I still have nightmares about singing countless renditions of “The Happy Wanderer” as a member of my high school glee club. Attending a Roomful of Teeth performance at the Big Ears festival in 2019 helped me overcome my longstanding aversion to choral music. The pleasure I take in Roomful of Teeth’s Rough Magic indicates it’s now among my favorite sounds. Portions of the four compositions on the new album are as freaky as any form of avant-garde music. William Brittelle’s “Psychedelics” and Peter S. Shin’s “Bits torn from words” are appropriately titled. Caroline Shaw’s “The Isle” is based on “The Tempest.” “None More Than You,” a room-clearer by Eve Beglarian, is my favorite piece. Rough Magic is an immensely gratifying revenge of the choir nerds.
October 2022 Recap: A Monthly Exercise in Critical Transparency
Screenshot of the trailer of Opera North’s reworking of Monteverdi’s “L’Orfeo” by There Stands the Glass.
Top Ten Albums of October
1. Natalia Lafourcade- De Todas las Flores
Rapturous beauty.
2. Bobby Watson- Back Home in Kansas City
3. Brian Harnetty- Words and Silences
4. Dave Douglas- Songs of Ascent: Book 1- Degrees
Advanced harmolodics.
5. Boston Modern Orchestra Project- Anthony Davis: X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X
A new rendering of the neglected opera.
6. Anat Cohen- Quartetinho
Exquisite chamber jazz.
7. Evgueni Galperine- Theory of Becoming
A Ukrainian Morricone.
8. Armani Caesar- The Liz 2
The month’s best Griselda album.
9. Babyface- Girl’s Night Out
Sultry collaborations.
10. Caroline Shaw and I Giardini- The Wheel
I prefer this hushed recording to the widely praised The Blue Hour.
Top Ten Songs of October
1. Plains- "Hurricane"
Leveled.
2. Grupo Marca Registrada and Luis R. Conriquez- "Puro Campeón"
A true champion.
3. iLe- "Lo Que Yo Quería"
Celestial pop.
4. Ozuna featuring El Cherry Scom- "Perreo y Dembow"
Dizzying.
5. Quavo and Takeoff- "Two Infinity Links"
I’m 250 pages into Joe Coscarelli’s Rap Capital.
6. Jamila Woods- "Boundaries"
Blurred lines.
7. LF System- "Hungry (For Love)"
Famished on the dance floor.
8. SleazyWorld Go featuring G Herbo- “Glitches”
Shots fired.
9. Nardo Wick featuring Polo G- "G Nikes"
If the shoe fits…
10. Hardy- "Truck Bed"
Hick-hop goes pop-punk.
Top Ten Performances of October
1. Marin Alsop and Orchestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo at Helzberg Hall
2. Ohma and FKJ at the Midland Theater
3. Raven Chacon’s “American Ledger no. 1” at Agnes Arts
4. Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt at the Uptown Theater
5. Terence Blanchard with Turtle Island Quartet at Atkins Auditorium
6. Alter Destiny at Charlotte Street Foundation
7. Karen Hsiao Savage, Hyeyung Sol Yoon and Gregory Beaver at White Recital Hall
8. Stan Kessler, Rod Fleeman and Bob Bowman at a driveway concert
Three of Kansas City’s best on a glorious fall afternoon.
9. Esthesis Quartet at the Blue Room
10. Alex Mallett and Jeff Harshbarger at Market at Meadowbrook
Folklore.
Last month’s survey is here.
I'm Down with O.P.P. (Other Peoples' Pulitzers)
Original image of Raven Chacon and Paul Rudy by There Stands the Glass.
For the second time in the last 24 days I’ve attended a performance of a work by a recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Music in the presence of the composer. On Wednesday, October 26, Raven Chacon, the winner of the 2022 Pulitzer, heard what he estimated was the tenth reading of his “American Ledger no. 1” at Agnes Arts.
I was torn between laughing in appreciative wonder and crying with profound grief in response to the unconventional composition addressing the gradual dispossession of the continent from Native Americans. An enormous copy of the graphic sheet music allowed the audience of about 150 to follow along with a ten-piece ensemble conducted by Paul Rudy.
