Shirley Collins-Archangel Hill, Sufjan Stevens-Javelin, Yo La Tengo-This Stupid World, Ron Sexsmith-The Vivian Line, Paul Simon-Seven Psalms, Teenage Fanclub- Nothing Lasts Forever, Handsome Family-Hollow, Blur- Ballad Of Darren, Wilco- Cousin, Iron And Wine-Who Can See Forever and Brian Eno-Foreverandevernomore.........Happy Holidays!
Thanks for the list! Lots of new music for me to listen to, so thanks for that! Here's mine: 1. The Lemon Twigs - "Everything Harmony" 2. Darlingside - "Everything is Alive" 3. Charles Wesley Godwin - "Family Ties" 4. Foo Fighters - "But Here We Are" 5. Sufjan Stevens - "Javelin" 6. Slowdive - "everything is alive" 7. Sleep Token - "Take Me Back To Eden" 8. Mondo Drag - "Through the Hourglass" 9. Boygenius - "the record" 10. Chris Stapleton - "Higher" 11. Balance and Composure - "Too Quick to Forgive" 12. Paul Simon - "Seven Psalms" 13. Green Lung - "This Heathen Land" 14. Feist - "Multitudes" 15. Wilder Woods - "FEVER / SKY" 16. Lana Del Rey - "Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd" 17. Jon Guerra - "Ordinary Ways" 18. The Wilder Blue - "Supernatural" 19. Moon Safari - "Himlabacken (Vol. 2)" 20. Cicada - "Seeking the Sources of Streams" 21. Ludwig Goransson - Oppenheimer Soundtrack 22. Nospün - "Opus" 23. Zach Bryan - "Zach Bryan" 24. No Signal - "Distorted Reality" 25. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - "Weathervanes"
Oy oy Mazzy,excellent to see you give a shout to Shirley Collins, the true queen of England in the hearts of us old bohos and bozos.Its wonderful to have her back,if you don't know them I urge you to check out her previous two albums,Lodestar,and Heartsease,both as great as Archangel Hill,and obviously the superb album on Harvest,Anthems in Eden,a truly wonderful record.Happy New Year man,I always enjoy your little chats,keep it up
I have really enjoyed your show! I was a big fan of Rickie Lee Jones early albums but had stopped buying her last few records. You talked about Pieces of Treasure. I listened to it and if someone asks me my reaction I say "I cry, I smile". Thanks for turning me on to a lot of great new music. I bought Gene Clark's last CD and was reminded of how much The Byrds meant to me. I'm in the process of buying solo albums of members of my second favorite group. Thanks Mazzy! I'm telling all my friends here in Athens,GA about your show.
Thanks Mazzy a somewhat funny year in music or wa it just me. Thx for the heads up and reminders more than anything. Appreciate the channel and the time you spend sharing the music. Go easy…oh and nice suit…love a suit. 😊
Hey Maz, so one of my most listened to songs this year was Arthur McBride by Paul Brady and Andy Irvine. It basically led me on a path of other versions of this song in which I discovered the beautiful cover by Rufus. I watched a wonderful UA-cam video of Paul Brady and Rufus performing it together. I love his piano on this track as on the original it is performed with an acoustic guitar. Wild Mountain Thyme is also a favorite of mine because of its rich history with Celtic performers. Van Morrison does a lovely version of this song on Hard Nose the Highway. He titles it “Purple Heather”. Anyway, Folkology is definitely on my radar and I’m sure I’ll be purchasing it shortly after the Holiday. I’m glad to see it has the Mazzy stamp of approval. Hahaha Happy Holidays, Brian☘️
Hey Maz - I'm glad 'Folkocracy' is your #1 as it's mine as well. It's so heartfelt and beautiful - every cut on it speaks. I'll be buying the Third Mind record as well as the Joy'All, Javelin and a couple others you mention. Great choices - great range. Love it all. Keep up the great work!
Hi Norman. Good selection and thanks for introducing some albums I was not aware of. When you put up the Peter Gabriel i/o video a couple of weeks ago I thought of making a comment about my introduction to Peter Gabriel and this is it. In September 1972 as a 16 year old I went to see a English folk rock band named Lindisfarne and supporting them was Genesis. This was the famous show where PG came out half way through the show wearing the his wife's red dress and a foxes head. The audience were still standing and applauding Genesis when the main act came on. Keep up the Good work. Cheers from Dublin Ireland Yo Ho Ho
Mazzy, always true to your heart when you make your picks. Great selections! Although I’m a huge Rufus fan (and yes it was a VERY expensive packaging to make) his record barely missed my top 10. Wish I had more listening time for Peter Gabriel & Sufjan. Never got around to listening to Isbell, Sparklehorse & Slowdive. Soo much music and not enough time. 🎶🎸🥁🎺
I enjoyed your varied Top 25 of 2023 list. Isbell, Slowdive and Sufjan are on mine as well. Nice to see Luluc get some love; I don't see them mentioned much. I got into them with 2018's Sculptor which I played A LOT back in 2018-2019. Happy holidays and cheers!
Thanks Mazzy. I’ll check out all of your selections. All are new to me. Happy holidays! Rufus’ Folkology is fantastic. After streaming this over the last month, I finally ordered it through my local record store.
