Remember when we all thought 2018 was an absolute toilet of a year, and everyone was so sure 2019 would be the turn around? Didn't turn out that way huh? Oh well, at least some cool things go released. That's all I did, checked out cool things that were released, wee little distractions from the world that seemed in flames around me. Quite literally, sometimes - y'all see them forest fires and volcanoes? Mental. I imagine you probably did the same too, so let me take the time to discuss the things I checked out this year, and with any luck, there'll be something new to you here, and you'll know to check it out or avoid it, thanks to yours truly.
So without further adieu, let's kick things off, starting this lengthily 2019 retrospective with music.
The Claypool Lennon Delirium - South of Reality | 22nd February
The Claypool Lennon Delirium's second album continues to explore Les Claypool's weird and psychedelic musical venture with South of Reality, which often sounds like the music of The Beatles but with Primus basslines, something you may not be aware was of interest to you until you play the first track of the album.
This nine track record is a comfortably paced ride where weird sounds and good times abound, most notably the stand outs being Blood and Rockets, Little Fishes, and Easily Charmed Fools, all of which feature some of the best lyrics the album has on offer.
Les Claypool's music isn't perhaps the most accessible to those unfamiliar with his style of music, however with South of Reality that is all but shattered whilst still ensuring every song featured here will still appeal to fans of his previous works, a testament to how flawlessly Les can craft such oddities that anyone can get behind. I don't really know what else to tell you here guys, it's a great album.
Should you listen to it? Most definitely.
Teenage Bottlerocket - Stay Rad! | 15th March
I can't believe Teenage Bottlerocket have been going for two decades man. I would've pinned them for maybe half that time being an active band, but nope, twenty years of Bottlerocket. Crazy.
So what do they have to show for this impressive run? Well they have their eighth studio album, Stay Rad, to show for it. Stay Rad is a fairly standard punk rawk affair with the album shifting between poppier punk and heavy punk without stumbling over itself in the process, with a definite focus on pop punk orientation when it comes to the lyrics. Anyone familiar with Bottlerocket will be accustomed to the off-beat and humorous songs about feelings and such, and newcomers should hopefully connect quite nicely with a band that sound essentially like a modern day Ramones.
It certainly isn't a groundbreaking record, but through their nearly quarter of a century run Teenage Bottlerocket have honed their craft to a sound both they and their fans are comfortable with, and they very heavily play the don't fix what isn't broken card, allowing them to focus on writing genuinely catchy and enjoyable music for anyone with even the slightest interest in classic pop punk bands.
Should you listen to it? Hell yeah man, it was always going to take a lot for a website called The Things of Which Are Also Rad to not dig an album called Stay Rad, really.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Fishing For Fishies | 26th April
King Gizzard are one of the best bands going at the moment, and its bizarre that they've not managed to garner more of a recognition for their commitment to make all manner of weird and wonderful music. To give you an idea of how hard working these dudes are, Fishing for Fishies is one of two albums they put out this year, and both albums could not be more different. But we'll talk more of their second 2019 album later, right now we've got Fishies to focus on.
Much like the previously covered South of Reality, this album is a psychedelic rock extravaganza, with a ripple of blues and boogie woogie thrown in, resulting in an album you could imagine The Beatles would be crafting today if some of their members didn't get shot or die from non-bullet related causes. The opening title track is a toe dip into the energy and fun that the following tracks are about to throw your way, easing you into the tone of Fishies before giving you the whole hog from here on out.
Also I am aware how lame it is to do the whole "it's like The Beatles but" thing in two separate album briefs, but what else am I gonna do, liken it to Wings? Fuck Wings.
It's hard to pick any number of stand out track, as Fishing For Fishies is one of those incredible albums where every track is an absolute zinger on its own, all whilst still fitting perfectly as one piece of a bigger picture when playing the album from start to finish. If you haven't checked King Gizzard out at all yet, this might very well be the album to start with.
Should you listen to it? Most definitely, my dudes and dudettes!
