I changed things up a bit this year and got rid of the indie rock list though I did create a shoe-gaze / post -rock list , which in years past was what the indie rock list turned into. The rest of the bands got lumped in with post punk, so these are more straight up rock, but not packing enough punch for the hard rock list. Ok now that that is out of the way , much like in years past sort through the genre lists before making the overall top ten of the year list. I know many of you are ready for 2020 to be over with. Hate to break it to you but nothing is getting better next year. As far as 2020 goes there is only a couple new bands on this list.
The fact these artists made it on the list speaks to how great these albums are, so it's not a slight that the number 8 album is above the 9th album, there is something that just gives it an edge that makes me want to listen to it more. After all we can try to look cool and pick the hippest bands for a list, but at the end of the day what makes an album the best is that it makes you want more, you look forward to listening to it again. Sure you can bitch and complain about your favorite band not being on the list. However I listen to five new albums a day so yes I heard your favorite album and was not impressed. No I do not care what you think about it .I do hope you can find your next favorite on this list and have included links to reviews of these albums if you want to check out audio on these guys. Anyways here are the top 10 rock albums of 2020
10-Les Deuxluxes : "Lighter Fluid"
This Canadian band has a stripped down garage rock flavor dipped in the 60 , but not mired down in it's flirtation with yester years. The vocals of their singer add a velvety touch of sex to the affair as she playfully muses.
https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/09/les-deuxluxes-lighter-fluid.html
A refugee from the post punk list. They have a Gang of Four like skip to their step. Bouncy fun that is for the unnerved yet happy.
https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/07/stuck-change-is-bad.html
8-Cloud Nothings- "the Black Hole Understands"
Less punk and more of a happy go lucky Pixies like mood to the songs this time around. This is bolstered by their prowess as song writers to once again find them on this list.
https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/07/cloud-nothings-black-hole-understands.html
7- The Death Valley Girls - " Under the Spell of Joy"
They have gone in a different direction, but sounds like they are ingesting larger amounts of drugs. They expanded their sound with synths and sax . The bi polar nature of this album goes from peppy anthems kids could sing along with to droning Velvet Underground like hypnosis.
https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/12/death-valley-girls-under-spell-of-joy.html
6-En Minor -"When the Cold Truth Has Worn It's Miserable Welcome Out"
Phil likes other music aside from metal. That is the point he wanted to make with this album. He seems to love Tom Waits and Nick Cave as that is the route he goes with his singing . The reason they beat out the Death Valley Girls for this spot is because this album is darker/
https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/08/en-minor-when-cold-truth-has-worn-its.html
5-Blunt Razors- "Early Aught"
The guys from Planes Mistaken For Stars are back. This time it is more stripped down and droning . Not folk, as it is too brooding like a storm that never hits. On the slow core side of rock but rock none the less.
https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/11/blunt-razors-early-aughts.html
4-Psychedelic Furs- "Made of Rain"
They have aged better than most of their peers. This album doesn't feel dated or like they are parading the memories of their glory days around. These songs are fresh faced and stand on their own two feet.
https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-psychedelic-furs-made-of-rain.html
3- Black Foxxes - "s/t"
They remembered to rock out more on this album. I want them moodier and sorting through their issues like they did on "I'm" not well, so they bounced back from a sophomore slump in a big way.
https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/10/black-foxxes-st.html
2- Playa Royale- "Bastards"
If you miss when Panic at the Drive in was not getting #meetoo 'ed and rocked out , then this band is for you. They are actually more explosive than Panic was. They have plenty of hooks to an almost pop degree but balance it with good rocking.
https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/07/palaye-royale-bastards.html
1-Morrissey - " I am Not a Dog On a Chain"
This is not the most in your face rock record Moz has produced , but he gives less of a fuck now than he did when he released those albums. He takes more chances and his voice sounds great . I mean what bands like Black Foxxes and Playa Royale has in youthful energy, Moz has nuance. He is even more vital sounding now than the Furs. He has something to say about the world today. He is rolling over for anyone's hash tag and is not impressed by virtue signaling. Just what we need in 2020.
https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/03/morrissey-i-am-not-dog-on-chain.html
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