ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Graveyard – 6
Swedish psych/roots rockers Graveyard have again managed to dominate my “end-of-year” albums list. Graveyard’s sixth album (appropriately titled “6”) not only topped my list as my favorite album of 2023, but I honestly believe this to be Graveyard’s best work since their 2012 release, Lights Out. “6” is a fine collection of melancholic, psychedelic, moody hard rock pulling more from their Doors influence this time around and trust me, this is a great thing. Graveyard is a band that always keeps me guessing. I never know what to expect from a new Graveyard album, which is exciting for any fan to feel. This time, Graveyard knocked it out of the park by making an album they truly wanted to make for themselves. “6” is a spectacular album that can’t be matched. What a time to be a fan of a band. I’m already excited for the next chapter.
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#2: Rubber Tea – From a Fading World
Germany’s Rubber Tea made it just under the wire and delivered my 2nd favorite album of 2023. Combining influences of music such as psych rock, jazz, progressive rock, and even a dab of Black Sabbath where it counts, Rubber Tea released one of the most diverse, fun, and exciting albums I’ve heard. Beautiful vocals, instrumentation such as saxophone and flute, and thoughtful attention to the details of making a fantastic sounding album, Rubber Tea is band wise beyond their youthful years. If this album is any indication of what Rubber Tea has in its reserves, I can guarantee that this will be a band with no limits.
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#3: Roger Waters – Dark Side of the Moon Redux
It is usually a terrible sign when I hear an artist “re-imagining” a classic album. It’s like, why even mess with something that is already perfect? Well, Roger Waters released Dark Side of the Moon Redux in 2023, and the result was mind-bending. Featuring some unsettling and dark monologue/poetry between the songs delivered in the speaking voice of Roger Waters is something I can’t even get out of my head. The songs are stripped down significantly and have taken on a much darker, unsettling, and, at times, sinister edge. Hearing Dark Side of the Moon from the perspective of a now. Eighty years old, it’s clear that these songs have taken on a whole new meaning. While the message may be the same (which is sad at times), the delivery is that of an artist who has lived through it all and then some. When I say I feel this album, I genuinely mean it. At times, Dark Side of the Moon Redux shook me to the core, and other times I was floating like a pig on the wing without care—a brilliant surprise from a brilliant, mad, disturbed, and complex artist.
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#4: boygenius – the record
The last few years have seen me finding a soft spot in my heart and soul for indie rock/folk rock, and after hearing one song from boygenius, I was sold and became a huge fan. boygenius’s debut full-length album is an astonishing and emotionally charged collection of indie rock, folk rock, and even straight-up 60s-inspired folk music. With three insanely talented singer/songwriters (Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus), boygenius proves that something genuinely spectacular can happen when powerful artists combine their forces with egos left at the door. This album is a game-changer for me, and I can’t wait to hear more from boygenius.
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#5: Rae and the Ragdolls – Sunshine in a Shadow Vol. II
Atlanta. A city that boasts more shitty bands per capita than any other city in this fucking country. I never get my hopes up of finding a band that I could give a rat’s ass about, but this year, I found two. The first is 60s psych/trip rockers Rae and the Ragdolls: their 2nd album, Sunshine in a Shadow Vol. II is a fantastic psychedelic, southern-infused rock’ n’ roll collection that would’ve had them huge in the 90s jam band scene. Killer vocals, great playing, and songwriting with great hooks and catchy melodies make Sunshine in a Shadow Vol II a ton of fun to listen to on even the bleakest, gloomiest days. Rae and the Ragdolls bring the sun and blue skies wherever they go, so crack open the curtains and let ’em in!
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#6: Brother Hawk – The Dreamer
Atlanta band #2 on my list is Brother Hawk. How can I describe Brother Hawk and do them justice? The best way I can describe them is to imagine if Alice In Chains and Mother Love Bone were from Georgia, telling stories of loss, love, and seeking with all of the storytelling charm of the best southern bluesmen. They’re alternative, their southern, their rock, they’re everything. The Dreamer is an outstanding collection of moving and inspired songs by a band that, sadly, more people don’t know about. If there’s a band that has the potential to be something big, it’s Brother Hawk. Open your ears, folks, and you’ll be glad you did.
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#7: Tomas Eriksson – Saga fran ett skogsbryn
When Tomas isn’t the bassist for Swedish folk/occult rockers Lykantropi, he works on his own material. In 2023, he graced us all with his debut solo album, Saga Franett Skogsbryn (roughly translated to Tale From the Edge of the Forest). Saga fran ett skogsbryn comprises ten outstanding instrumental compositions I can only describe: woodsy, dreamy, psychedelic folk. I love it when an album takes you on a journey, and Saga fran ett skogsbryn does just that. It’s the perfect soundtrack for a long walk in the woods, not caring if you get lost. It’s a wander’s Tale without words, leaving things open for your narrative. Saga fran ett skogsbryn is a beautiful album, and I think anyone and everyone should find it easy to immerse themselves in.
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#8: The Winery Dogs – III
Billed as a progressive hard rock supergroup, Winery Dogs have surpassed that stereotype and, after three albums, proved that they are more than a supergroup. They are a collective of three outstanding performers and writers. Much like boygenius, Drummer Mike Portnoy, bassist Billy Sheehan, and guitarist/vocalist Richie Kotzen combined their forces and created a fun, somewhat mindless album, and again, FUN. Not all music needs to be thought-provoking or profound. After not connecting with them on the first two albums, Winery Dogs III seemed to bring it all together, and it clicked with me, entertained me, and even had me busting out the air guitar a few times. This isn’t rocket science. This is just good, fun, hard rock music played by exceptional musicians. Nothin’ but a good time, indeed.
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#9: Hallas – The Hallas Saga – Live at Cirkus
The third of four Swedish bands (see a pattern here?), cosmic adventure rockers Hallas released The Hallas Saga – Live at Cirkus. Following the adventures of an astral traveler named Hallas, the band created a trilogy telling the Tale of Hallas on the last two songs of their debut EP, followed by Excerpts of Future Past, concluding with the album Conundrum. To celebrate the trilogy’s completion, the band decided to do a one-off show in front of a seated audience at Cirkus, a classic venue in Stockholm, and perform the Hallas Trilogy in its entirety. This is a live album in the truest sense of the world. The energy is off the charts, and the performances are engaging and make me feel as if I was there taking it all in. Live at Cirkus is just a small slice of what was an unforgettable pie, and I can only hope that, eventually, Hallas will present us with the whole fucking pie sooner than later!
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#10: Dina Ogon – Oas
I discovered Sweden’s Dina Ogon (translated to “Your Eyes”) by accident, and it was one of the most pleasant accidents I’ve ever had. My buddy James recommended a band for me to check out on YouTube, and when I decided I didn’t like them, I saw this video for a Dina Ogon called “Bakom Glaset” on the sidebar, and what I heard was sweet, sweet sugar for my ears. Elements of 60s-era tambourine pop, soul, and funk music are combined to create a dreamy, warm, and even sexy tone while the lyrics are all sung in Swedish. I found this really cool because it allowed me to drift into the music, and the vocals were almost a meditative tool. Dina Ogon’s Oas album is perfect for your dinner party, Sunday morning reading, or even a 1 am chill session with a loved one or a great friend on the patio. I love this album and can’t wait to hear more from Dina Ogon.
THE SOUTHEAST OF HEAVEN TOP ALBUMS OF 2023 PLAYLIST!
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