I guess what was spawned from pure procrastination has turned into an annual tradition here at The Deli Philly. We are now at our final post of 2015, and here’s my list of 50 favorite Philly EPs/LPs from this year. Do what you want with it. Hopefully you’ll take a listen for yourself. So many good albums this year, I feel bad about cutting it off at 50; otherwise, I would never post this. And without further ado…
1. Nightclub (Self-released) – Blood Sound
Blood Sound crept into my subconscious in 2015. So much so that I contemplated starting my own record label to release their material. But then, I watched the Stones Throw and Creation Records documentaries, and decided maybe I should direct my energies elsewhere. Well, I’m glad that Manimal Vinyl (Bat for Lashes, Warpaint) was smart enough to snatch Blood Sound up for their next single releases. Nightclub is just the beginning of the 80’s dance party that they are about to unleash on the rest of the world. To quote my buddy, Alex, whom I am absolutely jealous of for coming up with this description first: “It sounds like Ian Curtis fronting New Order.”
2. Downer (Infinity Cat) – The City & I
What can I say – “the weed-buttered food baby” of Colins “Bear” Reginsford (Mannequin Pussy, Kids, Ghost Gum), known as Downer, is dope. It’s such a diverse-sounding album with doses of weirdness and grit in all the right places. I thoroughly enjoyed gettin’ high to this one.
3. Pale Horses (Run For Cover) – mewithoutYou
It’s probably been almost a decade since I first heard of mewithoutYou, who was featured in a Philly alt-weekly at that time. The band continues to morph, evolve, and intrigue me after all these years. Pale Horses is thought-provoking material from a seasoned band.
4. Cemetery Highrise Slum (Collect) – Creepoid
What is a common question that circulates around Creepoid: “How are they not bigger?” I don’t know the answer to that, but I hope to stop hearing the question soon. Cemetery Highrise Slum is heavy, grungy psych rock that you need to get into.
5. The Things We Do To Find People Who Feel Like Us (Polyvinyl) – Beach Slang
There is a youthful exuberance to The Things We Do To Find People Who Feel Like Us, which is oddly made by old punks. However, it’s rather cathartic. Beach Slang’s rapid ascension is not at all surprising within the first listen.
You can check out the rest of my list HERE. And Happy New Year!!!