Funny, entertaining and honest insights. I’m 61 and many of my peers say “There’s no good new music anymore” … and my response is “You’re looking in the wrong place”. 🇨🇦
There's so much music. I don't know how I could tell if there is no good new music. I've always got something new I like but it takes me a lot of time to get through it all.
Why do you think there is no genocide in Gaza? Is it because your friends have views like this? Like that philosophy guy you had on. Also, why mention it at all if there's no intention to flesh out your views? I think you think that if you say you're appalled then that's OK with your friends but pointing out genocide would have consequences. This hedging I believe is called moral cowardice.
@Asdwer1 No, I hope he never mentions it again because it's the biggest banana skin in the world. But since he did make a confident categorical statement, I thought I'd challenge it.
@@NealMurfitt The Palestinian conflict is a great litmus test for how intelligent and well-informed a person is... Those who take the Palestinian side are completely dumb, or brainwashed. Those who take the Israeli side are pretty damn naive, they don't understand Jews. Those who don't take sides at all are the sensible ones.
My top 50 best albums of 2024 1. geordie greep - The New Sound 2. Ulcerate - Cutting The Throat of God 3. Ka - The Thief Next To Jesus 4. MAGDALENA BAY - Imaginal Disk 5. Charlie XCX - BRAT 6. Blood Incantation - Absolute Elsewhere 7. Thou - Umbilical 8. Tyler, the Creator - Chromakopia 9. Syzy - The weight of the world 10. Οπλίτης - Παραμαινομένη 11. Iotunn - Kinship 12. Kendrick Lamar - GNX 13. Iglooghost - Tidal Memory Exo 14. Uboa - Impossible Light 15. Kamasi Washington - Fearless Movement 16. Chelsea Wolfe - She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She 17. Oranssi Pazuzu - Muuntautuja 18. Vince Staples - Dark Times 19. Opeth - The Last Will And Testament 20. Adrianne Lenker - Bright Future 21. Lupe Fiasco - Samurai 22. Judas Priest - Invincible Shield 23. Beth Gibbons - Lives Outgrown 24. SPECTRAL WOUND - Songs Of Blood And Mire 25. Pyrrhon - Exhaust 26. Mach-Hommy - #RICHAXXHAITIAN 27. Cindy Lee - Diamond Jubilee 28. Theurgy - Emanations of Unconscious Luminescence 29. Colin Stetson - The love it took to leave you 30. Paysage d'Hiver - Die Berge 31. Cosmic Putrefaction - Emerald Fires Atop The Farewell Mountains 32. drive your plow over the bones of the dead - Tragedy As Catharsis 33. CIVEROUS - Maze Envy 34. LustSickPuppy - Carousel From Hell 35. death's dynamic shroud - You Like Music 36. Brodequin - Harbinger Of Woe 37. yeat - 2093 38. Chief Keef - Almighty So 2 39. Antichrist Siege Machine - Vengeance of Eternal Fire 40. Black Curse - Burning in Celestial Poison 41. Denzel Curry - King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2 42. Cephalotripsy - Epigenetic Neurogenesis 43. FONTAINES DC - Romance 44. Bladee - COLD VISIONS 45. Primitive Warfare - Extinction Protocol 46. Peeling Flesh - The G Code 47. Avalanche Kaito - Talitakum 48. CupcakKe - Dauntless Manifesto 49. ScHoolboy Q - Blue Lips 50. Parannoul Sky - Hundred
@@Asdwer1 Mind blown! Comment of the millennium! Such insight! Such depth! Such nuance! ALERT: Galaxy brained thought-leader weighing in on today's music! Everyone hush up as they impart true musical taste and wisdom to the rest of us underdeveloped, unevolved plebs! WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!
@@qaspersalt Hipster sarcasm is usually better than this. Hipsters may be tone-deaf hype-slaves that slavishly obey various fantanos but at least they are good at being sarcastic whenever their shoddy tastes are being mocked. Not this one though...
Definitely going to check out Imaginal Disc by Magdalena Bay. To quote Zappa "Those cigar chomping guys". That's where the music industry has gone wrong. Not enough of the cigar chomping guys taking risks with new music. We are dependent on the rich kids to give us our daily dose of whatever they are knocking out. As a tutor I have always been happy to hear new bands/artists etc but the students are hanging onto the old favourites because they aren't hearing anything they like now. A very real problem for the future of music.
Exactly! I don't hear anything new that I want to learn and play. It is all older music from the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. Music seems to have frozen in time since 2012-2014
Another wise and interesting take. Cheers. You're really getting the hang of that hooking me and then reeling me into the deeper waters. Lol. Then to top it off you hit the nail on the head and reveal the many and varied ways that art, and specifically music, informs and reflects culture. Well done that man. Happy new year, hope the channel continues to expand.
as if over the last 10 years Charli hasnt been working hard and honing her craft with an insane strong small LGBT+ fanbase that has now only exploded after the success of her marketing of her album, and you talk nothing of the music, only where shes from. so?
This video is literally the only time I've ever heard anyone bring up her race when talking about the album, weird how this guy says he doesn't want to get into politics and then spends a decent chunk of the video fixating on these out of touch theories
@@usheencoleman3913 "Out of touch theories" is not an argument. I'm surprised you didn't use the Establishment media's favorites: "tropes" or "canards" haha.
What a great video mate, so glad I stumbled on your channel. I’m Gen-Z and have played drums all my life and grew up surrounded by rock and roll - you touch on so many of the broader philosophical issues I have with modern music that I just can’t relate to any peers about, because they don’t have the musical frame of reference to put what they’re hearing in the context of the broad sweep of popular music. I love tons and tons of modern music, all genres, but it’s just so frustrating to watch my friends fawn over bland music that’s just an amalgamation of like 2-3 people that the artist likes, in place of actual original inspiration. I don’t agree with every critique here (I don’t mind the apolitical lyrical content of the Kendrick record, for instance) but this is by far the best discussion of these things I’ve ever seen - this is the conversation I’ve been crying out to have for years. Thank you for making this video sir!
It didn't really reveal itself until two or three listens in, but now 'the new sound' is in the music collection along with the Miles Davis, the Mahavishnu and the Japan. It's that good!
Great video - really interesting stuff towards the end - I’d like to hear the hour long version of your views on this stuff. Geordie Greep’s album is great. I hear Zappa and Sensational Alex Harvey Band in there. Magdalena Bay is incredible too…
I don't agree with your take on Charli/BRAT and the quote doesn't really make much sense in the context of that album. I don't see how she victimizes herself, there are moments in which she allows herself to be vulnerable and it's all pretty mundane stuff. And I say "mundane" as in relatable to a lot of people, because frankly insecurities (including minor insecurities) are a fundamental part of the human experience, at least as far as I'm aware. She's over 30 and wants to have a kid, but she also doesn't know how it will affect her career and has doubts. Her good friend passed away in a tragic accident and she feels bad for not being a better friend to this person when they were still alive. Why are any of these things "victimization"? Besides, the whole point of the "brat" thing/attitude is to own all of this and do the opposite of the metaphorical (imaginary?) victims with paper cuts from the quote.
Fantastic video Andy, you' manage to take this format of top 10 X and Y that has been done to absolute death and use it as a trojan horse to do really compelling and thoughtful takes on contemporary music which I think does absolutely loads to massively uplift and enrich our relationship with music as a whole (speaking for myself ofcourse!). I just don't find much contemporary popular music too exciting although there's some I like, Possibly a lot of ground was lost in the 80's that's still to be recovered with there being a more harmonious relationship between popular and avant garde music. But hey there are some acts who do see them as two halves that can make a fantastic whole. I absolutely love to hear you giving love to public enemy too, and touching on the relationship between identity politics and the establishment. You're putting me in the awkward position lately of repeatedly revising which of your videos is my favourite. Best wishes
Good year for music, I've listened to around 200 new albums this year, I'm 63. Sunstack Jones - Luminous Hands, Wand - Vertigo, Chelsea Wolfe - She Reaches Out, Gravity Well - Negative Space, Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus - The Dream We Carry, The Illusory Explainer - If Anxiety Were A Song, Waxahatchee - Tiger's Blood, Greenleaf - The Head and the Habit, Nilufer Yanya - My Method Actor, Nala Sinephro - Endlessness.... Think that's 10. Special mention for Messer Chups stunningly good The Dark Side of Paradise, they have the sexiest bassist too
Brilliant analysis! Andy Edwards supremely qualified my best new source I appreciate his duality of light and shade he sticks his neck out. It is not easy doing this work. His depth & experience keeps us all on our toes.
Very happy to see the Greep finally covered on this channel! I see where you're coming from with the apparent irony, and that was my impression on first pass as well, but when I really paid attention to what was actually being said in conjunction with the music + his vocal delivery, I found the album to actually be very sympathetic and sincere towards the protagonists of each song. It's not just a transgressiveparade of deplorable figures for the subtext of the work to finger wag and say "aren't these men some real bastards?", Greep instead takes pains to flesh out their emotional depth and never really presents any one of them as a bad guy, just an emotionally distraught, alienated, desperate pervert. This is most straightforwardly apparent on As If Waltz and the cover of If You Are But a Dream, but it is present on every song in some way.
