This list is rank-ordered.
25. Voices Against The Current
24. Bad Liar Imagine Dragons
23. Fuck You Abisha Uhl
22. Do Not Disturb Halestorm
21. River Bishop Briggs
20. Starfire Caitlyn Smith
19. Boys & Blondes Dear Rouge
18. Figure It Out Chaos Chaos
17. Bottom Is A Rock Mother Mother
16. Tear Me To Pieces Meg Myers
15. Treasure Company of Thieve
14. Queendom Aurora
13. Stop Talking Miya Folick
12. Jealous Sea Meg Myers
11. Get Up Mother Mother
10. Money Caroline Rose
9. Big God Florence + The Machine
8. Castles Lissie
7. Dressed To Suppress Metric
6. It Girl Elle King
5. Thursday Jess Glynne
4. Hunger Florence + The Machine
3. Blood and Muscle Lissie
2. Uncomfortable Halestorm
1. The Joke Brandi Carlile
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
2018 Magna Cum Laude Songs
1950 King Princess
Algorithm Muse
Baby Outlaw Elle King
Bikini Caroline Rose
Bleach Blonde Bottle Blues Larkin Poe
Born In The North Sampson
Dance and Cry Mother Mother
Dark Saturday Metric
Devastate Me She Makes War
Flawless Dorothy
I Said Hi Amy Shark
Live Through The Night Dear Rouge
No Muse Wild Moccasins
Now Or Never Metric
Numb Meg Myers
Party Of One Brandi Carlile
Red Hot Metal Mother Feather
Silence Halestorm
Souvenir Campdogzz
The Overgrowth Lung
Tourniquet Meg Myers
White Flag Biship Briggs
Wild Horses Bishop Briggs
You Suck Giant Kitty
Algorithm Muse
Baby Outlaw Elle King
Bikini Caroline Rose
Bleach Blonde Bottle Blues Larkin Poe
Born In The North Sampson
Dance and Cry Mother Mother
Dark Saturday Metric
Devastate Me She Makes War
Flawless Dorothy
I Said Hi Amy Shark
Live Through The Night Dear Rouge
No Muse Wild Moccasins
Now Or Never Metric
Numb Meg Myers
Party Of One Brandi Carlile
Red Hot Metal Mother Feather
Silence Halestorm
Souvenir Campdogzz
The Overgrowth Lung
Tourniquet Meg Myers
White Flag Biship Briggs
Wild Horses Bishop Briggs
You Suck Giant Kitty
Sunday, March 10, 2019
2018 Cum Laude Songs (Magna and Summa to follow)
This list is not rank-ordered.
Adore by Amy Shark
Alabama to the Basement High Up
Hot Water Baum
Best Days Lissie
Better Abisha Uhl
BLack Vultures Halestorm
Bike Bike Bike Peelander-Z
Boyish Wave Wild Moccasins
Brand New Things Jessica Says
Dream Bishop Briggs
Double Down Slothrust
Everything Wesley Jensen
Far Side of the Sea Amy Stroup
Freak Out Miya Folick
Go PZ Go Peelander-Z
I'll Be There Jess Glynne
In This Hell Dream State
Killing Ourselves to Live Halestorm
Lucy Ari Mason
Mad As Hell U.S. Girls
My Indigo My Indigo
Natural Imagine Dragons
Pressure Muse
Strangers Katie Herzig
Take Me to the Disco Meg Myers
Two Flats White Mystery
Yours Now Now
Adore by Amy Shark
Alabama to the Basement High Up
Hot Water Baum
Best Days Lissie
Better Abisha Uhl
BLack Vultures Halestorm
Bike Bike Bike Peelander-Z
Boyish Wave Wild Moccasins
Brand New Things Jessica Says
Dream Bishop Briggs
Double Down Slothrust
Everything Wesley Jensen
Far Side of the Sea Amy Stroup
Freak Out Miya Folick
Go PZ Go Peelander-Z
I'll Be There Jess Glynne
In This Hell Dream State
Killing Ourselves to Live Halestorm
Lucy Ari Mason
Mad As Hell U.S. Girls
My Indigo My Indigo
Natural Imagine Dragons
Pressure Muse
Strangers Katie Herzig
Take Me to the Disco Meg Myers
Two Flats White Mystery
Yours Now Now
Friday, February 15, 2019
2018 Summa Cum Laude Albums Part 2 (top ten)
10. Caroline Rose LONER
This innovative singer-songwriter from New York, NY is nothing short of awesome.
9. Larkin Poe Venom & Faith
This sister duo from Atlanta slipped under my radar for a while. No more. This is a great album.
