Top 10 Albums of 2018 from Exploring Birdsong’s Matt Harrison
Happy new year! As we welcome in 2019 and start bringing you coverage the best our world has to offer this year, we aren’t quite done with 2018 yet and as we kick off the new year, we are happy to bring you another album wrap-up from last year. This time, we turn to EXPLORING BIRDSONG. A firm favourite of ours here at Distorted Sound, the Liverpool-based piano-driven prog rock trio enjoyed a highly successful 2018, with a performance at HRH Prog capping it off. So, it only seems fitting that Matt Harrison from the band reveals his top 10 albums from 2018, over to you Matt!
10. A Brief Enquiry Into Online Relationships – THE 1975
Packed with brilliant pop tunes. Special mention to The Man Who Married a Robot (and the narration from Siri, I guess?)
9. Mire – CONJURER
An album I have to be in a certain mood for, but when in that mood, there’s no better record. Devastatingly heavy.
8. Dissolution – THE PINEAPPLE THIEF
One of the only bands that can help fill the PORCUPINE TREE shaped hole in my heart. Also one of my favourite ever intro tracks.
7. Eat the Elephant – A PERFECT CIRCLE
Not what I was expecting, but took me pleasantly by surprise. Maynard’s tone is something else.
6. Happy However After – KINDO
Prog/fusion/jazz/pop. A melting pot of loads of styles that makes for a gorgeous album. Independently released, and produced by frontman Joey Secchiaroli (who’s voice sounds great here, by the way).
5. The Unheavenly Creatures – COHEED & CAMBRIA
There’s always unparalleled excitement when one of your favourite bands announce a new record. However, there’s always that tiny bit of fear that it won’t live up to expectations. There was no disappointment this time round, though. The Unheavenly Creatures features everything I love about COHEED & CAMBRIA – undeniably proggy moments, but the catchiest of melodies.
4. Holy Hell – ARCHITECTS
From a band that have been through so much over the past couple of years, Holy Hell is packed with raw emotion, and understandably so. Some of the most beautifully melodic stuff ARCHITECTS has released. (Shout out Death Is Not Defeat).
3. Automata II – BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME
Automata II had some ground to make up after Automata I, but after a couple of listens, it feels like BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME back to their best – constant twists and turns, filled with great riffs and loads of fun.
2. All That Divides – BLACK PEAKS
The right amount of heavy partnered with the right amount of melody. All in the right places.
1. #00Cfff – MOTHERHOOD
An EP brimming with nostalgia; a soundtrack to my time at university, and released as a “farewell” gift from a band consisting of brilliant people. Truly special pop songwriting, featuring possibly one of the catchiest choruses you’re likely to hear.
And that rounds off Matt’s choices! What did you think of his list? Let us know in the comments below!
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