Provided I'm fast enough on the draw for buying tickets, it looks like I'll be driving to Buffalo to see The Mountain Goats in April and I could not be more excited about it.

Also how did you like CRJ/Hamilton?

Yeah it's unbelievable there isn't more buzz about it. Perhaps its the somewhat old school aesthetic in a year where hip hop has been all about pushing forward

Your rating of Romano as #2 is outrageous and clearly politically motivated. Also, I don't see Hamilton on this list.

I've listened to this Dr Yen Lo record 3 times now. It's SO GOOD. How have I never heard of Ka before?!

Also, even as great a fan theory as Darth Jar Jar can never make the movies more entertaining or watchable.

I just finished the Jim O'Rourke record, which was definitely good enough to warrant spending some time with, but nothing mind-blowing yet. Now on my second play through of the Anna von Hausswolff record which is just incredible. Absolutely adoring it.

I found that the vocal tracks broke up the album which contributed to the lack of focus but there was also a kind of meandering thing to the whole record which wasn't present on the laser-like Mirrored. But maybe I'll give it a re-listen (skipping over the vocal tracks) and re-evaluate it. (When I'm done listening…

Everyone else is making Best Of and Top Ten lists, so here's mine: Top Ten Pop Culture Things That I Did/Watched/Saw/Had Inflicted Upon Me:

Yeah, this is really good. Doesn't have the same intensity as Mirrored, but seems a lot more focused, complex and precise than Gloss Drop

That's a great record, but not a great introduction to John Darnielle's world, partly because its the finale of a decade-long story, partly because it got a lot of not-great songs on it, and partly because it showcases a lot of John's less accessible tendencies.

Yeah it's been nuts. Bjork put out a her first record in 4 years, it was a crazy breakup record, it was really great, and I'd forgotten about it by October. That's how ridiculous this year has been for music.

That record is SO GOOD!

Oh shit, I forgot that Bjork, Panda Bear and Deerhunter ALSO put out fantastic records this year. Man, it's been a crazy year for music.

I can already tell you about a bunch of them: Sleater-Kinney is a great record that I didn't spend enough time this year with. I don't really understand the appeal of Father John Misty. He's fine, I guess? Kamasi Washington, Colin Stetson and Beach House (Depression Cherry) are all great records that I keep coming…

If you're looking for more recommendations, may I throw out these: The Weeknd's album and the record Miley Cyrus made with Wayne Coyne. People really seem to like Roury, but I'm not really feeling it.

I am going listen to all of these in the next couple of days. Thanks for providing me with a good list of things I've missed while I was listening to Carly Rae Jepsen and Hamilton exclusively.

History according to MattMcC:
Dinosaur Times.
Cavemen.
Ancient Egypt Times
Romans & Greeks
Jesus
????
Medieval?
????
Tudors?
Queen Victoria
WWI
WWII
Hippies
Business
Internet.

Find a place to die where it's high and dry.

If you haven't heard the Carly Rae Jepsen album, you have no business making best of year list! (Your list is very excellent though)