ADM 2018: The half year report
We're six months into 2018 so it's time for our look back at the most critically-acclaimed music so far this year
It's close at the top, isn't it? No standout album running away
with it up there. Which is just what happens when our critics don't
have a Kendrick album to review. Kamasi Washington, Mout Eerie,
Janelle Monae and Parquet Courts were all critics favourites before
these releases, and it's no different in 2018 so far.
But what about the bottom of the six-monthly chart? That's right,
now we're getting in to it. According to our sources, the lowest
rated album of the year so far is Sting & Shaggy. Placing 317th
out of the 317 albums rated by sources so far this year. Maybe they
can split the wooden spoon between them. Half a wooden spoon each.
Gotta feel for whoever gets the handle side.
The rest of the back end of the chart is made up of the expected
big-selling-but-critically-disliked pop albums. Wait. Wait a
minute, it's only the Half Year report, so Sting & Shaggy
should only get half a wooden spoon. That only leaves them a
quarter each. Don't know about you, but here at ADM Towers we're
pretty sure a quarter segment of a wooden spoon is just plain
useless.
Anyway. The rest of the back end of the chart is made up of the
expected big-selling-but-critically-disliked pop albums. Justin
Timberlake's 4.7 score places him 315th. Post Malone edges him
slightly, his 4.8 placing him 316th. One above him, Fall Out Boy's
4.9. Craig David, Kylie Minogue, George Ezra, and The Weeknd also
lurking at the bottom.
Also, because we know you care even though you say you don't,
Kanye West's Ye got a 6.2 and is placed 290th out of 317. So there.
Now you know that and you can pretend that you don't even care
about Kanye any more.
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8.43
Kamasi Washington
Heaven & Earth
"As bold and maximalist, as rhythmic and righteous, as one might
expect from the reedsman who helped kickstart the global jazz
renaissance. A must-have"
Evening Standard
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8.40
Mount Eerie
Now Only
"Although it is often an excruciating listen, it also finds room
to step, however briefly, outside of the agony that marked its
predecessor, if just for long enough to suggest that Elverum is,
somehow, beginning to find some relief in the unbearable"
Drowned In Sound
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8.37
Janelle Monáe
Dirty Computer
"It might just be the record that finally elevates her to pop's
highest echelons"
DIY
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8.34
Parquet Courts
Wide Awake!
"There is rather a lot to be angry about right now, but with
Wide Awake! Parquet Courts remind us to dance and have a good time,
despite the impending apocalypse"
The Skinny
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8.27
Kali Uchis
Isolation
"Uchis builds off a classic foundation of soul, R&B, funk,
and blues, bursting outward in dozens of innovative contemporary
directions"
Consequence Of Sound
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8.26
Hot Snakes
Jericho Sirens
"Comebacks are complicated, for bands and fans too, but this is
one for the ages. Hot Snakes have returned, reminding those of us
who've paid attention that they are definitively one of the
greatest rock bands we've ever known"
Exclaim
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8.23
Pusha T
Daytona
"When Pusha T calls Daytona "Album of the motherfucking year" at
the end of "The Story of Adidon", it's not an empty boast - it
might very well be"
Pretty Much Amazing
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8.21
Young Fathers
Cocoa Sugar
"Across their studio records, genres such as Krautrock often sit
comfortably with gospel, soul and hip-hop. One could even argue
that if the true spirit of "punk" is to provoke, dissent and
agitate, then the three-piece could easily be defined as one of
Britain's finest punk bands"
The Line Of Best Fit
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8.19
U.S. Girls
In A Poem
Unlimited
"Remy is at her most confident as a writer and singer on
Poem, and, by working with others, she's created the fullest
realization of U.S. Girls yet"
NOW
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8.17
Saba
Care For Me
"Although delivered as a plea, Saba's message on Care For
Me is necessarily uplifting and therapeutic"
PopMatters
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And the next 20
11. Sophie Oil Of Every Pearl's
Un-Insides
12. Hookworms Microshift
13. Kacey Musgraves Golden Hour
14. Let's Eat Grandma I'm All Ears
15. Ezra Furman Transangelic Exodus
16. Car Seat Headrest Twin Fantasy
17. serpentwithfeet soil
18. Kids See Ghosts Kids See Ghosts
19. Cardi B Invasion of Privacy
20. Rival Consoles Persona
21. Jeff Rosenstock Post-
22. Ashley Monroe Sparrow
23. DJ Koze Knock Knock
24. Iceage Beyondless
25. Screaming Females All At Once
26. Jon Hopkins Singularity
27. Ry Cooder The Prodigal Son
28. Willie Nelson Last Man Standing
29. Daniel Avery Song For Alpha
30. Amen Dunes Freedom