Cokie the Clown - You're Welcome | 26th April
I like Fat Mike's music, and I really like the music from his record label, but whether I like Fat Mike himself is questionable. I mean he's still the same guy he always was, but I kinda feel he's been having a midlife crisis for way too long now and it's left him grouchy and bitter, and a bit of a diva. Cokie the Clown seems to be the embodiment of these characteristics, So a Cokie the Clown record didn't really wow me when I saw it drop on Fat Wreck. Like I liked the original single NOFX put out, and I did think his infamous live performance was pretty gnarly, but when I heard Mike was continuing to play out his clown alter-ego, I wasn't exactly hyped. But you can't go making assumptions on stuff without first checking it out, right? So I did just that, I checked out You're Welcome by Cokie the Clown.
I gotta say, I was genuinely surprised by how much I didn't dislike the record. Admittedly I felt my worst fears had been realised with the opening track Bathtub, when Cokie is introduced via Mike's drunken and droning voice, but I persevered and was glad I did. Sure not every track was a belter, but I was willing to look past these pitfalls in favour of some of what might possibly be some of the heaviest songs I've ever had to endure. Mike retreads old ground from his SXSW performance with Swing and a Miss, covering the tragic tale of his housemate's death as a teenager, and the brutal honesty of Mike's decision to raid his record collection, and he revitalises the song La Pieta into the track That Time I Killed My Mom. There's also, for some reason, a reworking of the song Down With the Ship from NOFX's Self-Entitled album, which didn't seem necessary except as a means of knocking the track list up to 10. Things are left on a high however with the final track Punk Rock Saved My Life, in which Mike thanks the scene which nurtured him and made him who he is today when he had nowhere else to go, in a rare instance of genuine humbleness exhibited by Mike.
Should you listen to it? If you're a fan of Fat Mike, or admittedly even if you're not, You're Welcome is worth a listen I'd say. It's content is all bummer, and that's going to leave you feeling very hollow upon finishing, but frankly the fact it can evoke such a response is worthy of your time.
Bad Religion - Age of Unreason | 3rd May
I got to see Bad Religion this year at Slamdunk, which was pretty killer because I like shouting about stuff I don't like whilst people stumble into my aggressively. During the show they played a couple of tracks from Age of Unreason, which at that point I'd still not checked out as I was dirt broke from buying Slamdunk tickets, but how easily they slotted into the setlist made me very excited for when I could finally afford it. On the coach ride home, I decided fuck it, I couldn't wait, and I pirated the album. Sorry fellas, but I did buy it once I was in pocket, so consider it unethical borrowing. I'd been eagerly awaiting a Bad Religion album released in the post-Trump election, the previous two Bad Religion albums (The Dissent of Man and True North) were a little too mellowed out, as in hindsight the seasoned and politically-driven intellectual punk rockers didn't have the goldmine of material to work with as they do now. Age of Unreason certainly did not disappoint either, heralding back to the days of No Control and a little of The Grey Race in its aggressive and pinpoint accuracy in challenging the issues of the day. The titular track in fact seems to transform into Social Suicide from The Empire Strikes First at points, which was a little odd.
All in all though, Age of Unreason is a killer Bad Religion album, and a killer punk album. Within 15 tracks the band never let their finger off the pulse, absolutely slating the world we find ourselves residing in today.
Should you listen to it? Fuck yeah dude!
Rammstein - Rammstein | 17th May
Rammstein's latest album has been dogged by terrifying rumours that it may be their final release, and that its subsequent tour might very well be their last. Understandable I suppose given the band's age, as fun as it is to see simulated anal sex performed by two German dudes, you can appreciate that as they lumber into their 50s, they're ready to pack it in. All's well though, because thankfully Rammstein's possible final release, titled Rammstein, is the perfect send off.
The first thing I picked up from the album was that it feels a little more pop-orientated than their previous releases, not to say any of them are in any way suitable for mainstream radio stations or chart shows, but there's a sense that the band have toned things down ever so slight in order to create a more distinct album from the rest.
Don't threat though, it's still Rammstein doing Rammstein's thing, in fact it's Rammstein doing their thing very well, but there's the added addition of some new directions as well as the same old same old. The first two singles, Deutschland and Radio, are by far my favourite of the whole record, especially Radio, which is probably the greatest example of Rammstein's dabbling in more pop sounds. It seemed to work too, as Radio ended up the #1 single in Germany on release. There was also Puppe which I regarded as a stand out, which would have been right at home on any of the band's 00s releases. I figured Puppe would also prove a great track for the band's theatrical live shows, and judging from footage I've seen of the current tour, it has.
