2019 Survey Results - Top 12 Albums

1. Lizzo - Cuz I Love You (10 votes)
“Hard not sing along with these bangers in the car, even if I look completely ridiculous.”

“Don't know how many times I've said "blame it on my juice" as an excuse this year. On heavy rotation every time we drive anywhere.”

“Proof that I live in my isolated cave of hate/despair is that I'd never heard of Lizzo before 2 weeks ago. I gave her a listen and GODDAMN, I shook my tiny anemic white boy ass until it was sore.”

“Big woman, big power, big personality. The best concert-going experience I had all year!”

2. Orville Peck - Pony (10 votes)

“Best video of 2019!!!”

“Hooked with the Hope to Die video. Love the combination of Roy Orbison and laconic shoegaze, or something.”

“This makes me want to drink whiskey” - Joline

“I was hooked the first moment he started singing on the first track of the album. Unforgettable and haunting vocals. I can definitely get behind an artist described by the NY times as a ‘masked gay country star.’”

“An answer to the extremely important question, ‘What would happen if Morrissey was outlaw country?’”

“A welcome discovery. This bastard son of Elvis makes me want to drink Pabst Blue Ribbon beneath the full David Lynch moon.”

3. Lana del Ray - Norman Fucking Rockwell (7 votes)
“I look forward to listening to the Doin' Time cover on repeat at BBQs next summer!”

“In 2010 I got black out drunk at a house party and told some poor girl who put her on that listening to Lana del Rey was "NOT cool". And now a decade later she's in my top 10 so I would like to formally admit I was very wrong about that. She's really cool, this album is really cool, the lyrics are lush and surprising after many listens and they (almost) make me want to move back to LA.”

“Banal. Catchy. Shallow. Earwormy. Possibly plagiarized. Good enough to play at a party. Here's a poem based on LDR's lyrics: Push up bra at the farm. Pink ladies a dozen soaked til dawn. Cocaine sunflowers makin baby hot. I can be your back room kit kat don't stop. Let's ride this wave hanging ten. California but near Wilbur's pen. Cider's sweet I said to him. We danced all night, summersend.”

4. Jenny Lewis - On the Line (6 votes)

“The best Jenny Lewis album since the Rilo Kiley days!”

“The production on this album is so good.”

“I love when I really like the song on the album that has the same name as the album... this is to say I really like the song "On The Line" (along with all the other ones).”

5. Kishi Bashi - Omoiyari (6 votes)

“Love at first listen.”

“I listened to ‘F Delano’ a ton this year. I recommend you do the same!”

“Listening to this album filled my mind with so much imagery. Let's all be more pro orchestral arrangements.”

6. Vampire Weekend - Father of the Bride (6 votes)
“Exhausting at times, but full of inventive sounds. A tighter single-disc album exists here, but it's tough to complain about so much new Vampire Weekend music. Also, the opening of Harmony Hall is my favorite piece of music for 2019.”

“Mmm, Harmony Hall”

“Thought this album came out ten years ago? Its still good.”

“‘Unbearably white’ is a song and also kind of how I felt after Spotify told me that all of my top 5 most listened to songs this year were off this album. But is an extremely listenable album! Everyone from my dad to my 1 year old likes it. I love that they decided to be a jam band on this album, and I don't like jam bands!”

7. Andrew Bird - My Finest Work Yet (5 votes)

8. Ages and Ages - Me You They We (4 votes)

9. Cool Original - I Never Said I Didn't Care (4 votes)

"A band named after Doritos shouldn't be this good. I love the mix of emotions."

10. Layperson - The Divide (4 votes)
“Oh man. So beautiful. Reminds me of the Pernice Brothers in the best way.”

“The is the type of music that I would listen to” - Joline

“This album was one I didn't know I was missing. Thanks to whoever added this!”

11. Strand of Oaks - Eraserland (4 votes)
“This album felt more relaxed that previous Strand Of Oaks stuff. The first time I heard "Weird Ways" I was floored.”

