a lot of surprises in this top 10, in my opinion.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's it. That's the list. </div><div>The Beatles are the greatest band of all time because they delivered quality music on a consistent level. Hard for me to think of songs on an "all-time" spectrum without comparing them to my favorite Beatles tracks. </div><div>Have a nice day.</div><div><br /></div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-62078539631749812582022-10-04T11:24:00.004-07:002022-10-04T15:02:08.487-07:00Scott Then, Meet Scott Now<div style="text-align: left;">Hey folks. Scott here. It's 2022. I just got back from a trip in a time machine. I actually won't go into detail about that part. I found one, I was low on time, yada-yada. That's not the point of this blog post. It's General Conference weekend for the LDS church, so I needed something to do while all my friends here in Utah are watching that. I chose to travel back to 2012, and visit my very own self at age 21. 10 years have passed, and I'm still living in Logan UT. This is a long post, but I had a great conversation with him. Thought I'd share it with y'all. </div><div style="text-align: left;">This all takes place on my old college campus. It's divided into 7 chapters.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWLpNFIDnbH3QUHYinpG8OQ3m4lY89nIkLN9CtQtM2TznV1DokB1Y21ENJ-7K4knxBqfY3Ud9zboi7JVza7PoCLM4hQuH3KYnIfBC7s_bW30sonk3I7Xr2OVm52y7mLUVw2P_-ZbaF0gZjRoDpgfCMYuguMxl9B-yQa6LU3wTuv8zI8a0Tdv9-snbfQ/s1806/timeMACHNEEEE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1806" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWLpNFIDnbH3QUHYinpG8OQ3m4lY89nIkLN9CtQtM2TznV1DokB1Y21ENJ-7K4knxBqfY3Ud9zboi7JVza7PoCLM4hQuH3KYnIfBC7s_bW30sonk3I7Xr2OVm52y7mLUVw2P_-ZbaF0gZjRoDpgfCMYuguMxl9B-yQa6LU3wTuv8zI8a0Tdv9-snbfQ/s320/timeMACHNEEEE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">-Me, now.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Me (Scott Hall), circa 2012.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1: MEETING AN OLD FRIEND ON OLD MAIN HILL</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">[<i>It's the first weekend of October 2012. Scott is walking from his apartment to the Utah State University campus library on a Sunday evening. While hauling his fat backpack up Old Main Hill, he comes across me. I look familiar to him.</i>]</div><div style="text-align: left;">-So I look familiar to you. Who do I look like?<br />--You look like <i>me</i>. Like, exactly like me. Only not as skinny. And your hairline's pretty high.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Well congratulations! I am you from the future.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--What? That's not possible! How did you gain so much weight?<br />-It's called getting old, Scott. I am you, visiting from 10 years in the future. It's normal for people to gain 55 pounds in 10 years.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Not for me. I can eat junk food all day and still stay skinny!<br />-Yeah, I remember that, but you better change your tone. Cuz now I'm bigger than you and you're 1 slip away from getting your ass kicked.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Ok, ok... So why did you come here? To give me life advice? </div><div style="text-align: left;">-I can't really do that. The last 10 years have already happened, for better or worse. Nothing I tell you can change the course of your future, or my past. I'm here to tell you things I wish you could have known at this point in life. And you can only merely pretend like you're listening to me. Because I know what choices you're gonna make anyways.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--That's very confusing. But I think I get it.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-I don't think you do, but that's ok. Do you have any questions for me before I get started?<br />--You're married, right?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-...Are you serious? That's your first question? Your main concern is whether or not I'm married?</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Well, yeah. Are you trying to say you're <i>not </i>married? </div><div style="text-align: left;">-Not even close.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--WHAT??? Scott, I've been going on dates like once every 2 weeks! You mean I'm doing all this work trying to get married, and here you are 10 years from now and you're still single?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Yep. In my defense, even with these girls you're taking out right now, is there anyone in your life you see yourself marrying?</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Not really, no... I just had a goal in mind that I'd get married at least 5 years from now.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Welp. Ya can't get married if there's nobody in your life to marry in the first place. </div><div style="text-align: left;">--You mean I just keep getting older, and that part never changes for me?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Still the same, Scott. By the way, you eat those giant cookies they sell on campus, right?</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Yeah! I eat one almost every day. But I wasn't gonna get one tonight, because, you know, Sunday...</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Don't worry. I'll buy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">2: COOKIES ON A SUNDAY</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">[<i>The scene is now set at the café inside the USU library, as me and my former self talk over a couple chocolate chip cookies.</i>]</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Well thanks for the cookie, Scott. Is this something you started doing over the years? Buying stuff on Sunday nights?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Yyyyyep. In fact, it's pretty normal for me to buy stuff on Sundays, these days.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Really? What, do you just not "care" anymore? Are you going "less active" on me?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-No, Scott, actually, I'm not a member of the church anymore.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--...Wait, what? Are you kidding me? I'd never leave the freaking church. Are you freaking serious? Like what, did someone "offend" you or some crap like that? Did some Utah Mormon girl break your heart? Are your records still in the church? Did you even watch any General Conference this weekend? Or--<i>(gasp!)</i>--did you get excommunicated? </div><div style="text-align: left;">-<i>(sigh)</i> Yeah, I knew you wouldn't take that well...</div><div style="text-align: left;">--You even served a MISSION, for crying out loud! I thought you were stronger than this!</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Well, I guess I should answer your questions first. I didn't leave because I got offended. If I left the church just because I disagreed with the views of members around me, I would have left in like 2009. And you know that.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Touché.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-No Utah Mormon girl ever broke my heart... Like I said before, I've never even come close to getting married. Can't get your heart broken if nobody's ever healed your heart in the first place.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--[<i>singing</i>] "<i>Only love can break your heart...</i>"</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Damn straight. And spoiler: You'll buy yourself a copy of that album in a couple months. </div><div style="text-align: left;">--So what, did you get excommunicated? What did you do? Where did you go wrong?<br />-No, I never got excommunicated. My records are somewhere here in Logan. I never "did" anything and I didn't "go" wrong. I chose to stop going. <br />--Oh, so you're just taking a break for a year or 2?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-No. Scott, I'm not coming back. Because I don't believe it's true.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--...Now wait. I'm confused. I believe in it now. How did you totally change your beliefs? Did you get too caught up with all your hipster friends?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Well... You<i> say</i> you believe in it. But answer me this. When was the last time you said, "<i>I know the church is true</i>"? </div><div style="text-align: left;">--Some time during my mission, so, a few months ago.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Say it, now. I dare you.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--...iiiii don't like saying that these days.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Why not? You just said you believed in the Mormon church. </div><div style="text-align: left;">--Yeah, I just... Don't like that phrasing, ya know? I believe the church's <i>gospel</i> is true. That sounds a little more accurate. </div><div style="text-align: left;">-Well, is the church true? Do you know?</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Nobody "knows," ok Scott? We can only <i>believe</i> these things. Like... You don't believe in Mormonism anymore. What <i>do</i> you believe in?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Not a lot, to be honest.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Oddly enough, I can live with that... Ya know, I came up here to do homework, but I don't know if I'll get much done. </div><div style="text-align: left;">-Spoiler: You probably weren't gonna get much done anyways. I haven't been to campus in awhile, you wanna wander around for a bit?</div><div style="text-align: left;">--<i>Always</i> up for that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">3: RECOGNIZING REGRETTABLE YEARS</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">[<i>2012 Scott and I wander through an empty USU Fine Arts Center.</i>]</div><div style="text-align: left;">--So where are you living these days?</div><div style="text-align: left;">- Still in Logan.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Whoa, really? I'm cool with that. I mean, I assumed I'd get <i>married</i> and stay in Logan, but... I'm guessing you're here for work?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Well, I do have a job. But it's pretty run-of-the-mill menial labor. It's not like I'm making the big bucks or using my degree or anything.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Wait, now I'm curious. I don't have a major right now. What did you get a degree in? You just said you don't use it, or it doesn't pay, or something. Did you get back into acting? HA. That was a joke. Or wait, did you decide to go for an English degree? Like you just write in your spare time now?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-None of the above. I got a Bachelor's Degree in stage management. </div><div style="text-align: left;">--I do not know what that is.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Yeah, that's... That's a weird story. But that happened. You'll start doing that stuff in like 2 years. You won't enjoy it, but you'll pursue it anyways. Kinda like your mission.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Hey man. Those were the 2 best years FOR my life. Ok? I made a lot of friends. It's an experience I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. </div><div style="text-align: left;">-You wouldn't trade <i>Generalized Anxiety Disorder</i> for anything in the world?</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Well, I mean, yeah, I could have done without <i>that</i> part. But no. I served my mission. I did the right thing. I did it for the right reasons. I learned a lot of important life lessons. I got the chance to teach the gospel to tons of people. I wouldn't be here today without it.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-So that's what's most important to you right now, right? Keep the mission going, in a sense.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Yes. I want to get married in the temple. I want to work hard and graduate from college. </div><div style="text-align: left;">-I know you're not lying to me. Those are the things you want to do, I remember that. What do you want to <i>feel</i>?</div><div style="text-align: left;">--You know what I want to feel. I want to feel the spirit. But, like, <i>for real</i> for once, ya know? I... I wish I felt as good as I did when I was 18. I haven't really felt like the real me since that 2009 summer at Redfish. I started feeling weird when I started junior college at CSI. Then I got super depressed and was unemployed for a few months. Then my mission came, and I suddenly felt things I never felt before. I wasn't sure what was going on, but I couldn't breathe the way I used to. It took like 7 months before I was eventually diagnosed with anxiety, and I've been working with that. Almost went home from my mission. But I stayed. Things have been pretty up-and-down since then. But it's better now than, like, how I felt in Powell River or North Vancouver.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Yeah, not gonna lie Scott, that's a pretty low bar.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--I know... But I'm sure if I keep studying scriptures everyday and stay true to the gospel, I'll find what's right for me and start feeling like myself again. And maybe get a good job or get married or something.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Well, I mean, you're taking medication right now, right? But not doing therapy?</div><div style="text-align: left;">--That's right. Cipralex. My main doctor from my mission told me to take it for 18 months. And I have just 1 month left! I'm both kinda scared and excited about this, because I could never really tell whether or not they do anything.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Oh, you'll be fine. You'll actually start gradually feeling better a month from now, right after you get off those meds. Pro-tip though: Literally everything you told me right now, you should tell all of that to a doctor. Like, now. I know you won't, because I know who I'm talking to. But yeah, luckily, I can confirm that Cipralex stuff isn't doing it for ya. You'll come across some better pills in the future.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Wait, I get back <i>on</i> drugs for my anxiety? But you just said things will get better for me soon. Do things ultimately get worse? Do I ever start feeling like myself again?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-It's hard to explain, man. Where you are right now? Where you've been for the last 2 or 3 years? This is the worst anxiety you'll ever feel in your life. Depression's gonna come and go, throughout your life. Sometimes it'll hit you hard. </div><div style="text-align: left;">--Dang. That is not what I wanted to hear. And yet, for some reason, that doesn't sound surprising.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Does it sound almost like it's "inevitable"?</div><div style="text-align: left;">--...Yes. I've actually felt that for a long time. Like, even a little back in high school.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Yeah, I know. For the record, most of the college semesters you have left are gonna be pretty fun. </div><div style="text-align: left;">--So at some point in my future, I'm gonna feel like myself again? Like when I was 18?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Not really. I mean, you'll get closer. And that uphill grade is gonna start sometime for you in November. You're really at the bottom of the anxiety pit right now, so you'll take whatever progress you can get, from here.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Now just wait a minute! "<i>Whatever progress you can get</i>"? What does that even mean?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Scott. Listen to me. You have GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER. You don't even know what that means. You know you have anxiety, that's good. You know what depression is like, that's good. You've had severe GAD for over 2 years. The stuff that's been going through your mind is NOT supposed to last that long. You don't know that because you don't do any research on it or seek any help. You weren't even allowed to use the internet on your mission, or even have non-religious conversations, so you couldn't learn about mental health there. Heck, even when you saw a couple counselors at LDS Family Services during your mission, they just tied mental health topics to Mormonism. The most concerning thing to you is that you haven't felt like yourself in 3 years, yet you never tell that to anybody. How is this not your top priority in things to take care of in your life right now? Or any time over the last 3 years?</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Hey I remember those counselors. I hated Michelle. Glad I switched over to Todd, he was ok. But to answer that last question, as you are aware, for 2 of those years, I was pretty occupied with <i>other</i> important things, ya know? And now I'm in college, and I'm just gonna figure things out as I go. This is where I wanted to be. At Utah State, a returned missionary, living the "poor college kid" life. </div><div style="text-align: left;">-Well... I can't tell a lie. You should keep yourself occupied. You're gonna spend a lot of 2017 neither keeping yourself busy<i> nor</i> working on your mental health.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Pfft. Yeah right. I'm not <i>that </i>lazy. You think I'm just gonna graduate from college and then just stop doing anything at all, at once?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-...Let's go somewhere else and keep talking.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">4: BRIEF ODE TO THE QUAD</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">[<i>Scott and I hike to the other end of campus to lie down on The Quad, outside Old Main.</i>]</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Dang, man. There are A LOT of cute girls here. It seems like they're all just keeping to themselves and stuff, so maybe I shouldn't bother them...</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Scott, do NOT talk to those girls. They're all waiting for their boyfriends to show up.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--I guess I'll take your word for it. But it's just crazy. I see them here every day. Like 50 girls with sunglasses and a book, all by themselves.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Yeah, um, I never really liked The Quad. In fact, let's go somewhere else.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Let's check out the Institute building.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-The Institute building? Do we <i>have</i> to? Why?</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Well if we're gonna go somewhere, we might as well go some place where I can meet some cute chicks. And maybe get a date out of it?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Jesus Christ.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">5: AN ARGUMENT WITH MYSELF</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">[<i>We're now gonna spend some time wandering around the Logan LDS Institute building. There are plenty of people there, including the background music of someone playing hymns on the piano in the foyer.</i>]</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Dear God. I need to puke.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--It's not <i>that</i> bad, Scott. I live in Utah, I'm a Mormon. We're naturally gonna bump into lots of "Utah Mormons."</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Yeah, sometimes I wonder why I still live here... So how did you like General Conference this weekend?</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Dude, it was crazy. Friday night, I drove all the way to Kaysville for a mission reunion! Not everybody was there, because there was a BYU game against Utah State that night. The reunion was fun, but I mostly remember hearing BYU beat us 6-3. ANYWAYS, Conference... Crazy unexpected announcement. They changed the mission ages for Elders and Sisters! Instead of 19 and 21, it's 18 and 19! Isn't that nuts?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Yeah, still crazy to me today. I don't think you would have served a mission if 18 was the expected age for leaving.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--I know, right??? I was still a kid back then!</div><div style="text-align: left;">-The point I was trying to make there went entirely over your head, but whatever. I want to hear you talk about the gay thing.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--The gay thing?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-The gay thing. From your favorite apostle. </div><div style="text-align: left;">--Oh yeah! Dallin H. Oaks said something that rubbed me off the wrong way at first, but I usually agree with him, so I think he's right about this one. He said same-sex marriage is a social experiment, and we just don't understand its consequences yet. I've always been a proud "Democrat Mormon" and have been very much for same-sex marriage, but I got the chills when Elder Oaks said that. I mentioned this to my roommate Kegan. He's gay, we're friends, but I just thought I'd express to him that I'm considering changing my beliefs on same-sex marriage.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-You are a moron. But spoiler: You're gonna change your mind about that, again. Like, a few days from now. I try not to remember what you just talked about. It really makes me cringe.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Oh yeah? Well did you even watch Conference this weekend? You think you did something less cringeworthy?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-No, I haven't watched Conference in like 2 years. I see Mormonism as an ex-girlfriend. I don't stalk her or try to dig up dirt on her, or even think of her much. I'm sure if people want to see her ugly side, her own words will speak for themselves. Perfect example: Same-sex marriage is now legal in all 50 states. We're living with those "consequences." The world is literally the same place as it's always been, for me. As for gay people, the world is that much better, with more legal rights and social acceptance. So... Yeah. Dallin H. Oaks. Never really been the king of hot takes. </div><div style="text-align: left;">--I'll have to pray about all that, but ok.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-As for potentially "cringeworthy" things I did this weekend, I spent most of my time writing this blog post about me talking to you. And I'm still not done yet. I'm here to tell you things I wish you could have known at this point in life. Mostly stuff about mental health, religion, and relationships.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Relationships? Like dating? Or my friends and family and stuff?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Well, let's start with, dating. Remember when I said I've never been close to getting married? Fact is, I've kinda never been in a real relationship before...</div><div style="text-align: left;">--WHAT???</div><div style="text-align: left;">-...Except kinda this girl named Lauren, from Chicago. We "tried" dating each other for a few weeks. But we really never spent much time together. And never even kissed each other.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--You gotta be kidding me.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Nope. Them's the facts. </div><div style="text-align: left;">--Why not? What have you been doing wrong? I mean, I've never kissed anyone before either, so I guess this is a "we" thing and not just "you."</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Perhaps we aren't necessarily doing anything "wrong" in the dating world. Perhaps we just don't take any big risks with anything important to us. Perhaps we have a personality disorder we won't find out about until we're 31.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--What?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Nevermind, I told myself I wouldn't bring that up. But yeah. You and I have always had issues taking big risks toward reaching our most desired goals.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--I disagree with that. I served a full 2-year mission, and I was committed, even when things felt really bad. And hey, I wasn't much of a dater before, but I'm into that now. Not to mention I used to be pretty dedicated to acting, as a teenager.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Was your mission a choice you made for yourself?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Yes. What else was I gonna do between 19 and 21? That was always my only plan.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Ok, so you prepared yourself for it?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-I don't think anything could prepare anyone for a mission, man. I was prepared to leave my hometown for 2 years. There was a lot of church stuff I didn't totally understand, but I think a lot of teenage boys are that way.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--So you got a job to raise money so you could pay for your mission? You took those missionary prep classes? You read Preach My Gospel? You bore testimony of the church being true and didn't just talk about generic life lessons?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-I didn't necessarily do any of those things, but that's normal.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--No, Scott, YOU NEVER CARED. Yes, I know, it was your only life plan after your 19th birthday. But you had no idea what going on a mission implied. And you had zero interest in any of the gospel-oriented things you've been making yourself care about, for the last 2 years.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Hey, these are GOOD things, ok? It doesn't matter if it's "forced" or if it's what you're actually into. This is the true gospel, and it's worth the extra might and effort.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--So what efforts have you been putting into feeling like yourself again?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-I try listening to music I liked back then. It doesn't feel the same. But I try to stay positive. I try to care more about other people. </div><div style="text-align: left;">-That's it? That's all you got?</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Are those BAD things, Scott? Being positive is a BAD thing? Thinking of others more often is a bad thing? Heck, that was the main lesson I learned on my mission.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Being positive is not a "bad" thing. But it's very general. And you are a unique, individual person. You need unique, individual help. And you freaking know it. And no offense, keeping others in mind is a great lesson, but I don't think you needed to serve an expensive, anxiety-ridden, 2-year mission to learn that. And you're gonna learn this in the future, but you think about yourself wayyyyy more than you think you do. More than most other people. To a clinical extent. </div><div style="text-align: left;">--I am aware that anxiety is tied with me worrying too much, but it's not like I'm <i>prideful</i> or something.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-<i>(sigh)</i> I <i>know</i> you're not prideful. In fact, it seems like any sense of confidence you have is driven by some crazy internal struggles with self-worth. To this day, I'm either too meticulous with things, or I'm too careless about them. Are you not the same?<br />--Well, yeah, but what's wrong with that?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-You end up not taking any RISKS, Scott. Actively dating? That's something you were told to do. You never go on 2nd dates anyways. Serving a mission? Also something you always just assumed you'd do. And it's caused you the fattest anxiety you've ever experienced in your life. Going to college? Also in line with your presumed future. Beyond all this? You don't know what to do. So you may end up not doing ANYTHING. You don't know what kind of job you want. You don't know how to get into a real relationship with a girl. You even caught up in wondering too much about "how you should feel" in the middle of situations, as they're happening. That's why you never feel like you're "in the moment." It's also why you can't seem to make the most meaningful moments in life <i>happen</i>.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--GOSH, SCOTT, I THINK YOU'VE MADE YOUR POINT! Ok? Did you go back in time just to tell me a bunch of negative and depressing stuff?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-I went back in time to tell you things I wish you knew at this point in life. I know you're aware that you get "too negative." But that's way too vague. And you're just gonna roll with that logic for years. I wish you knew that all this stuff I'm telling you isn't new. I wish you understood this is inside of you <i>right now</i>. And it's been inside of you for a long time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">6: A "COME TO JESUS" MEETING</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">[<i>An Institute teacher heard yelling and walked over to inform us we're being too loud. We could either leave, or quiet down. We agreed we could quiet things down. We move our conversation to the building's West chapel. It's empty. The lights are off. The sun shines through the tall windows on room's West wall, as it sets behind the Wellsville mountains in the evening. We sit in the pews and talk in softer tones.</i>]</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Wow. This is actually really peaceful.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Yeah, spoiler: There's gonna be like, 1 month in 2019 where you sit here alone and think every Sunday night. Ironically, you spend a lot of that time contemplating leaving the church. But the atmosphere ain't too shabby.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--I still can't believe you left the church though. There are times where a friend of mine leaves the church and I'm cool with it, like I think they did what was right for them, for good reasons. But then sometimes I see someone leave the church, and I'm disgusted. Like, I see them as weak. I'm pretty torn about this right now. My future self leaving the 1 thing I've stayed true to my whole life.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-I'm gonna segue this topic into something else. You seem pretty surprised about this church-less part of my life. But when I tell you things like "I don't believe in much," or "I don't use my Bachelor's Degree," or "depression's gonna hit you hard," you responded with disappointment, yet not surprised. Why not surprised about those things?</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Well, I don't know man... Things like a successful job with good income, or being married with kids... That's always seemed like a distant dream to me. I even remember before my mission, people would ask me what I want to do with my life in the future. Instead of giving them an actual response, or an honest "I don't know," I would joke around about hitchhiking trains across America with my guitar. Now? Yeah, you're right, I generally want to get married and generally want to get a good job, yada-yada. But I don't really <i>see</i> or <i>feel</i> those things happening in my future, ya know? Like, success is just a dream. I'm not sure if I'll ever feel like myself again.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-And as I've said, you technically won't. Although these days, it's more like, I feel like myself for a few hours, then it just comes and goes. Usually on days when I'm off work.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Are you saying you don't even like your job?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Not at all. I don't think I've ever liked a job I've ever had. It's an anxiety thing. Which explains the intense anxiety on your "always productive" mission. And heck, don't you have the same issues with your phonathon job you have right now?</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Hoo boy. Yep. Ugh. So that doesn't go away?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Everything gets better, to an extent. But no, the workplace environment is still the low-point of mental illness in your day.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Dang. I just always thought I'd become a harder worker someday, and I wouldn't always feel like crap while I'm at work. Or at least I'd become <i>good</i> at something, and get a job <i>that</i> way.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-...Let me ask you something, Scott. Are you smart?</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Am I smart? I mean... I don't like to think of myself that way... Like, I mean, isn't that kinda prideful? To think of yourself as "smart"? I don't know... I'm gonna say no. Even if the answer may technically be "yes," if you're asking my parents or something. Or even myself when I was like 17, I used to think I was smart... But I'm gonna throw this right back at ya, Scott. You're "older and wiser." Are <i>you</i> smart? Do you think you're smart?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-...<i>(sigh)</i> No. I'm still not there yet. Some things never change.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--So I never become smart, eh?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-I don't know, man. Like you said, technically, <i>everyone's</i> really smart. But I'm still kinda at odds with thinking of myself that way.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--...But isn't there a certain amount of <i>positivity</i> we should try to have? Sometimes I think that's the only thing that keeps me going. Whether it's false or forced or whatever. I think it's worth trying out.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Ya know, as generic advice at that seems, I gotta admit, you got <i>that</i> on me. I don't even <i>try</i> to be positive, these days. Like I said, I didn't come here to give you advice. I don't really think I'm in a place to tell you what you should learn. Maybe I'm just another liberal who left the Mormon church, but it's not like I'm "woke" or anything like that.