Top 10 Albums of 2023: Adam

CD 92.9 FM TOP 10 ALBUMS

ADAM'S TOP 10 ALBUMS

the zombies
"Different Game "

I can’t believe it’s 2023 and the Zombies have a new album. Earth changing? Certainly not. Solid? Absolutely! I am such a fan of the Zombies that I have their logo tattooed on my arm, and one of the most exciting moments of the year was getting to see them live for the first time. This album makes my list simply because I listened to it so damn many times this year. (Favorite tracks: “You Could Be My Love,” “Merry Go Round”)

the zombies
"Different Game "

The New Pornographers
" Continue as a Guest "

Most people I speak to say this is the worst New Pornographers album, and they may well be right. The thing is, when you’re as magnificent as the New Pornographers are, even your worst album is really, really good. Their show at Newport Music Hall this year was fantastic! (Favorite tracks: “Really Really Light,” “Bottle Episodes”)

The New Pornographers
"Continue as a Guest"

Kurt Baker
"Rock ’n’ Roll Club"

While I’m not familiar with this power popper’s entire discography, Kurt Baker‘s new release is certainly my favorite of his albums that I know. Some tracks are punky, some tracks sound like ’60s pop, and one is even a bit dancy. But they’re all catchy as hell! (Favorite tracks: “Missed Connection,” “In Love Alone”)

Kurt Baker
"Rock ’n’ Roll Club"

Blur
"The Ballad of Darren"

The first new Blur album in close to a decade, and the first planned Blur album in nearly two. The band manages to sound just like themselves, while still turning out a rock record that sounds fresh and modern. Not an easy feat in 2023! But Blur frontman Damon Albarn had quite the year (see # 5). (Favorite tracks: “St Charles Square,” “The Narcissist”)

Blur
"The Ballad of Darren"

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
"Mindsets"

I love this band so much that I have their logo tattooed on my arm (that statement feels familiar…), and their EP from 2023 did not disappoint one bit! It has that classic Joan Jett & the Blackhearts feel, mixed with more modern production values, as she’s been doing for the last 20 years now and she turned out another absolute rocker. (Favorite tracks: “Rear View Mirror,” “(Make the Music Go) Boom”)

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
"Mindsets"

Gorillaz
"Cracker Island"

An insane list of celebrity guests (Beck, Tame Impala, Bad Bunny, Stevie Nicks, etc) and a seamless mix of various musical genres. Must be a new Gorillaz album! Indeed it is, and while I was initially disappointed that they did not release the second volume of the phenomenal Song Machine project, Damon Albarn and co came back with a record that is somehow even better than I was hoping for. Two great albums from Damon this year! (Favorite tracks: “Oil,” “Skinny Ape”)

the zombies
"Different Game "

Ryan Hamilton
" Haunted by the Holy Ghost"

Repeated production errors delayed the release of this LP multiple times in early 2023, and that combined with other unexpected career obstacles unfortunately lead Ryan Hamilton to retire from music for his own mental health only weeks after this album was released. But he’s picked a great album to go out on! Ryan‘s last LP is more of what his fans have come to expect: a terrific collection of well written singer-songwriter power pop (with the obligatory ’90s alt cover thrown in, and another cover from out of left field: “All My Exes Live in Texas”). Beloved by artists from Frank Turner to Clem Burke (Blondie), Ryan Hamilton is definitely worth a listen. And as for his mental health, Ryan is a very happy new parent and new YouTube host. (Favorite tracks: “Broke My Heart, Fixed My Vision,” “Haunted by the Holy Ghost”)

Ryan Hamilton
"Haunted by the Holy Ghost"

Sparks
"The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte"

Mase is the one who initially turned me onto Sparks and Sparks has now released two new studio albums since Mase died. I really wish I could talk about them with him. Many of Sparks’s 21st century albums have been, by my estimation, their most stylistically diverse albums in their 50+ year career, and this one is no exception. Russell Mael’s voice is as impressive as ever, while Ron Mael’s melodies are some of the catchiest and his lyrics and subjects are as strange and often silly (a good thing for Sparks) as at any point in their career! (Favorite tracks: “Nothing Is as Good as They Say It Is,” “When You Leave”)

Sparks
"The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte"

The Rolling Stones
"Hackney Diamonds"

The last Rolling Stones album that I listened to in its entirety was 1983’s Emotional Rescue. I didn’t think that album was very good, and frankly, the songs that I had heard from later points in their career I thought were…fine. In fact, I wasn’t even planning on listening to the new Rolling Stones album. But then I heard multiple people say that it was great. Then I heard a couple of tracks from it on the radio. So I decided to give it a try. My goodness! I mean, it…it sounds like the Rolling Stones! And not even like simply good Rolling Stones. The album reminds me most of their LPs circa 1967-1972, with some elements of Some Girls thrown in. (For those who are not Stones nerds, I think it sounds like their most highly regarded albums.) Then seamlessly blend in guest musicians Lady Gaga, Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Stevie Wonder? You get yourself an absolute must listen for even the most casual Stones fan. (Favorite tracks: “Bite My Head Off,” “Droving Me Too Hard”)

The Rolling Stones
"Hackney Diamonds"

ADAM'S TOP ALBUM OF 2023

"Every Loser" BY Iggy Pop

When CD 92.9 FM started playing “Frenzy” off of this album in late-2022, I was hopeful that the new Iggy record would be good. By NO means was I prepared for what I encountered on Every Loser. At age 75, Iggy delivered one of the most exciting, engaging, and LOUD albums of his entire career! Iggy comments on the world around him, discussing topics like drug addiction, celebrity culture, modern punk, and his adopted hometown of Miami with rage, humor, sadness, joy, and love. All-star guest musicians (Chad Smith of RHCP, Duff McKagan of Guns ’n’ Roses, Travis Barker, some of the last recorded drumming of Taylor Hawkins, etc) rise to the occasion of playing with the Godfather of Punk. Iggy said the album is designed to “kick the shit out of the listener,” and it certainly does! However, it’s a beating I’ll take any time, lol. (Favorite tracks: “The Regency,” “Neo Punk”)

Written by: CD929

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