World is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die - Illusory Walls: Those last 2 tracks!

Supine - No Altar for the Company Man: Heavy without being overdone, screamy without feeling fake, familiar without sounding generic

Sleigh Bells - Texis: I was hoping for a more gecsian influence, but very listenable

Sinere Engineer - Bless My Psyche: A little too under the radar

Plunger - The Station Is Not Received (3 Disc): Classic almost-forgotten emo

One Step Closer - This Place You Know: Touching a ton of different influences to make it their own

Musgraves, Kacey - star-crossed: there is light setting up gracias a la vida is the kind of chaos I needed

Low - HEY WHAT: Peaceful and relaxing

L'il Dicky - Hump Days: Finding his way

Elton John - The World of Regimental Sgt. Zippo: Fascinating archive

Injury Reserve - By the Time I Get to Phoenix: I wish I knew which avenue had recommended this so I could be more skeptical in the future

Illuminati Hotties - Let Me Do One More: From highly hyped to memory holed

Laura Jane Grace - At War with the Silverfish: Love the variety on this quick hit EP

Bob Dylan - Springtime in New York, Bootleg Series, Vol. 16 (5 Disc): The vaults continue to be gold mines

Dare - Against All Odds: This is my kind of hardcore

Coldplay - Music of the Spheres: No Viva, but no Ghost Stories

Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time Out: Textbook

Brain - I'm Brain: Great little complement

Beatles - Let It Be (Super Deluxe) (5 Disc): The Beatles.

Andrew WK - God Is Partying: Less of a party, but perhaps more interesting

Save Face - Another Kill for the Highlight Reel: Pretty good facsimile for My Chemical Romance

Zero Boys - Vicious Circle: Classic punk record

West, Kanye - Donda: How far he has fallen

Turnstile - Glow On: The hype is real

Quicksand - Distant Populations: Half Quicksand, half Rival Schools, all good

Lorde - Solar Power: Certainly fine, but nothing special

Lingua Ignota - SINNER GET READY: I was prepared, but not ready

L'il Dicky - Professional Rapper: Artistically a step forward, but So Hard is the more listenable

L'il Dicky - So Hard: I may have liked it without the context of Dave, but with it I love it

Lee, Brenda - Anthology: Would have preferred a single disc version

Killers - Pressure Machine: Hard to tell if a step down or my own burnout

Killers - Imploding the Mirage: Not perfect, but miles ahead of my expectations

Johnny Football Hero - Complacency: Pretty good, but not very compelling

Jail Socks - Coming Down: I do not want them to come down. Keep going up please

Haskins, Tylisha - Morrigan: So few self references or "yuhs" it feels refreshing

Gauze - 言いたかねえけど目糞鼻糞: Exactly what I needed

Foxing - Drawn Down The Moon: Huge swing that may, with time, be seen as a home run

Eilish, Billie - Happier Than Ever: No sophomore slump here

Drew, Kevin - Influences: Enjoyable but not something that will get much play

Deafheaven - Infinite Granite: Exciting new chapter.

Common Sage - Might as Well Eat the Chicken, We Won't Be Here in the Morning: Nice, short follow-up

Common Sage - "Where are you? I'm in Klamath Falls, are you here?": One of the most enchanting and cathartic albums I have heard this year

Come Back K! - Get Well: I do not think I will be coming back

Captain Beefheart - Trout Mask Replica: Ambition hampered by its length

Bigger Better Sun - Adjust to Wellness: A fine record with strong Oso Oso vibes

Between the Buried and Me - Colors II: What a slog

Alien Boy - Don't Know What I Am: A terrific songwriter

Adjy - The Idyll Opus: Incredibly ambitious album that mostly succeeds and I cannot wait to dig into it more

Ya Ho Wha 13 - Penetration- An Aquarian Symphony: Fascinating in context

Various - Maccabees/Call It In the Air: Call It really steals the show

Tyler, the Creator - CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST: I am not lost

St Vincent - Daddy's Home: Certainly serviceable

Space Cadet - Lion On a Leash: Post punk and shoegaze replace street punk for these ex-Explosion vets to very satisfying results

Slow Fire Pistol - Rabbit Town Blues: Calming

SAULT - NINE: A softer side emerges

Olivia Rodrigo - SOUR: Calling it a rock record seems less than ideal

Question Mark and the Mysterians - 96 Tears: What an amazing song, but the others are no slouches

Oingo Boingo - Only a Lad: Passionate, quirky, engaging

Ogbert the Nerd - I Don't Hate You: I love this

Offspring - Smash: Songs are a little too similar to each other, but a lot better than I anticipated

New Rising Sons - Demo to Demolition: Would have liked to see where they went

Natl Park Srvc - The Dance: Enigmatically compelling and Broken Social Scene-esque

Mountain Goats - Dark in Here: Not scared, but I think I like my goats a little brighter

Militarie Gun - My Life is Over/All Roads Lead to the Gun: Oddly interesting

ME REX - Megabear: The concept elevates an already good album

Los Lobos - Kiko: Pretty standard

Liars - The Apple Drop: Not sure I will listen again, but I enjoyed it

Kitty Craft - Beats and Breaks From the Flower Patch: Hypnotic and beautiful

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Butterfly 3000: Their dreamiest album