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--<i>"Woke"?</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">-Oh yeah, that's not a thing yet. Um, nevermind that part. But yeah. If anything keeps me going, it's those brief little moments where I feel like myself. Whether that's feeling more content or happy or confident. I strive to feel those things as often as when I was 18. When we were ambitious about acting, when we had friends we saw everyday, when we were hiking the Sawtooths. I'm 10 years older than you, but those late teenage years still make for most of the best days of my life. And I don't even mean that in some "nostalgic longing for teenage hormonal memories" way, or some "I reached my peak in high scool" kinda way. Nah, we never really had a normal "childhood." Scott was never "just a dumb ol' kid who liked to have fun." I just miss those teenage days because we were a noticeably more mentally stable, and therefor happier. And I know you feel the same way.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Yeah... But I mean, I was an active Mormon that whole time. Was that bad for me?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Nah. I told you about how I loathe generic life advice and general positivity. Mormonism promotes a lot of that stuff, and that's not bad. But I'll tell you this. I've been on antipsychotics for most of the last 4 years. </div><div style="text-align: left;">--Whoa, dang, antipsychotics? Did you go crazy or something?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-No, Scott. I would dare say <i>you</i> went crazy. And you know what I'm talking about. All that depression and anxiety you felt in the months before your mission? And those "out-of-body" experiences you felt on your mission, as though you were watching all your experiences from a third-person perspective on TV? That's some traumatic shit, Scott. Over 10 years later, you still can't seem to make sense of it. There's still pieces of that inside me. I still feel very confused and immature. Anxious and depressed. I pressed forward without much help for years. Kinda like you right now. But I still need all the help I can get. And I'll take whatever I progress I can get.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--...Ok, I'm just gonna ignore the fact that you said the <i>s-word</i> in a church chapel. But of all those things you just said, do you really think <i>Mormonism</i> is the source of your mental illness? Like, Christianity?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Nah. Like I said, even as kids, we had our own mental illnesses. Just a little more melancholy than the next kid, and whatnot. It's just funny to me... You never liked the concept of organized religion. At least, as a young adult. Yet you stick around with this one as though it's an exception to that rule. Why?</div><div style="text-align: left;">--I've had <i>a lot</i> of spiritual experiences through Mormonism, Scott. I can't deny that. I owe a lot to this church. You know what it's like when you go into the temple.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Lots of people feel that. And yet as the church functions--as was made obvious to you on your mission--it runs just like any other organized religion. Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Islam. Relying on individuals with individual needs to hold to the same sociological beliefs as everyone else around them. Living off the same generic positivity as everyone else. And then of course, there's the whole "required tithing" thing, which is a different level of sketchiness, but I'm not gonna go there. Being part of an organized religion will always come with the implied asterisk that you and its members are morally superior to those who aren't part of it, and those people are simply incorrect. And the church doesn't even hide it. It's right there in all its doctrine. And that's the mindset that killed you on your mission. No real surety of what is right and true. It's what kills you in other areas of your life, too. Still does for me, today. Gotta admit, Mormonism and Christianity can be kinda good. But when it comes down to what <i>you</i>, Scott E Hall, actually believe, you just want to do your own thing and find out for yourself. And that's the religious perspective you'd wish everyone else could convert to.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--...You just did a lot of talking, so I'm trying to process this... I will say, there have been times where I've prayed about whether or not I should stay in the church. And I always get this spiritual impression as though I need to keep going. Because it's what I'm supposed to do. And it's the life I'm supposed to live.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-You know, as much crap as I just talked about Mormonism, I can't deny your experience. In fact, you're gonna have plenty of more prayers like that, and they're gonna make you cry sometimes. I can regret my past as much as I can... Things like not ditching my mission, or not leaving the church sooner... And yet, I wonder: If I never went through those past experiences, would I be where I am today?</div><div style="text-align: left;">--I thought you hated where you are today.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Touché. But fact is, if I'm preaching my real gospel to you, I just want you to do your own thing, Scott. And you're gonna feel a little better pretty soon! You mentioned you don't "feel" music anymore? You're gonna get that feeling back, to an extent. For starters, that new Kendrick Lamar album will change the way you think about music.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Who's Kendrick Lamar?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Dang. Too soon. My bad. Ummm... Let's get out of here. This has been a long conversation, and I usually don't talk for this long.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--You know me too well.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">7: NOT BEING CORNY ON OLD MAIN HILL</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">[<i>This final scene takes place back on Old Main Hill, as 2012 Scott walks down to his apartment on "the island" section of Logan. Sun is pretty much down. The Logan LDS temple is lit up in the distance.</i>]</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Sorry if this felt like a waste of time. I just wanted to reiterate that there are some deeper cognitive issues that have been rooted inside for years. But none of that will be revealed to you until years later. And I still struggle with those things.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--So my life sucks right now and it's still gonna suck 10 years from now?<br />-THAT... Is kinda accurate, yeah. </div><div style="text-align: left;">--Well, you seem like an interesting man.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Ew. Gross. Don't call me that. Just call every guy a "guy." Please.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Ok. I'm gonna go home and try to do homework. What are you gonna do when you head back to 2022?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Haha, probably just watch YouTube then go to bed.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Are you for real? </div><div style="text-align: left;">-I work somewhere 40 hours a week, and I have no friends. No homework, no social obligations...</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Well, I'll try to remember the stuff you told me tonight. I guess you came off as preachy sometimes. Even mad at me, maybe. But it seems like deep down, you're a sincere guy, just trying to do what's best for you.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-I feel the same way about you, Scott. Although there's something about you these days... It's kinda funny to me now, but it's related to your current state of anxiety... You're not gonna remember a damn thing about our conversation tonight.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--What? How could I forget a visit with my <i>future self</i>? </div><div style="text-align: left;">-Do you even remember the names of the girls you went on dates with last month?</div><div style="text-align: left;">--...No. No I don't. </div><div style="text-align: left;">-Yeah, that's been a thing for you these last few months. You got another month or 2 before your memory kicks back in... I really don't know how to say goodbye without being awkward. I did come here using a time machine, but my townhome is only like 5 miles from here, so I'm not sure how that part works.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--Wait a minute! You're telling me. You live in a <i>townhome</i>? And not in an apartment with a bunch dumb college kids?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Well, I figured the "time machine" part would hit you harder, but yes. I live in a townhome outside Providence. And I have a private room.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--A PRIVATE ROOM??? That's--That's unbelievable! That's all I ever wanted in life!</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Haha! Well, if those are your super lofty goals right now, I guess you can say I'm doing pretty good for myself after all. See ya Scott.</div><div style="text-align: left;">--No goodbye hug?</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Nah man. That stuff's corny.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">THE END.</span></b></div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-6144397109901755002022-07-28T06:15:00.007-07:002022-07-28T06:16:45.864-07:00The 50 Best Albums of the Donald Trump Era<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDM2M1v-LTAED7n4yV3txIQHLIY-4nC-EzdIBRy_guOdmKsM32cOwpMvlReaPZ0oBAXkB1I5TrweCYhu-rJpl71_d8ylZLqmcje8tJD_BEGoGxKtkOwYcWhAtNVb84UQWUulPJAuI-b9rY2HlzsaIKGPGYpPpsjM6hQnXIwq0GXfBl4JTkQ9euDnMkCA/s332/someTRUMP2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="331" data-original-width="332" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDM2M1v-LTAED7n4yV3txIQHLIY-4nC-EzdIBRy_guOdmKsM32cOwpMvlReaPZ0oBAXkB1I5TrweCYhu-rJpl71_d8ylZLqmcje8tJD_BEGoGxKtkOwYcWhAtNVb84UQWUulPJAuI-b9rY2HlzsaIKGPGYpPpsjM6hQnXIwq0GXfBl4JTkQ9euDnMkCA/w320-h318/someTRUMP2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This has been both the easiest list "presidential" list for me make, and also the most difficult. Easy because I was alive for all these years, actively listening to new music. Hard for me because Trump unfortunately became president right after I graduated college, where my mental state flipped a switch from being "busy and successful" to "lazy and depressed." It's particularly hard for me to revisit music from 2017 and 2020 (even the good stuff); particularly bad years for me. But we're not here to talk about mental health. Or even politics. This is music time, baby.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The 50 best albums from Donald Trump's presidency. 2017-2020. This will be much weirder than my Jimmy Carter and George HW Bush lists, seeing as I don't have widely-acclaimed classics to lean on. I figured there were 4 albums that deserved honorable mentions.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>+</b> Run the Jewels <i>Run the Jewels 3 </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>+</b> Various Artists <i>Mono No Aware</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>+</b> Armand Hammer <i>Paraffin</i> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>+</b> Boldy James <i>Manger on McNichols</i> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Run the Jewels 3 was a great album released on Christmas 2016, so it's just 1 week to early to reach my criteria for this list. That Mono No Aware compilation is amazing. Previously unreleased songs from 18 different artists, making for cohesive collection of ambient trips. Is it an "album"? Kinda. Not for this list. Those Armand Hammer and Boldy James albums are awesome underground rap releases. I'm just still dipping my toe into that circle of rap, and trying to figure out what will last.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's the list.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>#50-41</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAstMN5iaYF8GxE0vRbFMdgbw8B6q2eNb78MWm3SQk1mtERAMNA3-CO8BMIyCSsqDlNYYlOVQ9jAaDA07w6LoGlw9qXvDWtnB8jreJE99pn4s9oGQtQEJdWHggyIQuxJAjIv11I7iRNDss41PFH-NruIar30POA1WOaVcAyAla9Xtb4hqbj6vqHTE8Q/s1440/trumpy50.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="1440" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAstMN5iaYF8GxE0vRbFMdgbw8B6q2eNb78MWm3SQk1mtERAMNA3-CO8BMIyCSsqDlNYYlOVQ9jAaDA07w6LoGlw9qXvDWtnB8jreJE99pn4s9oGQtQEJdWHggyIQuxJAjIv11I7iRNDss41PFH-NruIar30POA1WOaVcAyAla9Xtb4hqbj6vqHTE8Q/s320/trumpy50.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>50</b> slowthai <i>Nothing Great About Britain</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">It takes a lot to convince me to try out a grime album that's less than 15 years old, but slowthai's debut presents a snarky character that seems fitting for the genre.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>49</b> Playboi Carti <i>Die Lit</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm pretty sure I just like anything that's produced by Pi'erre Bourne.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>48</b> ROSALÍA <i>Los Ángeles</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Before Rosalía became the face of the modern Latin pop movement, she was fusing flamenco music with beautiful chamber pop arrangements. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>47</b> Tierra Whack <i>Whack World</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've only heard a few albums that go for the "1-minute songs" shtick, and this is probably the best.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>46</b> Rapsody <i>Laila's Wisdom</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Rapsody is an extremely talented rapper, and I believe this album keeps listeners at attention from front-to-back. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>45</b> Beach House <i>7</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was just nice that we were still getting indie pop albums like this in 2018.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>44</b> HAIM <i>Women in Music Pt. III</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">This album has grown on me over the last couple years, and the more pop albums I listen to, I'm even more convinced this thing will stand the test of time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>43</b> Sevdaliza <i>Shabrang</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some of the coldest alt-R&B and trip-hop songs I've heard in years.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>42</b> Run the Jewels <i>RTJ4</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">RTJ returned with a hot batch of politically-charged bangers for the summer. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>41</b> Sharon Van Etten <i>Remind Me Tomorrow</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Excellent songwriting, remarkable vocals, and just an overall emotive album experience.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>#40-31</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7BI4Kz1JDKr0y7iNaWob45Mw3IrbF4G26_NmM27FQ4VAcijmRhGPusXCmfWbSc75CsIyfG6ANt07ayDytjtVkAhomhiDhyfTh6XckMK5uJbng3_AeTfZ53TTst3MAllhs-V1XtlNqugLlxWOQxhcYxFWcQzkOg843Y8D_CqfhEVcbGJ3_s525WAF8g/s1440/trumpy40.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="1440" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7BI4Kz1JDKr0y7iNaWob45Mw3IrbF4G26_NmM27FQ4VAcijmRhGPusXCmfWbSc75CsIyfG6ANt07ayDytjtVkAhomhiDhyfTh6XckMK5uJbng3_AeTfZ53TTst3MAllhs-V1XtlNqugLlxWOQxhcYxFWcQzkOg843Y8D_CqfhEVcbGJ3_s525WAF8g/s320/trumpy40.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>40</b> Phoebe Bridgers <i>Stranger in the Alps</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">On her first full-length LP, Phoebe wasn't afraid to deliver her discomforting expression of melancholy and show off her knack for melodies.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>39</b> Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist <i>Alfredo</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I like Freddie Gibbs a lot.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>38</b> serpentwithfeet <i>soil</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I used to "appreciate" this album more than actually enjoy it, but damn, looking back, this is some drop-dead gorgeous, futuristic music.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>37</b> Laura Marling <i>Song For Our Daughter</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">This thing hits it out of the park when it comes to capturing the personal depth and nostalgic aesthetic I expect from old-fashioned singer-songwriters.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>36</b> Matana Roberts <i>COIN COIN Chapter Four: Memphis</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Remaining as obscure as ever, this is Matana's version of a direct jazz-rock record.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>35</b> Phoebe Bridgers <i>Punisher</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Since the release of <i>Punisher</i>, Phoebe has collaborated with every artist under the sun, which is weird, because the actual content here is emotionally-draining, depressing and dark</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>34</b> Freddie Gibbs & Madlib <i>Bandana</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Arguably Freddie's most constantly enjoyable run of songs.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>33</b> Lianne La Havas <i>Lianne La Havas</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">A refreshing dose of rootsy soul for a rainy Sunday morning, with loose and stripped-back jams to boot.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>32</b> Jlin <i>Black Origami</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">As the album cover suggests, this style of footwork takes musical influence from countries with elephants.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>31</b> Tyler, the Creator <i>Flower Boy</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I do believe Tyler is on a roll with his latest trilogy of great albums, with <i>Flower Boy</i> arguably being his best work to date.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>#30-21</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzjuyFtY7gkEgZaG5IBWkPCtJLflxBeHflEiY1tTePorG425WJSqCRSt5qnCEOVrCvHRJS4jeACPserX5AVWE5jDApoAxHEMLweU8ca3Wc0ThpOB222XNRraJDEiDau7UHh1Cz9mlhSRxXTKyntpEbbwlwFnz99kr7ky8czrL1VjJR-cLtc9sSwp_EA/s1440/trumpy30.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1440" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzjuyFtY7gkEgZaG5IBWkPCtJLflxBeHflEiY1tTePorG425WJSqCRSt5qnCEOVrCvHRJS4jeACPserX5AVWE5jDApoAxHEMLweU8ca3Wc0ThpOB222XNRraJDEiDau7UHh1Cz9mlhSRxXTKyntpEbbwlwFnz99kr7ky8czrL1VjJR-cLtc9sSwp_EA/s320/trumpy30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>30</b> Charli XCX <i>how i'm feeling now</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">This was a definitive album for the 2020 quarantine experience.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>29</b> Charli XCX <i>Pop 2</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Charli's most consistent set of solid songs since her artistic rebirth in the realm of experimental pop.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>28</b> Richard Dawson <i>Peasant</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">An honest-to-god "freak folk" album from 2017 that does the genre justice.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>27</b> Car Seat Headrest <i>Twin Fantasy (Face to Face)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Car Seat Headrest re-record an album they made in 2011, giving it a proper upgrade in production quality and turning it into one of the most epic indie rock albums of the decade.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>26</b> Ibibio Sound Machine <i>Uyai</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Every review I've seen for this album says this fuses LCD Soundsystem with Fela Kuti, and that's a golden formula in my book.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>25</b> Against All Logic <i>2012-2017</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Nicolás Jaar flexes his talents as an electronic producer with what is easily some of the funkiest house music of the decade.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>24</b> Jean Grae & Quelle Chris <i>Everything's Fine</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">A rap album loaded with quirky instrumentals, charismatic personality, and unbeatably smart verses.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>23</b> Little Simz <i>GREY Area</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Little Simz proves herself as one of the coolest artists in the game, with her instantly-lovable delivery and the naturally nocturnal feel to these songs.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>22</b> Noname <i>Room 25</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">My apologies to Noname: I am just another white guy who loves your music.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>21</b> Pusha T <i>Daytona</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Push was made for punching you with his bravado in short and sweet fashion.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">#20-11</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZDC1ibtw29VtenZW9ID6ikoIUPKig8b4eImad9fj6u3wkB7O4RB6EKVCoh82JsYU2WqM9UEZZ4piwo9axPjmW55rg9XzgDlboEWgRRvyl47gjfMNyn6A2lmPv6rzXBTsPrFJZm9Lc_obfxHmKVoij542qicbbULNLR912csjrrTua3Vnriis43GFFQ/s1440/trumpy20.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="1440" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZDC1ibtw29VtenZW9ID6ikoIUPKig8b4eImad9fj6u3wkB7O4RB6EKVCoh82JsYU2WqM9UEZZ4piwo9axPjmW55rg9XzgDlboEWgRRvyl47gjfMNyn6A2lmPv6rzXBTsPrFJZm9Lc_obfxHmKVoij542qicbbULNLR912csjrrTua3Vnriis43GFFQ/s320/trumpy20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>20</b> Low <i>Double Negative</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Minnesota Mormons shift their sparse and delicate brand of slowcore to dense layers of industrial and ambient sounds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>19</b> Angel Olsen <i>All Mirrors</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Angel takes a successful whack at tying grandiose baroque pop with ethereal synths. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>18</b> Perfume Genius <i>Set My Heart on Fire Immediately</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mike Hadreas makes you question the unseen corners of your heart and mind.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>17</b> Fiona Apple <i>Fetch the Bolt Cutters</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Fiona has officially found a new home with this sloppy and shaggy bedroom pop sound.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>16</b> Lingua Ignota <i>Caligula</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I freaking love that industrial noise that shows up on these song, just adding the final stab to the gut within these slow, tortured, neoclassical songs. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>15</b> black midi <i>Schlagenheim</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Few rock albums have ever presented organized chaos with production this clean.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>14</b> Yves Tumor <i>Safe in the Hands of Love</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">This album is a hot mess of pitch-black songs that I'm hesitant to call "pop."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>13</b> Lana Del Rey <i>Norman Fucking Rockwell!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm always impressed with this album's consistency in sarcastic and sad lyrical quality, somehow keeping me hooked for an entire hour of piano ballads.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>12</b> U.S. Girls <i>In a Poem Unlimited</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">For anybody still waiting for St. Vincent to return as the queen of art pop/rock, I'm pretty sure you just missed when U.S. Girls took over.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>11</b> ROSALÍA <i>EL MAL QUERER </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking back, I would kill for a pop album as artistically expansive as this in 2022.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">#10-1</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavWn8ZRplqP_38whyvT0VTNVvNtrPX9d_WNShAFUY5AwDE11jNkNR2f41vgyj5GghNyOXco73v1LzQ77uBT3hCXQnRqvhStRUBQwgVJgZOjkXkU46m99CxrxbYcm6OumbviPDQHBQHeTKaLs3ueOTzc4bYqxgm7p6Aesyk0L8uGuPNr-JlKubCZp4VQ/s1440/Screenshot_20220723-102611~2.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1440" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavWn8ZRplqP_38whyvT0VTNVvNtrPX9d_WNShAFUY5AwDE11jNkNR2f41vgyj5GghNyOXco73v1LzQ77uBT3hCXQnRqvhStRUBQwgVJgZOjkXkU46m99CxrxbYcm6OumbviPDQHBQHeTKaLs3ueOTzc4bYqxgm7p6Aesyk0L8uGuPNr-JlKubCZp4VQ/s320/Screenshot_20220723-102611~2.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>10</b> Purple Mountains <i>Purple Mountains</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">David Berman left us with an album of sadly relatable yet delightfully quotable rock songs, made for the road.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>9</b> SZA <i>Ctrl</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">SZA covers all the bases on <i>Ctrl</i>, making for one of the most cohesive R&B albums of the decade.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>8</b> Earl Sweatshirt <i>Some Rap Songs</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Earl has always had a hint of depressive monotone in his voice, but this experience sounds like a man who's ultimately given up on life, either as a person or as an artist.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>7</b> Perfume Genius <i>No Shape</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Arguably the highest production quality of any album on this list, it's also arguably Mike Hadreas's strongest collection of songs. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>6</b> Kendrick Lamar <i>DAMN.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Say what you want about this album conceptually, I just think it aces the test for making the greatest summertime rap album possible.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>5</b> Daughters <i>You Won't Get What You Want</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">A downward spiral of no wave perfection, and one of the most cacophonous albums I've ever heard.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>4</b> Jessie Ware <i>What's Your Pleasure?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Stunning production for what sounds like a modern-day greatest hits for disco and dance music. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>3</b> Mount Eerie <i>A Crow Looked at Me</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">A literal cry of grief that borders on not being considered "music," yet an unforgettable listen that stands too artistically unique to deny its ability to connect with our most complex emotions.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>2</b> SOPHIE <i>OIL OF EVERY PEARL'S UN-INSIDES</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sadly another artist on this list who is no longer with us, but damn, Sophie made the most bombastic and calculated studio techniques sound like child's play.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>1</b> Weyes Blood <i>Titanic Rising</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">These are sincere songs of hope from a voice that sounds like she's finally breaching above the water for her first time, and the freaking strings section on this sounds spectacular.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-76689903155772843492022-06-23T22:41:00.007-07:002022-06-24T17:35:11.885-07:00The #1 Singles From My High School Years (tier list)<div style="text-align: left;">I graduated middle school in June 2005. I started junior college in August 2009. I began high school at Linden HS in California, and graduated from Jerome HS in Idaho. During that time, I changed a lot as a teenage person. And my music taste changed a lot. But none of that personal stuff matters tonight.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">While I was in high school, 61 songs topped the US Billboard chart. I listened to all 61 of these songs while I was at work today. And I'm gonna rank these songs based on how I feel about them today. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj37LMiROifBaBmHmlbnnhkCn83vgRoOWe6U5FmMVtUedPYwfNyiMuHiXH3KVvjDvRVkHlY38qI97O0im3K8nyj0LSZYXpk5Mt8vM24CesotOB2IVDueNGT2KcttzHz4B2dOYK0RiTLLZnRNVPPHYqQSrlap2BPCZe3s220W9SY7GEiyS_4294rAff8A/s301/nelly4REAL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="301" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj37LMiROifBaBmHmlbnnhkCn83vgRoOWe6U5FmMVtUedPYwfNyiMuHiXH3KVvjDvRVkHlY38qI97O0im3K8nyj0LSZYXpk5Mt8vM24CesotOB2IVDueNGT2KcttzHz4B2dOYK0RiTLLZnRNVPPHYqQSrlap2BPCZe3s220W9SY7GEiyS_4294rAff8A/s1600/nelly4REAL.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Why am I doing this? My car is dying. I need a new car. I don't want to think about these things. I want to make a dumb music list about some of pop history's dumbest music ever.</div><div style="text-align: left;">How am I ranking these? While listening to each song, I wrote a couple generic words describing my thoughts on each track. So these 61 songs are divided into 20 tiers. Most of these "tiers" are just variations on the words "good" and "ok" and "bad." So to say this is a proper "ranked" list is a stretch. </div><div style="text-align: left;">So my 1997 Ford Taurus lasted 25 years. How have these songs stood the test of time? Ummm... Expect a lot of negative commentary.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">i. <b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">REALLY GOOD</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>We Belong Together - Mariah Carey</span> <b>Late 2005</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Don't Forget About Us - Mariah Carey</span> <b>Late 2005</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Gold Digger - Kanye West (ft Jamie Foxx)</span> <b>Late 2005</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>-</b> SexyBack - Justin Timberlake</span> <b>2006</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>My Love - Jutin Timberlake (ft T.I.)</span> <b>2006</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Umbrella - Rihanna (ft Jay-Z)</span> <b>2007</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)</span> <span style="font-family: arial;">- Beyoncé </span><b>2008</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">These Mariah Carey tracks sound dope as hell. They're 17 years old. They've aged better than the stuff from her 90s hit factory, to an obvious extent. "Gold Digger" is only this high because it's on <i>Late Registration</i>. Arguably the best album from this era. The-Dream wrote and produced "Umbrella," which explains a lot. "My Love" is probably my #1 pick from this bunch. One of the most naturally sexy songs I've ever heard. And I go ride-or-die with this: T.I. was the best rapper alive in 2006. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">ii. <b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">(REALLY) GOOD</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Promiscuous - Nelly Furtado (ft Timbaland)</span> <b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2006</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Irreplaceable - Beyoncé</span> <b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2006</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Stronger - Kanye West</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <b>2007</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Just Dance - Lady Gaga (ft Colby O'Donis)</span> <b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Early 2009</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Poker Face - Lady Gaga</span> <b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Early 2009</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Promiscuous." The only song I've come across that name-drops Steve Nash. And appropriately, both Furtado and Nash are from Victoria BC. "Stronger" is probably better than "Gold Digger," but I guess I was just really feeling that sax hook today. Lady Gaga's style of electropop is so freaking refreshing. "Just Dance" deserved a better rap verse. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">iii. <b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">GOOD</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Check on It - Beyoncé (ft Slim Thug)</span> <b>2006</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Touch My Body - Mariah Carey</span> <b>2008</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Beyoncé has a song on each of these top 3 tiers. People forget. Before she was known as a cultural icon, Beyoncé was just another pop star muscling her way through the annoying world of radio airplay. And she was damn good at it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">iv. <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>OK/GOOD</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>-</b> Ridin' - Chamillionaire (ft Krayzie Bone)</span> <b>2006</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Say It Right - Nelly Furtado</span> <b>2007</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Love in This Club - Usher (ft Young Jeezy)</span> <b>2008</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Did not think Chamillionaire would be ranked this high. But I really wish I had a car today. In other news... Usher + Jeezy = Brilliant.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">v. <b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">PRETTY GOOD</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Money Maker - Ludacris (ft Pharrell)</span> <b>2006</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis</span> <b>2008</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Gotta admit. These songs are pretty good.