I hand out A Plus grades to albums less often than Rolling Stone hands out Five Star reviews, and usually well after the event. 2010 had two of them: Titus Andronicus’ The Monitor and Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. 2011 just the Tyler The Creator debut album Goblin. 2012 had none.
And now it seems like there could be three “A+” albums in 2013. I’ve heard all three of these albums but only Laura Marling’s has been released as I write.
Generic Treasure – Modern Hut – This is Joe Steinhardt’s follow up to his For Science band and a long time calling. Joseph told me he had considered not releasing it all. It was finished once it was complete and he saw no real need to share it with an audience. Me, I need appearance to signify meaning and I am very happy that Joe chose to share it with us. The heart of the album is three of the best songs Steinhardt has ever written and it is surrounded by seven other great songs. It is a flawless album.
Power Of Trinity Slight Return – Tomas Doncker – It is hard to really imagine it, but Tomas Doncker is getting better with time. Power Of Trinity was a wonderful album but Slight Return is unspeakable brilliance. The playing isn’t smooth though you think it is, it is hard and powerful full of horns and guitars cutting outwards it overwhelming strength and unity.
Once I Was An Eagle – Laura Marling – Laura, as well as Tomas and Joe, will have a problem reaching these heights of creativity again. This 16 track, nearly 60 minute sings of love and rebirth, of traveling from England to L.A. and beyond. This is a magnificent album. It is as good as Blue. It is so timeless it could have been released in 1975 and no questions asked. Laura is a Taylor Swift for hipsters, she’s a love weary traveler and she always ends up the same place. With her father in an England covered in snow.