Kaonashi - Dear Lemon House, You Ruined Me- Senior Year: There is something off but I cannot place it

Japanese Breakfast - Jubilee: I see why it resonated, but I need more time

Islands - Islomania: Nostalgia is real, but I cannot remember anything about their debut yet I keep checking out the new albums

Hold Steady - Open Door Policy: Pretty standard outing for them

Grupo Nuevo de Omar Rodriguez Lopez - Cryptomnesia: An almost Mars Volta album that delivers

Garbage - No Gods No Masters: Exceptional album that should receive a ton of attention

Fucked Up - Year of the Horse: Calling it one song is a bit of a stretch, but an excellent suite of songs

Fly Pan Am - Frontera: Challenging music for the background

Flight Mode - TX, '98: Stealing from the best emo albums

Fiddlehead - Between the Richness: This is my current album of the year. Lived up to the hype

Fair to Midland - Arrows & Anchors: Struggling to not compare to Mars Volta in a good way

Duke Deuce - Duke Nuken: Big, bold, and brash just like its namesake

Def Leppard - Hysteria: This is way better than I would have ever anticipated

Clean - Anthology: Fun little indie rock with a very solid collection of songs

Call It In The Air - Just A Morning Thought: What an absolute gem of an emo album

C4 - Chaos Streaks: Straight out of the '80s

black midi - Calvacade: Going to fascinating to see live

Backxwash - I LIE HERE BURIED WITH MY RINGS AND MY DRESSES: Sounds angry and I like it

88 Fingers Louie - Behind Bars: Unapologetically punk

7 Seconds - The Crew: Perfect

Undo K From Hot - G.A.S. Get A Star: Sensory overload.

Title Fight - Shed: Puts the rest of their discography into perspective and below this excellent album.

Thursday - Full Collapse: Now I get it.

Sugarcubes - Life's Too Good: Compare to Talking Heads in the best way possible.

Stars Hollow - I Want to Live My Life: A perfect 7.

Squid - Bright Green Field: I could take it or leave it.

snow ellet - suburban indie rock star: Scratching that Oso Oso itch.

Jeff Rosenstock - Ska Dream: Dream come true for Jeff.

Severin - Acid to Ashes and Rust to Dust: Not sure how to classify other than Dischord Rock.

Prize Fighter Inferno - The City Introvert: Flat out enjoyable.

Origami Angel - Gami Gang: Ambitious.

of Montreal - I Feel Safe with You, Trash: This is an of Montreal album.

Microphones - Foghorn Tape: Captivating? No. Soothing? Yes.

Mars Volta - Landscape Tantrums: It was already so close.

Manchester Orchestra - The Million Masks of God: I cannot get into it.

Kero Kero Bonito - Civilisation II: I love them in EP form.

Hey, Ily! - Internet Breath: I love you too!

Heart - Dreamboat Annie: Some classic singles, some filler.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor - G_d's Pee AT STATE'S END!: Gorgeous, as always.

Dropkick Murphys - Turn Up That Dial: More Celtic-tinged arena rock.

Digital Underground - Sex Packets: Cannot see myself listening to it in its entirety.

Dead Child - Attack: Sounding like a lost classic in the metal world.

Czarface & MF DOOM - Super What? I wish I had given more time between his passing and listening.

Caracara - Summer Megalith: An album that no one is upset by when it comes on, but no one reaches for it either.

Arm's Length - Everything Nice: Something seems familiar, but I cannot place it. Will be in heavy rotation this year.

Armed - Ultrapop: The longer it played, the more enchanting it became.

Parannoul - To See the Next Part of the Dream: @en_cohen strikes again.

Xiu Xiu - OH NO: Oh, yes!

Wild Pink - A Billion Little Lights: Such a pretty album.

Various - Achtung Chicago! Zwei: Incredible collection of punk tracks.

Urge Overkill - Saturation: The epitome of early '90s pop rock.

Tigers Jaw - I Won't Care How You Remember Me: Littered with ear worms.

This Charming Man - Every Little Secret: Charming little EP.

Terminal Bliss - BRUTE ERR/ATA: Perfect length for a noisy album.

Statue - Something to Say: More in line with revolution summer.

Statue - Filter the Infection: Proto-Rival Schools.

Starkweather - Crossbearer: Perfect blend of hardcore and metal.

Soul Glo - DisNigga, Vol. 1: The most interesting band in hardcore strikes again.

slowthai - TYRON: Wow, I need to check out the debut.

Shame - Drunk Tank Pink: Another album in the post-punk revival.

Fred Schneider - Just Fred: Punker than most.

Regional Justice Center - Crime and Punishment: 13 minutes of anger management.

Really From - Really From: Not exactly sure how to classify it, but I liked it.

Pygmy Lush - Old Friends: Lush settling into rhythm.

Pygmy Lush - Mount Hope: Very calming.

Pygmy Lush - Bitter River: What an oddly satisfying album. Part folk, part grunge, part screamo, part post-rock.

