It's hard to imagine that 37FLOOD got its start 13 Years ago, on March 7th (37 born on 3/7) 2007, all these years later we have the distinction of being Louisville's longest running Music & Entertainment blog, with over half a million individual readers since our first post!
Here are some of our most popular posts since 2010:
The most read editorial of the last decade was John King's expose of the city government covering up bad publicity of Gill Holland's gentrification attempts of Portland while running for city councilmen (which he lost). The article is called How To Deal With Louisville's Refugees of Economicide. It remains the most read editorial in 37FLOOD history!
Our most read interview of the decade was from April 2017 with Craig Bell, founding member of influential classic punk bands Rocket From The Tombs, X_____X, and Mirrors.
Our most read event review of the last decade was a review of Forecastle 2018 called It's the End Of the World, about the dangerous atmosphere in Party Cove, and how our reporter and photographer were threatened by event goers. Despite having the record for the longest online news source to cover the annual event, we have not been invited back by Forecastle management.
Our second most read event review was of Forecastle 2010 written by 37FLOOD writer Dylan Greenwood. Dylan's review also holds the distinction of having the most viewed photo on 37FLOOD:
This photo of Grace Potter playing Forecastle 2010 is the most viewed photo on 37FLOOD, which brings us to the most used Google search term (besides 37FLOOD) sending traffic to our site: Grace Potter legs.
At the end of every year when we compile our Year End Favorites we remark on how great the music was that year, and surely think it can't be beat, and then the next year's list comes in and and we, again, are amazed.
What was apparent for 2019 that is rare, is that great albums were released all year long, not stacked around key sales dates like Black Friday/RSD days. Kelly Finnigan, Sharon Van Etten, and Shana Cleveland all had early release dates and are all solid records by solo artists; and same for our #1 full length album pick, Orville Peck's Pony LP, released in March and still in heavy rotation here at the 37FLOOD HQ. Not surprising is the amount of high quality local albums released this year, including Hawks, DJ DS, Planetary Overdrive, Twin Limb, Bonnie 'prince' Billy, Dr. Dundiff, and a lot more.
It continued to be an amazing (and puzzling) year for physical media. Imaginative vinyl packages such as Angel Olsen's All Mirrors on double clear vinyl with poster and booklet for the steal of a price at $24 and the posthumous Leonard Cohen Thanks For The Dance, which is gorgeous, but follows the major label president for charging way to much for no damn reason; $30 for one black vinyl LP with no booklet or even download card. The Lightning Dust Spectre LP on orange moon marble, and Mattiel's Satis Factory on cautionary yellow were very clever with no additional cost at $22 each. Orville Peck's Pony was originally released on splatter yellow vinyl and red cassette at a steal of $17 and $8 respectively but sold out immediately; The underappreciated Boduf Songs and Kelly Finnigan LPs both available on archival quality vinyl at no upcharge, and there were some interesting bundles as well; Bonnie 'prince' Billy's I Made A Place bundle (at the hefty $50) came with a 7" single not available individually and in a limited edition tote.
Some great 2019 albums failed to get vinyl releases, most notably the Twin Limb and Prayer Line albums, although the latter is available on blood red cassette. Whatever your media preference, 2019 stacked up nicely on creativity, quality, and diversity of genre.
Angel Olsen - All Mirrors
Great Value: 2 Clear LPs + Poster= $24
Leonard Cohen 'Thanks For The Dance'
Least Value: 1 Black LP = $30
Full Length Albums:
20. Karen & the Sorrows - Guaranteed Broken Heart
19. Frankie Cosmos - Close it Quietly
18. Shana Cleveland - Night of the Worm Moon
17. Boduf Songs - Abyss Versions
16. Fontaines D.C. - Dogrel
15. DJDS - Vibes
14. Prayer Line - Drink The Blood
13. Sharon Van Etten - Remind Me Tomorrow
12. White Reaper - You Deserve Love
11. Bonnie 'prince' Billy - I Made A Place
10. The Hu - The Gereg
9. Dr. Dundiff - The Distance
8. Twin Limb - In The Warm Light, As A Ghost
7. Leonard Cohen - Thanks For The Dance
6. Angel olsen - All Mirrors
5. Hawks - Truth Will Out
4. Lightning Dust - Spectre
3. Kelly Finnigan - The Tales People Tell
2. Mattiel - Satis Factory
1. Orville Peck - Pony (37FLOOD approved)
Orville Peck 'Pony' Paper Cut Out Fan Art
Cover Albums, Compilations, Soundtracks, & Reissues:
EPs & Singles:
