It's been a year of intense, crazy events. Assassination attempts on former presidents. European governments overthrown in waves of unexpected left-wing landslides. Tenacious D imploding. Hold on, that was just the past few weeks.
Yep, we're midway through this thing called 2024 and it only promises to get more interesting / terrifying / Jack Black-esque, depending on your perspective. Thankfully, the SPB team are on hand to guide you through the music you may have missed thus far.
Read on to hear our writers' handpicked favorite records of the year so far, just in time for you to pretend you already heard them when you include them in your year-end list in just six months' time. You're welcome.
Christopher D's Top 5 Of 2024 So Far
Ultrabomb-Dying to Smile
DC-Jam Records
Some may think this is a Punk Supergroup that will slip into the moonlit graffiti-strewn alleyway never to be spotted again. However, this is where I must correct you on your erroneous ways of doubt.
Ultrabomb explodes all over your turntable with this pristine Bone White vinyl.
How can you go wrong with Finny McConnell (The Mahones), Greg Norton (Husker Du) and Jamie Oliver (U.K Subs)?
Ultrabomb have gelled with this release proving they are no one-trick magical unicorn but a lasting project that exudes camaraderie, strength and experience. Get it before it detonates.
The Fallen Leaves-Simple Songs For Complex People
Parliament Records
Humming and buzzing in like a vintage tube amp. The Fallen Leaves have no hidden aces up their well-manicured suit sleeves. Well-crafted, straight-to-sharpened point-shooting daggers like Link Wray stabbing his amp with a switchblade.1960's garage neat no ice. Slug it down and feel the warmth down your spine.
Hey, you can't go wrong with two former members of Subway Sect!
Andy Blade + Buddies- Being Alive is Fun
Holy Dotage Records
Perhaps this is the Jack in the Box that screams and laughs poking out his smiling head bobbing and weaving and luring you in to do it again and again and Again. Andy Blade (Eater) serves up this delightful tray of surprises proving his wealth of talent. Yes, being alive is fun! but so are repeated listens of this release. Full of twists and turns on Dead Man's curve.
The Sabrejets-The Restless Kind
Raucous Records
Keep It Greasy and keep it pure. The Sabrejets roll out rockabilly the way it was intended to be shoved in your wax-filled ear. No this is not Psychobilly, Horrorbilly or any other type of Billy's. Seems it might take these fine gentlemen from Belfast to knock some Brylcreem into your well-quaffed hippie hair, shove a switchblade comb into your back pocket and drop you into a pair of Brothel Creepers. Go Cats Go!
Night Finger-Creepy Crawl
Trophy Records
Night Finger let your fingers do the walkin' as they do the Creepy Crawl into your blackened heart. Toronto veterans Classy Craig (Leather Uppers ) and Steve Scarlet (Sinisters) writhe and wiggle like a basement millipede with their two hundred legs bashing out Garage, Soul, R&B and R'N"R the way it was meant to be stirred rattled and shaken. Eddie Munster approved! Move over Wednesday!