Should you listen to it? Absolutely, I'd dare say it's their best.
Tyler, the Creator - Igor | 17th May
No sir, I didn't like it.
Should you listen to it? No sir.
Joey Cape - Let Me Know When You Give Up | 5th July
Joey Cape has had a fairly busy 2019. First there was his solo album which I'm about to cover now, but seemingly out of nowhere he then announced a new Lagwagon album for the end of the year. Good for him. Joey Cape's album sounds a lot like previous Joey Cape albums, which is a serious issue if you don't like previous Joey Cape albums, but is certainly fares well for you if you like Joey Cape albums. I don't mind them, and I didn't mind this one, though I will say that Let Me Know has something previous Joey Cape albums doesn't have - a track that I would definitely go back to time and time to listen to by itself. That's not to brush off the rest of the album's ten tracks as meaningless, it's just I think I'd always prefer to listen to them as a whole album rather than listening to single tracks, y'know? Like everybody loves Pink Floyd, but let's be honest, Pink Floyd tracks are only at their finest when played out as one continuous play through.
The track in question is I Know How to Run, if you're interested, and for me it's a stand out simply because it hits the bullseye of the themes of Let Me Know, whilst also being the catchiest and most memorable of the album. Other tracks such as The Love of My Life and You Should Always Have Something to Look Forward To are also notable stand outs, but just don't hold up to Run, for me anyways. Let Me Know is a melancholy album, featuring a selection of instruments rather than an acoustic guitar and the occasional piano like most artist solo outings, with some tracks that feature the electric guitar that could pass as Lagwagon tracks. Surprisingly though, if you actually listen to the lyrics, the songs are actually very optimistic and upbeat, though with a bittersweet message, which seems to be - hey, the world's gone to shit, but that's no reason to give up. How nice.
Should you listen to it? It's a tricky one. I enjoyed it, and I'll probably listen to it again, but I'm not in a hurry, with the exception of Run. If you're a fan of Joey Cape, then you'll probably get on just fine with Let Me Know, in fact your only real risk is walking away thinking it was just okay, which isn't too bad of an outcome, is it? If you're not a fan, honestly, you'll probably have the same outcome. That's certainly a feat for Let Me Know, it can only be regarded as low as okay, it just doesn't have a shit bone in it's body.
Sabaton - The Great War | 19th July
If you're unfamiliar with Sabaton, they're a Swedish power metal band who exclusively sing songs about conflicts around the world, and occasionally wars in Tolkien fiction. Self explanatory it should be then, that their ninth studio album The Great War, is about The Great War.
As always the riffs are powerful and the vocal delivery by Joakim are even moreso, as he details the horrors of World War I and the bravery and sacrifice of those involved. This ain't glorification of war or a romanticising of it however, this is educational power metal, that may honour the fallen without glorifying the act of conflict. As with previous Sabaton albums there's also a "historical edition" of the album, which features a brief history lessons before each track on the conflicts the song lyrics are about to detail - better yet, this year Sabaton started their very own history channel on YouTube, hella sweet.
I don't really know what else to tell you here folks, it's Sabaton once again doing what they do best, perhaps even moreso this time round as songs sound, and I feel dirty for using this word, but epic, as though everything is on a far grander scale than usual, perhaps given the "great" in the title and the significance of this particular war. It's powerful stuff, and you're gonna love it.
Should you listen to it? Absolutely.
