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I spent more time checking out Rateyourmusic suggestions and reading reviews than actually listening to the latest releases. Few albums and songs left such an impression that they stayed at the top of my playlists throughout the past year (Suede - She Still Leads Me On, Editors - Picturesque, Fontaines D.C. - Jackie Down the Line).
Thanks to Last.fm, however, a great tool that tracks listening habits and provides interesting statistics, it’s possible to create a general—not just musical—overview. Ammunì!
Planet Funk – Come Alive / Everyday
Apparently they’re Italian, although few knew it. Everyone celebrated "Non Zero Sumness" and few talked about the follow-up "Illogical Consequence." A delightful summer loop. The key to breaking free? Brown leaves and a sharp drop in temperatures... in November. Medal of the most precious color.
Chemical Brothers – Star Guitar
Caught them by sheer luck this summer in Bari. You know the concert that becomes an occasion to delve deeply into discographies and the post-live euphoria effect? Balearic beat, dawn drunkenness, and melancholy. Queen of the Mediterranean summer. Salmon and shrimp pizza at the little harbor of Marzamemi.
Pennywise – Land of Free?
It immediately makes me think of the war in Ukraine, also because it broke violently into my playlists in February. It’s quite a hit like many others from the Hermosa Beach group. It’s likely the war will end before I manage to listen to an entire Pennywise album without skipping songs.
Alexisonfire – Sans Soleil / Reverse the Curse
They are survivors from the early 2000s. In "Otherness," at times it sounds more like listening to Alice in Chains than the Canadians, but this fine track once again demonstrates the melodic qualities of the revived Dallas Green. For the nostalgics, there's also “Reverse the Curse.” Play it on a plane on a cloudless day, possibly while observing Etna or Stromboli.
Against Me! - Teenage Anarchist
Addictive, striking at the heart of the late teenager. Then I wake up, sweaty, and return to listening to music that would have made the sixteen-year-old sleepy.
Keane – Disconnected
Melodies of the kind that Keane manages to nail well. No miracles, but it’s an injection of good humor and melody. It’s the band your future girlfriend will like, the lesser evil when she asks you to buy concert tickets. Unless that girl loves being photographed in cemeteries among the dead pigeons. Then, she’ll probably ask you to pay a visit to Burzum.
Rancid – Olympia WA
The perfect description of a sing-along. A street song, like onion, it fits almost anywhere. For those who don't eat onion, there are the Clash.
Dick Dale – Pipeline
In the soundtrack of the serious surfer who can do nice cutbacks at Nazaré but also has a taste for accompaniment.
The Hives – Die, All Right!
Morning wake-up call. Not recommended for listening with headphones in the office if you need to read and understand bureaucratese.
XTC – Making Plans for Nigel
The crossword says it’s the correct solution to the smart statement example of a band to explore further.
The Killers – West Hills
It's like watching the first season of a TV show, forgetting it exists, then jumping straight to the last season and not understanding a damn thing.
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