Continuing a Zögernd tradition, here I encapsulate the top bodies of musical work to debut in my ears during our latest revolution around the sun.
Johannes Brahms – Ein deutsches Requiem, nach Worten der heiligen Schrift (1868)
Full of frisson-inducing placid beauty but also some absolute bangers. Notice how so many of the notes last longer than you’d expect them to. I wrote a little more about the piece here.
Sam Cooke – Night Beat (1963)
The guitar leads are kind of terrible. But if this album were too perfect we’d probably die hearing it.
The Cramps – Psychedelic Jungle (1981)
Campy vocal delivery, primitive riffs, facemelting snare delay — just the things to get you through the pandemic malaise.
Deerhoof – Milk Man (2004)
Mathy and weird but also fun and accessible. Just go with it.
Antonín Dvořák – Symphony No. 9 (“From the New World”) (1893)
Exciting, memorable melodies from wall to wall. Real meat-and-potatoes stuff. A wrote a little more about it here.
Landowner – Impressive Almanac (2017)
A proof of concept for the live band that followed, but I like the lo-fi/drum machine aesthetic best.
Norma Tanega, “Walkin’ My Cat Named Dog” (1966)
Perfectly imperfect performances of inventive, heartfelt songs from folk ballads to gospel stomps and even a march.
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