With a couple accomplished locally based jazz musicians in the group conducted by Paul Rudy, the composition occasionally contained elements of swing absence from an excellent rendering of “American Ledger no. 1” in Houston. Here’s my brief but representative video clip from Agnes Arts.
Earlier this month I marveled at sitting near 2011 Pulitzer recipient Zhou Long as his “Spirit of Chimes” was performed at a lightly attended concert in Kansas City. There weren’t many more people at a 2018 performance of Julia Wolfe’s Pulitzer-winning “Anthracite Fields” at the Folly Theater. And yes, Wolfe was in the house.
I’ve attended performances by four additional Pulitzer recipients: Ornette Coleman (2007 award), Kendrick Lamar (2018), Wynton Marsalis (1997) and Caroline Shaw (2013). Designations give the often esoteric winners prestige they might otherwise not receive, but no one needed validation from Pulitzer voters to recognize they were in the presence of greatness at Agnes Arts on Wednesday.
September 2022 Recap: A Monthly Exercise in Critical Transparency
Screenshot of Sondra Radvanovsky in the trailer of the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Cherubini’s “Medea” by There Stands the Glass.
Top Ten Albums of September
1. Sarah Davachi- Two Sisters
Ecumenical drones.
2. Caroline Shaw and Attacca Quartet- Evergreen
A Mozart among us.
3. James Brandon Lewis- Molecular Systematic Music
Live mutations.
4. Julian Lage- View with a Room
With Bill Frisell, Jorge Roeder and Dave King.
5. Charles Lloyd- Trios: Ocean
Celestial trio with Gerald Clayton and Anthony Wilson.
6. Laura Jurd- The Big Friendly Album
Howdy.
7. Ohma- Between All Things
8. Billy Woods- Church
Unanswered prayers.
9. Jeff Parker, Eric Revis and Nasheet Waits- Eastside Romp
No ordinary guitar trio.
10. Björk- Fossora
Ridiculously good or just ridiculous?
Top Ten Songs of September
1. Mister Water Wet- "Caged at Last"
Everything at once, sparingly.
2.. Santigold- "Ushers of the New World"
I prefer to stand, thank you.
3. Channel Tres- "No Limit"
A slick shocker.
4. M.I.A.- "Beep"
Bop.
5. LCD Soundsystem- “New Body Rhumba”
Workout.
6. Stormzy- "Mel Made Me Do It"
An old-school tour de force.
7. Smino featuring J. Cole- "90 Proof"
Strong.
8. Little Big Town- "Three Whiskeys and the Truth"
Fleetwood Mac sounds better than ever.
9. Kany García and Christian Nodal- "La Siguiente"
Romantic duet.
10. Clutch- "Three Golden Horns"
Clutch is my favorite novelty act.
Top Ten Concerts of September
1. Blackstarkids- recordBar
2. Lucibela- Old Church Concert Hall
3. Algara, P.S.Y.W.A.R. and New Obsessions- Farewell
4. Porridge Radio and Blondshell- Doug Fir Lounge
5. Live Skull- recordBar
6. Ozomatli- KC Live
7. Gorillaz and EarthGang- Moda Center
8. Billy Cobham- Dolores Winningstad Theater
9. Roger Waters- T-Mobile Center
10. The Shins and Joseph- Pioneer Courthouse Square
Temporarily displaced unhoused people were not pleased.
Last month’s survey is here.