10. Body Count - Carnivore
9. Black Mountain - What's Your Conquest?
8. Rebecca Rego & the Trainmen - Fear, Love, and Greed
7.Tristen - Dream Within A Dream
6. Planetary Overdrive - Manual Override
5. Dom B - Dark Heart
4. Twin Limb - Water
3. Lala Lala & WHY? - Siren 042
2. Bonnie 'prince' Billy - At the Back Of the Pit
1. Davilà 666 - Huesos Viejos (37FLOOD approved)
Often times a tumultuous or even disastrous year politically can bring a fountain of artistic delights; and even though in a lot of ways 2018 was disappointing; musically it was exciting all the way through. This year much of the ripples in the musical pond came from relatively smaller acts rather than big time names; creating an exciting wake of fresh and unique work.
Topping our list of favorite full length albums this year is the Brit-Punk outfit IDLES' album Joy As An Act Of Resistance and Car Seat Headrest, who topped our Favorites list in 2016. Both of these groups have released completely unique albums this year, that may have gone completely unnoticed in years past; or at least the messages in them would have been; but the climate was right in 2018 for new voices and new perspectives; albeit completely unlikely ones to top Best Of Lists.
Car Seat Headrest's newest, and 11th album, Twin Fantasy (Face To Face), is a complete re-recording of their 6th album Twin Fantasy (Mirror To Mirror), originally released in 2011, that helped frontman Will Toledo gain a cult following for his lo-fi gritty pop bandcamp recordings. One might argue that it isn't technically a new album but this new clearer recording helped Toledo grab a larger audience for his technically apt musical work as well as his unique take on heartbreak and healing. Had the larger world been listening in 2011 when the original Twin Fantasy was released, the world might have been stuck on the fact that it is an unabashed tale of a homosexual relationship, but hopefully in 2018 the world was ready to see it for what it truly is; a remarkable album both musically and lyrically as a heartbreaking work about love and love-lost, and the road to reclamation no matter who it is in the driver's seat.
If Twin Fantasy is remarkable for it's multi-layered complexity, IDLES' Joy As An Act Of Resistance is remarkable for it's blunt, and at times, brash sound and upfront political message; like a good natured European football hooligan spitting outrage over State sponsored violence, racism, and open homophobia. If Car Seat Headrest has spent the last 8 or 9 years releasing a dozen or so albums slowing amassing a loyal audience; IDLES spent much of the last 8 or 9 years hidden from view working on an attack plan; after releasing a lack luster radio-pop EP in 2012 they re-emerged in 2017 as a mutant beast of its former self with the aptly named well received Brutalism LP before completely shattering all expectations with Joy all the while paying homage to pop music's past; with not-so-subtle nods to everyone from Pavement to Nancy Sinatra with singer Joe Talbot as rambling ringleader barking about the weight of social traditions anchored in power grabbing hatred. Talbot's howling and circus-like showmanship is a perfect amalgamation of Jon Spencer and David Yow wrapped in a Bristol street poet paper bag that might have been under appreciated in years past; but if 2018 has taught us anything, it's that extreme behavior politically needs to be met with extreme opposition socially.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg of our top 50 favorite musical moments of 2018; including a mountain of great work from Louisville artists including Baby Bones, Barrel & Biscuit, and Brenda; as well as a slew of great soundtracks, singles and reissues including John Carpenter's Halloween soundtrack, Young Widows rarities collection, and the Satellite Twin/Mutts split single; and a whole lot more. Full Length Albums:
20- MC HIJACK "Tender Pieces" LP
19- Black Moth Super Rainbow "Panic Blooms" LP
18-Spiritualized "And Nothing Hurt" LP
17- Hot Wires "Dark Energy" LP
16- State Champion "Send Flowers" LP
15- Dr. Dundiff & Otis Junior "Cool" LP
14- La Luz "Floating Features" LP
13 - Planetary Overdrive "Boneyard" LP
12- Jaye Jayle "No Trail And Other Unholy Paths" LP
11- Shannon and the Clams "Onion" LP
10- Frankie Cosmos "Vessel" LP
9- Dr. Octagon "Moosebumps: An Exploration Into Modern Day Horripilation" LP
8- Charles Bradley "Black Velvet" LP
7- The Breeders 'All Nerve' LP
6- Vive La Void S/T LP
5- Egyptian Lover "1985" LP
4- Oh Sees "Smote Reverser" LP
3- Lala Lala "The Lamb" LP
2- IDLES "Joy As An Act Of Resistance" LP (37FLOOD Approved)
1- Car Seat Headrest "Twin Fantasy" Face to Face LP (37FLOOD Approved)
Cover Albums, Compilations, & Live Albums:
5- Will Oldham "Songs Of Love And Horror" LP
4- OCS - Live In San Francisco LP
3- Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds "Distant Sky" Live LP
2- Young Widows "DECAYED: Ten Years of Cities, Wounds, Lightness, and Pain" LP
1- Louisville Is For Lovers 2018 valentine's Album (37FLOOD Approved)
Soundtracks/Reissues:
5- ESG "Come Away With ESG" Reissue
4- Z Nation "The original Score Soundtrack Seasons 1-4" LP by Jason Gallagher
3- Car Seat Headrest Twin Fantasy (Mirror To Mirror reissue) LP
2- TRAFOZSATSFM: A Louisville Is For Lovers Tribute To Ziggy Stardust 2CD Reissue
1- Halloween Soundtrack by John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies (37FLOOD Approved)
It's already the end of the year, and not a moment too soon some would say. And while 2017 has been a difficult one in many respects, when it comes to music it has been a great year. We have seen the return of many musical heavyweights including Future Islands, Bodycount, Kendrick Lamar, and Run The Jewels (our #1 LP pick), as well as indie favorites Scott H. Biram, Bully, and Angel Olsen (our #1 compilation pick), and of course Louisville favorites like Second Story Man, 1200, RMLLW2LLZ, Quiet Hollers, and Jaye Jayle (our #1 EP pick)!
Disclaimer: A few years ago we heard a convincing argument by a good friend and music producer about why he declined a 'Best Of' award; the argument being that while you can quantify a 'tallest building', you can't mathematically conclude a 'Best' when it comes to personal taste; be it music, film, or any other art. But keeping with 10 years of tradition here at 37FLOOD, we have kept the title 'Best Of' but would like to express that these are only lists of our 'Favorites' and hope you enjoy them as well. Click here to read past 37FLOOD 'Best Of' lists.
Share your Favorites list of 2017 with us for a chance to win a Cassette & Download of the Louisville Is For Lovers Duets EP 'Little Darlin' featuring Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, The Winger Brothers, and more! Send your lists by email here.
Favorite Albums:
20. Planetary Overdrive Self-Titled LP
19. 1200 'Séance & Spirit'