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">vi. <b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">KINDA GOOD/WTF</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Viva la Vida - Coldplay</span> <b>2008</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've always at least "kinda" liked this song, but real talk, what in god's name is going on here? What other songs sound like this? There's like an epic Arabian strings section going on and a pretty standard driving beat, while Chris Martin's singing some assorted Christian nonsense. Sounds like a cool song formula, I've just never actually cared about the lyrical meaning. A standout among dancefloor pop songs about hoes and bling, sure. But is it "better" than the competition?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">vii. <b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">KINDA GOOD</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Run It! - Chris Brown (ft Juelz Santana)</span> <b>Late 2005</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Live Your Life - T.I. (ft Rihanna)</span> <b>2008</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yeah, those synths on "Run It!" are kinda hot. Despite how poorly T.I.'s 2008 commercial breakout has aged, the themes on "Live Your Life" are pretty original territory for him; complete with some quality verses. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">viii. <b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">OK</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Give It to Me - Timbaland (ft Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake)</span> <b>2007</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Lollipop - Lil Wayne (ft Static Major)</span> <b>2008</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Timbaland has already produced 4 songs mentioned in this list, and this track kinda just sounds like a leftover. Lil Wayne was on top of the world in 2008. I always thought "Lollipop" was a bad representation of his skills. 14 years later, it's "A Milli" that's remained on rotation. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">ix. <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>KINDA OK</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>-</b> Grillz - Nelly (ft Paul Wall, Ali & Gipp)</span> <b>2006</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Temperature - Sean Paul </span><b>2006</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>What Goes Around... Comes Around - Justin Timberlake</span> <b>2007</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5</span> <b>2007</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">What the hell does "kinda ok" even mean anyways? "Grillz" and "Temperature" are kinda annoying. The JT track on here isn't my favorite of his. What's sad about "Makes Me Wonder" is that I do enjoy it, yet the band's songwriting woes still clearly hold them back. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">x. <b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">NOT THAT GOOD/OK</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>SOS - Rihanna</span> <b>2006</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">To simply critique this song: Love the sample. Hate the chorus.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">xi. <b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">NOT THAT BAD</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>This Is Why I'm Hot - Mims</span> <b>2007</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I shoulda placed this tier lower. Because this song is bad. But it's not THAT bad.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">xii. <b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">NOT THAT GOOD</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>So Sick - Ne-Yo</span> <b>2006</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin') - T-Pain (ft Yung Joc)</span> <b>2007</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>No One - Alicia Keys</span> <b>2007</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Take a Bow - Rihanna</span> <b>2008</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I tried to make myself feel nostalgic about probably-not timeless T-Pain auto-tune, but this really isn't the greatest song in the world. I've always been simultaneously pro-Alicia Keys and anti-"No One." Such a mid song. <i>"The award for The Best Liar goes to you."</i> That's a real lyric from "Take a Bow." Even with context, it's a questionable choice. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">xiii. <b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">NOT GOOD</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>London Bridge - Fergie</span> <b>2006</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Kiss Kiss - Chris Brown (ft T-Pain)</span> <b>2007</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Crack a Bottle - Eminem (ft Dr. Dre, 50 Cent)</span> <b>Early 2009</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Listening to these tracks, I was like... "I don't know what to call this. But if you ask me whether this is good or not? This is not good."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">xiv. <b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">KINDA BAD</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Whatever You Like - T.I.</span> <b>2008</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Womanizer - Britney Spears</span> <b>2008</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tried not to think too hard about these. The songwriting crimes committed here are hard to justify. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">xv. <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>BAD</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Don't Matter - Akon</span> <b>2007</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's</span> <b>2007</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Crank That (Soulja Boy) - Soulja Boy Tell 'Em</span> <b>2007</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>My Life Would Suck Without You - Kelly Clarkson</span> <b>Early 2009</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now this is a motley crew. The Kelly Clarkson song should be lower. The other 3? I think my enjoyment of these tracks depends on the day. "Don't Matter" is some nice playlist filler. "Delilah" has some ass lyrics, but at least it's sincere. As for Soulja Boy, I found out what <i>"Superman that hoe"</i> means, and I can never think of that song the same again.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">xvi. <b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">PRETTY BAD</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Hips Don't Lie - Shakira (ft Wyclef Jean)</span> <b>2006</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie</span> <b>2007</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>I Kissed a Girl - Katy Perry</span> <b>2008</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Shakira had the first song I came across today that had me like, " Yeah, this is pretty bad...." Some seemingly great artistic ideas on the surface. But the mix is awful. Not sure how this topped the charts in a year where Timbaland beats were hot. The others songs have similar issues. A couple of good ideas condensed into weak songs.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">xvii. <b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">(REALLY) BAD</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Girlfriend - Avril Lavigne</span> <b>2007</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think this is better than the 12 songs in the next tier.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">xiii. <b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">REALLY BAD</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Inside Your Heaven - Carrie Underwood </span><b>Late 2005</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>-</b> Laffy Taffy - D4L</span> <b>2006</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>You're Beautiful - James Blunt</span> <b>2006</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Bad Day - Daniel Powter </span><b>2006</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>I Wanna Love You - Akon (ft Snoop Dogg)</span> <b>2006</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Glamorous - Fergie (ft Ludacris)</span> <b>2007</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Beautiful Girls - Sean Kingston</span> <b>2007</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Low - Flo Rida (ft T-Pain)</span> <b>2008</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>-</b> Disturbia - Rihanna</span> <b>2008</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>So What - P!nk</span> <b>2008</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Boom Boom Pow - The Black Eyed Peas</span> <b>Early 2009</b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>I Gotta Feeling - The Black Eyed Peas</span> <b>Early 2009</b></div><div><i>"Sound of silver, talk to me. Makes me want to feel like a teenager. Then you remember the feelings of a real-live emotional teenager. Then you think again."</i> -James Murphy</div><div>I could talk at-length about each individual song here. I bring up that Murphy quote because I think most of these songs perfectly embody the spirit of the teenage psyche. </div><div>Smiling away a bad day. Failing to meet beautiful strangers. Having an emotional reaction to sappy power ballads. Partying. Horniness. Joking about suicidality. Noticing boys are creepy. Starting fights. Learning how to spell. I think these songs cover all these bases. Now just remember experiencing these feelings at a time in your life when your age limited your emotional intelligence to the size of a peanut. Then try turning that into art.</div><div>This is your playlist.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">xix. <b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">REALLY REALLY BAD</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Right Round - Flo Rida (ft Ke$ha) </span><b>Early 2009</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm not sure why I added a 2nd "really" to this song. Maybe because the longevity of Flo Rida's successful career just gets on my nerves.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">xx. <b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">REALLY BAD/THE WORST</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>- </b>Do I Make You Proud - Taylor Hicks </span><b>2006</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have zero recollection of ever hearing this song. I know it existed. Taylor Hicks won the 3rd season of <i>American Idol</i>. So a single under his name had to exist. Finally hearing it, I'm convinced this song only exists for the sole purpose of existing. However... I have heard the "Weird Al" Yankovic parody of this song before. "Do I Creep You Out." I recommend the music video. It's actually brilliant. So thank you for trying, Taylor Hicks. Your legacy of brief TV celebrity status was no match against the genius of Weird Al.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Damn. I probably have to walk to work for like the next 2 weeks.</div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-87694236664935736112022-06-12T11:07:00.004-07:002022-06-12T11:07:42.268-07:00Me Every Day <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_HBn7-N1mpMjPhxbVlSBTIFyvFDhMrLYW7YRrORFccYRNED5cSAITx6XuygnQmqEUB-ExSgEJMAGrol3sIQ3tVH4OfU-5CKCJ-2IJ8Zubaa_vSjWhLdDwtDx9SxhT-oj7di66fxJWdm_NWMDjsVIEnr50slE_0eqYTAvvULMVGAlWKHagNYgMrUiCg/s1406/ME%20ERR%20DAY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1406" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_HBn7-N1mpMjPhxbVlSBTIFyvFDhMrLYW7YRrORFccYRNED5cSAITx6XuygnQmqEUB-ExSgEJMAGrol3sIQ3tVH4OfU-5CKCJ-2IJ8Zubaa_vSjWhLdDwtDx9SxhT-oj7di66fxJWdm_NWMDjsVIEnr50slE_0eqYTAvvULMVGAlWKHagNYgMrUiCg/s320/ME%20ERR%20DAY.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We are all buried in memories. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Which is not necessarily a bad thing. A lot of us just proceed digging forward through life. So while we're adding more memories to pile above our heads, the weight doesn't bother you that much when you stay focused on digging deeper into life. Until you die. Then you are buried beneath literal soil. But I guess you can also say your body is buried beneath the memories you left behind. And in each case, you're unable to dig. Analogy of the year.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I think there's such a thing as being too focused on the memories of your past weighing above you. I also think there's danger in continuously digging without direction or taking breaks. I think about both of these things a lot. So I usually choose the middle ground and just do nothing. I suppose this isn't concerning, on the surface. But as mentioned in the previous paragraph, to stop digging--to stop living--is to be dead.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Everyone reading this has known me at some point in my life. So you know me. But which version of me do you know?</div><div style="text-align: left;">A lot of my choosing to remain stagnant in my life choices comes from my personal cognitive issues. I don't want to move forward with something, unless I 100% know it isn't a stupid idea. Which is a tough nut to crack, because I believe most of my past choices were stupid ideas. I don't want to accept a lot of the memories that hang above me. To match that, I'm convinced that for me to dig any further at all is to dig recklessly. Does that make sense?</div><div style="text-align: left;">So which version of me do you know? The middle schooler obsessed with classic rock? The skinny teenager who developed an ambition for acting? The LDS missionary who talked about Jesus a lot? The college journalist, or the college stage manager? The more introverted (and isolated) adult who hates his job? It's crazy for me to admit this, but through all those eras of my life, I was the same person. <b>I have always been me every day.</b> And I can only be me going forward. </div><div style="text-align: left;">As obvious as those statements may sound to some, I'll contextualize why the concept of "being me" is huge for me. I struggle to actually feel like myself. I tend to look at a past regret and shove it aside, like, "nah, that doesn't count, that wasn't the real me." I can't do that anymore. Whether I felt like myself at that time of my life or not, it was literally me who did it. Even now, I'm hesitant to make choices and take actions in moments where I don't feel like myself. I don't want to risk further potential regrets. But I kinda have to. Real life requires risks.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think some people with fond memories of me might be confused reading this, like, wondering if I've secretly done a bunch of illegal stuff in my past or something. That's not what I'm talking about. I kinda just regret most things, period. Times where I acted too self-serious, as well as times where I acted relatively naïve. The times where I asked a girl out, and the times where I didn't. Heck, I'm not sure what I'm gonna do today. I have the whole day open. But I'll probably do something stupid. Do you see what I'm getting at?</div><div style="text-align: left;">To step aside from the pity party, 2022 has had some good moments. My therapist and I have recently discovered I have avoidant personality disorder. Which explains a lot of the mindset and emotion behind a blog post like this. Like, at least I know why I think the way I think. I have a better understanding of my deepest beliefs about myself, and what specific obstacles I could be working on.</div><div style="text-align: left;">People have always told me that making progress with mental health is a slow process. I'm pretty sure I'm in the thick of that right now. No instant changes coming from me any time soon. But more importantly, I really don't feel "stuck" anymore. So as for my future self, I'm still playing life relatively safe for now. I think I'll run a half marathon at the end of the summer. It would be my fourth. I have a dating app on my phone. Ineffective, but still used. Umm... That's about it. I just have to accept that whatever my next steps are, it will be me doing it. And that's who I've always been.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks for reading this, by the way. This was long.</div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-11176849214878314712022-02-21T15:38:00.003-08:002022-02-21T15:49:45.058-08:00The 50 Best Albums of the Jimmy Carter Era<div style="text-align: left;"><div>Jimmy Carter was president from 1977- 1980. A lot of classic albums released during that time. Some of these are universally beloved. Some of these could be set aside as bizarre crap. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1N9dNd4YHDEjR8MgOkA01ZEaL5NA6sSQruxAv_RD_vF6FekwHZkiS33XUfx7fBKCl-YATT1lZlupaEbYD9jDFxeqEAW0qxYf9flcnKzEVULu3LLpJNVPvr0sGnBlJkmftX7Gb-x3Kwp0DXgBOBMVxxbwpTCd1FGJ_Huznj85i8i8BradmoM92kNLFcA=s377" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="376" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1N9dNd4YHDEjR8MgOkA01ZEaL5NA6sSQruxAv_RD_vF6FekwHZkiS33XUfx7fBKCl-YATT1lZlupaEbYD9jDFxeqEAW0qxYf9flcnKzEVULu3LLpJNVPvr0sGnBlJkmftX7Gb-x3Kwp0DXgBOBMVxxbwpTCd1FGJ_Huznj85i8i8BradmoM92kNLFcA=w199-h200" width="199" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>From the Jimmy Carter era, there are about 100 albums that land on my lists of favorite 70s and 80s albums. Making a top 50 list was really easy, because 1980 is easily the inferior year, in my opinion. I narrowed the honorable mentions down to 5. Here they are.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>+</b> Bee Gees and Various Artists <i>Saturday Night Fever: The Original Movie Soundtrack</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>+</b> Buzzcocks <i>Singles Going Steady</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>+</b> Neil Young <i>Rust Never Sleeps</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>+</b> Wire <i>154</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>+</b> Bauhaus <i>In the Flat Field</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>For those 3 at the top, I'm not certain if they fit the criteria for an "album." Compiled previously released material and concert recordings. As for Wire and Bauhaus, those albums are dope, and they're actually ranked a smidge higher on my decade rankings than the bottom 2 albums on this top 50 list. I just thought I'd be cute and make room for Bruce Springsteen and Fleetwood Mac. </div><div>Here's the list.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">#50 - 41</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4NH1vUCIpnPM-EDTqJd1PW_tNY-y_7dbXVuST81cEZdBc7dtjZyQRlTfgTKmSA2BXJsSGPDkBZUnsB55AqUWdznVy4jNr1ogADW3MJW_UUPemn8-1kpPAgtq5C_1RFj85iQkP2i8tTu-_aRiMyeh3NEWzCZMaFjeAsrJ8grSuRBdtZj_OwJ2csKwLvQ=s407" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="407" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4NH1vUCIpnPM-EDTqJd1PW_tNY-y_7dbXVuST81cEZdBc7dtjZyQRlTfgTKmSA2BXJsSGPDkBZUnsB55AqUWdznVy4jNr1ogADW3MJW_UUPemn8-1kpPAgtq5C_1RFj85iQkP2i8tTu-_aRiMyeh3NEWzCZMaFjeAsrJ8grSuRBdtZj_OwJ2csKwLvQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>50</b> Bruce Springsteen <i>The River</i></span></div><div>Among Bruce's corniest early works, this is a perfect summertime epic.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>49</b> Fleetwood Mac <i>Tusk</i></span></div><div>Within the general radio pop world of Fleetwood, I find this delightfully experimental. </div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>48</b> Siouxshee and the Banshees <i>The Scream</i></span></div><div>I feel bad for not putting Bauhaus on this list, but I think seeing Siouxshee made the list should satisfy the goth purists out there.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>47</b> David Bowie <i>Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)</i></span></div><div>Released between his artistically prestigious Berlin occupancy and his commercially accessible <i>Let's Dance</i>, Bowie gives us a great set of tracks that fuses the best of both worlds.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>46</b> The B-52's <i>The B-52's</i></span></div><div>Hailing from Athens GA, God blessed us with this new wave band with a love for 50s fashion, giving us hit songs about fake planets and lobsters.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>45</b> Devo <i>Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!</i></span></div><div>The whole concept of Devo is just as crazy in theory as it was in practice. </div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>44</b> The Raincoats <i>The Raincoats</i></span></div><div>The ultimate predecessor to the female-led twee and indie rock that would breakout in the 90s.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>43</b> Marianne Faithful <i>Broken English </i></span></div><div>I think the songwriting is excellent here, and kinda cool to see a low-profile 60s artist suddenly indulge in the new wave movement. </div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>42</b> Iggy Pop <i>The Idiot</i></span></div><div>Iggy Pop's resurgence in the music world was a brilliant take on art rock, co-piloted by David Bowie. </div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>41</b> Public Image Ltd <i>Public Image: First Issue</i></span></div><div>Seeing this album cover among more common classics looks out of place to me, but John Lydon's vocals on here are pretty darn "out of place" among anybody.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>#40 - 31</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxRZdo5fozlq3SbMwOZ5sEeSp5-8t4wxEvSlaSXaSBOYxg-k6muRmbDfkiD_QJd3cLZ7Ao_l44muUW3t-ef5hN295KVgSxJQiMkBqMSuPfkWa6fd7ET8R5WOC_CyzeqJKnY6HjC9X-FBmmEAHK9otUfTqgkhq6hKBI6bQHdZv8VdoytsRilySEVlmITg=s409" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="409" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxRZdo5fozlq3SbMwOZ5sEeSp5-8t4wxEvSlaSXaSBOYxg-k6muRmbDfkiD_QJd3cLZ7Ao_l44muUW3t-ef5hN295KVgSxJQiMkBqMSuPfkWa6fd7ET8R5WOC_CyzeqJKnY6HjC9X-FBmmEAHK9otUfTqgkhq6hKBI6bQHdZv8VdoytsRilySEVlmITg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>40</b> Talking Heads <i>Talking Heads: 77</i></span></div><div>Talking Heads hit straight out the gate looking like one of New York's most interesting new bands with an impressive collection of consistently interesting songs.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>39</b> The Clash <i>The Clash</i></span></div><div>The Clash's beginnings are kinda hard to document, considering their different UK and US releases, along with some superior non-album singles.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>38</b> Dead Kennedys <i> Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables</i></span></div><div>Some of y'all will call bullcrap on this making my top 40, but were any other punk bands delivering a personality like this before 1980?</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>37</b> Giorgio Moroder <i>From Here to Eternity </i></span></div><div>Eurodisco isn't my most studied genre, but even then, I think it'd be hard to find an album that tops Giorgio.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>36</b> The Specials <i>The Specials</i></span></div><div>Often credited as the first "ska" album... Actually, I feel no need to expound on that.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>35</b> Big Star <i>Third/Sister Lovers</i></span></div><div>Recorded in 1974, these are songs Alex Chilton wrote during his unfortunately extreme decline in mental health</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>34</b> Talking Heads <i>More Songs About Buildings and Food</i></span></div><div>Talking Heads followed up their debut by dipping their toes into a few different genres, with production from Brian Eno.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>33</b> The Pop Group <i>Y</i></span></div><div>This is one of those albums where I'm allured by its sense of mystery, in both the songwriting and recording process (and the album cover). </div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>32</b> Prince <i>Dirty Mind</i></span></div><div>As the title suggests, Prince's music would only get dirtier and more cerebral from here.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>31</b> XTC <i>Drums and Wires </i></span></div><div>"Making Plans for Nigel" appropriately kicks off on album full of highlights from one of the most clever bands of all time.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>#30 - 21</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgk-5PSQCVdcxTR1ZzbeCwl70Kiv50oszvMrcmldVulv1NUo9tkMk8GSb3rXkOtSuPONU__nhHIHX-VDunOwz5n-YLz2CJ7goS-w7ckF6GDVowe4zoCh290YnAbDEing96ubDHAJg1tl1rQq8YFKu75wv2ifuRqty0rtlANbQHWwKWOkDOWLx9D-K7PlA=s405" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="405" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgk-5PSQCVdcxTR1ZzbeCwl70Kiv50oszvMrcmldVulv1NUo9tkMk8GSb3rXkOtSuPONU__nhHIHX-VDunOwz5n-YLz2CJ7goS-w7ckF6GDVowe4zoCh290YnAbDEing96ubDHAJg1tl1rQq8YFKu75wv2ifuRqty0rtlANbQHWwKWOkDOWLx9D-K7PlA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>30</b> Kraftwerk <i>The Man-Machine</i></span></div><div>I haven't heard their entire discography, but I consider this Kraftwerk at their catchiest.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>29</b> Elvis Costello and the Attractions <i>Get Happy!!</i></span></div><div>Elvis Costello's love letter to the soul and R&B sounds of 1960 also delivers a track-after-track display of his second-nature for creative wordplay.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>28</b> The Cars <i> The Cars</i></span></div><div>"Shut up and play the hits!"</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>27</b> Van Halen <i>Van Halen</i></span></div><div>I just love the production on this album, where each band member's input is presented with its own individually delicate treatment. </div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>26</b> Public Image Ltd <i>Second Edition</i></span></div><div>A bold move for an oddball post-punk band to go for a double album on release #2, but it's worth getting into this new dark world they created. </div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>25</b> Throbbing Gristle <i>20 Jazz Funk Greats</i></span></div><div>Despite it being the ultimate industrial album, I don't think I can call it "influential" because nothing else sounds like it.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>24</b> Blondie <i>Parallel Lines</i></span></div><div>I feel like Blondie and The Cars should be placed next to each other, as the perfect duo of new wave's hit factories.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>23</b> David Bowie <i>"Heroes" </i></span></div><div>I guess David Bowie's Berlin era is an "acquired taste," but if you've spent enough time digging through the world of weirdo 70s music, this stuff is great to an obvious extent. </div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>22</b> Wire <i>Chairs Missing</i></span></div><div>Maybe it's just me, but sometimes I prefer this album's ethereal sound to <i>Pink Flag</i>.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>21</b> Brian Eno <i>Ambient 1: Music for Airports</i></span></div><div>You don't have to dig too deep to fall into the Brian Eno rabbit hole, but I think we all come out of it with different perspectives and preferences. </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>#20 - 11</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixTO8EE5WeyoLvA43u2aMBr8jgmfNcVHH4P-tkpbGUWfEafiNLwaQ744mwoxpSqsudL98941mkRJmBl7n6W5Be0BhievFy7gqsXv9vocjeOXB3t0s541w9d2Ya6_zE96F37UejSH0z5JfxocDAGWD3rvnYjKxNnd_NBebzAy1QKMKTad0Uq2hrfpOiEg=s408" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="408" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixTO8EE5WeyoLvA43u2aMBr8jgmfNcVHH4P-tkpbGUWfEafiNLwaQ744mwoxpSqsudL98941mkRJmBl7n6W5Be0BhievFy7gqsXv9vocjeOXB3t0s541w9d2Ya6_zE96F37UejSH0z5JfxocDAGWD3rvnYjKxNnd_NBebzAy1QKMKTad0Uq2hrfpOiEg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>20</b> Suicide <i>Suicide</i></span></div><div>Suicide's aesthetic is made by simple means, yet so hard to replicate.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>19</b> Gang of Four <i>Entertainment! </i></span></div></div><div>I just gotta admit that Gang of Four's approach to dance-punk turned out to be highly influential and at times--dare I say it-- "fun."</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>18</b> Elvis Costello and the Attractions <i>This Year's Model</i></span></div><div>Every song on this album sounds like hit, and I can't reiterate enough just how freaking talented Costello is as a lyricist. </div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>17</b> Wire <i>Pink Flag</i></span></div><div>Wire kicked off their career with an album that explored punk in every direction imaginable. </div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>16</b> Michael Jackson <i>Off the Wall </i></span></div><div>Disco was built for a short lifespan, but pop music's upcoming icon took advantage of a chance to master the genre with a few classic singles to boot.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>15</b> Bruce Springsteen <i>Darkness on the Edge of Town</i></span></div><div>Each song on this is a songwriting masterclass, in my opinion.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>14</b> Sex Pistols <i>Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols </i></span></div><div>Sex Pistols were loud and extreme and obnoxious, giving us an act that could never really successfully be followed.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>13</b> Talking Heads <i>Fear of Music</i></span></div><div>Talking Heads unintentionally became the sound of New York in 1979, releasing their best set of songs yet, walking a tightrope between exuberance and death. </div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>12</b> Television <i>Marquee Moon</i></span></div><div>A guitar eccentric's masterpiece, of course held together by its legendary epic title track. </div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>11</b> Elvis Costello <i>My Aim Is True</i></span></div><div>Costello still had a menial day job as a computer processor when he made this, and I feel that. </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>#10 - 1</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVZUwZcdTQRPA5EwR3pPTp6vIwzbqU45KG-MwCoYR2KJ7RUSxO8vqbskmF_3lVMpdqf2C4RKujM3QWk04n5S6M3825xwA3ODnmjG_UADPjiqsidQr_raW_GqHuNA4vt6XEzxImoZYRytvj37zAKyOK6BE6w1Eio8P70SJYzshpwFVi4y9Z4In56CPf3Q=s410" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="410" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVZUwZcdTQRPA5EwR3pPTp6vIwzbqU45KG-MwCoYR2KJ7RUSxO8vqbskmF_3lVMpdqf2C4RKujM3QWk04n5S6M3825xwA3ODnmjG_UADPjiqsidQr_raW_GqHuNA4vt6XEzxImoZYRytvj37zAKyOK6BE6w1Eio8P70SJYzshpwFVi4y9Z4In56CPf3Q=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>10</b> Steely Dan <i>Aja</i></span></div><div>The unsung hero of Steely Dan is producer Gary Katz, who leaped into the next dimension of studio engineering with one the most elegant pop albums of the 70s as proof. </div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>9</b> Joy Division <i>Closer</i></span></div><div>This is on a short list of albums that gradually sucks me into its uniquely bleak universe, and always leaves me in awe.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>8</b> Joy Division <i>Unknown Pleasures</i></span></div><div>You wanna talk about music that was creatively ahead of the curve and undeniably influential, this album's got it all. </div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>7</b> David Bowie <i>Low</i></span></div><div>It's crazy to think that Bowie made this while quitting his cocaine addiction cold turkey, because this probably sounds mind-blowing if you're on coke.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>6 </b> Kraftwerk <i>Trans-Europe Express</i></span></div><div>I always understood the appeal to this album from a futurist perspective, but it took me a few years to get around to the genius behind the album experience, built like a symphony. </div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>5</b> Steve Reich <i> Music for 18 Musicians</i></span></div><div>Wikipedia describes this as "a work of musical minimalism" and not an actual "album," but screw it, I've never heard anything else like this in my entire life.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>4</b> Pink Floyd <i> The Wall</i></span></div><div>Somehow fitting some radio rock hits in the mix, this is one of the most emotionally-taxing listening experiences you'll ever have.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>3</b> Fleetwood Mac <i>Rumours</i></span></div><div>The pop songs that stand the test of time are the ones that sound like they were written by actual adults, so here we are in 2022 still agreeing on Fleetwood Mac.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>2</b> The Clash <i>London Calling</i></span></div><div>If you've ever had a phase in life where you fall in love with this album, you know why it's up here. </div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>1</b> Talking Heads <i>Remain in Light</i></span></div><div>This killed Jimmy Carter's presidency in 1980, and it's loaded with explosive musical hints at the sound of the future, as well as an apocalyptic outlook on the world to come, both anxiety-inducing and danceable enough to leave me sweating every time. </div><div><br /></div></div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-30075935626948094032022-02-06T12:21:00.002-08:002022-02-06T12:21:33.011-08:00My 30 Favorite Neil Young Songs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEJqYIWvTcCHYUgTiuJup2TUkf7d0ef7E0UvMk4wNNRSLyQfF8l39Z9CfQgyno44j5vwqoM-9yQ82MCTFJATJ0Y9-E_LyEATIGM-hrUcko2JZsHLTGqqIWaubIe-AcQ_SoKVnWGKgrDJoF4AX9rKbC1r3ORSy-gaqj46lmv5mUR78FNonA5KH9Tn8NKQ=s250" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="249" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEJqYIWvTcCHYUgTiuJup2TUkf7d0ef7E0UvMk4wNNRSLyQfF8l39Z9CfQgyno44j5vwqoM-9yQ82MCTFJATJ0Y9-E_LyEATIGM-hrUcko2JZsHLTGqqIWaubIe-AcQ_SoKVnWGKgrDJoF4AX9rKbC1r3ORSy-gaqj46lmv5mUR78FNonA5KH9Tn8NKQ=w199-h200" width="199" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Neil Young has recently caused some hubbub in the music media world. I honestly haven't heard a lot of actual people talk about it, but every music media outlet has made this their top story for the past 2 weeks. Neil Young asked Spotify to choose between either keeping his music on there or keeping Joe Rogan's podcasts. A a result, Neil's music is no longer on Spotify. </div><div style="text-align: left;">If I'm not mistaken, Neil is mad at Spotify for being a medium for misinformation, and targets Rogan as the main cist. I mean, I've never actually said anything about Joe Rogan in any conversation I've ever had with anyone before in my life. Aside from the fact that I don't like him, I don't think I have anything to say about him in a blog post about Neil Young songs. I personally just use Spotify a lot. And I own a few Neil Young albums. So all this media buzz around him kinda just makes me wonder if I've taken his music career for granted.