Music in the Time of Corona (or, Just Some Selected Data Dumps That I Enjoyed in 2020)

"As awful as it sounds, an album is simply a data dump now." — Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 1/1/21

I'm a few days late delivering my favorite "data dumps" selections for 2020. I have no excuses other than pure exhaustion and an embarrassing lack of motivation. Plus, I wanted to revisit some of these albums before I committed them to a list. 

On New Year's Eve, it came to light that the inimitable Daniel Dumile, a.k.a. MF DOOM, had passed away at the age of 49 two full months before anyone knew. He'd apparently died on Halloween. A mere two weeks ago, two (evidently posthumous) MF DOOM tracks produced by Flying Lotus and BADBADNOTGOOD surfaced. Doesn't really make the bad news any better, but it's something sweet for the ears at least. 

Omissions & Lamentations for 2020: I think 2020 should be an omission. It's already a lamentation. I'd like to be more active on the writing front moving forward and I'm in the process of pursuing a podcast version of this blog. Hopefully, that interests the four or five of you who still give me the time of day.

Like everyone else, I'm hoping for a better year ahead. And, for the return of live music. In the meantime, be sure to hit up those #BandcampFridays. I've provided as many Bandcamp links as possible next to the albums listed below.

Here are my favorite "data dumps" of 2020:

15).  Bent Arcana – s/t (Castle Face)

 


14).  Deerhoof Future Teenage Cave Artists (Joyful Noise)

 


13). BDRMM – Bedroom (Sonic Cathedral)



12). Emma Ruth Rundle & Thou – May Our Chambers Be  Full (Sacred Bones)



11). Osees – Protean Threat (Castle Face)



10). METZ – Atlas Vending (Sub Pop)



9). Boris – NO (Blood Sucker)



8). Run The Jewels – RTJ4 (BMG)



7). Irreversible Entanglements – Who Sent You? (International Anthem)



6). Horse Lords – The Common Task (Northern Spy)

 


5). Protomartyr – Ultimate Success Today (Domino)



4). Coriky – s/t (Dischord)



3). clipping. – Visions of Bodies Being Burned (Sub Pop)



2). Hum – Inlet (Earth Analog Records)



1). Jeff Parkter – Suite for Max Brown (International Anthem/Nonesuch)

 


And, here are my follow ups:

16). Lithics – Tower of Age (Trouble In Mind)

17). The Necks — Three (Northern Spy)

18). GRID – Decomposing Force (NNA Tapes)

19). numün – voyage au soleil (Musique Impossible)

20). Bohren & Der Club Of Gore – Patchouli Blue (Ipecac)

21). Josh Johnson — Freedom Exercise (Northern Spy)

22). Adulkt Life – Book Of Curses (What's Your Rupture?)

23). Anna Von Hausswolff – All Thoughts Fly (Southern Lord)

24). The Soft Pink Truth – Shall We Go On Sinning So That Grace May Increase? (Thrill Jockey)

25). Fiona Apple – Fetch The Bolt Cutters (Epic)

26). Moor Mother – Circuit City (Don Giovanni)

27). J. ZUNZ ­– Hibiscus (Rocket Recordings)

28). Magik Markers – 2020 (Drag City)

29). happy place – tendrils (Exit Stencil)

30). Mrs. Piss — s/t (Sargent House)

31). Couch Slut – Take a Chance on Rock ‘n’ Roll (Gilead Media)

32). Exhalants – Atonement (Bandcamp)

33). Zombi – 2020 (Relapse)

34). Mint FieldSentimiento Mundial (felte)

35). Mr. Bungle – The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo (Ipecac)

36). Spectral Habitat – ATLAS (Verses)

37). Slift Ummon (Bandcamp)

38). Ulver – Flowers Of Evil (House Of Mythology)

39). Flat Worms – Antarctica (Drag City)

40). IDLES – Ultra Mono (Partisan)


Singles & EPs:

1). Beauty Pill – Please Advise (Northern Spy)



2). Swan Wash – The Upstairs Museum (Sister Cylinder)



3). Skyjelly / SoliliansIn The Running 1 split 7" (I Heart Noise)



4). LithicsWendy Kraemer EP (Moone Records)



5). Tropical Fuck Storm — "Suburbiopia" b/w "This Perfect Day" (Joyful Noise)

 

Sincerely,
Letters From A Tapehead

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