Thanks Norman (from Vancouver Island) This was the best “best of list” I have seen. I really liked the breadth of artists and type of music. When I looked at the NYTimes best albums I only recognized one name on their list; the Guardian was the same possibly even worse. It’s like they narrowed down the types of music and artists that are eligible for consideration prior to choosing their top albums. Congratulations. There is at least 10 on your list I am going to look for here in Victoria. Thanks
Great video and choices... for whats it worth..my 10 of 2023 1 ØXN - Cyrm 2 The Rolling Stones - Hackney Diamonds 3 Protomartyr - Formal Growth In The Desert 4 The Bonk - Greater Than Or Equal To 5 Squid - O Monolith 6 Ambassade - The Fool. 7 John Cale - Mercy 8 Evgueni Galperine - Theory Of Becoming 9 Model/Actriz - Dogsbody 10 London Brew - London Brew
Well presented. Not a frequent guest here. My number 1 and 2 are always changing places: P. J. Harvey‘s kind of Dorset folk noir, and Fire! Orchestra‘s ECHOES (a tender soulful jazz-fuelled tour de force made in Sweden) . i lost the Stones somewhere in the 70‘s, but have a knack for some of these albums here, like Wilco, Blur, and the wonderful Rickie Lee Jones.
great list..nice to hear rickie lee there..one album i thought might be there was paul simon's new one...my best to you for the holiday season and the coming year my friend..peace..rocky
Thanks Mr Maslov, a great list with a delightfully wide range of genres and styles. Strangely enough I am not such a fan of that RLJ album despite having most of her others on vinyl and CD. On the other hand the Anohni album was a revelation and probably one to purchase in January. Have a great festive time if you are celebrating.
Thanks for your list. Some albums are now in the shopping cart (Rufus Wainwright, Marty Stuart asm) I wish you a nice time, health and kind regards from Germany.
I have The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan in my Top 10 of 2023. I still listen to some of today's pop music. I did like that Sparks documentary. My Top 10 Albums Of 2023: (10) Steven Wilson "The Harmony Codex" (09) Skating Polly "Chaos County Line" (08) Miley Cyrus "Endless Summer Vacation" (07) Paramore "This Is Why" (06) Taylor Swift "Speak Now"/ "1989" (Taylor's Version) (05) Bob Dylan "Shadow Kingdom" (04) Madison Beer "Silence Between Songs" (03) Lana Del Rey "Did You Know That There's A Tunnel" (02) The Rolling Stones "Hackney Diamonds" (01) Olivia Rodrigo "GUTS"
Found your channel this year. Love streaming to try out your picks. I love finding new music. Suggestion, Alison Russell's second album "The Returner". ✌️
Great list, Mazzy. Now I'm going to have to procrastinate mine even longer by checking out of some of the ones you mentioned that I missed completely. Or just save them for a listen in the new year. Cool to see Isbell represented and of course Sparklehorse. Especially so high up on your list.
Hey Mazzi, Great presentation once again! In fact of all the music blogs I have seen or follow on YT yours is amongst the best presented, inspiring and engaging. Compliments🌟Even though our music tastes differ considerably at times. In this video there’s a match with for instance the Yo La Tengo album. No I wouldn’t call it country rock, nor even a bit of that. YLT have been a foundational indie rock band for ages. I best like their older work from the 1990s. Cat Power, what a voice, especially with her older work. The new Wilco is nice but their music becoming too familiar over the years. On this album the catchiness of the tracks differs to my ears. PJ Harvey, great, and I am a devotee, but with this record I miss the old days with memorable songs like those on Rid of me. The Sufjan Stevens also brings back great memories. I had a difficult time in choosing my best 2023 albums to be honest. I tend to backlog or dig in the past these days. Alongside the previously mentioned albums the new Circus Devils, Blonde Redhead, Drop Nineteens, Smoke fairies and Protomartyr are among the new albums that tickled my fancy. Keep m coming and who knows, we may run into each other on some record fair across the Atlantic someday. Perhaps the greatest record and cd fair in the Netherlands (Den Bosch) coming April. Merry Christmas and a happy music filled 2024🎉🎶
Working on my list, I think I'm going to have a couple in common with the Mazzlist. There's a few shown here that I haven't gotten around to yet and might make my "Best of 2023 First Heard in 2024" list.
Love Rickie Lee Jones but never picked this up..I need to…you got me intrigued with the Shirley Collins album..love that Marty Stuart album!!!…Cat Power Sings Dylan high on my best of list👍Peter Gabriel is the best of 23..gets better with each listen..still haven’t picked up Third Mind 2..it’s in the cart…The Dylan album is a favourite..I need to give Javelin another listen…same with Folkaracy..thanks for this Mazzy❤❤👍glen
Thanks for the pointer to the new Luluc record. I saw them live years ago when more of the Australian and New Zealand musicians were able to do the Canadian folk festival circuit. They were lovely.
Sufjan Stevens my personal #1 for 2023. The album from Luluc- Diamonds is the one I need to explore. Always learn about Artists/albums from you. This list was no exception. Thank You!
Hey there! Longtime viewer, first time commenter just dropping in to say that Nick Cave album does have more! It got put out digitally over the summer before it saw physical release, and the digital version has 10 more songs on it. I understand how making it a triple LP could be cost-prohibitive and a big financial ask for fans, especially coming so soon off the heels of that massive B-Sides and Rarities box, but still, would've loved to have the unabridged tracklist in some physical form - to me, it's kind of begging for a double CD. Lots of love for many of the records here, especially the Sufjan album. My favorite this year, though, is Hayden Pedigo's album The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored. Strongly recommended if you're into any of that John Fahey/Leo Kottke/Michael Hedges style guitar playing. It's just really soothing, patient, melodic acoustic guitar atmospheres. I find it very touching. If you've heard it, I would love to know your thoughts!
