Here is my annual rundown of things I managed to give more than a cursory listen to in this year of MOOG dreams and political nightmares. 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. There was a personal project that came to fruition and I’ve included it in my list since it consumed so much of my actual listening time. There were also many happy and welcome returns to action after extended absences, including new music from Jon Anderson, Laurie Anderson, Kim Deal, The Decemberists, Beth Gibbons, and Kim Gordon.
As always, YMMV.
Jon Anderson/True
Laurie Anderson/Amelia
Boston Modern Orchestra Project/Paul Dooley: Masks & Machines
Suzanne Ciani/Buchla Concert at Galeria Bonino NY (1974)
Dan Cook/Pedernal’s Ashes
Cornelius/Etherial Essence
Kim Deal/Nobody Loves You More
The Decemberists/As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again
Peter Garrett/The True North
Beth Gibbons/Lives Outgrown
David Gilmour/Luck & Strange
Kim Gordon/The Collective
Hammock/From The Void
Roy Hargrove/Grande-Terre
Jon Hopkins/Ritual
Jean-Michel Jarre/Paris Stadium Live
Jazz @ Lincoln Center/The Music of Max Roach
Jazz @ Lincoln Center/The Shanghai Suite
The Jesus & Mary Chain/Glasgow Eyes
Kendrick Lamar/GNX
Sean Ono Lennon/Asterisms
Los Angeles Philharmonic/Ortiz: Revolución diamantina
Flying Lotus/Spirit Box
Yoann Loustalot/Flower District
John Lurie/Painting with John (Soundtrack)
Chrystabell & David Lynch/Cellophane Memories
The Mavericks/Moon & Stars
Rob Mazurek & Nick Terry/C6Fe2RN6
Pat Metheny/Moondial
Willie Nelson/Last Leaf on the Tree
Camera Obscura/Look to the East, Look to the West
Kate Pierson/Radios & Rainbows
Pixies/The Night the Zombies Came
Deep Purple/=1
Ellen Reid/Big Majestic
The Smile/Cutouts
The Smile/Wall of Eyes
Four Tet/Three
Deap Vally/(ep)ilouge
Vampire Weekend/Only God Was Above Us