18. Quiet Hollers 'Amen Breaks' LP
17. Escape-ism (Ian Svenonius) ‘Introduction To Escape-ism’ LP
16. Bully ‘Losing’ LP
15. Watter 'History Of The Future' LP
14. Zola Jesus ‘Okovi’ LP
13. Public Service Broadcasting ‘Every Valley’ LP
12. Future Islands ‘The Far field’ LP
11. Bodycount ‘Bloodlust’LP
10. Kendrick Lamar ‘Damn’ LP
9. Wax Fang 'Victory Laps' LP
8. White Reaper 'The World's Best American Band' LP
7. L.A. Witch - S/T LP
6. RMLLW2LLZ 'Concerto No.9 Movement II' LP
5. Curtis Harding ‘Face Your Fear’ LP
4. Black Angels ‘Death Song’ LP
3. Scott H. Biram 'Bad Testament' LP
2. Second Story Man S/T LP
1. Run The Jewels 'Run The Jewels 3' (37FLOOD Approved!)
Favorite Cover Albums, Compilations, & Live Albums:
10. Jason Molina "The Black Sabbath Covers" 7"
9. Jim James 'Tribute To 2' LP
8. Bonnie "prince" Billy "Wolf of the Cosmos" LP
7. Silicon Valley Soundtrack LP
6. Jackie Shane 'Any Other Way' Numero Collection LP
5. The Replacements "For Sale: Live At Maxwell's 1986' LP
4. Babymetal "Legend Metal Resistance: Black Night" Live
3. John Carpenter 'Anthology: Movie Themes 1974-1998'
2. Louisville Is For Lovers Vol. 12
1. Angel Olsen 'Phases' LP (37FLOOD Approved!)
Nashville might be the premier city for country music. It is, after all, home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum as well as the famed country music venue, the Grand Ole Opry. However, the city is large and receptive to all sorts of music genres, and some very big names have been in town this year.
Beyoncé The woman who led an unforgettable halftime show at this year's Super Bowl also has the highest-grossing tour of the year. In October, Beyoncé stopped by Nissan Stadium and added more money to her blockbuster Formation World Tour. The $126 million and counting dwarfed the earnings of her nearest competition.
Justin Bieber Love him or hate him, you can't deny that Bieber fever is stronger than ever. With over $73 million grossed from his first 45 shows, Bieber has the third most popular tour of the year so far. He stopped at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena this past June and even praised it as one of the best stops of the tour.
Adele Fresh off of the biggest selling album of 2015, Adele brought her soulful style to the Bridgestone Arena. If you needed any more evidence that Adele is wildly popular and then some, she had two shows at the arena, and they both sold out. The average ticket price on the resale market was over $300.
Rihanna Bridgestone Arena seems to be a very popular spot for pop artists making stops in Nashville. R&B superstar Rihanna came by with rapper Travis Scott for a stop on her “Anti World Tour” in March.
Guns N' Roses The thought of the classic lineup of Guns N' Roses reuniting once seemed unthinkable, a "when hell freezes over" scenario. However, Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan took the stage at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The "Welcome to the Jungle" hard rock legends have made $26 million and counting on their "Not in This Lifetime..." tour.
Omissions While Nissan Stadium and Bridgestone Arena were able to bring forth plenty more big names, including country superstars like Blake Shelton and Carrie Underwood at CMA Fest 2016 and rapper Kanye West, a few notable touring names did not make the list.
Among them are Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band and legendary Beatle Paul McCartney. It's no doubt that Nashville gets some big shows, but it might not be getting all of them anymore. Still, if you are a music fan in Nashville, there's a good chance there are more than a few great concerts coming your way.
Gayngs 'Relayted' 2010
One of the most imaginative ensemble albums ever created, the 22 member Gayngs recorded 'Relayted' of the course of a year, and at the sexy 69 BPM, to incredible success, and has yet to release a follow up.
The Deloreans "American Craze" 2011
The Dynamite blast of the Deloreans 2nd LP mixes 1930s sentiment with equal parts Lounge Axe and B-52s stylized pop delivered with polished talent. A must have for any fan of post-90s Louisville rock.
The Fervor "Arise Great Warrior" 2011
Released within a month of American Craze, The Fervor's 'Arise' is a brutal and heartbreaking exploration through the choppy waters of love, that only a husband and wife group can deliver. Ben and Natalie Felker front The Fervor, with Ben's slick guitar, and Natalie's undeniably honest look into Love and Loss, through expert vocals and smooth keys.
Death Grips "Exmilitary" 2012
The brilliantly executed 1st full length album by art-rap's damaged duo M.C. Ride & Zach Hill is an excellent example of the anatomy of a madman's dream. It will cause you to question your entire life, and possibly reality it's self.