Take What You Want: The Top Albums, EPs and Reissues of 2021
The Top 50 Albums of 2021
1. Kanye West- Donda
2. Irreversible Entanglements- Open the Gates
3. Mathias Eick- When We Leave
4. Molly Herron- Through Lines
5. Pino Palladino and Blake Mills- Notes with Attachments
6. Tyler, The Creator- Call Me If You Get Lost
7. The Metropolitan Opera- Philip Glass’ Akhnaten
8. Nala Sinephro- Space 1.8
9. Lana Del Rey- Chemtrails Over the Country Club
10. Lise Davidsen- Beethoven Wagner Verdi
11. Sleaford Mods- Spare Ribs
12. Sons of Kemet- Black to the Future
13. St. Vincent- Daddy's Home
14. Caroline Shaw and Sō Percussion- Let the Soil Play Its Simple Part
15. Evan Parker Quartet- All Knavery & Collusion
16. Turnstile- Glow On
17. Marianne Faithful and Warren Ellis- She Walks in Beauty
18. Fire-Toolz- Eternal Home
19. Benoît Delbecq- The Weight of Light
20. Summer Walker- Still Over It
21. Damon Locks & Black Monument Ensemble- Now
22. Brockhampton- Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine
23. Sylvie Courvoisier and Mary Halvorson- Searching for the Disappeared Hour
24. Behzod Abduraimov- Debussy Chopin Mussorgsky
25. Artifacts- …And Then There’s This
26. Max Richter- Exiles
27. Chris Thile- Laysongs
28. Danish String Quartet- Prism III
29. Alan Jackson- Where Have You Gone
30. Migos- Culture III
31. Les Filles de Illighadad- At Pioneer Works
32. Angel Bat Dawid- Hush Harbor Mixtape Vol. 1 Doxology
33. Morgan Wallen- Dangerous: The Double Album
34. Borderlands Trio- Wandersphere
35. Pat Metheny- Road to the Sun
36. Patricia Brennan- Maquishti
37. Yola- Stand For Myself
38. Roscoe Mitchell- Dots: Pieces for Percussion and Woodwinds
39. Karol G- KG01516
40. Craig Taborn- Shadow Plays
41. Moor Mother- Black Encyclopedia of the Air
42. Georgia Anne Muldrow- Vweto III
43. Dopolarians- The Bond
44. Sara Serpa- Intimate Strangers
45. Abstract Mindstate- Dreams Still Inspire
46. Chynna- Drug Opera
47. La Arrolladora Banda el Limón- En Contra De Mi Voluntad
48. Lana Del Rey- Blue Banisters
49. Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders and the London Symphony Orchestra- Promises
50. Drake- Certified Lover Boy
The Top 25 EPs of 2021
1. Benny the Butcher- The Plugs I Met 2
2. Caroline Shaw- Narrow Sea
3. Vince Staples- Vince Staples
4. Lyle Mays- Eberhard
5. The Alchemist- This Thing of Ours
6. Aida Cuevas- Antología de la Música Ranchera, Vol. 2
7. F*cked Up- Year of the Horse (four installments)
8. Rachika Nayar- Fragments
9. Wanda Jackson- Encore
10. Burial- Shock Power of Love
11. Los Dos Carnales- Corrido Pa’ la Historia
12. Benny the Butcher- Pyrex Picasso
13. Bummer- Dead Horse
14. Dare- Against All Odds
15. YoungBoy Never Broke Again- Sincerely, Kentrell
16. Benjamin Mørk and Arve Henriksen- The Valleys
17. Rudimentary Peni- Great War
18. Portrayal of Guilt- We Are Always Alone
19. María Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir- Kom Vinur
20. Gatecreeper- An Unexpected Reality
21. Melvin Gibbs- 4 +1 Equals 5 for May 25
22. A Place to Bury Strangers- Hologram
23. Ryoji Ikeda- EP
24. Charlie Hunter- Kick, Snare, Baritone Guitar
25. Rosie Lowe and Duval Timothy- Son
The Top 25 Reissues, Reimaginings and Compilations of 2021
1. Hasaan Ibn Ali- Retrospect In Retirement Of Delay: The Solo Recordings
2. John Coltrane- A Love Supreme: Live in Seattle
3. Sun Ra- Lanquidity (Definitive Edition)
4. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds- B-Sides & Rarities, Part II
5. Bob Dylan- Springtime in New York: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 16, 1980-1985
6. Nubya Garcia- Source ⧺ We Move
7. Toumani Diabaté and the London Symphony Orchestra- Kôrôlén
8. Alice Coltrane- Kirtan: Turiya Sings
9. Various- The Boys From Nairobi: 80s Benga & Rumba
10. The Beatles- Let It Be (Super Deluxe)
11. Wild Up- Julius Eastman, Vol. 1: Femenine
12. Lee Morgan- The Complete Live at the Lighthouse
13. Julius Hemphill- The Boyé Multi-National Crusade for Harmony 1977-2007
14. The Beach Boys- Feel Flows: The Sunflower & Surf’s Up Sessions, 1969-1971
15. Johnny Cash- Bear’s Sonic Journals: Live at the Carousel Ballroom, April 24, 1968
16. Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey- Winterwood Revealed: Live Vipers & Studio Doves
17. Hailu Mergia and the Walias Band- Tezeta
18. J Dilla- Welcome 2 Detroit: The 20th Anniversary Edition
19. Prince- Welcome 2 America
20. PJ Harvey- Is This Desire?: Demos
21. Dyke & The Blazers- I Got a Message Hollywood: 1968-1970
22. Hasaan Ibn Ali- Metaphysics: The Lost Atlantic Album
23. Neil Young and Crazy Horse- Way Down in the Rust Bucket
24. The Weeknd- The Highlights
25. The Rolling Stones- Tattoo You: 40th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition
Links to 16 previous annual There Stands the Glass surveys begin here.
