Larson's End of 2020 List

I spent a good portion of 2020 building what I call ‘the barn’. This project was part “since we’re home all the time I should probably fix that structure that is falling down in my backyard”, part “wouldn’t it be neat to have a somewhere different to hang out” and part “maybe if I keep building this the world will go back to kind of making sense.”

When compiling my list it occurred to me that I spent a lot of time listening to these albums while either working on or while drinking beer within said barn. This led me to a bonus rating system that serves no purpose. The “Barn Day” rating is how likely I was to listen to an album while building and the “Barn Night” is how likely I was to listen to an album during the barn in ‘bar mode.’

Also I feel like it should be known that the “Barn Day” albums required you to be able to hear things over the drone of an air compressor.

Here is my list of albums that helped me through 2020.

Albums

Bartees Strange - Live Forever

Barn Day 6/10

Barn Night 8/10

This album ping pongs all over the place with genre and vibe and yet is so cohesive. An incredible feat and a fascinating ride.

Dehd - Flower Of Devotion

Barn Day 8/10

Barn Night 9/10

Quite possibly my album of the year if I was capable of thinking on those terms. The song “Loner” is perfection.

Future Islands - As Long As You Are

Barn Day 4/10

Barn Night 8/10

I was really excited when I heard the single for “For Sure”, however, it was the song “Born In A War” that completely won me over. Future Islands were also the first ‘live stream’ concert that we did this year and it was awesome and complete with an 10 minute pause before their encore which really made you wonder if they were coming back. Geez I miss live music.

Destroyer - Have We Met

Barn Day 4/10

Barn Night 7/10

I had totally forgotten about this album and then I made a playlist of all my 2020 music and I ended up re-listening to the whole album like 4 more times. I’m guessing ‘Destroyer Fan’ is set as a cookie in my browsing history for life.

Girlhood - Girlhood

Barn Day 6/10

Barn Night 10/10

Jesse mentioned the song “The Love I Need” in a group text one day and I haven’t stopped listening to this album since.

Haim - Women In Music Pt. III

Barn Day 7/10

Barn Night 7/10

I enjoy this whole album a lot. I enjoy the song “Gasoline” a shit ton. Also, Lindsey Buckingham wishes he wrote “Leaning On You”.

Hinds - The Prettiest Curse

Barn Day 9/10

Barn Night 7/10

These women are amazing. Shredding, longing, heartache and shittalk. Everything you could want in an album.

Idles - Ultra Mono

Barn Day 10/10

Barn Night 7/10

The only reason the Barn Night score is lower that I would like is that this album is so fun when it’s really loud. A lot of people like to have a lot of opinions on this band. I listened to a PodCast (that I enjoy) sneak diss Idles in like 3 different episodes and then wax poetic about the Deftones. I mean everyone’s entitled to an opinion but Deftones?! Yikes!

Kalis Uchis - Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios)

Barn Day 4/10

Barn Night 10/10

I learned about Kalis Uchis this year and listened to her 2018 Album incessantly in late summer/early fall of this year. I loved that album a lot and then she released this album. At first I had the standard “but this album isn’t that album” reaction. Then I listened to “Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios)” like a bajillion times...

Moaning - Uneasy Laughter

Barn Day 8/10

Barn Night 8/10

I think I learned about this band from an Instagram ad which means that I totally got target marketed which I’m ok with when it results in me finding an incredible album. I suggest you try the song “Stranger” if you haven’t.

Muzz - Muzz

Barn Day 7/10

Barn Night 7/10

I knew nothing about this album one day and then for the next 2 months I was listening to it constantly.

Run The Jewels - RTJ4

Barn Day 8/10

Barn Night 8/10

There is nothing I can say to re-stress how much the world needed this album this year.

The Streets - None Of Us Are Getting Out Of This Life Alive

Barn Day 7/10

Barn Night 7/10

I REALLY WANTED SLOWTHAI TO BE ON THIS ALBUM BUT HE WASN’T. THAT BEING SAID IT IS AMAZING!

Tei Shi - Die 4 Ur Love EP

Barn Day 5/10

Barn Night 9/10

I used to think I didn’t like the first song on this EP then I realized that I was mistaken and in fact I like every song on this EP.