Pulses - Speak Less: More of the same.

Pulses - Speak It Into Existence: Everything and the kitchen sink.

portrayal of guilt - We Are Always Alone: Mixed bag for me.

Polaris - In the 21st Century! Demos of Space and Time and the Unknown: Not likely to get a lot of plays, but thankful to have it.

Playboi Carti - Whole Lotta Red: Whole lotta repetition.

No Knife - Riot for Romance!: Major Jimmy Eat World vibe.

Moonraker - Discography: Fantastic emocore.

Mogwai - As the Love Continues: A soundtrack to awaiting Covid test results.

Marah - Kids in Philly: A punker Hold Steady with Elvis Costello undertones.

Lacrima - Cartography: The screamo renaissance continues.

Kudrow - Lando: This is amazing. I love Jeff Rosenstock.

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - L.W.: Better than K.G.

Home Is Where - i became birds: I wish it were longer and looking forward to the next one.

goalie's anxiety at the penalty kick - WAYS OF HEARING: A cure for anxiety.

Go-Go's - Beauty and the Beat: So many singles.

for your health - In Spite Of: The hype is real.

Foo Fighters - Medicine at Midnight: Certainly not my favorite.

Demon System 13 - Killed By the Kids: 2001? Sounds like 1981.

Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails over the Country Club: Certainly adequate.

Death From Above 1979 - Is 4 Lovers: Considering I never expected a second album, their continued existence is just gravy.

Daisy Chainsaw - Eleventeen: Should be more popular.

Counting Crows - Recovering the Satellites: Better than anticipated, longer than necessary.

Coolio - Gangsta's Paradise: Dated in almost all of the right ways.

Clem Snide - Forever Just Beyond: Sounds like Spring.

Chariot - One Wing: Wish I had discovered when I lived in the same town.

Bleach Everything - Welcome Idiots: Pleased to make your acquaintance.

Black Country, New Road - For The First Time: If Too Many Zooz became Slint devotees and it is the best thing I have heard this year.

Julien Baker - Little Oblivions: I am here for the bigger era.

B-52's - The B-52's: Really good for what it is.

World Be Free - One Time for Unity: Old school hardcore.

Thunder Dreamer - Summer Sleeping: What a name and album title!

Thimble Circus - Lullaby for Worriers: For fans of Daniel Johnston and Wild Man Fischer.

Soul Glo - Songs to Yeet at the Sun: Ticks so many boxes.

Sault - Untitled (Rise): Wish I had let the other one marinate before diving back in.

Sault - Untitled (Black Is): Out of left field and knocked me over.

Jeff Rosenstock - 2020 Dump: Treasure.

Respire - Black Line: Something to sink your teeth into.

Record Setter - I Owe You Nothing: This would have impacted my end of year list for 2020.

Pylon - Pylon Box: What a fascinating, and large collection of great songs.

Oneohtrix Point Never - Magic Oneohtrix Point Never: Good background music.

One Hundred Words for Snow - Discography: Would fit on a bill with Texas is the Reason.

No Note - If this is the future then I'm in the dark: Desperation.

No Man - Erase: Vocals do not seem to match the music.

Niice - Try to Stay Positive: Glad I checked out the newest one first. Not that this is bad, but it is a step down.

New Order - Movement: Would love another album like this.

The Network - Money Money 2020- Pt II We Told Ya So!: Better than the last Green Day album.

Mogwai - ZEROZEROZERO: Beautiful, but looking forward to a proper album.

Mesa Verde - Discography: Too dynamic to waste on a terrible stereo in a rental car.

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - K.G.: They did it again.

Kill Lincoln - Can't Complain: Good for what it is.

Jazz Hands - Party EP: Emo guitars with screamed vocals.

Infant Island - Beneath: A lot of potential.

Household Gods - Palace Intrigue: Slint if they had written pop songs.

Higher Power - 27 Miles Underwater: Major Jane's Addiction vibes.

Hatebreed - Weight of the False Self: Not a lot of nuance, but not sure I would want it any other way.

Faucet - Bitter Insane Melting: Perfect title.

Eminem - Music to be Murdered To, Side B: Good enough.

Bob Dylan - 1970: Another treasure trove.

Dirty Projectors - 5EPs: Very enjoyable.

Crazy Eddie - Eddie Goes To Night School: Nine minutes of punk rock bliss.

Carpool - Erotic Nightmare Summer: Good foundation, but lacks an indentity.

Call Me Malcolm - Me, Myself, and Something Else: Bad Religion with horns.

Peter Brotzmann Octet - Machine Gun: Soundtrack to an insurrection.

Boneflower - Armour: A kitchen sink of heavy music that mostly succeeds.

R.W. Beaver - Case of the Blues: By the book blues.

Bauhaus - In The Flat Field: So much post-punkiness, but feels directionless.

awakebutstillinbed - stay who you are: stay awake.

Avalanches - We Will Always Love You: It is very long.

Billie Joe Armstrong - No Fun Mondays: Pretty fun in its breeziness.

100 gecs - 1000 gecs and the Tree of Clues: I do not think I lived with the original album enough to appreciate the differences.