Best of 2024

The albums I bought and spun throughout the year.

This one hits a massive combo of my buttons. It's got satire and sass, and you can dance to it. Anyone who knows me knows that this lives smack dab in my alley. Playing their Orlando show was also super fun when I sat in on drums for Power Pants at Stardust.

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Cowboy Hat
Racist Haircut

This was one of the records I pre-ordered the second it was announced, and I couldn't wait for it to finally come out. The lead singles were super strong, and this band is just getting better and better. They are hands down one of the best live bands of the moment, and they killed it at their Orlando show.

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You Should Not Be Doing That
Chewing Gum

I bought this after watching their KEXP session, and when it came in, I just kept spinning it on the turntable. It really grew on me over time. I'm excited to see them play with Shannon and the Clams in 2025 in Orlando.

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Rock n' Roll Hurts
Van Goes

This record makes me want to ride my bike really fucking fast. This is what you put on when you want to get some shit done—just super good Florida hardcore.

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Unlucky
Proper Treatment

I know I did the tapes for this one, but for real, for real. This was a beast of a record, and it's still hard to believe I had a minor part in it. If you aren't already watching this band, you better hop on the bandwagon now because they are starting to blast off. Plus, seeing them do a KEXP session was surreal, and Emile was sporting a Godless America T-shirt. It's probably the most remarkable thing to happen to me all year.

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Would Be
Enredados (Misty's Mix)

I love Fastbacks, and when I saw they were putting out a new record after something like 25 years, you're damn right. I pre-ordered that so fast. I got to meet and play with Kurt on the Mythological Horses record, which blew my mind. This record makes me happy, like all their records do.

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Come On
I'll Never Find Another You

Seeing them play live for the first time in Orlando was sick. Funny story I know the new members because years and years ago their old band Casper and the Cookies played a show together in Chicago with my old band Tam Tam The Sandwich Man & The Magical Sugar Cookies. They put on a fantastic live show, and I bought this record at their merch booth.

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Fix it
Heaven (In Your Eyes)

I love Fun Isn't Fair from Atlanta, and when I heard they had a new project called Vessel, I was immediately on board. These are some good angular post-punk jams with some saxophone thrown in for good measure.

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Lost Appeal
What's Inside

This is an excellent record but also a heavy one because of the circumstances. The tragic loss of a fiance/bandmate right before the wedding is a terrible thing, but from that also comes great art. I'm really excited to see them on tour in 2025, and I'm sure there won't be a dry eye in the house in a good way.

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Real Or Magic
Bean Fields

Speaking of heavy records, this one continues that with a posthumous album from Jessi Zazu of Those Darlins, who died in 2017 at the age of 28 of cervical cancer. She had recorded these songs before she died, and they were worked on by friend and bandmate Linwood K. Regensburg Jr. and finally released on February 23rd, 2024. This is an amazing record, and I spun the hell out of it this year.

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Make a Joke
Guitar World

Here's another that checks a bunch of my boxes. It's just good, clean rock' n roll fun. These guys never disappoint; if they put something out, you buy it. It's that simple, you bonehead.

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Out Tonight
Couch Potato

This is another band that, if they put out a new record, sign me up. This record has really grown on me in a good way. I could probably do without the weird wall segments, but the music is top-notch
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Views Like You
Big Guitar Jackoff in the Sky

This is one run right up my alley. It's silly and fun in that way where you never want to grow up.

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Beat it Bozo
Slackin' Off

Anyone who knows me knows I love everything about this record. It's fun rock' n' roll with a touch of humor. Put this on, and a party will start around you.

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New Australia
Livin' At Night

I love these guys, and it was awesome to see them do so many great things this year, like opening for Alkaline Trio, Weezer, Death From Above 1979, and so many others. It's crazy. They deserve all the hype they get, and this record is top-shelf stuff.

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S.W.A.S.
OLIGARCHY

This local band is starting to bubble up. I love the sonic assault and the smart-ass lyrics. Keep an eye on these guys.

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Suburban Brat
N.Y. Girls

I think this might be the shape of Egg Punk to come. I loved everything about this record.

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Screen Time
Computer Games