Album Review: Attacca Quartet- Real Life
Original image of Summerfest concert at Atonement Lutheran Church by There Stands the Glass.
I was among the youngest of 60 devotees of chamber music at Atonement Lutheran Church for the final concert of the annual Summerfest initiative on Sunday, July 11. A rendition of Daniel Bernard Roumain’s String Quartet No. 5, Rosa Parks was among the vital works performed. The tiny audience was dominated by geriatric- albeit admirably enlightened- nonconformists. In naming its 2019 collaboration with Caroline Shaw my #9 album of the year, I verified Attacca Quartet’s exceptional ability to resonate with relative newcomers to the classical tradition. Its latest release Real Life highlights the work of electronic-leaning composers including Flying Lotus and Tokimonsta. Only the tacky opening track “Electric Pow Wow Drum” sounds contrived. Squarepusher’s distinctive contribution “Xetaka 1” is an auspicious culture clash. The album’s best track, a relatively conventional treatment of Anne Müller’s “Drifting Circles,' subtly fiddles with studio dynamics. Classical music will limp along with or without the help of Attacca Quartet. Even so, Real Life is further proof that the artistic and social constructs preventing timid people from enjoying the style should be ignored.
June 2021 Recap: A Monthly Exercise in Critical Transparency
Screenshot of the trailer of Lili by There Stands the Glass.
Top Ten Albums (released in June)
1. Migos- Culture III
My post-vaccination party soundtrack, 1/2.
2. Billy F Gibbons- Hardware
My post-vaccination party soundtrack, 2/2.
3. Caroline Shaw and Sō Percussion- Let the Soil Play Its Simple Part
I love the elements I love more than I loathe the elements I loathe.
4. Anthony Braxton- 12 Comp (Zim)
5. Chris Thile- Laysongs
Anxious gospel.
6. Tyler, The Creator- Call Me If You Get Lost
Goblin grows up.
7. Julian Lage- Squint
A different type of power trio.
8. Wild Up- Julius Eastman, Vol. 1: Femenine
A vital conceptualization.
9. Mac Lethal- Winter Heartbreak II
10. Angel Bat Dawid- Hush Harbor Mixtape Vol. 1 Doxology
Ancient to the (lofi) future.
Top Ten Songs (released in June)
1. Megan Thee Stallion- “Thot Sh*t”
“Lit since brunch.”
2. Little Simz- "Rollin' Stone"
Quenched.
3. Rauw Alejandro and Anitta- "Brazilera"
Carnival.
4. Moor Mother- "Zami"
Traveling the spaceways.
5. Billie Eilish- "Lost Cause"’
Dead flowers.
6. Petra Haden- "Silence"
Song for her father.
7. Becky G and El Alfa- “Fulanito”
Rhythm nation.
8. Jennifer Hudson- "Here I Am"
Aria for Aretha.
9. Bfd Da Packman- “Wendy Williams”
“Back to Walmart.”
10. Brittney Spencer- “Sober & Skinny”
You got a fast car.
