I am not sure how many albums from 2022 I heard, but for sure far less than 2021. Did not have the money to buy as many this year and will buy even less in 2023, I am sure. The studio has really become a priority and time sitting and absorbing music is less and less for now. Anyway, as lists go it is super hard to say what was the best but these were for sure the ones I heard the most and the top ones, ones I really got into... Music is a different emotional experience for each person. I of course loved a lot of the records that I put out and was part of this year but I do not include them in the list. Thanks to everyone who still follows the blog. Peace, love and lets hope 2023 can have more good than bad news....
- Wo Fat- The Singularity (Ripple Music)…… it took Ken and Michael some years but man, what an album did they come up with. Long epic tracks that mix everything that is great about the band. Loved this one…..
- Eric Wagner- In the Early Light of Mourning ….. sadly, Eric was an anti-vacine guy and caught covid and died and never got to see the great response to his first and last solo album. The team he had on this record was fantastic and the songs, wow.. as good as any old Trouble songs in many ways.. Just amazing stuff…
- Stone Axe- Stay of Execution (Ripple)…… While this is not new stuff, about half the material is unreleased and the other from rare 7” tracks. This is the best thing the band ever released and that song, The Last Setting sun, wow.. just amazing song.. I am still blown away that their singer, Dru Brinkerhoff, is not more well known and sought out. The guy has a killer voice..
- Gas Giant- Portals of Nothingness (Space Rock Productions)…. I have been working on getting this unreleased album by Gas Giant out for year.. It was recorded in 1999, before their classic, Pleasant Trip in Heavy Tunes. The band would later rerecord half of the songs presented here.. I just love this material.. Limited CD and LP…
- White HIlls- The Revenge of Heads on Fire (White Hills music)…. Again, not totally new material but a lot of new stuff and cool new mixes, twists of the original album. Raw, heavy White Hills like we dig….
- King Buffalo- Regenerator (Stickman).. Yeah.. the band released 3 albums this year but this was the one I heard the most and probably still dig the best of the 3…. It was great to hear them live… They have a unique and cool sound but are starting to feel and sound a bit too much the same so look forward to some evolution in 2023…
- Whiskey Myers- Tornillo (Wiggy Thump Records)…. a southern rock band from Texas that we own one of their early albums but damn, this one has so many great songs and just rocks!! We heard it a lot this year. Not many southern rock albums released each year (that we get to hear) but this is a great one..
- Nebula- Transmissions from Mothership Earth (Heavy Psych Sounds)….. been many years since Nebula were in my top list but damn, this record just kills it.. One of the bands best ever I would say… They also played an awesome show this summer after a bit of a rough start. Eddie lacks a bit of the fire he used to have but damn, they still rock and a cool set of songs. A big surprise.
- Big Scenic Nowhere- The Long Morrow (Heavy Psych Sound)… another full length record and probably the bands best.. Just love that epic title track on the B side… Look forward to see what they do next. Great chemistry these guys have…
- Earthless- Night parade of a 100 Demons (Nuclear Blast)…… These guys pretty much never disappoint but the return to all instrumental and longer tracks, worked great for me. Gave Isaiah and the guys time to space out more. Loved this one….
- Clutch- Sunrise on Slaughter Beach …. Finally another Clutch studio album.. The band have their refined core sound down now and stick to what they know, which is giving you a load of great songs to sing along to, while keeping the formula tight…. Solid record..
- El Perro- The Hair of… (Alive Music).. Parker left Radio Moscow and went on the funk train! While this has some serious funk groove, the trademark Radio Moscow, formula of how he does his lyrical and musical phrasing is the same, so you get the best of both worlds and lots of killer guitar.. Hope they have some longer songs on the next one…
- Sasquatch- Fever Fantasy (Mad Oak Records).. I loved the last two record by this band the most of their career and this one is a heavier record overall and also great.. It took me a while to get into it though.. longer than usual… Hope to see the band live again one day…
- Ecstatic Vision- Elusive Mojo (Heavy Psych Sounds)… Philly based psych band who went for a taking you on a heavy trip, as always but for me, I like this the best of their albums.. Wow…
- Geezer- Stoned Blues Machine (Heavy Psych Sounds)… I guess you can see what label is putting out my fave music these days…. Anyway, Pat and the guys lay down another killer album. The songs were not as short and groovy but damn, some killer licks and tunes. I just dig their sound….
- Sounds of a New Soma- Musique Bizzare (Tonzonen Records).. I used to subscribe to the label so the last few years heard all the records but this one was my fave on the label this year. It has always been an interesting group but this really took me back in time…. Cool spaced out stuff…. Great job Dirk..
- KG West- KG Westman and Zaefaran….. An amazing world music journey to Ireland, India and Sweden with world class players and focus on the sitar.. Most of the Siena Root folks contribute.
- Colour Haze- Sacred (Elektrohasch) Have they ever put out a bad record?? I think this is my fave since She Said She Said and great to see the keyboards more integrated and present in the sound. A new beginning I think and so great to see and hang out with the guys this year.
- Kikagaku Moyo- Kumoyo Island (guru Guru Brain records).. Sadly, the last record by this band. While I did not like it as much as the previous one it still is a great album with loads of nice tracks. They will be missed..
- Motorpsycho- Ancient Astronauts (Stickman). This was another solid record by the band with some great playing and apparently a bit more spontaneous and recorded most live. One of the best bands in Norway for sure..
- Datura4- Neadrathal Jam (Alive Music).. The Australian band is back and kicking ass again. At first I did not like this album as much as the last couple but over time it grew on me and I also found it really benefits by being cranked up LOUD.. what albums do not sound better that way!!
- Freedom Hawk- Take all you Can (Ripple). Not really followed these guys as they have not released anything on Ripple since I subscribed a few years back but damn, I love this record. It is the only one on this whole list that I only have in digital form but this is a killer record with that Ozzy vocal vibe.. Rocks like hell….
23. The Re-Stoned- Stories of the Astral Lizard Vol 2 (Clostridium).. I only got this one recently and it is so different from the rest of their catalog but just fucking awesome chilled songs. Great stuff, Congrats Ilya…
24. Brank Bjoirk- Bougainvillea Suite (Heavy Psych Sounds).. I was super disappointed in the last BB solo album, so had pretty low expectations for this one but damn.. I have been really digging it. A bit harder groove on some of the songs, influence from STONER I guess.. love the touches of organ as well but mixed really low often.. What a strange but cool version of Who do you love. Wow..
25. Temple Fang- Temple Fang (Electric Spark Records)… I was not sure about including this on the list as this was released late 2021 digitally and that is when I first heard it but 4 sides of cool music. I love the evolution this band is going through… Best band in Holland at the moment!!
26. Elder- Innate Passage (Stickman Records).... I was pretty disappointed with Omens and it did not even get into my top list but damn, this album after a few listens is great. A mix of the older a bit heavier and the new proggy Motorpsycho inspired stuff.. Great album...... Would have been higher in the list for sure but I only got it a few weeks ago. Great job guys...
So what did I manage to get out this year...
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