I Like Stories - 2023 Favourites
TL:DR: Music 2023 I think good → Spotify, Apple
When I started writing this, it was going to be a list of top 5 albums from the last calendar year. But it wasn’t long before I realised that it was going to be harder than I thought to narrow it down to 5. I also haven’t spent my year thinking about how I’m going to order all of the music I’ve been listening to, so quickly deciding on an order now might be slightly unjust. Then I remembered this is my list and it can be whatever I say it is, so here's an assorted collection of music from 2023 that I have something to say about.
I’m currently of the frame of mind that sharing things we like is better done with a reason than just a blank story post on instagram with some album art. Here’s why I think this,
This might be my favourite album of the year. I've felt for a while that the highest compliment I can give any musician is that their playing makes me want to play more. These days Ariel is probably doing that for me more than anyone else.
I often listen to Reasons Why by hitting play from the beginning and listening until the end, old school style. My favourite place to play it has been in the car with a coffee during a waterfront drive by. I think every song is great and the whole album is a clear example of how brilliantly tasteful Ariel’s guitar playing and song writing is.
I might be playing favourites slightly here, but I bloody love this dude’s music. Over the years I’ve become such a big fan of the Fantastic Negrito sound, it's a modern infusion of old blues, roots, soul, funk and rock ‘n’ roll. I signed up to his patreon once and he sent me a hand written post card. Big fan.
Grandfather Courage is an acoustic adaptation of his 2022 album “White Jesus Black Problems.” This album brings the Fantastic Negrito catalogue in a new form. Slower and more mellow, with some real old school blues qualities. This one has had a lot of airtime with me during 'wind down' mode after a long day, or while making breakfast in the morning.
I’ll be honest, I still can’t really remember what the album title is, but that’s not to say that I haven’t had a great time playing it this year. What I like about Jazon Mraz’s music is that the recordings are always so ‘clean.’ It’s a difficult thing to describe, but I’m going to attempt to do so.
Nothing fights with anything else. Nothing tries to do too much and no single instrument gets too busy in performance, or in the mix.
It’s like the 2014 San Antonio Spurs, passing the rock time and again until Patty Mills is wide open for three, or Tim Duncan is ready for a banker off the glass. Everyone gets their turn, and the end result is that the team wins.
I think Jason Mraz tunes are much the same, all the elements perfectly complimentary of each other, in the pursuit of making a good, catchy tune. This album is Mraz up to his usual tricks really. A little bit pop, a little acoustic and a little disco this time which is refreshing. I’ve had a good time playing it this year.
Theo is one of those musicians that you hear play and wish you could be like. His guitar playing manages to be impressive and tasteful at the same time, and his piano playing lends itself to soft mellow kinds of tunes that are just easy and interesting to listen to.
Be the Wheel is a mix of bops and slow jams, and because it was all recorded live in a single room with a bunch of retro gear, it has a pleasant old school sound that gives it a character that you don't hear so much anymore. This album feels like it has two sides to it, one a little louder and faster, and one a little more mellow. When I listen, sometimes I'm just fishing out the higher energy tunes for a bit of fun, and other times I'm enjoying the full experience. I’m a big fan of Theo and I like this album.
Also If you watch closely in the video for the title track "Be the Wheel" on YouTube, you'll see a dog wandering around the studio during the recording.
In recent years I’ve gotten more and more into instrumentals. Often when I listen to music I want to imagine some nice scenery along with what music might go along with it. In 2022 I just couldn’t stop listening to an instrumental piano album called “The Pool Project,” and after this experience I was looking for an equivalent that was more guitar orientated.
Finding Ariel’s two Mile End albums gave me what I wanted. Mile End II in places shows off crazy blues chops, while in other places is a relaxing listen that manages to be an amazing display of guitar playing without showing off. I love it.
This year I listened to it a lot during a trip back to New Zealand, and now have the added bonus of triggering my own scenic memories whenever I listen again now. Life is good.
Another instrumental album, this one is often a wind down before bed spin for me, and has also been something I’ll pick when chilling out with a coffee. It's another one of those listen and imagine some nice scenery types, and I'm happy to report that it had it's moment during a recent trip to Singapore.
I listened to the first track "Village Talk" over this view from the boardwalk. Now I have a permanent jump starter for reminiscing about the trip whenever I like.
I also like that the close mics capture all of the squeaks and rattles of the keys, pedals and stool. It's a level of detail you don’t often get to hear.
More
City and Colour - The Love Still Held Me Near
If Underground isn't one of the absolute best songs you've heard all year, then that's only because you haven't listened to it yet. If that's the case, then what are you doing? Go and listen.
The Teskey Brothers - The Winding Way
These days I feel like the soul-blues style maintained by the Teskey Brothers is the style of music that feels the most like “my” style of music somehow. Like if I had to listen to only one genre forever, then it might have to be something like this.
Foo Fighters - But Here We Are
I put off listening to this one for too long. After what happened in 2022 I was just a little bummed out whenever the opportunity arose to give it a listen. Eventually getting over myself though means that I‘ve had the opportunity to appreciate that the Foo Fighters are still around, absolutely killing it live and making new music on top. I’m back on the wagon and it feels good.
Vintage Trouble - Heavy Hymnal
Perhaps an example of my own downfall this year, one of my favourite bands released an album and I only played it once and at this point I don’t remember all that much. This isn’t just a list of my favourite music I’ve heard in 2023, but in this case is an example of how sometimes you just don’t have the time or energy to absorb something new in the way you would like.
Vintage Trouble are another of those Soul, blues and rock ’n’ roll inspired acts that just feels right to me. I’m going to revisit Heavy Hymnal soon, meanwhile you should give ‘em a try. Start with the Chapter II EP’s, they’re only 5 songs each and they are sick. Low commitment, what have you got to lose?
John Butler - Live in Paris
My all time favourite put out a live album this year. Thought you should know.
Young Lions - Make a Rainbow and Put it in the Sky
For when I want to put my hard hat on and rock out a little bit. Hits hard and does it with substance from start to finish. A good friend of mine recommended this one to me. Remember not all music discovery is done by the algorithms.
The Gaslight Anthem - History Books
I caught this one right at the end of the year. Not a whole lot of play time yet but I did take to it straight away. It’s been a while since I’ve listened to anything Brian Fallon, but I recognized his voice immediately when Positive Charge came on randomly one day.
Into 2024…
As I mentioned before, I didn’t make it around to everything I wanted to in 2023. I’ve still got releases on my radar to check out, the next likely being “May Erlewine - The Real Thing.” Also Byron and Grant from an old John Butler Trio lineup just released “the iinns - Slaves And Drones” that I’m keen to continue playing. They don’t know this but I took a photo with them once and 5 years later it’s still my Facebook profile picture.
Wow, you made it to the end. Thanks, please give yourself a pat on the back.
