Favorites List of 2019

    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

Lightning Dust - Spectre
Good Value: 1 Marble LP = $22

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:

10. V/A - Louisville Is For Lovers 2007
9. Rob Halford - Celestial
8. V/A - Louisville Is For Lovers 2010
7. Big Trouble Little China OST
6. The Pop Group: Y (Definitive Edition)
5. V/A - Louisville Is For Lovers 2009
4. V/A - River City Rumble Vol. 2
3. V/A - Louisville Is For Lovers 2006
2. Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Once More With Feeling OST
1. Louisville Is For Lovers 2019 - American Promenade (37FLOOD approved)

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)

Louisville Shows:

15. Rock N Roll $20 Art Show w/Hawks
14. The Pleasure Boys & Sour Milk Sea Allstar Band at Kaiju
13. Hawks, Los Dolores, & The Captain The Ship at Zanzabar
12. Juneteenth at Butchertown Social
11. 2019 Louder Than Life
10. Adia Victoria at Waterfront Wednesday
9. Planetary Overdrive and Proles at Kaiju
8. Wingerfest 

7. Louisville Is For Lovers 2019 Live Lunch with Hawks & Planetary Overdrive
6. Louisville Is For Lovers Valentine's Showcase
5. The Glasspack, Call Me Bronco, Sound Company, Wiirmz at Headliners
4. Clownvis at Trixies Tiger Room
3. Mono, Emma Ruth Rundle, & Dane Waters at Headliners
2. 2019 Bourbon And Beyond

1. Cowboy Kev at Butchertown Social

Louisville Is For Lovers Vol. 9 & 10 Reissued

Looking for that last minute gift for a Louisville music fan? In keeping with a promise to make available all past editions of the Valentine's compilation for the 20th anniversary in February 2020,  Louisville Is For Lovers has just reissued digitally volumes and 9 & 10, which include original work by Bonnie 'prince' Billy, My Morning Jacket, Cheyenne Mize, and many more. Each edition also comes with bonus tracks from the PS I Love You hidden discs, topping out at 32 tracks for vol. 9 and 30 tracks for vol. 10, and just for $5 each. With one click they can be sent as a gift for a thoughtful last minute gift.

Louisville Is For Lovers reissuing all of the Valentine's Day Compilations

As part of Louisville Is For Lovers 20th Anniversary this coming February they are reissuing all of the Valentine's Day compilations digitally for only $5 each. Volumes 1-5 and 11-14 are already available and 2 more will be reissued every month until the release of the 15th Valentine's compilation on February 1st, 2020. 

Just released for November is volume 6 and 7, which have never been reissued before, volume 6 originally sold out in one month due to the inclusion of Bonnie 'prince' Billy,  My Morning Jacket, and The Phantom Family Halo all being on the same release for the first time. 

These reissues have over 30 exclusive tracks collectively and both releases have added bonus tracks. Get yours here. 

Best Of: 2017

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!)



Favorite EPs & Singles:



5. Alan Poe & Beatnik Dee 'Composure' EP
4. Kendall Elijah Dynamite & House Ghost 'Sistersingles'  EP
3. The Gallery Singers "POWER TO THE POOR"
2. MC Hijack 'TRUTH CHURCH' EP
1. Jaye Jayle & Emma Ruth Rundle 'The Time Between Us' EP (37FLOOD Approved)


Favorite Reissues:
5. Louisville Is For Lovers Vol.4 Reissue
4. Louisville Is For Lovers Vol.5 Reissue
3. Saredren Wells 'Memories Are Hunting Horns' 5th Anniversary Reissue
2. Wu-Tang Clan ‎"Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" Deluxe 7" Casebook
1. Louisville Is For Lovers Vol.3 Reissue (37FLOOD Approved)


Favorite Books/Media/Videos:
5. Clownvis Presley 'Don't Be a Bitch (Or You Won't Get Stuff for Christmas)'


4. Quiet Hollers 'Pressure'

3. Babymetal 'Legend Metal Resistance: Red Night'


2.  Hip Hop Evolution (Netflix Documentary)


 1. Erin Osmon 'Riding With The Ghost' the biography of Jason Molina (37FLOOD Approved)

Favorite Live Events:

Jesus And Mary Chain at Headliners. Photo by Kevin Ratterman

10. Forecastle
9. Cindy Wilson at Zanzabar 
8. Jesus And Mary Chain at Headliners
7. Mother Runaway at Kaiju
6. Second Story Man at Zanzabar
5. Louisville Free Public Library After Dark Music Series
(RMLLW2LLZ, Brooks Ritter, Billy Nelson, Jonathan Glenn Wood)
4. Future Islands at Mercury Ballroom
3. Jonathan Richman at Zanzabar
2. Frankie Cosmos at Zanzabar
1. Neil Diamond At Yum!

