THE BEST OF 2019

You wanted the best, you got the best, the hottest list in the land...the annual Best Of list from your buddies (singular buddy, if we're being honest...my opinions consult to no man, woman, or child...nor can they be contained within any sort of "collaboration"...doesn't work, nor would or should anyone be forced to take any responsibility for what is contained herein.) here at Shiny Grey Monotone! All the reckless platitudes and uncorroborated claims you've come to know and "love". The lack of research, the lack of diversity, the rampant ego...it's all here!

Please allow me to introduce you to the records that raised my dander in the most unholy of ways this past calendar year, that I actually heard. There were plenty that I did not, and maybe never will. Or maybe will hear and lament next year in this space that I missed the boat. If I allow myself the vulnerability of admitting an error...TBD. But doubtful. 

Congratulations to all the folks on this list, and on the previous Almost Best Of List. We (me) owe you a laurel, and a hardy handshake for our new town...favorite records. Without those willing to slog it out in the mostly thankless world of music-making we would exist in a much quieter, more boring life. So, please keep being creative and awesome and keep going for it. There are thousands of people out here who appreciate your efforts, and hope that you continue on your path.

And to those reading this (hi Mom!), please do consider supporting these artists by buying physical copies of their releases, buying shirts, going to see them when they pass through your town, and reach out every once in awhile to let them know you give a shit, and what they are doing is important to you. Also, call your Mom...she would appreciate an update.

Ok, so here we go...enjoy!

35. (tie) Harrison Ford Mustang

So yeah, it's a tie, which is a copout to squeeze in one last record, but what do you want me to do? Not include this 'lil gem of indie rock goodness?! This shit is in my fucking DNA man, there was no way around including this band!

DL


35. (tie) Den - Iron Desert
(there is no video evidence of the band Den known to man [or my Googling])
Mountain moving, industrial strength, low end gut punch. It's sludge, it's metal, it's hardcore, it's stoner boogie...it's a bad vibe, biker speed, rough trip. Plus, added bonus, one of the dudes was in Constatine Sankathi...weird 90's emo connections.

DL


34. Spotlights - Love & Decay

Do you recall how tedious all those bands were post-Isis, that tried to do the big, epic, heavy monumental post-metal sound? Cause it got real awful real fast, especially when you consider that Neurosis are still in business putting out records that are 100x better than whatever Tides was doing (no offense Tides, but it's the first band I could think of that I was thinking of). Well, anyway, fast forward few years and folks starting taking those boring sounds and bringing the wall of sound shoegaze bliss into the mix, and all of a sudden your Isis has some Loop in it and we're off to the races.

DL


33. Djunah - Ex Voto

From the smoldering husk of Beat Drun Jul, comes Djunah, which needs to be seen to be believed. It's just two people, but Donna Diane is out here playing guitar, singing, and playing bass via a Moog Taurus with her feet, all at the same time, and all really well. How her brain is able to sort through those tasks simultaneously is far beyond my pay grade (which is essentially volunteer...I do not get paid anything to write these asinine reviews), it's amazing. And the thing is, performance gymnastics aside, the band is generating great great songs of powerful, dark, emotionally charged noise rock. This is an exciting band to watch out for.

DL


32. Pinko - You And You

Each year that I have done this Best Of rigmarole, there seems to be one record that could be nominated for "Noise Rock Template Of The Year", which I mean in a good way. Like, there is one band that checks all the boxes we want in a noise rock record, and fly the flag high and proud. This year, I would point to Pinko as that record. It's quintessential and perfect noise rock. I appreciate that.

DL


31. Marriage + Cancer - Bro

Usually a two song ep would not make a "Best Of" list, but in all honesty, this is me begging pittance for neglecting to including last year's self titled full length, which was phenomenal. I just didn't listen to it until this year. And the two songs on "Bro" continue the patient, menacing, build of that album, so...it all works out. It's fair. They remind me a little of the band Heads. in how they let their songs uncoil and breath in a way that creates a dark, queasy pall. So anyway, sorry for the omission last year, I hope this makes up for it. Both records are phenomenal and you (we) should own them all.

DL


30. Tropical Trash - Southern Indiana Drone Footage

Punk rave-ups that call to mind the Wipers-cum-Hot Snakes fun times, but with a sinister vibe that keeps one foot in a swampy graveyard (New Orleans?) and prompts one to keep an eye over their shoulder.