@@deeperama298 I think you’re right. The main character in ‘Holy,Holy’,( the video for which is absolutely astonishing in it’s ‘where does Greep and the inhabited character begin and end’ device), elicits revulsion and extreme sympathy in equal measure, and at some point surely empathy of some description. I think with Andy’s intelligence he’ll move beyond his initial assessment of Postmodern pandering and will see it for genuine lyrical exploration of differing psychological states,( unless of course Geordie himself comes out and pulls the rug from under the cleverness of his own lyrics and reduces them in some level …. we must ‘watch this space’ lol).
@@davidwylde8426 reading some interviews, and it seems like this was at least part of his intention with the songwriting "I thought it was more effective to just portray it and really get to the roots of it and try and see, "How is this funny?" But at the same time, you can be sympathetic with these characters. You can feel sorry for them and, at the same time, repulsed by them. I just thought it was good to just lay it out."
@ interesting. I think he’s shown himself to be an effective lyricist. I can be very indifferent to lyrics, I’m much more drawn specifically to the music generally, but it’s difficult to not be drawn into some of his lyrics as they’re quite striking.
As someone who grew up in the Classic Rock era I also enjoy watching the Sea of Tranquility channel on TH-cam, which has classic rock, prog rock, metal and jazz fusion as its main interests. They have done a top 50 of 2024 too, so would be good to see Andy react to their top 10 of 2024, which includes some newer bands together with some new releases from some familiar names who are a bit longer in the tooth.
Coming from a 48 year old grunger, I have to say, Mag Bay’s Imaginal Disk is unbelievably good. It’s right up there with my all time favourite albums, not a bad song on it, which is a very rare thing. Even my all time favourite Soundgarden’s Superunknown has a couple of tracks I’m not too keen on. Bowie’s Low is a perfect album. Fiona Apple’s When the Pawn is a perfect album. Clairo’s Charm is a perfect album. King Gizzards Nonagon Infinity is a perfect album. Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours is a perfect album. Tom Waits Closing Time is a perfect album. Midlake’s Trials of Van Occupanther is a perfect album. Magdalena Bay’s Imaginal Disk is a perfect album. These are the ones that instantly spring to mind, sure there are more for me, but there are not many, not many at all. Btw, your views echo mine almost exactly about these albums. For Mag Bay, That’s my Floor hooked me, but songs like Cry for Me, Ballad of Matt and Mica, Killing Time, Tunnel Vision and Watching T.V kept me there. Tbh, all the songs on it are worthy mentions. I also listened to this top ten after watching Fantano
The thing is that Fantano is a great fan of Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Maybe that's why the album is so high in his list. Andy, give a chance to their album Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven. I get to know it through a Fantano video, in the style of "10 best something" lol, and really liked it.
It's ironic cause a lot of what Kendrick is searching to criticize on GNX and a specially on his diss tracks against Drake are exactly what Andy is also criticizing on this video. Talking about industry, lack of creativity, using music as a product on the most commercial sense of the word, and modern hip-hop it's kinda be this state right now - at least, the mainstream - and Drake is one of the biggest financiers. Being more about the lifestyle, making projects that have no critic, no empathy, no joy, without creativity to experiment with new sounds, instruments, flows, to vary subjects. What he did was big on this year, but it's big specially for his community, the west area. That's why this album tries to deep dive on the sound of the 90s West Coast hip-hop, it's a tribute to everything that came before. Also, the track "reincarnated" is the prime example of that while also showing critique. The track shows the perspective of two different black artists, all of which died by influence of dubious morals, drug abuse, the pressure of an immoral and industry. Then he shows his own perspective as an artist on the modern day, but he connects all of these as an metaphor and analogy of God throwing Lucifer into Earth to be reincarnating on the body of these different artists, full of sin, full of pointless rebellion, in the middle of these manipulative settings which are already filled with these same feelings. Kendrick is trying to show these real life artists that passed away by the hands of the influence and associates with the story of Lucifer to make a statement with his own perspective as an artist today, trying to make music that unites and that provoke new ideas, provoke critical thinking, provoke change, not to fall on the same cycle, the same old story. Showing to the community the past so we can make amends with the present, breaking the cycle of sin, of death of the black community, of black artists.
Andy will correctly point of the ways in which ideology and identity politics damage the way we see the world. But in the same video he seemingly becomes quite offended by the existence of "anti-capitalist" musicians as a threat to his identity as a capitalist. His response to this is possibly the most ideological neo-liberal Thatcherite argument one could make: that any critique of capitalism is utopian and hypocritical. Not trying to be a nob im just sayin that the worst ideology is the one we cant see within ourselves.
'capitalist' is not an identity category like 'black' or 'gay' so you cannot swap out the terminology in the way that you have. Also identity politics is based upon the idea that there is a hierarchy of privilege in which white people maintain their supremacy over other identity groups through the a capitalistic metanarrative. I like being a capitalist. Keeping the money I make is my favourite thing. Everyone I know also keeps the money they make. Even the socialists! So it is not that I see these woke anti capitalist musicians a threat to me, I see them as hypocritical and artistically conservative, banging out a safe narrative which keeps the status quo.
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer how embarrassing, so your argument boils down to the child-like take of "oh so you're a socialist, So tHeN wHy DoNt YoU GIvE aLl YoUr MoNeY AwAy?'
@@AndyEdwardsDrummerCheers for the reply! I’ll grant you that your definition of identity politics is the more commonly used one. Though Id argue that it’s somewhat limiting as our identities go beyond simple “black or “white “gay or “straight”. As someone with Anarchist and Marxist friends I can definitely tell you that views on how to structure society and economy can absolutely also become parts of how we see ourselves and can cause people to become very defensive when challenged. Even music shapes our sense of self. Did you not experience an identity driven response to your video on The Warning recently? These examples aren't exactly the same as what you’re talking about, but they’re really not that different either. My comment was really only meant to be extremely annoying and pedantic by pointing out that you gave a ideologically based response to “anti-capitalism” (I think its fine to be a capitalist btw) despite saying that ideology is at the root of our problems as a society (a sentiment I agree with). If you haven't already you should do a video expanding on your idea of Anti-capitalists making “conservative” music that effectively upholds the status quo. How do we move past that? What in your opinion would genuinely subversive music look like in our current day and age?
@@ralphwiggum3463 Yes, because of what the definition of socialism is. If you are a socialist you believe in the community owning the means of production which is not possible if you individually keep your capital. It is not me that is childish, it is thai Utopian idea.
@@olivergibbons9581 The great heresy would be to go against the current leftist identity version of culture. I taught in a college and would have been removed if I said a number of things. We all know what they are but here are a few examples: A white saying the n word. Gender dysphoria is a mental health issue and not an identity. We do not have equitable rights because rights relate directly to responsibilities and this cannot be altered.
Bravo Andy! There’s definitely some good stuff that came out this year in modern music, but as you get closer and closer to the most praised albums, you end up encountering some rather unsavory things.
I'm an old (ish) bloke so I don't listen to too much new music, here's 10 (+1) I've enjoyed, which I'm not sure are in any particular order: 1. The Smile - Wall Of eyes 2. Nick Cave - Wild God 3. Fontaine D.C. - Romance 4. Idles - Tangk 5. Beth Gibbons - Live Outgrown 6. The Smile - Cutouts 7. Jack White - No Name 8. The Cure - Songs Of A Lost World 9. BEAK - >>>> 10. St Vincent - All Born Screaming and very possibly kim Deal's - Nobody Loves You More - I've only listened to it a couple of times but it's very unusual and potentially very good, but I just need to let grow on me.
I’ve just become a fan. Terrific take on current top pop music with intelligent insight. Not one of those albums in my Top 10, but I will finally take serious note of Magdalena Bay now. My top this year in The Cure, Kim Deal, Last Dinner Party, for starters.
The first video of yours I watched was the one titled TEN ALBUMS THE CRITICS LOVE WHICH ARE CR@P and I really enjoyed it (and agreed with it for the most part), but this one where you gave your honest take on Fantano's top 10 (from his top 50...which I had already watched amongst all of the other year-end top lists) is the one that led me to subscribe. I look forward to more content. ✌
Great vid Andy, the best 2024 album for me, and i’m a rock and prog fan, is The Last Dinner Party with Prelude To Ecstasy. You should definitely give that a go, its a fantastic album
Emily Roberts is also a very good jazz musician, away from the band. I was blown away by their performance at Glastonbury (and others since) - great musicianship, fantastic harmonies and clearly having fun!
@@smellybum66 TLDP is OK, and they certainly fit into the whole scenario Andy is challenging here, which is “posh people making music and given massive career opportunities denied to people who don’t have the posh connections.” TLDP are rich girls, right?
An album sorely overlooked in end of the year lists was Field Music's 'Limits of Language'. Check out the song Six Weeks, Nine Wells. Some proggy elements in there. BTW, your hairs looking pretty damn cool. Very much in the Lynch, Beckett, and Jarmusch style. Surely promises a very good year!
Watch Jack White with Jimmy Page in "It Might Get Loud". At the start, he is trying to be cool but by the end, they really bond. I am sure Page passed on some Riffs in their hug at the end of the film! Seeing Edge and him react when Page shows them Kashmir is priceless.
I grew up with TMR, hence my username/site name, and yet it's currently below my faves Clear Spot, Ice Cream for Crow, Doc at the Radar Station, Shiny Beast and Licky My Decals.
