Music 2025

It's stupid for me to write about 2025 releases. Even though every single year I make a resolution to listen to more new music, I never do. 

I could not get into a lot of the hyped stuff. It may me just my jaded nature to be over critical of stuff that's being sold to me as the greatest thing going. So I'll keep it short. 

My favorite album in 2025 was McLusky - The World Is Still Here And So Are We. Holy shit. Not just comeback album of the year. Album of the year. 

There was other stuff I liked, Home Front, PUP, Testament. There was stuff I didn't care for - Propagandhi (I know!), Turnstile (definitively NOT hardcore), Scowl, etc. 

The most disappointing album for me was The Dirty Nil's The Lash. I love this band, but didn't love this record. I merely liked it. But I was dying to love it. 

There's a lot of bands I see mentioned that I never did listen to - Wet Leg, Scarab, Water From Your Eyes, Wednesday

And then there was... Geese. I've been hearing a LOT about Geese's Getting Killed  from culture podcasts and critics. Everything I've heard has been passionate, generally positive, but sometimes negative, citing the vocals. 

So I decided to gave it a listen and it's.... pretty good? I mean I absolutely do not get the hype, but it's not bad. And about the vocals. A lot of people have issues with the vocals. But if you're an actual fan of rock music, you've heard vocals like this a million times and probably prefer a little weirdness. If you like Neutral Milk Hotel, Meat Puppets, Car Seat Headrest, or Daniel Johnston, then this is really not a big deal and not worth even discussing.  My favorite song on the album is probably the opener, Trinidad, which kinda feels like a throwaway opener, but does some strange percussive things that remind me of Faith No More at their weirdest. 

Here's my problem with the album, and it's actually a problem with critics, not the band. I keep hearing Geese referred to as the savior of rock music. But, that's a loaded phrase. I don't think this is what most people have in mind when they hear the words "rock music". This is indie rock. There's no real rock 'n roll swagger here. I like the album. It has a good vibe and quirky lyrics and themes. But what's lacking are any memorable hooks. Nothing get's stuck in your head. You won't be humming any of this, which is the ultimate test for me.  

The question is why would you go to Geese as the rock savior when McLusky is RIGHT THERE? If I didn't know any better, I might suspect that NYC indie rock bands get a disproportionate amount of attention and love. But that's not true, right?