Mazzy, I'm always impressed by your bandwidth when it comes to knowledge and appreciation for music across genres and time. And it comes off as completely genuine. I know there's quality new music being made but I often get frustrated by the duds and revert back to my tried and true favorites. I'm stubborn but not obstinate so I'll try a few on your list. 😉 I'm gonna cheat a bit and say the best release of 2023 is the Dead's 1973 RFK show. Stunning recording by Owsley and mastering by Jeffrey Norman. 🤯
That Dead set is great. Maybe it should have been included in my archival or box set best lists. Instead I included the final night of Fillmore West 69
Wonderful list Mazzy. I have none of these on my list, but, that is what I follow your channel for exactly. A Rock guy myself I plan on doing my own video and it won’t be as ‘complete’ as your extensive list here. Some favourites of mine for the year include: City and Colour ‘The Love Still Held Me Near’ The National ‘First Two Pages of Frankenstein’ Depeche Mode ‘Momento Mori ‘ Foo Fighters ‘But Here We Are’ Metallica ‘72 Seasons’ Metric ‘Formentera’
Appreciate seeing your list, Norman. Here's mine: Xiu Xiu: Ignore Grief Mandy, Indiana: I've Seen A Way PJ Harvey: I Inside The Old Year Dying Jaimie Branch: Fly Or Die Fly Or Die Fly Or Die ANTOHNI: My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross Armond Hammer: We Buy Diabetic Test Strips Sprain: The Lamb As Effigy Snooper: Super Snooper Matana Roberts: Coin Coin Chapter Five Feeble Little Horse: Girl With Fish
Wow, just watched this with my wife. We paused after every record and listened to a song. Winners - Marty Stuart, Jason Isbell, Lemon Twigs, Anohni (our favorite), Jenny Lewis and Luluc. What a great way to spend an evening together!
Hi Mazzy, thanks for your list. I used to follow contemporary music but now it's mainly classical & jazz, inspired by the huge number of LP re-issues. I thought you'd be interested in some suggestions that have stood the test of time: Diane Coffee: Everybody's A Good Dog Dawes: All Your Favorite Bands The Electric Soft Parade: Idiots Keane: Strangeland Let me know if you want more?
Interesting list, I'm familiar with most but will definitely check out the others. I'm not a big Rufus fan but will try and keep an open mind. Can we do Tomorrow Another Day by Galen & Paul is probably my favorite album of 2023. Edit: Just checked out Jason Isbell's album and, like you, I had sort of had a prejudice towards him. Unfortunately that prejudice still stands.
Never heard of Luluc. Will check that out. Javelin is really great. Definitely makes my Top 25. To me, it’s something I’m used to from Sufjan Stevens. The only reason why I don’t have it higher on my list. Great varied list here, Mazzy. Well done.
I haven't yet heard any of these yet, but what amazes me is that all of your choices for this year were issued on vinyl. I would guess that wouldn't have been with case with a list from five years ago. --True vinyl revival.
Great list, helpful for my trip to the record store today. Have to mention the record I couldn’t put down this year…Meshell Ndegeocello’s “The Omnichord Real Book”.
Great list…check out Logan Ledger-Golden State, great west coast Laurel Canyon stuff. Also, Isbell is a great songwriter..his song Elephant is incredible.
Lots of records for me to check out on that list. For me the record I’ve played the most is Jessie Ware’s - That! Feels Good! It’s the best parts of 70’s disco where you end up dancing and singing along from start to finish. It makes you smile. Who doesn’t need more of that at the minute?!
Hi Mazzy, enjoyed your video. I have a few of your picks in my own list. To avoid sounding like Michael 45 who likes every album he has ever heard, how about doing a list of the 10 most disappointing releases from 2023. There has to be a few. Happy Christmas, have a great holiday.
Hi Norman Excellent list, but you'll need to purchase (EU import) some extra 2023 releases from my 2023 album chart 😅 Some of my favorites in random order: 01) Loverman: Lovesongs (PIAS) 02) Melanie De Biasio: Il Viaggio (PIAS) 03) Depeche Mode: Memento Mori (Columbia - Sony) 04) bar italia: Tracey Denim (Matador) 05) Ão: Ão mar (Mayway Records) 06) Angie MacMahon: Light, Dark, Light Again (Gracie Music - Awal) 07) Maple Glider: I Get Into Trouble (Partisan) 08) Caroline Polachek - Desire I Want to Turn Into You (Perpetual Novice) 09) dEUS: How to Replace It (PIAS) 10) Isolde Lasoen: Oh Dear (Mayway) (she's also ex-drummer from Absynthe Minded, they released Sunday Painter this year) 11) Feist: Multitudes (Universal) 12) Dijf Sanders: Supra (Unday) 13) Peter Gabriel: I/O (Real World) 14) Elias: Bloomed Exploded (Unday) 15) Alison Goldfrapp: Love (Re)Invention (Skint) 16) shame: Food for Worms (Dead Oceans) 17) Timber Timbre: Lovage (Hot Dreams) 18) The National: First Two Pages / Laugh Track (4AD) 19) Bitty McLean + Sly & Robbie: Forward (in memory of Robbie Shakespeare) (Tabou1) 20) Billie Marten: Drop Cherries (Fiction) 21) Stephen Sanchez: Angel Face (Mercury - Republic) 22) Orbital: Optical Delusion (London Music). 23) Róisín Murphy: Hit Parade (Ninja Tune) 24) Anna St. Louis: In the Air (Woodsist) 25) PJ Harvey: I Inside the Old Year Dying (Partisan) 26) Everything but the Girl: Fuse 27) Lana del Rey: Did You Know 28) Absynthe Minded: Sunday Painter 29) Rolling Stones: Hackney Diamonds 30) Jonathan Wilson: Eat the Worm 31) Squid: O Monolith + most jazz releases from Sdban Records!!! Happy holidays!!!
Happy Holidays, Mazzy... to you, "The Archivist" & her "Guy on the Street," Kimbo, Coffee Dave & Julie, Dr. Robert and the rest of the Merry Pranksters: Seattle Edition.
I bought the Sparklehorse album on your recommendation. What a fantastic & wonderful surprise. Wow, I want them all, but a bit late to this party. The other Sparklehirse album cost a fortune. Oh well, at least I can enjoy Bird House. Thank you, again
Mark Linkous was absolutely wonderful. I love the sense of unease and strangeness that lurks in his music. It’s that weird underbelly of small, remote towns, I guess. I think More Yellow Birds (off It’s a Wonderful Life) is one of the most beautiful, and saddest, songs ever written.
Not to be critical, just to educate if you didn’t know. Chan Marshall (Cat Power) pronounces her same as Sean Marshall. If you’re new to her and only listening due to the Dylan connection, I highly recommend her original albums Moon Pix and You Are Free.
