Category Archives: Featured Articles
A Closer Listen’s Best Ambient Albums of the Decade
Our Best of the Decade lists begin today! These lists celebrate the power ~ and the idiosyncrasies ~ of the individual. Each of our staffers was invited to list their favorite album of the decade in each of seven categories,
A Closer Listen’s Best Ambient Albums of the Decade
Our Best of the Decade lists begin today! These lists celebrate the power ~ and the idiosyncrasies ~ of the individual. Each of our staffers was invited to list their favorite album of the decade in each of seven categories,
ACL 2019 ~ The Top 20 Albums of the Year
Our reviewers have an ear for the unique, as evidenced by this list. Every writer voted for a different #1. But when the votes were counted, one album stood above them all, winning a broad base of support that unified
ACL 2019 ~ The Top 20 Albums of the Year
Our reviewers have an ear for the unique, as evidenced by this list. Every writer voted for a different #1. But when the votes were counted, one album stood above them all, winning a broad base of support that unified
ACL 2019 ~ Top Ten Rock, Post-Rock, Folk & Jazz
2019 was the best year for post-rock in recent memory. We knew it early; by spring we were well on our way to a top ten. The dominance of post-rock on this year’s list is a sign of strength which
ACL 2019 ~ Top Ten Rock, Post-Rock, Folk & Jazz
2019 was the best year for post-rock in recent memory. We knew it early; by spring we were well on our way to a top ten. The dominance of post-rock on this year’s list is a sign of strength which
ACL 2019 ~ Top Ten Modern Composition
Some of the year’s most ambitious projects are found in this category, crisscrossing the globe from the history of Appalachia to the future of Australia. Visual poems tell deep stories; singers connect to folklore and spirit. And everywhere, there are
ACL 2019 ~ Top Ten Modern Composition
Some of the year’s most ambitious projects are found in this category, crisscrossing the globe from the history of Appalachia to the future of Australia. Visual poems tell deep stories; singers connect to folklore and spirit. And everywhere, there are
ACL 2019 ~ Top Ten Field Recording & Soundscape
The glaciers are melting, species are disappearing, natural wonders are being turned into tourist traps, and all the while we’re on our cellphones, texting towards Bethlehem. The artists below are in love with sound, especially disappearing sound, although they hope it will
ACL 2019 ~ Top Ten Field Recording & Soundscape
The glaciers are melting, species are disappearing, natural wonders are being turned into tourist traps, and all the while we’re on our cellphones, texting towards Bethlehem. The artists below are in love with sound, especially disappearing sound, although they hope it will
ACL 2019 ~ Top Ten Experimental
From locked grooves to dueling drummers; from abstract voices to plastic instruments; from stories of slavery to modern African drones, the Experimental category represents creativity at its best. These artists follow their own paths, abandoning the marked roads, more interested
ACL 2019 ~ Top Ten Experimental
From locked grooves to dueling drummers; from abstract voices to plastic instruments; from stories of slavery to modern African drones, the Experimental category represents creativity at its best. These artists follow their own paths, abandoning the marked roads, more interested
ACL 2019 ~ Top Ten Electronic
There’s some wild stuff going on in our Electronic section this year. This year’s list includes a nocturnal symphony, an environmental plea, an ode to changing seasons, a mangled club set and a nearly unclassifiable band. Many of these selections
ACL 2019 ~ Top Ten Electronic
There’s some wild stuff going on in our Electronic section this year. This year’s list includes a nocturnal symphony, an environmental plea, an ode to changing seasons, a mangled club set and a nearly unclassifiable band. Many of these selections
ACL 2019 ~ Top Ten Drone
Drone music doesn’t need to be scary; there’s nothing inherently frightening about elongated tones. Yet the drone genre does seem predisposed toward darkness. Just look at the cover art for Black to Comm; or the compositional corpses found in the BABEL hardback
ACL 2019 ~ Top Ten Drone
Drone music doesn’t need to be scary; there’s nothing inherently frightening about elongated tones. Yet the drone genre does seem predisposed toward darkness. Just look at the cover art for Black to Comm; or the compositional corpses found in the BABEL hardback
a closer listen 