Sum 41 - Order in Decline | 19th July
Look guys, I really like Sum 41. I didn't really listen to music at all until I heard Sum 41, mostly because I grew up in a house that lived exclusively on Now albums, so I just assumed I didn't like music. Turns out I just don't like shit music, which some of you may find debatable as I admit my love for The Sums. So whenever Sum 41 release a record I feel I owe it to them to at least check it out - this proved fine with Screaming Bloody Murder, but not so fine with 13 Voices. I actually contributed to the Kickstarter for that. I have a signed copy of my least favourite Sum 41 album. Fuck yeah. So where does Order in Decline come in? Well shit, I'd say it's higher than 13 Voices and Underclass Hero, but it is still far away from Does This Look Infected and Half Hour of Power. It's a heavy album, in fact I'd argue it's their heaviest, giving the likes of Chuck and Bloody Murder pointers, but I just can't quite shake that current generation of pop punk sound. Heads Will Roll is a prime example of this, in that it features these sort've echoing harmonies that seem to be the range right now. Y'know the kinda sound I mean, you ever had a pop punk band pop up on a YouTube ad? Almost 80% of the soundbites they use feature it. Stop that shit, guys. Other tracks however, except the slower and humble tale that is You Were Never There, are extremely heavy, making Order in Decline sound more like a committed metal album than any Sum 41 album previously released. Metal has always been just as big an influence on the band as punk, but Order in Decline seems to choose a camp and stick with it, making for some of the heaviest tracks ever put out by the band.
Should you listen to it? Fuck it, y'know what? Go for it, it was pretty good man.
Strung Out - Songs of Armor and Devotions | 9th August
I've never been super huge on Strung Out, but if they come on then I'm not gonna complain. So I was pretty indifferent to the release of Songs of Armor and Devotion, but y'know what? I'm very pleased that I checked it out.
It's definitely got a lot of later pop punk vibes than previous songs by the band, that kinda sound you expect to hear at a pop punk night at a local bar. Very Jimmy Eat World. There's some delightfully heavier sections to a number of tracks that helps Armor and Devotion steer clear of the"songs about muh feeluns" deep end of the pop punk spectrum however, and that is by far my favourite thing about it.
So yeah, it was decent, folks.
Should you listen to it? This definitely gets a thumbs up from me, give it a listen.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Infest the Rat's Nest | 16th August
Two albums in one month? Man, these guys are fuckin' wild! Better yet, this second album is a completely different beast to the previously covered Fishing For Fishies.
Where Fishies was an easy going bluesy psychedelic outing for the band, Infest the Rats' Nest is a powerhouse stoner rock album, letting the band explore their metal capabilities in ways that have only ever been touched upon briefly in previous albums. The songs are fast, aggressive, and feature such low and grumbling vocals you'd be forgiven for assuming this was not the same band that put out Fishies just a few months back.
King Gizzard are incredible musicians who are evidently capable of mastering any genre of rock music they put their hearts to, and I sure hope Infest the Rats' Nest is the beginning of even more experimentation from this radical band.
Should you listen to it? You're a fool if you don't.
Tool - Fear Inoculum | 30th August
It's just 10,000 days really in't it. Fuck it, 10,000 days is a belter, and though there isn't much in the way of originality here, Fear Inoculum is a belter also. A pure background, easy-listening metal record. Can't wait to see what they release in seven years time.
Should you listen to it? Yes, ye should.
Blink 182 - Nine | 20th September
I knew from the first track I was in trouble. Those Feeling This-esque ghostly drums, Mark singing about doing lines and pills as though he's not a middle aged family man punk rawker, and the minimal, dare I call it, lazy chorus. Yeah, not a great start. This first track is titled The First Time, as in things are not like the first time, fitting given this album is nothing like the first time I heard Blink twenty years ago.
From here things didn't get much better, not that I was expecting it to, in fact I'm not really sure what I was expecting. The band are clearly trying to propel themselves even further away from the days of Self-Titled (the days of poo-poo-pee-pee jokes meanwhile might as well be on Pluto to them) however they can't seem to help themselves robbing from the graves of those better albums and bringing in the assorted parts they liked and inserting them into Nine as though we wouldn't notice.
My attention was piqued a little when Generational Divide seemed to come to the rescue with a strong opening, however by the ninth or tenth "ARE WE BETTER" droned by Mark I realised if Generational Divide was a hero, it'd be that dude from Misery who you think is gonna save the day until Kathy Burkes fuckin' blows him away. Matt Skiba is Kathy Burke or something, I dunno. Like your metaphor would be any better.
I didn't expect to enjoy Nine, but I expected to maybe think, hey, a few of these tracks aren't too bad. But they were, they were all terrible. They all sounded the same, a sort've monotone delivery of a now zombified Blink just going through the motions in order to appease their new generation of fans who just want to hear them collaborate with The Chainsmokers for every album from now on.
