1. January 2020 By Walter Price 0

GLOBAL TEXAN CHRONICLES ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2019

Album of the Year and more in the GTC archives, open 24/7.

2019 will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the most dynamic years for indie music worldwide. And as independent creators gain more and more power over their art, many are utilizing the communities around them to not only shape their wares but to uplift and support other artists in their spheres. And the GTC Top Albums of 2019 are perfect examples of this.

Thank You for your continued support of freethinking, maverick and individualistic art and the folks who toil behind it. After a year of hearing hundreds of releases, here are 10 that will make this year more than memorable.

GTC ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2019

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

THINGS THAT WERE LOST – Ducks!

Spotify

Not only was this emotionally and sonically vast album a perfect fit for countless occasions, but out of all the artists and their releases this past year, this one introduced us to a whole new world of songwriters, producers, and performers. From Fredrik Kinbom, Ben Osborn, Yvois and more. Addictive, weighty and groovy…this album is a bonafide classic!

Lamenting on the year that was, Ducks! told the GTC, “Things That Were Lost’ meant everything to us in 2019, until we released it, at which point we almost forgot it existed. We immediately got to work on a new record, exploring new sounds, new instruments and processes, and working with new collaborators. But even though our third album wasn’t on our mind so much this past year, it’s also shaped everything we’ve done. Things That Were Lost surprised us in many ways, but mostly in how sad and reflective much of it was – in particular tracks like ‘Swerve’, ‘Lung’ and ‘Minds Have Changed’.

“In the year since it was released, we traveled and toured a lot, and made some decisions about the kind of band we want to be and the kind of atmosphere we want to create around us, at least for the time being. Basically, we want to be a giant explosion of confetti in your brain. So songs like ‘Pinprick In’, ‘Delivery’ and ‘Top Horse’, for us, seem to point toward the future of Ducks! – weird party pop music with noisy synths and surreal imagery. In that sense,

“‘Things That Were Lost’ continues to live up to the promise of its title; a museum of lost things, moods we were in and ideas we had, which like all good museums, has as much to say about the future as it does about the past.”

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Delivery performed and produced by Ducks! (Lani Bagley and Craig Schuftan) at Schmiede (Hallein, Austria) and Tiny Lights (Berlin, Germany) with:
Michael Rosenthal – international guitar
Ray Mann – backing vocals
Marissa Bagley – shouting
Owen Cooper Hurst – cardboard

NUMBER TWO

ROOTS & VISION – Billy Momo

Spotify

Call it a community or perhaps an artist collective, whichever will be correct. This Swedish outfit has one foot planted solidly in the roots of folk and the other in modern pop/alt-rock. Melodies, rhythms, and poetry that, to the discerning listener, sound and feel meticulously laid out throughout Roots & Vision. This is an indie release that surpasses anything churned out by major labels/producers. It must be heard…

Billy Momo’s Oskar ‘Orren Ishee´ Hovell shared his personal thoughts on the album and year, “2019 was an exciting year for us. We had been underground for a long time, recording “Roots & Vision” and rehearsing a brand new live show, when we released the album and started touring in the spring. We love writing and recording, but meeting our fans live, there’s nothing like it.

“For me personally, as our former lead guitarist had to leave us after many years of service, it was a very busy year, becoming a lead guitarist on top of all the other jobs I have in this unit. Busy in the best possible way though. I have to admit, it turned out to be a bit of a teenage dream coming true.”

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Tomas ´Barba Rosso´ Juto
Oskar ‘Orren Ishee´ Hovell
Tony´Gramps´ Lind
Mårten ´Hotlips` Forssman
Oscar ´the Head´ Harryson
Christopher ´the Coffa´ Anderzon
Andreas ´Preacher Man´ Prybil

NUMBER THREE

NUMB TONGUES – The King Dukes

Spotify

If you’ve been following the GTC over the past several years, you’ve no stranger to Marc Griffiths & Co and their never-ending ventures into music-making. Not modern paint-by-the-numbers music, but their penchant for keeping sounds from eras past alive is part of their superpowers, And Griffiths’ 2019 outfit The King Dukes and their incredible juke-joint album Numb Tongues, is an absolute beaut. Jazzy blues numbers with toe-tapping dancefloor-ready rhythms, soulful tracks that’ll make you pull your partner to your chest, as well as those late-night tunes that’ll feel good with a cigarette and a scotch as the sun cracks the morning sky. And all created within the community Marc’s gang hangs in. A real group project.

Marc Griffiths looks back, telling the GTC, “2019 saw the culmination of 2 years of work for us here at King Dukes HQ. October saw the release of our debut album ‘Numb Tongues’ to great reviews. It would astound anyone who has never been through the realest process how much work and how many people are involved. It’s a huge task. Everybody worked so hard for us and our record, we are humbled and grateful for every piece of hard work.

“We are keeping on keeping on into 2020, trying to be the best band and best people we can. Making our music, playing our gigs and hopefully spreading a bit of love around. We are touring widely in the new year. See you out there”

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Video directed by Michael Sides

The King Dukes Are: Marc Griffiths – Guitar / Vocals; Dan Clibery – Drums; Mandrake Fantastico – Bass; Henry Slim – Harmonica/Hammond Organ; Joss Murray – Trumpet; Rebecca Sneddon – Tenor Sax; Sarah Loveday-Drury – Trombone; April Jackson – Vocals