WTJU Rock Best of 2024 – RADIO FREE CARTHAGE – RICK
By WTJU Rock
RADIO FREE CARTHAGE – RICK
Jessica Pratt – Here in the Pitch
Entrancingly retro, alarmingly emotional. A breathtaking record, somehow simultaneously sparing and gigantic.
*Essential tracks: “Life Is,” “World on a String,” “The Last Year”
Garrett T. Capps & NASA Country – Everyone Is Everyone
In 2022, GTC & NASA Country put out an all-time great record with “PEOPLE ARE BEAUTIFUL,” and his 2024 follow-up is nearly as good. If you’re still sleeping on Capps and co., WAKE UP ALREADY.
*Essential tracks: “Ouray,” “The Way It Goes Sometimes,” “Sunday Blues”
Kelly Finnigan – A Lover Was Born
Great neo-soul from the lead singer of the Monophonics. My favorite “sing along loudly in the shower” album of the year.
*Essential tracks: “His Love Ain’t Real,” “Prove My Love”
A marvelous, ethereal, retro-yet-eerily-timeless double album with no bad songs = the easy frontrunner for my favorite album of the year.
*Too many essential songs to list, srsly
bby – 1
The debut full-length from these London-based whiz kids is full-throttle fun from start to finish.
*Essential tracks: “Kinky,” “Breathe,” “hotline”
Blood Wizard – Grinning William
By turns weird and beautiful, “Grinning William” took me a few listens to digest, and now I can’t stop listening.
*Essential tracks: “Apples + Oranges,” “Devil Dressed in Disguise,” “Higher Energy!”
One of the most uniquely delightful records of the year, bursting with love and joy in the pursuit of rock and roll.
*Essential tracks: “Problems,” “Nightvision,” “Rock n’ Roll Hurts”
I love any-and-everything by Grace Cuell and her Nice Biscuit crew, and the most recent LP is no exception. Great Australian psych that will make you shake your booty.
*Essential tracks: “Fade Away,” “Love That Takes You Up,” “Discomfort”
The Ar-Kaics – See the World on Fire
Loved it when I heard it, but wasn’t, like, BLOWN AWAY. But then its songs kept creeping into my thoughts, and I haven’t been able to get it out of my head since.
*Essential tracks: “Fools Are Gone,” “Never Ending”
Pure, joyous pop-rock that is a feast for the ears. Put on your headphones and indulge your brain’s sweet tooth.
*Essential tracks: “Tragic,” “Calling You Out,” “Nineteen”
Honorable Mention:
