The Top 10 Indie Rock Albums of 2026...so far

 

As the Doomsday Clock races, time speeds up, as 2026 is at its midpoint. With the impending end of times comes the need to get high, and these bands are making substantial soundtracks for that. These lists serve as a decent snapshot of where the year is heading in terms of music. I have already received promos for albums dropping as far out as August in my inbox, so they will need to bring it to compete with the top five albums on this list. For the mid-year report card list, I'm combining shoegaze with its close cousin, indie rock.  They are all more surreal than post-punk, not punk, and left of center when it comes to rock n roll.  I have included links to full reviews if you want to check these out, and with all that said, here are the top 10 indie-rock / shoegaze albums of 2026 so far. 

10-Voxtrot- "Dreamer's In Exile" 

The brand of indie pop this band deals in is more organic than, say, the 1975. Lead singer Ramesh's vocals anchor this in a more conventional pop vibe. He is emotive but plays it safe. Devoid of any punk tension, they jangle peacfully along and write some catchy songs in the process. As far as indie pop goes, they are doing the best so far. It's better than the new Modest Mouse. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/04/voxtrot-dreamers-in-exile.html

"

9-Nothing -  "a short history of decay" 

Nothing's 5th album is a more organic excursion, with strummed acoustic guitar and vocals stepping out from behind the indifferent haze of effects. This is not to say Domenic has shed the idea of being a shoe-gaze, in fact, after some experimentation, the album begins to align itself even clsoer with conventional shoe-gaze losing some of the grungey edge.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/02/nothing-short-history-of-decay.html

 

8-Basement-"Wired"

The band's new album brings a late 90s sound that blends indie rock, pop-tinged hooks, and some post-hardcore grit; the vocals add needed grit to belt it out. I like that you can still hear the punk that is in the DNA of this kind of music that originally merged in the 90s. It takes you back to a time when songwriting mattered, as things evolved from the grunge explosion and began to form their own identity. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/04/basement-wired.html

>

7- Xiu Xiu "Xiu Mutha Fuckin' Xiu: Vol. 1"

Cover albums can be hit or miss unless the band doing them is adventurous, as Xiu Xiu. They find the perfect balance of being true to who they are and honoring the song even amid the filter of weirdness they subject the song to; it captures the mood needed while staying true to who they are. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/01/xiu-xiu-xiu-mutha-fuckin-xiu-vol1.html

6-Bad Stuff- "s/t"

Former members of True Widow are some of the founding members of this project, so it obviously has to be worth a listen. 'm sure someone will try to throw some kind of doom tag on this because it is slow and melancholy, something like "doom noir,"  but I am not hearing the sense of loss, and the darkness is there, but in light mysterious ocean-side haze. They create a unique mood with familiar sounds, and they captured what they intended here in a very endearing manner.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/04/bad-stuff-st.html

 

5-Iceage-" For the Love Of Grace & the Hereafter"

The Danish punks are back to rock n roll after 5 years. Elias's voice is not as sullen, and the more Rolling Stones direction they were heading in is more subtle on some songs than others, with a rowdy jangle possessing some songs. With some pretty great songs on this album amid this more upbeat 90s indie rock vibe, I prefer them a little more downtrodden, but their talent still shines through.  

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/05/iceage-for-love-of-grace-hereafter.html

4-AA Williams - "Solstice"

Right from the start of this album, she makes it clear that she is not just another haunted folk crooner by locking into solid grooves and building the depressive vibes up into shimmering post-rock grandeur. At times, her voice has to carry the more minimal droning sections, which she builds back into dynamic crashes, making this an album full of twists and turns.  

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/04/aa-williams-solstice.html

 

3-Soft cult-"When a Flower Doesn't Grow"

This band took the number three spot in the top 10 Shoegaze albums of 2024. Their new full-length is even more polished, and songwriting is on point. Here they continue to prove themselves to be very consistent, and the full-length show off more musical range as a band. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/01/softcult-when-flower-doesnt-grow.html

 

2-Tori Amos-"In Times of Dragons"

This is a concept album in which Tori uses allegory to convey a political message. Nothing new for her, but it's done in an even more deliberate fashion. For a double album, she manages to be very consistent when it comes to songwriting, leaving little filler, so the sound of Tori aging gracefully and not fading away.

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/05/tori-amos-in-times-of-dragons.html

1-Morrissey-"Make Up Is a Lie"

There is a reason Morrissey has a fanatical cult following outside of the Smiths. He is one of my favorite singers, even as his croon has aged. It's been six years since "I am Not a Dog on a Chain." E Moz is almost 67 rather than the 58 years he was when he recorded his last album. He keeps things at more of a reserved croon, which is pushed up further in the mix than the 2017 album, which sounded more like he does live. Overall, this album holds up his legacy in the manner expected.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/03/morrissey-make-up-is-lie.html

pst271

March's Top 10 Albums

March is now in the rearview, so let's get you abreast of new releases. This might help you, casual readers, with what you might have missed.  I am not doing little blurbs on them, just linking the reviews. This helps me organize my lists for the end of the year by listing the album's genre. This does not mean that these albums have been released this month, but it is a list of new or upcoming albums I have enjoyed the most. I have albums in my in-box that are not coming out til June, so I am normally way ahead of the curve in this regard. They are ranked in order of what I have listened to the most. This month, there is a wide variety from Sudge to pop to post-punk, so perhaps you will find your new favorite among them. Here are the Top 10 albums for March of 2026.

10-Dalek- "Brilliance of a Falling Moon." 

Hip-hop

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/03/dalek-brilliance-of-falling-moon.html

9-Fotocrime- "Security" 

Post-punk

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/03/fotocrime-security.html

8-Lair of the Minotaur- "I Hail I." 

Hardcore- Sludge

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/03/lair-of-minotaur-i-hail-i.html

7-Starbenders - 'The Beast Goes On" 

new-wave

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/03/starbenders-beast-goes-on.html

6-Traitrs-"Possessor" 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/03/traitrs-possessor.html

5-Poison Ruin- "Hymns From the Hills" 

Punk

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/03/poison-ruin-hymns-from-hills.html

4-Slayyyter - "the Worst Girl in America." 

Pop

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/03/slayyyter-worst-girl-in-america.html

3-Morrissey -"Make Up Is a Lie." 

Indie- Rock

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/03/morrissey-make-up-is-lie.html

2-The Twilight Sad- It's the Long Goodbye." 

Post-punk

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-twilight-sad-its-long-goodbye.html

1--Neurosis- "An Undying Love For a Burning World."

Sludge 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/03/neurosis-undying-love-for-burning-world.html

pst124

Morrissey : "Make Up is a Lie"

 

There is a reason Morrissey has a fanatical cult following outside of the Smiths. He is one of my favorite singers, even as his croon has aged. It's been six years since "I am Not a Dog on a Chain." Even then, I will split the difference and not use the Smiths as the bar I judge him against in 2026 and use  2017's"Low In High School" as the bar. Granted, now 9 years later, Moz is almost 67 rather than the 58 years he was when he recorded that album. He keeps things at more of a reserved croon, which is pushed up further in the mix than the 2017 album, which sounded that more like he does live. 

When it comes to the percussion, there are more electronic elements in play, though the opener "You're Right It's Time" feels pretty organic with its casual, lounged-out croon. By the time we get to the lead single, Alain Whyte's guitar tone reminds me of the tones Stevie Ray Vaughn used on Bowie's "Let's Dance" album. He covers Roxy Music's 1973 penned"Amazona."  It was a quirky song for the band back then. Moz's version finds the guitar sounding brighter, and rather than go into the falsetto of Bryan Ferry, he shifts the dynamics of his voice to a softer tone to get the point across, showing he still possesses a fluid control of his voice. They even nail Phil Manzanera's solo. 

The tempo shifts for " Headache" that finds him writing with his former touring multi-instrumentalist Gustavo Manzur, which is odd considering Morrissey is supposed to be such a racist that half of his band is Hispanic. Manzur collapsed at a Colorado show and was replaced by Camila Gray, who also aided in writing for this album. While it sounds great, the song , is a ballad that drags a bit and is the first moment that feels like filler to me. "Boulevard" is also a ballad, but his voice does most of the heavy lifting as the accompaniment is sparse and takes time to come to a boil. Lyrically, it's more interesting than the previous song. 

Thi highlights that, lyrically, he is one of the heaviest writers in the game; he goes harder than most metal bands when it comes to the venom he infuses his sardonic poetry with. He also proves he can still belt it out to keep up with the dynamics. "Zoom Zoom the Little Boy" has a very 60s feel, which takes us back to the "California Son" album. Lyrically, he is back to saving animals. It almost sounds like he wrote it for "Yo, Gabba Gabba". Things get pretty fucking funky for " the Night Pop Dropped". 

"Kerching Kerching" finds Moz getting lyrically punchy even when casually crooning. It's a pretty intersting song with fun lyrics. "Lester Bangs" finds his pipes supple and a more lingering rock tone to the introspective nature of the song. His musing about a rock critic he grew up reading is endearing. "Many Icebergs" casts a darker reflection with its haunting folk feel. The kind of languid Brit pop Moz is known for closes things well with "The Monsters of Pig Alley." Overall, this album holds up his legacy in the manner expected. I will give it a 10. 

pst90

Live Review - Morrissey @ Mahaffey Theater in St. Pete

 The Mahaffey Theater was a great choice of  a venue for Morrissey to find himself in.  Designed to look like a classic European opera house, it captured  the kind of class Morrissey exudes even when draped in sardonic sarcasm. There was no opening act just a pastiche of film that opened with the Stooges "Seek and Destroy' set to military footage that is fitting even the news of the world, which Moz evaded from the stage. The opening films felt like you were sitting in his living room as Morrissey clicked through all of the cool Youtube videos he thought you should check out that range from Bowie to Sophie Loren. This is my 6th time seeing him and this proved to be the longest intro film I've sat through from him. 

He opened with "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful" which was fitting since his success continues to be his best revenge against a media that tries to ignore him since they can't cancel, yet are never able to ignore him because his legacy only gets closer when you thought it was in the rear view of pop culture. He followed this up with "Suedehead' which found his voice limber for a 64 year old.  The first of the five Smiths songs he played was " Stop Me If You Have Heard this One Before' , which I have heard him perform before. "Irish Blood, English Heart" rocked harder than previous performances. This was followed by "Alma Matters" which is one of those songs from "Maladjusted" an album I was lukewarm on when it was released, but the song  has grown on me over time, and this performance drove the point home. 

"Speedway' is another  underrated classic from his solo career,  the live performance of this was a powerful reminder of what a great song it is. This came after he went on a bit of sermon regarding how he is only capable of speaking from the heart and how it was not popular in this day and age as the music industry continues it's decline. This made the lyrics more timely, and was the closest he came to addressing his controversy, which was more than expected as Moz's invulnerability to execution from the court of public opinion lies in his ability to disregard what other's think of him, and express this contempt with a calm demeanor and reason as his argument to always prevail. 

I think this was the first time I have heard him perform "Half a Person" . This arrangement veered away from replicating what the Smith's did. The lyrics still remain a defining declaration of who he is. This version was slower, and more nuanced. The most surprising moment might have been his cover of Waylon Jennings "Are You Sure Hank Done it this Way" which was true to the original but still firmly in his wheelhouse. He closed the set with "Jack the Ripper" returning to the stage for the one song encore of "How Soon is Now" which was all the crowded needed by that point. The charm and energy he summoned on stage  surpassed even what I saw Robert Smith do back when the Cure came though to play an arena. Aging gracefully Morrissey proved the legends are true and he still wears the crown. 

The Top 200 Greatest Rock Singers - 20 to 11

 

Now we are in the top 20 and  harder choices are having to be made. I am having to be more honest with myself; in what we are doing here which is focusing not only on technical vocal ability, in terms of range and power, as well as their dynamics, phrasing and the overall character of their voice. Can they emote from different places? How well does their voice hold up live? . How they control a crowd or their entertainment value as performers is also not a factor; there are some great front men who are also sub-par singers. There are also not going to be any Bob Dylan like singers, who are better songwriters than vocalists.

Pop singers, are far and few between, with; a few country or jazz singers who crossover just enough to qualify for this list, while having a significant influence on rock music. Don't expect rappers on this list or metal vocalists who just scream or growl, but never actually sing. I am keen on singers who are derivative of other singers. The bulk of these do their own thing, the few paying tribute to other artists made enough of an impact with their music. Having a unique vocal quality is going to be one of the most important factors often trumping technical ability. If they sound too much like Steve Perry from Journey after listening to their vocal coach rather than developing their own style, it is also not going to fly. Some of these might have been ignored by mainstream music media, but by the time we get to the top 10, I am sure it will all make sense, so here are the Top 200 greatest rock singers.

20- Morrissey 

If we were talking about lyricists then he would be number one. Some people might be upset that he is on this list at all since he is supposed to be cancelled. By why is rock n roll supposed to be polite or care about your feelings? It should only give you the middle finger ,which is what Moz does but with the depressive grace of a proper English Man

 

 19- Roland Orzabal 

The bigger bolder voice of Tears For Fears, sounded just as good on stage last summer as he ever has. At 61 he sounds like he could keep it up for another 10 years. Of the 80s radio icons , he has some of the best pipes going. 

            

18 Brendan Perry 

Before I saw Dead Can Dance live, I was under the faulty impression that Perry was like a darker Neil Diamond, I liked a few of his songs , but most were fast forward classics, then I saw them live and that changed everything he was jaw dropping. 

                

 17-Mike Patton

 Where to start, we could just look at his work in Faith No More and that alone would justify his place here, not to mention Mr. Bungle, Peeping Tom, Fantomas, Dead Cross... I can keep going, but if you know who he is and what he does there is no reason.

   

 16-Danny Elfman

 Oingo Boingo was ahead of there time, but that answer alone is not going to work for people wanting to know how did he rank higher than Patton, well he was doing what Patton does before Patton did it, and I am sure Mike would agree. The end of story answer is he is the voice of Jack Skellington Mike Patton is not

.  

 15-Jeff Buckley

The only problem here is we never got enough music from him to hear what he was really capable of , but the glimpse we did get out shone decades of work by other singers who would never have a chance to come close to what Jeff did on the "Grace' album. 

                     

 14- Peter Gabriel

 The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway alone says it all , but He do not even have to bring up Genesis which would be enough to justify his place on this list. Based off his solo work alone, which was less theatrical than the prog grandeur of Genesis, his vocals still retain the emotional urgency and his stellar range.

   

 13-Rob Halford

 He refers to himself as a metal god, and as long as we are talking about poly theism then I agree. His wide range and blending of various registers influenced metal singing. The first three Priest albums alone earn his place here.

   

12- Ian Gillan

If you think my only defense for this guy beating out Halford is "Child in Time" , you have forgotten his album with Sabbath and the fact he was Jesus in The Original Cast Recording of Jesus Christ Superstar.

   

11-Bruce Dickinson

Rob Halford is not the only metal god, if you saw them on their last tour Bruce is a beast. He belts it out to the rafters. He is operatic in the least pretentious manner, and knows no matter what voice you have you have to serve the song. 

SEVEN DAY BICUIT Countdown Special - the Morrissey Edition Day 2

 

Over the course of our relationship I have posted on Facebook a song everyday I am 400 miles away from here to countdown the time until I see her again. Yo Now as our lives further merge to a place where the only moment is not when but now. While this is for my wife, thank you gentle reader for coming along and watching our journey together. Since we became more than friends of 20 years , I began making mixes as a way of saying this is who I am , here are the gaps of my life you were not in and now I want you to be in them. Music is our love language. It is a collections of vibrations we share , beats of heart. Now in the last countdown it is only fitting I share my top 7 artists who actually write love songs, so some of my favorites who are more into bleakness or Satan are not present , there will always be time for that but I am never getting this moment again to celebrate where we came from and where we are going Lyrically Morrissey is the most me, with that comes more than one side to the romanatic experience, not all of them are smooth some have filters of a troubled past and imbalances that have to be worked through , which has also been part of our journey in functioning together

 

the Top 10 Rock Albums of 2020

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  

9-Stuck- "Change is Bad" 

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

the Top 10 Rock Albums of 2020 ...so far

The year is half way gone. What do we have to show for it ? While you guys have been running scared I have been listening to music , new music. Yes it is still coming out in 2020 despite the music business being dealt a death blow it is not going to recover from. Savor these albums as unless it is released by an artist we are going to see less big releases coming out from this point on,as they are making less investments. If you are a musician you are screwed ,so here are ten artists that are worht your support though  3 of these guys are doing ok on their own and have other sources of income. now let us move onto why you clicked .

By rock here we are talking about anything that is not metal. There was not enough pop to justify making a seperate list and there are not a great deal of glaring pop albums aside from the number 10 album. I have albums coming out in August in my in-box already so I am way ahead of the curve, so this might be more prophetic of the year's best than in years before, considering how  bands can not tour to support releases , many are being delayed . So is this as good as 2020 is going to get ? I think not just in terms of music the answer is yes. Half of you might kill yourselves after what is going to happen in November, If you follow me on social media you know I am getting my transmissions from the aliens which are now even clearer since I am off my meds , but I have been pretty spot on in my predictions so far. It pays to be crazy these days.

10- Poppy- "I Disagree"

 This one grew on me. Makes a solid argument that she is more than a social media star trying to go metal. Head and shoulders over other gimmicks like Babymetal or Ghost. Not made but a pop album with an edge.


 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/01/poppy-i-disagree.html

9-Ozzy Osbourne - "Ordinary Man"


 It's a miracle he lived to make this album. I can not imagine him being able to do another. It is much better than what I feared given the fact he is using Post Malone's producer. Not a metal album, but rocks enough for his age.


 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/02/ozzy-osbourne-ordinary-man.html

8-Dool- "Sumerland"


 This band features members of the Devils Blood. They are less retro and more progressive, with a more straight up radio rock vibe. Some of this is thanks to the very accessible nature of the smooth vocals. A mature step forward with songwriting and even darker.



 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/04/dool-summerland.html

/>

7-Sound VVitch- "Becoming" 


 interesting blend of dark wave and industrial, though not neatly falling into either sub genre. It is too heavy for dark wave and works of slow slithering pounds rather than a neat dance floor ready groove. If you are into the darkwave or industrial strains of gothic music this album is a must.


 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/05/sound-vvitch-becoming.html

6- Mrs. Piss - " Self Surgery"



 Have yet to even load this one into iTunes, just got it last week, which factors into why it is a Chelsea Wolfe album that is not coming in higher. My first impression is I might like this better than "The Birth of Violence". This is only June so I have another 6 months to come to these conclusions.