DL


29. Help - Help

Out of Portland, Oregon, this triumvirate set forth to blast ears with a workman burl of tangled punk noise that is at once defiantly uplifting and alternately wall-punching viscera. You would be hard pressed to accept the CV that there is a member of the band Portugal. The Man within these outbursts, but alas, the world is full of surprises.

DL

28. Youff - 20/20 Hindsight and If Wishes Were Horses, Homicidal Beggars Could Ride

While I’ve never actually heard the sounds of my tormentors laughing at me while a hornets nest has been placed over my head, and a metal garbage can that’s being whacked with a wooden baseball bat is placed atop that, I feel that this record is a pretty apt approximation. Youff put out two full lengths this year, and both could just as easily soundtrack your next disorienting heat stroke, so I'm including them both.

DL, DL


27. Giants Chair - Prefabylon

Graduates of the Midwest Emo Class of 1996, who would have guessed that Giant's Chair would resurrect 23 years later to put out the best album of their "career"? Not me. I would not have. Yet, here we are, talking about how good this new Giant's Chair record is. It's good. Really good.

DL


26. Salvation - Year Of The Fly

Of the approximately 34 different bands who have released records under the moniker “Salvation” (and not including all the straightedge versions of that band name), this particular Salvation (of Chicago, Illinois USA) were the best Salvation of 2019. Their brusque take on noise rock brings in elements of Burning Brides’ maximum grunge-n-roll right alongside the downer thud of Metz, and it makes for an invigorating brew.

DL


25. Big Bite - Trinity

As an older person, trying to raise younger persons and navigate their teenage proclivities and interests, I often have conversations with them about how "times are different". And a lot of those conversations are initiated by musical inspirations; me complaining that they listen to terrible music...mostly. It's not to bag on them or to not understand that the cultural landscape is in constant flux, but it's just to say, "why don't you guys want to dig deeper? Aren't you curious to hear different, more challenging things?". That was part of the fun of music to me, and how my own identity came into focus, by digging and chasing down leads. But I guess that's not how today's instant gratification, hold-the-entirety-of-the-internet-in-the-palm-of-your-hand world works. My children will never care that Big Bite has mastered an old guitar driven, fuzzy indie rock style that put a smile on my face decades ago, and still doesn't fail to make me smile. They just don't get it. Youth is wasted on the young. Or young til I die...or whatever.

DL 


24. Whep - Welp

If you could only ever eat one type of food for the rest of your life (and we're not concerned about the scientific or nutritional effects of a mono-diet here), what would it be? I think mine would be burritos. Although there are times that I would say pizza (I had pizza for dinner tonight; black olives, onions, tempeh, vegan cheese, extra sauce, it was delightful), but until a vegan cheese is truly mastered, I'm going to stick with my original answer of burritos. My burrito would have black beans, pinto beans, rice, lettuce, pico de gallo, onion, cilantro, fresh jalapeno, guacamole, tofu, corn, and a shit ton of hot sauce. It's actually not that unhealthy really. When you think about it. Has fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and even a superfood. Shit. Imma live forever on my burrito diet! My under drawers may take a beating, and my wife may kick me out of the bed, but I'll be stuffed and satiated.
Also, this Whep record is great. Can't speak on the status of their skivvies, or if they are off-gassing to offensive levels though. But the record is great.

DL


23. MTN ISL - Let Us Pray

The underdog's underdogs, MTN ISL continue to create a specific strain of burly thud rock at their own pace and as they see fit. No hype, rarely any live outings, no real warning that they are lurking about actually. Just all of a sudden, there you go, here is a new album from MTN ISL. Enjoy. Or don't, your enjoyment doesn't seem to be a priority. The overall theme of "fuck it" seems to carry over from the members own dispositions into the lumbering compositions they bellow out. A PR machine, they are not, as evidenced by me having to post a five year old live clip of a song that isn't on the new album, cause nothing on the new album exists as video anywhere. But that's ok. We live in an oversaturated world, so it's nice to see some humility. You all should buy their record and reward their efforts. Make them feel loved, and wanted, and beautiful, like they are.

DL


22. Great Sabatini / Great Falls - split

We got a real bruiser here fellas. Like, just viciously heavy and gnarled. All the grace of a sledgehammer and all the beauty of a ten car freeway pileup. Super ugly music. Perfectly ugly. Exquisitely ugly.

