My Favorite Album of 2023 is "Hackney Diamonds"
Actually, my favorite album could be one of probably 25 different records, but one must CHOOSE, right?
The drone of ‘Top Of 2023’ lists is beginning to fade. The noise is still humming along, but fading like the Randy Rhodes guitar solo at the end of ‘Mr. Crowley’. Every editor, writer, prognosticator of what was/is/will be ‘cool’ and ‘in’ and simple fans (like myself) post in a post-social media world their favorites. None of it is real and all of it is subjective. It is all a fantasy. But what joy we find in sharing our fantasy favorites. For music fans, sharing is evangelizing, and yes, it may include the saving of souls. Earlier this holiday season, I sat with a group of folks, aptly named ‘Music Nerds Collaborative’ who have become dear friends and went around the virtual room as we all shared our ‘top ten’ albums of 2023. We do it every year and it is wonderful. From different geographies and backgrounds, we learn from each other. We celebrate each other’s music. We all love different music, yet, there are so many moments when worlds collide into wonderful compatibility like the perfect segue between two turntables and a microphone; an amazingly unexpected mashup. The safety of our group allows us to fly our flags. Where else can I get away with putting Greta Van Fleet squarely on a ‘top of’ list without being hammered by the minions who still believe that the band won’t make it? (Sorry you doubters, how’s that Dirty Honey’s career going?)
I made my list. Ten albums, carved from over 350 new albums I listened to in 2023. The impossible task completed, written in stone. Many left out like they missed Jesus during the Rapture. They thought they lived right, but were left behind. I jest, however, great albums that brought much listening joy to me were left outside looking in: Paramore, Bully, Depeche Mode. I even dared to leave boygenius and Jason Isbell outside of my ‘Top Ten’. During our ‘Music Nerds Collaborative’ session I was introduced to many records that I had not even listened to. Those albums may have made my top ten, but just didn’t make it to the party in time. I found a bunch of records, late in the year, that were new to me: Esther Rose, Carrtoons, RAYE, Jalen Ngonda, Slowdive. I finally even made it to Sleep Token, which is a simply marvelous album, but fell well outside of the ‘TOP TEN!!!!’.
2023 was a wonderful trek where I listened to music intentionally. While music discovery platforms did help me find artists and new albums, I ignored local ‘taste makers’ but paid attention to recommendations from people I respect, like my barber. That is exactly how I stumbled upon the amazing Yussef Dayes and the album, “Black Classical Music.”
I hope some of you enjoy the music. If some of these have not crossed your ears, perhaps you will let them in and it will be a positive experience for you. I make no claims that this is anything more than a group of some of my favorites from these past days. I have even included Apple Music and Spotify playlists of all ten complete albums. Enjoy!
The Rolling Stones, “Hackney Diamonds”
Yussef Dayes, “Black Classical Music”
Little Dragon, “Slugs Of Love”
Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, “City Of Gold”
The Hives, “The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons”
Kesha, “Gag Order”
Janelle Monae’, “The Age Of Pleasure”
Greta Van Fleet, “Starcatcher”
Black Pumas, “Chronicles Of A Diamond”
GROUPLOVE, “I Want It All Right Now”