Top Ten Concerts (first monthly ranking since March 2020!)
1. Irreversible Entanglements- Stephens Lake Park Amphitheatre (Columbia, Missouri)
2. Johnny Rawls- Gladstone Summertime Bluesfest
3. Bird Fleming and Bill Summers’ “Voyage of the Drum”- Dunbar Park
4. Second Nature Ensemble- Westport Coffee House
5. En Vogue- Hy-Vee Arena
6. Mike Dillon and Nikki Glaspie- 1900 Building
7. Adam Galblum Quartet- Market KC
Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli revived.
8. Kian Byrne- Second Presbyterian Church
A singer-songwriter sweats it out under the setting sun.
9. Roman Alexander- KC Live
10. The Kansas City Chorale- Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church
Docked several notches for a clergyman’s abhorrent mask-shaming.
Top Ten Movies (viewed for the first time in June)
1. Jojo Rabbit (2019)
Gesundheit!
2. Lili (1953)
A French twist on The Wizard of Oz.
3. La ciociara/Two Women (1960)
Sophia Loren and Eleonora Brown suffer unspeakable trauma.
4. Polish Wedding (1998)
Love in Hamtramck.
5. Murder, My Sweet (1944)
Psychotropic noir.
6. I Accuse! (1958)
Straightforward depiction of the Dreyfus affair.
7. Lisztomania (1975)
Richard Wagner is Satan in Ken Russell’s gonzo freakout.
8. Terri (2011)
Teen cringe.
9. The Shadow on the Window (1957)
And Jerry Mathers as the murder witness.
10. Small Town Crime (2017)
Negligible noir.
May’s recap and links to previous monthly surveys are here.
Don't Go Outside: The Top Albums and Songs of 2020
Screenshot of Isabel Leonard in Francis Poulenc’s “Dialogues of the Carmélites” by There Stands the Glass.
The following compendium is the result of a music obsessive finally fulfilling a lifelong fantasy of scrutinizing sound every waking hour for months on end. While the circumstances are tragic, the relentless consumption of my music of choice acts as a balm. Performances by Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Post Malone, Roddy Ricch and Luciana Souza were the most memorable concerts I attended in the opening weeks of 2020. I’ve since filled the void created by the absence of live music with a crash course in opera. I’ve watched a complete production each of the last 257 days. In the time not dedicated to composers like Philip Glass, Giacomo Puccini and Richard Wagner, I’ve obsessed over the recordings listed below. Reviews of many of the selections are published at this site and at my jazz blog Plastic Sax.
