CMM's 10 Favorite Albums of 2018

1. Courtney Barnett "Tell Me How You Really Feel"

I Probably played this album 1,000 times this year. So many amazing songs that really speak to you. The record really cements Courtney as one of the best new songwriters around.

2. Joan Of Arc "1984"

One of the bands best yet. Songs like "Real Punk Kid" and "Tiny Baby" combine experimental elements with traditional songwriting in the finest way possible.

3. Body/Head "The Switch"

This album is full of amazing hypnotic, mind bending noise and I can't get enough. The tracks really take you to another place with each and every listen.

4. Merzbow "Exoking"

Another masterpiece from the king of noise. Amazing tones and beautiful packaging as always.

5. Alles Club "Décollage"

This album is truly EPIC. I really can't say enough great things about it. Highly original and inspiring.

6. Statue "Casper"

Amazing guitar and drum tones fill this album alongside incredible musicianship and song arrangements. Top notch across the board.

7. Guided By Voices "Space Gun"

Another stellar album from the most prolific band in the world. Lead singles "Space Gun" and "See My Field" are instant GBV classics.

8. Frankie Teardrop Dead "All You Need Is Love And Fucking Peace"

One of the most colorful and uplifting psychedelic records of the year. Can't get enough of this one.

9. Netherlands "Black Gia"

Another skull crushing release from this NYC metal/sci-fi unit. Intense and menacing with a twist of new wave energy.

10. Casino Garden "Ride"

A brilliant blend of shoegaze and psychedelia. One of the most beautiful albums of 2018.

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CMM's 10 Favorite Shows of 2018

1. Dead Boys - Bowery Electric - NYC - 1/28/18

This reformed line up of The Dead Boys has been tearing it up all over the world for the last few years and I've been happy to get to see them play a couple of times. This show was no exception as lead singer Jake Hout channeled the spirit of Stiv Bators in grand fashion while Cheetah Chrome blasted through the blistering riffs that make this band amazing. Can't wait to catch them again in 2019.

2. Desert Daze Festival (My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Mercury Rev, Kevin Morby and more) - Lake Perris California -10/12-10/14 2018

There are a lot of Festivals that offer unbelievable line ups these days but none were quite like this years Desert Daze Festival in Lake Perris California. Yes this festival was truly "STACKED" with performances from My Bloody Valentine, Sowdive, Mercury Rev, Kevin Morby, Earth and many many more. I must add that this festival had one of the most laid back feels to it which can be rare these days. Everyone was really respectful and watching the bands was comfortable while the sound and lighting were top notch.

3. Joan Of Arc - Elsewhere - NYC - 10/3/18

This show was a last minute surprise. I had not seen Joan Of Arc in about a year and a half and their latest album "1984" was one of my favorites of the year. I realized the morning of the show they were opening for mewithoutyou. Joan Of Arc performed as a three piece and the set included some amazing new material alongside some of my favorites from recent LP's. This was a really fun set to see.

4. Merzbow (at Hospital Festival) - Knockdown Center- NYC - 12/8/18

Hospital Fest was a tremendous event and I could go on and on about all of the acts that performed but I ain't gonna lie I was there to see Merzbow as I've been a fan for roughly 25 years and had never seen him perform before. His hour long set was intense, colorful and incredibly mind bending. Other highlights from his event included Jesu, Final (Justin Broadrick), and the Prurient/Power Trip collaboration.

5. "Sally Suicide" Suicide Tribute - Bowery Electric - NYC - 1/25/18

Incredible tribute evening to Alan Vega and Suicide which featured performances from Bob Bert, Cynthia Ross, Kid Congo Powers and more. The highlight for me was when The Car's Ric Ocasek joined Martin Rev for a performance of "Dream Baby Dream". A great evening indeed.

6. Turkish Delight (Reunion) - The Middle East - Cambridge MA - 7/20/18

It's not everyday that your favorite band gets back together to do a show after a 20 year hiatus but on July 20th 2018 Turkish Delight took the stage at the legendary Middle East in Cambridge MA. The band played tracks from their two albums "Tommy Bell" and "Howcha Magowcha" as well as a stunning rendition of "Damaged Goods" by Gang Of Four. They even let me join them onstage for a ripping rendition of their classic cut "Go Baby" which was a a real honor and thrill. Such an awesome time.

7. Nine Inch Nails, Jesus And Mary Chain - Kings Theater - Brooklyn NY - 10/16/18

First off Kings Theater might be the most beautiful venue in Brooklyn and one of the best places to see a large scale show. Jesus And Mary Chain put on a solid set of some of their most well known songs which was certainly an amazing way to start the evening. Then Nine Inch Nails put on one of the most breathtaking performances you will see and hear anywhere in the universe. I'm by no means a NIN fanatic but this show really floored me. The stage production, musicianship, sound an overall presentation where definitely next level.

8. Ministry - Irving Plaza - NYC - 12/6/18

Ministry put on a tremendous performance at Irving Plaza in NYC. It was amazing to hear "Stigmata", "N.W.O.", "So What" and "Just One Fix" in a live setting again. The crowd was super into it and the band played the tracks with "pinpoint accuracy". Menacing to say the least.