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I brainstormed a rough-draft list of my personal favorite Neil Young songs, and it somehow magically stopped at 30, so I'm running with that perfect coincidence. Neil's discography doesn't make a ton of sense. There are even a few Neil tracks regarded as "classics" by fans that I've yet to come across, because they're on random B-side compilations or whatever. But I was introduced to Neil via classic rock radio as a kid, and I've considered him one of the greatest artists of all time since my early college days. Still in recent years, I've tried out stuff from him I never knew existed. And pretty much everything he touched from '69-'79 was pure gold. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm gonna make the actual list-viewing process short and snappy. No asterisks, no blurbs. Some of these are with Crazy Horse. I slapped a couple CSNY tracks at the bottom, since they're kinda-sorta "technically" Neil Young songs. I'll wrap it up with a couple paragraphs at the bottom.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>30</b> Hitchhiker </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>29</b> Helpless</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>28</b> Like a Hurricane</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>27</b> Ohio</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>26</b> Harvest</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>25</b> Alabama</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>24</b> Borrowed Tune</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>23</b> Albuquerque</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>22</b> Don't Be Denied</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial;">21</b><span style="font-family: arial;"> Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihMUom9HOkaXIdXimgW1RnETvlmQvt3fprepgpZPwyj2om_zZfT4G0AbIO64AQbB3Qc32Xz_bt-Xq6oRNeQi_rYP5_nwFYGWP2VRWsQQDgBunrfhtV3_jfAgHzdS5Dz5i7nZOKTxQ4O7fe5SykxX8t3EAwkM6P_ja2lPtgA7NFqixBU4lhQDYb7YTzdg=s286" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="126" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihMUom9HOkaXIdXimgW1RnETvlmQvt3fprepgpZPwyj2om_zZfT4G0AbIO64AQbB3Qc32Xz_bt-Xq6oRNeQi_rYP5_nwFYGWP2VRWsQQDgBunrfhtV3_jfAgHzdS5Dz5i7nZOKTxQ4O7fe5SykxX8t3EAwkM6P_ja2lPtgA7NFqixBU4lhQDYb7YTzdg=w88-h200" width="88" /></a></div><b style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><br /></b></div>20</b><span style="font-family: arial;"> I Believe in You</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>19</b> Winterlong</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>18</b> Cowgirl in the Sand</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>17</b> The Needle and the Damage Done</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>16</b> Only Love Can Break Your Heart</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>15</b> Old Man</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>14</b> Pocahontas</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>13</b> Walk On</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>12</b> Powderfinger</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>11</b> Round & Round (It Won't Be Long)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>10</b> On the Beach</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>9</b> Southern Man</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>8</b> Out on the Weekend</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>7</b> Down by the River</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>6</b> My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>5</b> Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>4</b> After the Gold Rush</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>3</b> Ambulance Blues</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>2</b> Cortez the Killer</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>1</b> Tell Me Why</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The one irony I will add about Neil Young's Spotify debacle is that you if there are any songs on this list you've never heard, you can just find them on YouTube anyways. And maybe somebody should tell Neil that Joe Rogan is also on YouTube.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyways, as for the songs, Neil is an incredible artist. Some of these are folksy singer-songwriter ditties. Some of these are the most distorted rock songs ever made. He covers a lot of lyrical topics without sounding too refined or preachy. Just some raw and real thoughts and emotions. Of course he has more great songs than this. But these are tracks that I remember striking a chord with me upon first listen, or have grown on me over time. And of course, I have ties with Canada, and Neil Young is very much Canadian. </div><div style="text-align: left;">We'll see if Neil goes all-in on separating himself from the media world. I mean, I can relate to hating Joe Rogan. I think Neil has become an "old man yells at cloud" figure over the years. But I think he's sincere in his media skepticism. I will say, music counts as a type of media. And whether it's on Spotify or YouTube or local radio stations or collecting CD's, there's really no bad medium for digging into Neil Young's music.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhADMRzLiPa_U1FjHlz1crUsN3yvD7Vcv9LBffJm2vUWKh3yIXed1FEY7SjnTqdMmF1ZDte7QsnwS8zPyu82sSCqZvijMCdtDFxmUVUSX3EuT3nUNsqufhQVCaVNOukElDF4srEEayLR0adW21y2PU85PWvMtmIKsfmWkWSICK8hluE5KqHNccbVXjAiQ=s150" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="113" data-original-width="150" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhADMRzLiPa_U1FjHlz1crUsN3yvD7Vcv9LBffJm2vUWKh3yIXed1FEY7SjnTqdMmF1ZDte7QsnwS8zPyu82sSCqZvijMCdtDFxmUVUSX3EuT3nUNsqufhQVCaVNOukElDF4srEEayLR0adW21y2PU85PWvMtmIKsfmWkWSICK8hluE5KqHNccbVXjAiQ=w200-h151" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-90601381835788553102022-01-26T20:54:00.118-08:002022-03-06T18:28:29.480-08:00This stuff changed my life<div style="text-align: left;">It's hard to explain why I'm writing this. But this stuff changed my life.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikVku5VxJQxrtS4cg8nkVTE3jdfvcP3g1YGM_9bOL5qSlKZtqvrHMlEVvFp52Dwm8RsOoq9HXhOcQv9fs5W-OMBJ2eadY4vZ031YzsPr0BDcQibySa2FTz2kE3utBGe9rt4PMZ0H1jw7BtuWuqTjf-MOGBtfiXbqbvrp6IhL0qogJmRTfP59P-7ufcHQ=s367" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="367" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikVku5VxJQxrtS4cg8nkVTE3jdfvcP3g1YGM_9bOL5qSlKZtqvrHMlEVvFp52Dwm8RsOoq9HXhOcQv9fs5W-OMBJ2eadY4vZ031YzsPr0BDcQibySa2FTz2kE3utBGe9rt4PMZ0H1jw7BtuWuqTjf-MOGBtfiXbqbvrp6IhL0qogJmRTfP59P-7ufcHQ=w200-h173" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's a table of contents. This is split into 6 chapters. All different lengths.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1 <b>THE NOW</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">--4 topics. 2 subtopics.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2 <b>THE SPIRITUAL</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">--4 topics.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3 <b>THE HOBBIES</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">--3 topics. 1 subtopic.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4 <b>THE PEOPLE</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">--3 topics.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">5 <b>THE QUESTIONABLE</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">--5 topics.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">6 <b>EVERY DREAM</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">--3 topics. 1 subtopic.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The chapters and topics are in no particular rank or order. Just made a list of stuff that changed my life. Then placed them into separate categories.</div><div style="text-align: left;">This will be very long. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1<b> <u>THE NOW</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Therapy</b> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I started Cognitive Behavioral Therapy some time back in October. My therapist has since redirected our focus to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. And I gotta admit. I've tried talk therapy multiple times before. But this is so much different. And it makes so much more sense to me. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I was directed here by a hunch from my primary doctor. Considering my relationship with him, he knew a lot about me, and I trusted him. And I think he hit it out of the park with this suggestion.</div><div style="text-align: left;">If anything, I've had a lot to unload to my therapist. When you've got 99 problems, it's hard to properly prioritize them by yourself. As far as I see it, if my therapist expresses noticeable concern about a certain topic, that's when I hit the brakes. Some recent things I've been trying to internally work with are accepting my life as it is, and teaching myself to get out of my engrained belief of self-loathing.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Fact is, as complaintive as it sounds, it turns out I just really do treat myself that poorly. And have done so for at least 12 years. The hard times have outweighed the good times in my adulthood. By a lot. Things have really just been that bad. I wish someone would have told me a long time ago I was drowning myself into a world of pain. Yet even if you told me that, I'd only believe you if you had the credentials anyways. Which is where I am today. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>+ medication</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Shout out to psychotropic drugs. They haven't all been winners. But for the most part, yeah. They've been good to me. These days I take an SSRI, an anti-depressant, and an anti-anxiety med. I was taking this trio of meds before going into therapy. A noticeable improvement from my previous set of prescriptions, my experiences with these pills are what lead me to asking myself new, deeper questions. I talked with my doctor. Now I talk with my therapist. A pretty good gateway, if you ask me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Love </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Love is one of my least favorite words in the human language. But I remember I used to actually feel it. A long time ago. There was an era of my life where I found love. No, I've never been in love with anybody before. But I felt love. I tried to live by its definition. Love will change your life. But when things start spiraling down, you lose the feeling. Your literal neurotransmitters stop functioning correctly. And I broke my own heart a long time ago. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I've just been thinking about love lately, because self-love naturally comes up as the protagonist against self-hate. Apparently one of many causes for self-loathing is an experience of losing your soul and identity. That is definitely how I would define my 2009 fall semester at CSI.</div><div style="text-align: left;">As for how I would define love now, it's tough to wrap my head around. It is much more difficult to show compassion to others when you don't treat yourself with compassion. Which I think has been sometimes explained to me all-too vaguely. Like, the idea of putting others before yourself is very selfless and Christlike, and makes a lot of moral sense. Yet in a world where you think yourself to be stupid and doomed, you not only give less attention to others. You just don't do anything at all.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Love, in either its use as a feeling/noun or action/verb, will change your life. And on the sour end of things, the loss of it can change your life as well.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>+ learning</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll get into this later, but I think love and learning are 2 very similar enlightening, emotive experiences. When trying to list what values I've learned over the years, it hit me... The value of learning. I feel like I haven't truly "learned" anything in a long time. Ever wonder why I don't go into the major field I studied in college? Because I don't remember a single thing. Learning is hard to do when you are constantly in a state of anxiety and depression. But I feel like I'm learning things these days. Pieces I'd like to keep with me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Communication </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I just wrote a bit about this on Facebook. I figured I should just reiterate that communicating our desires and struggles with each other is a progressive way to learn from each other. </div><div style="text-align: left;">These days, I pretty much don't talk to anybody. But there were some eras of my life where I was very social. But how much "communicating" was I getting done? Not a lot. I wish I knew how other people thought and felt. And I wish that I could express that better with them, on my end. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Real communication can save people. Individuals, relationships, families, etc.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Reality</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I mentioned "accepting my life as it is" earlier. My therapist once told me I don't do that. And I was like... "Wait. What? I'm the most realistic realist I know." This is not true. I am probably the most pessimistic pessimist I know. Sure I've always had a good grasp on my reality. But do I ever "accept" it? Do I like it? Do I have a grasp on my future? No. </div><div style="text-align: left;">My past has been full of acts of self-sabotage. Giving half-hearted efforts so I won't be heartbroken when I eventually meet my self-predicted failure. Choosing careers. College majors. Dating. Always shots in the dark. No direction or vision or visible desires. Fear of bold failures due to bold actions, with all incentives and motivations shot down by hopelessness. That's how my life got to where it is today.</div><div style="text-align: left;">There is power in reality. If you can ever get a moment where you get a sense of your real self, and the real world around you, you have an advantage of your situation. Embracing reality will help you go forward. Knowing what changes you'd like to make, as well as recognizing what you've currently got going for you. These 2 worlds can coexist.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2 <b><u>THE SPIRITUAL</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>AP English Senior Year</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Brown was already one of my life's biggest influences as my drama coach and theatre director. I figured I should take his English class for my final months as a senior in high school. And I learned stuff. I still feel like I learned more in that class than any college course ever since. Sidenote: I was usually extremely anxious throughout college. But Brown's approach to teaching and his theories on English were new territory my mind had never considered before. It's how I was introduced to <i>Dead Poet's Society </i>and Leonard Cohen. But also William Blake and "Heart of Darkness." He forced you to give a crap about what you were writing. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I glamorize those final months of my senior year quite often. I won a state championship award for radio speaking, and was even a finalist in the dramatic/serious category. I was awarded Speaker of the Year for that team. I was awarded a local theatre award for my supporting role in a play I did 1 year prior. I co-hosted Jerome High School's biggest assembly. Yet in the midst of all the small town fame, I was actually learning important things. And I attribute a bunch of that to Brown's English class.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Acting</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I never grew up with acting. I watched my older brother Todd in the cast of <i>Grease</i> his senior year at Linden High School. I spent much of my youth trying to be like my older brothers. When my family moved to Idaho, I was suddenly the oldest sibling in the house. I felt like I had nothing to do and wasn't sure who to follow. So I tried out for a play. Then I tried out for more. And I liked it. And I started getting roles. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I recently realized how much I came into my own without my older brothers in the house. I attribute a bunch of that to my decision to pursue acting. I felt things I had never felt before. Took a chance on something I didn't know much about, and was fortunate to work with a director who gave me some bigger opportunities from the get-go. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't remember much about my sophomore year of high school. My junior year, I turned into this kinda popular kid with a strangely angsty attitude. Some of that carried into my senior year, but there were changes along the way. I had a few lead roles (ok, 2 or 3) in high school. But probably my favorite show I ever acted in was a play where I had relatively small roles. <i>The Laramie Project</i>. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I did 2 runs of <i>Laramie</i> as part of an underground project under the direction of Brown and Tony. The summer after my junior year. And in January 2009. The cast had actors from all ages working together. And the atmosphere was just so different. I still remember getting more acting parts for our January production. I was told I did well. But still to this day, I feel like I could have done so much better. I had so much potential as an actor. And I still feel like I never let myself mature into my fullest potential.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll never forget taking a bunch of acting seminars with some friends at Boise State during my senior year. My buddy Vinny and I performed our audition pieces (Vinny, by the way, won state in this category). His performance featured some melodramatic tension, while mine tried to show off different voices and accents. We were told to perform our pieces without the drama, and just act like our real selves. It was an out-of-body experience. And the judges approved. Which is always a cherry on top.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyways. I never really knew how college worked. So I applied for 3 colleges and auditioned for their theatre programs. I was offered acting scholarships at all 3 (mind you, the biggest school in this bunch was Boise State). I stuck with the most financially obvious choice, which was the local junior college. Lived with my parents and didn't even pay tuition. What could go wrong?</div><div style="text-align: left;">I won't go into what went wrong. But I will say this. Acting was a major part of my identity. It was a hobby, a passion, and a skill. And as my identity dissipated, so did my acting life. Can't thank Brown enough for getting me into the world of acting though. Made a ton of friends in the process too. Maybe I'll audition for local theatre again some time. If I ever get the gumption. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Music</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of my oldest memories of music is coming up with a song while I was playing with Legos when I was 4 years old. I've been coming up with songs in my head ever since. It's difficult to talk about. Because I don't ever really hear other people talk about that stuff. I've tried sharing my songs online and stuff, but it never feels right. It always feels weird. And often half-baked. </div><div style="text-align: left;">But I could write a freaking book about how I got into music. Like a lot of things in my youth, I wanted to be like my older brothers. And they had CDs. So I wanted to get more CDs. Some of my favorite bands early on included Barenaked Ladies and Matchbox 20. I listened to B93.1 everyday, and religiously listened to their weekly Saturday night countdown. Digging into my parents' stuff, I got into The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Styx, and Earth, Wind & Fire. I went 2 years of middle school where I strictly listened to classic rock. I collected every album in Led Zeppelin's discography. I wanted to rock too. So my grandparents gave me an acoustic guitar they've had collecting dust in their closet since the 70s. Guitar immediately became one of my favorite hobbies. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I eventually got back into newer music, and called to request songs on local radio stations on a regular basis. B93.1 DJ Jack Paper once called me "The King of Linden" on air. But I was trying out lots of other new stations. I fumbled upon indie and alternative artists like Death Cab For Cutie and Beck. And when our family moved to Idaho in 2006, my parents could suddenly afford non-dial-up internet. And I exploded from there.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I got really into <i>Rolling Stone</i> reviews. Then <i>Pitchfork</i> reviews. Honestly found myself interested with any acclaimed music I could find on the internet. Even--<i>[gasp!]--</i>rap. And there has been no turning back ever since. I myself have become quite the critic and connoisseur. It's honestly what I do in my spare time. Since I got my own Spotify account in 2013, I've been a machine.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I refuse to believe any music changed my life. But there are definitely times in my life where I was changing. And I can't forget the music I was listening to during those times. 18 years old? LCD Soundsystem, Pavement, Sufjan Stevens, Wilco, Animal Collective, Fleet Foxes, just to name a few. And my good moments in life have continued to have good soundtracks.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I've kinda reached the point where I'm more of a critic than a songwriter. I own 4 guitars, including a couple electrics that just collect dust (and refuse to stay in tune). But as a whole, there is music wherever I am.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Self</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've been saying for years that I usually don't feel like myself. This is not good. Losing a sense of self is losing your very soul. There is no love. But I can't forget the times in my life when I've felt the most like myself. Over the years, I've had my moments and a couple good college semesters. But dang. Spring and summer of 2009 was probably the most consistently I felt like my own character. Acting. Friends. The mountains. Can't say I was more "mature" then than I am now, but I was happier. My goal is to somehow become more mature and become happier. I think I can regain a new sense of self. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Feeling like you're discovering who you really are is a life-changing experience. And it's definitely not just a romantic walk in the flowers. I mean, there's time for that. But you make changes, inside. You learn things. You act and you work. Writing, acting, running, hiking, music, friendships. These are all part of who I am. And yet, sometimes being yourself requires making changes. That's character.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3 <b><u>THE HOBBIES</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Hiking</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hiking just kinda covers all the bases for me. You take some pretty pictures. You get fresh air. You get tons of exercise. Possibly see some cool animals. You find yourself in unusual, dangerous scenarios. And I get to spend some time alone. That last one is a bad habit. Not sure why I always hike alone.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I really got into hiking from my summers at Redfish Lake. Trying to keep up with hiking in the Logan area is still fun, but of course underwhelming in contrast to the Sawtooth mountains. I'll always enjoy it though. Love exploring new places in the mountains. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Running </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">My early days of running were comically bad. It's kinda random how this became a hobby. At one point during my time with the Jerome High School cross country team, I wanted to improve. So I quit soda. I started wearing different shoes. By the end of my senior year, I had the team's 4th best PR, and competed aside teammates at the Idaho state meet. I spent the following summer hiking my brains out, and got faster, winning the Perrine Bridge 10K in September 2009. </div><div style="text-align: left;">My running took a big nosedive over the following 3 years. But I suddenly became ambitious about it. I ran my first half marathon in April 2014. I ran it in 81 minutes. Finished 17th place out of 575 runners. This was definitely my peak as a runner. Did a tougher race in the mountains in 2015. While I think my 105 minutes was pretty fast, I actually walked some of it. Wish I ran it 3 months later. I got into trail running that summer at Redfish, including my magnum opus of running up to 2nd Bench Lake and back.</div><div style="text-align: left;">For a while after this, I was either busy with school or injured. Gained plenty of weight. But I got some fire back one winter after college. Ran a half marathon in February 2018. 100 minutes. I was pretty darn proud of that. Still am. I've gained some more weight since then. But for this past year, I've consistently ran about 10 miles a week (more or less). </div><div style="text-align: left;">I love the feeling of a good run. And even more so love the feeling after a run. Always calms my nerves. I think I got obsessed with it in my 20's because I was anxious all the time. But I still do it now, and it never feels awkward or uncomfortable. Particularly when it comes to running in Logan.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>+ biking</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some people reading this are like, "Scott, you don't even own a bike." This is true. I just remember biking around my neighborhood as a teenager. And I always felt cool. Whether I was doing long rides out in the countryside or just rolling by parks a mile from my house. A hobby that comes accompanied with good memories.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Writing</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I write more and more every year of my life. It's insane how much I write now. Mostly journaling. But also blogs and music reviews. I always have ideas for stuff to write about.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I do not know how good I am at writing. I've had tons of people tell me I should further pursue it, try improving my skills, and do it on a professional level. Why don't I believe them? Well... I don't know what to compare my work to. Because I barely ever read anything. I have no influences. I just like writing. Obsessed with it these days, honestly.</div><div style="text-align: left;">There was a point in college where I was journalism major. I wrote news articles for Utah State's newspaper, but mostly stuck with music reviews. This is how a lot of folks were introduced to my writing. I prefer blogging over journalism because I can write about whatever the heck I want. Hard to get people to read sometimes, but the process is always therapeutic. </div><div style="text-align: left;">If I were to go deeper into writing, I'd like to find a way where I can show off my love for self-expression and doses of creativity, held together in a cohesive, presentable manner. Not sure if there's a job market for that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4 <b><u>THE PEOPLE</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Girls</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I didn't think it felt right to list specific, individual people who changed my life. On that note, to ease some tension of what the title of this topic may suggest, I'm not gonna talk about any specific girls. But this is some complex territory. And I'm gonna go there. </div><div style="text-align: left;">It wasn't until I was 17 when I started thinking I could actually stand a chance of dating someone cute. Uncoincidentally paralleled with my rise in high school popularity. Yet even then, I never really tried that hard in the dating world. Like, at all. Because I never really believed it could happen. If I ever I showed any interest at all, I would always be really weird about it. Even at age 18, I couldn't fully get rid of that awkward, insecure piece of me. My phrase back then was: "I'm a people-person. Not a person-person." </div><div style="text-align: left;">I was in a very confused state when it came to girls, for about 3 years. I mean, I was on my mission for 2 of those years, and I did a good job of not getting caught up in that stuff during that time. But the months beforehand and the months afterwards? I was a mess. I'll get into more detail of this later, but that era right before my mission is when mental illness hit me like a brick. My on-and-off crushes didn't make any sense. Post-mission Scott was a whole new train wreck. I mean, my actual mission was bad too. But we're here to talk about girls. </div><div style="text-align: left;">It wasn't until my mission, when I was surrounded by fellow 19 year-old guys and active Mormons, that it became really freaking obvious to me that everybody else here thought about marriage A LOT more than I ever did. So I tried to be like them. I came back from my mission and put myself in the ring as a guy who wanted to get married. Have you read the previous couple paragraphs? Including the fact that my anxiety levels were 10 times higher than ever before my mission, my inane dating attempts did not go well at all. I don't remember much about 2012. But I noticeably stabilized in 2013, including my relations with girls.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I dated a good amount in my college years. Still to this day, I've only been in 1 relationship. I was 25. It lasted 1 month. We never kissed. Throughout college, I was at always at odds with a couple internal struggles I couldn't pinpoint. I still had that teenage feeling about girls where I merely imagined myself standing a chance with a crush, but never believed it happening. But I also still dealt with anxiety and depression. It never went away. Self-loathing. Self-sabotage. All this accumulating to my always being single.</div><div style="text-align: left;">My post-college years have kinda switched to less anxiety, but more depression. I rarely ever go on dates. Hate to admit it, but all for the same reasons I just mentioned above. Internally, I'm actually working harder on this stuff now. So maybe my self-confidence in the dating world will come along with my mental health progress. Yet I have a hard time imagining it. A successful relationship or marriage is very much a helpless achievement, according to my logic. I just don't see a good fit within my reach. And as I've expressed to my therapist, I don't see anything about myself worth liking.</div><div style="text-align: left;">So how did girls change my life? I mean, I've known girls my whole life. But the steps I've taken into that world have been a beautifully melancholia experience. Thinking about girls and thinking about heartbreak go hand-in-hand. It's enough to make me smirk as I take a swig from a martini glass, sitting alone in the dark corner of a bar, as Roberta Flack plays in the background.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Friends</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">This section is actually harder for me to write. While the world of girls has been a bleak experience, I at least know how to define what that's been like. But friends? I've had a lot of friends over the years. And they're all super different from each other. Heck, they're all super different from me.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I will say, good friends come with good memories. Even during some of the more anxious or depressed eras of my life, having good friends in my life always made things better. I must admit, I've spent the last 2 or 3 years of my life self-isolating. But I wasn't always this way. Sure, I've always been a loner. But I used to be much more outgoing. Attempted to be social. Went to everything I got invited to. Yet I've always been bad at being one who invites. Just an interesting factor of all my social scenarios. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Not sure how to go about this topic without talking about specific people... I think most of my friends have come from school, theatre, and church. I don't want to rank these people. I'm just glad they've all been willing to listen to me and be nice to me and invite me to stuff and heck, are even pretty funny people. </div><div style="text-align: left;">It's weird, but I've also felt a sense of helplessness about friendships recently. Like, with girls, I've kinda always felt that way. But I recently realized that if I don't try to improve my mental health, I could lose the ability to make new friendships. It's a real thing. You really do need to feel love for yourself, and show love for others. When the neurotransmitters aren't clicking, making connections is quite difficult. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Good friends will change your life. I know they've changed mine.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>And the lack thereof</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">This last topic is regarding both girls in my life and my friendships. I was gonna write a whole big thing about this, but I think I've already hit on this. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I am insecure about every social scenario. And when I say "insecure," I mean I question the validity of all my thoughts. My mind works like this in my spare time as well. But whether that means being on Facebook, going to parties, or flirting, or whatever, I am more likely in my head than in the moment. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Being single is the only life I know. And making new friendships after college is universally a tough task. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I was gonna write a section about my family. But I've known them since I was born. So like, the whole "change my life" aspect of it doesn't really apply. That relationship has never changed. If I ever start my own little family, that will be a big fat change.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">5 <b><u>THE QUESTIONABLE</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Sports</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">After looking at these 5 topics, I realized these are all types of million-dollar media programs trying to teach me important things. So wait. The world of sports tries to teach me important things? Yeah. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I wanted to be like my older brothers growing up. And they were obsessed with sports. They were also really good at them. While I cared less about sports as a teenager, oddly enough, that's when I found my athletic niche in the running world. But growing up, I wanted to be as good at sports as my brothers. I was not. Baseball. Basketball. Soccer (almost). But the inspiration from the sports I constantly watched on TV always fueled me. But I focused less on the actual art of the sport, and focused more on... well, art. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I would play sports by myself all the time. Shooting hoops like a pretend game. Throwing footballs to myself across the lawn in an imaginary game. And of course, playing whiffle ball with myself, tossing the ball up and swinging. I would have my own imaginary leagues and imaginary superstars, including team names with intricate logos I'd draw with markers. Of course I also played games with my brothers. But my own little imaginary sports world just came naturally. Like coming up with songs in my head, that would come from different imaginary bands. But I digress.</div><div style="text-align: left;">We were not allowed to watch football on Sundays. Which stunk, because every football game is on Sunday. But Monday night, I watched football like clockwork. For a while my favorite team was the Cowboys, like my brother Todd. I claim the 49ers now, trying to rep the Bay Area. I remember being amazed by Barry Sanders highlights. For basketball, it was Michael Jordan. So the Bulls were my favorite team by default. I was a Kings fan for a bit, but just a bandwagon kid noticing their local team was suddenly great. Soon switched to a Warriors fan, and the rest of that is history. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I was obsessed with March Madness. There were multiple years in elementary school where I convinced my mom and teacher I was sick, just so I could stay home from school and watch all the March Madness games. My craftiness knew no limits.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Baseball used to be my favorite sport. Now I hardly follow it. But I would watch all the Giants and A's games on TV. Especially the Giants, because they had my childhood hero Barry Bonds. And when away from TV, I'd listen to them on the radio. It's 2022, and neither me or Barry Bonds are in the Hall of Fame. I just thought that was a funny joke, because I'm home sick from work today, and I'm currently taking prescription steroids.</div><div style="text-align: left;">So yeah, sports changed my life. But not always in a good way. What I mean is that these days, I think it's become a distraction from me being productive. But it sure is fun.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Mormonism</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I mentioned earlier that my family couldn't technically "change my life" because they were always part of me. Mormonism is very much the same. I was born into it. But while I've never felt detached from my family, living the doctrines of Mormonism has been a mix-bag of internal experiences, ultimately leading to my dissociation. </div><div style="text-align: left;">In the months preceding my mission, I did not know what I was supposed to do. This is the case with lots of Mormon kids. But my life situation suddenly made no sense to me. My parents never shoved missionary service down my throat. It was always just an assumed future event. And somehow, even on my 19th birthday, I didn't really know what the point of missionary work was, or what it implied. Which is kinda my own fault. Because I sung "To Bring the World His Truth" 100 times as a kid. Yet I still never knew what it was about. I always believed the values of the church as a kid. I even took some pride in moments where I appeared morally superior. But I kinda shrugged that off sometime during my senior year. By the time junior college rolled around, I felt so lost and stressed and confused. The ultimate thing lingering over the heads of everybody around me, but I was oblivious to, was this: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the world's one and only true religion, and consists of the sanctified Kingdom of God. Therefor, everything else is morally and spiritually incorrect.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Holy crap.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder about 7 months into my mission. This was about 14 months after I started experiencing anxiety, but it had reached an obvious climax. A lot of it had to do with constantly being around somebody 24/7. But to top it off, we forced ourselves into social situations. And all of them were awkward, by default. And I had no idea what my testimony was supposed to be. I kinda just took pieces from people around me. Which really isn't a bad concept. It just burns out after 10 years or so. </div><div style="text-align: left;">By all means, I had some good times on my mission. All of which, non-coincidentally, had to do with strong friendships. And I even learned how to work efficiently in one of my areas. But the intense anxiety continued after my mission, as I entered old familiar environments with a whole new religious and clinically manic mindset. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Mormonism has mostly been good to me throughout my adulthood. I was 100% active until last year. There are times when my belief and relationship with god inspired, motivated me through hard times. And while my life got better than it was in 2012, I still, this whole time, have missed feeling the sense of self I had when I was 18. This caught up with me over the years, eventually being diagnosed with depression in 2018, and later being told I've had persistent depressive disorder since I was a kid.</div><div style="text-align: left;">So if I still live a very Mormon-esque life, and even just said Mormonism has "mostly been good to me," why did I leave it? I really don't think it's true. I mean, everybody loves the story of Joseph Smith seeing a vision of god and Jesus telling him none of the churches on the earth are true. Flash forward a few years later, then suddenly there IS a true church in the world, and Joseph Smith himself is its prophet. I don't even know why people bother digging into sketchy stories they find online. That's the only trick play you need to know.</div><div style="text-align: left;">So yeah, I grew up with Mormonism. But living it and being part of its missionary program and taking leadership roles as an adult changed my life. I made a ton of friends. I've always struggled with the concept of moral, spiritual superiority. I did not leave the church for mental health reasons. But I've never had a therapist ask me if I've been praying. I left it because I don't believe in it. I think abandoning a self-proclaimed Kingdom of God was a good move for me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Facebook</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I remember getting a Facebook account when I was 16 years old. It was new. It was like a whole new world of communication and self-expression opened up to me. But also, at some points in my life, a whole new world of mental illness.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Facebook is weird. Some people say it's bad for you. Some people try to use it for good. I think it can be bad for you, but even that's giving it too much credit. It's just a website. A social media platform. If you go into it with certain mindsets, you can turn it into a bad hobby. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I never got into arguing in the comment boxes. Never been a troll. I've always been well aware of the concept of people only posting their highlights. Never really fell for the happiness trap. But for me, it's something related to that. It's the stimulation of seeing all these faces. Some you've known for years, some you met last week. You see these people and the content they place next to their names. And it's just a lot to take in. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Also, when it comes to me and how I think about addressing my thoughts, I often do so by way of Facebook post. Heck, if you're reading this, it's probably because you're my Facebook friend, and you clicked on the link I shared to this blog post.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Between all this, there have been times where I've simply spent too much time on that website. You want the world of information and entertainment and self-expression and even familiar friends shoved into your face. Facebook is a good way to get all those things. But it's no more or less mind-numbing than the video games and TV your conservative parents warned you about. I find living life on a screen ultimately unrewarding. Still spend too much time on that website though.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>School</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I got some really good grades growing up. Middle school Salutatorian. Some 3.8-ish GPA out of high school. I've only ever applied to 6 colleges, but hey, they all accepted me. I mentioned earlier I learned more from Brown's English class at age 18 than any other educational class I've ever taken. This is mostly due to my more anxious mindset as a college kid. But also kinda concerning, regarding the college experience...</div><div style="text-align: left;">Much like serving a mission, or getting married, or finding a career, attending college was always a presumed future event in my life. The mission happened, and I try to forget the details. Getting married never happened. Still haven't stuck with a career. But I went to college, and mostly embraced it. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I attended for 10 semesters. 9 at Utah State University and 1 at the College of Southern Idaho. Started as an acting major. Briefly had no major. Briefly studied journalism. Eventually settled down with stage management. I rather enjoyed the college atmosphere. There are a few semesters I look back on quite fondly. And even though I had a few bad semesters, those were usually for mental health reasons not associated with schoolwork. While I usually had like $50 in my bank account, I got by just fine. And even while living a much more anxious life than my teen years, I kept chugging along. But the little grey areas between all this sometimes makes me question how much of it was worth it.</div><div style="text-align: left;">My final semester of college (fall 2016) was super busy, like it is for most folks. I had no time to worry about my future. I just worked as hard as I could on the work in front of me. I also never planned my future. I had no idea what I was going to do when I stepped off that campus for my last time. I spent much of 2017 unemployed. And I felt too stressed and frozen to do anything. It was crazy. How did I get there?</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll say this much. I wish the professors who were teaching me the classes related to my major were harder on me. That's what drove me out of journalism. Took newswriting with LaPlante and I was convinced I didn't want to commit. Hard class, but I performed well. But I also performed well in my relatively easier theatre classes (everything is easier than LaPlante, for the record). And I never even though about commitment. I just wanted to pass my classes. And do a good job at stage managing a couple shows. Being a Props Master was not my forte; I'll never forget that failure. But no leadership ever criticized me or complimented me, as a stage manager. Which was weird. I just wish Bruce cracked the whip on me a little more. I would have left the major early. I would have realized my issues with fear of commitment. Now here I am in 2022, taking Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.</div><div style="text-align: left;">On the other end of the spectrum, it's totally bogus when a professor assumes their class is the most important class in the universe to all their students. I remember taking 18 credits in spring 2015. I worked my butt off to get a C- in a class related to my business minor. And in the process, I missed out on an assistant stage manager opportunity, because I was flunking 2 irrelevant classes at the time. The priorities were lopsided.</div><div style="text-align: left;">So school has changed my life. I don't regret going to college. But I don't think I'll go back. I'm currently debt-free, and going back to college won't help me with that. I say I don't regret going to college because I made a lot of friends, and I really liked the campus environment. But my issues with making choices regarding my life's career/study direction have come back to bite me in the butt, years later.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Work</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll never understand work. Everybody says it's supposed to be hard. I get that. I've always been told that, and have always thought that myself. Although I've been learning that difficulty means something different to everybody. And I feel pretty gypped by that.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Let me explain. Let's go back to my section on therapy earlier, where I talk about how the depths of my mental illness has been revealed, confirmed and validated lately. Living with self-loathing, there is 0% job satisfaction. And most of the job advice I come across online has to do with generic messages pointing out generational issues. I'm a Millennial. I've been told we were a self-centered generation since I was a teenager. And I kinda give into it. But reading stuff about Millennials in the workplace, I can only partially associate with it. I don't want to feel happy at work. I want to feel ok. Like, not feeling a constant state of self-dread or worry, and not contemplating suicide on the clock. This whole time, I've just been mentally unstable. Nothing to do with laziness or feeling unrewarded. All my jobs have been unfulfilling because the rest of my life is usually unfulfilling too. I always feel like I'm stupid at the workplace. But then again, that's how I feel in most social situations.</div><div style="text-align: left;">As for the concept of working on yourself in order to get back to work, I used to think I believed in that. Now, it's like I'm actually taking proactive steps in both directions. I've been meeting with a therapist. I've also started seeing a career counselor. Much like dating, it's hard to convince me there's any hope for me in the career world. But honestly, that comes with mental illness and the distorted self-doubt that I've engrained into myself. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Whatever my next job is, I want to be well-versed in it. This was not the case with stage management or news producing. I'm trying to figure out what kind of worker I am. What type of work fits best with my skills and my character. And for that matter, wouldn't mind a job that would lift me above the US poverty threshold; god forbid.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">6 <b><u>EVERY DREAM</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Happiness</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Every Dream" is a concept I recently cooked up. When it comes to all my dreams, big and small, what do they all have in common? One of those things is a sense of happiness.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The other night, I went to bed and felt fine. I didn't feel anxious or depressed out of my mind. I just felt content with myself. And I realized... "Scott! This is it! Isn't this the type of moment you've been dreaming about for years?" Actually, yeah. I've had a hard time believing my dreams could ever happen. Because I've been mentally and emotionally putting myself through a barbed-wire blender. But I feel like my dreams are within reach now. Because I have the keys to an important ingredient.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Happiness was never my ultimate goal. That's not reasonable, and I've always known that. I just wanted to feel ok. Mental stability was always the goal. And it is much easier to be happy when you're mentally healthy. To be in there moment. In every dream I've had, I at least envision myself feeling moments of joy. And I think I'm on my way to making those moments come true. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Life </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">In every dream I've had, there's a quality of true life behind it. I guess I've done some "life" things in my time. Served a mission. Went to college. I go on spontaneous hikes. But man, I'm talking about real life. With good people. Feeling in the moment. Doing things, learning things, going through new experiences. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Sure I hope for some sunshine, but I mean like, taking risks and dedicating hard work and effort towards things. Accepting and committing to challenges. For yourself, for other people. Breathing. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Most of my accomplishments in adulthood have amounted to nothing, to me. Because all I've been wanting is to feel more alive again. I want to experience life. And where I am now, this is the closest I've been to going through a "change of heart" in a long time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>+ death</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I used to think about death a lot as a teenager. I never wished it upon myself until I got older. Let me tell you, thinking about death and thinking about suicide are 2 very different things. I only thought so much about death back then because it kinda reinforced my purpose in life. Gave me a drive to live. I hope I think more about death in the context of recognizing the value of life.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Love </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Happiness, life, love. All practically the same word. </div><div style="text-align: left;">In every dream I've had, there is love in me. I have not felt love in a long time. But lately I've been trying to define it. And the feeling comes back to me just thinking about it. Thinking about the times in my life where I felt and showed the most love. Real love. With people. Friends and family. Compassion. Even remembering I had a life before I learned to hate myself.</div><div style="text-align: left;">It's hard for me to think about love without thinking about music. Namely Stevie Wonder and Lauryn Hill. But also music I was into when I was 18, like Wilco and Pavement. But maybe I'm getting off topic.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sometimes I forget, love is more than just a concept. It's a reality. If I ever could muster up the strength to be a loving person, I think I can find all the success I need. I am freaking crying right now. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyways. Love will change your life. Death will change your life. Learning will change your life. Feeling happiness, making friends, and experiencing the absence thereof can change your life. I hope I take as much love as I can with me as I go through this belated phase of self-discovery. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I want to make more mistakes. I want to stop questioning everything I think. I want to progress. I want to communicate. I want to learn and live. I want to work. And I want to love.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-59985441461672153012021-12-15T21:04:00.001-08:002021-12-15T21:04:49.794-08:0025 Favorite/Best Albums of 2021<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfSrlYmjQ3enPuNLZZabHL0CeRlOCPAB7WWeKCHR9MBTHd7k81A5YSUOFeM7AbNBU7jM6QDNqc7m7yaVfu7DllMMeUjq0U1RQVVzEP4DW42lssBA4RS7KpU9mfBwx3o8hJ9Z3wGuRcpCdiv86KALzhZ6WGrO1S4bs-xbLfdQiLAwwSTu0vPxEb9JUgxQ=s361" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="361" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfSrlYmjQ3enPuNLZZabHL0CeRlOCPAB7WWeKCHR9MBTHd7k81A5YSUOFeM7AbNBU7jM6QDNqc7m7yaVfu7DllMMeUjq0U1RQVVzEP4DW42lssBA4RS7KpU9mfBwx3o8hJ9Z3wGuRcpCdiv86KALzhZ6WGrO1S4bs-xbLfdQiLAwwSTu0vPxEb9JUgxQ=w200-h188" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Here's a list of my favorite (and therefor the best) albums of 2021.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I listened to 60 new releases this year. I revisited like 30 of them. I'm getting tired of this crap. Did I miss an album you like? Do I need to listen to your favorite album again to totally understand its greatness? Welp. Sorry. I've got 25 albums for you right here. You first. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm gonna share 3 honorable mentions.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">+</span></b> Japanese Breakfast <i>Jubilee</i></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">+</span></b> Silk Sonic <i>An Evening with Silk Sonic</i></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">+</span></b> Squid <i>Bright Green Field</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Just thought I should share those because there's not really a big gap between how much I enjoy those versus the picks at the bottom section of this list. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's the list!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">25</span></b> Armand Hammer & The Alchemist <i>HARAM</i></div><div>The Alchemist has been busy working with rap's underground circle, and this his probably the most ethereal production we get from him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-TMZqbNAvoO1XdcNkkFwGIgiPzYPYhNmPMYrNuF59sWoNqydvUd07vNeSc76T2tCDPrJNiJXiQEhTrZTYkDGDn2nCHRrRqMf1ixGLvX2-kq2UovsTSiutD4ZKFUJRBu6u9crjHyveOndQ21N1_JMBesNjBpgsVSN7HSS3fWfB_tZmtNLiFk1cQwBykQ=s300" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-TMZqbNAvoO1XdcNkkFwGIgiPzYPYhNmPMYrNuF59sWoNqydvUd07vNeSc76T2tCDPrJNiJXiQEhTrZTYkDGDn2nCHRrRqMf1ixGLvX2-kq2UovsTSiutD4ZKFUJRBu6u9crjHyveOndQ21N1_JMBesNjBpgsVSN7HSS3fWfB_tZmtNLiFk1cQwBykQ=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">24</span></b> JPEGMAFIA <i>LP! </i></div><div>Another impressive (and challenging) palette of sideways hip-hop sounds from Peggy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRYwZXwcBi23nltl-kSquGU_CSqp33QquEfgrw8mu8Ms4s2yPVKtuIpFLklMRtXQmwn153fWoIMStc4XHl9ifyT8UHb4iZb0zXlggDYo23omRJ16VNXTHuQcioi2lInAmfg-1Si81agCav_RWT8s-gLBumcMb0-A9ARwoIRnnE0S-simLd9hO8ri3Geg=s600" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRYwZXwcBi23nltl-kSquGU_CSqp33QquEfgrw8mu8Ms4s2yPVKtuIpFLklMRtXQmwn153fWoIMStc4XHl9ifyT8UHb4iZb0zXlggDYo23omRJ16VNXTHuQcioi2lInAmfg-1Si81agCav_RWT8s-gLBumcMb0-A9ARwoIRnnE0S-simLd9hO8ri3Geg=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">23</span></b> KA <i>A Martyr's Reward</i></div><div>For better or for worse, one of the best rappers of the last decade sounds like he's getting old.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHb6HWXie7PKVNONBY7EwPbuAN0m-vLktusRZmHAy3bKOhH4VHCcVg74PWaV5CAkcfEw3HqmYH_zNodyV2fUAj97hFo83Z_8LV8KEsmQV5w9liJyC1eJKHffkGtp5rCH5OpF4G5CCC1IKcsyF8Pz1vkcG3R0_VawDa2ArIzEcgu7O_npFbZSJyu6VGYQ=s600" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHb6HWXie7PKVNONBY7EwPbuAN0m-vLktusRZmHAy3bKOhH4VHCcVg74PWaV5CAkcfEw3HqmYH_zNodyV2fUAj97hFo83Z_8LV8KEsmQV5w9liJyC1eJKHffkGtp5rCH5OpF4G5CCC1IKcsyF8Pz1vkcG3R0_VawDa2ArIzEcgu7O_npFbZSJyu6VGYQ=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">22</span></b> Clairo <i>Sling </i></div><div>This sounds like Elliott Smith on multiple levels. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhz5Pa10LtV3fAVo6qG-DOHpg7dQh7a9IMrkkaXMmneo6llkgbAEhivTYmbEmUg2Vym6Zqp6NyJZBnfjXLplOTGSqG_VW66eLpq7MJTYLEt2rRo9A3TFeuMd72pAIGH08XBdKoRHd7qZf2yGkjTEv0SPzj7u5zCo59lFUTBh6YZBWmXVzed1Lw0VZNIKg=s600" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhz5Pa10LtV3fAVo6qG-DOHpg7dQh7a9IMrkkaXMmneo6llkgbAEhivTYmbEmUg2Vym6Zqp6NyJZBnfjXLplOTGSqG_VW66eLpq7MJTYLEt2rRo9A3TFeuMd72pAIGH08XBdKoRHd7qZf2yGkjTEv0SPzj7u5zCo59lFUTBh6YZBWmXVzed1Lw0VZNIKg=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">21</span></b> black midi <i>Cavalvade</i></div><div>A mature rock band testing their technical skills, while also kinda testing the listener. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgnM6YevfyAXrvvtW9XEbVLVV4VBq0m5-xD8OlSK-xLY7zQf_KiqmmTr1V7KgZDUxhbZKBFj7ng6bOeK6KLrNmUimAdYMzVzphJMqc3Qu5mHb8qSxzJXaGaLgjNKpYcpQhs6obhRNMsLg7SLDoc4OHALvaAz8IG9tGScEpyySAnF4UrnxLSzfe5v8SZg=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgnM6YevfyAXrvvtW9XEbVLVV4VBq0m5-xD8OlSK-xLY7zQf_KiqmmTr1V7KgZDUxhbZKBFj7ng6bOeK6KLrNmUimAdYMzVzphJMqc3Qu5mHb8qSxzJXaGaLgjNKpYcpQhs6obhRNMsLg7SLDoc4OHALvaAz8IG9tGScEpyySAnF4UrnxLSzfe5v8SZg=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">20</span></b> Feu! Chatterton <i>Palais d'argile</i></div><div>This sounds like something Radiohead would have released somewhere between <i>Hail to the Theif</i> and <i>In Rainbows</i>, mind you, this is freaking 70 minutes long and their singer is no Thom Yorke.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhN8xZSXCKPhjUKWMgNkUY-FVymWHirpyTkuW63vtQiJhCuoLhyLroBapseXwVhMi_7N3SY9w2FVPuxqjTQu3OoG7DGHERZAsDyNFRtnypRVgQNmBWbpmYRRkjQl5zhekIElXKoi9sFaZUJFSqw2alqOEcUqclXQC7sPGbCYvv_bRE3DeXFuhtoU8L27A=s600" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhN8xZSXCKPhjUKWMgNkUY-FVymWHirpyTkuW63vtQiJhCuoLhyLroBapseXwVhMi_7N3SY9w2FVPuxqjTQu3OoG7DGHERZAsDyNFRtnypRVgQNmBWbpmYRRkjQl5zhekIElXKoi9sFaZUJFSqw2alqOEcUqclXQC7sPGbCYvv_bRE3DeXFuhtoU8L27A=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">19</span></b> illuminati hotties <i>Let Me Do One More </i></div><div>Everything about this album exudes the joy of summer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6qOKitviZfjQagJRHtKzxw8AqVgbNpoBxDopyfkN4YusI_ncg2nnjeD6Xu7nzcyP2hvHTmFXgGi__T6qBzOxjzvYN1U3cfagkh8MZLkxXLzwteHUE7q5b5ZvTp4tNQvnDRc2NCJYlaiNdvl6a5wxSiDoxIanFGnNSV-7eY1CxXLuOuFWUqk5MSm9Owg=s600" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6qOKitviZfjQagJRHtKzxw8AqVgbNpoBxDopyfkN4YusI_ncg2nnjeD6Xu7nzcyP2hvHTmFXgGi__T6qBzOxjzvYN1U3cfagkh8MZLkxXLzwteHUE7q5b5ZvTp4tNQvnDRc2NCJYlaiNdvl6a5wxSiDoxIanFGnNSV-7eY1CxXLuOuFWUqk5MSm9Owg=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">18</span></b> Spellling <i>The Turning Wheel</i></div><div>Spellling tries turning Kate Bush's early work into something more flashy and grandiose, and I must admit, it's a lot to take in. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqpj7Fh77B4QAdft3K5ibNcMJQH1K1ffPXE5PZZ3N4XUti3Kl71jG4JXvyTarknjTxihqiwCmrnRbGGY3qfwHkhLUP-kVXJALcrAcSEaccVWUbVm-yXOImkUye9N1T3GEXphL3w4Yn4ykyrZWF4qs9mkXAU9HpFRMoTfS8kM33Iw3l_Z5LSktnjSu2UA=s600" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqpj7Fh77B4QAdft3K5ibNcMJQH1K1ffPXE5PZZ3N4XUti3Kl71jG4JXvyTarknjTxihqiwCmrnRbGGY3qfwHkhLUP-kVXJALcrAcSEaccVWUbVm-yXOImkUye9N1T3GEXphL3w4Yn4ykyrZWF4qs9mkXAU9HpFRMoTfS8kM33Iw3l_Z5LSktnjSu2UA=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">17</span></b> Yola <i>Stand for Myself</i></div><div>I don't know much about the country soul genre, but this will fill that void in your life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPcC3is69uxRENGN--QGWK5x67pvauhcYyQr-Lf94SupAaj0ii7fAw9GebpdSAyZpv8c1mCgYCg1rdRfAyx5h1LQHwU-oRJEhVZE1otsT8NllOK8QHgnH9Rcjz_wlyC9MBg-BL9rfK2PfUl83qtOG12adee-ECSnoqpi0cG-o7lS76PvFVM1s3abingw=s1500" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPcC3is69uxRENGN--QGWK5x67pvauhcYyQr-Lf94SupAaj0ii7fAw9GebpdSAyZpv8c1mCgYCg1rdRfAyx5h1LQHwU-oRJEhVZE1otsT8NllOK8QHgnH9Rcjz_wlyC9MBg-BL9rfK2PfUl83qtOG12adee-ECSnoqpi0cG-o7lS76PvFVM1s3abingw=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Some might say this was a bad year for new music, but I'm pretty optimistic about how fondly we will look back on this next section of albums. And by <i>"we,"</i> I'm talking about me.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">16</span></b> Iceage <i>Seek Shelter</i></div><div>Iceage showed hints of Rolling Stones influence on <i>Beyondless</i>, but they successfully immerse themselves in it for <i>Seek Shelter</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ5nBlwu26Dq10sOqp-sviw7T_jA6DGl3Kc6QXTYvK_MLWGpN0ejjs60ZZXBs8wUV6s61fbwAiqGwudpGvosT4FarT3_EgTBuyzg9HIXWCSFnzdVLk2vAUCryE6OLDDEgD-CJQch61sN4xuDKXWcsGxaF02vCiKXARUnFu4dS3ywAWS3_7VLiYOT-0Sw=s600" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ5nBlwu26Dq10sOqp-sviw7T_jA6DGl3Kc6QXTYvK_MLWGpN0ejjs60ZZXBs8wUV6s61fbwAiqGwudpGvosT4FarT3_EgTBuyzg9HIXWCSFnzdVLk2vAUCryE6OLDDEgD-CJQch61sN4xuDKXWcsGxaF02vCiKXARUnFu4dS3ywAWS3_7VLiYOT-0Sw=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">15</span></b> The Weather Station <i>Ignorance </i></div><div>Tamara Lindeman carefully balances her pop sensibilities and hefty lyrical content with a strings section that sounds amazing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuYIjGet7yeWe30981WmqRccCBJy3XmAu6E9tjqgrK7xhj-8eHW3WSJkYvYO2glIw9H1Ci1p-I6uhEamkgBPCF1sX4hyb40Zqmh8cTr_4x6g6TIfbfY5E1EykyUT1-a4ynhWhaze5lGMqqGaxCi87uFOc3EuNMo0H2zmVJ5xJnWoUUaBzvbuhQ_xGO7g=s600" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuYIjGet7yeWe30981WmqRccCBJy3XmAu6E9tjqgrK7xhj-8eHW3WSJkYvYO2glIw9H1Ci1p-I6uhEamkgBPCF1sX4hyb40Zqmh8cTr_4x6g6TIfbfY5E1EykyUT1-a4ynhWhaze5lGMqqGaxCi87uFOc3EuNMo0H2zmVJ5xJnWoUUaBzvbuhQ_xGO7g=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">14</span></b> Jamine Sullivan <i>Heaux Tales </i></div><div>I'm assuming a lot of critics have this ranked as high as their #1 spot, but to their credit, there really aren't any flaws on this tracklist.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqaDWPkFMhP01vyXKbM4s9NNqZ3ddSBxjgdL1-qXvqeWvmQg2A4SyPN-A2NtpiGxWoFSpZtI9E693HlrngnVPoOzsmvqdV3hF_SjSi5sYBHSxvWbsbcBHsxgHy44h0e0_c4q2Umpjf22dHpjVK00eyaaf2m1fU4b-WAkMMc7KOwqcy6077vOSeOhFSjA=s316" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqaDWPkFMhP01vyXKbM4s9NNqZ3ddSBxjgdL1-qXvqeWvmQg2A4SyPN-A2NtpiGxWoFSpZtI9E693HlrngnVPoOzsmvqdV3hF_SjSi5sYBHSxvWbsbcBHsxgHy44h0e0_c4q2Umpjf22dHpjVK00eyaaf2m1fU4b-WAkMMc7KOwqcy6077vOSeOhFSjA=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">13</span></b> Arooj Aftab <i>Vulture Prince</i></div><div>Some drop-dead gorgeous chamber folk music full of delicate arrangements and heavenly whispers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJRCGFDUxdmZX3g_3SK4Dou41mTpc0lb43uMKznw_-u0azTWf1miDo42BKQlNlXxfnpyWJoS03HxEAY7_8tT2Xdcr_yaTOkGcVNNM-Y8qyJ8Pk_WxNsUJ7lkTJCB7qJu79a3umbP-tI3jWSWBuyo3JvcS25NmqLps7sgL_okDuoX-m5Xp397OhLvxk7A=s600" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJRCGFDUxdmZX3g_3SK4Dou41mTpc0lb43uMKznw_-u0azTWf1miDo42BKQlNlXxfnpyWJoS03HxEAY7_8tT2Xdcr_yaTOkGcVNNM-Y8qyJ8Pk_WxNsUJ7lkTJCB7qJu79a3umbP-tI3jWSWBuyo3JvcS25NmqLps7sgL_okDuoX-m5Xp397OhLvxk7A=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">12</span></b> Navy Blue <i>Song of Sage: Post Panic!</i></div><div>Navy Blue raps a lot about death, which usually gives you a pretty high spot on a Scott list.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFnNq7D-_XmFme7uUuIsA93y1wEjE9xF410WuebUtAL74Z-0VQ8Ejyt-N26FNQv-OnV8n8ok5ay0Qp1dI82s4nal_rCbX-wqngqqHHb4b3RQ809j2iG4qVXh_hIBLIj8-M7fIICQDj7ZeWdQsy3m-__MLGEmW-qRhkp4EFx6_MnwecY_SqB6fdF2m1Bw=s539" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="539" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFnNq7D-_XmFme7uUuIsA93y1wEjE9xF410WuebUtAL74Z-0VQ8Ejyt-N26FNQv-OnV8n8ok5ay0Qp1dI82s4nal_rCbX-wqngqqHHb4b3RQ809j2iG4qVXh_hIBLIj8-M7fIICQDj7ZeWdQsy3m-__MLGEmW-qRhkp4EFx6_MnwecY_SqB6fdF2m1Bw=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">11</span></b> Wiki <i>Half God</i> </div><div>If Wiki's personality had a spirit animal, it would be a rat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjb0SQgkYxTZvDsN924wbaVEFJ-hK7sbXCoP3Uj-ryptjSFk8xYcmjCyO6xxJOt-F_Lvz3Xej1xoZCArt3uMrSy3RnMYVO8lwvT8Vp44ztBMVG7CDuQoVXqjt7-lWfT2KF1Egobs-7DtiI-3kOLS3m5KSl6sqF_wSeR049mG8Ho3WPFFYreZM42SGqZSQ=s320" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjb0SQgkYxTZvDsN924wbaVEFJ-hK7sbXCoP3Uj-ryptjSFk8xYcmjCyO6xxJOt-F_Lvz3Xej1xoZCArt3uMrSy3RnMYVO8lwvT8Vp44ztBMVG7CDuQoVXqjt7-lWfT2KF1Egobs-7DtiI-3kOLS3m5KSl6sqF_wSeR049mG8Ho3WPFFYreZM42SGqZSQ=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">10</span></b> Nick Cave & Warren Ellis <i>CARNAGE</i></div><div>This isn't the first time Nick Cave has shown us his soft side, but the lyrical imagery is more colorful than ever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx4mOKlNlswrivhxB9I5xFXnGsgPDdGaUOSfhA1QX8wWEK9BD3Nx1xClxOaITEvqRRNLswiYx_aETUtgesDHxevl_TXQRweNdvbpgi5uEwZNXZtuVjXlabg6gzT9g2aX2s_HNj-23zFZ_vKjHB4gXcxnQG2BQSKihQPPJzErdyv8zQrheRJB11-utziA=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx4mOKlNlswrivhxB9I5xFXnGsgPDdGaUOSfhA1QX8wWEK9BD3Nx1xClxOaITEvqRRNLswiYx_aETUtgesDHxevl_TXQRweNdvbpgi5uEwZNXZtuVjXlabg6gzT9g2aX2s_HNj-23zFZ_vKjHB4gXcxnQG2BQSKihQPPJzErdyv8zQrheRJB11-utziA=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">9</span></b> Tyler, the Creator <i>CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST</i></div><div>As long as we're ranking Tyler albums, I prefer this to <i>Igor</i>, and this might be as good as <i>Flower Boy</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWCA8kX9G76mwiYMMymH9ZGU7MP_PRc--MueYuB6GYMRagFD7rccs_7j_tdbLrBiGGK3eMTvo3IuNe4LQ-WgUkhon__t3YaFxaTzGRjEdJgsysFS4g6Tr0oZ9bjFVWgVUhABbN8IDPv0dHLJZco7VUs-1F2PVv9zJxxmf_xXkSCUEU_bUPCOkZcMUErw=s600" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWCA8kX9G76mwiYMMymH9ZGU7MP_PRc--MueYuB6GYMRagFD7rccs_7j_tdbLrBiGGK3eMTvo3IuNe4LQ-WgUkhon__t3YaFxaTzGRjEdJgsysFS4g6Tr0oZ9bjFVWgVUhABbN8IDPv0dHLJZco7VUs-1F2PVv9zJxxmf_xXkSCUEU_bUPCOkZcMUErw=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">8</span></b> Black Country, New Road <i>For the first time</i></div><div>A math rock album that stays on the nonsensical side, there's a youthful energy to this I rather enjoy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyZoESZ9M3_9jFXQqwfQBRtFk-6DAu1d8IbhLnh1j_UofBTDSS-cnKTGMXf3oTbToA1E9xsriRP2okc4ZVIBDSlGcWVGyW-UtyZidjJODWmvMxJ9hVw-otqXUoLVzn54I-kgvgrPwnl4susOsO9AEWHVMnD0nhJfqtSxJOORQkzRi0C1H0UA4qLLnEoA=s300" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyZoESZ9M3_9jFXQqwfQBRtFk-6DAu1d8IbhLnh1j_UofBTDSS-cnKTGMXf3oTbToA1E9xsriRP2okc4ZVIBDSlGcWVGyW-UtyZidjJODWmvMxJ9hVw-otqXUoLVzn54I-kgvgrPwnl4susOsO9AEWHVMnD0nhJfqtSxJOORQkzRi0C1H0UA4qLLnEoA=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">7</span></b> Mach-Hommy <i>Pray For Haiti</i></div><div>I had never heard of this dude before, but he can rap like a mf, and I'd like to see him go into more ambitious territory in the future.