Oh, this helped a lot, speaking as an old fossil trying to catch up with good current music. Jack White I have always thought was great, but haven't heard the latest. Magdalena Bay album sounds like an interesting concept, and maybe not to all-out prog for me. I do love that you're opening that little window of persuasion into your repertoire and hope to see a few re-examinations of new and old stuff. This is a great start to 2025!!!!!!!!!! (too many exclamation points and an injured finger.)
Thanks Andy. Informative, enlightening and entertaining per usual. Great research on the family/class backgrounds on the artists. Huzzah! Plus, I’ll check out Fantano.
I saw Godspeed! in Boston around 20 years ago and they were quite epic live. Wall of sound, stage full of live musicians. Very dynamic and intense if you like that wall of sound experience. I suggest you give "Slow Riot For New Zero Kanada" a listen
Avenged Sevenfold-Life Is But A Dream was an excellent recommendation. My cd arrived today. My 2024 recommendation is Infected Rain-Time. It's a concept album about the time we have on Earth, and how we choose to spend it.
I dont normally like stuff like Knocked Loose, but that record got me. And one of the reasons i did was that compared to other production in the genre, i thought the drums were very real sounding lol. Again, compared to the rest of the genre.
So you're annoyed by an album title emphasizing the death toll of the most underprivilaged people on the planet, and also annoyed by the privilege of charli xcx. Who are the underprivilaged in your view? Who is to blame for their lack of quality of life?
@MarcumDavid I am just baffled by this guy's views. Why would you complain about the album protesting genocide? Also his take on hip hop is strange. Sounds to me like "What about black on black crime?"
Magdalena Bay is my #1 I see in them relighting the candle of prog, I saw them live in concert and There was a whole crowd of young people singing along to a borderline prog album. The lead singer, mica, did costume changes and played characters like peter gabriel did (even wore a flower head) Im so excited and a big fan to see what magdalena bay puts out in the future.
I really enjoyed your take on these records and urge you to do more. I’m of your kind of vintage, probably older and spend most of my time seeking out new releases that appeal to my taste. My favourite albums of this year are as follows My 2024 End Of Year List 1. Rosie Lowe - Lover, Other 2. The Cure - Songs Of A Lost World 3. Kim Deal - Nobody Loves You More 4. Helado Negro - Phasor 5. Nilufer Yana - My Method Actor 6. Bill Callahan - Resuscitate! 7. Vera Sola - Peacemaker 8. Ella Raphael - Mad Sometimes 9. Jessica Pratt - Here In The Pitch 10. Willow - Empathogen 11. Moby - Always Centred At Night 12. Goat Girl - Below The Waste 13. Bill Ryder-Jones - Iechyd Da 14. Marika Hackman - Big Sigh 15. Beth Gibbons - Lives Outgrown 16. Rich Ruth - Water Still Flows 17. Moin - You Never End 18. Julia Holter - Something In The Room She Moves 19. The Smile - Wall Of Eyes 20. LOMA - How We Live Without A Body 21. The The - Ensoulment 22. Photay - Windswept 23. Kreidler - Twists (A Visitor Arrives 24. The Messthetics & James Brandon - S/T 25. Rosali - Bite Down Whilst I won’t pretend that every one will be to your liking, I would be most interested to hear your take on Julia Holter or say, the Messthetics with James Brandon released on Impulse and featuring the Fugazi rhythm section😮. Come on that’s got to be done? It may even spark a new interest in modern music!
I can give you a nice example of a song that might have the label, "Indie" slapped on it, just to help the buyers at the record shop (...) find something they might approximately like, but which has nowise "flat" vocals. More importantly, it's by a rocker who's an old man, and doesn't pretend anything otherwise (although he's thought of himself as "old" for quite a long time, now, calling the fans "kids", and many of them calling him "Uncle Bob" - even when he was a whippersnapper in eldred terms), and the song has something to do with issues that crop up in life when you get old. I'd say that makes it a pretty rare song. Something personal that doesn't just follow the groove grooved out when one was young, one was. It stands on its own two feet, lyrically, the lyrics move to highs and lows, and then to cap it all, there's the guitar solo at the end. Nothing flashy about it, but it soars, it surges, there's something really powerful about it that I can't quite put my finger on. Song: *Released into Dementia* (I don't know how much it's about that, but it sounds like it's some kind of painful parting by letting go, maybe. I'm crap at lyrics.) Band: *Guided by Voices* (2023, so too long ago to be on the 2024 list). th-cam.com/video/BAlK6THCMow/w-d-xo.html
That didn't go where I expected it to go, but... it gets a like anyway! I'd be interested in your take on hip-hop, as I had a similar journey where I enjoyed the early stuff but it lost me at some point and it has only been more recently that I've found some rap I "get" once more (but again, I'm also a middle aged white guy, so...)
Great video Andy. Being of a simular age, I really appreciate your views on contemporary music. Can you do one of these evey quarter year? I try to keep abreast of new music and there is good stuff out there, but a lot of dross to filter.
The underlying ideology of mainstream music, movies and shows is losing ground among regular people in America. A lot of it based on false premises and hatred. I’m glad more people are going against it. But the adherence to it in the entertainment industry is very interesting because the movies based on it are failing. Will be interesting to see where things are going….
He’s moreso implying that the Palestinian militant groups as well as the Israeli government have formulated their nationalist politics in such a way they become so ingrained within the psychology of both sides that it leads to these mass killings. The kill or be killed instinct in this scenario becomes thus a basis of identity on an individual level. That’s why he said “I don’t mean identity politics like on the left” to distinguish which definition of identity is being used.
@George-vf6st Well, maybe, but it sounds quite complicated. And it sure doesn't explain why all this mass killing didn't occur prior to October 7 2023.
@MrMcdagy it did. There are lots of examples. One statistic from the UN, before 7 Oct, for the previous 15 years, 96% of all deaths and casualties were Palestinian. What about the peaceful Great March of Return where the Israeli soldiers opened fire on non-armed civilians who were protesting against their imprisonment in Gaza? Hundreds murdered, countless injured. Just one example.
@preservedmoose The peaceful great march you're referring to was a series of hundreds of provocative marches that were spread over three years. Hasan Al Kurd, the man behind this initiative, became its biggest critique once, as he himself said, he saw how what started as real peaceful demonstration like he planned was quickly taken over by Hamas provocaturs, he also recognized that Arab society itself was divided about the effectiveness of the project Here in his own words: The biggest criticism is the incitement to violence or in some parts initiating it. As far as PLO is concerned, their position towards the march was not clear. Sometimes they supported and sometimes they didn't. It was impossible to build on them as an integral part of the initiative.' Mind you, those casualties in Gaza are always an outcome of the provocation initiated by Gaza residents who chose Hamas to lead them in a democratic manner
I do not like prog, nor do I particularly enjoy Led Zepp or Hendrix, for instance. I do not even agree with you on the massacre that’s going on in Gaza. But I enjoy your vídeos cause you are funny and you make some good points. Subscribed.
Fantano's range of music enthusiasm and ability to offer valuable criticism within that range is indeed impressive. I got into him with his critique of Apple's top 100 albums list. He offered a brief but insightful evaluation of every album on a 3rd party's list, regardless of genre. About Vampire Weekend: My cousin (whose taste is largely centered on an alt-folk aesthetic) went to Columbia as they did and is a fan. He shared some VW links with me and when I listened (actually I had listened to some VW prior), I fantasized "Andy Edwards would think these are Ivy league posh boys". Which they are. But some of it is pretty good I must say. Lastly, I caught the Chelsea Wolfe = Kate Bush on Ministry comparison on my 2nd listen. Took me by surprise. Same with King Gizzard and the Electric Wizard. 😆
Not really, Fantano is enjoyable to listen to but he has little-to-no formal music theory, reading, or playing experience, or work in the industry. This means all we can get is the opinion of someone who listens as an untrained layperson. Nothing wrong with that but that is the context. This is why he'll put some drivel like Charlie XCX as #1.
My faith in your taste is secured. Greep’s vocals are very marmite but continued listening to the album should find you falling on the more positive side of the fence. I don’t love the entire album and Black Midi’s stuff can be equally marmite but during the moments both he and they get it right, it’s really good stuff in my opinion. Check out the live TH-cam vid where he does the two tracks ‘Holy,Holy’ and ‘The Magician’ from the Windmill pub venue I think… gives you good insight into his general vibe.
As a non-Brit, it took me a minute to figure out what "very marmite" vocals means. So, for anyone wondering, it apparently means that you either love 'em or hate 'em.
@@omnipop4936correct. And to elicit such a response can often mean you’re pushing beyond convention,( of course leading to the possibility of either extreme response). His vocal delivery on the solo album is much more melodic than say his performance on something like ‘John L’ from the second Black midi album,( a fantastic track and accompanying video for that matter), but it’s still pretty out there,( although ironically probably more so against the X-Factor/American Idol drenched pop landscape of today compared to the late 70’s/early 80’s when I first got into music).
Magdalena Bay sounded good so I looked them up and oh! they're quite good and interesting this is going to be cool.... sadly disappointed at the rest of them but very much appreciate the window on new/newish stuff.
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Yes, Fantano has interesting picks, but unfortunately it's looking for diamonds in a pile of shit. I quite often find things that are ok, but not great like King Gizzard, Oh Sees, Idles, Amyl & Sniffers, Fontaines DC etc.
