Music 2020 Part 2: Brief thoughts, NYC bands

We are halfway through December, and for whatever reason I just haven't been listening to as much music the past two weeks. I have definitely found the various year-end lists less inspiring this year. There is not very much overlap on them at all, which some people might misinterpret as a positive sign. "There is so much good music nobody could agree!". I do not think it works that way- I think there is a lack of agreement because there were few albums this year that really transcended genres and appealed to a wide audience. This has meant that I have not been able to make a short-list of must-listens, and so far my attempts to cast a wider net have not led to many pleasant surprises.

Luckily, there is still a bunch of stuff I already knew I liked...

Couch Slut- Take A Chance on Rock 'n' Roll

Couch Slut is still really good! I don't think I enjoyed this album quite as much as Contempt, but this is still some of the best noise/sludge/whatever stuff around and Megan is still absolutely crushing it as a vocalist and lyricist. Thinking about this band does make me miss NYC live music quite terribly- if we do not get it back in 2021 it is going to be absolutely brutal.

https://gileadmedia.bandcamp.com/album/take-a-chance-on-rock-n-roll

Favorite song: The Stupid Man

Imperial Triumphant- Alphaville

I definitely do not claim to understand exactly what is going on in the world that Imperial Triumphant envisioned when they were creating Alphaville. I seems like some sort of alternative science-fictionalized New York of the past where art deco and jazz are the styles of the time but everything else is pretty weird? The band has brought a Gorgut-ish death metal vibe to their jazz-inspired black metal, and the results really are fantastic. This album is pretty out there and definitely won't be for everyone, but I would encourage you to give it a try.

https://totaldissonanceworship.bandcamp.com/album/alphaville

Favorite songs: I think this one works better as a full experience, but you can always check out the Voivod cover, Experiment, on the bonus tracks edition of the album. It is quite good, but I am going to be a curmudgeon and say that I prefer the original.

Next post will have a few more album recommendations, and maybe I'll get to the non-metal stuff.

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