Neil Diamond at Yum! Bucket

Samuel T. Herring of Future Isands

Cindy Wilson at Zanzabar

Mother Runaway at Kaiju

Jaye Jayle with Emma Ruth Rundle at Forecastle

P.J. Harvey at Forecastle

Charles Bradley at Forecastle

Jesus and Mary Chain at Headliners

Frankie Cosmos at Zanzabar

Second Story Man Album Release Show at Zbar

Louisville Is For Lovers 2018 Pre-orders and Free EP Available

 

The 2018 Louisville Is For Lovers Valentine's compilation (Release Date 2/2/2018) is now available for pre-order on CD and Digital Download online and at Guestroom Records. Pre-orders get an immediate download of the Duets EP 'Little Darlin' featuring Bonnie 'prince' Billy, Lacey Guthrie, The Winger Brothers, and others. Pre-orders of the Deluxe Edition (available at Guestroom only) will get an immediate cassette copy of the Duets EP.

The 2018 compilation has 22 exclusive tracks by Louisville artists including Adventure, Bon Air, Bonnie 'prince' Billy, Brenda, Frederick The Younger, and more.

The 2018 showcase will be Saturday Feb. 10th, Featuring Adventure, Soft Self Portraits, and Mother Runaway at Louisville Free Public Library (301 York street) 6pm-10pm, and is FREE.

There is also an Instore performance at Guestroom records on Feb. 2nd with Brenda and Frederick The Younger at 7pm that is also free.

Louisville Is For Lovers 2018 Album & Showcase Announced

This morning Louisville Is For Lovers announced the Lineup for the 2018 Valentine's compilation, called  'Darlin Beloved', including contributions by Brenda, Bonnie 'prince' Billy, Frederick The Younger, Future Killer, Jaye Jayle, Tender Mercy, Winger Brothers and many more. View the complete lineup here. The release date is Feb. 2nd with Pre-orders available here starting Jan.1st on their website and at Louisville Record Stores.

Also announced is the 2018 Louisville Is For Lovers Valentine's Showcase, on Saturday Feb. 10th at Louisville Free Public Library Main Branch (301 York street) featuring Adventure, Soft Self Portraits, and Mother Runaway.
 The event is sponsored by the Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL) and the Louisville Underground Music Archive (LUMA) and will start at 6pm with the Wild And Wooly Film Series with a screening of Breadcrumb Trail: The Story Of Slint. More info on the Facebook Event Page.
 6pm-10pm FREE.

Louisville Is For Lovers Releases 1st Pressings For Original Retail Price

At 12:01 this morning (November 27th) local record label Louisville Is For Lovers gave the city an early Christmas gift; releasing digitally remastered downloads of the Louisville Is For Lovers Valentine's Series vol. 3, 4, and 5 (Volumes 1 & 2 were re-released last year).

Every release has the original album in it's entirety (with contributions from Bonnie 'prince' Billy, My Morning Jacket, Papa M, Tara Jane O'neil, and many others) as well as bonus tracks of alternate song versions, hidden tracks, and/or bonus disc tracks and scans of the original artwork.

 But the big news is that they are also releasing a limited number of the original pressings long thought to be out of stock. The the original hand packaged, numbered CDs, from the original pressings, will be sold for the original retail price at the time of release: $8 (+S&H)! Quantities vary greatly depending on availability.  Each will also come with an immediate download of the digitally remastered reissue with all of the bonus materials.

As part of Louisville Is For Lovers 15th Anniversary in 2016 the label began the process of remastering their entire back catalog and releasing digital versions online. To date  half of their releases (nearing 40 total releases since 2001) are available digitally through their website for $5 or less, and half of the releases are free.