I agree that you need to see Jason Isbell live. You won’t be disappointed. We saw Amanda Shires with the HighWomen at the Gorge near Seattle. It was our favorite show if 2023.
My favorite album of the year is The Rolling Stones - Hackney Diamonds. So, to me, it is the best album of the year of all the new releases from 2023 that I bought and heard. Other favorites include, in no particular order: Metallica - 72 Seasons Overkill - Scorched KK's Priest - The Sinner Rides Again Pretenders - Relentless Vintage Trouble - Heavy Hymnal Dokken - Heaven Comes Down Tempt - S/T Jag Panzer - The Hallowed Primal Fear - Code Red Chris Boltendahl's Steelhammer - Reborn In Flames Mammoth WVH - Mammoth II (Still deciding amongst those 12 or so albums on which 10 will make my final top 10 of 2023.) Some others that I've enjoyed in 2023 include: John Mellencamp - Orpheus Descending Alice Cooper - Road Brian Setzer - The Devil Always Collects Ann Wilson & Tripsitter - Another Door Greta Van Fleet - Starcatcher (Probably their best LP, though not nearly as good as their debut EP.) Last In Line - Jericho Dolly Parton - Rockstar (fun album, hearing her take on some classic rock songs, collaborating with other rock legends, and even her 9 or so new original rock songs.)
I greatly enjoyed your list. Going to that Third Mind show in Seattle, as well. I know it is sacrilegious to say this, but Dylan and the Stones have always been like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. So, 23 out of 25 ain’t bad!
Is that Slowdive cover the same maze as the one in the gatefold of Satanic Majesties? I'm an Isbell fan but Weathervanes hasn't quite clicked with me and I know I'm in the minority on that. The Stones and Marty Stuart would also make my list if it existed. Marty's "Way Out West" is one of my favorite records! I'll look into some of these. Thanks, Mazzy, for bringing us new music!
Hey Mazz! Great list! Love how you stay up to date with newer acts at your age (unlike most) and how your passion comes through for the artists you grew up with. Have a great holiday!
Check out Southeastern & also the Blue album. Very influenced by John Prine. Isbell's social ideology is so akin to yours. Weathervanes is totally self reflective. Beautiful record.
Enjoyed your list Mazzy. Big fan of the Shirley Collins records since Domino started releasing her material. Great to see Slowdive on the list. The new album is so good. As good as there Just for a Day and Slouvlaki period which I love. Not too sure of The Rolling stones album though. You can keep that one 😊
Only Yo La Tengo and Anonhi on my list but that's what makes music such an incredible and diverse world. Must check out that Nick Cave album though, I missed that one.
Rufus and his sister, Martha, were on one of those late night shows 48:55 recently (maybe Kimmel), and covered a Sufjan Stevens song. I’m sure it’s floating around on you tube if you’re so inclined. It was absolutely beautiful (and also tear 😢 inducing).
Always stunned by your eclectic & diverse end year lists. It is always a pleasure to me to check your recommendations between Xmas and New year Day! Merry Christmas wishes from South Germany, Mazzy🎉
5. 'Death Pill' by Death Pill 4. 'Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle' by Moonlight Sorcery 3. 'Yallah Beibe' by MC YALLAH 2. 'Sator Arepo' by Judgitzu 1. 'Seasons Dreaming Death' by GraveRipper
The Blur album cover looks like it was shot at Gourock (Scotland) open air swimming pool. I used to go there in the summer, not quite like when the shot was taken.
Shirley Collins-Archangel Hill, Sufjan Stevens-Javelin, Yo La Tengo-This Stupid World, Ron Sexsmith-The Vivian Line, Paul Simon-Seven Psalms, Teenage Fanclub- Nothing Lasts Forever, Handsome Family-Hollow, Blur- Ballad Of Darren, Wilco- Cousin, Iron And Wine-Who Can See Forever and Brian Eno-Foreverandevernomore.........Happy Holidays!
Thanks for the list! Lots of new music for me to listen to, so thanks for that!
Here's mine:
1. The Lemon Twigs - "Everything Harmony"
2. Darlingside - "Everything is Alive"
3. Charles Wesley Godwin - "Family Ties"
4. Foo Fighters - "But Here We Are"
5. Sufjan Stevens - "Javelin"
6. Slowdive - "everything is alive"
7. Sleep Token - "Take Me Back To Eden"
8. Mondo Drag - "Through the Hourglass"
9. Boygenius - "the record"
10. Chris Stapleton - "Higher"
11. Balance and Composure - "Too Quick to Forgive"
12. Paul Simon - "Seven Psalms"
13. Green Lung - "This Heathen Land"
14. Feist - "Multitudes"
15. Wilder Woods - "FEVER / SKY"
16. Lana Del Rey - "Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd"
17. Jon Guerra - "Ordinary Ways"
18. The Wilder Blue - "Supernatural"
19. Moon Safari - "Himlabacken (Vol. 2)"
20. Cicada - "Seeking the Sources of Streams"
21. Ludwig Goransson - Oppenheimer Soundtrack
22. Nospün - "Opus"
23. Zach Bryan - "Zach Bryan"
24. No Signal - "Distorted Reality"
25. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - "Weathervanes"
Another great posting. Thanx for providing so much interesting stuff thru the year. Have a great Christmas and see you in the New Year.
Excellent selection of albums. Happy Holidays!
THanks for Sharing, Norman. Enjoyed the video and Merry Christmas
What a list Mazzy, excellent. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Aberdeen, Scotland.👍🏼
Oy oy Mazzy,excellent to see you give a shout to Shirley Collins, the true queen of England in the hearts of us old bohos and bozos.Its wonderful to have her back,if you don't know them I urge you to check out her previous two albums,Lodestar,and Heartsease,both as great as Archangel Hill,and obviously the superb album on Harvest,Anthems in Eden,a truly wonderful record.Happy New Year man,I always enjoy your little chats,keep it up
Merry Christmas Mazzy and thank you for this Best of List Shirley Collins, Marty Stewart and Bob pretty spectacular
Man, I LOVE your selections. Thank you for the Sparklehorse love. My absolute favorite artist and was always a bit ignored. RIP Mark Linkous.
