CMM's 18 Favorite Songs of 2018

This year was full of some truly incredible songs from new up and coming artists as well as established bands we already know and love . It was hard to narrow this down but here are 18 of my favorite songs from 2018.

1. Joan Of Arc "Real Punk Kid"

A true anthem. One of the most heartfelt and uplifting songs I've heard in years. Vibrant, intense and powerful.

2. Courtney Barnett "Charity"

Such a catchy track with some of the best lyrics I heard all year. Very uplifting yet melancholy at the same time. My favorite track from Courtney's latest album "Tell Me How You Really Feel".

3. Spiritualized "I'm Your Man"

Incredible dynamics, lyrics that hit home and one of the best guitar solos you will ever hear.

4. Witch Watch "Seconds"

A down right infectious song from this Minneapolis based band. Don't be surprised if you find yourself humming along to this halfway through the first listen. Golden.

5. Superchunk "Eraser"

What a hook. This band just gets better and better with age. Probably sang along to this 1,000 times this year. Sooooo good.

6. Guide By Voices "Space Gun"

Another classic from the most prolific band in rock n roll. Amazing video directed by the incredibly talented Hunter Christy.

7. Mayflower Madame "Premonition"

Another dark, mysterious and truly hypnotic number from Noway's premier psych/goth unit.

8. Jon Spencer "Do The Trash Can"

Pure rock n roll madness. What more would you expect from this garage rock mastermind.

9. Frankie Teardrop Dead "Joy In Division"

Psychedelic, uplifting, mind bending bliss from this London based Psychedelic rock unit. One of the many highlights from their album "All You Need Is Love And Fucking Peace".

10. Valita "Vines"

Powerfully haunting in the most amazing way possible.

11. Casino Garden "Ride"

This song radiates with a unique power and energy like no other. Can't wait to hear what this band does next.

12. Wet Dreams "Bad Boy"

It doesn't get much more rock n roll than this. Do yourself a favor and annihilate your speakers with this one

13. Body/Head "You Don't Need"

A droning, mind bending masterpiece from this experimental guitar duo made up of Kim Gordon and Bill Nace.

14. Deaf Wish "FFS"

So much energy. Killer guitar tones and tons of swagger. Play loudly.

15. Jess Williamson "I See The White"

One of the most well crafted and well performed tracks of 2018. Delightful in every way.

16. Cushing "Snow Angel"

Cushing bring the menace once again with this cagey dirty track from their latest release "Blood Of Cushing".

17. Forth Wanderers "Nevermine"

I love the pace and cadence of this song. A stunning vocal performance that stands over brilliant layers of melodic guitars.

18. Statue "E"

Amazing fuzz guitar sounds, great arrangement and energy. A true gem from the bands latest album "Casper".

CMM's Twenty Favoriite Songs of 2018 (So Far)

2018 has already been a phenomenal year for new music. Here's 20 of my favorite songs from this year (So Far)...

1. Joan Of Arc "Real Punk Kid" (Joyful Noise Recordings)

A brilliant song that's as comforting as it is beautiful. Melina Ausikaitis voice is truly unique while founding member Tim Kinsella and the the rest of the band continue to explore new territories throughout the track. Absolutely inspiring.

2. Reveries "Existential Anxiety" reveriespnw.bandcamp.com

Seattle shoegaze/post rock unit Reveries offer up one of the most promising E.P.'s of 2018 as their self titled debut release is full of huge sounding guitars, underlying pop melodies and relentless drumming. Lead track "Existential Anxiety" is absolutely punishing and breathtaking.

3. Mayflower Madame "Premonition" (mayflowermadame.bandcamp.com)

This band never disappoint when it comes to creating dark and eerie music that is very reflective of the settings in their native Norway. "Premonition" continues down that dark path adding in layers of new nuances and curiosities.

4. Black Light White Light "King Kong" (blacklightwhitelight.bandcamp.com)

An excellent blend of shoegaze, 60's psych and 90's alternative rock. Just one of many top notch numbers from their latest album "Horizons".

5. Superchunk "Erasure" (Merge)

I can't get enough of this track. Super catchy, well delivered and sure to have you humming along in no time.

6. Guided By Voices "Space Gun" (GBV Inc)

Another stand out track from the always prolific GBV. "Space Gun" has quickly become one of my favorite GBV records.

7. Cushing "Little Devil" (cushingsound.bandcamp.com)

An amazing new track from this raging noise rock trio from Portland Maine. Their sound absolutely huge and the level of musicianship is off the charts.

8. Body Head "You Don't Need" (Matador)

Angular, menacing and dirge driven "You Don't Need" is pretty spectacular. Kim Gordan and Bill Nance create a haunted yet colorful dual guitar attack that's enhanced even more by the incredible production work of Justin Pizzoferrato.

9. Spiritualized "I'm Your Man" (Fat Possum)

This track is pretty much perfect. Can't wait to take in the entire new album.

10. I Need A Plastic Face "Debris" (ineedaplasticface.bandcamp.com)

So happy that this band reached out to me about there amazing music. Possibly the most original band I've come across in years.