8. Meg Myers Take Me To The Disco
This L.A. based singer has gifted us with this gem. It gets better with every listen.
7. Miya Folick Premonitions
Another L.A. based singer. And another album that keeps getting better each iteration.
6. Aurora Infections of a Different Kind
From Bergen, Norway. This youngster is an extraordinary talent.
5. Lissie Castles
I am not even sure what to say about this artist. She has become so near and dear to my heart. Saw her twice this year. So incredible. Currently based in Iowa (yes, that is correct).
4. Metric Art of Doubt
This Toronto based band is one of my all time favorite bands. Their latest album only confirms why I love them.
3. Florence + the Machine High As Hope
Not surprising to see this band near the top of my list. From London, UK.
2. Brandi Carlile By The Way, I Forgive You
This Seattle Singer is a once in a generation talent. And after all her incredible work, she just gets better.
1. Halestorm Vicious
This Pennsylvania Band has really, really moved up my list of great bands. They are incredible live. And Lzzy Hale is over the top good.
This innovative singer-songwriter from New York, NY is nothing short of awesome.
9. Larkin Poe Venom & Faith
This sister duo from Atlanta slipped under my radar for a while. No more. This is a great album.
8. Meg Myers Take Me To The Disco
This L.A. based singer has gifted us with this gem. It gets better with every listen.
7. Miya Folick Premonitions
Another L.A. based singer. And another album that keeps getting better each iteration.
6. Aurora Infections of a Different Kind
From Bergen, Norway. This youngster is an extraordinary talent.
5. Lissie Castles
I am not even sure what to say about this artist. She has become so near and dear to my heart. Saw her twice this year. So incredible. Currently based in Iowa (yes, that is correct).
4. Metric Art of Doubt
This Toronto based band is one of my all time favorite bands. Their latest album only confirms why I love them.
3. Florence + the Machine High As Hope
Not surprising to see this band near the top of my list. From London, UK.
2. Brandi Carlile By The Way, I Forgive You
This Seattle Singer is a once in a generation talent. And after all her incredible work, she just gets better.
1. Halestorm Vicious
This Pennsylvania Band has really, really moved up my list of great bands. They are incredible live. And Lzzy Hale is over the top good.
Thursday, February 14, 2019
2018 Summa Cum Laude Albums part 1 (22-11)
22. Strvngers Amor / Noir
This duo from Alberta, Canada is definitely worth a listen.
21. Dream State Recovery
This is a great rock band from Wales, UK.
20. Mother Mother Dance and Cry
This is a very cool band from Vancouver, BC.
19. DOROTHY 28 Days in the Valley
I got to see this L.A. band live recently. Man, they are GOOD!
18. Mother Feather Constellation Baby
A great Rock Band from New York, NY.
17. Muse Simulation Theory This band never gets old to me. Love their new album.
16. Leddra Chapman Fidelity & Grace
I have been a big fan of this singer-songwriter from Essex, UK for a while. This is her first album in a bit. And it does not disappoint.
15. Bishop Briggs Church of Scars
Another UK based singer. So good.
14. Greta Van Fleet Anthem Of The Peaceful Army
This band is terrific. Do they sound like Lead Zeppelin? Sure. But they rock!
13. Elle King Shake The Spirit
I have to say, I like this album more every time I hear it. She's a great talent.
12. iamthemorning Ocean Sounds
This Duo from St. Petersburg, Russia is rather astounding.
11. Imagine Dragons Origins
From Los Vegas, you probably have heard of them
This duo from Alberta, Canada is definitely worth a listen.
21. Dream State Recovery
This is a great rock band from Wales, UK.
20. Mother Mother Dance and Cry
This is a very cool band from Vancouver, BC.
19. DOROTHY 28 Days in the Valley
I got to see this L.A. band live recently. Man, they are GOOD!
18. Mother Feather Constellation Baby
A great Rock Band from New York, NY.
17. Muse Simulation Theory This band never gets old to me. Love their new album.
16. Leddra Chapman Fidelity & Grace
I have been a big fan of this singer-songwriter from Essex, UK for a while. This is her first album in a bit. And it does not disappoint.
15. Bishop Briggs Church of Scars
Another UK based singer. So good.
14. Greta Van Fleet Anthem Of The Peaceful Army
This band is terrific. Do they sound like Lead Zeppelin? Sure. But they rock!
13. Elle King Shake The Spirit
I have to say, I like this album more every time I hear it. She's a great talent.
12. iamthemorning Ocean Sounds
This Duo from St. Petersburg, Russia is rather astounding.