I have really enjoyed your show! I was a big fan of Rickie Lee Jones early albums but had stopped buying her last few records. You talked about Pieces of Treasure. I listened to it and if someone asks me my reaction I say "I cry, I smile". Thanks for turning me on to a lot of great new music. I bought Gene Clark's last CD and was reminded of how much The Byrds meant to me. I'm in the process of buying solo albums of members of my second favorite group. Thanks Mazzy! I'm telling all my friends here in Athens,GA about your show.
great selectionn Mazzy.Merry Christmas.
Thanks Mazzy a somewhat funny year in music or wa it just me. Thx for the heads up and reminders more than anything. Appreciate the channel and the time you spend sharing the music. Go easy…oh and nice suit…love a suit. 😊
Hey Maz, so one of my most listened to songs this year was Arthur McBride by Paul Brady and Andy Irvine. It basically led me on a path of other versions of this song in which I discovered the beautiful cover by Rufus. I watched a wonderful UA-cam video of Paul Brady and Rufus performing it together. I love his piano on this track as on the original it is performed with an acoustic guitar. Wild Mountain Thyme is also a favorite of mine because of its rich history with Celtic performers. Van Morrison does a lovely version of this song on Hard Nose the Highway. He titles it “Purple Heather”. Anyway, Folkology is definitely on my radar and I’m sure I’ll be purchasing it shortly after the Holiday. I’m glad to see it has the Mazzy stamp of approval. Hahaha
Happy Holidays,
Brian☘️
Hey Maz - I'm glad 'Folkocracy' is your #1 as it's mine as well. It's so heartfelt and beautiful - every cut on it speaks. I'll be buying the Third Mind record as well as the Joy'All, Javelin and a couple others you mention. Great choices - great range. Love it all. Keep up the great work!
Oh such a great list and so much more music that I am having a first time listen too - Great stuff and happy new year from Finland
Thank you Mazzy, great list. Looking forward to more from you in 2024. Much ❤
Thanks Mazzy. Rufus Wainwright at the end - fantastic. I grew up with Loudon Wainwright III. Fantastic 'Then and Now' 🙂
Hi Norman.
Good selection and thanks for introducing some albums I was not aware of. When you put up the Peter Gabriel i/o video a couple of weeks ago I thought of making a comment about my introduction to Peter Gabriel and this is it. In September 1972 as a 16 year old I went to see a English folk rock band named Lindisfarne and supporting them was Genesis. This was the famous show where PG came out half way through the show wearing the his wife's red dress and a foxes head. The audience were still standing and applauding Genesis when the main act came on.
Keep up the Good work.
Cheers from Dublin Ireland
Yo Ho Ho
Mazzy, always true to your heart when you make your picks. Great selections! Although I’m a huge Rufus fan (and yes it was a VERY expensive packaging to make) his record barely missed my top 10. Wish I had more listening time for Peter Gabriel & Sufjan. Never got around to listening to Isbell, Sparklehorse & Slowdive. Soo much music and not enough time. 🎶🎸🥁🎺
Great list and comments too. Lots to check out. Thank you.
I enjoyed your varied Top 25 of 2023 list. Isbell, Slowdive and Sufjan are on mine as well. Nice to see Luluc get some love; I don't see them mentioned much. I got into them with 2018's Sculptor which I played A LOT back in 2018-2019. Happy holidays and cheers!
Thanks Mazzy. I’ll check out all of your selections. All are new to me. Happy holidays!
Rufus’ Folkology is fantastic. After streaming this over the last month, I finally ordered it through my local record store.
Thanks Norman (from Vancouver Island) This was the best “best of list” I have seen. I really liked the breadth of artists and type of music. When I looked at the NYTimes best albums I only recognized one name on their list; the Guardian was the same possibly even worse. It’s like they narrowed down the types of music and artists that are eligible for consideration prior to choosing their top albums. Congratulations. There is at least 10 on your list I am going to look for here in Victoria. Thanks
Great video and choices... for whats it worth..my 10 of 2023
1 ØXN - Cyrm
2 The Rolling Stones - Hackney Diamonds
3 Protomartyr - Formal Growth In The Desert
4 The Bonk - Greater Than Or Equal To
5 Squid - O Monolith
6 Ambassade - The Fool.
7 John Cale - Mercy
8 Evgueni Galperine - Theory Of Becoming
9 Model/Actriz - Dogsbody
10 London Brew - London Brew
Well presented. Not a frequent guest here. My number 1 and 2 are always changing places: P. J. Harvey‘s kind of Dorset folk noir, and Fire! Orchestra‘s ECHOES (a tender soulful jazz-fuelled tour de force made in Sweden) . i lost the Stones somewhere in the 70‘s, but have a knack for some of these albums here, like Wilco, Blur, and the wonderful Rickie Lee Jones.
great list..nice to hear rickie lee there..one album i thought might be there was paul simon's new one...my best to you for the holiday season and the coming year my friend..peace..rocky
Thanks Mr Maslov, a great list with a delightfully wide range of genres and styles. Strangely enough I am not such a fan of that RLJ album despite having most of her others on vinyl and CD. On the other hand the Anohni album was a revelation and probably one to purchase in January. Have a great festive time if you are celebrating.
Great selections Mazzy, I've written down 8 to listen to over the christmas break.
Enjoyed the countdown (not a Steely Dan record in sight 👍) thanks for all the posts; have a great Christmas
Blur is making a lot of lists and glad you included it. Just a fantastic record and everyone should give it a listen. One of their best.
Thanks for a great year of reviews of music, started me buying music again, is cds OK,Ry Cooder and Van morrison collection has grown
Happy holiday's Maz Man you look so snappy cheers
Thanks for your list. Some albums are now in the shopping cart (Rufus Wainwright, Marty Stuart asm) I wish you a nice time, health and kind regards from Germany.