12. Westkust - Westkust (4 votes)
“Like a harder, but still just as catchy, Swedish Alvvays.”

“Sweden!!! I love the song ‘Daylight’”

QuickCrit's Top 40 from 2012: 21 - 30

21. The Tallest Man On Earth - There's No Leaving Now

I still can't believe he's Swedish but my heart swells with pride every time I remember he is... - Ancient Indian Wizard

If you like one of Kristian Matsson's songs you will probably like them all. With his sandpaper vocals, toy guitar and sharp folk melodies his appeal seems to grow with every passing release. - Lucas 

22. Lower Dens - Nootropics

The songs in this album ostensibly create their own immediate space... they do not merely fill space. - JC Hackett

Atmosphere so thick, you feel like you've been floating in a pool of clouds.  Hazy, dark, and beautiful. - Max D

I was lucky enough to sneak into the band's intimate record release show. I won't miss them whenever they're in town ever again. - MikeIsTall 

23. Martin Rossiter - The Defenestration of St. Martin

Martin could be singing about making a grilled cheese sandwich and it would still give me the chills and fill me up with nostalgia. - ve1cro

Former lead singer from Gene is still a musical powerhouse. This album was made possible by a Kickstarter-esque thingy and is worth every penny. - Ancient Indian Wizard 

24. Lucero - Women & Work

Women & Work finds a soulful groove somewhere between a strut and stagger, like the guys are drinking better whiskey now. - awmercy

It's Memphis and Muscle Shoals mixed with some light roadhouse. I know it's not close to being the best album of the year artistically, but it's the one I simply wouldn't stop listening to. - JT 

25. Justin Townes Earle - Nothing's Gonna Change The Way I
      Feel About You Now

At this point, I would buy a copy of JTE singing about a dishwasher. Because it would be one heartfelt and soulful kiss-off to a dishwasher that inevitably disappointed him in some way. Between his addiction struggles, his daddy issues, and his inability to have a relationship, he is one tortured artist who just keeps writing *really* incredible songs. - JT

This is a strong album (and it's great to see him making music and touring again). - Ann

JTE was another of my discoveries this year, though I actually prefer his last album, Harlem River Blues. I really enjoy him in general, though, and this album is also solid. - Anne  

26. Bat For Lashes - The Haunted Man

My wife went out one evening and I ended up watching a Bat For Lashes festival set and I heard "Laura" for the first time.  I've since heard it like infinity more times. - Ancient Indian Wizard

Like the title suggests, this album is haunting. Beautiful and mopey and moody. Very English. - TheCraneWife 

27. Mac Demarco - 2

Incredible album from start to finish. Gets better with every listen, and the lyrics, which seem playful at first come into to focus as having a lot of heart and passion in them. - Joey P

This guy comes off like hipster trash in interviews, but he makes really great and earnest pop music. If there were more songs like "My Kind of Woman" and "Ode to Viceroy", this would have been higher on the list.  - Ben

28. Sun Kil Moon - Among The Leaves

The aging, indy darling still has so much good stuff to say and his potty mouth is in full bloom. - Rain

Self-deprecating folk songs from the godfather of sadcore. - thebrownshaun 

29. Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself

Not my favorite Bird yet, but still full of enjoyable pop melodies. - Chris

If you are a fan and 'Break Yourself' didn't blow you away upon first listen, give it another shot- it will eventually seep into your heart & soul. If you are not a fan of Mr. Bird- become one. Because he simply does not make bad records. - Lucas

I found this album more in alignment with my tastes than his last couple. I think he lets more of these songs hang on his fiddle work, which I love. - Tex 

30. Cloud Nothings - Attack On Memory 

A darker and bleaker counterpart to Celebration Rock, Attack on Memory recalls the flip side to those nights with friends and lovers. Lack of understanding, toxic relationships and apathy are commonplace on this record. - MikeIsTall 

Droney and catchy, they are a fine addition to Ohio's legacy of lo-fi/noise/garage rock even if they still have some room to grow. - Dr. Shithead

Ashley's Summer Short List

Since some of us are slacking on our lists (including me), my friend Ashley stepped up with one of her own:

Sleigh Bells - Treats: NPR’s Bob Boilen posed a question recently about the value of opening tracks and referenced both “Rocks Off” by the Rolling Stones and “Tell ‘em” by Sleigh Bells, which lead me to listen to Treats. I can’t stop. “Rill Rill” would be wearing thinnest if this were a cassette.



Tiny Desk Concerts: A friend of mine actually worked in the DC office for a while, and sat a few feet away from the space in which these are filmed. If only awesome musicians would stop by my desk and play acoustic concerts every now and then. I think my desk-envy was at its height when Phoenix played in May. Related tangent: I’m pretty excited to see the new Sofia Coppola film, Somewhere (and hear the soundtrack).

Thao Nguyen and Mirah with The Most of All @ Music Hall of Williamsburg: Thao Nguyen continues to be tops with me. We saw her play at the Knitting Factory when her first album came out, and at the larger Bowery Ballroom when she toured for her last—both with The Get Down Stay Down. This past month, she came to Williamsburg and performed with Mirah—a new collaboration. As ever, Thao’s energy is infectious and it would be hard not to dance along.

