My Favorite Albums Of 2018

There have been some years while I've been writing this blog where I have struggled to come up with even 10 albums I've loved released in the previous 12 months. This year though has had so many I've loved instead it's been hugely difficult to whittle it down to just 10. There were two EPs in particular that wowed me that didn't make the list simply because they weren't long players: Alison Sudol, formerly A Fine Frenzy, making her debut as a solo artist with the dreamily atmospheric Moon EP and the brilliant "super-group" Boy Genius, combining the talents of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker. I hope we'll get proper albums from both of them.

My Favorite Movies Of 2018

1. Isle Of Dogs
2. Lean On Pete
3. Annihilation
4. Phantom Thread
5. You Were Never Really Here
6. BlacKkKlansman
7. Bohemian Rhapsody

Merry Christmas!

Best Gigs Of 2018

It's incredibly hard to rank all the great gigs I've been to this year but one definitely stands out as the best: Jenny Lewis wowing the crowds at Koko. If there was any doubt that the world needs Ms Lewis (and really there isn't) then this concert celebrating her entire career from Rilo Kiley to her forthcoming solo release, certainly proved that she still is as essential and exciting as ever.

Matthew Sweet at Islington Assembly Hall

Matthew Sweet
Bryde
Islington Assembly Hall, 18 December 2018

Matthew Sweet hasn't played in the UK for 21 years! Well, according to a member of the audience anyway but Sweet himself seems to agree. He certainly hasn't played a solo gig here for a long, long time. That said, I did see him live before without realising it, as part of the short-lived supergroup The Thorns (formed with Pete Droge and Shawn Mullins) when they were supporting The Jayhawks in 2003. At the time I didn't know who they were so I certainly didn't appreciate who I was seeing. Thankfully, 15 years later Sweet is finally back to treat us with some power pop gems.

Courtney Marie Andrews at the Union Chapel

Courtney Marie Andrews
Andy Jenkins
Union Chapel, 3 December 2018

Courtney Marie Andrews has a cold tonight. But aside from a few coughs in between songs you wouldn't know it. In fact, to my ears anyway, Andrews sounds more incredible than ever. Last time I saw her with a band but she is even more spectacular with just her guitar and that amazing voice of hers, particularly in such a beautiful venue as the Union Chapel.