Guest Best Of: Starring PJ Sykes (Hoax Hunters)
PJ Sykes was one of the first Richmond folks I met back when I was a River City denizen, and in a city full of talented folks he's pretty far up there. Currently making lots of wonderful noise with Hoax Hunters, odds are good you've probably seen some of his killer band photography over the years as well. He's also got great taste in tunes, which you'll pick up on once you've seen his top ten, listed below.
St. Vincent - St. Vincent
Annie is the future and this album is just the teaser trailer. Hard to pick a favorite track but I'll go with "Huey Newton" no wait "Rattlesnake" or wait…
Bob Mould - Beauty & Ruin
How does he keep doing it? Hints of Hüsker Dü, Sugar and his solo work makes this more of a follow up to his book, See A Little Light, more than his last album. "I Don't Know You Any More" is an instant classic.
Bleeding Rainbow - Interrupt
My neighborhood knows this record as the sound blaring out of my house all summer. Bummed I missed them play with Positive No because of a little snow. "Start Again" and again and again.
Mogwai - Rave Tapes
This one grew on me and I didn't fully 'get it' until I saw them live. "Repelish" reminds me of the Pi soundtrack. Bonus: CODY reissue is killer!
Thurston Moore - The Best Day
This one just hits the spot. Maybe because I got to see him play a bunch of times the last two years at Hopscotch? Favorite track is "Speak To The Wild"
Grandma Sparrow - Grandma Sparrow & His Piddletractor Orchestra
This one is wild! I didn't really know what I was getting myself into but now I can't put it down. It's best listened to as a whole piece of music but "Nap Time: Twelve-Tone Lullaby" will give you a taste.
SWANS - To Be Kind
I don't have much to say other than… damn! Dim the lights, drink whiskey and just listen to this one all the way through. Can't wait to see them destroy RVA in March. I can't isolate a single track. Also, St. Vincent sings on several tracks.
Foo Fighters - Sonic Highways
They didn't break any new ground musically but they did pull off a really ambitious project. I think people tend to criticize them harder than other bands for various reasons. I've got no complaints. "Outside" is my jam.
Hospitality - Trouble
I just love Amber's voice. Solid road trip album. Drop "I Miss Your Bones" into your next mix.
Pontiak - Innocence
This one got a lot of spins at the beginning of the year. I'm rocking "Ghosts" as I type this list.
Albums I need to spend more time with:
My Brightest Diamond - This Is My Hand
Shellac - Dude Incredible
Iceage - Plowing Into the Field of Love
…And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - IX
[posted 12.18.14]
[Instagram by Melissa Koch]
I. Love. You.
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