@@Darrylizer1 I really liked his "What makes this song great" series, but nowadays it's more of a stream of thought Rick meandering over subjects sort of a thing.
You are correct...Most of the pop singers who don't sing R&B have little to no projection at all. Is this because they never do gigs and sing in their bedrooms or basements? Perhaps.
I think it is because black market antianxiety drugs became a big trend, and it was subversive and edgy to sound like you were overdosing on them and can't manage more than a confused breathy mumble.
Was enjoying the video until the "lack of skill" comment, seemed like you were pretty good at identifying your personal biases as just that up until that point
I like how Fantanos face slowly sinks from the screen. For some reason thats funny. A good video spoilt by Andy talking about politics when hes clueless af
@@skyblazeeterno probably. Everything is super fine, except for the people who've noticed the issues being all about saving us from the weather or making people "nice", might be just a little bit manipulative
I don’t agree with your take on leftism. I mean I get where you’re coming from to an extent. Many people on the left do critique identity politics insofar as we are talking about the ways in which identities are elevated and fetishized without bringing meaningful progress to marginalized communities. I also think it’s kind of rich to criticize the morality and misogyny within rap music as if it’s something unique to rap and like rock hasn’t had its own history of misogyny, racism and even pedophilia. And I am not particularly a huge fan of rap myself either. It is also not the opinion among most left people that there can be no reconciliation between groups and identities which is something you seemed to suggest. Many left wingers do not see these identities as fixed but historically contingent. I also find it frustrating how you use the term postmodernism and don’t even really explain what you mean by it. It comes across as largely just a vague pejorative in your videos. I say this as someone who’s subscribed to your channel because I like the way you approach talking about music and we have many similarities in tastes, but I find some of political commentary a bit sloppy or vague. I do like how you tackle elitism in the music industry, however I think we disagree with some of the political details of what this elitism actually is.
Just heard Imaginal Disc and I like it. I tend to like a bit more order in things, even if it's jazz, but I like it anyway. From the first 6 songs I like Killing Time and Image. But, the meat of the album (for me) is 7-12 Vampire to That's My Floor. They do some more advanced things with musical forms, and they don't try to do them all in one song. It varies to fit the mood, message, and style they've picked for the song. Good 7/10
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer real ear for sound ( to my uneducated music ears) his production and work on Loretta Lynn’s album Van Lear Rose is hauntingly beautiful, but also tasteful bits of corniness imho
I heard that when it came out and it made me realize he is the real deal. my friend played it me, then I remember we listen together to Little Green by Joni and we started crying.
Christ, I am so sick of the vocal style represented in Magdalena Bay . This sort of self-consciously whiny chirpy whispery shit is just… I’m done with it.
The think about Godsoeed is they are a oerformance band, not even a concert, since they are so concentrated on olaying together live with some sort of visuals, and its the live being there that really counts. In many ways the harp back to that classic tour band The Greatful Dead. The recordings are good but they are more like documents, snapshots, and whilst a photgraph of the Grand Canyon may be exceotion, it isnt the same as going there. I hope that helps Andy. What i really enjoyed about this list was you took it on, you engaged with the music abd didnt just leave it at i dont like it, you told us what led to that, musically, and grounded your preference in an engagement with the artistic intention of those eho made the records. Nice one
In terms of not hearing or having no interest in listening to new music, I can completely relate, Andy. I love hearing original and unique artists and have high expectations from those who have lasted long enough to make a meaningful impression. So many newer artists, for me, make me feel like I'm doing homework trying to dig into their catalog. Every so often, I find something that sticks. That happens less and less over time. There is some great music being produced these days, but the last band that I've become a huge fan of is The Go. Sure, they were descendants of The Stooges, but the tunes rocked and were clever. Jack White started out in The Go and was on their badass debut. I got a promo of it when I was working at a record store 26 years ago! But Bobby Harlow didn't need Jack White to keep cranking out killer loud, psychedelic garage rock. I love everything they've done. Their side project, Conspiracy of Owls is also pretty great. Let's see... that was 15 years ago! There are great new albums from bands that I've longed loved, but who doesn't have that? I should mention that The Go aren't likely your cuppa, chummy.
Im 104 and i havent heard this kind of music analysis since Lester Bangs and i took Black Beauties and blasted Ornette Coleman and Captain Beefheart on two speakers at the same time until room service called the cops and i walked home in my underwear.i hope this young kid goes far.
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Your David Lynch-tier comb over doesn't fool me. I can get past that, though, and still appreciate the otherwise high quality of your videos.
Very interesting. It might have put me off Charlie xcx, though I will still probably get around to giving it a listen. As I now will get around to giving the first album on this list a listen. Certainly a good take on where modern popular music is at right now.
The more videos I watch from/with you the more I come to the understanding that you don't realise you've come to the point where you're enjoying music. Just plain and simple music. Well, maybe not THAT plain and simple, but still. Maybe the stuff you'd thought of yourself never enjoying, let alone talk about it openly. I've never questioned my taste of music when I bought "Crazy Horses" by The Osmonds back in 1973, while keeping an eye on Slade and Sweet and at the same time getting my dirty little fingers on "Dark Side OfThe Moon". It wasn't about genre or style. We didn't know those fancy words. We got what we liked and sometimes, temporarily, disregarded what we found to be not as "interesting" as other stuff. I disregarded, for instance, Styx's "Equinox (1976)" in favour of Jean Michel Jarre's "Oxygene (1975)". Two completely different styles within a genre and a choice which had some of my mates raising their eyebrows in doubt. Anyway, you've either entered your male meno-pauze or you've become smarter. I bet it's the former. Cheerio lad. Still like you, mind.
![Beginners Guide To Being A Director In The Movie Industry - Jason Satterlund [FULL INTERVIEW]](/img/n.gif)
I may not agree with everything you say, but at least it is challenging and makes me think. We need more like you. Subscribed.
Funny, entertaining and honest insights.
I’m 61 and many of my peers say “There’s no good new music anymore” … and my response is “You’re looking in the wrong place”.
🇨🇦
theneedledrop is not the 'right place'
There's so much music. I don't know how I could tell if there is no good new music. I've always got something new I like but it takes me a lot of time to get through it all.
👏👏👏
There is no good modern music. I've looked. Everywhere. It's cr ap.
@theglobalinstituteofmetal you simply have not looked everywhere
Why do you think there is no genocide in Gaza? Is it because your friends have views like this? Like that philosophy guy you had on. Also, why mention it at all if there's no intention to flesh out your views?
I think you think that if you say you're appalled then that's OK with your friends but pointing out genocide would have consequences. This hedging I believe is called moral cowardice.
Relax, he's not a politician, are you expecting a detailed analysis of the Mid East conflict here?
@Asdwer1 No, I hope he never mentions it again because it's the biggest banana skin in the world. But since he did make a confident categorical statement, I thought I'd challenge it.
@@NealMurfitt The Palestinian conflict is a great litmus test for how intelligent and well-informed a person is... Those who take the Palestinian side are completely dumb, or brainwashed. Those who take the Israeli side are pretty damn naive, they don't understand Jews. Those who don't take sides at all are the sensible ones.
@@Asdwer1 the trouble is as a Brit our govt IS aiding the Israelis and selling arms to them so until we stop doing so we cannot claim neutrality
@@Asdwer1 Andy is a political cretin...hence his support for Reform
My top 50 best albums of 2024
1. geordie greep - The New Sound
2. Ulcerate - Cutting The Throat of God
3. Ka - The Thief Next To Jesus
4. MAGDALENA BAY - Imaginal Disk
5. Charlie XCX - BRAT
6. Blood Incantation - Absolute Elsewhere
7. Thou - Umbilical
8. Tyler, the Creator - Chromakopia
9. Syzy - The weight of the world
10. Οπλίτης - Παραμαινομένη
11. Iotunn - Kinship
12. Kendrick Lamar - GNX
13. Iglooghost - Tidal Memory Exo
14. Uboa - Impossible Light
15. Kamasi Washington - Fearless Movement
16. Chelsea Wolfe - She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She
17. Oranssi Pazuzu - Muuntautuja
18. Vince Staples - Dark Times
19. Opeth - The Last Will And Testament
20. Adrianne Lenker - Bright Future
21. Lupe Fiasco - Samurai
22. Judas Priest - Invincible Shield
23. Beth Gibbons - Lives Outgrown
24. SPECTRAL WOUND - Songs Of Blood And Mire
25. Pyrrhon - Exhaust
26. Mach-Hommy - #RICHAXXHAITIAN
27. Cindy Lee - Diamond Jubilee
28. Theurgy - Emanations of Unconscious Luminescence
29. Colin Stetson - The love it took to leave you
30. Paysage d'Hiver - Die Berge
31. Cosmic Putrefaction - Emerald Fires Atop The Farewell Mountains
32. drive your plow over the bones of the dead - Tragedy As Catharsis
33. CIVEROUS - Maze Envy
34. LustSickPuppy - Carousel From Hell
35. death's dynamic shroud - You Like Music
36. Brodequin - Harbinger Of Woe
37. yeat - 2093
38. Chief Keef - Almighty So 2
39. Antichrist Siege Machine - Vengeance of Eternal Fire
40. Black Curse - Burning in Celestial Poison
41. Denzel Curry - King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2
42. Cephalotripsy - Epigenetic Neurogenesis
43. FONTAINES DC - Romance
44. Bladee - COLD VISIONS
45. Primitive Warfare - Extinction Protocol
46. Peeling Flesh - The G Code
47. Avalanche Kaito - Talitakum
48. CupcakKe - Dauntless Manifesto
49. ScHoolboy Q - Blue Lips
50. Parannoul Sky - Hundred
And that is why music is dead... None of this has any value.