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQ7R_CKsP-2myf1AY37wOrCXtXCIh1cT2tX9yTWAIK1xZAUNTPTWk4WYcT_sXEifvaV98mhJ_i1vYQ-W9K0E50NeLdm1lyoUIBMsVYN5Xcza3yM73w4QyDu_MxIefLZe8SvwovbJS_0yLQ2C1GI6c70oHOyvZqMFGmFo4DNccJltIzyINBORwjcmyQTA=s600" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQ7R_CKsP-2myf1AY37wOrCXtXCIh1cT2tX9yTWAIK1xZAUNTPTWk4WYcT_sXEifvaV98mhJ_i1vYQ-W9K0E50NeLdm1lyoUIBMsVYN5Xcza3yM73w4QyDu_MxIefLZe8SvwovbJS_0yLQ2C1GI6c70oHOyvZqMFGmFo4DNccJltIzyINBORwjcmyQTA=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">6</span></b> Boldy James & The Alchemist <i>Bo Jackson </i></div><div>I'm aware that this looks too high, but much like how I mentioned with that Jazmine Sullivan album earlier, this duo does not make a lot of mistakes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsEpGrmzZkgVKj9suFjJNbnmJWTkUgJw6Qsuiod5ijY39vEyvUUCPMgLTngGbytUA0RN2mSseKyKgWNC6PK-d_MWS0EpvDLSges1xM7KGaKBrXDXUi7aH7GDnipFz0k11b4wyOIEhDtthy6qakGhFRlJnEJgg-Bsh8zA1VornXHQgc9ZW8e4TsddmtHA=s600" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsEpGrmzZkgVKj9suFjJNbnmJWTkUgJw6Qsuiod5ijY39vEyvUUCPMgLTngGbytUA0RN2mSseKyKgWNC6PK-d_MWS0EpvDLSges1xM7KGaKBrXDXUi7aH7GDnipFz0k11b4wyOIEhDtthy6qakGhFRlJnEJgg-Bsh8zA1VornXHQgc9ZW8e4TsddmtHA=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm not hesitant to call these top 5 albums really freaking good. Mind you, these are enjoyable for very "Scott" reasons, so take that for what you will. It was hard for me to pick between the top 2. But here we are!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">5</span></b> Arca <i>KicK iii</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Arca is both weird and experienced enough that technically nothing is "new ground" for her, but dang, this was probably the most futuristic production I heard all year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp2hUvDut2khSpzwMtBNktR1FEyqeYjmqOh6NHPMtNL5XgfFbOAO44Gt9v5KYeOTSrHQOQ-fHZO-6g5hHweScAkba3hiAYXFmm8ApJVA45KSNo3qM1-s3XSZRxNZuqBSfkrihmp_o8_uO41EZ8wgAuuolXeyQYta_eJZgHsaZw_euk3XxEDmXOy3BlAQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp2hUvDut2khSpzwMtBNktR1FEyqeYjmqOh6NHPMtNL5XgfFbOAO44Gt9v5KYeOTSrHQOQ-fHZO-6g5hHweScAkba3hiAYXFmm8ApJVA45KSNo3qM1-s3XSZRxNZuqBSfkrihmp_o8_uO41EZ8wgAuuolXeyQYta_eJZgHsaZw_euk3XxEDmXOy3BlAQ=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">4</span></b> Lingua Ignota <i>Sinner Get Ready</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is actually Lingua's 2nd time in my top 10, and she does so by trading in her walls of industrial noise for more elegant folk instrumentation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjioVHJ74ywiskpNkXvDGoPwSA09JCRffFmZ03uH6iBN4Y_z-81RTwyIZvJhmkwcACtDLOovY3i3G1-nOUVISCQzONxRUWOUXiXSS2sv_fCw2CETswT27uYrRGsDy6w--EA1CKD74NXurP08BTsuq7lmv0xrleACTCIcurFjSd5hoCHi2lrrjvSkhmHkw=s600" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjioVHJ74ywiskpNkXvDGoPwSA09JCRffFmZ03uH6iBN4Y_z-81RTwyIZvJhmkwcACtDLOovY3i3G1-nOUVISCQzONxRUWOUXiXSS2sv_fCw2CETswT27uYrRGsDy6w--EA1CKD74NXurP08BTsuq7lmv0xrleACTCIcurFjSd5hoCHi2lrrjvSkhmHkw=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">3</span></b> Sloppy Jane <i>Madison</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">I kinda undersold this album to a buddy of mine by simply saying this was recorded in a cave, when I should have mentioned this is a really big cave and she's backed by a brass orchestra and it's probably the closest thing we're getting to a Bright Eyes collaboration project with The Fiery Furnaces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3oH-bLWayxMEk8Rhru6KNn4k7pedDQKzh9DfPvQ0Tcm7FHUjaN0ezV1gH_bf8dcJqFoSifduZP1Qlaj9rQesTuILkKAsE3nis1YkwpbHR7quC_IuSUAwFT2tWVnS-a19mlboj7mZNKr-yUYj-SPRLdtZ_sGLMmQyt5IB7ZA6QTOxUVjBvjUhvGTLAyQ=s600" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3oH-bLWayxMEk8Rhru6KNn4k7pedDQKzh9DfPvQ0Tcm7FHUjaN0ezV1gH_bf8dcJqFoSifduZP1Qlaj9rQesTuILkKAsE3nis1YkwpbHR7quC_IuSUAwFT2tWVnS-a19mlboj7mZNKr-yUYj-SPRLdtZ_sGLMmQyt5IB7ZA6QTOxUVjBvjUhvGTLAyQ=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">2</span></b> Little Simz <i>Sometimes I Might Be Introvert</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is the best rap album I've heard in 3 years (maybe 4).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUZxY05KQx3I36lVf12h9NQhvosTfO20CEOdnHaQGAbFcrrXFpwH6LpTJkAlyFfON5jNTzJQSH83jGl5b01fIuudMj5bUecYwwE1PY-fVPSyBHu1uiLvIWxikO5EhEhJ-0sOKvQUW9RgH7k7s4XJSCBsbYA0XofJuchmGjiNMRTD2iolWxAWBNSacnhA=s320" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUZxY05KQx3I36lVf12h9NQhvosTfO20CEOdnHaQGAbFcrrXFpwH6LpTJkAlyFfON5jNTzJQSH83jGl5b01fIuudMj5bUecYwwE1PY-fVPSyBHu1uiLvIWxikO5EhEhJ-0sOKvQUW9RgH7k7s4XJSCBsbYA0XofJuchmGjiNMRTD2iolWxAWBNSacnhA=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">1</span></b> Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra <i>Promises</i> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Believe it or not, I didn't totally get this album at first because I thought the whole "London Symphony Orchestra" thing came off too sophisticated for its own good, but Floating Points and Pharoah Sanders are the real MVP's here and I can see myself still listening to this album years down the road.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNQD7EnzjlVLPfWpnwhpf3Yxu-OGBJIzwSuidJJZ5yiCCkXLzZn30N2rdXSO_UR5hysQ882YEbm-a-XN5ZHe81rgE-MaIr6YeOR9SFeDSAz0DrmRIZaB_AJAP0-SWgYYWQdpW1TQiF4VtJOiRK4iEn_ka_mhclC5XjAWOcWAgIdTDH3TkC4F-p2lgUqA=s300" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNQD7EnzjlVLPfWpnwhpf3Yxu-OGBJIzwSuidJJZ5yiCCkXLzZn30N2rdXSO_UR5hysQ882YEbm-a-XN5ZHe81rgE-MaIr6YeOR9SFeDSAz0DrmRIZaB_AJAP0-SWgYYWQdpW1TQiF4VtJOiRK4iEn_ka_mhclC5XjAWOcWAgIdTDH3TkC4F-p2lgUqA=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-71782925780708115262021-12-02T22:03:00.001-08:002021-12-02T22:03:25.284-08:0033 Favorite/Best Albums of 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7vwTVGeZVawZmMZJXrQNb5JgKK03grfRkIopBk0M4vdwnlUr4WwmzqbcOi6E1A0XJvDaOWiisNTHn-7hT2q1Bi2RTVq266rjDn7NUlhDxHU9muSPGsVb7P9ZG-RQTgEQv92GMKihGgon/s333/some+faces.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="179" data-original-width="333" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7vwTVGeZVawZmMZJXrQNb5JgKK03grfRkIopBk0M4vdwnlUr4WwmzqbcOi6E1A0XJvDaOWiisNTHn-7hT2q1Bi2RTVq266rjDn7NUlhDxHU9muSPGsVb7P9ZG-RQTgEQv92GMKihGgon/s320/some+faces.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a list of my favorite (and therefor the best) albums of 2011.</div><div>All of these albums have now turned 10 years old.</div><div>Take note: For the entirety of 2011, I was serving an LDS mission in the Western Canadian province of British Columbia. So not only is this the 1 full year of my life where I couldn't tell you about the music scene at the time, but I did not even know any of these albums existed. </div><div>After listening to a shit-ton of music these last 10 years, I've conjured up a list of the 32 best albums of 2011 (plus 1 that shouldn't be here).</div><div>I will save both you and me a lot of time and write 1-sentence blurbs for each album.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">33</span></b> Wilco <i>The Whole Love</i></div><div>This is a great album by my favorite band, and at this rate, it's probably the last great album we'll ever get from this band. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB85sf7_r7Mat8h2bKOIJ3iA-Bj_lmMLAdrH7EzAYzjzoqbmmiAPvv8D1fKM9X6OqpHVd3Mhj916Hv2UlQVDyuEf6YoRkhlgxj6U6a1NMp3fwfcJ9-jtlD8MmKOR21NRRnoB60mZlRumi/s220/TheWholeLove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB85sf7_r7Mat8h2bKOIJ3iA-Bj_lmMLAdrH7EzAYzjzoqbmmiAPvv8D1fKM9X6OqpHVd3Mhj916Hv2UlQVDyuEf6YoRkhlgxj6U6a1NMp3fwfcJ9-jtlD8MmKOR21NRRnoB60mZlRumi/w200-h200/TheWholeLove.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">32</span></b> The War On Dugs <i>Slave Ambient</i></div><div>This beats the crap out of the <i>"90s Springsteen"</i> stuff they're releasing these days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruEzdg64ZdW2v380pw8DLcZNf2i7EXSI8sR-Ty-bZZ7rm6d7xaUGnWUR_VvJdm7fviUUtFoZUsc2ZPFpMc5f8ESKW65rBuoSdzpmSMuzS7ZqdDSPtLKe5O5GFduVvU6wD7HxPwG5QyOPC/s300/Slave-Ambient.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruEzdg64ZdW2v380pw8DLcZNf2i7EXSI8sR-Ty-bZZ7rm6d7xaUGnWUR_VvJdm7fviUUtFoZUsc2ZPFpMc5f8ESKW65rBuoSdzpmSMuzS7ZqdDSPtLKe5O5GFduVvU6wD7HxPwG5QyOPC/w200-h200/Slave-Ambient.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>31</b> Frank Ocean <i>nostalgia,ULTRA.</i></div><div>As groundbreaking as the alt-R&B movement was, some of these songs have aged worse than others.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkx5GOFHMKWCzWHtEknlw2QVg8B5fwqWy3w5QWQD80oeG324bwbDg-xjgvkhZt2XcWl9uxGaV5aYq19d9kzTJBgoBpFUE3Ws5Fyp8R1OH_tyT0oVQqg6QXCkRW1w92N93_YOoPqqbiYIM/s600/084ee64d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkx5GOFHMKWCzWHtEknlw2QVg8B5fwqWy3w5QWQD80oeG324bwbDg-xjgvkhZt2XcWl9uxGaV5aYq19d9kzTJBgoBpFUE3Ws5Fyp8R1OH_tyT0oVQqg6QXCkRW1w92N93_YOoPqqbiYIM/w200-h200/084ee64d.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">30</span></b> Iceage <i>New Brigade</i></div><div>I like Iceage because they're a band that knows what they're doing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TyHRN6RiAS3KqUR_n8YdwGHZBZh4eeQ6OwHtHc8huamGbRo7lDSjLt2TU9QB4RucQyUVhf5sR8jSpLfoeXHMdqAuCN1tkZe00PeYx4v3Oe1fZF1PS3kgHcP8xAtdkzzSD44lQ1gDH_nk/s316/New_Brigade_Iceage.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TyHRN6RiAS3KqUR_n8YdwGHZBZh4eeQ6OwHtHc8huamGbRo7lDSjLt2TU9QB4RucQyUVhf5sR8jSpLfoeXHMdqAuCN1tkZe00PeYx4v3Oe1fZF1PS3kgHcP8xAtdkzzSD44lQ1gDH_nk/w200-h200/New_Brigade_Iceage.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">29</span></b> Real Estate <i>Days</i></div><div>I guess you could call this a step down from their previous album, but the singles have stuck around.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7-d-D9P1mUM3nAh4KlBhTxinle4IwNKO6ltxOFSEeaPdjvmujgAWrw34DaYQUW4krrUZAwdNUknCj1Kg4gkIjWm2Dsc0dsYhScAadf-alWCpfv-WXRAdv15ISEACT8EH4yVGFgwgj1eG/s154/220px-Real_estate_-_days_%2528cover%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="154" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7-d-D9P1mUM3nAh4KlBhTxinle4IwNKO6ltxOFSEeaPdjvmujgAWrw34DaYQUW4krrUZAwdNUknCj1Kg4gkIjWm2Dsc0dsYhScAadf-alWCpfv-WXRAdv15ISEACT8EH4yVGFgwgj1eG/w200-h200/220px-Real_estate_-_days_%2528cover%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">28</span></b> Big K.R.I.T. <i>Return of 4Eva</i></div><div>Believe it or not, there was a point in music history where Big K.R.I.T. and Kendrick Lamar were on the same page.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVzgv33BqzT3eOdDlkqzkkYiAXJsjS1UHjwCpEq2jT28KPxg6KCAzDHyAZwhCZXF408Mxjf9qbk_Y-58227sKJcBTqbr87LDvri0gzIU3D0Iyd7_8QBOafdGggr0tVhHAoxbaPoXMo3RB/s316/Returnof4eva.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVzgv33BqzT3eOdDlkqzkkYiAXJsjS1UHjwCpEq2jT28KPxg6KCAzDHyAZwhCZXF408Mxjf9qbk_Y-58227sKJcBTqbr87LDvri0gzIU3D0Iyd7_8QBOafdGggr0tVhHAoxbaPoXMo3RB/w200-h200/Returnof4eva.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">27</span></b> M83 <i>Hurry Up, We're Dreaming</i></div><div>I could write a book about this album without reaching a clear conclusion of my actual opinion on it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZKvItkG22X3UPLNfb7exl1imqEZydUkYMvWt20YM1BiC76fYHyFNEUDrh6dAKK9BoEdnGqCdYzzN2p3ET2kR9__mD68LwtQNUnVRZaicppV4iHCt0TfGul_-lf0jM552U3Umsh9Q68uv/s154/220px-M83-Hurry-Up-Were-Dreaming.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="154" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZKvItkG22X3UPLNfb7exl1imqEZydUkYMvWt20YM1BiC76fYHyFNEUDrh6dAKK9BoEdnGqCdYzzN2p3ET2kR9__mD68LwtQNUnVRZaicppV4iHCt0TfGul_-lf0jM552U3Umsh9Q68uv/w200-h200/220px-M83-Hurry-Up-Were-Dreaming.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">26</span></b> The Weeknd <i>House of Balloons</i></div><div>I personally find this album kinda mind-blowing, but by its 2nd half, you kinda know what the next song is gonna sound like.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavg7U51f1-zMzvLnqxEeO2fDLtVV9Y-SXkM92ZpTvKYG8k8LPP6PlGIDdFymoawIm6TZJvONRsDgeUFS68bU69rmEbyMOKtDJgOqgSCW6HCO4QCVh7pT8AKVYTAjxvZsiQg2Q81NQNhp9/s300/The_Weeknd_-_House_of_Balloons.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavg7U51f1-zMzvLnqxEeO2fDLtVV9Y-SXkM92ZpTvKYG8k8LPP6PlGIDdFymoawIm6TZJvONRsDgeUFS68bU69rmEbyMOKtDJgOqgSCW6HCO4QCVh7pT8AKVYTAjxvZsiQg2Q81NQNhp9/w200-h200/The_Weeknd_-_House_of_Balloons.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">25</span></b> Drake <i>Take Care</i></div><div>I honestly appreciate this album more and more each year; mind you, I used to hate it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ls2V-PCbvhh2kRK9Hvij99hiX8VYrneIOo5aXvRbjgd3_0zHv7NgVsk5NTGcTFvH7Oo02uxJNka4SU7iZn44k8Jj2jpvGSrP6kciAiseRDHLGqylB620Ouy7nvf2KP9RIyfUWvawVybx/s300/Drake_-_Take_Care_cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ls2V-PCbvhh2kRK9Hvij99hiX8VYrneIOo5aXvRbjgd3_0zHv7NgVsk5NTGcTFvH7Oo02uxJNka4SU7iZn44k8Jj2jpvGSrP6kciAiseRDHLGqylB620Ouy7nvf2KP9RIyfUWvawVybx/w200-h200/Drake_-_Take_Care_cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">24</span></b> Macintosh Plus <i>Floral Shoppe </i></div><div>You can say what you about vaporwave or <b style="font-family: courier;">a e s t h e t i c</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>or whatever, this is just some damn impressive electronic music.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglw9fcKbAh8XDM85fdG3Xeo-kIlGd7vvzcnwH7NQQ0vz-nnrmhOkySN4XFPWK40jk9ONa8-KXmYfX18hGC1jqqwcIR2RAB9IS8KMhmlBqqKMZOhncCrfDq0EdnKcKjt91wYZH0yeQZJ5Qb/s316/MacintoshPlus_FloralShoppe_Cover.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglw9fcKbAh8XDM85fdG3Xeo-kIlGd7vvzcnwH7NQQ0vz-nnrmhOkySN4XFPWK40jk9ONa8-KXmYfX18hGC1jqqwcIR2RAB9IS8KMhmlBqqKMZOhncCrfDq0EdnKcKjt91wYZH0yeQZJ5Qb/w200-h200/MacintoshPlus_FloralShoppe_Cover.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">23</span></b> Bill Callahan <i>Apocalypse</i></div><div>Is this too low?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAZjUxnJ7vE0LeNpi82XARD8GDFTXIr8G7M7vK0M9LQSmrs89GgftaraGmgpaFa-UpllvByTtsmZR9rU7cQxhvJvAEt0Mmo_Fpny9MuWUb2nXCcxUqCpEfYhfyBJq-qSCqrCpGX2GNfrH/s316/Apocalypsbillcallahanealbum.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAZjUxnJ7vE0LeNpi82XARD8GDFTXIr8G7M7vK0M9LQSmrs89GgftaraGmgpaFa-UpllvByTtsmZR9rU7cQxhvJvAEt0Mmo_Fpny9MuWUb2nXCcxUqCpEfYhfyBJq-qSCqrCpGX2GNfrH/w200-h200/Apocalypsbillcallahanealbum.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">22</span></b> Kendrick Lamar <i>Section.80</i></div><div>Kendrick is the superior rapper because he is the superior songwriter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOY43NNyPZ_nbL7dZ0Bp6Zqz1h4gu7TwMQLjJ8OEU2XFvidn2BAKgApxPm6zE_7squJJVitwcMWq-JV24NqS6_FskN9v_BUhGdjoXl41PqznWx1cxJPgbzPNI1-dgLpX5fu9DzPfcqoJN/s154/220px-Section.80-Cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="154" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOY43NNyPZ_nbL7dZ0Bp6Zqz1h4gu7TwMQLjJ8OEU2XFvidn2BAKgApxPm6zE_7squJJVitwcMWq-JV24NqS6_FskN9v_BUhGdjoXl41PqznWx1cxJPgbzPNI1-dgLpX5fu9DzPfcqoJN/w200-h200/220px-Section.80-Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">21</span></b> La Dispute <i>Wildlife</i></div><div>I'm a sucker for stories about death.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1Br8CJ9d6QQUY89ncef2r_NmS2aWkMitst5YCh1in7payLmH4GA2MjEhi2dFl5yYNiuu99EdpxNqrKd9jfbnpBVGIymJQR8N81WSCnol51JGTOgxwzpXGyqdugpFAv49wxLHmfUHOjQs/s300/La_Dispute-Wildlife%2528with_text%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1Br8CJ9d6QQUY89ncef2r_NmS2aWkMitst5YCh1in7payLmH4GA2MjEhi2dFl5yYNiuu99EdpxNqrKd9jfbnpBVGIymJQR8N81WSCnol51JGTOgxwzpXGyqdugpFAv49wxLHmfUHOjQs/w200-h200/La_Dispute-Wildlife%2528with_text%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">20</span></b> Death Grips <i>Exmilitary</i></div><div><i>"Responsibility's cool, but there's more things in life."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0v2fkrxGpK0So2hd6plzi2TsK19jczOoi9FYREt6561uoy8fKsygVTqs8Mn9BimBePify8IwYfnMJd-IxrQqQe9v4pCpwBSE6fSq1i0c3kFOnVu4LqwyjnkL3ukDGmniRKIn6olMNCRRs/s154/220px-Exmilitary_artwork.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="154" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0v2fkrxGpK0So2hd6plzi2TsK19jczOoi9FYREt6561uoy8fKsygVTqs8Mn9BimBePify8IwYfnMJd-IxrQqQe9v4pCpwBSE6fSq1i0c3kFOnVu4LqwyjnkL3ukDGmniRKIn6olMNCRRs/w200-h200/220px-Exmilitary_artwork.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">19</span></b> Liturgy <i>Aesthethica</i> </div><div>The deeper I dig into metal, the more I realize I just prefer metal albums that mix metal with genres I actually enjoy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnOS99xjtJAz6nZn_ABmHzenHofHfD45SQqw7x3jUiJzsa4mdWq-8O1SAoEOXtluSCtz_uK9BA9jgXFkGlaGM0slvdAnTiF-7-2apAqjcfmm0DaUGjJr6fBUk5HiUFYvoRdSIF7kz78ol/s154/220px-Aesthethica.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="154" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnOS99xjtJAz6nZn_ABmHzenHofHfD45SQqw7x3jUiJzsa4mdWq-8O1SAoEOXtluSCtz_uK9BA9jgXFkGlaGM0slvdAnTiF-7-2apAqjcfmm0DaUGjJr6fBUk5HiUFYvoRdSIF7kz78ol/w200-h200/220px-Aesthethica.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">18</span></b> A$AP Rocky <i>LIVE.LOVE.A$AP</i></div><div>Say what you want about A$AP's rap skills, this album will always sound dope.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3stuEN7HrXPWOaD0YdzBmiV_kkj08OTZj0YJ5x2ZpF8AADgU0atyeS5HsBgDuP8AIis_RwZAq6uWRXZaYszvoSxd6-CpKrhd4_WiC1l32dHtIMOQzdiDTRTFMwCGYavjdlUEETWQXbFFe/s900/asap-rocky.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3stuEN7HrXPWOaD0YdzBmiV_kkj08OTZj0YJ5x2ZpF8AADgU0atyeS5HsBgDuP8AIis_RwZAq6uWRXZaYszvoSxd6-CpKrhd4_WiC1l32dHtIMOQzdiDTRTFMwCGYavjdlUEETWQXbFFe/w200-h200/asap-rocky.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">17</span></b> Grouper <i>A I A: Alien Observer</i></div><div>We have now entered the <i>"boring ethereal music"</i> section of this list.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbi70al8ba-65fZOy7frLD6oeSduOz6P_UqGOUlrmofdN7yLv3quqxqZTIA-rK3-_8iBnMykqCplrvVSeew_OQslRiPAj2uc_87s-wI_wN7zPq_DWk2ox7lGwwkEp55y-FGUjf5ux0-YK/s154/220px-A_I_A_Alien_Observer.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="154" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbi70al8ba-65fZOy7frLD6oeSduOz6P_UqGOUlrmofdN7yLv3quqxqZTIA-rK3-_8iBnMykqCplrvVSeew_OQslRiPAj2uc_87s-wI_wN7zPq_DWk2ox7lGwwkEp55y-FGUjf5ux0-YK/w200-h200/220px-A_I_A_Alien_Observer.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">16</span></b> Nicolas Jaar <i>Space Is Only Noise</i></div><div>Nicolas Jaar kicked off his excellent discography with a dark and minimal take on house music.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0H6DBRdVaCLvRc3JyfEV2DiRnmE1eaYI5_IqdNihDfX6zg3YFyDUL5Gl43PKEIp5K6jVvZR-PX953LMfUSMgKMd4zPMZivs3zoENO3qBzgxQI8QSX2JL_KXENisLHSvrSXbXkL8lyy2Q/s154/220px-Nicolas_Jaar_-_Space_Is_Only_Noise.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="154" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0H6DBRdVaCLvRc3JyfEV2DiRnmE1eaYI5_IqdNihDfX6zg3YFyDUL5Gl43PKEIp5K6jVvZR-PX953LMfUSMgKMd4zPMZivs3zoENO3qBzgxQI8QSX2JL_KXENisLHSvrSXbXkL8lyy2Q/w200-h200/220px-Nicolas_Jaar_-_Space_Is_Only_Noise.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">15</span></b> Tim Hecker <i>Ravedeath, 1972</i></div><div>Despite his acclaimed early work, I've officially decided Tim Hecker's 2 best albums are the ones he recorded at a 100 year-old church in Iceland.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfBYpidarTTyDs9aWe_sehYUCvdn4uAHnjedzJbWBpqD1E1SCysSeQpriuJzUB3IOLmJTJlXtOz6rGrPD57AOTttX0DD9V8CSFvEokwh9DV-f_M-v5QyfXjyWu4XUdRcIt8B03SN_ucvz/s154/220px-Tim_Hecker_-_Ravedeath%252C_1972.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="154" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfBYpidarTTyDs9aWe_sehYUCvdn4uAHnjedzJbWBpqD1E1SCysSeQpriuJzUB3IOLmJTJlXtOz6rGrPD57AOTttX0DD9V8CSFvEokwh9DV-f_M-v5QyfXjyWu4XUdRcIt8B03SN_ucvz/w200-h200/220px-Tim_Hecker_-_Ravedeath%252C_1972.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">14</span></b> James Ferraro <i> FARSIDEVIRTUAL</i></div><div>Trying to sound like the future is hard, but trying to sound like the future from a past perspective might be harder.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWVYGtK_b5DiZIu1w3UxPWLWW7a8FkD1VRhc4cK48tD0A7RMm5cZZgGeQV7xIJV1n6ttP1LEhTksrAVCqTNxznsp0NVc68_nfp3cMpvFdOkvgCOSLViS8cwhcD6Xe0XJ17VJs75KVGR8A/s154/220px-Far_Side_Virtual_James_Ferraro.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="154" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWVYGtK_b5DiZIu1w3UxPWLWW7a8FkD1VRhc4cK48tD0A7RMm5cZZgGeQV7xIJV1n6ttP1LEhTksrAVCqTNxznsp0NVc68_nfp3cMpvFdOkvgCOSLViS8cwhcD6Xe0XJ17VJs75KVGR8A/w200-h200/220px-Far_Side_Virtual_James_Ferraro.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">13</span></b> Matana Roberts <i>Coin Coin Chapter One: Gens de Couleur Libres</i></div><div>I highly recommended the Matana Roberts <i>Coin Coin</i> series, which currently stands at 4 chapters; all of which are worthy of making year-end lists.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uhoTk9w4fJ5sEAI4K39pn_HtphmKnL3aFEgs96F-XGTOCaX-mqYe0wL1PzYtRkEooJXbbLe6YFOWZLdr-OWzDfML1E4qzxqUCkxhCaVz2WwAkxPooHQgpv0sL4Ciz5qPMRJC7p5cgC85/s300/COIN_COIN_Chapter_One_-_Gens_de_couleur_libres_%2528Front_Cover%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uhoTk9w4fJ5sEAI4K39pn_HtphmKnL3aFEgs96F-XGTOCaX-mqYe0wL1PzYtRkEooJXbbLe6YFOWZLdr-OWzDfML1E4qzxqUCkxhCaVz2WwAkxPooHQgpv0sL4Ciz5qPMRJC7p5cgC85/w200-h200/COIN_COIN_Chapter_One_-_Gens_de_couleur_libres_%2528Front_Cover%2529.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">12</span></b> Tune-Yards <i>w h o k i l l</i></div><div>It kinda irks me just how much this album takes from Dirty Projectors, but Merrill Garbus delivers delightfully zany vocal performances, and these are some damn good indie pop songs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPuEP_YLXYfodiCes6t36CQmxaUbSBddVkyFtRucLWLE7eFmQdbN_8FDyVrUat5M42KFx8T-pf1BSiAF4QvSiT88HnhmZ7xdlWC3GPMeKFrP0RRzN13IXApY56rRRNVwBRFv5xAalWScaR/s220/220px-Whokill.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPuEP_YLXYfodiCes6t36CQmxaUbSBddVkyFtRucLWLE7eFmQdbN_8FDyVrUat5M42KFx8T-pf1BSiAF4QvSiT88HnhmZ7xdlWC3GPMeKFrP0RRzN13IXApY56rRRNVwBRFv5xAalWScaR/w200-h200/220px-Whokill.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">11</span></b> the Caretaker <i>An Empty Bliss Beyond This World</i></div><div>Is this too high?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkN4zJj-QdN_sVN6MgVGKjgySjqsykTkEQd1RO3YSAkjAS27qItw_rG4DUUAqjQ1QHDlJId7uEJqWrdLJm5JX-Fy88vLDYSrJuhFe5q_qxjyZl05ZctMMr5fJKdtWCaZExpY1DiojRAGs/s220/220px-The_caretaker_an_empty_bliss_beyond_this_world.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkN4zJj-QdN_sVN6MgVGKjgySjqsykTkEQd1RO3YSAkjAS27qItw_rG4DUUAqjQ1QHDlJId7uEJqWrdLJm5JX-Fy88vLDYSrJuhFe5q_qxjyZl05ZctMMr5fJKdtWCaZExpY1DiojRAGs/w200-h200/220px-The_caretaker_an_empty_bliss_beyond_this_world.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">10</span></b> Colin Stetson <i>New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges</i></div><div>When you make albums like this, you get invited to soundtrack independent horror films.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEist-ucAYu0vfAwM0adBeIMYB1uqJ3uqD3ApnAVu7rDPM8WSSTMbIUPNODxduGnkFwigcivUStOQOX3LDpvqvkrGbucEJ-9VDFvm79-Boltrc-fPB4rqY4PWscTv5KehMohAQUAntF6kPxo/s220/New-History-Warfare-Vol-2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEist-ucAYu0vfAwM0adBeIMYB1uqJ3uqD3ApnAVu7rDPM8WSSTMbIUPNODxduGnkFwigcivUStOQOX3LDpvqvkrGbucEJ-9VDFvm79-Boltrc-fPB4rqY4PWscTv5KehMohAQUAntF6kPxo/w200-h200/New-History-Warfare-Vol-2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">9</span></b> Shabazz Palaces <i>Black Up</i> <div>As opposed to having the "influential" effect, it's actually just really really hard for me to compare this to any other rap album from the last 10 years.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIN3TSpF4UX7qntotprSqZSCMZP6RX61EsNo9V_sYg1UUpIRv1IiciwFO8iptLNMf15thGhr3KhokV1qunhWExd4AM3RZy3dZC0mDB2UA2HVLdHlwKl4YaPLXCs6xNYBnND-AuqeT2ogF/s220/220px-Black_up.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIN3TSpF4UX7qntotprSqZSCMZP6RX61EsNo9V_sYg1UUpIRv1IiciwFO8iptLNMf15thGhr3KhokV1qunhWExd4AM3RZy3dZC0mDB2UA2HVLdHlwKl4YaPLXCs6xNYBnND-AuqeT2ogF/w200-h200/220px-Black_up.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">8</span></b> Bon Iver <i>Bon Iver</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">This used to be one of my favorite albums of all time, but I've settled for dubbing it a <i>"must-hear"</i> album for American college kids going through a hipster phase.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_SSVpzFkl4t9wwIyHRHUYbaxlXQKxjrbWFvU3hldBiQRRUOufWm5Ehn8hypG11ryQntsmJPY4itRCi6r9mb1I8nCJz76xZsj6qIMJQy43WW8JiVdtKbEh8kNlHp9h4p_6axgKaw1HrsO/s220/Bon_iver.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_SSVpzFkl4t9wwIyHRHUYbaxlXQKxjrbWFvU3hldBiQRRUOufWm5Ehn8hypG11ryQntsmJPY4itRCi6r9mb1I8nCJz76xZsj6qIMJQy43WW8JiVdtKbEh8kNlHp9h4p_6axgKaw1HrsO/w200-h200/Bon_iver.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">7</span></b> PJ Harvey <i> Let England Shake</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is some top-notch songwriting and I think it's PJ's best album since the 90s.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXuOH3NzaCsLRyhi0NqSAgFU4VONciwG_ZK9z37yzOdM6oQqlnF07C_8jtICTy-h7qg0LZZiJIZHkJz1ko9re1yvn4qk40fXhn458x4EW7ZSU2wL2URKVLF1Iv0ZQzxSOUc_daPGNSQ7g/s220/PJ_Harvey_-_Let_England_Shake.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXuOH3NzaCsLRyhi0NqSAgFU4VONciwG_ZK9z37yzOdM6oQqlnF07C_8jtICTy-h7qg0LZZiJIZHkJz1ko9re1yvn4qk40fXhn458x4EW7ZSU2wL2URKVLF1Iv0ZQzxSOUc_daPGNSQ7g/w200-h200/PJ_Harvey_-_Let_England_Shake.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">6</span></b> St. Vincent <i>Strange Mercy</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">This album cemented Annie Clark's spot as one of indie pop's smartest songwriters, and a badass guitarist in general.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3en2wDeJsmxkN7m1YrGkR4z_ABFJP9uOuXwG131byZ_pfEsS2KxbLoEFY0VBhnhbgQPkTlSoxhR9OARdzpFu-7DHgl5sJV2G37Vpwop3BXlvYyl6TOp7sw0efbOxB6IagOOzj-x56NBG/s220/79209.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3en2wDeJsmxkN7m1YrGkR4z_ABFJP9uOuXwG131byZ_pfEsS2KxbLoEFY0VBhnhbgQPkTlSoxhR9OARdzpFu-7DHgl5sJV2G37Vpwop3BXlvYyl6TOp7sw0efbOxB6IagOOzj-x56NBG/w200-h200/79209.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">5</span></b> Danny Brown <i>XXX</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think I've already written this exact blurb before, but kids, don't do drugs.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMl7D-fGEqyFuavsMCHmeOLxq4vwQ1zgKXsli_fMzmYcGyhyphenhyphenvqWUugyIS26kIgeGu9spXpLHA6boJ76qflbZTPbwt-UKINp0CbDGDYGAoAt7e9Y8Gad2MJEE08iAr5GTm_Y-HBVrWHdHqN/s220/220px-XXX_Danny_Brown.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMl7D-fGEqyFuavsMCHmeOLxq4vwQ1zgKXsli_fMzmYcGyhyphenhyphenvqWUugyIS26kIgeGu9spXpLHA6boJ76qflbZTPbwt-UKINp0CbDGDYGAoAt7e9Y8Gad2MJEE08iAr5GTm_Y-HBVrWHdHqN/s0/220px-XXX_Danny_Brown.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">4</span></b> James Blake <i>James Blake</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think James Blake was the perfect representation of the direction modern music was going in, circa 2011.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4YpWufLaGOgmyxvDqFlCvPsniH_975dgG9_MC4DDvVh4bs6Af1wCLVfhpo5QaLektWMsPwoyRvcJbt4FoDWAB7E_q7g0eXWzDhxhoJUXuL3u1SgJSMkozWo7wVudX0AIooKiKyFSDiKj/s220/James_Blake_Cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4YpWufLaGOgmyxvDqFlCvPsniH_975dgG9_MC4DDvVh4bs6Af1wCLVfhpo5QaLektWMsPwoyRvcJbt4FoDWAB7E_q7g0eXWzDhxhoJUXuL3u1SgJSMkozWo7wVudX0AIooKiKyFSDiKj/w200-h200/James_Blake_Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">3</span></b> Fleet Foxes <i>Helplessness Blues</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">So many corny flaws on this album, but at the end of the day, this is the sound of pure yearning. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhSKEGWWEnjf9yMNshXUAtILaI7wxTis0O33Tv68bD-o0zYNMXP8Mgn0j5bA_p_QPlbFzZ1CpPNh-gRSEmmYASsVPS-oou6zRgj9-MCWF9-lNtZ9yfLr5nssU75Mltsv6IA91lvqOuPA7/s221/FleetFoxesHelplessness_Blues2011.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhSKEGWWEnjf9yMNshXUAtILaI7wxTis0O33Tv68bD-o0zYNMXP8Mgn0j5bA_p_QPlbFzZ1CpPNh-gRSEmmYASsVPS-oou6zRgj9-MCWF9-lNtZ9yfLr5nssU75Mltsv6IA91lvqOuPA7/w199-h200/FleetFoxesHelplessness_Blues2011.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">2</span></b> Oneohtrix Point Never <i>Replica</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's a shame that 0pn has become the go-to name-drop for people who want to sound artsy-fartsy in front of their friends, because this guy's career of work is a Rubik's cube of creativity collecting dust on the shelf; waiting for curious listeners to crack the code.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPb8G_k3tWsvVLcZabTPbLfoqa_zw7MMbWvpgluPxs_ao8iha8UXFFrATAIq3kMRXP6s5k1tlbF8eN7zu6dgsJtZe_48EM2q5TCCJOCSK_8ulvO3uhLcSQayVJBLjN9LDqiuKxSVPSgLU/s220/Replica_%2528Front_Cover%2529+%25281%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPb8G_k3tWsvVLcZabTPbLfoqa_zw7MMbWvpgluPxs_ao8iha8UXFFrATAIq3kMRXP6s5k1tlbF8eN7zu6dgsJtZe_48EM2q5TCCJOCSK_8ulvO3uhLcSQayVJBLjN9LDqiuKxSVPSgLU/w200-h200/Replica_%2528Front_Cover%2529+%25281%2529.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">1</span></b> Destroyer <i>Kaputt</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">While I was caught up trying to convert people to Mormonism in North Vancouver, Dan Bejar released the greatest album to ever come out of Vancouver. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EwH_egJOFPnshVGvLpgEdeiX3qtVlHy5FGw2evvYHiYOI0EFw57a6I9ZjAXaK5njEzmF2o0ZxK0i3VS3wJz96pewuRAs46YlkXTPIuVhKlnf5AgwHX2HyVw8g64rXnUtstrdoNWtjEJ9/s220/220px-2011Kaputt.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EwH_egJOFPnshVGvLpgEdeiX3qtVlHy5FGw2evvYHiYOI0EFw57a6I9ZjAXaK5njEzmF2o0ZxK0i3VS3wJz96pewuRAs46YlkXTPIuVhKlnf5AgwHX2HyVw8g64rXnUtstrdoNWtjEJ9/w200-h200/220px-2011Kaputt.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-39169353851794979822021-11-04T21:59:00.000-07:002021-11-04T21:59:22.779-07:00(To Be Or Not To) Be<div>Something happened in my mind while I was at work today. Something I never assumed would ever actually happen in my life. I unintentionally thought about Shakespeare. </div><div>A profound question came up during a recent session with my cognitive behavioral therapist: <i>"Who do you want to be?"</i> While I can go a million directions with this question, the 2 words that stuck out to me this morning were <i>"to be."</i> The act of being. What does it even mean to <i>be</i> anything? Then I realized...Those are the first 2 words from the most infamous theatrical speech written in the English language. A play I've had to read 3 times, because it's the most famous play from the most famous playwright in the English language. I've ever <i>performed</i> this freaking speech onstage before. </div><div>Shakespeare. </div><div><i>Hamlet</i>. </div><div><i>"To be, or not to be?" </i></div><div>That is the question. And despite having read and heard this question hundreds of times, I'm just now internalizing what it really means to <i>"be."</i> Also, what it means <i>not</i> to be.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIJ-Wsp76eaKiQ8uhxSpFSeqHBFAdTcs2GtSAdZTlsJ84zYFygUPQjzU2-cUoQjdF4EHx7RjyIP-Cc_KqhZ0y8fAz7I8DQ3Mc3ACm6dRTIN4NQ4mKdI0_A2uQpFXcWQsl9EtjwfKN7cDr/s450/tobeornot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="450" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIJ-Wsp76eaKiQ8uhxSpFSeqHBFAdTcs2GtSAdZTlsJ84zYFygUPQjzU2-cUoQjdF4EHx7RjyIP-Cc_KqhZ0y8fAz7I8DQ3Mc3ACm6dRTIN4NQ4mKdI0_A2uQpFXcWQsl9EtjwfKN7cDr/w200-h181/tobeornot.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>With or without the context of <i>Hamlet</i>'s weird-ass plot, this sounds like someone seriously considering suicide. The question is, is it better to keep living, or to just not exist at all?</div><div>The answer to this may sound obvious to some of y'all, but I actually find it difficult to assume life is the answer. One of the greatest rappers of all time, Common, released an album in 2005 simply titled <i>Be</i>. The album cover is just a picture of the dude smiling. We get it, Common. Just be. Embrace life. Live in the moment. Do what you love. Rap over old soul music. The album's great, but I'm skeptical of your optimism. </div><div>While I have been alive my whole life, I think there have been times when I have chosen not to be.</div><div>I have been so many different people throughout my life. But back to the original question: <i>"Who do you want to be?"</i> I can't honestly give a straightforward answer to this question. I don't know who I want to be. And it's been that way for years. So this leads to assorted phases in my life where I'm not really being anyone at all. Someone simply existing, but not <i>being</i>. No identity. No desires or goals or direction. But I look back at different times in my life, ya know? And I'm like...Who did I want to be back in high school? During college? A couple years ago? While each era of my life comes with different answers, I'm developing a hunch as to who it is I truly want to be. </div><div>In order to figure out who I want to be, I have to surpass one vital step. It may seem like a baby step for some, but a mammoth leap in my world. </div><div>Who do I want to be? I'll get to that in a sec. I first need to decide whether or not I'm willing to <i>be</i> someone in the first place. </div><div>To be, or not to be? </div><div>The answer is <b>to be</b>, by the way. It's just very difficult for me to be somebody. Even Hamlet himself points out that the choice <b>not to be</b> would put an <i>"end to the heartache."