Best of 2016 #1: Minor Victories - Minor Victories (Fat Possum)

The race for #1 was a close one, between glitchy and difficult electronica and all-star post punk, and my love lately for modern post punk won out.

Minor Victories are a bit of an all star band, featuring Rachel Goswell, of recently-reunited shoe-gaze legends Slowdive, and quirky folk rockers Mojave 3, Stuart Braithwaite of menancing Scottish drone-rock band Mogwai, and Justin Lockey of Brit-alt-rockers The Editors. Given that I already love Slowdive and Mogwai, it seemed natural I'd love this band.

As a band, they are equal parts of the bands they came from. Goswell brings the slow-paced disaffection and dreamy vocals of Slowdive. Braithwaite brings the drums of Mogwai, along with the slowly rising wall-of-noise assault that Mogwai is known for. Lockey brings more of a melodic, indy pop feel to the band. The result is a cascading melange of sound, at times dark and brooding, and at times soaring and orchestral.

The range of the album is remarkable. You'll find yourself bouncing from emotion to emotion as the songs change through the album, and often as the songs progress.

Sadly, this band likely won't be long for this world. This was their debut and with Slowdive reuniting and already having released an album this year, Goswell will likely be focusing on her first band. Nevertheless, this is an amazing album, and a must for lovers of drone, post punk and shoegaze.

Best of 2013: #8 - Yuck - Glow and Behold (Fat Possum)

2013 could have been the year Yuck faded into obscurity. After a strikingly good debut self-titled album in 2011, Yuck had become one of the bands to watch coming out of the UK. But, their lead singer Dan Blumberg abruptly left the band for a solo career. The band regrouped, with guitarist Max Bloom taking on lead singer duties. Few bands survive losing their lead singer and continue on with the same sound. Fewer still will put out a follow up album as solid as Glow and Behold. Yuck play the droning, melodic style of post-punk similar to the shoegaze movement, like My Blood Valentine, and the morose new wave style of The Cure. Glow and Behold is a showcase of the melodic and wan style of shoe-gaze, but often seems almost happy in places. The album peaks with the shimmering "Memorial Fields" and the poppy "How Does it Feel", which adds some Burt Bacharach horns into the mix. One of the best in shoegaze this year and a welcome addition to the growing field of new bands adopting this style.