@@Asdwer1 keep your delusions to yourself
@@Asdwer1 Mind blown! Comment of the millennium! Such insight! Such depth! Such nuance! ALERT: Galaxy brained thought-leader weighing in on today's music! Everyone hush up as they impart true musical taste and wisdom to the rest of us underdeveloped, unevolved plebs! WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!
@@qaspersalt Hipster sarcasm is usually better than this. Hipsters may be tone-deaf hype-slaves that slavishly obey various fantanos but at least they are good at being sarcastic whenever their shoddy tastes are being mocked. Not this one though...
@@Asdwer1 Can you stop embarrassing yourself? There's plenty of great albums here.
Definitely going to check out Imaginal Disc by Magdalena Bay. To quote Zappa "Those cigar chomping guys". That's where the music industry has gone wrong. Not enough of the cigar chomping guys taking risks with new music. We are dependent on the rich kids to give us our daily dose of whatever they are knocking out. As a tutor I have always been happy to hear new bands/artists etc but the students are hanging onto the old favourites because they aren't hearing anything they like now. A very real problem for the future of music.
Exactly! I don't hear anything new that I want to learn and play. It is all older music from the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. Music seems to have frozen in time since 2012-2014
I don't find Magdalena Bay to be that interesting.
Everything has pretty much already been done, all you can do is repeat what's come before at this point.
The couple that are in Magdalena Bay were in a prog band together before they began this band.
To me , this is one of your best and most insightful videos you've done.
Another wise and interesting take. Cheers. You're really getting the hang of that hooking me and then reeling me into the deeper waters. Lol. Then to top it off you hit the nail on the head and reveal the many and varied ways that art, and specifically music, informs and reflects culture. Well done that man. Happy new year, hope the channel continues to expand.
as if over the last 10 years Charli hasnt been working hard and honing her craft with an insane strong small LGBT+ fanbase that has now only exploded after the success of her marketing of her album, and you talk nothing of the music, only where shes from. so?
This video is literally the only time I've ever heard anyone bring up her race when talking about the album, weird how this guy says he doesn't want to get into politics and then spends a decent chunk of the video fixating on these out of touch theories
@@usheencoleman3913 "Out of touch theories" is not an argument. I'm surprised you didn't use the Establishment media's favorites: "tropes" or "canards" haha.
What a great video mate, so glad I stumbled on your channel. I’m Gen-Z and have played drums all my life and grew up surrounded by rock and roll - you touch on so many of the broader philosophical issues I have with modern music that I just can’t relate to any peers about, because they don’t have the musical frame of reference to put what they’re hearing in the context of the broad sweep of popular music. I love tons and tons of modern music, all genres, but it’s just so frustrating to watch my friends fawn over bland music that’s just an amalgamation of like 2-3 people that the artist likes, in place of actual original inspiration.
I don’t agree with every critique here (I don’t mind the apolitical lyrical content of the Kendrick record, for instance) but this is by far the best discussion of these things I’ve ever seen - this is the conversation I’ve been crying out to have for years. Thank you for making this video sir!
It didn't really reveal itself until two or three listens in, but now 'the new sound' is in the music collection along with the Miles Davis, the Mahavishnu and the Japan.
It's that good!
" It's like if Kate Bush was in to Ministry ".....I almost did a spit take! Brilliant.
@@robertlewis8024 Which sounds great to me!
Great combination. Love Chelsea Wolfe.
Brilliant. Please do a video further elaborating the points that you were alluding to, towards the end.
Great video - really interesting stuff towards the end - I’d like to hear the hour long version of your views on this stuff.
Geordie Greep’s album is great. I hear Zappa and Sensational Alex Harvey Band in there. Magdalena Bay is incredible too…
At least you admit your mind is closed. Also extremely bad politics.
And by "bad politics," you of course mean that you don't agree with him for unstated reasons .
@christopher9152 He doesn't think what's happening in Gaza is a genocide. Let's start from there.
@@demetrisgalidesYep that's definitely bad politics as it is factually false.
I don't agree with your take on Charli/BRAT and the quote doesn't really make much sense in the context of that album. I don't see how she victimizes herself, there are moments in which she allows herself to be vulnerable and it's all pretty mundane stuff. And I say "mundane" as in relatable to a lot of people, because frankly insecurities (including minor insecurities) are a fundamental part of the human experience, at least as far as I'm aware. She's over 30 and wants to have a kid, but she also doesn't know how it will affect her career and has doubts. Her good friend passed away in a tragic accident and she feels bad for not being a better friend to this person when they were still alive. Why are any of these things "victimization"? Besides, the whole point of the "brat" thing/attitude is to own all of this and do the opposite of the metaphorical (imaginary?) victims with paper cuts from the quote.
Fantastic video Andy, you' manage to take this format of top 10 X and Y that has been done to absolute death and use it as a trojan horse to do really compelling and thoughtful takes on contemporary music which I think does absolutely loads to massively uplift and enrich our relationship with music as a whole (speaking for myself ofcourse!). I just don't find much contemporary popular music too exciting although there's some I like, Possibly a lot of ground was lost in the 80's that's still to be recovered with there being a more harmonious relationship between popular and avant garde music. But hey there are some acts who do see them as two halves that can make a fantastic whole. I absolutely love to hear you giving love to public enemy too, and touching on the relationship between identity politics and the establishment. You're putting me in the awkward position lately of repeatedly revising which of your videos is my favourite. Best wishes
I contest your claim of an 'uplift'. Andy here has actually made me feel a bit depressed about a few songs that I was until now enjoying.
Good year for music, I've listened to around 200 new albums this year, I'm 63. Sunstack Jones - Luminous Hands, Wand - Vertigo, Chelsea Wolfe - She Reaches Out, Gravity Well - Negative Space, Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus - The Dream We Carry, The Illusory Explainer - If Anxiety Were A Song, Waxahatchee - Tiger's Blood, Greenleaf - The Head and the Habit, Nilufer Yanya - My Method Actor, Nala Sinephro - Endlessness.... Think that's 10. Special mention for Messer Chups stunningly good The Dark Side of Paradise, they have the sexiest bassist too
This list actually proves the opposite, that music is indeed dead. So much hipster trash.
Brilliant analysis! Andy Edwards supremely qualified my best new source I appreciate his duality of light and shade he sticks his neck out. It is not easy doing this work. His depth & experience keeps us all on our toes.
I think Jack White and Jack Black should collaborate as Black/White. 🎶
Very happy to see the Greep finally covered on this channel! I see where you're coming from with the apparent irony, and that was my impression on first pass as well, but when I really paid attention to what was actually being said in conjunction with the music + his vocal delivery, I found the album to actually be very sympathetic and sincere towards the protagonists of each song. It's not just a transgressiveparade of deplorable figures for the subtext of the work to finger wag and say "aren't these men some real bastards?", Greep instead takes pains to flesh out their emotional depth and never really presents any one of them as a bad guy, just an emotionally distraught, alienated, desperate pervert. This is most straightforwardly apparent on As If Waltz and the cover of If You Are But a Dream, but it is present on every song in some way.
@@deeperama298 I think you’re right. The main character in ‘Holy,Holy’,( the video for which is absolutely astonishing in it’s ‘where does Greep and the inhabited character begin and end’ device), elicits revulsion and extreme sympathy in equal measure, and at some point surely empathy of some description. I think with Andy’s intelligence he’ll move beyond his initial assessment of Postmodern pandering and will see it for genuine lyrical exploration of differing psychological states,( unless of course Geordie himself comes out and pulls the rug from under the cleverness of his own lyrics and reduces them in some level …. we must ‘watch this space’ lol).
As an emotionally distraught, alienated, desperate pervert, I applaud this comment.
@@davidwylde8426 reading some interviews, and it seems like this was at least part of his intention with the songwriting
"I thought it was more effective to just portray it and really get to the roots of it and try and see, "How is this funny?" But at the same time, you can be sympathetic with these characters. You can feel sorry for them and, at the same time, repulsed by them. I just thought it was good to just lay it out."
@ interesting. I think he’s shown himself to be an effective lyricist. I can be very indifferent to lyrics, I’m much more drawn specifically to the music generally, but it’s difficult to not be drawn into some of his lyrics as they’re quite striking.
As someone who grew up in the Classic Rock era I also enjoy watching the Sea of Tranquility channel on TH-cam, which has classic rock, prog rock, metal and jazz fusion as its main interests. They have done a top 50 of 2024 too, so would be good to see Andy react to their top 10 of 2024, which includes some newer bands together with some new releases from some familiar names who are a bit longer in the tooth.
Coming from a 48 year old grunger, I have to say, Mag Bay’s Imaginal Disk is unbelievably good. It’s right up there with my all time favourite albums, not a bad song on it, which is a very rare thing.
Even my all time favourite Soundgarden’s Superunknown has a couple of tracks I’m not too keen on.
Bowie’s Low is a perfect album.
Fiona Apple’s When the Pawn is a perfect album.
Clairo’s Charm is a perfect album.
King Gizzards Nonagon Infinity is a perfect album.
Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours is a perfect album.
Tom Waits Closing Time is a perfect album.
Midlake’s Trials of Van Occupanther is a perfect album.
Magdalena Bay’s Imaginal Disk is a perfect album.
These are the ones that instantly spring to mind, sure there are more for me, but there are not many, not many at all.
Btw, your views echo mine almost exactly about these albums.
For Mag Bay, That’s my Floor hooked me, but songs like Cry for Me, Ballad of Matt and Mica, Killing Time, Tunnel Vision and Watching T.V kept me there. Tbh, all the songs on it are worthy mentions.
I also listened to this top ten after watching Fantano
Hipster rock...
Thanks for the honest reviews.
The thing is that Fantano is a great fan of Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Maybe that's why the album is so high in his list. Andy, give a chance to their album Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven. I get to know it through a Fantano video, in the style of "10 best something" lol, and really liked it.
I like Todd in The Shadows. He covers tracks and what used to be called singles more than albums. He's witty and you don't have to look at his face.
Yeah he's great. Pat Finnerty is fun too.
It's ironic cause a lot of what Kendrick is searching to criticize on GNX and a specially on his diss tracks against Drake are exactly what Andy is also criticizing on this video. Talking about industry, lack of creativity, using music as a product on the most commercial sense of the word, and modern hip-hop it's kinda be this state right now - at least, the mainstream - and Drake is one of the biggest financiers. Being more about the lifestyle, making projects that have no critic, no empathy, no joy, without creativity to experiment with new sounds, instruments, flows, to vary subjects. What he did was big on this year, but it's big specially for his community, the west area. That's why this album tries to deep dive on the sound of the 90s West Coast hip-hop, it's a tribute to everything that came before. Also, the track "reincarnated" is the prime example of that while also showing critique. The track shows the perspective of two different black artists, all of which died by influence of dubious morals, drug abuse, the pressure of an immoral and industry. Then he shows his own perspective as an artist on the modern day, but he connects all of these as an metaphor and analogy of God throwing Lucifer into Earth to be reincarnating on the body of these different artists, full of sin, full of pointless rebellion, in the middle of these manipulative settings which are already filled with these same feelings. Kendrick is trying to show these real life artists that passed away by the hands of the influence and associates with the story of Lucifer to make a statement with his own perspective as an artist today, trying to make music that unites and that provoke new ideas, provoke critical thinking, provoke change, not to fall on the same cycle, the same old story. Showing to the community the past so we can make amends with the present, breaking the cycle of sin, of death of the black community, of black artists.
Enjoyable video, Andy. Best wishes to you for 2025. ✌🏼
Andy will correctly point of the ways in which ideology and identity politics damage the way we see the world. But in the same video he seemingly becomes quite offended by the existence of "anti-capitalist" musicians as a threat to his identity as a capitalist. His response to this is possibly the most ideological neo-liberal Thatcherite argument one could make: that any critique of capitalism is utopian and hypocritical. Not trying to be a nob im just sayin that the worst ideology is the one we cant see within ourselves.
'capitalist' is not an identity category like 'black' or 'gay' so you cannot swap out the terminology in the way that you have. Also identity politics is based upon the idea that there is a hierarchy of privilege in which white people maintain their supremacy over other identity groups through the a capitalistic metanarrative.
I like being a capitalist. Keeping the money I make is my favourite thing. Everyone I know also keeps the money they make. Even the socialists! So it is not that I see these woke anti capitalist musicians a threat to me, I see them as hypocritical and artistically conservative, banging out a safe narrative which keeps the status quo.
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer how embarrassing, so your argument boils down to the child-like take of "oh so you're a socialist, So tHeN wHy DoNt YoU GIvE aLl YoUr MoNeY AwAy?'
@@AndyEdwardsDrummerCheers for the reply! I’ll grant you that your definition of identity politics is the more commonly used one. Though Id argue that it’s somewhat limiting as our identities go beyond simple “black or “white “gay or “straight”. As someone with Anarchist and Marxist friends I can definitely tell you that views on how to structure society and economy can absolutely also become parts of how we see ourselves and can cause people to become very defensive when challenged. Even music shapes our sense of self. Did you not experience an identity driven response to your video on The Warning recently? These examples aren't exactly the same as what you’re talking about, but they’re really not that different either.
My comment was really only meant to be extremely annoying and pedantic by pointing out that you gave a ideologically based response to “anti-capitalism” (I think its fine to be a capitalist btw) despite saying that ideology is at the root of our problems as a society (a sentiment I agree with).
If you haven't already you should do a video expanding on your idea of Anti-capitalists making “conservative” music that effectively upholds the status quo. How do we move past that? What in your opinion would genuinely subversive music look like in our current day and age?
@@ralphwiggum3463 Yes, because of what the definition of socialism is. If you are a socialist you believe in the community owning the means of production which is not possible if you individually keep your capital. It is not me that is childish, it is thai Utopian idea.
@@olivergibbons9581 The great heresy would be to go against the current leftist identity version of culture. I taught in a college and would have been removed if I said a number of things. We all know what they are but here are a few examples: A white saying the n word. Gender dysphoria is a mental health issue and not an identity. We do not have equitable rights because rights relate directly to responsibilities and this cannot be altered.
I'm with you on the new Jack White album. Totally great!
Andy! "Two privileged people sitting in their studio being fey like privileged people do." Where are you, exactly?
Bravo Andy! There’s definitely some good stuff that came out this year in modern music, but as you get closer and closer to the most praised albums, you end up encountering some rather unsavory things.
I'm an old (ish) bloke so I don't listen to too much new music, here's 10 (+1) I've enjoyed, which I'm not sure are in any particular order:
1. The Smile - Wall Of eyes
2. Nick Cave - Wild God
3. Fontaine D.C. - Romance
4. Idles - Tangk
5. Beth Gibbons - Live Outgrown
6. The Smile - Cutouts
7. Jack White - No Name
8. The Cure - Songs Of A Lost World
9. BEAK - >>>>
10. St Vincent - All Born Screaming
and very possibly kim Deal's - Nobody Loves You More - I've only listened to it a couple of times but it's very unusual and potentially very good, but I just need to let grow on me.
Great picks despite not listening to much. Fans of St. Vincent who wish she'd dig deeper into psych/prog/glam, should check out Rosalie Cunningham.
I’ve just become a fan. Terrific take on current top pop music with intelligent insight. Not one of those albums in my Top 10, but I will finally take serious note of Magdalena Bay now.
My top this year in The Cure, Kim Deal, Last Dinner Party, for starters.
Next week Andy stands outside and shouts at clouds ;)
I might have to ban people making this comment
Buddy, he is going to buy a megaphone to scream at them that “black peoples didn’t create jazz!!!”
@@spellman007 Black people did create Jazz
The first video of yours I watched was the one titled TEN ALBUMS THE CRITICS LOVE WHICH ARE CR@P and I really enjoyed it (and agreed with it for the most part), but this one where you gave your honest take on Fantano's top 10 (from his top 50...which I had already watched amongst all of the other year-end top lists) is the one that led me to subscribe. I look forward to more content. ✌
Great vid Andy, the best 2024 album for me, and i’m a rock and prog fan, is The Last Dinner Party with Prelude To Ecstasy. You should definitely give that a go, its a fantastic album
Emily Roberts is also a very good jazz musician, away from the band. I was blown away by their performance at Glastonbury (and others since) - great musicianship, fantastic harmonies and clearly having fun!
@@smellybum66 TLDP is OK, and they certainly fit into the whole scenario Andy is challenging here, which is “posh people making music and given massive career opportunities denied to people who don’t have the posh connections.” TLDP are rich girls, right?
@@bjwnashe5589 Posh people shouldn’t make rock music, they should make more money but not in music?
What did Van Goghs parents do, anybody any idea?
An album sorely overlooked in end of the year lists was Field Music's 'Limits of Language'. Check out the song Six Weeks, Nine Wells. Some proggy elements in there. BTW, your hairs looking pretty damn cool. Very much in the Lynch, Beckett, and Jarmusch style. Surely promises a very good year!
Watch Jack White with Jimmy Page in "It Might Get Loud". At the start, he is trying to be cool but by the end, they really bond. I am sure Page passed on some Riffs in their hug at the end of the film!
Seeing Edge and him react when Page shows them Kashmir is priceless.
Trout Mask Replica is absolutely Captain Beefheart’s greatest work
I've always thought Lick My Decals was his best. For me, his top three: 1) Decals, 2) Trout, 3) Safe as Milk
@ Surely a matter of taste, but Safe as Milk is closer to the weirdness I like. Decals is a great listen.
Hmm, I might agree with that. But Lick My Decals Off Baby and Clear Spot are both excellent as is Doc At The Radar Station.
I grew up with TMR, hence my username/site name, and yet it's currently below my faves Clear Spot, Ice Cream for Crow, Doc at the Radar Station, Shiny Beast and Licky My Decals.
@@Fastnbulbous1969 checked out your channel, Bravo Sir
Oh, this helped a lot, speaking as an old fossil trying to catch up with good current music. Jack White I have always thought was great, but haven't heard the latest. Magdalena Bay album sounds like an interesting concept, and maybe not to all-out prog for me.
I do love that you're opening that little window of persuasion into your repertoire and hope to see a few re-examinations of new and old stuff. This is a great start to 2025!!!!!!!!!! (too many exclamation points and an injured finger.)