 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/05/mrs-piss-self-surgery.html

5-Katatonia- "City Burials"

 Not a metal album, but at least these guys are not just moping around and brought back some balls to their sound. The songs are more fun than anything since "Night is the New Day".


https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/04/katatonia-city-burials.html

4-Igorrr - "Spirituality and Distortion" 

<- and="" br="" distortion="" pirituality="">
<- and="" br="" distortion="" pirituality=""> Might not pack the punch of the previous album, but is more serious about the exotic groove. If Dead Can Dance was too mellow for you then this is an album to check out. Yes the more aggressive Mr. Bungle like moments are here too. <- and="" br="" distortion="" pirituality=""> https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/03/igorr-spirituality-and-distortion.html 

<- and="" br="" distortion="" pirituality="">
<- and="" br="" distortion="" pirituality="">
3-Pyschedelic Furs- "Made of Rain"
<- and="" br="" distortion="" pirituality="">
Not being defined by their 80s hits,  theses guys made and album that will surprise you. It falls some where between their their new wave pop past and a progressive indie rock future. Lyrically it is very asute.
<- and="" br="" distortion="" pirituality="">
<- and="" br="" distortion="" pirituality=""> https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-psychedelic-furs-made-of-rain.html

2- Morrissey - " I am Not a Dog on a Chain" 

There are some weird choices. I need to spend more time with this album to digest them. I always enjoy this album when I do play, I have the rest of the year to continue to unpack all my thoughts and feeling on this and it was a close call between Moz and the Furs here, but of course he is going to win out it is my blog. 

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/03/morrissey-i-am-not-dog-on-chain.html 

 

1- Waxahatchee - Saint Cloud

When talking to an editor of anohter blog I write for in regards to their list of the same kind, I told this ...if you have not heard that saint cloud album and want to be in a good mood , I implore you to listen to it, thanks to the wonders of the american health care systems I am off my meds and have been given more hoops to jump through than I am able to deal with so instead of my wellbutrin I listen to it when I drink my coffee in the morning.... that is not my blurb , just my endorsement to you lol so that is my blurb about it here.


https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/05/waxahatchee-saint-cloud.html

Morrissey : "I am Not a Dog on a Chain"

Morrissey came out of the past decade unscathed  by the  witch hunts, and showing no signs of having to censor himself from being himself here.  I was unsure about the electronic beat leading into the song but once the vocals come in then things fall in line with what you might expect from Morrissey. The chorus is very solid. Lyrically it is as biting with lines kill yourself, then for god's sake kill yourself" . The electronic elements stick around for "Love is On it's Way Out". Here he laments about the sad rich shooting down elephants & lions. This rings true with his values. The harp sounds are a little odd. Guitar is not playing much of a role on this one until the end of the song. His trade mark croons sounds good on the first two songs, so I am pretty confident this album is going to find him vocally in fine form. There is marginally more of an organic sound on "Bobby , Don't You Think They Know?" . This son is at first funky until it breaks down into a piano part. It's one of the more interesting arrangements I have heard him employ in some time.

The title track is alright , but not as impressive as the first three songs, though lyrically this song is great in it's message to doubt the media. There is a happier tone to "What Kind of of People Live in These Houses". Lyrically it is more skeptical .The chord progression moves almost like "Sweet Jane", but layered with a country guitar over it. There is a softer groove to " Knockabout World" to compliment his smoother vocal line,  The Spanish make it sound like off Broadway pop from the 70s . Moz's voice sounds good, but he is not really testing his range and keeping everything in a more casual mid range.  Lyrically he is pretty consistent. There is a more 80s like pulse to " Once I Saw the River Clean", this recalls the Smiths more than any other song on this album. I could hear Billy Idol singing over this track. Think "Eyes Without a Face".