Good review. I already have several albums in the list but I now have a list to listen to.😊
I have The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan in my Top 10 of 2023. I still listen to some of today's pop music. I did like that Sparks documentary.
My Top 10 Albums Of 2023:
(10) Steven Wilson "The Harmony Codex"
(09) Skating Polly "Chaos County Line"
(08) Miley Cyrus "Endless Summer Vacation"
(07) Paramore "This Is Why"
(06) Taylor Swift "Speak Now"/ "1989" (Taylor's Version)
(05) Bob Dylan "Shadow Kingdom"
(04) Madison Beer "Silence Between Songs"
(03) Lana Del Rey "Did You Know That There's A Tunnel"
(02) The Rolling Stones "Hackney Diamonds"
(01) Olivia Rodrigo "GUTS"
You lose pts on 1, 6 and 8
Have GUTS in my top 10, as well. It's brilliant.
Found your channel this year. Love streaming to try out your picks. I love finding new music. Suggestion, Alison Russell's second album "The Returner". ✌️
Merry Christmas Mazy
Thank you for this Best Of List
Shirley Collin’s, Marty Stewart and Bob. Spectacular!
Can’t wait for Wankers List
Great choices Mazzy! I got Folkocracy from my local library. The King County library system is a great place to find CD's.
Great list, Mazzy. Now I'm going to have to procrastinate mine even longer by checking out of some of the ones you mentioned that I missed completely. Or just save them for a listen in the new year. Cool to see Isbell represented and of course Sparklehorse. Especially so high up on your list.
I thank you for Sparklehorse ✌🏼
Great great list
Hey Mazzi, Great presentation once again! In fact of all the music blogs I have seen or follow on YT yours is amongst the best presented, inspiring and engaging. Compliments🌟Even though our music tastes differ considerably at times. In this video there’s a match with for instance the Yo La Tengo album. No I wouldn’t call it country rock, nor even a bit of that. YLT have been a foundational indie rock band for ages. I best like their older work from the 1990s. Cat Power, what a voice, especially with her older work. The new Wilco is nice but their music becoming too familiar over the years. On this album the catchiness of the tracks differs to my ears. PJ Harvey, great, and I am a devotee, but with this record I miss the old days with memorable songs like those on Rid of me. The Sufjan Stevens also brings back great memories.
I had a difficult time in choosing my best 2023 albums to be honest. I tend to backlog or dig in the past these days. Alongside the previously mentioned albums the new Circus Devils, Blonde Redhead, Drop Nineteens, Smoke fairies and Protomartyr are among the new albums that tickled my fancy.
Keep m coming and who knows, we may run into each other on some record fair across the Atlantic someday. Perhaps the greatest record and cd fair in the Netherlands (Den Bosch) coming April. Merry Christmas and a happy music filled 2024🎉🎶
Hi mazzy you’ll be surprised to hear 4 of your choices will be in my favourites . Thanks for sharing your favourites have a great Christmas 👍🎄
Working on my list, I think I'm going to have a couple in common with the Mazzlist. There's a few shown here that I haven't gotten around to yet and might make my "Best of 2023 First Heard in 2024" list.
@@RekkidTalkhi Chris you commented recently that you preferred squids debut to o monolith.. the problem for me is 2023 is so hard to rank ..
Love Rickie Lee Jones but never picked this up..I need to…you got me intrigued with the Shirley Collins album..love that Marty Stuart album!!!…Cat Power Sings Dylan high on my best of list👍Peter Gabriel is the best of 23..gets better with each listen..still haven’t picked up Third Mind 2..it’s in the cart…The Dylan album is a favourite..I need to give Javelin another listen…same with Folkaracy..thanks for this Mazzy❤❤👍glen
Thx for the season greetings gift, ive got a few, but will gift myself some more.
Brilliant.
Most of my top albums are stuck in the #postrock genre but there’s quite a few in your list for me to check out.
#vinylwankers 😊
You’re the greatest Mazzy! I’m not sure where to start in collecting these albums. Maybe the top 5!
Thanks for the pointer to the new Luluc record. I saw them live years ago when more of the Australian and New Zealand musicians were able to do the Canadian folk festival circuit. They were lovely.
Wow, I am amazed! Great list. And what’s the most impressive: Your No. 1 is mine, too!
Greetings from Germany!
Folkocracy for me too, I came to it through you, thanks!
Sufjan Stevens my personal #1 for 2023. The album from Luluc- Diamonds is the one I need to explore. Always learn about Artists/albums from you. This list was no exception. Thank You!
Hey there! Longtime viewer, first time commenter just dropping in to say that Nick Cave album does have more! It got put out digitally over the summer before it saw physical release, and the digital version has 10 more songs on it. I understand how making it a triple LP could be cost-prohibitive and a big financial ask for fans, especially coming so soon off the heels of that massive B-Sides and Rarities box, but still, would've loved to have the unabridged tracklist in some physical form - to me, it's kind of begging for a double CD.
Lots of love for many of the records here, especially the Sufjan album. My favorite this year, though, is Hayden Pedigo's album The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored. Strongly recommended if you're into any of that John Fahey/Leo Kottke/Michael Hedges style guitar playing. It's just really soothing, patient, melodic acoustic guitar atmospheres. I find it very touching. If you've heard it, I would love to know your thoughts!
Mazzy, I'm always impressed by your bandwidth when it comes to knowledge and appreciation for music across genres and time. And it comes off as completely genuine.
I know there's quality new music being made but I often get frustrated by the duds and revert back to my tried and true favorites. I'm stubborn but not obstinate so I'll try a few on your list. 😉
I'm gonna cheat a bit and say the best release of 2023 is the Dead's 1973 RFK show. Stunning recording by Owsley and mastering by Jeffrey Norman. 🤯
That Dead set is great. Maybe it should have been included in my archival or box set best lists. Instead I included the final night of Fillmore West 69
Wonderful list Mazzy. I have none of these on my list, but, that is what I follow your channel for exactly. A Rock guy myself I plan on doing my own video and it won’t be as ‘complete’ as your extensive list here. Some favourites of mine for the year include:
City and Colour
‘The Love Still Held Me Near’
The National
‘First Two Pages of Frankenstein’
Depeche Mode ‘Momento Mori ‘
Foo Fighters
‘But Here We Are’
Metallica
‘72 Seasons’
Metric
‘Formentera’
Great list!