DL


21. Child Bite - Blow Off The Omens

I used to get a real Dead Kennedys feel from Child Bite, but on this new album I'm getting more of a Clutch-plays-Jesus Lizard feel. Which I have zero point zero issues with. I encourage it, actually. Go on Child Bite, do what makes you feel good.

DL


20. HARDCORE ROUNDUP '19

PROCESS BLACK - COUNTDOWN FAILURE: While we patiently wait for a new No Escape record (I was promised a new No Escape record), Process Black gives you the Tim Singer dosage you need. And this time with Aaron Edge supplying the heavy riffs. I really hope they keep this project going, I love it.

DL


SHINERS CLUB - WIRES IN THE WATER: OCHC royalty b'last! through a quick set of raging rippers that keep things pounding. It's great to show the young folks that even past the age of 50, if you got it, you can still give it.

DL


MIRACLE DRUG / PIECE OF MIND - SPLIT: Miracle Drug come correct with some damaged Ressurection styled hardcore, played by some heavy hitters who know how to deliver. Piece Of Mind roar through some abrasive Bloodlet meets Turmoil meets Integrity blunt force trauma.

DL


TAP AND DIE - BOMBS OVERHEAD: Matt Anderson from Heroin, Steven Miller from Unbroken, Oscar Paz from Impel, and Sam Stothers from Narrows. Real deal SD hardcore legends take Swiz and give it a swift kick in the pants on this album. Perfect.

DL


FRAME OF MIND - IRIESHUN: You could slot this record into the New Age Records catalog squarely between the Turning Point lp and the first Outspoken 7", and nobody would realize you had time travelled to do it. It would be considered a minor classic.

DL


L.O.T.I.O.N. - WORLD WIDE W.E.B.: Take crusty hardcore, run it through a noisy industrial sieve, and give it a fully formed dystopian cyber-world armageddon backstory, and there you get L.O.T.I.O.N. Kudos.

DL


A HORSE CALLED WAR - GOOD FOR GLUE: Obscenely heavy and aggressive nihilism in the form of sludgy hardcore that takes parts from Iron Monkey, Noothgrush, Anti Cimex, and Charger. Gross.

DL


MIL-SPEC - DDM SESSIONS: Live and raw versions of Mil-Spec's Verbal Assault meets Turning Point meets Rites Of Spring take on hardcore. Vital and exciting.

DL


CANDY - SUPER-STARE: Only two songs, but holy fuck, they bring an Integrity blasting that is music to these ears (granted, it's literally music to everyone's ears, as it is music, and you can hear)

DL


19. Greys - Age Hasn't Spoiled You

I really respect a band who can pull an album off where each track is different from one to the next. It takes a sonically adventurous, and musically accomplished group to do it right. Greys have done it here. They give you exuberance and melancholy and experimentation, and straight up rock music. From the Brit-pop leanings of Blur to the slowcore haze of Codeine, to the kitchen sink approach of Eels, to the fuzz pop of Solids. It's not as jarring as that may sound. It works. I love it, and I'm a fucking curmudgeon who hates anything "new"!

DL


18. Tile - Stendell

We should be talking more about how good this band Tile is. Unless of course, you already talk too much about dumb music stuff, and need to "broaden your horizons" because you are "boring the ladies", and "alienating the guests". So, in that case, I don't know, bone up on sports or politics or whatever adults talk about, and just keep it to yourself that Tile is real fucking good. Unless, of course, you find yourself in a discussion on the finer points of the Allentown, PA noise rock scene, and if that's the case, by all means, go for it!

DL


17. Garbage Man - The First Two 7"s

Ok, sure, if you wanna get me on a technicality, the first Garbage Man 7", half of this compendium, was released in 2018, and I missed it. But, to my credit, the second 7" was in fact released in 2019, so...even with my super important and busy lifestyle, I managed to remain at least sort of current. And even if I am late to the game, you'll excuse me for still wanting to get some exposure for this JJ Paradise Players Club meets Vertigo shit kicking stomper. Maybe you aren't so cool either? You ever think of that?

DL


16. USA Nails - Life Cinema

Nervy and jittery in that quaint English post-punk way, but bitter and acerbic in that sneering English punk way. So you get the sense that they have disdain for you (not me) in that universally excellent noisy way. They truly do seem annoyed with you. Like, they are quickly losing patience for you bullshit, man.
Sidebar: probably my favorite record cover of the year.

