(that is, the list of records that I need to remember not to forget when the end of year best-of lists roll around, as they will any day now):
Low, “The Great Destroyer.” One of the most improbable records ever to show up on a list of mine, because for many years, I loathed Low (and justifiably so, I think, though others will disagree, and have disagreed, with me vehemently on that topic). I mean, I am not mope-averse, don’t get me wrong. I love Iron and Wine (though I understand why many people don’t), I’m a Death Cab for Cutie fan, and the semi-mopey Dolorean (about whom I really need to write something extensive one of these days) are among my current very favorite bands. But Low weren’t just mopey, they were wrist-slittingly mopey—not meaning that their songs were so sad that they made the listener suicidal, but meaning that you’d willingly slit your wrists just in order to not have to hear them anymore. And then they made “The Great Destroyer,” which is largely upbeat and poppy, and what isn’t upbeat and poppy is lush and evocative. Totally different from anything I’ve ever heard from them before. It won’t be in my top 5, but I’m pretty sure it will make the top 10…which currently has, as usual, about 15 records in it.
I thought of about four other shortlist candidates earlier this week and can’t remember them now. Which is proof that I need to keep the shortlist going.