I done good, I guess...

I be running up on ya Chicago! Local scene weekly the Reader just released their "Best of Chicago" issue which lists the results of their reader poll on what people in Chicago liked best in 2021. The podcast I co-run with Jessi D for CHIRP Radio was nominated for the runner-up in the "Best Music Podcast" category. Sound Opinions with Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot took the gold. It is the same result as last year and there is no shame in taking second place. Frankly, I'm just glad someone noticed what I'm doing and cared to vote for it. That's validation enough imho. 

On the same topic, the CHIRP Radio Blog took the top slot for "Best Blog" so congrats to Clarence and Nikki for their work there. I sometimes contribute interviews to the blog, so I guess this is a small victory for me as well. 

None of this changes my thoughts on "Best of" of lists in general. There is a lot of talent out there and it all deserves consideration, whether or not it receives any kind of official recognition. 

CHIRP Radio Invitation 2021

I really really do not like year-end or "Best of" lists but I don't hate writing short reviews of albums (provided that I haven't covered them elsewhere). So I wrote 5 quickies on albums I really enjoyed this year and which came through the station. Check out the list at the link below: 

List: https://chirpradio.org/blog/chirp-radio-best-of-2021-mick-r

Spoilers! The list includes:

Robin Hatch - T.O.N.T.O. (Ramp Global)

BADBADNOTGOOD - Talk Memory (XL Recordings)

Mind Maintenance - Mind Maintenance (Drag City)

Fire_Toolz - Eternal Home (Hausu Mountain)

Pepe Deluxé - Phantom Cabinet Vol. 1 (Catskills Records)

Top Ten Albums of 2019

CHIRP Radio has published my Top 10 Albums of the 2019 (as well as around 40 other honorable mentions). I like the excitement, exchange, and conversation that CHIRP's "Best of" list generates as an extension of a community radio station, so I'm running my year-end list on their blog. This was a pretty great year in music and if I had more time on my hands, this list would have been longer. I stand by my top 10 (and beyond) and encourage you to check them all out. Link below.

Best Albums of 2019

What were your top 10 albums of the year? What albums did I miss? Let me know.