</i> And yet it seems in my attempts to avoid heartache, it's like I go into every situation with the preexisting notion that I have already broken my own heart. I think happy people are sell-outs and confident people are annoying. Do I want to be an annoying sell-out? I think I've finally reached a point where that sounds like a better alternative to not being anyone at all. I choose <b>to be</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>That would be a cute place to end this rant, but my literal future actions are still unknown. Now that I've decided to be, who do I want to be? We're workin' on it, folks. I will say, my mind always goes back to 2009. A year I reached some soulful high's, then later hit some soulless low's. Who was I in 2009? Well...Even the people who think they know, don't really know. Thus here I am taking cognitive behavioral therapy 12 years later. And I love it, by the way.</div><div>There are no actual events in my life right now indicating a fresh new start for me. But I am almost finished paying off my student loan debts. And this makes me feel like an era of my life is ending. </div><div>Who do I want to be? For now, I just want to <i>be</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-77396556325086405692021-10-18T21:18:00.001-07:002021-10-18T21:21:44.629-07:00The 50 Best Albums of the George HW Bush Era<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-8Yk67HpacKm9yfQbWE_xXhztJ_BWTOFduW594g0OHPaHbS_1QJpyXZL3MM_o-ZAE2krCxSRiccoDLwoVUF4bMvRF-dB0Fx4O9BRHlgf51i-ZSyDWZHVWKMVDSRHG1eRhZt7N3QquxYZ/s368/HWbushalbumz.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="367" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-8Yk67HpacKm9yfQbWE_xXhztJ_BWTOFduW594g0OHPaHbS_1QJpyXZL3MM_o-ZAE2krCxSRiccoDLwoVUF4bMvRF-dB0Fx4O9BRHlgf51i-ZSyDWZHVWKMVDSRHG1eRhZt7N3QquxYZ/w199-h200/HWbushalbumz.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Full disclosure: This is a mix of artists I know next-to-nothing about and artists I've been listening to for years. You may have forgotten George HW Bush was ever president. But the music released during his presidency was unforgettable. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's a list of popular music and weird crap!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">50</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvSDA5zZPynF0S_n3ODG8eraWvB8jy513Hl7A85BUVwhGb8xbsUL7tBZ-4UMcKsOtVMBwrS_4N_Kw84xOhT7boAK_trBqMLxBeS_Zm3mWfYE_aR-0Sisj5eerMifjW6_D8rS5LFQ03Cg1/s355/queenL.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="355" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvSDA5zZPynF0S_n3ODG8eraWvB8jy513Hl7A85BUVwhGb8xbsUL7tBZ-4UMcKsOtVMBwrS_4N_Kw84xOhT7boAK_trBqMLxBeS_Zm3mWfYE_aR-0Sisj5eerMifjW6_D8rS5LFQ03Cg1/w200-h200/queenL.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Queen Latifah - <i>All Hail the Queen</i> </b>1989</div><div style="text-align: left;">Anybody my age remembers Queen Latifah as a daytime talk show host and kinda bad Hollywood actress. But lo and behold, she began her career as a really good 80's rapper.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">49</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74zDa_dHYcQ7Nl98Bq44ZLFD8u7qVB2yx0xO-gGXc5Eanp7G7CTqO4R1x1xHfSDYCnaTrqNBrL9fEAfXErMAOmw9QxqYzdH7l2_2qlpXxfvDwfHDuJOvFWCPeCjtDRaiGjCAXaqsku4h2/s220/Beastieboys_checkyourhead.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74zDa_dHYcQ7Nl98Bq44ZLFD8u7qVB2yx0xO-gGXc5Eanp7G7CTqO4R1x1xHfSDYCnaTrqNBrL9fEAfXErMAOmw9QxqYzdH7l2_2qlpXxfvDwfHDuJOvFWCPeCjtDRaiGjCAXaqsku4h2/w200-h200/Beastieboys_checkyourhead.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Beastie Boys - <i>Check Your Head</i></b> 1992</div><div style="text-align: left;">Who mastered rap-rock? Beastie Boys. Who killed rap-rock? Also Beastie Boys. Fully aware of the aging genre, these guys stayed true to their strengths and morphed into a new alt-rock image. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">48</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVr4dp2qqobJ0XwsDehLpMKdoq_tcQD2Z2IXq03P6yItRzN-Ptf5gLt8YA9xRZHngjpCbKzuf4xoBHpqm25FozdD2qhYNtQJzGo9D6DGIDL8O9ER6uRz59ZX22kx_cnpl84pVZ6FhckM10/s316/The_Breeders_Pod.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVr4dp2qqobJ0XwsDehLpMKdoq_tcQD2Z2IXq03P6yItRzN-Ptf5gLt8YA9xRZHngjpCbKzuf4xoBHpqm25FozdD2qhYNtQJzGo9D6DGIDL8O9ER6uRz59ZX22kx_cnpl84pVZ6FhckM10/w200-h200/The_Breeders_Pod.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The Breeders - <i>Pod</i></b> 1990</div><div style="text-align: left;">It's documented that the band recorded some of this while in their pajamas, so surely this must be the definitive 90's rock album.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">47</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7Lbr6Rp8OgXXvjhkfWQUo4l8-PejQwNPmMB8nIbDpKS9ecg6v6BXc0y9vE1PbXUyUad6FY_esILjAr8yXosBi5f8xF50MNuofnPlmnAWFkr5w6D4qfoyRFTGpNptI4wcgOFaoE-zdtTE/s600/enoCALE.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7Lbr6Rp8OgXXvjhkfWQUo4l8-PejQwNPmMB8nIbDpKS9ecg6v6BXc0y9vE1PbXUyUad6FY_esILjAr8yXosBi5f8xF50MNuofnPlmnAWFkr5w6D4qfoyRFTGpNptI4wcgOFaoE-zdtTE/w200-h200/enoCALE.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Brian Eno / John Cale - <i>Wrong Way Up</i></b> 1990</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm a bad hipster. I don't fully understand Brian Eno's songwriting. But team him up with the right folks, and the result is always magical. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">46</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7tgeYpAvR0hz9RyGXaLTNM3E1xi9r9P2pzfwPnCV3Rert57IcJnHNKKi0mJn19b-uoyprKwDHzI4pkWNj4gkItL_CgliV-DcJfqxd33_n6iKgeYftaIvnCsDrPOaTe-9AEeuUMkurRx_/s300/Spiritualized_-_Lazer_Guided_Melodies.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7tgeYpAvR0hz9RyGXaLTNM3E1xi9r9P2pzfwPnCV3Rert57IcJnHNKKi0mJn19b-uoyprKwDHzI4pkWNj4gkItL_CgliV-DcJfqxd33_n6iKgeYftaIvnCsDrPOaTe-9AEeuUMkurRx_/w200-h200/Spiritualized_-_Lazer_Guided_Melodies.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Spiritualized - <i>Lazer Guided Melodies</i></b> 1992</div><div style="text-align: left;">I can't come up with a good blurb for this album. Um..."Space rock" is a genre. Jason Pierce is the best at it. Yeah.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">45</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCRlqN1W3Iize02-ljGg265qHWGo_AoqFZwFQHzeAQEbfB8iumcWXuVBZQ1tFBWbO3UYzYADrSz_6eYJF_K-yNDsQWEte7P5CACEPi2bLB7yG4DF3YKnxzsLZbczuHHhoDLWW2AwjNIog/s220/-Jesuslizardliar.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCRlqN1W3Iize02-ljGg265qHWGo_AoqFZwFQHzeAQEbfB8iumcWXuVBZQ1tFBWbO3UYzYADrSz_6eYJF_K-yNDsQWEte7P5CACEPi2bLB7yG4DF3YKnxzsLZbczuHHhoDLWW2AwjNIog/w200-h200/-Jesuslizardliar.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The Jesus Lizard - <i>Liar</i></b> 1992</div><div style="text-align: left;">I kinda regret not putting R.E.M.'s <i>Out of Time</i> on this list. But there are no "Shiny Happy People" in the world of The Jesus Lizard. Every track is an unrelenting punch to the face. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">44</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInNA2CKLZBhN7jmK3iKc7J3IW-GLwyjgGRKRk_tXX9FNQaXggvkkjqouSBTN0xdPocSBI-ieWI2P4tTvtvoFO_59YOwTmNlCC0NpEkGtVqOMBm5c2ypmuNRC64pEiejCvLOUwIPc4DZiW/s220/SebadohIII.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInNA2CKLZBhN7jmK3iKc7J3IW-GLwyjgGRKRk_tXX9FNQaXggvkkjqouSBTN0xdPocSBI-ieWI2P4tTvtvoFO_59YOwTmNlCC0NpEkGtVqOMBm5c2ypmuNRC64pEiejCvLOUwIPc4DZiW/w200-h200/SebadohIII.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Sebadoh - <i>III</i></b> 1991</div><div style="text-align: left;">While Dinosaur Jr. were indisputably one of the most influential bands in noise rock, a lot of 90's bands would also come to sound like Lou Barlow's Sebadoh. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">43</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvw5i4gcifFonQf3tjQ4608Dzl1O6EAea3keceC1RmyOSkn12Tsqj-61YE3ApvSu2GIhkG6Jgeqm-t-Hxgt72SZ2eEJ-M6a5atfDEhWEfL33BK9LGEvH6S4p71DSMnolf7mH5r5ggo2Gd/s316/The_Orb_-_Adventures_Beyond_the_Ultraworld.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvw5i4gcifFonQf3tjQ4608Dzl1O6EAea3keceC1RmyOSkn12Tsqj-61YE3ApvSu2GIhkG6Jgeqm-t-Hxgt72SZ2eEJ-M6a5atfDEhWEfL33BK9LGEvH6S4p71DSMnolf7mH5r5ggo2Gd/w200-h200/The_Orb_-_Adventures_Beyond_the_Ultraworld.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The Orb - <i>The Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld</i></b> 1991</div><div style="text-align: left;">The last time I made an albums list, I made the mistake of pretending like I know shit about electronic music. But hear me out on this. This is a 110-minute outpour of creativity.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">42</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKhTD9zk0OcuaX5tRmYPe-pgWnlel_DQghRcQGJsTEpsxCocvoNKGQ4i3ljNFddG6JCO2YefKm-QHgZMCu9N8SJXFHx83ocoCAXx_rPZEnnIY1_Px1eMks4IC0AMj9QvRdodJaonl6Az2/s300/New_Order_-_Technique.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKhTD9zk0OcuaX5tRmYPe-pgWnlel_DQghRcQGJsTEpsxCocvoNKGQ4i3ljNFddG6JCO2YefKm-QHgZMCu9N8SJXFHx83ocoCAXx_rPZEnnIY1_Px1eMks4IC0AMj9QvRdodJaonl6Az2/w200-h200/New_Order_-_Technique.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>New Order - <i>Technique</i></b> 1989</div><div style="text-align: left;">The New Order catalog is impeccable. On <i>Technique</i>, the songs are hotter than ever. The synths sound ahead of the curve, and the tempo is often hard to keep up with.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">41</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqB4vbdf5y34gQFERIhMuA-AtMZF_RNWLQWNiGdwk7vN2kCL8DgIp78-NtjRHO4KDdf2n3b3hV_KCQ_1VnERPdSGrsqHQKatgQNlLZAZ-VKqHqMJR10Ch0SfGHhLItudg334EiS2V9hmu/s300/pharcyde.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqB4vbdf5y34gQFERIhMuA-AtMZF_RNWLQWNiGdwk7vN2kCL8DgIp78-NtjRHO4KDdf2n3b3hV_KCQ_1VnERPdSGrsqHQKatgQNlLZAZ-VKqHqMJR10Ch0SfGHhLItudg334EiS2V9hmu/w200-h200/pharcyde.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The Pharcyde - <i>Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde</i></b> 1992</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm pretty sure every rap-head likes this album more than I do. Kanye West has even said this was his favorite album of all time. But hey. It made my list. I think it's great. Let's not argue. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">40</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOl85Jnfys8mfdmnMr5GdPngyX31duPlxwXDJ82dK2Ndtj6EsqYerSkZOIBNRctQG49ni6nKYqH74he1kcUDX1pMfy7OdfJMdQDPr00NBItR3n8WbIumpjajTGFF8Uv6lOC3vq8gr2X7hc/s316/Sonicyouthgoo.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOl85Jnfys8mfdmnMr5GdPngyX31duPlxwXDJ82dK2Ndtj6EsqYerSkZOIBNRctQG49ni6nKYqH74he1kcUDX1pMfy7OdfJMdQDPr00NBItR3n8WbIumpjajTGFF8Uv6lOC3vq8gr2X7hc/w200-h200/Sonicyouthgoo.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Sonic Youth - <i>Goo</i></b> 1990</div><div style="text-align: left;">While some saw Sonic Youth's major label debut as a sellout move, <i>Rolling Stone</i>'s David Fricke praised how <i>Goo</i> showcased their hidden gift of sounding accessible and melodic. He's not wrong.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">39</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYmeHeLulJL6mKlbxmv1wqmZlIG_x2mxPFdJPvAVxnNkwy6XB87drbxA2gPLV1Iaa_FQ1h_VU82ynSiFo_TDl-PhhwzVjvAFX2nvoUKd2csBahfXTKelV5ApKDkAu4LlU1JOzAXdQtjSp/s300/Pixies-Bossanova.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYmeHeLulJL6mKlbxmv1wqmZlIG_x2mxPFdJPvAVxnNkwy6XB87drbxA2gPLV1Iaa_FQ1h_VU82ynSiFo_TDl-PhhwzVjvAFX2nvoUKd2csBahfXTKelV5ApKDkAu4LlU1JOzAXdQtjSp/w200-h200/Pixies-Bossanova.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Pixies - <i>Bossanova</i></b> 1990</div><div style="text-align: left;">Pixies aren't the first band that comes to mind when I think of "stadium rock." But those guitars sure sound like they're reaching for the nosebleed seats on <i>Bossanova</i>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">38</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCe-ScCYrbr381Buw14R-HeLg6Hfi_CDerfmRJfUcoceI9eH4xdB1_n_F86NAN9i2AyqjlzQ_hhjDCXdpvsGwGnEZ93BJbFe4PX51WGAwj2-OZpcOAOYfXGw2vg07rABY4Siw0VBBfSyke/s300/KLFcover-chillout.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="300" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCe-ScCYrbr381Buw14R-HeLg6Hfi_CDerfmRJfUcoceI9eH4xdB1_n_F86NAN9i2AyqjlzQ_hhjDCXdpvsGwGnEZ93BJbFe4PX51WGAwj2-OZpcOAOYfXGw2vg07rABY4Siw0VBBfSyke/w200-h199/KLFcover-chillout.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The KLF - <i>Chill Out</i></b> 1990</div><div style="text-align: left;">Only recently gave this album my first listen. I would dare say it sounds relaxing, if it wasn't so eerie. I swear to god those sheep are looking at me. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">37</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiBwwSK_SsALBDsNFRl1sDfIseJ36ObGMvXid7DtRTv0xDp8d3tTxunBy5_UBxNTUUD0otBKfnHCB-wL7gUvfdj11K1pcSmfFKSkHGAlWts1rDZ6jr5WVfZi9URVCbMXbKYP4kTTEC0rF/s220/Ice_Cube-Death_Certificate_%2528album_cover%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiBwwSK_SsALBDsNFRl1sDfIseJ36ObGMvXid7DtRTv0xDp8d3tTxunBy5_UBxNTUUD0otBKfnHCB-wL7gUvfdj11K1pcSmfFKSkHGAlWts1rDZ6jr5WVfZi9URVCbMXbKYP4kTTEC0rF/w200-h200/Ice_Cube-Death_Certificate_%2528album_cover%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Ice Cube - <i>Death Certificate</i></b> 1991</div><div style="text-align: left;">The N.W.A. split-up was not pretty. Ice Cube spends much of this album straight killing the American myth, but his beef with his former rap group was still very much alive.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">36</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0LLzYPpZL_Yn6cbbgGFDZ8-uOg5c60yFzRWUXqh2PyitGffSsHP1bw8Ca_OXQFAomQxVJEgAAj2fGAadpDH6jr732DNG15jd0xzUbOt6h9jy1QM9k0sJ248S7BjJLEZYYwD2ZT44Cm3X/s300/The_Sensual_World.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0LLzYPpZL_Yn6cbbgGFDZ8-uOg5c60yFzRWUXqh2PyitGffSsHP1bw8Ca_OXQFAomQxVJEgAAj2fGAadpDH6jr732DNG15jd0xzUbOt6h9jy1QM9k0sJ248S7BjJLEZYYwD2ZT44Cm3X/w200-h200/The_Sensual_World.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Kate Bush - <i>The Sensual World</i></b> 1989</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kate Bush already previewed her quirky sensual side on previous albums, but I think this is where we hear her at her most <i>intimate</i>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">35</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXp2e5ao6I0O40Ye9TVLGrv1ZdzNaPQvLwOhlxK-_3Qj9Z0u9_fn71v-gQCKT8CQXeYd07XGl2NvLYqGASEwvVLqW7OfA3LOiBDz2IFNmvjERorXuS12u45ACzssU9AP7e3SdQcTxjC4E_/s300/PJHarveyDryalbumcover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXp2e5ao6I0O40Ye9TVLGrv1ZdzNaPQvLwOhlxK-_3Qj9Z0u9_fn71v-gQCKT8CQXeYd07XGl2NvLYqGASEwvVLqW7OfA3LOiBDz2IFNmvjERorXuS12u45ACzssU9AP7e3SdQcTxjC4E_/w200-h200/PJHarveyDryalbumcover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>PJ Harvey - <i>Dry</i></b> 1992</div><div style="text-align: left;">PJ Harvey would follow this up 1 year later with her instant classic <i>Rid of Me</i>. But that album would not have had all the hype without its equally raw and crunchy predecessor. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">34</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrK03lS1I97DbPTObqBwxJTRBcgDdONuDswhXg9lEZf23EQpkN8oXnYrXdUJwo3Gs6w7sNKXGhut6jUCROoGeGY8haDhDrPQAIKtulhMp7xqFBliKatfCpttfMI7pj59C2kvbL4KD-mz5P/s300/Fugazi_-_Repeater_cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrK03lS1I97DbPTObqBwxJTRBcgDdONuDswhXg9lEZf23EQpkN8oXnYrXdUJwo3Gs6w7sNKXGhut6jUCROoGeGY8haDhDrPQAIKtulhMp7xqFBliKatfCpttfMI7pj59C2kvbL4KD-mz5P/w200-h200/Fugazi_-_Repeater_cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Fugazi - <i>Repeater</i></b> 1990</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Fugazi name is considered holy in some places. Which is ironic, because I think sanctity was the exact opposite of what they were aiming for.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">33</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHX0Xe6-j3FlszXCS2-HYjiXVbjTyxP0q9xXoZgDrPbGiE59pn1BeF3veWuqSM_Deqv0CwLfQCg9zlK6tOtCpuz6FlgRXiJm_hBcXvhz2tEAdG14ni_u_0su5Q3y9slHGZ-Z0RCp54R0Es/s612/toriii.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="612" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHX0Xe6-j3FlszXCS2-HYjiXVbjTyxP0q9xXoZgDrPbGiE59pn1BeF3veWuqSM_Deqv0CwLfQCg9zlK6tOtCpuz6FlgRXiJm_hBcXvhz2tEAdG14ni_u_0su5Q3y9slHGZ-Z0RCp54R0Es/w200-h200/toriii.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Tori Amos - <i>Little Earthquakes</i></b> 1992</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tori's songwriting abilities exceed every expectation for a baroque-pop songwriter. And the strings on here sound AMAZING. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">32</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDMsSp7mxpLt-j2RwIug4-vFipsd_oNM_feIw5tQIZ9lq_0q8XkJWxNjDZnOVkyroklU0BcIrjQMzArCEgDtY9yERyl2PHeqyJ1owWZ6EqkYwjWPr-Fb3YSspdtUPOLiLv1g9GvGvK6cj/s1451/Tomwaitsbonemachine.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1451" data-original-width="1451" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDMsSp7mxpLt-j2RwIug4-vFipsd_oNM_feIw5tQIZ9lq_0q8XkJWxNjDZnOVkyroklU0BcIrjQMzArCEgDtY9yERyl2PHeqyJ1owWZ6EqkYwjWPr-Fb3YSspdtUPOLiLv1g9GvGvK6cj/w200-h200/Tomwaitsbonemachine.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Tom Waits - <i>Bone Machine</i></b> 1992</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tom Waits refuses to lack originality. I personally find the lowkey ballads on here lyrically interesting. And somehow, this also shows him at his most experimental, maniacal and zany.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">31 </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcoBAQAY2D4Gp1gcSYCN-b6iG9v7Kb2l_sTlrOEjOgfyT5oMpvMoE_IdjiNab06BFgMPoOq7bm3kfpJIHxrGywXKyUhU8DQsC0w1vX8OT4cj4wITa3dsGXiHxcZa8rIE8Yi_hQMPljztk/s300/Spacemen_3_Playing_with_Fire_Original_Cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcoBAQAY2D4Gp1gcSYCN-b6iG9v7Kb2l_sTlrOEjOgfyT5oMpvMoE_IdjiNab06BFgMPoOq7bm3kfpJIHxrGywXKyUhU8DQsC0w1vX8OT4cj4wITa3dsGXiHxcZa8rIE8Yi_hQMPljztk/w200-h200/Spacemen_3_Playing_with_Fire_Original_Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Spacemen 3 - <i>Playing with Fire</i></b> 1989</div><div style="text-align: left;">Equally inspired by garage rock, soul, hard drugs and the Milky Way, this might be Spacemen 3's most dynamic and expansive work. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">30</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkqPGbI7X6_s0LBIFHFb4_fBo3xIQl41IoNIIUN62c0Peo1_NCg0Y6GUOwGsoOg9mw7MOTPcvWhgg7JiPWsP5RSEgAQsR596tEWOmCIGF30jE6Cj7B8ybD5pVom22AuySydMhV6rUEFY0/s250/De_La_Soul_Is_Dead.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkqPGbI7X6_s0LBIFHFb4_fBo3xIQl41IoNIIUN62c0Peo1_NCg0Y6GUOwGsoOg9mw7MOTPcvWhgg7JiPWsP5RSEgAQsR596tEWOmCIGF30jE6Cj7B8ybD5pVom22AuySydMhV6rUEFY0/w200-h200/De_La_Soul_Is_Dead.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>De La Soul - <i>De La Soul Is Dead</i></b> 1991</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm under the impression De La Soul felt some pressure to release another multicolor masterpiece, but decided to test their fanbase instead. A personal favorite artistic career move. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">29</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5laAr6WaGIHibO4A7U9gjSFCAIpQBDNApc5qlkvlOdChqDPMenV9lJ6KvUngDs9HTK0yR_DVIqYPNjzfwVUdcEJoV65OZh4GFwXAZ3GQKZd1-Wi9uPBL1qSpE0ydwljnGZiEaLnu4MwYu/s300/RageAgainsttheMachineRageAgainsttheMachine.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5laAr6WaGIHibO4A7U9gjSFCAIpQBDNApc5qlkvlOdChqDPMenV9lJ6KvUngDs9HTK0yR_DVIqYPNjzfwVUdcEJoV65OZh4GFwXAZ3GQKZd1-Wi9uPBL1qSpE0ydwljnGZiEaLnu4MwYu/w200-h200/RageAgainsttheMachineRageAgainsttheMachine.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Rage Against the Machine - <i>Rage Against the Machine</i></b> 1992</div><div style="text-align: left;">Rage are a divisive band in the hipster-sphere. Some angsty political rapping over basic guitar riffs. Is that good? People. Have you freaking heard this? This is the most badass music of all time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">28</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxChpDG7OK9LNOFL5ZtEmqtduPBAzU51OYTTiaQ-1XzvBhD7kvJ0Rpp8CFRwUel1CtXnHm8bSQyfpbm80P8KGNbHGY76N_YqYnDUMnsTddSdW_l2Eaahv4Ws_RkOMxVgnvMLHZxcjZtL7/s320/riiide.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxChpDG7OK9LNOFL5ZtEmqtduPBAzU51OYTTiaQ-1XzvBhD7kvJ0Rpp8CFRwUel1CtXnHm8bSQyfpbm80P8KGNbHGY76N_YqYnDUMnsTddSdW_l2Eaahv4Ws_RkOMxVgnvMLHZxcjZtL7/w200-h200/riiide.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Ride- <i>Nowhere</i></b> 1990</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm of the opinion that shoegaze was a genre meant to be short-lived, and there were only like 5 bands that could match My Bloody Valentine without ripping them off. That's where Ride comes in.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">27</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiI4Au6YYBwFrU7K0bxdmC0-SBcCKsvCU5ZeqNPXhZ1h0XSi-5v4GGyVC8D5Z9ryZm-QI6c94FnvQQii3FwQy6cxY93limjVOI1FAWqo739DKg3svdMV10N6Qg2GrvlEn8iryVrE15nyG/s220/220px-AmeriKKKa%2527s_Most_Wanted_%2528Ice_Cube%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiI4Au6YYBwFrU7K0bxdmC0-SBcCKsvCU5ZeqNPXhZ1h0XSi-5v4GGyVC8D5Z9ryZm-QI6c94FnvQQii3FwQy6cxY93limjVOI1FAWqo739DKg3svdMV10N6Qg2GrvlEn8iryVrE15nyG/w200-h200/220px-AmeriKKKa%2527s_Most_Wanted_%2528Ice_Cube%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Ice Cube - <i>AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted</i></b> 1990</div><div style="text-align: left;">With production assistance from The Bomb Squad, this album built a bridge between the sharpest minds of West Coast and East Coat hip-hop. That wouldn't last long. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">26</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrs4s_peaoeKRQzokf6zYy59bQRbeJICqywL9EB8FYOP80oghsAUDZWv-Le4Fjp3vI-hfbh8VJc593o2eIoaIiysnO26IjxYIfvTcteWSP1Ixl69B54u0_UkKhq5Ss7mYugY4c9yaNLVDR/s220/ATCQPeople%2527sInstinctTravels.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrs4s_peaoeKRQzokf6zYy59bQRbeJICqywL9EB8FYOP80oghsAUDZWv-Le4Fjp3vI-hfbh8VJc593o2eIoaIiysnO26IjxYIfvTcteWSP1Ixl69B54u0_UkKhq5Ss7mYugY4c9yaNLVDR/w200-h200/ATCQPeople%2527sInstinctTravels.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>A Tribe Called Quest - <i>People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm</i></b> 1990</div><div style="text-align: left;">If you're familiar with the work of 80's pop art icon Keith Haring, I think this album puts his images to music. All people are active and colorful.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">25</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3Nv4V9HaiwIOco5TxLT1sDxWcRaeeV7k2GpGmnVsptjqySPzKzQH6c-rABtaQ3_UAAjyCVokzNoAU1VgYEUFTl501fDybNB7ImBkFMBuirkKo1WHB14q1Tce5dgSuF8zSWqRzlTboxF9/s300/Nine_Inch_Nails_-_Pretty_Hate_Machine.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3Nv4V9HaiwIOco5TxLT1sDxWcRaeeV7k2GpGmnVsptjqySPzKzQH6c-rABtaQ3_UAAjyCVokzNoAU1VgYEUFTl501fDybNB7ImBkFMBuirkKo1WHB14q1Tce5dgSuF8zSWqRzlTboxF9/w200-h200/Nine_Inch_Nails_-_Pretty_Hate_Machine.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Nine Inch Nails - <i>Pretty Hate Machine</i></b> 1989</div><div style="text-align: left;">This album is a beautiful mess. Some of it can be classified as synth-pop. And damn good synth-pop at that. But it's the bleeding industrial ruckus and dark destructive tones that draw me in.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">24</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpGIkLnhhBZFnQWsJEdjDKZe6zFtQJFm8Ewi3qFgjwgb_HWvW5jzVF6JvG41tEFAahzs2tc9kF7jyP7Z4Ay8Ppeu7IqOz-WlrZ7AIJDQLn-ZZprL_NYfTrdK8QbyHTUw0YmWmgs4-7E4I/s300/Janet_Jackson_Rhythm_Nation_1814.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpGIkLnhhBZFnQWsJEdjDKZe6zFtQJFm8Ewi3qFgjwgb_HWvW5jzVF6JvG41tEFAahzs2tc9kF7jyP7Z4Ay8Ppeu7IqOz-WlrZ7AIJDQLn-ZZprL_NYfTrdK8QbyHTUw0YmWmgs4-7E4I/w200-h200/Janet_Jackson_Rhythm_Nation_1814.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Janet Jackson - <i>Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814</i></b> 1989</div><div style="text-align: left;">New jack swing. Now <i>there's</i> a genre that was meant to be short-lived. But nobody did it better than Janet. This album's practically a greatest hits comp for the genre. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">23</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuD94Rcp14uwoC25ty7a8rRUpR2JW6tbwDOSeRVc3rFhRh0W_aRBhqUtulNI3PCI2BnHDtDMcfhPzp5ujk381xyFXhLJABcmNJ3qdZ-FPwm8e1VOuTqZoyq7FIh6HgWLtzkX27DHXV96L/s288/hats.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="288" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuD94Rcp14uwoC25ty7a8rRUpR2JW6tbwDOSeRVc3rFhRh0W_aRBhqUtulNI3PCI2BnHDtDMcfhPzp5ujk381xyFXhLJABcmNJ3qdZ-FPwm8e1VOuTqZoyq7FIh6HgWLtzkX27DHXV96L/w200-h200/hats.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The Blue Nile - <i>Hats</i></b> 1989</div><div style="text-align: left;">By all means, this is ranked pretty high. But when you need a soundtrack for a brooding walk around the empty city streets, this will do it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">22</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-JbAgtCX2xIVMZHRLyVXNuIhTDDK3lUyY5GhDbaz0VNg8WHjCc106W3BXivaTwIlidnjX3TznLJoXMv_iQWEjnpIzvOmZIWTKw7Dh_YAVNZIvjKlLOF7rcyYjzrljmaEf5syFMpZovwr/s303/Jesuslizardgoat.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="303" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-JbAgtCX2xIVMZHRLyVXNuIhTDDK3lUyY5GhDbaz0VNg8WHjCc106W3BXivaTwIlidnjX3TznLJoXMv_iQWEjnpIzvOmZIWTKw7Dh_YAVNZIvjKlLOF7rcyYjzrljmaEf5syFMpZovwr/w200-h198/Jesuslizardgoat.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The Jesus Lizard - <i>Goat</i></b> 1991</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm a recent convert to The Jesus Lizard fanbase, thanks to <i>Goat</i>. A mind-blowing rock album. Loud. Fiery. Abrasive. Unforgiving. And of course produced by the G.O.A.T. himself: Steve Albini.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">21</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhKrAPiIiElxRwge_EKsZwfe9uuTL7fED3sR8gy5zOeMPRkLf0DXEUDtsnxtpDDmDv8y-qg0h4AeqjC-rS8BBAvtXVq0jYt6l5Z3wCpKYTdpiG8RZ06grwxCKCFNTQf09FOCDyAUvv5r5/s225/nakedc.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhKrAPiIiElxRwge_EKsZwfe9uuTL7fED3sR8gy5zOeMPRkLf0DXEUDtsnxtpDDmDv8y-qg0h4AeqjC-rS8BBAvtXVq0jYt6l5Z3wCpKYTdpiG8RZ06grwxCKCFNTQf09FOCDyAUvv5r5/w200-h200/nakedc.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>John Zorn - <i>Naked City</i></b> 1990</div><div style="text-align: left;">This album kicks off with some harmless rockabilly, only to progress into a nightshift adventure; hitting you with bold, unpredictable genre twists, ultimately leading to the dead body on the album cover.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">20</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6Qg1oIrMHYoioVOAO5JihLNW7GvZUuxyudxPS7SdER7F381vKIHCpkOm3jQtqy-Srws_6KgisPfsPktZLI-rUyLabaGM7jg1w9_9eQf0Gd7vOgLpJUcQ41SnX6okmjSCVI2u1NGDrMHV/s300/Screamadelica_album_cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6Qg1oIrMHYoioVOAO5JihLNW7GvZUuxyudxPS7SdER7F381vKIHCpkOm3jQtqy-Srws_6KgisPfsPktZLI-rUyLabaGM7jg1w9_9eQf0Gd7vOgLpJUcQ41SnX6okmjSCVI2u1NGDrMHV/w200-h200/Screamadelica_album_cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Primal Scream - <i>Screamadelica</i></b> 1991</div><div style="text-align: left;">This album promises good times all the time. Made for taking ecstasy tablets on UK dancefloors, it even appropriately finishes off with ethereal comedown tracks. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">19</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9juTvwG2BKQkBa-mLXzVt4QVV3K63eRhbcqG7oy1CkhecuhKZVJUxSU-demFH3uji5tMbfXyQIkoi-NIxVG_XG1GlUyu5QYL-v27SDmjvQ1s9AkG2GPYO-9xmmDS7AURW9fsePC3NXXhp/s300/Achtung_Baby.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9juTvwG2BKQkBa-mLXzVt4QVV3K63eRhbcqG7oy1CkhecuhKZVJUxSU-demFH3uji5tMbfXyQIkoi-NIxVG_XG1GlUyu5QYL-v27SDmjvQ1s9AkG2GPYO-9xmmDS7AURW9fsePC3NXXhp/w200-h200/Achtung_Baby.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>U2 - <i>Achtung Baby</i></b> 1991</div><div style="text-align: left;">As high-profile or overrated you may think U2 is, it's pretty hard to argue against <i>Achtung Baby</i>. I think the production still sounds cool 30 years later, and the tracklist's full of classics.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">18</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFbZ8QRUiAJNepWe5498A6DTJwhn-62ibmffIELGd6hzOBxBpCoxTcpM6wIkhXt4Y6CLrnQQm0pmhfG2-5Pj329gGPCc9zB23tCUqQU_2GxRjK7LgpEWkU2qOKaiP36D-iTGWee6LI7u5/s300/Stoneroses.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFbZ8QRUiAJNepWe5498A6DTJwhn-62ibmffIELGd6hzOBxBpCoxTcpM6wIkhXt4Y6CLrnQQm0pmhfG2-5Pj329gGPCc9zB23tCUqQU_2GxRjK7LgpEWkU2qOKaiP36D-iTGWee6LI7u5/w200-h200/Stoneroses.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The Stone Roses - <i>The Stone Roses</i></b> 1989</div><div style="text-align: left;">This is the #1 most British album of all time. Made somewhere between the fall of The Smiths and the rise of Oasis, this album churns out the rest of the UK's most beloved anthems.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">17</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMSBWF1VkZOI0ZEX93MH63qfELj26PGGrM8rD_mg0NP_LuIVS8ix32Y0LnVhyoRmKEBXrGdJFDgr2fo6oaxwvTREYII2BKUfV2jMg_oIpzYe02uoACSmPhUhvl4ZszfKAG1KwmcS9hr6m/s300/On_Fire_%2528Front_Cover%2529.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMSBWF1VkZOI0ZEX93MH63qfELj26PGGrM8rD_mg0NP_LuIVS8ix32Y0LnVhyoRmKEBXrGdJFDgr2fo6oaxwvTREYII2BKUfV2jMg_oIpzYe02uoACSmPhUhvl4ZszfKAG1KwmcS9hr6m/w200-h200/On_Fire_%2528Front_Cover%2529.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Galaxie 500 - <i>On Fire</i></b> 1989</div><div style="text-align: left;">The atmosphere of Galaxie 500 is an acquired taste. Extremely slow 3-chord songs smothered in reverb. By meager indie means, these folks were leagues ahead of their time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">16</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dwvtn2rlgdXaOCoaIpdhpxUobPQKYopt-6uUnir-XQ8jZauUMXdBvbOySA_pz92OE0HD38pxpDDsW6cafTUHxz8qQBeA-0nvhPOI9trohuKD02IRl64q56bgbBagVTyIlCflkJbqYoN2/s306/Cocteau_Twins%25E2%2580%2594Heaven_or_Las_Vegas.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="306" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dwvtn2rlgdXaOCoaIpdhpxUobPQKYopt-6uUnir-XQ8jZauUMXdBvbOySA_pz92OE0HD38pxpDDsW6cafTUHxz8qQBeA-0nvhPOI9trohuKD02IRl64q56bgbBagVTyIlCflkJbqYoN2/w200-h196/Cocteau_Twins%25E2%2580%2594Heaven_or_Las_Vegas.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Cocteau Twins - <i>Heaven or Las Vegas</i></b> 1990</div><div style="text-align: left;">If there was ever a peak standard for dream pop, it's this album, and it's not even close. Every musical element is delivered in a heavenly haze, yet shines with a neon brightness.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">15</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPE1UTNdHO2BQw0doutvd6cLos9be9voyl9h8HK1Cj_3xCYxA1XLQAjuEd_xBMlWArzICDa9aIAO-9KbJwUQODqN8AtX2iOev2mOYgO1vSDm_5KCqWdcDXiztaK698gnqgOQfgf66ELWl/s220/Laughing_stock.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPE1UTNdHO2BQw0doutvd6cLos9be9voyl9h8HK1Cj_3xCYxA1XLQAjuEd_xBMlWArzICDa9aIAO-9KbJwUQODqN8AtX2iOev2mOYgO1vSDm_5KCqWdcDXiztaK698gnqgOQfgf66ELWl/w200-h200/Laughing_stock.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Talk Talk - <i>Laughing Stock</i></b> 1991</div><div style="text-align: left;">Something I've learned to appreciate over the years is mystery. This album is a premium case of me wondering what in god's name was going on--internally, externally--when they made these songs.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">14 </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCRYi4-qGr6kyrE7mDbhuFlusjdQQwjBtY1gntc5vuHQYYglB35jrc7a7_CMkirCvJC-EmZIiYJw0cagjxuvFpU0vMuCw06mDJcimB1l9KXFakpkxNUjzhV_2KqXcptZE1US6BCtmPL3H/s300/MassiveAttackBlueLines.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCRYi4-qGr6kyrE7mDbhuFlusjdQQwjBtY1gntc5vuHQYYglB35jrc7a7_CMkirCvJC-EmZIiYJw0cagjxuvFpU0vMuCw06mDJcimB1l9KXFakpkxNUjzhV_2KqXcptZE1US6BCtmPL3H/w200-h200/MassiveAttackBlueLines.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Massive Attack - <i>Blue Lines</i> </b>1991</div><div style="text-align: left;">I go back-and-forth between this and Portishead's <i>Dummy</i> (1994) being the greatest trip-hop album of all time. Anyways. At its best, <i>Blue Lines</i> still sounds fresh and dope as hell.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">13</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVq5FOgnSSGzsa6fZnH2H6WXX_tMXnevG6SQvdHmrPYKiDxSnWL7TvcE2QwlVbM9-r05iy7jIKchuYRn66ViebZniEC-YcKcRIGz-BKEhl2hX3DtGyVEDUWwk67kKdR8J0UXEWkIGcdOF/s300/Selected_Ambient_Works_85-92.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVq5FOgnSSGzsa6fZnH2H6WXX_tMXnevG6SQvdHmrPYKiDxSnWL7TvcE2QwlVbM9-r05iy7jIKchuYRn66ViebZniEC-YcKcRIGz-BKEhl2hX3DtGyVEDUWwk67kKdR8J0UXEWkIGcdOF/w200-h200/Selected_Ambient_Works_85-92.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Aphex Twin - <i>Selected Ambient Works 85-92</i></b> 1992</div><div style="text-align: left;">Anybody who knows electronic music knows Aphex Twin is a generational talent. As for where to start? I personally think this his best LP, or at least his most identifiable.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">12</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbIdW0SlVK6lKCzwwAvi5Xph2a1UbOW7KzgB4AFirtYFi5504lLXLQjRXjrwh-wifMV-LrdD2vwZiflkyaQNy14PwIf0nIE-rfH65DpFxUzeqV3Czjg4q2hriIPskxH13-cCSgVjQW2aG/s220/Spiderland.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbIdW0SlVK6lKCzwwAvi5Xph2a1UbOW7KzgB4AFirtYFi5504lLXLQjRXjrwh-wifMV-LrdD2vwZiflkyaQNy14PwIf0nIE-rfH65DpFxUzeqV3Czjg4q2hriIPskxH13-cCSgVjQW2aG/w200-h200/Spiderland.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Slint -<i> Spiderland</i></b> 1991</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'd say this is on the same tier of mystery as that Talk Talk album. And yet, this spawns solely from rock instrumentation. So what is this? Post-rock? Math rock? Post-hardcore? It's <i>Spiderland</i>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">11</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lR1bFqRNHZi6SZUEhckenleZpIknD6W25RF6J5GWD4MMotz-GfudswodGPbJgWV5IT48WMG70RhIFyMoxy1FC3AXPa8kVYH_Bzp8Gmsl2qbZtb5BxkRiOIe_jME17tixwKgmXeV_MyX2/s300/R.E.M._-_Automatic_for_the_People.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lR1bFqRNHZi6SZUEhckenleZpIknD6W25RF6J5GWD4MMotz-GfudswodGPbJgWV5IT48WMG70RhIFyMoxy1FC3AXPa8kVYH_Bzp8Gmsl2qbZtb5BxkRiOIe_jME17tixwKgmXeV_MyX2/w200-h200/R.E.M._-_Automatic_for_the_People.