The Top 50 Albums of 2020
1. Clarice Jensen- The Experience of Repetition as Death
2. Jyoti- Mama, You Can Bet!
3. Bad Bunny- YHLQMDLG
4. Peter CottonTale- Catch
5. Jay Electronica- A Written Testimony
6. Mac Miller- Circles
7. Beatrice Dillon- Workaround
8. Jennifer Curtis and Tyshawn Sorey- Invisible Ritual
9. Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist- Alfredo
10. Gorillaz- Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez
11. Westside Gunn- Flygod Is an Awesome God 2
12. William Basinski- Lamentations
13. Shirley Collins- Heart's Ease
14. Ambrose Akinmusire- On the Tender Spot of Every Calloused Moment
15. Bob Dylan- Rough and Rowdy Ways
16. Bill Frisell- Valentine
17. Anja Lechner and François Couturier- Lontano
18. José James- No Beginning No End 2
19. Childish Gambino- 3.15.20
20. Kaja Draksler Octet- Out for Stars
21. Armand Hammer- Shrines
22. Nine Inch Nails- Ghosts VI: Locusts
23. Jeremy Pelt- The Art of Intimacy, Vol. 1
24. Run the Jewels- RTJ4
25. Moor Mother and Nicole Mitchell- Offering
26. Bill Fay- Countless Branches
27. Hailu Mergia- Yene Mircha
28. Angelica Sanchez and Marilyn Crispell- How to Turn the Moon
29. Nick Cave- Idiot Prayer: Alone at Alexandra Palace, 2020
30. Sara Serpa- Recognition
31. Nicolás Jaar- Cenizas
32. Teyana Taylor- The Album
33. Steve Arrington- Down to the Lowest Terms: The Soul Sessions
34. Yaeji- What We Drew
35. Norah Jones- Pick Me Up Off the Floor
36. Rudresh Mahanthappa- Hero Trio
37. Mozzy- Beyond Bulletproof
38. Sturgill Simpson- Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1, The Butcher Shoppe Sessions
39. Mary Halvorson’s Code Girl- Artlessly Falling
40. Brad Mehldau- Suite: April 2020
41. Zara McFarlane- Songs of an Unknown Tongue
42. Kvelertak- Splid
43. Conway the Machine- From King to a God
44. Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah- Axiom
45. Lianne La Havas- Lianne La Havas
46. Ellen Fullman & Theresa Wong- Harbors
47. Reverend John Wilkins- Trouble
48. Susan Alcorn Quintet- Pedernal
49. Raheem DeVaughn- What a Time to Be In Love
50. Tame Impala- The Slow Rush
The Top 25 EPs of 2020
1. Pongo- Uwa
2. Atmosphere- The Day Before Halloween
3. Obongjayar- Which Way Is Forward?
4. Rafiq Bhatia- Standards, Vol. 1
5. Blackstarkids- Surf
6. Roomful of Teeth and Michael Harrison- Just Constellations
7. Eddie Chacon- Pleasure, Joy and Happiness
8. Medhane- Full Circle
9. Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats- Unlocked
10. Philip Glass Ensemble- Music In Eight Parts
11. Christine and the Queens- La Vita Nuova
12. Marcos Valle- Jazz Is Dead 003
13. Flee Lord and Pete Rock- The People's Champ
14. Pasquale Grasso- Solo Bird
15. Black Noi$e- Oblivion
16. Omar Apollo- Apolonio
17. Lyric Jones- Closer Than They Appear
18. E-40- The Curb Commentator Channel 1
19. Tricky- Fall to Pieces
20. Aoife O’Donovan- Bull Frogs Croon (and Other Songs)
21. Joseph- Trio Sessions, Vol. 1
22. 10k.Caash- Planet Swajjur
23. We the People- Misunderstood
24. A$AP Ferg- Floor Seats II
25. Blackpink- The Album
The Top 25 Reissues, Compilations and Reimaginings of 2020
1. Flying Lotus- Flamagra (Instrumentals)
2. Prince- Sign o’ the Times (Super Deluxe)
3. Gil Scott-Heron- We’re New Again: A Reimagining by Makaya McCraven
4. Sleaford Mods- All That Glue
5. Jóhann Jóhannsson and Yair Elazar Glotman- Last and First Men
6. The Gospel Truth: The Complete Singles Collection
7. Gillian Welch- Boots No 2: The Lost Songs, Vol. 1
8. Tony Allen and Hugh Masekela- Rejoice
9. Mike and the Moonpies- Touch of You: The Lost Songs of Gary Stewart
10. Iva Bittová and Dorothea Kellerova- Bartók: 44 Duets for Two Violins
11. Ennio Morricone- Morricone Segreto
12. Kassa Overall- Shades of Flu: Healthy Remixes for an Ill Moment