11. Imagine Dragons Origins
From Los Vegas, you probably have heard of them
Sunday, February 10, 2019
2018 albums, Magna Cum Laude
A reminder, these are NOT rank-ordered.
Abisha Uhl Better
This Minneapolis singer is part of the Band Sick of Sarah. This Solo EP really caught my attention.
Amy Shark Love Monster
From Down Under
Amy Stroup Helen of Memphis
I discovered this Nashville based singer in 2013. I think this album is fantastic!
Caitlyn Smith Starfire
Based in Nashville, I but just have to point out that she's really from Cannon Falls, MN.
I had to include this song, since there is shout out to the Turf Club Bar. Woot!
Campdogzz In Rounds
This Chicago based band has an awesome sound.
Chaos Chaos Chaos Chaos
Based in New York. Originally from Seattle.
Christina Rosenvinge Un Hombre Rubio
From Madrid, Spain.
Dear Rouge Phases
So many good things come from Canada. In this case, Vancouver.
Jess Glynne Always In Between
This singer from London has really grown on me.
Jessica Says Downers
This singer from Melbourne, Australia gives us a nice EP.
Katie Herzig Moment of Bliss
I can't say enough good things about this amazing singer, song-writer, and producer. People don't know how influential she is. Based in Nashville (of course).
Lung All the King's Horses
Yet another band from Melbourne, Australia. What's up with that?
My Indigo My Indigo
Sharon den Adel is the lead singer for the iconic Symphonic Metal Band Within Temptation. This album is her solo project.
Now Now Saved
A great duo from Minneapolis.
Rachel Rose Mitchell Glow in the Dark
I only just this year discovered this singer from Melbourne, Australia (what is it with Melbourne this year? I may have to visit, eh?). This EP is only three songs, but it makes my list, because I love it so much.
She Makes War Brace for Impact
From London.
U.S. Girls In A Poem Unlimited
A project of American and Canadian resident Meghan Remy. It began in 2007, but had flown under my radar until the this 2018 album.
Wild Moccasins Look Together
Another great band from Houston, TX.
Abisha Uhl Better
This Minneapolis singer is part of the Band Sick of Sarah. This Solo EP really caught my attention.
Amy Shark Love Monster
From Down Under
Amy Stroup Helen of Memphis
I discovered this Nashville based singer in 2013. I think this album is fantastic!
Caitlyn Smith Starfire
Based in Nashville, I but just have to point out that she's really from Cannon Falls, MN.
I had to include this song, since there is shout out to the Turf Club Bar. Woot!
Campdogzz In Rounds
This Chicago based band has an awesome sound.
Chaos Chaos Chaos Chaos
Based in New York. Originally from Seattle.
Christina Rosenvinge Un Hombre Rubio
From Madrid, Spain.
Dear Rouge Phases
So many good things come from Canada. In this case, Vancouver.
Jess Glynne Always In Between
This singer from London has really grown on me.
Jessica Says Downers
This singer from Melbourne, Australia gives us a nice EP.
Katie Herzig Moment of Bliss
I can't say enough good things about this amazing singer, song-writer, and producer. People don't know how influential she is. Based in Nashville (of course).
Lung All the King's Horses
Yet another band from Melbourne, Australia. What's up with that?
My Indigo My Indigo
Sharon den Adel is the lead singer for the iconic Symphonic Metal Band Within Temptation. This album is her solo project.
Now Now Saved
A great duo from Minneapolis.
Rachel Rose Mitchell Glow in the Dark
I only just this year discovered this singer from Melbourne, Australia (what is it with Melbourne this year? I may have to visit, eh?). This EP is only three songs, but it makes my list, because I love it so much.
She Makes War Brace for Impact
From London.
U.S. Girls In A Poem Unlimited
A project of American and Canadian resident Meghan Remy. It began in 2007, but had flown under my radar until the this 2018 album.
Wild Moccasins Look Together
Another great band from Houston, TX.
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
2018 Cum Laude Albums Part II
Continuing on.
Lola Tried Lola Tried
Based in Austin, TX.
Molly Pinto Madigan Villanelle
This singer from Massachusetts is captivating.
Peelander-Z GO PZ GO
This band Japan both cracks me is fucking awesome!
Sampson Dark Sky Night
To be honest, I couldn't figure out where this artist is from. No matter, I like.
The Shacks Haze
This duo from New York got instant national attention in 2017 when they were used in iphone 8 commercials. I already had their album in my itunes (just sayin').
Their follow up album makes my list.
SLOTHRUST The Pact
Boston based, I really dig their sound.
The Beths Future Me Hates Me
From Auckland, New Zealand.