She & Him - Volume 2: I would have liked to have included the parenthetical “(show at Governor’s Island, Fourth of July),” but we decided not to brave the 2-hour line for the ferry. Full sun, 90 degrees, fireworks, yada yada. The album alone still makes a list for favorite things in the past six months. A girl crush on Zooey didn’t bias me. (Did it?)


Andrew Bird: Not new, but I’m still pretty in love with Noble Beast, especially “Masterswarm.” I’ve been returning to “Fake Palindromes” lately to get me started on my walk to work. Another missed concert opportunity to mourn: he’s creating a “Sonic Arboretum” at the Guggenheim in August and we’re out of town.

QuickCrit Music Survey Results - Top 40 Albums (21-30)

21. Editors - In This Light And On This Evening

"A little dance. A little rock. A little touch of Interpol. What's not to like?" - Nightrain

“Sounded so much like their debut studio album- was glad to have the sound that they are known and loved for back.” - Layne

“Dark 'n moody.” - The Crane Wife




22. Fires Of Rome - You Kingdom You

“Stood the test of time . . . Modern glam rock with plenty of nods to the classics.” - Nightrain

“This whole album totally blew my mind.” - Sandenuts





23. The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love

“The Rock Opera is alive and it wants heavily creamed and honeyed Earl Grey tea.” - Rain

“I was discussing why I have such a profound dislike of musicals last night...primarily because the drama club at my high school did nothing but, and I was friends with a lot of the drama kids, and they sang the songs from that seasons musical constantly....and with such fervor and passion....it just brought out a strong and unwavering disgust in me. However, rock operas I can get behind, for some reason. And what with the Decemberists knocking out one every 2 years or so . . . who knows? Maybe I'll be taking in the occasional musical down the line. But probably not. Guest vocals by My Brightest Diamond don't hurt at all.” - Tex

“Love these dudes. This album prompted many long discussions at work as to what it was about. Then I read the wikipedia about it and kinda ruined that game for everone . . . my bad!” - ancient indian wizard



24. Japandroids - Post-Nothing

“A band that just moved to the top of my "must see live" list, Japandroids makes exuberant, noisy garbage rock that is fun and refreshingly simple.” - Mona

25. M. Ward - Hold Time

“I love M. Ward before I go to bed or on Sundays with tea and conversation.” - ve1cro

26. Portugal. The Man - The Satanic Satanist

“’People Say’ should be a future rock anthem.” - awmercy

“Great combination of old and new sounds. So catchy it sometimes hurts.” - Nightrain







27. Andrew Bird - Noble Beast

"A close second for Mr. Bird. A really tough decision this year." - Lucas C.

28. fun. - Aim And Ignite

“fun. is the new Mika — if Mika joined a rockin' band and sniffed glue.” - Brasilliant

“Totally fun, refreshing, and upbeat album.” - ve1cro







29. The Avett Brothers - I And Love And You

“More restrained than some of their earlier albums (meaning less yelling), it's a rollicking combination of piano and string section ballads, bluegrass picking, earnest singing, and often quite striking lyrical declarations.” - Jeremy

“Rick Rubin may get the credit but this band is the real deal. Three steps away from their roots did them good.” - Lucas C.




30. The Thermals - Now We Can See

"I think I may have picked this up after reading a review here. In any case, I thoroughly enjoyed this.” - Jeremiah O.

“A slightly calmer effort from the Portland group—still sounds raw and edgy with the cutest bass player in history, just more precise this time around.” - Kevin S.

Andrew Bird - Noble Beast & Useless Creatures (2009)

Between Noble Beast and Useless Creatures, Andrew Bird is releasing nearly 2 hours of new music to kick off 2009. Not too surprisingly, Bird delivers excellence again with catchy & easy to listen to string ensambles, mellow vocals and carefree whistling throughout Noble Beast. Nothing crazy or cutting edge here, but consistent creative quality that both soothes and entertains—a stellar follow-up to Bird's captivating 2007 release Armchair Apocrypha. Useless Creatures, the accompanying "bonus EP," is all instrumental strangeness, albeit interesting and surprisingly listenable, that plays like the soundtrack to an artistic indie film. They may not be useless, but they certainly are odd creatures. All in all a must listen for this early year, and another feather in the cap of this extremely talented and creative multi-instrumentalist.

Grab a listen to: "Not a Robot, But a Ghost," "Fitz & Dizzyspells," and "Anonanimal" (especially after the jazzy snare drum interlude).