Should you listen to it? fuck you.
DragonForce - Extreme Power Metal | 27th September
DragonForce. The metal scene's answer to Aqua and the Vengaboys. Known to many as the band that did that really hard song off Guitar Hero, these pioneers of guitar wailing have remained the providers of only the finest butt metal for two decades now, with each album holding dear to a very consistent streak of songs that are the closest sensation you will ever get to feeling like an actual dragon, outside of standing at a poorly organised Furry convention in a Spyro onesie whilst blowing a cherry bakewell vape cloud.
If DragonForce's sugar-hyped energetic take on metal has never been your cup of tea much in the past, then its fair to say there will be nothing here of value to you, whereas those who have followed this band for their almost quarter of a century reign of glory will be very pleased to hear that not much has changed, and the soul of the dragon is still very much present in the band members' hearts, which are also dragon hearts, for they are dragons.
The songs are crazy fast, the lyrics are about, well you can probably guess, and the choruses radiate a supreme sense of awe and wonder, just like previous outings by the band. Stand out tracks are Strangers, because it slows things down to an almost power ballad speed and features someone making an R2D2 noise on a guitar, Cosmic Power of the Infinite Shred Machine, coz it has a cool name, and My Heart Will Go On, a beautiful rendition of the Celine Dion classic. Aye, they're just grand, aren't they?
Should you listen to it? If you don't then it just means you hate dragons.
Lagwagon - Railer | 4th October
Railer is a pretty rad album. After the riff-heavy and more metalcentric Hang album, it's nice to see 'wagon returning to their skate punk roots, though without taking a step too far back. The obvious stand out is Bubble, a song that heralds back to the heyday of the band in both a sincere and mocking way, celebrating their history and the fans who got them there, whilst shooting a sneering look at folk who view them as yesterday's news now that skate punk has fallen out of fashion.
Despite the fun of Bubble and the less serious album cover of their recent outputs, Railer is possibly the band's most mature sounding record to date, with a number of tracks slowing down the pace and putting on serious faces to give some home truths.
Admittedly though, these tracks don't really hold a candle to the likes of Bubble and Surviving California, probably because the riffs aren't as good. Them riffs need to be good, yo.
Should you listen to it? It's probably more of a record for the Lagwagon fans, but who knows man, maybe the few changes in direction will leave it accessible for newcomers too, go find out.
Atmosphere - Whenever | 13th December
Atmosphere's latest output just seemed to drop out of nowhere, in fact I'd just about finished wrapping up my end of year reviews when it released, meaning I had to go back and give it a write up. Cheers for that, guys.
Given they'd only just released Mi Vida Loca last year and were playing a couple of tours throughout this year, I'm very surprised that they've managed to find the time to pop out an album, especially one of such high quality.
Whenever continues to exhibit Ant and Slug's rightful mantle of the kings of Dad Rap, creating a tender and easy-listening venture that takes you once again through the world of love and pain via Slug's forever clever rhymes, making it the perfect follow up to the incredibly melancholy Mi Vida, though don't go assuming that Whenever is just a Mi Vida re-hash or compilation of cut tracks.
A collision of Mi Vida and Fishing Blues, this is the perfect follow on to their previous outing, with an more upbeat tone that sets it apart from its predecessor, not miles apart mind, but enough for you to take notice. Stand out tracks include Lovely, You're Gonna Go, and Bde Maka Ska, but honestly? As per, they're all great.
Should you listen to it? I ain't one to not recommend an Atmosphere record.
So there you have it folks, the music of 2019. There was some pretty rad stuff released, huh? I didn't even mention the Ghost EP or the Scooter singles, but they were very good. The NOFX 7" of the Month Club though? Not so good. Sort yourselves out, boys. So the only remaining thing to do here now is ask which was the best album of 2019?
Winner - South of Reality
It was just so damn good, guys. I've listened to it a few times now and it hasn't yet lost it's magic, and I don't think it will any time soon.
Runner-up - Infest the Rats' Nest
Fishing For Fishies and Whenever were close contenders, but overall I gotta go with Infest the Rats' Nest, not only because it was such a step away from what the band usually produces, but for how fucking good a job they did with it.
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