Thunderpussy Greatest Tits
What's the best part for this all-female band from Seattle? The band names or the album name? Actually, it's the music.
Totally Mild Her
From Melbourne, Australia.
War On Women Capture the Flag
From Baltimore.
Wesley Jensen Something New
From Texas (Denton I think).
White Mystery HELLION BLENDER
Brother sister duo form Chicago. I hears it's a cool city
Lola Tried Lola Tried
Based in Austin, TX.
Molly Pinto Madigan Villanelle
This singer from Massachusetts is captivating.
Peelander-Z GO PZ GO
This band Japan both cracks me is fucking awesome!
Sampson Dark Sky Night
To be honest, I couldn't figure out where this artist is from. No matter, I like.
The Shacks Haze
This duo from New York got instant national attention in 2017 when they were used in iphone 8 commercials. I already had their album in my itunes (just sayin').
Their follow up album makes my list.
SLOTHRUST The Pact
Boston based, I really dig their sound.
The Beths Future Me Hates Me
From Auckland, New Zealand.
Thunderpussy Greatest Tits
What's the best part for this all-female band from Seattle? The band names or the album name? Actually, it's the music.
Totally Mild Her
From Melbourne, Australia.
War On Women Capture the Flag
From Baltimore.
Wesley Jensen Something New
From Texas (Denton I think).
White Mystery HELLION BLENDER
Brother sister duo form Chicago. I hears it's a cool city
Thursday, January 31, 2019
2018 Cum Laude Albums Part I
Sorry this is so late. And I actually thought I was ahead of the game this year. So be it!
Anyway, I bought over 100 albums this year. But here are my favorites that meet two criteria:
1) I bought the album
2) They are 2018 albums (so, for example, I discovered a lot of albums from before 2018, they are not eligible).
Here we go - note that my Cum Laude list is not rank ordered.
Company of Thieves Better Together
From Chicago.
I so love Genevieve, the lead singer of this band. I can't help but geek out.
Against the Current Past Lives
From Poughkeepsie, NY (true story). I really like this band.
Ari Mason The Vault:Pure Gold
From LA, there is much more to come from this artist. I think.
Baum Ungodly
From New York.
Courtney Marie Andrews May Your Kindness Remain
From Phoenix, based in Nashville I believe
Flasher Constant Image
A very good Trio from DC
Giant Kitty Rampage
A great punk band from Houston.
Goat Girl Goat Girl
From South London.
Grace Vunderkuhn Reveries
From Wilmington, DE.
High Up You Are Here
This super awesome band hails from Omaha, Nebraska.
Kalidia The Frozen Throne
Epic rock band from Italy. Hope to see them live sometime.
KIDS N CATS 11 Tracks
This band is a bit different. But from Vienna, Austria, would you want boring?
King Princess Make My Bed
A 20 year old from NY, NY.
KT Tunstall Wax
KT first got our attention way back in 2005. I saw her live at the Cedar a few years ago and found her to be wonderful and intimate singer-songwriter. She is very special. From Edinburgh, Scotland.
Liza Anne Fine But Dying
Based in Nashville
Anyway, I bought over 100 albums this year. But here are my favorites that meet two criteria:
1) I bought the album
2) They are 2018 albums (so, for example, I discovered a lot of albums from before 2018, they are not eligible).
Here we go - note that my Cum Laude list is not rank ordered.
Company of Thieves Better Together
From Chicago.
I so love Genevieve, the lead singer of this band. I can't help but geek out.
Against the Current Past Lives
From Poughkeepsie, NY (true story). I really like this band.
Ari Mason The Vault:Pure Gold
From LA, there is much more to come from this artist. I think.
Baum Ungodly
From New York.
Courtney Marie Andrews May Your Kindness Remain
From Phoenix, based in Nashville I believe
Flasher Constant Image
A very good Trio from DC
Giant Kitty Rampage
A great punk band from Houston.
Goat Girl Goat Girl
From South London.
Grace Vunderkuhn Reveries
From Wilmington, DE.
High Up You Are Here
This super awesome band hails from Omaha, Nebraska.
Kalidia The Frozen Throne
Epic rock band from Italy. Hope to see them live sometime.
KIDS N CATS 11 Tracks
This band is a bit different. But from Vienna, Austria, would you want boring?
King Princess Make My Bed
A 20 year old from NY, NY.
KT Tunstall Wax
KT first got our attention way back in 2005. I saw her live at the Cedar a few years ago and found her to be wonderful and intimate singer-songwriter. She is very special. From Edinburgh, Scotland.
Liza Anne Fine But Dying
Based in Nashville
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