Dec. 20, 2023
END OF YEAR EXTRAVAGANZA

WELCOME ALL TO THE LAST BUDEPCOMIC OF 2023!
YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!
BUDEP'S 2023 ALBUM RANKING!!!

5). Cousin - Wilco

Wilco continues to crank out albums, all of which are consistently good! Cousin beats out last years Cruel Country by a bit, I think.

4). Spectral Lines - Josh Ritter

I've always liked Josh Ritter, all his albums are good. This one is very chill. Every single song is slow and quiet, which isn't bad, but I think he's done better. All said and done though, solid album. Enjoyed it truly.

3). ATUM - Smashing Pumpkins

Technically a 3-part rock opera with holy crap a lot of songs! Most of them were really good, if a little synth-heavy. Seriously, there's a lot of synth on this album. I like a little synth (Like on Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, now that was an album), but ATUM is a bit too much.

2). The Power and the Glory - The Bad Ends

New band, with Billy Berry (R.E.M.'s drummer). They sound a lot like early R.E.M. (Document-era). Really good album, not a bad song on it.

1). But Here We Are - Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters are back with Dave Grohl on the drums after the tragic death of Taylor Hawkins. Man that was sad. The whole album seems like a tribute to him, and a fine tribute it is! Can't think of anything bad to say about it.

Honorable mentions:

Starcatcher - Greta Van Fleet

Greta Van Fleet continues to be a solid band. Not one of my favorites, but still enjoyable. Their latest albums is as good as all of them.

Songs of Surrender - U2

This only didn't make it into my top 5 because it isn't a full album. These are some new renditions of old songs that are really good! I also have to mention their new song Atomic City even though it isn't on the album. That's a good song. I also saw U2 live at the Vegas Sphere! It was really cool, if you have the chance, go see it.

Mirror to the Sky - Yes

Oh hey a new Yes album. It is as good as a new Yes album can be. They continue to be good but it's still not like their old stuff.

Also I'd like to mention IMT Smile's Zivot Cloveka v Roku 2022 and Will Wood's In Case I Make It, both released last year. I didn't listen to them then but now that I have I think I'd put them both in my top 5 somewhere. Also I'd probably switch around the RHCP albums, but whatever.

Today Percy Jackson comes out, I will be watching it. Peace.