"The Truth About Ruth" finds him singing with a more hushed tone. This might be the biggest dynamic shift in terms of the vocals on this album. Things get perhaps the weirdest I have ever heard Moz go on "the Secret of Music". It is barely held together as a song, but you have to respect him for going so far left field this late in the game. There is a lazy pace to " My Hurling Days are Over". The guitar is sparse with Moz's voice holding things together. The instrumentation slowly builds around him until kicking in half way into the song. I will give this album a 9.5 and see how it grows on me. As far as post "You are the Quarry" Albums go it's up there with "World Peace is None of Your Business".

the Top 10 Albums of the Decade"

Pulling from all the other  best of decade lists to create this list of the top 10 over all albums of the  decade. The decade began before this blog was started , I can not just rely on sorting through previous reviews. I am just embedding video clips to support the reasoning for these albums to be listed as such, since I already did a best of the year list for each sub-genre.The decade found some gems by a broad range of artists from Country to Pop to Black metal and Doom.This might not be the most  hipster of the lists that say Vice puts out, what matters is the fact; these are the albums I listened to the most. Any ways here are the Top 10 Albums of the decade .






10-Chris Stapleton- 'the Traveller" 2015 










9-Clutch- Psychic Warfare 2015 













8-Health- "Death Magic"-  2015





 





7-Royal Thunder- "Crooked Doors" 2015



 





6-Pallbearer- "Foundations of Burden" 2014




 





5-Chelsea Wolfe - "Pain is Beauty"  2013 












4- Morrissey - "World Peace is None of Your Business" 2014 












3- David Bowie- 'the Next Day" 2013





 







2- Taylor Swift- '1989" 2014





 






1-Watain- 'the Lawless Darkness" 2010





 

the Top 10 Indie Rock Albums of the Decade

The decade began before this blog was started , I can not just rely on sorting through previous reviews. I am just embedding video clips to support the reasoning for these albums to be listed as such, since I already did a best of the year list for each sub-genre. I broke up what was the punk / harcore list and made them two seperate lists. What was the deciding factor here was what album had the  best songs that are  worth listening to again and again.  Maybe these are not the hippest albums of the decade when it comes to this genre, but what matters more is the fact these are the albums I listened to the most when it came to this sort of thing. ; Any ways here are the Top 10 Indie Rock  albums of the decade.




10- Whirr- "Sway" 2014 









9-No Joy - "More Faithful" 2015












8-Slothrust - "the Pact " 2018 












7-Ride - the Weather Diaries" 2017













6-Pianos Become Teeth -"Wait For Love" 2018 













5-Nothing - Guilty of Everything- "2014" 












4- the Drums -'s/t"  2010














3- the Twilight Sad- "Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants Leave" - 2014 













2 - The National - "Trouble Will Find Me"- 2013













1- Morrissey - "World Peace is None of Your Business"- 2014




 

The Top 10 Albums of 2019

After sorting through  the top 10 albums of all the respective genres, I compiled them into this list. o. Next month I am making the top 10 lists for the decade, though to be blunt this is the decade's weakest year for music; Especially when it comes to new artists. There are only 2 on this one. I am; giving a brief explanation as to why these albums stand over their peers in lower positions on the list. The very fact these bands 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. There are  links to reviews of these albums if you want to check out audio on these guys. Anyways here are the top 10  albums of 2019

10-Cold in Berlin -"Rituals of Surrender"


I had to go back and listen to their 2012 album "And Yet" to see if I was totally off base as remembering them as more of a post punk bank who is now  a doom band band. Almost  like a darker version of Devils Blood with more post punk influence. Their singer's pleading wail works against the crushing fuzzed out groove you can not help but head bang to. This one was really close . Here emotion crushes you even at it's most introspective, which puts it at number one for doom and 10th place overall.

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2019/10/gothtober-cold-in-berlin-rituals-of.html

9- Pulchra Morte : "Divina Autem et Aniles" t


This album is focused and doesn't get carried away with atmosphere. The vocals seem very intentional and not just an after thought as does the addition of strings that seems to increase the deeper into the album you get . You would think it would be common sense for the focus to be on the songs rather than just beating you into submission. This album came out earlier in the year so it makes sense, I listened to it more since I had the time to simmer on it. Listened to it more since and there was time to simmer on it.This was the number one album for the death metal list and the over all metal list, so it beat out Cold In Berlin .