Tennis - Swimmer

Barn Day 5/10

Barn Night 9/10

I have yet to be sad that Tennis released a new album.

Waxahatchee - Saint Cloud

Barn Day 6/10

Barn Night 9/10

I almost didn’t add this because I think I only started listening to it in 2021 but guess what who cares! It wasn’t Katie Crutchfield’s fault that I started listening to this glorious 2020 album in 2021 right?! It is entirely my fault that I didn’t listen to this glorious album that was released in March of 2020 until January of 2021. I own this. I love the song “Fire” so much. Like maybe too much.

Singles

Not to be outclassed by albums.... Here are four individual singles that I loved this year.

Rich Brian - Don’t Care 

Nas - Car 85

Petite League - Joyrider

Chong The Nomad ft. Hollis - Take Two

Perhaps my song of the year.

Young Buffalo - Young Von Prettylips EP (2011)

Young Buffalo popped up on my radar when I saw that they were opening for The Vaccines and Tennis on tour and specifically at MusicfestNW. They also keep with this week's emergent theme of writing about bands who have siblings in other rad bands (Guards/Cults); Young Buffalo’s Jim Barrett’s brother plays garage rock with Bass Drum of Death. Given their touring partners, no one should be surprised that Young Buffalo play catchy indie pop. In particular, their youthful energy and bountiful hooks remind me of the Givers and Little Ones. “Speak EZ” soars with vocal harmonies over a thumping drum beat, while guitars ring brightly. The alternating lines on “Full Metal Whacket” feed off each other, creating a boisterous call and response. Overall, it fun EP.

Although not on the EP, if you visit their webpage you can pick up their excellent cover of the Broken Social Scene’s “Anthems For A 17-Year-Old Girl” (mp3).


Young Buffalo - Catapilah from NAM on Vimeo.

Ve1cro's Summer Fun Short List

**Marina and the Diamonds - I Am Not a Robot
This feels like a guilty pleasure but it's not. Check out how charming she is at the end of the video.


**Devotchka - 100 Other Lovers
At the end of May, I had several surgeries and these songs were on constant rotation: "Sunshine," "The Common Good," "Exhaustible," (the whistling!) and "100 Other Lovers." Oh and their song "The Man from San Sebastian" grates me to no end.


**Tennis - "Marathon"
It's no shocker that I like this and it reaffirms my dream of being a back up singer. Please also see Nightrain's Breezy Summer Jammy Jams.


**Summer Camp - Around the Moon
I was obsessed with this passionate song/video for a long time. I am really rooting for their relationship to make it past the 10th grade... I've listened to Summer Camps' other stuff but it hasn't had the same effect on me.


**Seeing Julian Casablancas with his son at the market behind my apartment. 
No big deal.

NightraiN's Summer Short List

Light For Fire - Yes indeed, they have been mentioned already; however, this album is certainly good enough for more than one mention here. If I may make one suggestion: shoot a proper video.


The Shuffle (Dance) - Say what you want about LMFAO, but they know how to rock a vampire dance party with a very fun and ridiculously over-simplistic runningman-esque dance move that can turn even a trip to Ralph's into a fun outing. So easy it is brilliant. Every music group should incorporate an updated dance move into their persona.


Breezy Summer Jammy Jams - I feel like there has been a fantastic showing for the beachy / bbq tunes this year. The Vaccines, Tennis, Foster The People and Cults all released tracks that sound better with the warm sun on the back and a cold beer in hand. Granted, they all have their own sounds and styles, but I can't help but think of riding a cuiser to the beach when any one of those albums are on.


Dolorean's The Unfazed - Not to be confused with Delorean, the Portland-based band is a verifiable go-to for early mornings, quiet evenings and tender moments. The lyrics are perfect for a heartfelt singalong and the music pulls you in close with its soft sway.


The First Six Months of 2011 - In addition to the bands already mentioned, there have been many other artists that I have really been impressed with in the first six months. Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes and The Decemberists are all names many people already know and have shown us impressive stuff thus far; however, bands like U.S. Royalty, Magic & Fur, Scotch Howard, The Cave Singers and The Rural Alberta Advantage have surprised me with amazing albums as well that need to be heard.