Jesse's Winter Favorites

So I decided that 2021 officially started in February. 2020 can have January. New music is rolling out and it feels good. Now we all need to get vaccinated so we can hug and go to shows together again. 

Genders - "The World Fades Away"

I couldn't be more excited by the return of the Genders. With Sunbathe killing it in the meantime, maybe Genders is the side project now. Regardless, based on this single, the album is going to be amazing.

Kiwi Jr. - "Undecided Voters"

Cooler Returns is my first 2021 album on heavy rotation. Their lo-fi power pop is hitting the right notes for me right now.

The Quiet Ceased - "Gotta Move"

I've listened to this EP a lot more than I've actually hung out with my friend Eli. Luckily, it's really good and sounds like him and his world weary musings, just now accompanied by his beautiful and intricate guitar playing. 

The Bones of J.R. Jones - "Stay Wild"

A new song by a longtime favorite with some beautiful slide guitar. 

Wonderhorse - "Deleted Scenes"

When I finally got around to digging into the 2020 PDX Pop compilation, I discovered a familiar voice in a great new band. It adds an alt. country wash onto the lo-fi pop and everyday observations of LANDLINES or Alternative Milks.

POSTDATA - "Nobody Knows"

So my brother Eric definitely recommended Wintersleep to me back in 2016. Not sure if it didn't resonate at the time or if I never followed through, but I love frontman Paul Murphy's new solo album and now have a whole back catalog to explore. 

Corvair - "Oceanside"

I fun mix of male-female harmonies, catchy guitar and keyboard riffs, and self-described "arena rock sex jams,"which is an intriguing Bandcamp tag I hope catches on.

Lord Huron - "Not Dead Yet"

A family favorite delivers another cozy blanket of a song.

2016 Top 10 Portland Indie Rock EPs

1. Deathlist - Deathlist

A personal & potent EP from the Summer Cannibals' bad ass, renaissance bassist. Listened to this EP a ton.

2. Genders - Phone Home

So exciting to hear more from one Portland's best bands.

3. Get Real - Get Real

The soulful vocals pleading over shimmering garage rock just hits my sweet spot.

4. Dogheart - Real Mood

Clear, open and upbeat indie rock, with just a splash of fuzz. Perfect summertime mixtape material.

5. Divers - Achin' On b/w Can't Do That (Dead Moon)

Simply put, a great follow up single to my favorite album last year.

6. Moon Tiger - Moon Tiger

From the opening accordion riff and thundering drums, to the powerful oh oh oooh's, there's nothing subtle about this fun and boisterous party pop.

7. Talkative - F Sharp Voice

Stick a tab on your tongue and hop on board Talkative's interstellar psychedelic pop. I love each hazy layer.

8. Eyelids - Eyelids

Every new Eyelids song is a treat and these covers couldn't be more perfect.

9. Alien Boy - Stay Alive

Sweet melodies buried in muddy shoegaze with just right amount noisy details.

10. Times Infinity - Times Infinity

Their chill, spiraling psychedelia just sucks me in. It just feels good. 

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Top 15 Portland Albums from 2013

Limiting the list to 10 albums was impossible this year. Even at 15, I am still forced to leave off a couple favorites. At least the EPs will be posted separately.

1.     Radiation City - Animals In The Median

An outstanding and beautiful album. If this is the soundtrack a past-future lounge, I'll take a Vesper.

 2.     Portugal. The Man - Evil Friends 

Long-time favorite keeps the streak alive. With each stylistic shift I love them even more.

3.     Typhoon - White Lighter

Orchestral, intricate, and emotional indie rock. For all the moving parts and tempo changes, it's strikingly intimate.

4.    The Memories - Love Is The Law 

Maybe if Guided by Voices preferred weed to cheap beer they’d make lazy, amazingly catchy, lo-fi pop like this.

5.    Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside - Untamed Beast 

Updating rockabilly, by avoiding stylistic cliches, and delivering propulsive, simple, vintage pop songs.

6.     The Thermals - Desperate Ground 

Portland punk rock veterans strip back down to just pointed anger and giant hooks. Always good, always seem to be getting better.

7.    Summer Cannibals - No Make Up 

They won me over live. Just the right mix of attitude and chops, aggression and charisma.

8.     Wild Ones - Keep It Safe

Many a sunny late afternoon was spent lounging to this upbeat and occasionally dreamy midsummer indie pop.

9.      The No Tomorrow Boys - Bad Luck Baby Put The Jinx On Me 

Exceedingly fun vintage rock n' roll bashed out with energy and abandon.

10.    WL - Hold 

Easy to get swept up in their sweet and hazy shoegaze. 

11.    Genders - Get Lost

Great all around indie rock album, but I especially love the guitars.

12.    The Woolen Men - The Woolen Men 

Very satisfying lo-fi, elemental rock n’ roll.

13.    The Pynnacles - The Pynnacles

May not be original artyfacts, but these songs sound like solid gold nuggets to me.

14.     Fanno Creek - Monuments 

Energetic indie folk with beautiful yet powerful harmonies. 

15.    The We Shared Milk - Lame Sunset 

Laid back, soulful, experimental indie rock. Really hits stride on the second side.