As always, this is not a ranked list or a commentary on quality; it’s an annual summary of the albums released in 2023 that I found myself listening to the most during the year.
Oxbow – Love’s Holiday
Another multifaceted masterpiece by Oxbow – and possibly their most accessible – Love’s Holiday is Oxbow’s take on a collection of love songs. Vocalist Eugene Robinson’s lyrics can be a bit impenetrable, but are always thought provoking and imaginative – and the album title here may even be indicative of a record often about the absence of love, or love gone awry. The musical section of Adams, Wenner, and Davis is wonderfully adaptive and adept, knowing when to be explosive and when to let the song breathe. Any Oxbow album is “buy unseen” in my book, and Love’s Holiday is among their best work.
Grails – Anches en Maat
The entire catalog of Grails is a wonderfully genre-defying journey through contemplative textures, psychedelic collages, and midnight cinema scores. Anches En Maat continues along in the same vein, though there’s a noticeable difference compared to their very early work (e.g., Redlight from 2004); they’ve grown more accustomed to electronic embellishments. Anches is another perfect accompaniment for drives or walks in the dark.
Something is Waiting – Absolutely
Chicago’s Something is Waiting have been categorized with a variety of terms, such as noise rock, sleaze rock, nu roll, glam crust, and so on. As always, the labels are of minimal importance. But the litany of labels is a sign that this is a band whose sound is hard to pin down. And that’s often a good sign – such is the case here – because they don’t really sound like any other band. Absolutely sounds like some alternate universe took members of Unsane, Helmet, Mötley Crüe, and Guns n Roses and birthed an album about various cultural happenings. This one’s both heavy and catchy as hell.
Gravesend – Gowanus Death Stomp
Gowanus Death Stomp exudes all the hostility and filth of the inner city, conveyed via death/grind tracks that feel like a roil through broken glass and refuse. Fans of bands like Mammoth Grinder will love this, and it would not be surprising if the fellas in Gravesend had Godflesh’s Streetcleaner in their playlists.
Obituary – Dying of Everything
No one expects a curveball when Obituary announces a new album, and Dying of Everything is no exception. Sometimes you just want to hear more of what’s been done, and I’m glad Obituary continue to write new music. All the signature groove that Obituary is known for is here, as well some faster songs. The whole record is super catchy and another quality recording in the Obituary catalog.