DL


15. Vandal X - Blood On The Street

If you react favorably to the repetitive crush of any project Chris Spencer has been affiliated with, then you should absolutely be reppin' Vandal X (yes, the band name gives away their allegiances). You've had a quarter of a century to get hip to these Belgian bulldozers, so, get fucking hip. Previous records were a little wilder and less direct, Blood On The Street really finetunes their focus and drills you for the full 45 minutes of this album.

DL


14. Hex Machine - Cave Painting

From the fertile crescent...the other fertile crescent, the one along the James River, Hex Machine continue the Richmond lineage of weirdo-heavy-rock that can be traced back to Pen Rollins. Non-linear, but totally satisfying. They manage to give an interesting twist to the noise rock rulebook with off-kilter turns and strange proggy guitar runs. And who here doesn't want something a little different?

DL


13. Buildings - Negative Space

Damn, this one hurts. Nonstop pummel rock, that gives you momentary glimpses of the respite you need, right before throwing a burlap sack over your head and continuing to take turns swinging on your skull with a rough hewn length of wood. A primal sort of workout, all sweat, pain, and assholes who don't wipe down the elliptical machine after they use it. Fucked up shit.

DL


12. Multicult - Simultaneity

Five full length albums in, and I think we should all be prepared for the professional grade ass whipping that Multicult are going to rain down onto our...asses(?). They have continued developing a tightly coiled brand of tense noise rock that harkens back to the Midwestern Epoch of 1987-1992, when Scratch Acids, and Jesus Lizards, and Tars, and Arcwelders, and Flours, and Arsenals roamed the Frost Belt.

DL


11. Coilguns - Watchwinders

Having jettisoned some of the more exploratory passages that dotted their last record, Coilguns have tempered the attack to a fine point. Urgent and vibrant like Refused, rumbling and knuckle-dragging like Cult Of Luna, it’s a hardcore record that got held up at gunpoint by Barkmarket on their way to a Mastodon show.

DL


10. Tropical Fuck Storm - Braindrops

I was late to the game with this band, missing last year’s debut album by many month, and discovering both it, and this new one at the same time. So I apologize for my tardiness, but you must understand I have a very important life to lead over here (just kidding). Tropical Fuck Storms brings that certain Australian style of warped weirdness that has steered that country’s musical exports for the last few decades off the beaten path. In their case, TFS sounds like if Captain Beefheart (who I never listen to, cause they are irritating) were commandeered by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. It’s twitchy and uneasy, and at the same time revolutionary and scummy. Like a phD carnival barker ranting about global politics and cultural erosions. Has members from The Drones.

DL


9. All The Saints - Looks Like You're Going Somewhere

Hazy, noir, sinister. Creeps who bow to no man nor whim. This band has taken the long road, but every turn sees them the better for it. Their deliberant slink out of the shadows has them taking a distortion pedal and bottle of cough syrup to Bauhaus’ goth scree, unwinding their warm dirges as to seduce you into their underworld.

DL


8. Kal Marks - Let The Shit House Burn

I love the way this band has cloaked these melodic songs in unique structures, big distorted loudness, and with the distinctive croak/screech of singer Carl Shane. It doesn’t sound like anybody else really, even though it scratches this writer’s constant itch (no, not the one in my undercarriage) for noisy, fucked up, catchy indie rock. So if bands like Ovlov or Solids float your boat (or scratch your undercarriage [which on a boat would be called ‘the hull’]), then Kal Marks will do the same.

DL


7. Bummer - Thanks For Nothing

While I’ve never personally experienced the feeling of standing behind a jet engine during takeoff (hell, if we’re being honest, I would be hard-pressed to explain even a rudimentary understanding of basic avionics or flight engineering mechanics), but I imagine it would be something akin to blasting this new Bummer ep straight into your face. Maybe they will use these songs in the new Top Gun movie? That will most likely have airplanes blasting off in close proximity to human heads, right? Danger Zone indeed! I would be remiss to not mention the (Mall Goth) elephant in the room that is the inclusion of the Marilyn Manson song ‘Beautiful People’ on this record. And while that song was goofy when it came out, and Marilyn Manson was a hick version of Nine Inch Nails, Bummer give it an overdriven kick in the ass, so it works out in the end.