9. Netherlands - Brooklyn Bazaar - Brooklyn NY - 10/20/18

Simply put this band DESTROY everything in their path. The crushing guitar sound and sci-fi-psych vocals of Timo Ellis are relentless and this performance was one of the most intense I came across all year.

10. Men I Trust - Charlies American Cafe - Norfolk Virginia - 3/19/18

It was great to see Men I Trust in one of my favorite intimate venues. The band played a lot of songs from their recent album "Headroom" and their infectious bass lines and in the pocket drumming had the crowd dancing along while Emma's vocals sounded as beautiful as you can imagine.

Six Records CMM Wants You To Know

Boss Hog "Wichita Grey" Single (In The Red Records)

Boss Hog is back and "Wichita Grey" is the first single from their upcoming four song Maxi-Disco 12-inch due out July 1st on In The Red. Cristina Martinez's vocals sound as electric as ever and are backed by the thunderous drumming of Hollis Queens, Jens Jurgensen seductive bass lines and Mickey Finn's droning keys. The guitar tones of the legendary Jon Spencer are sure to melt your speakers as his infectious riffs are dangerous, enigmatic and down right nasty. Legend has it that Boss Hog are internationally-known as New York City’s most provocative and original rock’n’roll band and I'd say "Wichita Grey" just might etch this statement in stone. The band begin a West Coast tour that on July 11th in Seattle.

Lost Gloss "Sometimes" E.P. (lostgloss.bandcamp.com)

Loving this fun lo-fi experimental E.P. from Lost Gloss out of the U.K. Things open up with an eerie intro simply titled "❂" before giving way to the wandering sounds of "Nothing's All Around" which features some really beautiful yet haunting guitar tones that sit well with the distant and looming vocal presence. "Tired Eyes" is a hazy, laid back instrumental while "Too Much" is a fine crafted blend of 80's new wave pop hooks and early 90's shoegaze that channels the likes of early New Order and MBV but with a more lo-fi bedroom style charm. The E.P. comes to a close with the collage like "Kaleidoscopic" which conjures up images of space stations and alien life some place on the other side of the galaxy.

Memory Of Elephants "Faux Carrion" E.P. (memoryofelephants.bandcamp.com)

Instrumental masterminds Memory Of Elephants deliver big with their latest E.P. "Faux Carrion". The technical riffs and phenomenal drumming alone make it a step above most as the level of musicianship is simply off the charts. "That Was A Warning Cone!" is nicely lined with layers of experimental sounds that flow like waves between the frantic rhythms and crushing guitar chords that run rampant throughout. "Chacking For Cwmbrân" fully explores the world of prog-rock and jazz while adding it's own experimental spin to things as there is an uplifting cinematic spirit to it all. "Who The Fuck Is Runcorn?" just might be the most aggressive track of the three as it begins at breakneck speed while the band come together like Voltron to create an incredibly gigantic sound. Hands down one of the best E.P.'s I've heard all year.

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Merzbow, Haino, Pandi "An Untroublesome Defencelesness" (rarenoiserecords.com)

Legendary Japanese electronic noise artist Merzbow (aka Masami Akita) teams up with guitarist Keiji Haino and drummer Balazs Pandi for another example of extreme sonic experimentation in the form of "An Untroublesome Defencelessness". The album is a menacing collection of manic drumming, white noise and fierce power chords drenched with feedback. When asked about the collaboration Pandi explains, “When Masami and I did a gig in Osaka back then, we threw a couple ideas back and forth and decided that it would be great to try and form a trio with Haino-san. Keiji is like an infinite well of ideas. It’s incredible how he can push music and sounds into new directions. Sounds coming from him have way more qualities than the ones coming from most musicians, as he uses every possible way to alternate sounds and give them extra qualities that people just don’t know about.” It's a truly incredible collaboration to say the least.

Teenage Fanclub "I'm In Love" Single (teenage-fanclub.tmstor.es)

I am so excited about this new song and the upcoming Teenage Fanclub album "Here" as they are one of my long time favorite bands. The albums first single "I'm In Love" is a culmination of all the things that make this band great. It's jangling guitars and driving beat alongside the bands trademark vocal melodies shine throughout. The track is about finding yourself fully submerged in love and how wonderful it can be. It's bright and breezy and blissfully brilliant in every way. "Here" comes out on September 9th on the bands own PeMa label in Europe and on Merge in North America.

Tom Lockett "Feeling Bad" Single (Magic Cactus Records)

"Feeling Bad", the new single from former Electroshock Therapy frontman, Tom Lockett is a powerful number that combines great depression era folk with 60's psych and blues. I hear everything from early Marc Bolan to Woody Guthrie here as it sets a mood that is genuine and pure. The pumping organ and screaming harmonica add another dimension of excellence to this raw and rugged number. It really feels like you are sitting inside the room while the track is being cut as the co-production of Lockett and Shaun Lowe (producer of soul legends, The Drifters) works wonderfully. A remarkable achievement from an incredible singer songwriter. "Feeling Bad" is set for release as a limited edition CD on Lockett's own Magic Cactus Records on August 5th.