As I look back at what I’ve been listening to this year I see lots of the usual suspects and a few new names too. One thing I don’t see is a whole lot of local, which is not like me, and an absence of hip-hop, which is also strange. Still, this list is as good as many past years and it’s what soundtracked my 2024.
So here, in no particular order, are my favorite albums of the year.
Nada Surf “Moon Mirror”
Nada Surf has never released a bad album and this record continues their streak of excellent releases.
Various Artists “Live at the Crocodile: Back to Belltown”
This nostalgic blast from the past reminded me of just how great the local music scene was in the early and mid 2000s.
Shannon & The Clams “The Moon is in the Wrong Place”
This is art born from tragedy. It’s an album filled with catchy, grooving, psychdelic garage rock
Jack White “No Name”
Easily the best thing he’s done since “Elephant” and hands-down the best rock album of the year.
Mega Cat “Mega Cat”
Funky, jazzy instrumental rock from some of the folks in the Smokey Brights camp.
Pearl Jam “Dark Matter”
The Smile “Cutouts”
The second album The Smile released this year is an improvement on their sophomore effort.
Neil Young “Fu##in’ Up”
A live recording of “Ragged Glory” sounds as good, if not better, than the original.
Paramore “Re: This Is Why”
The Re stands for remix, and this remix record of one of last year’s best albums is a refreshing shake up of a batch of really good songs.
The Linda Lindas “No Obligation”
Youthful, spirited rock from one of the best young bands out there.
The Cure “Songs of a Lost World”
The best comeback of 2024 was well worth the wait.
Japandroids “Fate & Alochol”
The farewell album from one of my favorite bands of the past two decades is so damn good in the most bittersweet way possible.
Black Ends “Psychotic Spew”
Best local rock album of the year, or best album from 2024 that sounds like it’s from 1994? Yes to both.
Jerry Cantrell “I Want Blood”
A dark and heavy release from Alice In Chains’ main songwriting force.
Amyl & the Sniffers “Cartoon Darkness”
A healthy blast of bratty, snotty and crude punk from the land down under.