Nice list. I'd add Allison Russell , The Returner as well. Along with Peter Gabriel's I/O, probably my two favorite albums of 2023.
Happy Holidays Mazz!
Appreciate seeing your list, Norman. Here's mine:
Xiu Xiu: Ignore Grief
Mandy, Indiana: I've Seen A Way
PJ Harvey: I Inside The Old Year Dying
Jaimie Branch: Fly Or Die Fly Or Die Fly Or Die
ANTOHNI: My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross
Armond Hammer: We Buy Diabetic Test Strips
Sprain: The Lamb As Effigy
Snooper: Super Snooper
Matana Roberts: Coin Coin Chapter Five
Feeble Little Horse: Girl With Fish
Mazzy what do u spend on albums a month? Are some of them free? Just curious dude u got EVERYTHING lol happy holidays great list!
Wow, just watched this with my wife. We paused after every record and listened to a song. Winners - Marty Stuart, Jason Isbell, Lemon Twigs, Anohni (our favorite), Jenny Lewis and Luluc. What a great way to spend an evening together!
Thank you and enjoy the music ✌🏼
Excellent run down Mazzy. A real eclectic selection there.
Wilko and Blur, very good albums! Thanks for the reviews Mazzy
Yes! PJ Harvey Peter Gabriel etc I will check out others! Happy Holidays as you Americans say Mazzy have a good one!
Hi Mazzy, thanks for your list. I used to follow contemporary music but now it's mainly classical & jazz, inspired by the huge number of LP re-issues. I thought you'd be interested in some suggestions that have stood the test of time:
Diane Coffee: Everybody's A Good Dog
Dawes: All Your Favorite Bands
The Electric Soft Parade: Idiots
Keane: Strangeland
Let me know if you want more?
Interesting list, I'm familiar with most but will definitely check out the others. I'm not a big Rufus fan but will try and keep an open mind.
Can we do Tomorrow Another Day by Galen & Paul is probably my favorite album of 2023.
Edit: Just checked out Jason Isbell's album and, like you, I had sort of had a prejudice towards him. Unfortunately that prejudice still stands.
A lot of great inspiration on that list, thank you very much. But: The National? First Two Pages of Frankenstein? 🙂🤘
Never heard of Luluc. Will check that out. Javelin is really great. Definitely makes my Top 25. To me, it’s something I’m used to from Sufjan Stevens. The only reason why I don’t have it higher on my list. Great varied list here, Mazzy. Well done.
Medium rare 🥩🍸
I haven't yet heard any of these yet, but what amazes me is that all of your choices for this year were issued on vinyl. I would guess that wouldn't have been with case with a list from five years ago. --True vinyl revival.
Merry Xmas Mazzy! 🎄🎁🎄
Sufjan Stevens Javelin is the best of 2023 for me 🎉❤
Your camera quality looks sharp. Outfit too. 👍
Great list, helpful for my trip to the record store today. Have to mention the record I couldn’t put down this year…Meshell Ndegeocello’s “The Omnichord Real Book”.
That's a fantastic list! Since you mentioned Laurel Canyon sound you might like Dylan LeBlanc "Coyote"
The Byrds’ version of “Wild Mountain Thyme” is one of my all-time favorites. I will check out Rufus Wainwright’s album. Thanks!
Great list…check out Logan Ledger-Golden State, great west coast Laurel Canyon stuff. Also, Isbell is a great songwriter..his song Elephant is incredible.
Lots of records for me to check out on that list.
For me the record I’ve played the most is Jessie Ware’s - That! Feels Good!
It’s the best parts of 70’s disco where you end up dancing and singing along from start to finish. It makes you smile. Who doesn’t need more of that at the minute?!
Hi Mazzy, enjoyed your video. I have a few of your picks in my own list. To avoid sounding like Michael 45 who likes every album he has ever heard, how about doing a list of the 10 most disappointing releases from 2023. There has to be a few. Happy Christmas, have a great holiday.
Hi Norman
Excellent list, but you'll need to purchase (EU import) some extra 2023 releases from my 2023 album chart 😅
Some of my favorites in random order:
01) Loverman: Lovesongs (PIAS)
02) Melanie De Biasio: Il Viaggio (PIAS)
03) Depeche Mode: Memento Mori (Columbia - Sony)
04) bar italia: Tracey Denim (Matador)
05) Ão: Ão mar (Mayway Records)
06) Angie MacMahon: Light, Dark, Light Again (Gracie Music - Awal)
07) Maple Glider: I Get Into Trouble (Partisan)
08) Caroline Polachek - Desire I Want to Turn Into You (Perpetual Novice)
09) dEUS: How to Replace It (PIAS)
10) Isolde Lasoen: Oh Dear (Mayway) (she's also ex-drummer from Absynthe Minded, they released Sunday Painter this year)
11) Feist: Multitudes (Universal)
12) Dijf Sanders: Supra (Unday)
13) Peter Gabriel: I/O (Real World)
14) Elias: Bloomed Exploded (Unday)
15) Alison Goldfrapp: Love (Re)Invention (Skint)
16) shame: Food for Worms (Dead Oceans)
17) Timber Timbre: Lovage (Hot Dreams)
18) The National: First Two Pages / Laugh Track (4AD)
19) Bitty McLean + Sly & Robbie: Forward (in memory of Robbie Shakespeare) (Tabou1)
20) Billie Marten: Drop Cherries (Fiction)
21) Stephen Sanchez: Angel Face (Mercury - Republic)
22) Orbital: Optical Delusion (London Music).
