Best of 2022

 2) Hangman's Chair - A Loner

I spent a lot of time thinking about this album in 2022 and still thinking about it deep into 2023. I've oscillated a lot over past years between thinking I was a loner and thinking that's just the insecurity talking and I'm actually like everyone else, a social creature requiring affection and attention. 2022 confirmed it, I'm definitely a loner and thinking otherwise gets me into trouble.

Along with spinning this album somewhat compulsively, I've been thinking about loners from the past, people who lived mostly solitary lives and still contributed to humanity in some definable way. There's a few of them and they certainly have lessons to learn about the dangers of alcoholism and other self-destructive behaviors that ultimately lead to a short life. We'll see if these lessons can help me build some semblance of sustainable existence. Regardless, for this loner, Hangman's Chair is my kind of dear friend.

Best of 2022

 3) Ashenspire - Hostile Architecture

I remember having a thought a long time ago about what a minimum viable society should look like. There were some obvious requirements I think would need to be enforced to truly feel like I was part of something meaningful. Is everyone well-fed and healthy discounting unavoidable illness? When illness strikes is there universal access to care? Is everyone housed adequately? Are there ample avenues of education? Is that education fueled with as much objective information as possible? Does leadership care about the individuals they speak for? Lots of other questions, but thinking about this list it's my perception we've failed at some point and the society we live in isn't a society, but rather a meatgrinder with a perpetually rotating crank under the relentless force of Moloch.

This album is a detailed analysis of the structure and design of the meatgrinder and the hand that cranks it. It's anger blasts and burns and ultimately feels like a welcome catharsis. This is the kind of music that should matter because it exposes evils and expects a response. I think we're beyond the point of looking to our music for guidance, Woodstock was a long time ago. It is nice to see a group of musicians still trying though.