Albums of the Decade - 27. Vampire Weekend - Father of the Bride (2019)

 27. VAMPIRE WEEKEEND - FATHER OF THE BRIDE (2019) 

I did a vlog a few years ago about why Vampire Weekend are the best band of a generation and that opinion still holds forth. Their fourth opus - a double disc extravaganza! - a concept album about the pecularities of marriage - definitely gets a drivetime, Fleetwood-Mac do-over and nothing is conceded, only added to, despite this reckoning.

I went jogging yesterday, December 1st, and it felt great playing this full-bodied record on the first day of advent, as the snow glistened off the Eastern European rooftops. "...off..." is enough in that last sentence, not sure why Americans say "off of..." - luckily Vampire Weekend don't make such clunky songs.

The band have had three albums appear on this albums of the decade list now, and that's surely a reason for them to celebrate among themselves, doesn't matter if it's distancing or a glass of hot wine in a small group; I'm all good.

Albums of 2012 - 49. Mark Lanegan Band - Blues Funeral

49. MARK LANEGAN BAND –  BLUES FUNERAL

This guy has been one of my favorite vocalists for god knows how long. He’s younger than me; he’s 48 and it sounds like he’s drank a centaloun of whiskey and coughed up a fromage of cigars. He’s the master of noir-blues and this one here has got a shade load of soul again. He doesn’t disappoint. I’m liking it when he just sings and his production is distant in some of these tracks whereas in others like the disco-oriented “Ode to Dad Disco” it’s turned right up. I’d hardly call this experimental though, it’s more another unshakeable effort from a voice that’s both damaged and comforting.  It’s perfect for rainy weather. It started my year off with a dirty warmth and comes back full loop as Taipei pisses it down again outside near December. Cheers Lanegan to your whiskey tears!

BEST PLAYED: At midnight when it's pissing it down outside.