I could listen to Andy all day ....Did you Have A Good Christmas ?.......superb !!
Thanks Andy. Informative, enlightening and entertaining per usual. Great research on the family/class backgrounds on the artists. Huzzah!
Plus, I’ll check out Fantano.
I saw Godspeed! in Boston around 20 years ago and they were quite epic live. Wall of sound, stage full of live musicians. Very dynamic and intense if you like that wall of sound experience. I suggest you give "Slow Riot For New Zero Kanada" a listen
Avenged Sevenfold-Life Is But A Dream was an excellent recommendation. My cd arrived today.
My 2024 recommendation is Infected Rain-Time. It's a concept album about the time we have on Earth, and how we choose to spend it.
Great opener for 2025 Andy! Nailed it 💯 at the end there.
Mag Bay is great. I've been listening to them since 2018. One of the best groups in years.
I dont normally like stuff like Knocked Loose, but that record got me. And one of the reasons i did was that compared to other production in the genre, i thought the drums were very real sounding lol. Again, compared to the rest of the genre.
So you're annoyed by an album title emphasizing the death toll of the most underprivilaged people on the planet, and also annoyed by the privilege of charli xcx. Who are the underprivilaged in your view? Who is to blame for their lack of quality of life?
What are you going on about?
@MarcumDavid I am just baffled by this guy's views. Why would you complain about the album protesting genocide? Also his take on hip hop is strange. Sounds to me like "What about black on black crime?"
Magdalena Bay is my #1 I see in them relighting the candle of prog, I saw them live in concert and There was a whole crowd of young people singing along to a borderline prog album. The lead singer, mica, did costume changes and played characters like peter gabriel did (even wore a flower head) Im so excited and a big fan to see what magdalena bay puts out in the future.
Magdalena bay is used to be progressive rock band before change it to synth pop
Fair criticisms 👍
I really enjoyed your take on these records and urge you to do more. I’m of your kind of vintage, probably older and spend most of my time seeking out new releases that appeal to my taste.
My favourite albums of this year are as follows
My 2024 End Of Year List
1. Rosie Lowe - Lover, Other
2. The Cure - Songs Of A Lost World
3. Kim Deal - Nobody Loves You More
4. Helado Negro - Phasor
5. Nilufer Yana - My Method Actor
6. Bill Callahan - Resuscitate!
7. Vera Sola - Peacemaker
8. Ella Raphael - Mad Sometimes
9. Jessica Pratt - Here In The Pitch
10. Willow - Empathogen
11. Moby - Always Centred At Night
12. Goat Girl - Below The Waste
13. Bill Ryder-Jones - Iechyd Da
14. Marika Hackman - Big Sigh
15. Beth Gibbons - Lives Outgrown
16. Rich Ruth - Water Still Flows
17. Moin - You Never End
18. Julia Holter - Something In The Room She Moves
19. The Smile - Wall Of Eyes
20. LOMA - How We Live Without A Body
21. The The - Ensoulment
22. Photay - Windswept
23. Kreidler - Twists (A Visitor Arrives
24. The Messthetics & James Brandon - S/T
25. Rosali - Bite Down
Whilst I won’t pretend that every one will be to your liking, I would be most interested to hear your take on Julia Holter or say, the Messthetics with James Brandon released on Impulse and featuring the Fugazi rhythm section😮. Come on that’s got to be done? It may even spark a new interest in modern music!
I can give you a nice example of a song that might have the label, "Indie" slapped on it, just to help the buyers at the record shop (...) find something they might approximately like, but which has nowise "flat" vocals.
More importantly, it's by a rocker who's an old man, and doesn't pretend anything otherwise (although he's thought of himself as "old" for quite a long time, now, calling the fans "kids", and many of them calling him "Uncle Bob" - even when he was a whippersnapper in eldred terms), and the song has something to do with issues that crop up in life when you get old. I'd say that makes it a pretty rare song. Something personal that doesn't just follow the groove grooved out when one was young, one was.
It stands on its own two feet, lyrically, the lyrics move to highs and lows, and then to cap it all, there's the guitar solo at the end. Nothing flashy about it, but it soars, it surges, there's something really powerful about it that I can't quite put my finger on.
Song: *Released into Dementia* (I don't know how much it's about that, but it sounds like it's some kind of painful parting by letting go, maybe. I'm crap at lyrics.)
Band: *Guided by Voices* (2023, so too long ago to be on the 2024 list).
th-cam.com/video/BAlK6THCMow/w-d-xo.html
That didn't go where I expected it to go, but... it gets a like anyway! I'd be interested in your take on hip-hop, as I had a similar journey where I enjoyed the early stuff but it lost me at some point and it has only been more recently that I've found some rap I "get" once more (but again, I'm also a middle aged white guy, so...)
Great video Andy. Being of a simular age, I really appreciate your views on contemporary music. Can you do one of these evey quarter year? I try to keep abreast of new music and there is good stuff out there, but a lot of dross to filter.
I'd love to hear your take on all the Kendrick Lamar albums.
Fascinating Andy. Well done . As per usual of late. Ta ta.
Holy crap .. just tried the Magdalena Bay stuff and Thank You for That!
My favourite album is Ontology of Nought by Ingurgitating Oblivion. I also really like the new Schammasch album The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean
very good idea of a video, loving it so far
The underlying ideology of mainstream music, movies and shows is losing ground among regular people in America. A lot of it based on false premises and hatred. I’m glad more people are going against it. But the adherence to it in the entertainment industry is very interesting because the movies based on it are failing. Will be interesting to see where things are going….
What's the Gaza situation to do with identity politics? Nothing whatsoever
He’s moreso implying that the Palestinian militant groups as well as the Israeli government have formulated their nationalist politics in such a way they become so ingrained within the psychology of both sides that it leads to these mass killings. The kill or be killed instinct in this scenario becomes thus a basis of identity on an individual level. That’s why he said “I don’t mean identity politics like on the left” to distinguish which definition of identity is being used.
@George-vf6st
Well, maybe, but it sounds quite complicated. And it sure doesn't explain why all this mass killing didn't occur prior to October 7 2023.
@MrMcdagy it did. There are lots of examples. One statistic from the UN, before 7 Oct, for the previous 15 years, 96% of all deaths and casualties were Palestinian. What about the peaceful Great March of Return where the Israeli soldiers opened fire on non-armed civilians who were protesting against their imprisonment in Gaza? Hundreds murdered, countless injured. Just one example.
@preservedmoose
The peaceful great march you're referring to was a series of hundreds of provocative marches that were spread over three years.
Hasan Al Kurd, the man behind this initiative, became its biggest critique once, as he himself said, he saw how what started as real peaceful demonstration like he planned was quickly taken over by Hamas provocaturs, he also recognized that Arab society itself was divided about the effectiveness of the project
Here in his own words:
The biggest criticism is the incitement to violence or in some parts initiating it. As far as PLO is concerned, their position towards the march was not clear. Sometimes they supported and sometimes they didn't. It was impossible to build on them as an integral part of the initiative.'
Mind you, those casualties in Gaza are always an outcome of the provocation initiated by Gaza residents who chose Hamas to lead them in a democratic manner
as soon as he started blabbing on about Gaza incomprehensibly was the lowest point of the video - should stick to music opinions
Some interesting music here, Andy. I will be investigating. That Greep guy reminds me of John Shuttleworth.
One day he’ll write his ‘Pigeons In Flight’………
I do not like prog, nor do I particularly enjoy Led Zepp or Hendrix, for instance. I do not even agree with you on the massacre that’s going on in Gaza. But I enjoy your vídeos cause you are funny and you make some good points. Subscribed.
Have you spoken to anyone who has visited Palestine Andy?
Hard unsubscribe
Free 🇵🇸
That'll show 'im, and them.
Andy is all over the place politically - hes a Reform supporter which should clue you in that he doesnt have a clue
Yawn!
the privilege of siding with people who think you're an infidel
@@colinburroughs9871 can you read minds or even read?
The Needle Drop doesn't care about most Modern Prog. He sees it as a waste of time, which is kind of how I see his channel.
Fantano's range of music enthusiasm and ability to offer valuable criticism within that range is indeed impressive.
I got into him with his critique of Apple's top 100 albums list. He offered a brief but insightful evaluation of every album on a 3rd party's list, regardless of genre.
About Vampire Weekend: My cousin (whose taste is largely centered on an alt-folk aesthetic) went to Columbia as they did and is a fan. He shared some VW links with me and when I listened (actually I had listened to some VW prior), I fantasized "Andy Edwards would think these are Ivy league posh boys". Which they are. But some of it is pretty good I must say.
Lastly, I caught the Chelsea Wolfe = Kate Bush on Ministry comparison on my 2nd listen. Took me by surprise. Same with King Gizzard and the Electric Wizard. 😆
Not really, Fantano is enjoyable to listen to but he has little-to-no formal music theory, reading, or playing experience, or work in the industry. This means all we can get is the opinion of someone who listens as an untrained layperson. Nothing wrong with that but that is the context. This is why he'll put some drivel like Charlie XCX as #1.
@@turntablesrockmyworld9315 Point taken, so I made some minor edits to my comment accordingly, to reflect the scope of his ability to offer criticism.
