2023 Top Ten
Not sure when I started doing a Top Ten for MRR, but it’s been a while. It’s a pleasure to share these records with you.
This is a fuck of a world to figure out how to find our place in resistance. Appealing to politicians to stop a genocide. Fighting displacement and attacks on the vulnerable and marginalized by brainwashed normies and squares who believe in nationalism and borders. Surviving in late stage capitalism where greed is our societal cancer. You know, you know. These records helped. Now songs for now times. I didn’t include reissues in this list, but if I did Vice Squad, Steel Pole Bathtub, and “These Guys Are From England and Who Gives A Shit” would be included. Alphabetical Order.
BB - The Spiral Times Radio Show (Refugee Worldwide)
Radio is the perfect punk medium. In the most obvious way, like the punks, it’s borderless, sneaky, and although mostly tame, it can be astonishing and captivating! The Spiral Times has been blowing my mind this year. I love how Bryony brings the world into my house. As the genocide of Palestine continues. I recommend the Sounds of Sumud shows in particular. Solidarity Forever is also an excellent compilation of creative protest in music and action. It’s also a great record of how we can stretch the definitions of punk to fit what we want and need in this shit world. New episodes monthly. Tune in.
BLACK BUTTON - RejoiceLP (Anthems of The Undesirable)
This record was my surprise super hit of the year. It’s grimy opening bass notes just grabbed me and didn’t let go. Straight forward and aggressive and also unhinged and free and surprising. Scratching to get out and in at the same time. True Love.
C.O.F.F.I.N. - Australia Stops LP (Goner)
They captured the whole history of Australian rock and punk into one record. Riff heavy, energetic and cathartic. This is the record for when it’s all too much and you just want to be in a small room with a loud band and freak the fuck out. This record made it possible to recreate that sensation at home.
COLLATE- Generative Systems LP (Domestic Departure)
Classic post-herky-jerky-dance-moves-punk with strong rhythm and vocals. But classic does not mean copycat. It’s got a lot of groove and a lot of heart and a lot of piss and vinegar. An undeniable treasure.
COPY WRIGHT- Compilation Tape Series (Escape Cassettes)
Copy Wright tapesVolume 8-12 came out this year. Pat Wright was a creative and excellent lifer for punk rock, union organizing, radio stations, and collecting! He died in 2020, and left behind a lot of community space to fill, but a lot of physical goods as ingredients. This project is a perfect tribute: the raw materials of recordings of radio shows, live shows, answering machine messages, any recorded sounds. These collage mix tapes are incredible, and a tribute to a well lived life, and how to build on the work of those that came before us.
DISPLAY HOMES - What If You’re Right and They’re Wrong? LP (Erste Theke Tontraeger)
Vivacious. Post punk without the angst. It’s so alive and sharp and curious. It’s a fucking gut wrencher that the guitarist Darrell Beveridge died. Thanks for leaving such a catchy groovy work of art.
HEZ - Panamaniacs LP (Discos Enfermos)
HEZ plays the intoxicating ferocious raw hardcore that’s also got hook and groove. The guitar effects show off the same frequencies as pissed off insects, industrial machinery, nightmares. These people are having fun! Favorite drummer of the year.
THE JONSTER - The Jonster 7” (Self Released)
Jonny, of Jonny Cat records/Cyclops/The Chemicals/The Triggers gave out copies of this record at his Death Party. Here’s what he said about it when I asked him:
“I worked on it for a year and a half. Doug Burns did tracking and got some vocals down. We probably recorded 7-10 songs. Eventually, I did a duet with my good friend, Fawn Li, a cover of Roky Erickson’s “For You I would do Anything” and when I heard her vocals I just could not step on it. I just say “for you” . It turned out beautiful. She’s amazing, And then we narrowed down the songs that felt right, which I know are hard songs to listen to. I was struggling with my singing because I was losing my voice a lot and the cancer was just really bad. Anyway, we took it into Blackwater and gave it a proper mix and came up with the 4 songs. Tim Kerr did the artwork . it just happened to come out the day before the Death Party. I’m very glad the 7” came out while I was alive, ha ha!” The most beautiful record of 2023.
PHYSIQUE - Again LP (Iron Lung)
Physique is incredible.They’ve been around long enough that most MRR readers already know. This record adds to their perfect catalog. Passionate, pissed, fierce, among the fucking best.
PIÑÉN- Nicolasa Quintremán EP (Self Released)
PIÑÉN is the real fucking deal. It’s raw and cathartic and pissed, cacophonous anarchist hardcore from 2 of the best people. I appreciate the effort they take to live by their ideals and the political education I got with this record. Ferocious. Inspiring.