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>R.E.M. - <i>Automatic for the People</i></b> 1992 </div><div style="text-align: left;">If you feel like reading, I'm giving this album a long and personal blurb. Or scroll on.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I've owned a CD copy of this since I was 17. I've listened to this album more than anything else on this list. Everything ranked higher than this are albums I feel were game-changers in the music world; "reinventing the wheel" so to speak. But this? This is an album I've turned to frequently for the last 13 years. A damn good band writing damn good songs. A perfect listen when lying awake at night. Any song with an organ or a string section sounds gorgeous. I'd recommend this album to anyone. This will always sound good. Even the awkwardly-placed "Ignoreland" at least serves an anti-Reaganomics mic drop. The rest of the album? Death and introspection. Life and love. And "Nightswimming." </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">10</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyOsVG9nImYuaGdMbIEPAVI9f9aPh1t_EdM3Wdul81iq2cq9Loa5JdVbSIIpzJQgoBIMTt0cCUxDWpxHwBAhjatJIORu-kWYTA8P_pxMhZWQOgbU0XRv6xdeM8yO109PZH36OtdP2DwSi/s300/ATribeCalledQuestTheLowEndtheory.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyOsVG9nImYuaGdMbIEPAVI9f9aPh1t_EdM3Wdul81iq2cq9Loa5JdVbSIIpzJQgoBIMTt0cCUxDWpxHwBAhjatJIORu-kWYTA8P_pxMhZWQOgbU0XRv6xdeM8yO109PZH36OtdP2DwSi/w200-h200/ATribeCalledQuestTheLowEndtheory.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>A Tribe Called Quest - <i>The Low End Theory</i></b> 1991</div><div style="text-align: left;">Jazz rap existed before Tribe. But did it <i>really</i>? Does anybody even think about jazz rap without hearing Q-Tip's voice? This album will always sound smooth like butter.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">9</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZ-keOfBIcxzqc6_LZbJydS73BKsh6eEjxs0M1krWndrEvs1MyOnPfkRTpmX9zyh5HlNj2DE681WMCystaw9d1ezRDKByRUY007CQYYPbP4VeSpulFctjJ1ZkagcgsucMS3-P7SwlhT_6/s220/Fear_of_a_Black_Planet.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZ-keOfBIcxzqc6_LZbJydS73BKsh6eEjxs0M1krWndrEvs1MyOnPfkRTpmX9zyh5HlNj2DE681WMCystaw9d1ezRDKByRUY007CQYYPbP4VeSpulFctjJ1ZkagcgsucMS3-P7SwlhT_6/w200-h200/Fear_of_a_Black_Planet.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Public Enemy - <i>Fear of a Black Planet</i></b> 1990</div><div>With their signature non-stop energy, Public Enemy expresses concern for the world's immanent politically-driven apocalypse, while touching on the world's fear of a black-dominant society.</div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">8</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzN9myWgZSxSRyT_3vgJjQ0Lu8GzHh8rP4xevrU8gkB2smQeF2gdKtoG3BQrkn-nXM3c9C5UKWR5pYhjM2oDQfpA42IFeknWEL2PZ5SpoNZxstxphlGUiD_WKTv33cFz4pInkAgCljAXJW/s1280/3ft.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzN9myWgZSxSRyT_3vgJjQ0Lu8GzHh8rP4xevrU8gkB2smQeF2gdKtoG3BQrkn-nXM3c9C5UKWR5pYhjM2oDQfpA42IFeknWEL2PZ5SpoNZxstxphlGUiD_WKTv33cFz4pInkAgCljAXJW/w200-h200/3ft.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>De La Soul - <i>3 Feet High and Rising</i></b> 1989</div><div style="text-align: left;">Rap was made for new voices to be heard. Yet like all genres, even the established voice of rap needed an alternative. De La Soul were the first to dismantle rap's norms, while remaining sincere.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">7</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GL6lDlf8-ddfahOUd21eYcMPWDXEgv87C1PX9EORMVJMIesWwI9QAf0udIbBCejqV1cna2FTHxxim1FFL0t_DgdTnpFaZFxQ3MTIqWeiR2pxcrnCh6a3G3TEZX26vnSdWHOv8ohC1Sfm/s225/pave.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GL6lDlf8-ddfahOUd21eYcMPWDXEgv87C1PX9EORMVJMIesWwI9QAf0udIbBCejqV1cna2FTHxxim1FFL0t_DgdTnpFaZFxQ3MTIqWeiR2pxcrnCh6a3G3TEZX26vnSdWHOv8ohC1Sfm/w200-h200/pave.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Pavement - <i>Slanted & Enchanted</i></b> 1992</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hailing from my hometown of Stockton CA, these wahoo's unintentionally became the voice of America in the 90's. <i>"There's no culture!"</i> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">6</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUed_apE_KPlVV8LnRewpOJIxeZnY1Qy_Fp-E3MfAqOQui-5WlPYw9poWQlQaWRKO7bsuGeDmEull4791vahREfR1Jzril_c1A41z5dQmKAagfaZO0fKRKU30a6sA1UJXy2U-LHXtHjyt/s300/NirvanaNevermindalbumcover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUed_apE_KPlVV8LnRewpOJIxeZnY1Qy_Fp-E3MfAqOQui-5WlPYw9poWQlQaWRKO7bsuGeDmEull4791vahREfR1Jzril_c1A41z5dQmKAagfaZO0fKRKU30a6sA1UJXy2U-LHXtHjyt/w200-h200/NirvanaNevermindalbumcover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Nirvana - <i>Nevermind</i></b> 1991</div><div style="text-align: left;">This is probably the most culturally detrimental album of all time. I love the cocaine-drenched production and Cobain's "irritated Buddhist" attitude. Then why isn't this #1? It's a fine rock album.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">5</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqnYMefeR-r7C-EGPmNVluhs5hotWNo24QdVtU5OpCLeZyj9wx4aV6ikoniAZq_A4xJmpPcSyw0KQtlMbgSHNTNnx3fHNxoBd5K-2OIAlBezhA6Go9fYQvrrID6G1EZbftPw62gudu8SJ/s700/pixies-doolittle_1024x.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqnYMefeR-r7C-EGPmNVluhs5hotWNo24QdVtU5OpCLeZyj9wx4aV6ikoniAZq_A4xJmpPcSyw0KQtlMbgSHNTNnx3fHNxoBd5K-2OIAlBezhA6Go9fYQvrrID6G1EZbftPw62gudu8SJ/w200-h200/pixies-doolittle_1024x.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Pixies - <i>Doolittle</i></b> 1989</div><div style="text-align: left;">Just playing the chronological game when it comes to fine rock albums. Nirvana is not Nirvana, Pavement is not Pavement, without some Pixies influence. Do some google searches. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">4</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmf2DEQcoLPzUXo8fvyBRdN0q1p8hvbQvXfZN3uTcnsUn7VtlqoJ8v7o2G16yRQlqomRR5nyFPkYrFN95AFLCf-xhL7tpcHZfBprA1jPHCWqcHFTnE9qjnQm3ODbN6RsY0aXyaoLO50ZyZ/s316/BeastieBoysPaul%2527sBoutique.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmf2DEQcoLPzUXo8fvyBRdN0q1p8hvbQvXfZN3uTcnsUn7VtlqoJ8v7o2G16yRQlqomRR5nyFPkYrFN95AFLCf-xhL7tpcHZfBprA1jPHCWqcHFTnE9qjnQm3ODbN6RsY0aXyaoLO50ZyZ/w200-h200/BeastieBoysPaul%2527sBoutique.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Beastie Boys - <i>Paul's Boutique</i></b> 1989</div><div style="text-align: left;">I often appreciate albums that provide impressive pallets of musical diversity. <i>Paul's Boutique</i> is like that on acid. And it's not refined. It's just as laughable as it is mind-blowing. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">3 </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONuwg1r0NbXk148lrLG0t0OSP1JP9T2eHugX9Scs2SIQuh0CU3UKk-PyJ7JxmSppOY0_R8iIKWuVqlsCmwGh96U7QLDun3o5Spm9n4T3bpV8nGzPPmInGIK4sDtg2y8bBgN8MukG8a7MP/s300/CureDisintegration.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONuwg1r0NbXk148lrLG0t0OSP1JP9T2eHugX9Scs2SIQuh0CU3UKk-PyJ7JxmSppOY0_R8iIKWuVqlsCmwGh96U7QLDun3o5Spm9n4T3bpV8nGzPPmInGIK4sDtg2y8bBgN8MukG8a7MP/w200-h200/CureDisintegration.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The Cure - <i>Disintegration</i></b> 1989</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Disintegration </i>is on an elite list of albums. I listen to a lot of music. The more stuff I hear, the more I realize: "Oh my god. Nothing else sounds like this." <i>Disintegration</i> is one of those albums.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">2</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EaYAgmNKbT8xx11ETKhoEwOKYEFCqZLgESmKLoZM_Z-HOn61O7L5Lr4ZsnINcyq6KHP5EPpTmRre4pRgu80KDeNNNyTqwlI0iKegqNZHaqbxy3W834GAFmy6FoJpaAaRrftSPvOmUOj7/s300/My_Bloody_Valentine_-_Loveless.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EaYAgmNKbT8xx11ETKhoEwOKYEFCqZLgESmKLoZM_Z-HOn61O7L5Lr4ZsnINcyq6KHP5EPpTmRre4pRgu80KDeNNNyTqwlI0iKegqNZHaqbxy3W834GAFmy6FoJpaAaRrftSPvOmUOj7/w200-h200/My_Bloody_Valentine_-_Loveless.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>My Bloody Valentine - <i>Loveless</i></b> 1991</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll never forget my first whole listen to this album. These songs do not sound good on playlists. You need to start from the top and let the vacuums suck you in. Those vacuums are actually guitars btw. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">1</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1mqBLPow7Mm1YWVDzILlcoz82bkjPGqEG5RJ2oCPkkf6oB54volZFw2sfBMy1_-g9tA80XjxMFWYrgnjNgHfE9sgjBZ39p_52-m-sCFO_Bleowp_PHO6c7PUFBz_Z-3wrde8Dw6sS6kX/s300/Dr.DreTheChronic.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1mqBLPow7Mm1YWVDzILlcoz82bkjPGqEG5RJ2oCPkkf6oB54volZFw2sfBMy1_-g9tA80XjxMFWYrgnjNgHfE9sgjBZ39p_52-m-sCFO_Bleowp_PHO6c7PUFBz_Z-3wrde8Dw6sS6kX/w200-h200/Dr.DreTheChronic.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Dr. Dre - <i>The Chronic</i></b> 1992</div><div style="text-align: left;">In an attempt to diss Dre's rapping skills, Ice Cube scoffs that Dre should just <i>"stick to producing."</i> So he did. And holy hell. Dre cemented the sonic groundwork for West Coast hip-hop forever. And introduced us to Snoop Dogg. And gave us arguably the most cinematic rap album of all time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-82149180814938158502021-10-16T16:38:00.000-07:002021-10-16T16:38:50.617-07:00The George HW Bush Albums: Introduction + Honorable Mentions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaDJCvhrY6qGM3f9RFYC5ch453S_6OFRAww7aAoq-P1P6YdJMqt6UzGpfMTdhKpzFVD-MWQsC5eruq9Agh8yfpguVKLSmR3mHKwQkhbGiwcGfSKn4UTIbGqieu5cEpUiePC9HtbPXaDWx/s592/bushSHREDS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="524" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaDJCvhrY6qGM3f9RFYC5ch453S_6OFRAww7aAoq-P1P6YdJMqt6UzGpfMTdhKpzFVD-MWQsC5eruq9Agh8yfpguVKLSmR3mHKwQkhbGiwcGfSKn4UTIbGqieu5cEpUiePC9HtbPXaDWx/w177-h200/bushSHREDS.jpg" width="177" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div>So this is actually the 2nd time I've tried ranking albums from a presidential tenure. I listed the top 20 albums of the Trump era. Very awkward list and very awkward blog layout, but you can check it out <a href="https://blogoscottys.blogspot.com/2020/12/top-20-albums-of-trump-era.html">here</a> if ya want.<br />Fact is...These lists are way easier to make with 1-term presidents. The interesting case with George Bush Sr. is that people say nothing about his presidency. But people say <i>a lot</i> about the music released during his presidency. </div><div>I mean...You ask someone, "Who was the US president in the 80s?" They'll say Ronald Reagan. You ask someone, "When did 90s culture really start?" They'll mention the emergence of Nirvana in 1991. The Bush era got overshadowed by your fake-smiley grandpa and your drug-meddled cousin.</div><div>Any artist who released music during the Reagan era gets all their lyrics over-analyzed for potential political meaning. But wait! There were people making music during Bush's presidency! They must have been politically-charged too, right? Yeah, whatever. Never mind.</div><div>The list will have <b>50</b> albums on it. But I have a lot of honorable mentions. These are all albums I genuinely like and find myself thinking about. Straight up, I've heard most of these like 1 time each. But it still counts! Also, I think <i>Blood Sugar Sex Magik</i> sucks. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">1989</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLKmeaHncnlDTbNMh13lV1zHDvt1d-EqUdbGzf2mGEFIAsuQNVizATCSwPZq9xwOFLDcSW9ZzFJK39HoGu_Ztn5-zSD7om053wLzSFpLuTxWVorWfc81tciz_IIZli6MoKiAscTmd_8pt/s277/89HM.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="277" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLKmeaHncnlDTbNMh13lV1zHDvt1d-EqUdbGzf2mGEFIAsuQNVizATCSwPZq9xwOFLDcSW9ZzFJK39HoGu_Ztn5-zSD7om053wLzSFpLuTxWVorWfc81tciz_IIZli6MoKiAscTmd_8pt/s0/89HM.PNG" width="277" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Godflesh - <i>Streetcleaner</i></b> In my attempts to get into metal, this album really scratched my itch. Just some outright disgusting industrial metal worthy of its blazing crucifixion album art.</div><div><b>Too $hort - <i>Life Is... Too $hort</i></b> Hard to say how well this sound is aged. But I know Oakland. And this guy is definitely from Oakland.</div><div><b>Morbid Angel - <i>Altars of Madness</i></b> Of all the metal subgenres, I don't think I'll ever understand death metal. I can at least admit this album has an interesting build-up to its crushing end. </div><div><b>Tom Petty - <i>Full Moon Fever</i></b> This album is a tale of 2 halves. The classic single-heavy A-side outshines the back-half. By a lot.</div><div><b>Steve Reich - <i>Different Trains</i></b> I think this album belongs in the top 20, but it's not official as to whether this piece was released in '88 or '89. I'm pretty sure it was '88.</div><div><b>Fugazi - <i>13 Songs</i> </b>I think EP compilations count as "albums." But it should be noted that side-A of this album was released in '88. So this album shouldn't make this list.</div><div><br /></div></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">1990</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHCUjMgJubTewseUtxABXdlbkpnYDz9LRWtJw0c9IUuR6QCv2Y4fTfquKHpunxrBfUfC53o8rMm1QHqmCiLRbUGzYPX2_Rscb81ClbYzJ61ogjsUBkVDwJwHKkcMCnO7QKvBAAc0rpFJD/s366/90hm.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="366" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHCUjMgJubTewseUtxABXdlbkpnYDz9LRWtJw0c9IUuR6QCv2Y4fTfquKHpunxrBfUfC53o8rMm1QHqmCiLRbUGzYPX2_Rscb81ClbYzJ61ogjsUBkVDwJwHKkcMCnO7QKvBAAc0rpFJD/s320/90hm.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Ween - <i>GodWeenSatan: The Oneness</i></b> Both the album title and the music itself comes off like a result of artistic geniuses getting totally baked. </div><div><b>Codeine - <i>Frigid Stars LP</i></b> If you're into slowcore, I highly recommend this album. This was probably the best slowcore album from '90. </div><div><b>Jane's Addiction - <i>Ritual de lo Habitual</i></b> I'm a closet Jane's Addiction fan. Good time to bring up that you will not see Pearl Jam or Alice in Chains on this list. </div><div><b>k.d. lang - <i>Ingénue</i></b> This album manages to find influence from like 10 different genres and disguise it all as adult contemporary. A misunderstood artist at her peak. </div><div><b>Depeche Mode - <i>Violator</i></b> Amid my love/hate relationship with Depeche Mode, this album's really good. "Enjoy The Silence" will always sound great. </div><div><b>Sinéad O'Connor - <i>I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got</i></b> Fun fact: I used to confuse Sinéad O'Connor with Sandra Day O'Connor. </div><div><b>Morrissey - <i>Bona Drag</i></b> I said earlier I count EP compilations as albums. But this consists of previously released singles; some of which appeared on previous albums.</div><div><b>Uncle Tupelo - <i>No Depression</i></b> The early days of alternative country were a little more fun and a little more rockin'. <i>No Depression</i> captures these vibes.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">1991</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NMTNGxA26D3VHQNYNvkxulwXzuYwHEeKNRl7jnmCyMPuzdxqkAGbrdmdfaz5G4FQduVRly3FddNh74_48SP3l7vW43LsRmkz2lhqxdrMUkLHTxm19mwzgUvMLvTLr23WHauI2E7bCIlU/s276/91HM.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="185" data-original-width="276" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NMTNGxA26D3VHQNYNvkxulwXzuYwHEeKNRl7jnmCyMPuzdxqkAGbrdmdfaz5G4FQduVRly3FddNh74_48SP3l7vW43LsRmkz2lhqxdrMUkLHTxm19mwzgUvMLvTLr23WHauI2E7bCIlU/s0/91HM.PNG" width="276" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>R.E.M. - <i>Out of Time</i></b> So R.E.M. is arguably my favorite band of all time, and I feel like my devoted love for this album mostly exists within that context. </div><div><b>Main Source - <i>Breaking Atoms</i></b> This album is mostly known for featuring a guest verse from a teenage Nas, but it also has some impressive sampling.</div><div><b>Pixies - <i>Trompe le Monde</i></b> Kinda sad that Kim Deal sounds pretty much nonexistent on this album, but it's still Pixies so it's still great.</div><div><b>Saint Etienne - <i>Foxbase Alpha</i></b> This album is a cool find. An eclectic mix of the UK's dance scene and scratchy 60's samples, held together by some heavenly dream pop vocals.</div><div><b>KMD - <i>Mr. Hood</i></b> I can't think about this album title without thinking of the Robin Hood song from <i>Shrek</i>.</div><div><b>Public Enemy - <i>Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Back</i></b> This is a lot to take in. Let's just call it old-school hardcore hip-hop's last stand. Anthrax collaborations and racist politicians and all.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">1992 </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNxhfMfCAA1M2z715nco_V0VV4Hl7v2CHxaqOhzXIXgTUcHq9vraxpnLGaVUL7dHLTfHXgqa8fni0qR_-tl7zAvHBO69BdOgyFtdO0xkXn8WBIGAvmIIRfqRfsJaMNwQqrENpIxlnoI7o/s458/92hm.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="458" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNxhfMfCAA1M2z715nco_V0VV4Hl7v2CHxaqOhzXIXgTUcHq9vraxpnLGaVUL7dHLTfHXgqa8fni0qR_-tl7zAvHBO69BdOgyFtdO0xkXn8WBIGAvmIIRfqRfsJaMNwQqrENpIxlnoI7o/s320/92hm.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Red House Painters - <i>Down Colorful Hill</i></b> This is some of the saddest music you will ever hear in your freaking life.</div><div><b>Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - <i>Henry's Dream</i></b> Nick Cave's career is one of the most consistently rewarding rabbit-holes to get lost in. This album itself is worth getting lost in. </div><div><b>Uncle Tupelo - <i>March 16-20, 1992</i></b> Uncle Tupelo went 100% acoustic for a sec with some beautiful production provided by R.E.M.'s Peter Buck. </div><div><b>The Cure - <i>Wish</i></b> Even when The Cure go pop, The Cure go hard. "Friday I'm in Love" is a but a blip of joy in this 70-minute emotional rollercoaster. </div><div><b>Sade - <i>Love Deluxe</i></b> I sincerely think "No Ordinary Love" is a candidate for best song from the Bush era. Some moments on this album sound dated, but at its best, it's futuristic.</div><div><b>Sonic Youth - <i>Dirty</i></b> Sonic Youth is a beautiful example of a band becoming cool on mistake. Don't call it a comeback. They've been here for years. </div><div><b>The Jayhawks - <i>Hollywood Town Hall</i></b> From the uninviting cold heart of Minnesota, these alt-country old-heads heat things up with some Rolling Stones influence. </div><div><b>Sleep - <i>Sleep's Holy Mountain</i></b> It's just difficult for me to rank stuff like this, ya know? A '92 album trying to feed you Black Sabbath through a thick haze of marijuana smoke. I love it.</div><div><b>Faith No More - <i>Angel Dust</i></b> To anybody else who's heard this album: Please feel free to talk with me about it. I've never heard anything like this. This is some sideways shit. </div><div><b>L7 - <i>Bricks Are Heavy</i></b> L7 were a true sister act to Nirvana in Seattle's early grunge scene. They got themselves their own Butch Vig-produced album, and I gotta admit, it's pretty dope.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-74849305299767776982021-08-08T14:38:00.001-07:002021-08-08T16:01:51.440-07:00Allie Song 2: "THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS"<div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div><div>You can't force a feeling</div><div>But you can't fight it either</div><div>Seems like all my demons</div><div>Have become too familiar</div><div>So I go to this party</div><div>Force myself to smile</div><div>Acting in the moment</div><div>Living in denial</div><div>You might see me laugh, but I feel like cryin'</div><div>I'm running out of gas, but hey, I'm tryin'</div><div><br /></div><div>CHORUS 1</div><div>I can't help the way that I feel</div><div>Don't wanna drink, but I probably will</div><div>After all, alcohol's better beneath the moon</div><div>At this point, I'm just foolin' around</div><div>If you wanna leave, you know I'm down</div><div>My glass is half full, but it's gonna be empty soon</div><div>And at the bottom of every glass</div><div>You realize nothing lasts</div><div><br /></div><div><div>I don't know why I do this</div><div>It'll just end like last time</div></div><div>People acting stupid</div><div>America's favorite pastime</div><div>So I joke and flirt and all that stuff</div><div>A couple conversations</div><div>Now I can't stop checking my phone</div><div>While the pop music keeps playin'</div><div>You might see me laugh a little louder</div><div>But I've been faking that for like an hour</div><div><br /></div><div>REPEAT CHORUS</div><div><br /></div><div>SOLO(s)</div><div><br /></div><div>This may be cool to some, but I don't buy it</div><div>My friends are acting dumb. They say "Why fight it?</div><div>You came here to have fun. Why not try it?"</div><div>(so I) Take the bullet from this gun, and I bite it</div><div><br /></div><div>FINALE CHORUS </div><div>I know where I am, but I feel so lost</div><div>You're makin' noise, while I carry my cross</div><div>Nights like these, I just wanna stare at the moon</div><div><div>At this point, I'm just foolin' around</div><div>If you wanna leave, you know I'm down</div><div>My glass is half full, but it's gonna be empty soon</div><div>And at the bottom of every glass</div><div>You can see your reflection...kinda... </div><div><br /></div></div></div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-71054718396983759832021-08-08T14:36:00.001-07:002021-08-08T16:00:45.532-07:00Allie Song 1: "TRIGGER" <div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Shining inside</div><div style="text-align: left;">Feels bona fide</div><div style="text-align: left;">It's almost like I'm free</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>Reality hits</div><div>It all goes to shit</div><div>I forget how to breathe </div><div>I remember</div><div>My insecurities</div><div>The sins nobody sees</div><div>And the trigger </div><div>Gets pulled at random...</div><div><br /></div><div>2009</div><div>That's the first time</div><div>I really lost control</div><div>Years of regret </div><div>And student loan debt</div><div>Chip away at my soul</div><div>But the worst part</div><div>Is watching people laugh</div><div>From behind the glass</div><div>And the trigger</div><div>Gets pulled from somewhere...</div><div><br /></div><div>You'd think that I would come around</div><div>And find where I belong</div><div>But something always shoots me down</div><div>Guess I'll fly and fall for all my songs</div><div><br /></div><div>Stare into space</div><div>At the workplace</div><div>Wond'ring how I got here</div><div>What's a paycheck</div><div>If you can't connect</div><div>With any real career?</div><div><div>It's the last thing</div></div><div>I think before I break</div><div>Daily, give-or-take</div><div>Then the memories start piling up</div><div>Suddenly I'm stuck</div><div>Cycling through sensations that I've felt</div><div>Pains that I've withheld</div><div>Words and places and the faces of</div><div>People I once loved</div><div>My chest feels weird and the LED hurts my eyes</div><div>I think I'm gonna die</div><div>But I can't clock out 'til 5</div><div>I wish I could just hide...</div><div><br /></div><div>Shining inside</div><div>Feels bona fide</div><div>It's almost like I'm free</div><div>And the trigger </div><div>Must be pulled by someone...</div><div><br /></div></div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5451002882581587033.post-35271587717323373872021-07-14T06:45:00.000-07:002021-07-14T06:45:20.133-07:00Properly Rating The Needle Drop's 10/10 Albums<div style="text-align: left;">In his 12 years of being YouTube's most popular music critic, Anthony Fantano has only given a perfect 10/10 to 6 new albums. But how good are these albums, really? Having listened to his most recent 10/10 review, I think I can wrap my mind around this.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UpPTriMOnKwckNjLMr9lTWrcfhPiyNixxNVZw1IuZORuOX0wsauTtOmDPqG3l5nrz4CMvtV7-k1EVn7LsjyQOkr72QqDjVsRbOhWojjYdFwAIUqylc3nrtOzpXehEqfnBUzCXFmUfjni/s514/fan10o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UpPTriMOnKwckNjLMr9lTWrcfhPiyNixxNVZw1IuZORuOX0wsauTtOmDPqG3l5nrz4CMvtV7-k1EVn7LsjyQOkr72QqDjVsRbOhWojjYdFwAIUqylc3nrtOzpXehEqfnBUzCXFmUfjni/s320/fan10o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">HONORABLE MENTIONS</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is really nerdy, but I have to bring it up. During the 2010s, 5 albums were given a perfect score. But when Fantano made his "best albums of the decade" list, these were ranked #4-1 and #7. This means 2 albums out there are grouped among the perfect. I feel like I should give them a moment to shine.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2010 <span style="font-family: arial;"><b>LCD Soundsystem</b> <i>This Is Happening</i> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacSWihhK7wbfDWmgX7dVmjtPHEi-uQ92OzNA7hJ5jL5HanRCrVvmXxha3n9SMwtPN28Ex0CSpPkskDsDsN7Bq920sU2uEUwJ0P4ehDQWmXkBJvnm6COcVMCi4q2um75pQeuIhojvzQ0Cc/s220/Lcdthisishappening.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="220" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacSWihhK7wbfDWmgX7dVmjtPHEi-uQ92OzNA7hJ5jL5HanRCrVvmXxha3n9SMwtPN28Ex0CSpPkskDsDsN7Bq920sU2uEUwJ0P4ehDQWmXkBJvnm6COcVMCi4q2um75pQeuIhojvzQ0Cc/w200-h199/Lcdthisishappening.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Really glad there's an album in this bunch that isn't totally freaking random. A lot of people love LCD Soundsystem. I am one of them. This was the <a href="https://www.albumoftheyear.org/list/summary/2010s/">#22</a> most critically-acclaimed album of the decade. On my own end-of-decade list, I had it at #10. Still sounds great after all these years. A fun, loud, heartfelt album from the usually pretentious world of indie pop. </div><div style="text-align: left;">MY SCORE: <b><span style="font-family: arial;">100</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2019 <span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Charli XCX</b> <i>Charli </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SGLhXg_1eK28cNDV6AJaYOrh86clR2psEZS27FVHpNA_ysizlSvbaFE_FO-KV1f1YEnLr687K7piMBKUgo7Sl7MVIDASV7PkSvGUlLJfBuGuBbQAqnQ_Ua4x_ErYnKxnP2O0jqwB9p0p/s300/Charli_XCX_-_Charli.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SGLhXg_1eK28cNDV6AJaYOrh86clR2psEZS27FVHpNA_ysizlSvbaFE_FO-KV1f1YEnLr687K7piMBKUgo7Sl7MVIDASV7PkSvGUlLJfBuGuBbQAqnQ_Ua4x_ErYnKxnP2O0jqwB9p0p/w200-h200/Charli_XCX_-_Charli.png" width="200" /></a></div>The word Fantano uses to describe this album is "futuristic." The phrase I'd use to describe this album is <i>"attempting </i>to be futuristic." This album goes back-and-forth between mind-blowing moments and head-scratching headaches. Nothing against this genre of music. Just not my favorite approach to it. In the world of PC Pop and hyperpop, I very much prefer SOPHIE's 2018 album. </div><div style="text-align: left;">MY SCORE: <b><span style="font-family: arial;">70</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">THE REAL 10/10's</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here are the only albums given a perfect 10/10 from The Needle Drop.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2012 <span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Death Grips</b> <i>The Money Store </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW97jyWkqgbq4Pi389MSPXWW7phHaWtFDQp5ZegQVTrrImFGq6nyjt8DFgbkfaBQ7mzMynzxLuD68BxU8a2hq7-cM0UpFehEpYXXXK1oEf30x8CP3-thYuW9EtRHljyxixsbv39Fosv5kQ/s220/Death_Grips_-_The_Money_Store.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW97jyWkqgbq4Pi389MSPXWW7phHaWtFDQp5ZegQVTrrImFGq6nyjt8DFgbkfaBQ7mzMynzxLuD68BxU8a2hq7-cM0UpFehEpYXXXK1oEf30x8CP3-thYuW9EtRHljyxixsbv39Fosv5kQ/w200-h200/Death_Grips_-_The_Money_Store.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Nobody cares about Death Grips anymore. Unless you're Anthony Fantano. He's given a top 5 year-end spot to 5 different Death Grips albums. I've come to terms with this band over the years. I'm a fan of <i>Exmilitary</i> and <i>No Love Deep Web</i>. And especially <i>The Money Store</i>. It was an artistic leap that put them in the spotlight. This is truly a standout in producing industrial and electronic music. I think it still sounds fresh and has aged well enough for me to consider it one of the modern classics. </div><div style="text-align: left;">MY SCORE: <b><span style="font-family: arial;">99</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2014 <span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Swans</b> <i>To Be Kind</i> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AGhBquZJu7zQY92gh0eGVjDNhdUa6A4NbMfqIf9Q8Kd8mf7cgV7i6lvTI7W8WGK01PDPvPZ8NPbEArE29oCSzfzjkW6D9DYPkGgFXVFB5_39jPQfDn-2Ej1m6q1UazJPi0lQADMD-ki7/s220/Swans_To_Be_Kind.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AGhBquZJu7zQY92gh0eGVjDNhdUa6A4NbMfqIf9Q8Kd8mf7cgV7i6lvTI7W8WGK01PDPvPZ8NPbEArE29oCSzfzjkW6D9DYPkGgFXVFB5_39jPQfDn-2Ej1m6q1UazJPi0lQADMD-ki7/w200-h200/Swans_To_Be_Kind.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>So this album is over 2 hours long. I haven't listened to it in 2 years. But I must have enjoyed it, because I ranked it somewhere in my top 15 albums of the decade. 10 post-rock songs that are both parts frightening and powerful. An album built like a pyramid. </div><div style="text-align: left;">MY SCORE: <b><span style="font-family: arial;">100</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2015 <span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Kendrick Lamar</b> <i>To Pimp A Butterfly</i> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lEJOyXOz2F6aWglR2OCSKNvHkEdNX3M0P6wqsNsy47rTQy703lnbxXk7-5qYIjGbhh1zOqDbd5GcscXylwY7seVJjwaU6DrPWOicsufwSijGXwCQCMXH-tl56yeO7aYkbO0y5aODZ0tz/s220/220px-Kendrick_Lamar_-_To_Pimp_a_Butterfly.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lEJOyXOz2F6aWglR2OCSKNvHkEdNX3M0P6wqsNsy47rTQy703lnbxXk7-5qYIjGbhh1zOqDbd5GcscXylwY7seVJjwaU6DrPWOicsufwSijGXwCQCMXH-tl56yeO7aYkbO0y5aODZ0tz/w200-h200/220px-Kendrick_Lamar_-_To_Pimp_a_Butterfly.png" width="200" /></a></div>So this is the <a href="https://www.albumoftheyear.org/list/summary/2010s/">#1</a> most critically-acclaimed album of the decade. It was Fantano's #1 album of the decade. It was my #1 album of the decade. And despite my kinda forced public displays of obsession with it throughout 2015, I actually think I underestimated what made it so good. Making a great 80-minute rap album is really hard. But to have every word delivered be so thoughtful and impactful...This is just Kendrick reaching out to connect with the listener. Not talking down at us. And we love him for that.</div><div style="text-align: left;">MY SCORE: <b><span style="font-family: arial;">100</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2018 <span style="font-family: arial;"><b>KIDS SEE GHOSTS</b> <i>Kids See Ghosts </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAR44MtzT_e89mHZF3SOKdn8d1ghrc-tDMJBGvM141m7BZ3PVn1SjZ-KqYvTwlBvjdrflcIuccnHw6cNVtdCPu8_G00cJU-L-1eRiCgvHuSdeZ1VlyM5c3ygLiPE5qTI-gqEW9lktCsrT0/s316/Kids_See_Ghosts_Cover.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAR44MtzT_e89mHZF3SOKdn8d1ghrc-tDMJBGvM141m7BZ3PVn1SjZ-KqYvTwlBvjdrflcIuccnHw6cNVtdCPu8_G00cJU-L-1eRiCgvHuSdeZ1VlyM5c3ygLiPE5qTI-gqEW9lktCsrT0/w200-h200/Kids_See_Ghosts_Cover.png" width="200" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">While I think this is a fine album, I have no idea what the heck Fantano is talking about. This 1-off collab project between Kanye West and Kid Cudi is under 25 minutes of well-produced and generally likable hip-hop songs. While I'm impressed that these 2 artists gave us a colorful and cohesive release in 2018, I don't see it as anything beyond that. And the band name sucks. </div><div style="text-align: left;">MY SCORE: <b><span style="font-family: arial;">79</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2018 <span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Daughters</b> <i>You Won't Get What You Want </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLwcznDjUkinfAt7SeHf7NSr7wzGK3q8K-OzHTfM6id_do0jw5VRASE6xCojI3zMeNKxiEKHTOZgMUmstjvDHjZYX0xjgfH95SEHkXTh8U_3K7KUTLX7kaNxSBbEZzQO5h-9HRRASwAHu/s220/220px-YouWon%2527tGetWhatYouWant.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="220" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLwcznDjUkinfAt7SeHf7NSr7wzGK3q8K-OzHTfM6id_do0jw5VRASE6xCojI3zMeNKxiEKHTOZgMUmstjvDHjZYX0xjgfH95SEHkXTh8U_3K7KUTLX7kaNxSBbEZzQO5h-9HRRASwAHu/w200-h199/220px-YouWon%2527tGetWhatYouWant.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>This was a great find. This is why I follow The Needle Drop. While I don't listen to everything he promotes, I find myself trying out something new if his review intrigues me. And I love this album. While I don't think it's perfect (a couple songs just sound like Nine Inch Nails), this is structured like a miniature dark journey. It slowly pulls you in, and leads you to its hellish, dynamic climax. I ranked this somewhere in my top 50 albums of the decade.</div><div style="text-align: left;">MY SCORE: <span style="font-family: arial;"><b>90</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2021 <span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Spellling</b> <i>The Turning Wheel</i> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipH2RcxqiL2MANWBTKM3wkWlXq7ljCd7YdDYs9fHV9VDHip4deK4KtdQIH2TCZCZ7SHrr4iQaSswHn3jUPuc3H_S0_OCjFTEDB0GNaUjdKNOoXtq2yB3x8fA3X0-d6I0Mbz9n-N1ZQV3Ia/s300/The_Turning_Wheel.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipH2RcxqiL2MANWBTKM3wkWlXq7ljCd7YdDYs9fHV9VDHip4deK4KtdQIH2TCZCZ7SHrr4iQaSswHn3jUPuc3H_S0_OCjFTEDB0GNaUjdKNOoXtq2yB3x8fA3X0-d6I0Mbz9n-N1ZQV3Ia/w200-h200/The_Turning_Wheel.png" width="200" /></a></div>I think every review of this album gives the same compliments. It's just a matter of <i>how much</i> you like those factors. Somehow, Fantano only name-drops Kate Bush once in his review, which is funny, because this album has 12 songs. And all 12 songs sound like Kate Bush. Specifically her whimsical early work; pre-<i>Hounds Of Love</i>. Maybe some will see this as a bloated listen. But I'm pretty impressed with its consistency in modernized production and intricate musical compositions. </div><div style="text-align: left;">MY SCORE: <b><span style="font-family: arial;">80</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Scott E Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806051750147379916noreply@blogger.com0