Guest Lists: The Best of 2019

Michael Garrity of Nora Marks

The decade has wrapped up and it's time to take a look at our favorite records and what not of 2019. Before we unveil the results of our best of 2019 bracket showdown, we have some guest lists to share. Leading off is Michael Garrity, who does guitar, vocals and keyboards in local band Nora Marks. Check out their music at Bandcamp. Catch the band live at the Tonic Room on February 29 with Broken Robots, The God Awful Small Affairs and Casey Elizabeth Weldon. More info on that show here. Michael's list follows:

2019 was definitely a transitional year for me. Raised a one-year-old, started a new job, and finally filled out the lineup for this band after 3 years. So, I wasn’t branching into new music (or new anything, really) as much as I normally do. Luckily, a lot of old favorites came out swinging with great work in 2019.

Favorite Albums

Leonard Cohen – Thanks for the Dance
No artist has been more prevalent in my life this year than Leonard Cohen. It started with a deep dive into his entire discography and recorded works and ended with reading two (2) books about him, in addition to his own writing. So, it was a pleasant surprise that after all this, I got to experience a NEW album of original material from him 3 years after his death, and the fact that it’s actually really good is sort of just a bonus. A triumphant posthumous feat, Cohen recorded all of the vocals for this album during the recording sessions You Want It Darker, and then the arrangements were finished later by his son Adam, who did a wonderful job honoring his father’s musical legacy with songs that refer to all of the different styles and eras of Cohen’s long and diverse career.

The National – I Am Easy to Find
Fitting that my favorite band of the decade would release my most listened to album of 2019, one that diverges significantly from what people expect them to sound like without losing any of the cathartic beauty and poetic grace that makes me love them.

Better Oblivion Community Center – Better Oblivion Community Center
Probably my all-time favorite songwriter and the best contemporary voice in the business. This one was destined to be a winner, and I’ve had it on regular rotation since it came out in January with no signs of slowing down.

Djunah – Ex Voto
Amazing and dynamic record that has as many memorably catchy moments as it does visceral shredding and impactful drumming. My favorite kind of heavy music.

Off With Their Heads – Be Good
This band keeps getting better with each record, which helps make the wait in between them worth it. Technically it’s pretty straightforward punk rock, but it accelerates past its peers thanks to excellent songwriting.

American Football – American Football (LP3)
Love to see the way this band has matured gracefully and emerged from the early part of the decade’s “emo revival” without looking backward or doing the obvious thing. This record is beautiful and creative.

The God Awful Small Affairs – Vanishing Point Lessons
This band has so much going on that it took a few complete listens of this record before I felt like I really understood what was going on, and by that time the hooks had buried themselves deep into my subconscious. Much like the smooth blending of neo-folk songwriting and spacey guitar work, the band effortlessly maneuvers between different musical ideas multiple times in the course of a single composition, all held together by the captivating poetry and presence of their charismatic lead singer.

The Menzingers – Hello Exile
While this is not the Menzingers album that’s necessarily brought the most excitement into my life, I do think it’s their most coherent and consistent album so far, both sonically but also, more importantly, from a songwriting perspective. I feel like there’s something to be said for just being really focused on craft, which is what this record evokes.

Sleater-Kinney – The Center Won’t Hold
Exterior drama aside, I thought this new Sleater-Kinney album was a cool departure from the band’s roots, and I think the moments that lean into a more pop-oriented approach to songwriting and production suit them well (at this stage on their artistic journey, at least).

Lizzo – Cuz I Love You
Just a great and catchy album that is never not fun to throw on in any situation. Even my toddler loves Lizzo.

Laura Stevenson – The Big Freeze
A beautiful songwriter writes some beautiful songs that, like all of her best work, have the uncanny ability to string together beautiful melodies that resonate from deep within the listener. Probably her best overall collection of songs to date.

Favorite EPs

Self Defense Family – Performative Guilt
Bosley Jr – No More

Favorite Movies

Joker
Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood
The Irishman
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw
Us
Shazam
Uncut Gems

Favorite TV Shows (aired in 2019)

GLOW
The Good Place

Favorite Podcasts

Worst Possible Timeline
As You Were: A Podcast About Alkaline Trio
Coffee & Flowers

Favorite Books (published in 2019)

Go Ahead in the Rain by Hanif Abduraquib
Mostly Dead Things by Kristen Arnett

Favorite Shows

JJ's Diner BreakFEST 2019 (October 19)
Dave Hause + The Mermaid / Austin Plaine - GMan Taven (April 12)
Dillinger Four / Modern Life is War / Arms Aloft / C.H.E.W. - Metro (November 21)
Badwater Sound / Bob Fleming & The Cambria Iron Co. / Hi Ho / Will Bennett & The Tells - Burlington Bar (September 22)