13. The Stooges- Live at Goose Lake: August 8, 1970
14. Charlie Parker- The Savoy 10-Inch LP Collection
15. Soul Love Now: The Black Fire Records Story: 1975-1993
16. Jon Gibson- Songs & Melodies, 1973-77
17. Neil Young- Homegrown
18. Ambiance- Into a New Journey
19. Edward Simon- 25 Years
20. Stone Crush: Modern Memphis Soul 1977-1987
21. Soul Jazz Records Presents Kaleidoscope: New Spirits Known and Unknown
22. Dave Alvin- From an Old Guitar: Rare and Unreleased Recordings
23. Thelonious Monk- Palo Alto
24. Yusuf- Tea for the Tillerman 2
25. Ipa-Boogie- Ipa-Boogie
The Top 50 Songs of 2020 (Spotify playlist)
1. Juice Wrld- “Wishing Well”
2. Zsela- "Drinking"
3. Caroline Shaw and David Lang- “When I Am Alone”
4. 070 Shake- “Guilty Conscience”
5. Drake featuring Lil Durk- “Laugh Now Cry Later”
6. Thundercat- "Black Qualls"
7. Little Simz- "Might Bang, Might Not"
8. Alicia Keys featuring Khalid- "So Done"
9. Sam Hunt- "Hard to Forget"
10. John Prine- “I Remember Everything”
11. Streets and Idles- “None of Us Are Getting Out of This Life Alive”
12. 6ix9ine- "Gooba"
13. Sa-Roc- "Hand of God"
14. Frank Ocean- "Cayendo"
15. Meredith Monk and the Bang on a Can All-Stars- “The Games: Downfall”
16. Stephen Malkmus- “The Greatest Own in Legal History”
17. Elle King- "The Let Go"
18. Chris Stapleton- “You Should Probably Leave”
19. J Balvin- "Amarillo"
20. Genevieve Artadi- “Godzillaaaa”
21. City Girls- "Jobs"
22. Eminem, Royce Da 5’9”, Black Thought, Q-Tip and Denaun- "Yah Yah"
23. Future and Lil Uzi Vert- "Marni On Me"
24. Duck Sauce- "Captain Duck"
25. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion- "WAP"
26. Groupe RTD- "Buuraha U Dheer"
27. Destroyer- “Cue Synthesizer”
28. Jessie Ware- “Remember Where You Are”
29. Illuminati Hotties- “Freequent Letdown”
30. Chloe x Halle- “Don’t Make It Harder On Me”
31. Ledisi- "Anything For You"
32. Rapsody and Bilal- “Pray Momma Don’t Cry”
33. Flo Milli- "May I"
34. BTS- "Ugh!"
35. Hinds- “Just Like Kids (Miau)”
36. Bruce Springsteen- “Janey Needs a Shooter”
37. Norah Jane Struthers- “I Feel Like My Old Self”
38. 2 Chainz- “Wait For You to Die”
39. Deftones- "Genesis"
40. Ty Dolla $ign featuring Kanye West, FKA Twigs and Skrillex- "Ego Death"
41. Miley Cyrus- “Midnight Sky”
42. Willie Nelson- "Our Song"
43. Ray Wylie Hubbard featuring Elizabeth Cook and Paula Nelson- “Drink Til I See Double”
44. The Magnetic Fields- “Favorite Bar”
45. Tyler Childers- "Long Violent History"
46. James Blake- "I Keep Calling"
47. Playboi Carti- “@meh”
48. Poppy- "Don't Go Outside"
49. Conway the Machine featuring Flee Lord, Havoc and Lloyd Banks- "Juvenile Hell"
50. Metz- "Pulse"
August 2020 Recap: A Monthly Exercise in Critical Transparency
Screenshot of Garsington Opera’s production of David Sawer’s “The Skating Rink”- #156 in my daily opera marathon- by There Stands the Glass.
Top Five Albums
1. Bill Frisell- Valentine
2. The Stooges- Live at Goose Lake: August 8, 1970
3. Ellen Fullman and Theresa Wong- Harbors
Dark drones.
4. Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids- Shaman!
5. Brian Scarborough- Sunflower
Top Five Songs
1. Caroline Shaw and David Lang- "When I Am Alone"
2. Drake featuring Lil Durk- "Laugh Now, Cry Later"
Baby.
3. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion- "WAP"
Game-changer.
4. Gayngs- "Appeayl 2 U"
It’s got that whip appeal.
5. Miley Cyrus- "Midnight Sky"
Radiant.
Top Five Livestreams
1. Robert Wilson performs John Cage’s “Lecture on Nothing”- National Sawdust
2. Bang on a Can Marathon- Jeremy Denk, Wu Man, Oliver Lake, etc.
3. Dayna Stephens, Omer Avital and Anthony Pinciotti- Smalls
4. Washed Out- waterside in Georgia
5. Dee Alexander and John McLean- at home in Chicago
I conducted the same exercise in July, June, May, April, March, February and January.