Thunder Review: Vampire Weekend – Only God Was Above Us

Late last night, somewhere in the middle of listening to this album, it occurred to me, “This is Vampire Weekend’s Smile album.” Though, unlike the belabored Beach Boys album, Only God Was Above Us got finished in time and has seen the light of day in its time. Therefore, the compositions don’t shock quite as…

2023 Albums of the Year

Weird year. Weird list. TOP ALBUMSBlur – The Ballad of DarrenGorillaz – Cracker IslandPeter Gabriel – I/O RUNNER UPSWilco – CousinMetric – Formentera IIGrian Chatten – Chaos for the FlyPaul Simon – 7 Psalms I EXPECTED BETTERGaz Coombes – Turn the Car AroundThe National – Frankenstein and Laugh TrackIggy Pop – Every LoserU2 – Songs…

2022 Albums of the Year

Back by popular demand, the albums of my year. Twenty-twenty-two was a doozy of a year, but at least there were some great tunes by some of my favorite bands to help get me through. Nothing beats the shot of adrenaline when a song connects. If you know me, you know it’s my drug. Here’s…

2020 Albums of the Year

After a year that was the most unpredictable in my lifetime and continues to be up until these final moments, I’ve compiled my list of best albums of 2020.  The last time I ever felt the way I did this year must have been sometime in my teens.  Probably around 15 when everything seemed out…

2019 Albums of the Year

I can’t recall a better year for music since around 2004. This year there were some new bands, some old bands and there were no notable new U2 releases to cloud my judgement. Some long-time favorite acts released some stinkers, though. See the top 10, the middle of the pack and the stinkers below. Oh,…

Album Review Haiku – The Beach Boys – Wild Honey (2017 Stereo Remix/Remaster)

Beautiful new mix Laid back after “Smile” album Sounds sweet as its name Yes, the haiku pretty much says it all.  I bought the European pressing and it’s flat, quiet and really dynamic.  In a year when the Sgt. Pepper reissue grabbed so much attention, it’s good to see the Beach Boys holding their own. …

Albums of the Year – 2017 – Part 3 (The Top)

This is the top of the heap in the albums of the year list. These records all probably gave me goosebumps when I listened to them for the first time and some still do. These are the ones that have made me go back to the artists’ back catalogs in an attempt to get more…

Albums of the Year – 2017 – Part 1 (The Bottom)

Some would see this as the bottom of the list. Mostly, these albums are here because I don’t see them as albums I’ll go back to time after time. Others have parts that don’t fit or moods that just drag them down. Some are just fine and nothing more.  Oh, and there’s at least one…

2017 Albums of the Year Coming Soon!

Get your Spotify playlists ready. My playlist is playing on Plex as I compile my 2017 AOTY. This year, the countdown comes from an unmistakable dad in his mid-forties. I’m trying to shuffle my work and personal life and there’s not nearly the time to discover new music like there used to be. (Also, too…

Albums of the Year – 2016 – Part 3

6,5,4,3,2,1, go! 6. Primal Scream – Chaosmosis “More Light” was the dark, brooding, brass knuckle side of Primal Scream.  Chaosmosis is the Technicolor, grooving, silk shirt wearing side.  It’s fun, dancy and easy to take for granted from your first listen.  From the first track, in fact.  “Trippin’ on Your Love” is laced with Haim…

Albums of the Year – 2016 – Part 2

Let’s get right into 12-7, shall we? 12. Car Seat Headrest – Teens of Denial This band had me at “I’m so sick of, fill in the blank”.  This sounds like just the type of thing to cleanse the lacquer sheen off of pop music.  It’s the Ramones if they had written songs over 3…

Albums of the Year – 2016 – Part 1

This has been an incredible and eventful year for music.  We’ve lost several superstars including one of the greatest musical personalities of all time in David Bowie.  In positive news, my childhood hero, Sting, has come back to the pop music scene after a decade in the lute filled wilderness.  Out of nowhere, Iggy Pop’s…

The XX– Forum Karlin, Prague, November 29, 2016

The XX show last night a Prague’s Forum Karlin blew the pants off the one a few years back at the big room at the Lucerna downtown.  The Lucerna show was fine performance and setlist wise but the sound was horrible.  At that show, there were none of the gut-rattling low frequency elements of the…

Foals – Metronome Festival, Prague, June 26, 2016

I have just wrapped up one of the best weekends of my life.  Two great musical acts played literally in my back yard and I was able to take my kids, both under the age of 10, to see them for free.  And we freaking pogoed! In case you missed my previous post, Saturday’s show…

Iggy Pop – Metronome Festival, Prague, June 25, 2016

The Little NH’s, my nephew and I hit Iggy Pop at the Metronome festival in Prague last night.  It was quite possibly one of the highlights of my dadhood to this point.  There’s nothing that compares to seeing your own offspring digging one of your hobbies (obsessions) as much or more than you do.  NH…