Here is my annual rundown of things I managed to give more than a cursory listen to in this year of distractions, experimentation, and performance art. As always, this is NOT meant as my “Best of” list or anything other than an experiment in exhibitionism and voyeurism. I do it because I enjoy reading about what others are listening to and so I’d like to reciprocate. YMMV.

Here’s to being able to rush the stage again soon. 

In no particular order other than perhaps a general predilection for release dates and order of appearance in my library, but even that doesn’t really hold up throughout the list.

 

Singles

Everybody Wear They Mask, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

No Time For Love Like Now, Michael Stipe & Big Red Machine

Drive To The Ocean, Michael Stipe

Yes, I Have Ghosts, David Gilmour

Sing To Me, Willie, Edie Brickell & Willie Nelson

My Power, Edie Brickell & New Bohemians

Mambo Sun, Pixies

Dry Fantasy, Mogwai

Albums and EPs

Mettal (EP), Rodrigo y Gabriela

The Universe Inside, The Dream Syndicate

Rejoice, Hugh Masekela & Tony Allen

ZEROZEROZERO (Soundtrack), Mogwai

26 East, Vol. 1, Dennis DeYoung

The Consuming Flame: Open Exercises in Group Form, Matmos

En Español, The Mavericks

Awake in the Brain Chamber, Secret Machines

American Head, Flaming Lips

RTJ4, Run The Jewels

The Rockfield Files (EP), The Damned

Letter To You, Bruce Springsteen

The Makarrata Project, Midnight Oil

Power Up, AC/DC

From This Place, Pat Metheny

Dimensional Stardust, Exploding Star Orchestra & Rob Mazurek

Whoosh!, Deep Purple

Angels Around, Kurt Rosenwinkel

1:3:5:7 Improvised Duos, Dominic Murcott

Outside The Lines, Vol. 3, Various Artists/nonclassical

Loophole, Roman Rofalski

Heavier Sideways, Tom Richards

Singing in the Dead of Night, Eighth Blackbird

Data Lords, Maria Schneider Orchestra

Mass for the Endangered: Sarah Kirkland Snider, Gallicantus

The Become Trilogy: John Luther Adams, Seattle Symphony

A Cockroach’s Tarantella: Du Yun, JACK Quartet