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2019/02/pulchra-morte-divina-autem-et-aniles.html

8 Miley Cyrus- "She is Coming" 

The only draw back to this album is the fact the Ashley O  song was not on this. This was supposed to be one of three mini albums that was coming out.The "Slide Away single dropped then her music got hi jacked by the drama of her personal life. This could be the last token of what a song writer she is. Her role on "Black Mirror" gave a slight glimpse of what she might look like as a serious when showing the other side to her alter ego. These songs are dark and introspective questions regarding the fall out of Hollywood partings which is her at her most honest. This combined with the infectious nature of these songs elevates her to this place.  The song's "Mother's Daughter", "Unholy" and "D.R.E.A.M"  prove this point. She was the top pop album and finds her place here.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2019/06/report-to-dance-floor-miley-cyrus-she.html

7- Low Dose -'s/t" 

 The guys from Fight Amp have formed a new band with singer , guitarist Itarya Rosenberg, that owes more to 90s alternative than pumped up noise rock. Not that some of the more pounding angular bit are not there, along with punk influences, but they have more in common with rawer more punk influenced moments of 90s grunge. The reason this album is in the number one spot on the punk, is due to the range of their song writing and how dynamic it is.

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2019/03/low-dose-st.html

6- Lana Del Rey- "Norman Fucking Rockwell" 

This might be a step away from retro pop and closer to folk owing more to Joni Mitchell than Amy Winehouse. For her to beat out Chelsea Wolfe for the top spot means two things. "the Birth of Violence" is not Wolfe's most finely tuned a-game and Lana is on her's . Her songwriting is absolutely dialed in for this. This deservedly elevated her into an even brighter spot light , while being true to who she is.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2019/09/lana-del-ray-norman-fucking-rockwell.html

5- Sturgill  Simpson - "Sound & Fury"


 If you think this is just a country album you are wrong. It owes as much to ZZ Top as it does Pink Floyd. The vocals are really the only thing that is constantly country. The drums might sound like they are from 90s Alt Rock radio before you are hit with a  funky bass line from out of nowhere. Futuristic and retro at the same time, the songwriting is the glue. This gave him the number one spot on the rock list, but falls behind four albums that clocked in more time.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2019/10/sturgill-simpson-sound-fury.html

 4- My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult- "the House of Strange Affairs" 

 I am very happy to hear the first song on their 14th album is a return to darkness rather than the disco they dipped into with "Sex on Wheels". When I interviewed Groovy Mann, he said this album was made pretending that "Sexplosion" did not exist and they were picking up where they left off, and that feels very true. Darker is always better , when you pair it with their song writing skills how could they not take the number one spot.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2019/01/my-life-with-thrill-kill-kult-in-house.html

3-Pleasure Leftists - 'the Gate"


 This album became the years best post-punk album by not trying to be post-punk. There is a more rock n roll touch, but the odd quirky tension is just a part of who they . The singer has greatly improved at crafted hooky melodies. There are still rough rough edges . They made no attempt top shine this up for public consumption and that add to the charm. The album grew on me with each listen. It took the number one spot for post-punk this year and  and I found it competing on best of the year lists i was for other sites.

2- Bon Iver- "i,i:

I knew this album was great when I first heard it but it gets better with each listen. Hey Ma" might be the strongest song on here, but it has some competition. There are  organic instruments intermingling with the electronic elements similar to what Peter Gabriel has done in the past. If this album is being compared to Peter Gabriel then there should be no question why it took the number one spot on the electronic list. It gave the number one album a close race. .

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2019/08/bon-iver-ii.html

 1- Morrissey - "California Son" 

 Only in 2019 can a gay man cover Dionne Warwick with a Latino band and get called a racist. You can't cancel Morrissey . He doesn't give up and then shoves the fact the is still the best in your face. His voice sounds great and he made these songs his own. He is the god father of indie rock and , no one is capable of taking this crown.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2019/05/morrissey-california-son.html