Another year in the rearview mirror; but not without a bevy of excellent releases left behind. Like every year, 2018 swarmed us with superb tunes and outlandish albums that caught our collective attention throughout the last 12 months. Here are our top picks of 2018.
Meth Lab 2: The Lithium is a fine listen, top to bottom, if what you are looking for is catchy earworm hip-hop beats, and a not-so-serious theme. The Meth Lab 2: The Lithium is far from Method Man's finest album; however, most fans will dig the offering. After all, Method Man, too, is for the children.
When Enter the Wu-Tang Clan (36 Chambers) dropped, all of New York paid attention, then all of the hip-hop community, then the world. This record is one of those rare times that in hindsight we were mostly correct. Looking back, the only obvious failure was not deeming it an instant classic.
Coheed and Cambria put on a spectacle of ample musical magnitude. Rock and Roll with a comic book twist, dazzling lights, disco balls, and of course, that iconic mop of hair on Caludio's head.
Puerto Rico has produced many entertainers of high regard and special talents -- and Bad Bunny is nothing short of spectacular. The man is a rising star and a formidable showman. The pageantry is colorful and dance-inducing. Bad Bunny is the complete package. Not bad for a lad yet to release a freshman record.
The Voodoo Music + Arts Experience proved once more why it is among the nation's finest and funnest festivals. Crazy fans and talented musicians are always a good mixtures -- and New Orleans knows how to get the best of the best.
Anthem of the Peaceful Army is a welcomed pedal-to-metal adrenaline-generating slice of the classic rock’n’roll pie. Anthem of the Peaceful Army is a steadily cool step in the right direction.
All said and done, Mirror Master does possess enough clout to keep fans interested and in tune. This is a deeply analytical and introspective album. Sometimes we don't like what we find. Other times, we run with it and make lemonade out of lemons.
CHVRCHES painted the night in Atlanta musically merry and lively. Synths galore and pop amazing was the theme of the night. Lauren Mayberry leads this impressive foursome in blowing minds and kicking ass. From minute one to the very last second on stage, CHVRCHES is full-fledged enthralled in the love of music and the love of their aficionados.
Ladies and gentlemen, freaks and outcasts, mistakes and miscarriages, be warned. Start to finish, pound for pound, Avatar is one of the most astoundingly spell-binding shticks you will witness.
LoudSound Magazine 