11. Today Junior "Skate Punx" (todayjunior.bandcamp.com)

I've loved listening to all the Today Junior tracks that they have been releasing recently but this one is my favorite. Fun, catchy, uplifting and warm.

12. Whisper Suite "Sun" (whispersuite.bandcamp.com)

Canadian husband and wife duo Whisper Suite offer up this glowing track that showcases their incredible song writing abilities and rich vocal delivery and I've kept this one on repeat the last few months.

13. Get Up Kids "Maybe" (Polyvinyl)

Get Up Kids are back. Enough said haha

14. Forth Wanderers Nevermine" (Sub Pop)

Been loving on this band for a minute. So into this new record. Delicate, soothing and a little bit grey.

15. Guided By Voices "See My Field" (GBV Inc)

Another brilliant cut from their latest album "Space Gun". Incredible video too.

16. Sick Shit "Wet Lung (sickshit.bandcamp.com)

Blistering track off this New Jersey hardcore/punk outfits latest 7" "Thick Spit". The best hardcore band going today in my opinion.

17. Jon Spencer "Trash Can" (In The Red)

Unreal groove, unreal guitars. Just an overall bad ass track from the legendary Jon Spencer's first solo album out soon on In The Red.

18. Twilight Fields "When I Saw You" (twilightfields.bandcamp.com)

A touching and absolutely stunning track from Canadian recording project Twilight Fields aka Allister Thompson.

19. Deaf Wish "FFS" (Sub Pop)

Another inspiring stand out track from Deaf Wish. I can't get enough of the guitar sounds and the overall menace this band brings.

20. Yo La Tengo "For You Too" (Matador)

Such a comforting piece of music from these long running indie rock legends.

Six Records CMM Wants You To Know

Ben McElroy ".​.​.​to warm their hearts, if not their hands." E.P. (benmcelroy.bandcamp.com)

Another remarkable release from this Nottingham based ambient/drone/folk musician Ben McElroy. Opening piece "To Warm Their Hearts" captures a beautiful drone alongside a sea of inspiring strings and acoustic guitar that reminds me of the legendary Mike Oldfield. "Autumn Later" has a great balance between dark wandering sounds and uplifting mystical like tones while "The Cloud Council's Quarterly Meeting" is a collage of all types of moods and instruments making it atmospheric, cinematic and warm. Overall an incredible release from beginning to end.

David Byrne "Everybody's Coming To My House" Single (Todomundo/Nonesuch Records)

A fun, upbeat yet demented track from the former Talking Heads founder that is sure to delight long time fans. The song was co-written with Brian Eno and is from Byrne's upcoming album "American Utopia", his first since 2004. The song also features contributions from TTY, Happa Isaiah Barr, and Sampha. Byrne says that the world tour he's doing in March will be “the most ambitious show I’ve done since the shows that were filmed for Stop Making Sense.” "American Utopia" will be out March 8th courtesy of Todomundo/Nonesuch Records.

Kyle Craft "Exhile Rag" Single (Sub Pop)

Another top notch track from the upcoming Kyle Craft album "Full Circle Nightmare". His country swing meets ragtime feel is truly amazing and there are some really nice sounding horns that give it even more energy. This track along with "Heartbreak Junky" which was previewed a few weeks back give all signs that this new album is going to be pretty spectacular and I must say I can't wait for it.

Soccer Mommy "Your Dog" Single (Fat Possum)

"Your Dog" the first single from Soccer Mommy's debut album "Clean" is pretty damn impressive. The chiming guitars and walking bass line blend perfectly with Sophie Allison's captivating vocal delivery. There's some really great changes and dynamics that flow throughout the track and get you humming along in seconds. After a series of successfully self released E.P.'s which were later released as a "collection" album on Fat Possum, Allison has said to consider "Clean" her first proper full length album. Reflecting on "Your Dog" Allison said "The song comes from a feeling of being paralyzed in a relationship to the point where you feel like you are a pawn in someone else's world,". "The song and the video are meant to show someone breaking away and taking action, but at the same time, it's only a quick burst of motivation. It's a moment of strength amidst a long period of weakness.". "Clean" will be available March 2.

Superchunk "Erasure" Single (Merge)

So after a week totally stuck in the house through a dreary snow storm this gift from the rock n roll gods came out to brighter our moods. This song has it all. A driving beat, mean yet melodic guitars and guest vocals from Stephin Merritt and Katie Crutchfield. I think I've played this 237 times this week and I'm sure even my neighbors know all the words by now. Get into it.

Ty Segall "Every 1's A Winner" Single (tysegall.bandcamp.com)

It's no secret Ty Segall is one of the most prolific musicians going today and later this month he will release a new album called "Freedom's Goblin" which includes this incredible cover of "Everyone's A Winner" originally by Hot Chocolate. Ty's take on the soul classic is led by a sputtering fuzzed out guitar sound and an infectious drum beat that is sure to make you move and shows off that there's really not much this guy can't pull off. "Freedom's Goblin" comes out January 28th and should certainly be a ripper.