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My Top Albums of 2018

The holiday spirit is thriving. Hopefully, everybody can sit back, relax, and enjoy eggnog for the next several days. As for me, I, of course, find myself reflecting on some of the best and most important albums released in 2018. At this point, this end-of-the-year contemplation has become a tradition for me. I didn’t go to too many concerts this year, but the shows that I did attend absolutely made up for my lack of attendance at some venues. The heaviness of Sleep, the fuzzy guitar mania of Ty Segall, the mysterious but brooding aura of A Perfect Circle, the spunky enthusiasm of Chvrches, and the harmonious passion of Dawes have all made 2018 a fun and memorable year for concert going. It is unfortunate that 2018 marks the end of Sloss Fest, but at least festivals like Secret Stages can keep Birmingham’s music scene strong and captivating. Every year, there are typically one or two albums that raise the bar for other musicians and take listeners by surprise. 2018 was different when it comes to this sublime trend. So many of this past year’s new releases felt so eclectic and unafraid to explore new musical territory that it is virtually impossible to pick just a few albums to define 2018. This is the effect that fans and musicians should gravitate towards as we enjoy this ride through the 21st century. Thus, this is why I decided to expand my annual list of my top albums from 10 entries to 20 entries. On another note, as I continue to wrap up my thoughts about 2018, I know for a fact that Aretha Franklin’s soothing and booming voice still soars throughout the whole world. Similarly, five years after it flooded many, many dance floors and parties, Avicii’s “Wake Me Up” still puts a smile on my face whenever I hear it. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I will see you in 2019.

Here are my top 20 albums of 2018:

1. The Sciences by Sleep

2. Joy as an Act of Resistance by Idles

3. You Won’t Get What You Want by Daughters

4. Wide Awake! by Parquet Courts

5. Be the Cowboy by Mitski

6. Freedom by Amen Dunes

7. Historian by Lucy Dacus

8. And Nothing Hurt by Spiritualized

9. Lush by Snail Mail

10. Songs of Praise by Shame

11. In a Poem Unlimited by U.S. Girls

12. Heaven and Earth by Kamasi Washington

13. Mith by Lonnie Holley

14. Firepower by Judas Priest

15. Orquesta Akokán by Orquesta Akokán

16. Aviary by Julia Holter

17. Goblin’s Freedom by Ty Segall

18. Daytona by Pusha T

19. Double Negative by Low

20. Rockstone by Jr. Thomas & the Volcanos

After Sloss Music & Arts Festival, T. Hardy Morris stopped by Mom's Basement and played a loud, raucous set. It was just like playing loud rock and roll music in your garage and dealing with the next door neighbors who incessantly complain that the music is too loud. That’s when I know that I’m at a fun show.