DMX "The Weigh In" 2012
In 2012 DMX released 2 hard hitting LPs, the first ‘The Weigh In’ for free (in current hip-hop mixed tape style) as a prelude to ‘Undisputed’. I think both albums are well worth any DMX fan's collection, but I keep finding myself going back to the Weigh In, as it is more gritty and with unabashed inflections that read like a prison diary that DMX was so good at in his early albums such as ‘It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot.’ It is also a free album so nothing is stopping you.
Bonnie "prince" Billy S/T 2013
One of the best albums entirely recorded, produced, and released by one man; and of of Will Oldham's most personal and heartbreaking works to date.
Frankie Cosmos "I'm Sorry I'm Hi Let's Go" 2013
Musician Greta Kline (AKA Frankie Cosmos) captures those awkward teen years in a musical diary as only the daughter of Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates could.
Howell Dawdy "Mixtape" 2014
From the alter-ego of Lydia Burrell (which is the alter-ego of Alex Smith) this paranoid Art-Rapper is connecting the dots and exposing international (and inter-personal) conspiracy theories so we don't have to.
Scott H. Biram "Nothin' But Blood" 2014
Texas blues One Man Band, Scott H. Biram's Nothin' But Blood album plays like a schizophrenic jukebox jumping from head on collisions like "Alcohol Blues" with lines like "You don't love me Mamma like you say you do, You can't be my woman sucking and fucking some other motherfucker too" straight into quiet and endearing tracks like "Never Coming Home" with lines that will break your heart like "woke up thinking my soul had flown, I thought I'd died somewhere in the night. Yes I'm still just drifting on, got nowhere to do it right." It's full on honesty meets expert blues and country picking.
Dr. Dre "Compton" 2015
Who says Dre has lost touch? this 3rd solo release (in as many decades) has just as much fire power and creativity as anything Dre has ever worked on.
Leon Bridges "Coming Home" 2015
Born Todd Bridges, and transformed into the time machine that is Leon Bridges, this record will take you into the past as well as the future.
Printed Pop:
Life by Keith Richards (2010) this massive and energetic autobiography by Rolling Stones founder Keith Richards is an honest and open portrayal of Life as a living god.
With Amusement for All: A History of American Popular Culture since 1830 by Leroy Ashby (2012/updated edition) is the first comprehensive look into the history of pop culture (and also confirmed my suspicions that Pop culture was indeed born right here in the Derby City). It's a must for anyone who has ever framed a movie poster, album cover, or comic book for proud display or safe keeping.
Hip Hop Family Tree by Ed Piskor (2013) is an amazingly detailed and thought out history of Hip Hop with it's origins in Bronx, NY. Not only has Ed Piskor painstakingly drawn out this history in Graphic novel format, but has also put all of it up to view free online. I got mine in paperback format from Phantagraphics. Hip Hop Family Tree vol.1 & 2 made it onto the New York Times Best Seller list of 2013 and is a must for anyone who enjoys the mythology of rock music and it's gods.
Supernatural Strategies for Making a Rock 'n' Roll Group By Ian Svenonius (2013) This book came out in 2013, and promptly changed my life. It comes from a man whose work in The Make Up changed my life, and life path, back in the 1990s. Supernatural Strategies is a sweeping look into the social significance of Rock music in society, and is truly genius. this is no surprise coming from the man who has brought us The Nation of Ulysses, Make Up, the music podcast Soft Focus, and his first book The Psychic Soviet. I buy this book everytime I see it just so I can hand it off to someone and maybe change their life too. It should be required reading for anyone who has made the choice between making music or keeping a job, or buying records versus saving rent money.
Film:
Stones In Exile Directed by Stephen Kijak(2010) The amazing and at times unbelievable story of the making of The Rolling Stones Exile On Main Street. Follows The Stones from their UK exodus, French explosion, and brief L.A. refuge while wrapping up recording for this magnum opus of an album.
The Sheik Directed by Igal Hecht (2014) The true story of Khosrow Vaziri's flight from Iran under threat of assassination to U.S. Olympic medallist, to hated WWF character The Iron Sheik, to -finally- beloved American icon.
