Our Favorite Releases of 2018

We took a band survey for our favorite music of 2018 and here's what we came up with-

5. Interpol - Marauder

I used to love Interpol when I was in college, but had kinda written them off after their droning and disappointing 2010 self-titled. I even skipped their 2014 El Pintor, despite hearing good things about it.  But the buzz about Marauder was that they found it again, and after listening to it a bunch this fall I have to say I agree.  It's a great record, and I was particularly intrigued to learn that while recording Marauder they eschewed the conveniences of digital and recorded right to tape. Being in the studio ourselves around this time made me appreciate what going analog must mean for the recording process and respect Interpol all the more for the recording they made. (CURTIS)

4. This Will Destroy You - New Others (Parts 1 & 2)

This Will Destroy You releases the kind of albums that take me a long time to digest. I finally felt like I was just barely getting to that point for their 2014 release Another Language when I learned I'd be preordering their latest, New Others Part One. It was everything I could hope for from a TWDY album, and another I knew I'd be digesting for quite a while. The title should have been a clue for something, because less than 3 weeks later they surprised all of us with the release of New Others Part Two. God damn guys. You're killing me with your amazing music. ​(CURTIS)

3. Failure - In The Future Your Body Will Be The Furthest Thing From Your Mind 

It isn't every year that Alex's favorite band releases a new album, particularly since that band is Failure. And Alex calls Failure's latest "absolutely amazing." 

"I love it more than I can tell you. Giant inspiration for me right now and giving me so many song ideas to mess around with."  (ALEX)

2. The Breeders - All Nerve

I had no idea how much I'd been missing the Breeders until I heard the first 40 seconds of "Nervous Mary" (track 1 from All Nerve).  And this isn't just rounded-off rehash of high notes from a career long ago- this is fresh and exciting and essential, with edges that are sharp as all fuck. The music/structure/attitude all resonate with my core instincts of what more music today should be doing, and what we are striving for as a band. So hearing it excites and delights and inspires me that this album exists, because I believe it's very similar to an album we would have made if we only could. (CURTIS / ALEX)

1. ELEGANT PARTY ANIMALS

Naturally. What did you expect? ;)

It may not be All Nerve by The (fucking legendary) Breeders. But it's ours.