Some of this year's comebacks were bittersweet. Steve Albini died shortly after the release of Shellac's To All Trains. Wayne Kramer and Dennis Thompson did not live to see the release of Heavy Lifting by The MC5. Effigies frontman John Kezdy died in 2023 as the band was recording the album Burned (which was released last month).
Fans of Chicago bands like Shellac and The Effigies will also like Rack by The Jesus Lizard and Arcwelder's Continue. Les Savy Fav's Oui LSF adds a dance beat to noise rock, like chocolat in your beurre de cacahuète.
The mopey Goth in your family might crack a smile if you gift them the latest by The Wolfgang Press, The March Violets or even The Woodentops.
Fans of difficult music are (by definition) difficult to shop for. Surprise them with your eclectic taste by giving them new releases from Normil Hawaiians, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, or Seefeel.
The headbanger in your family will dig the new Nasty Savage album, and if you know a hip hop fan, LL Cool J's comeback album The Force proves that he's still one of the best to do it; and Q-Tip's production is top notch. (Tip samples Can, Gary Numan, and Finnish prog rock band Wigwam!)
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| Softies should read "first since 2000" |
Looking for something with a feminine touch? Try The Softies or Fairground Attraction -- or rock out with The Fastbacks!
The White Animals' album Star Time is one of my favorites of 2024, and the glam rock stomp of "Ready To Go" is a highlight of today's compilation.
The Hollywood Stars have been away the longest (since 1977), unless you count The MC5, but Brother Wayne is the only original member to do the Heavy Lifting (Dennis Thompson drums on a few songs). It would be a solid comeback even if it were a Wayne Kramer album, and I love his solo on "Black Boots".
I broke my self-imposed ten year comeback rule to include Johnny Foreigner, simply because it's such a joy to hear them again. Maybe they can teach me How To Be Hopeful about 2025.
Comeback Special (2024 Holiday Shopping Edition): https://tinyurl.com/2024comebacks
ReplyDeleteRules are made to be broken, Jon! I plan to break Jokonky's "NO WESTERN SWING" rule! Stay tuned for more!
ReplyDeleteNice one Jonder, you can't go wrong with THE THE after all. Totally agree with Stinky regarding rules, screw them!
ReplyDeleteWow, not that I keep tabs on them, but 16 years is a long time for The Cure. LL Cool J at least has the 'excuse' of being an in demand actor...
ReplyDeleteI agree. The The was for me the most pleasant surprise as a comeback. Saw him on Jools and great guy, good music.
ReplyDeleteEnsoulment is also the most topical of the albums I heard in compiling this. Matt Johnson clearly spent time on his lyrics, and he delivers them beautifully.
DeleteI've only just realized that I neglected to mention the 2024 comebacks of Melt-Banana, The Gossip, and The Black Crowes.
And as Koen recently mentioned, Jona Lewie released an album this year called "Are You Free Tuesday?" -- his first since 1993!
DeleteIt’s been quite a year, hasn’t it? An honourable mention also for Beth Gibbons (1st album since 2002, unless you count her Gorecki performance in 2019…I’m not!) and Gavin Friday (a ‘mere’ 11 years between albums).
ReplyDeleteThe Woodentops’ latest is superb… and thanks for the tip to The Wolfgang Press, which I’d completely missed!
2025 may prove to be equally thrilling, with new albums teased by Mekons and Fluke, to name but two.
Yes, and a possible reunion record from PROLAPSE!!! Ah, I missed Gavin Friday and Beth Gibbons. There's too much music!
DeleteOutstanding my old friend Jonder a seeming-to-be extension to many DU favorite bands and a key list I will try to get in time from this handy post location. People are no dummies they know good music. Steve was a tough loss this year for me Big Black my first show w a brick of black cat fireworks before they went on to erase the stale AOR in my ears at the time shellac put on many great shows too.
ReplyDeleteSome great and surprising artists here I had no idea were back from the grave -- thanks Jonder!
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