My faith in your taste is secured. Greep’s vocals are very marmite but continued listening to the album should find you falling on the more positive side of the fence. I don’t love the entire album and Black Midi’s stuff can be equally marmite but during the moments both he and they get it right, it’s really good stuff in my opinion. Check out the live TH-cam vid where he does the two tracks ‘Holy,Holy’ and ‘The Magician’ from the Windmill pub venue I think… gives you good insight into his general vibe.
As a non-Brit, it took me a minute to figure out what "very marmite" vocals means. So, for anyone wondering, it apparently means that you either love 'em or hate 'em.
@@omnipop4936correct. And to elicit such a response can often mean you’re pushing beyond convention,( of course leading to the possibility of either extreme response).
His vocal delivery on the solo album is much more melodic than say his performance on something like ‘John L’ from the second Black midi album,( a fantastic track and accompanying video for that matter), but it’s still pretty out there,( although ironically probably more so against the X-Factor/American Idol drenched pop landscape of today compared to the late 70’s/early 80’s when I first got into music).
Magdalena Bay sounded good so I looked them up and oh! they're quite good and interesting this is going to be cool.... sadly disappointed at the rest of them but very much appreciate the window on new/newish stuff.
Checked out the Magdelena Bay album. It is really good. Recommended it to my daughters.
I did good then!
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer You did indeed. 👍
This is so good. This is the level of analysis that we have been hoping Rick Beato would get into, but he has not delivered.
Rick only listens to mainstream pop.
I will do more then
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Yes, Fantano has interesting picks, but unfortunately it's looking for diamonds in a pile of shit. I quite often find things that are ok, but not great like King Gizzard, Oh Sees, Idles, Amyl & Sniffers, Fontaines DC etc.
@@michelvoortman4725 Yeah I find that RB's taste doesn't align with mine for the most part and I don't listen to him that much anymore.
@@Darrylizer1 I really liked his "What makes this song great" series, but nowadays it's more of a stream of thought Rick meandering over subjects sort of a thing.
Thanks!
Prior to becoming Magdalena Bay, the two members were actually in a prog rock band called Tabula Rasa. Solid stuff.
That’s was a great video Andy . 👍
Maybe do a top 10 Fantano of previous years? He isn't perfect but there is interesting stuff there. I discovered Melt Banana from him for example.
Very interesting commentary!
none of my top 10 of 2024 made his top 50. So he's clearly not on my wavelength.
Thanks Andy. Good video. I'll maybe cast an ear over Mag Day, but not any of the others.
If you like metal and prog, be sure to check out Blood Incantation's album Absolute Elsewhere
You are correct...Most of the pop singers who don't sing R&B have little to no projection at all.
Is this because they never do gigs and sing in their bedrooms or basements? Perhaps.
Yes, and their mum's shout if they sing too loud
I think it is because black market antianxiety drugs became a big trend, and it was subversive and edgy to sound like you were overdosing on them and can't manage more than a confused breathy mumble.
@@mattd8725😂
Was enjoying the video until the "lack of skill" comment, seemed like you were pretty good at identifying your personal biases as just that up until that point
Yeah man …. The Greep
You’ve gotta like this !!!
I like how Fantanos face slowly sinks from the screen. For some reason thats funny. A good video spoilt by Andy talking about politics when hes clueless af
Why is he clueless? Tell me what he has said that is wrong and why.
@@theglobalinstituteofmetal he's a Reform supporter. Need I say more?
@@skyblazeeternothis is probably why he avoids politics, because clueless people call him clueless
@@skyblazeeterno probably. Everything is super fine, except for the people who've noticed the issues being all about saving us from the weather or making people "nice", might be just a little bit manipulative
@@colinburroughs9871 gibberish
Okay?
Right!
I don’t agree with your take on leftism. I mean I get where you’re coming from to an extent. Many people on the left do critique identity politics insofar as we are talking about the ways in which identities are elevated and fetishized without bringing meaningful progress to marginalized communities.
I also think it’s kind of rich to criticize the morality and misogyny within rap music as if it’s something unique to rap and like rock hasn’t had its own history of misogyny, racism and even pedophilia. And I am not particularly a huge fan of rap myself either.
It is also not the opinion among most left people that there can be no reconciliation between groups and identities which is something you seemed to suggest. Many left wingers do not see these identities as fixed but historically contingent.
I also find it frustrating how you use the term postmodernism and don’t even really explain what you mean by it. It comes across as largely just a vague pejorative in your videos.
I say this as someone who’s subscribed to your channel because I like the way you approach talking about music and we have many similarities in tastes, but I find some of political commentary a bit sloppy or vague.
I do like how you tackle elitism in the music industry, however I think we disagree with some of the political details of what this elitism actually is.
When I listened to Pet Sounds in mono I finally got it.
I listened to it on mute - found it superb
Just heard Imaginal Disc and I like it. I tend to like a bit more order in things, even if it's jazz, but I like it anyway. From the first 6 songs I like Killing Time and Image. But, the meat of the album (for me) is 7-12 Vampire to That's My Floor. They do some more advanced things with musical forms, and they don't try to do them all in one song. It varies to fit the mood, message, and style they've picked for the song. Good 7/10
Bloody Ell Andy, you gave King Giz a mention!
Did he call them 'King Gizzard The Electric Wizard'?
WOW, That Jack White album (after 2 tracks) sounds like a knock it out of the park album ( I hope it is all like this )
He's a talent that is for sure
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer real ear for sound ( to my uneducated music ears) his production and work on Loretta Lynn’s album Van Lear Rose is hauntingly beautiful, but also tasteful bits of corniness imho
I heard that when it came out and it made me realize he is the real deal. my friend played it me, then I remember we listen together to Little Green by Joni and we started crying.
It's 2025 and Andy drops a video discussing Vampire Weekend, rap, identity politics, and the war in Gaza.
Christ, I am so sick of the vocal style represented in Magdalena Bay . This sort of self-consciously whiny chirpy whispery shit is just… I’m done with it.
I'm going to go through this vid very slowly listening to each album as I go
The think about Godsoeed is they are a oerformance band, not even a concert, since they are so concentrated on olaying together live with some sort of visuals, and its the live being there that really counts. In many ways the harp back to that classic tour band The Greatful Dead. The recordings are good but they are more like documents, snapshots, and whilst a photgraph of the Grand Canyon may be exceotion, it isnt the same as going there. I hope that helps Andy. What i really enjoyed about this list was you took it on, you engaged with the music abd didnt just leave it at i dont like it, you told us what led to that, musically, and grounded your preference in an engagement with the artistic intention of those eho made the records. Nice one
In terms of not hearing or having no interest in listening to new music, I can completely relate, Andy. I love hearing original and unique artists and have high expectations from those who have
lasted long enough to make a meaningful impression. So many newer artists, for me, make me feel like I'm doing homework trying to dig into their catalog. Every so often, I find something that sticks. That happens less and less over time. There is some great music being produced these days, but the last band that I've become a huge fan of is The Go. Sure, they were descendants of The Stooges, but the tunes rocked and were clever. Jack White started out in The Go and was on their badass debut. I got a promo of it when I was working at a record store 26 years ago! But Bobby Harlow didn't need Jack White to keep cranking out killer loud, psychedelic garage rock. I love everything they've done. Their side project, Conspiracy of Owls is also pretty great. Let's see... that was 15 years ago!
There are great new albums from bands that I've longed loved, but who doesn't have that?
I should mention that The Go aren't likely your cuppa, chummy.
Im 104 and i havent heard this kind of music analysis since Lester Bangs and i took Black Beauties and blasted Ornette Coleman and Captain Beefheart on two speakers at the same time until room service called the cops and i walked home in my underwear.i hope this young kid goes far.
Best comment
Fantano isn't bald. He just identifies with the bald community.
I don't
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Your David Lynch-tier comb over doesn't fool me. I can get past that, though, and still appreciate the otherwise high quality of your videos.
Best wig is bald wig.
@@janso7979 Michael Angelo references Andy’s hair when carving gods.
@@janso7979praying for an Andy Edward’s daily weather report.
Very interesting. It might have put me off Charlie xcx, though I will still probably get around to giving it a listen. As I now will get around to giving the first album on this list a listen.
Certainly a good take on where modern popular music is at right now.
I shall check a few of these albums out. Haven't listened to much new stuff for a while. Think I'll give Brat a miss though.
The more videos I watch from/with you the more I come to the understanding that you don't realise you've come to the point where you're enjoying music. Just plain and simple music. Well, maybe not THAT plain and simple, but still. Maybe the stuff you'd thought of yourself never enjoying, let alone talk about it openly. I've never questioned my taste of music when I bought "Crazy Horses" by The Osmonds back in 1973, while keeping an eye on Slade and Sweet and at the same time getting my dirty little fingers on "Dark Side OfThe Moon". It wasn't about genre or style. We didn't know those fancy words. We got what we liked and sometimes, temporarily, disregarded what we found to be not as "interesting" as other stuff. I disregarded, for instance, Styx's "Equinox (1976)" in favour of Jean Michel Jarre's "Oxygene (1975)". Two completely different styles within a genre and a choice which had some of my mates raising their eyebrows in doubt. Anyway, you've either entered your male meno-pauze or you've become smarter. I bet it's the former. Cheerio lad. Still like you, mind.
I wonder if he got paid to put it at number 1. Doesn't make sense.
I ALSO really got into the Magdalena Bay album as a progressive music fan.