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Bobby Evers writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Bobby Evers
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our next list is from DJ / Producer Bobby Evers.
I always have a heard time ranking albums, because I feel like I mostly listen to my old favorites rather than spending much time with new stuff. But I do hear bits and pieces of albums when I play them on my show.
I have noticed a trend with this list - many of the artists I was able to see live or get the album on vinyl. If I saw it live or got the album on vinyl, I am more likely to add it to this list. If neither is true, I probably didn't put it on.
Some albums absent from this list were PROBABLY good and i just DIDN'T HEAR THEM! It is only ones I actually heard.
#1 Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You by Big Thief (4AD)
This was #1 on my list with a bullet and it was never knocked out of the top spot all year, though there were a few close calls.
This album demonstrates the full range of Adriene Lenker's songwriting ability and there are some deeply memorable tracks on this double album.
From the country lovesong earwarm "Certainty" to the Modest Mouse-esque "Simulation Swarm," the depths of Lenker's genius knows no bounds.
Also do not sleep on "Dried Roses" which will gently punch you in the same place over and over again for two and a half minutes.
#2 The Loneliest Time by Carly Rae Jepsen (Interscope)
Carly releases music infrequently enough that each release is special, like smoke on a mountain revealing a new pope. She still gives us the '80s synth pop bangers, but also infuses a little disco in a few of the tracks.
She also brought us a collaboration with Rufus Wainwright on the title track that went viral on TikTok. Shoutout to "Talking To Yourself" which is also a banger.
#3 Laurel Hell by Mitski (Dead Oceans)
After seeing Mitski headline Pitchfork, it became clear to me that what she is is a storyteller. She is crafting narratives with fictional characters, and her live performanecs have a kind of theatrical energy.
What should happen is she should do a stage musical about an unsatisfied housewife who is in a kind of domestic cerebreal hell. This album gets at that a little, and it has some '80s pop bangers that are worth your time.
Special shout out to "That's Our Lamp" which utters the phrase "Because you just don't like me. Not how you used to." UGH MY HEART!
#4 Natural Brown Prom Queen by Sudan Archives (Stones Throw)
This album is great! It is densely layered and should have gotten way more attention than it got.
#5 Three Dimensions Deep by Amber Mark (Jasmine)
This is one of the best discoveries of 2022 for me - or like the artist that would win the category for "best new artist" if such a category existed.
The album is amazing and her performance at Pitchfork was worth watching. She was at the blue stage, but I am sure her work will appreciate with time and we'll see her on the green stage within 4 years.
#6 Renaissance by Beyonce (Parkwood)
Beyonce gave us a dance album, as a gift from our queen, to heal us during a time of great pain. Now is the time for the awakening as we enter a new renaissance. She knew what we needed.
#7 Bleed Out by Mountain Goats (Merge)
This one is personal for me, as a 17 year long Mountain Goats stan, because I got to interview him about this album. And it's about movie! So we just talked about movies! Basically he was watching a lot of foreign and b-action movies and was like, let's make a fun album about revenge. Thus Bleed Out was born.
Special shout out to "Wage Wars, Get Rich, Die Handsome" whose title will surely be SHOUTED by the crowds at the live shows.
#8 Chloe and the Next 20th Century by Father John Misty (Sub Pop)
This is his best album so far, I don't make the rules.
#9 When The Wind Forgets your Name by Built to Spill (Sub Pop)
These guys don't do new albums much these days, so the fact that this came out and still managed to sound like their old stuff while still being infused with new psych sounds, was a real treat.
#10 Meaningless by Jon Brion (Jealous Butcher)
OK so this is cheating a little bit since it's a re-release, but hear me out. This album was recorded in 2000 but shelved indefinitely by the label for not having a clear single. He was able to release it independently, but it was primarily pirated by fans of his movie scores, ie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Magnolia, I Heart Huckabees, Punch Drunk Love. He went back to doing his thing and didn't do another pop album, but his true fans waited with bated breath. And now, after 20 years, Jealous Butcher has given this a proper release, uploading it to the streaming platforms AND pressed it on a beautiful maroon vinyl. So this counts. And it is as fresh and timeless as when it was recorded, channeling ELO, The Beatles, Elliott Smith, and everything good about that era.
Honorable Mentions
Lizzo
Wet Leg (I only really knew that one song)
Sharon Van Etten
Kendrick Lamar
Angel Olsen
Soccer Mommy (Shotgun is a good track!)
Harry Styles
Taylor Swift (Taylor, every song on your album was in the Billboard Top 10, you will survive if I showcase other artists for my little list)
Next entry: CHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Pete Zimmerman
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