For the past week or so I'd been mulling over the idea of getting this site kick-started again, and one thing that was rolling around upstairs was the idea of music I'd really enjoyed this year. And named were kicking around in my head and then the Grammy nominees were announced and my youngest came up and let me know that Big Thief, who I'd dragged him to see in concert in 2019 and he actually liked, was nominated in Best Rock Performance for their song, "Not." Now, I don't know the parameters for the Grammy's--as you can see, I noted we saw the band in 2019. We saw them after the album with the song "Not" had been put out into the world--yet, they're up for a 2020 Grammy. So, to be honest, their name never popped into my head.
Two other Grammy nominees, also for Best Rock Performance, Fiona Apple and Phoebe Bridgers, had come to mind. They'd put out wonderful albums I'd purchased and listened to frequently and was sure they'd receive tons of recognition. The idea I was spinning a week or so ago was that while I loved both of these, there were others that I assumed would not receive the same type of recognition that I'd listened to maybe even more, and liked just as much and thought it might be nice to shine some light (realizing the EWN is shining about a 3 watt bulb during our strongest outputs) on some of these.
Turns out much like the Grammys with the Best Rock Performance category--the list of favorite listens this year came from females or female fronted bands. If I were to list them chronologically:
Emilie Rivard - "The Reason" - January
This one is sort of b.s. for this list as it has yet to be released. I happened to be lucky enough to be around still after 1:30 in the morning at the Gaelic League in Detroit at an open mic. when Emilie played this for the first time that I'd heard it. You would not have been able to get me out of that place with a taser before she was done with that song. Powerful, emotional, driving and she put every single bit of herself into that performance. It was amazing and I can't wait to have this in a recording I can listen to whenever I want.
Waxahatchee - Saint Cloud - March
To be honest, I'm a bit surprised to not see this one anywhere on the Grammy list. Katie Crutchfield has been putting out albums as Waxahatchee for half a decade or so now and all have been very well received by critics. This one was receiving higher compliments than the previous albums--she'd found her sweet spot, Americana fused with country to a bit but maintaining her DIY spirit. The most frequent comparison was to Lucinda Williams and it seemed very apt. Just a great set of songs.
Ally Evenson - Not So Pretty - April
Another right place, right time late in a bar (Ghost Light this time, in February) where I caught Evenson sing a trio of songs solo. Found out she had an EP coming out soon and picked it up when it came out. Haunting, and emotional are the first two words that come to mind. What also comes to mind is knowing I've played the hell out of this EP, wishing it was an LP, and looking forward to more songs from her. Catching her with full band performing these songs via Livestream during the summer showed a harder edge to the material that worked great as well.
Deau Eyes - Let It Leave - May
Much of March through May was spent looking forward to Sunday and Coffee and Deaunuts--a livestream from the musician's home doing her own songs, taking cover requests, discussing the social revolutions taking place outside her, and our, front doors. And a huge reason it was looked forward so much by myself was that she's an incredibly talented singer and songwriter. The album is great in the variety that Thibodeau takes in her songwriting approaches and the music backing her words and voice. No song sounds the same even in style really but they are all quite obviously hers. If I had to guess, this spun more times than anything through my CD players or iPod this calendar year.
Girl Friday - Androgynous Mary - August
Chances are, had this also been released as early as May and it would have spun as frequently as Deau Eyes as Girl Friday, as well as solo efforts by a couple of the members, have become my favorites in the musical world. There is a power backed by a playful attitude, combined with serious themes and lyrics that simply rocks. As great as the material is on record, if you EVER have the chance to catch them live, run to get those tickets.
Sad13 - Haunted Painting - September
This is a pop alternative masterpiece. The number of instruments utilized by Dupuis and others on these songs is amazing and after numerous listens these last few months, I can't imagine the songs without any of them. This album is by far the closest of this list that one could almost consider an album to dance to, with the lyrics of a poet's hand, some crunch to the guitar, and again, great rhythms through a combination of sounds.
Emma Guzman - trio of songs - through the summer
Via Tidal that eventually got released through Apple, Emma put out a trio of great songs. Simply great writing and sung by THAT voice. It's going to be extremely interesting to see Emma carve together an album of material in the future. A song wisdom well beyond her years with this one that has only improved the last few years.
So, while I think there are more names on the Grammy nominees list that I actually like than maybe the past five or six years combined this year, you'd continue to do yourself well to dip into songs outside of those names.
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