DL


6. Big Brave - A Gaze Among Them

The Bardo Pond for a new generation! Wielding a bombast so heavy that it circles back onto itself as a soothing meditation, but with the welcome addition of Robin Wattie’s soaring vocals to humanize an otherwise otherworldly experience. Maybe not the best music for a long drive in the car (unless you’re on some sort of suicide pact or something), but great music for working, creating, or contemplating (that suicide pact, for instance).

DL


5. USA/MEXICO - Matamoros

So a dude from Butthole Surfers, a dude from Shit And Shine, and a dude from Todd walk into a bar…and the health department shuts the bar down for violating local code (rimshot). These three guys have crafted a truly noble piece of noise rock art with this album. It is start to finish, one of the most combatively heavy and unapologetically ugly records I’ve heard in years. It’s maximum everything, everything turned way the fuck up, everything bleeding over everything else, and everything slowed to a troglodyte stomp. Exactly as you want it to be. And the fact that they revisit the best Cherubs song ever, WITH Kevin Whitely on vocals…it’s just…perfect.

DL


4. Austerity Program - Bible Songs

You know what would make listening to Big Black more fun? Putting a beehive on your head and having your friends take turns swinging on you like a piñata while you recite Old Testament verse. That’d do it! You’re not allergic are you? I mean to the Bible; are you allergic to the Bible? I know exposure has varying results, and you should limit your time in the Bible’s presence, but this record is only 22 minutes, so you should be fine.

DL


3. Cherubs - Immaculada High

I’m not sure that anyone would have thought that Cherubs would come out of a nearly 20 year hibernation in 2016 to release a great album, and then follow that up a year later with an incredible ep. Men of such…dignified, age should be taking it easy, enjoying spending time with their families, maybe even writing an unnecessary music blog. Anything but creating such disgustingly perfect noise rock such as they are. Play some fucking shuffleboard for god’s sake, will you?! And now, here we are and the Cherubs mk II train keeps rolling with another incredible album of the distinctive sound they have animated out of the Austin underbelly since day one. The roiling, churning, rumble that has endeared the band to lowlifes and dirtbags going on twenty seven years now.

DL


2. Pile - Green And Gray

Pile is a band with such a deftness of craft, that they can volley from minimal, quiet introspection straight into vein bulging aggression without any problem, and more importantly, in a manner that maintains the album’s cohesive integrity while doing it. Musically, the interplay between players is good enough to make this top album of the year, but then layering on top of that the perfectly worn vocals and mordant-cum-tender lyrics of Rick Maguire, and this quickly jumps from “oh yeah, that’s a really good band” to “fuckin-a, I can’t believe you haven’t heard of Pile, they are better than any of that shit you listen to”. Like, they are legit incredible. Their entire discography is fucking incredible, and ‘Green And Gray’ continuous to make the case that Pile is as a good a band as you’re likely to come across in your lifetime. Seriously.

DL


1. Mannequin Pussy - Patience

Man, do I ever hope that Mannequin Pussy become the biggest band on the planet. I would be so refreshing to live in a world where I’m hearing Marisa Dabice’s vocals and lyrics on the radio instead of…whatever that person’s name is who’s on the radio now…or at least my idea of what I think the radio sounds like. Assuming there even still IS a radio? I have teenagers and they don’t seem to know what a radio is…so maybe I’m out of touch (you think?). That’s not the point though, my cultural blindspots are well documented already and we shouldn’t dwell on them. The real point here is; just how fucking awesome is the latest Mannequin Pussy album? Keeping one foot in the caterwauling hardcore buzzbomb of their previous records and adding in a newer, vulnerable, tuneful approach (a more melodic Yeah Yeah Yeahs might be a good starting point) gives the record a balance and personality that creates a life-affirming joy (even in the misery of some the material here) and gives you a record that you will be listening to in 10, 20, 40 years to get the same jolt of excitement. Personally, I’ll be long dead in 40 years, but, I assume you young folks will still be doing your proverbial “thing” after I depart. As Marisa Dabice says on this record, “I did not choose my life, and I won’t choose my death”. You can ask those in close proximity to my person that I have been subjecting everyone I can to this album. I could not love it more than I do, and then after seeing the band live this year (even in an opening slot with a sick Dabice), I was completely fixated on it.

DL