23) Róisín Murphy: Hit Parade (Ninja Tune)
24) Anna St. Louis: In the Air (Woodsist)
25) PJ Harvey: I Inside the Old Year Dying (Partisan)
26) Everything but the Girl: Fuse
27) Lana del Rey: Did You Know
28) Absynthe Minded: Sunday Painter
29) Rolling Stones: Hackney Diamonds
30) Jonathan Wilson: Eat the Worm
31) Squid: O Monolith
+ most jazz releases from Sdban Records!!!
Happy holidays!!!
I have not listened to any of these, but, I jotted them down and will check them out.
Happy Holidays, Mazzy... to you, "The Archivist" & her "Guy on the Street," Kimbo, Coffee Dave & Julie, Dr. Robert and the rest of the Merry Pranksters: Seattle Edition.
I bought the Sparklehorse album on your recommendation. What a fantastic & wonderful surprise. Wow, I want them all, but a bit late to this party. The other Sparklehirse album cost a fortune. Oh well, at least I can enjoy Bird House. Thank you, again
Wonderful! Happy you like it. I don’t have the withers either
Mark Linkous was absolutely wonderful. I love the sense of unease and strangeness that lurks in his music. It’s that weird underbelly of small, remote towns, I guess. I think More Yellow Birds (off It’s a Wonderful Life) is one of the most beautiful, and saddest, songs ever written.
I was going to do a list but only picked up 34, 272 new releases this year, so lack a more rounded, exhaustive lens on the sounds on offer.
Not to be critical, just to educate if you didn’t know. Chan Marshall (Cat Power) pronounces her same as Sean Marshall. If you’re new to her and only listening due to the Dylan connection, I highly recommend her original albums Moon Pix and You Are Free.
I got that wrong but I’m not new. Got in during the Greatest 2007/8
Yo La Tengo is from my hometown.. Hoboken, New Jersey.. Just like Frank Sinatra.
I agree that you need to see Jason Isbell live. You won’t be disappointed. We saw Amanda Shires with the HighWomen at the Gorge near Seattle. It was our favorite show if 2023.
My favorite album of the year is The Rolling Stones - Hackney Diamonds. So, to me, it is the best album of the year of all the new releases from 2023 that I bought and heard. Other favorites include, in no particular order:
Metallica - 72 Seasons
Overkill - Scorched
KK's Priest - The Sinner Rides Again
Pretenders - Relentless
Vintage Trouble - Heavy Hymnal
Dokken - Heaven Comes Down
Tempt - S/T
Jag Panzer - The Hallowed
Primal Fear - Code Red
Chris Boltendahl's Steelhammer - Reborn In Flames
Mammoth WVH - Mammoth II
(Still deciding amongst those 12 or so albums on which 10 will make my final top 10 of 2023.)
Some others that I've enjoyed in 2023 include:
John Mellencamp - Orpheus Descending
Alice Cooper - Road
Brian Setzer - The Devil Always Collects
Ann Wilson & Tripsitter - Another Door
Greta Van Fleet - Starcatcher (Probably their best LP, though not nearly as good as their debut EP.)
Last In Line - Jericho
Dolly Parton - Rockstar (fun album, hearing her take on some classic rock songs, collaborating with other rock legends, and even her 9 or so new original rock songs.)
💩💩💩🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@Charles-qn1bt Let's see your list, so I can crap on and laugh at your choices too.
I greatly enjoyed your list. Going to that Third Mind show in Seattle, as well.
I know it is sacrilegious to say this, but Dylan and the Stones have always been like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. So, 23 out of 25 ain’t bad!
Is that Slowdive cover the same maze as the one in the gatefold of Satanic Majesties? I'm an Isbell fan but Weathervanes hasn't quite clicked with me and I know I'm in the minority on that. The Stones and Marty Stuart would also make my list if it existed. Marty's "Way Out West" is one of my favorite records! I'll look into some of these. Thanks, Mazzy, for bringing us new music!
Hey Mazz! Great list! Love how you stay up to date with newer acts at your age (unlike most) and how your passion comes through for the artists you grew up with. Have a great holiday!
Check out Southeastern & also the Blue album. Very influenced by John Prine. Isbell's social ideology is so akin to yours. Weathervanes is totally self reflective. Beautiful record.
Enjoyed your list Mazzy. Big fan of the Shirley Collins records since Domino started releasing her material. Great to see Slowdive on the list. The new album is so good. As good as there Just for a Day and Slouvlaki period which I love. Not too sure of The Rolling stones album though. You can keep that one 😊
Thanks for the Lemon Twigs recommendation. That record is crazy good!
You bet! Check them out live if you can ✌🏼
Only Yo La Tengo and Anonhi on my list but that's what makes music such an incredible and diverse world. Must check out that Nick Cave album though, I missed that one.
Rufus and his sister, Martha, were on one of those late night shows 48:55 recently (maybe Kimmel), and covered a Sufjan Stevens song. I’m sure it’s floating around on you tube if you’re so inclined. It was absolutely beautiful (and also tear 😢 inducing).
Always stunned by your eclectic & diverse end year lists. It is always a pleasure to me to check your recommendations between Xmas and New year Day! Merry Christmas wishes from South Germany, Mazzy🎉
Happy new year✌🏼
yes when i 1st heard " sweet sounds " i thought it would be the perfect closer to " exile ".
Actually Archangel Hill is Shirley Collins‘ third album since 2016. The other two, Lodestar and Heart‘s Ease, are just as good as the new one.
5. 'Death Pill' by Death Pill
4. 'Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle' by Moonlight Sorcery
3. 'Yallah Beibe' by MC YALLAH
2. 'Sator Arepo' by Judgitzu
1. 'Seasons Dreaming Death' by GraveRipper
Still undecided which of the PG mixes I prefer.
The Blur album cover looks like it was shot at Gourock (Scotland) open air swimming pool. I used to go there in the summer, not quite like when the shot was taken.
That Mudhoney is a great album, they have always been my favorite band from that era anyways.