Fiddlehead made one of our favorite punk albums of 2023 with Death Is Nothing To Us (and multiple artists have put it on their lists too), and now all five members of the band have teamed up to make us a list of their 10 favorite albums of the year too. The list includes MSPAINT, Citizen, Feeble Little Horse, Touch Girl Apple Blossom, and more, with commentary on each pick. The whole thing is very worth a read, and you can check out what they had to say below.
Fiddlehead have a few US shows coming up in January (including NJ’s White Eagle Hall on 1/6 with End It, Dazy, and Final Gasp), and they’re touring the UK with MSPAINT in February before heading back overseas for Outbreak Fest in June.
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Fiddlehead’s 10 Favorite Albums of 2023
MSPAINT – Post-American
The record is perfect for driving, running and for trying to find some kind of center in your life and the world. “Titan of Hope” may be my favorite song of this current decade – Pat Flynn
DOWNTALKER – All My Friends Are Dead
I outlistened and wore out Devo and Talking Heads long ago and have always longed for music of a similar variety that offered a slightly more emotional punch than the classic proto-punk catalogue has to offer. This Downtalker single feels lyrically raw and musically exciting. Very little out there right now feels as authentic to me and I’m excited for the road ahead for them – Pat Flynn
King Krule – Space Heavy
This album hits a real sweet spot for me. It’s filled to the brim with lofi instrumentation, discordantly sweet melodies, jazz-infused guitar chords, drum swings, and saxophone solos. There’s a tangible loneliness that is embedded masterfully into this collection of tracks, almost as though it was meant to be listened to while floating in the vacuum of space – Shawn Costa
Yo La Tengo – This Stupid World
The Seventeenth (!) lp from the preeminent Hoboken Indie stalwarts, shows the band in revitalized and impressively rare form. The opening 1-2 punch of “Sinatra Drive Breakdown” and “Fallout” rivals some of the powerhouse openers of their very best ‘90’s output (e.g., Painful/I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One). Their penchant for producing disquietingly noisy textures layered over melancholically sweet melodies remains unrivaled, even 40 years deep into their career – Shawn Costa
Feeble Little Horse – Girl With Fish
This was a record I listened to a lot when I was working prep shifts at my pizza job. It follows the trending, hyper-produced sound of modern indie rock, but clearly, they still seem to care deeply about remaining a guitar rock band. I got into them through watching their WNYU radio set on youtube and the two guitarists are communicating musically at a high level the whole time, which will always sell me on a band. I will always care more about a live band than a studio one – to me, that’s the whole point of playing music. My favorite song on this record is “Tin Man,” the percussion part reminds me of my favorite June of 44 song, “Doomsday.” – Nick Hinsch
Touch Girl Apple Blossom – EP
This is a stripped down, refreshing record. You can tell from listening that they’re a band just playing to have fun. I’ll be honest, I’m kind of soured on power pop these days – it either sounds like recycled Teenage Fanclub or just simply doesn’t have that spark to it. Touch Girl Apple Blossom has proved me wrong on both counts. They feel like a real living band when you listen. This record just sounds honest. It’s got imperfections, excitement, sadness, anger, Johnny Marr steeze, parts that swing, and no programmed drums – Nick Hinsch
Cory Hanson – Western Cum
I’ve been a fan of Bay Area band Wand for a while so I was excited to hear the new album from frontman Cory Hanson. And this record didn’t disappoint, it’s a true rock and roll album with some of the best guitar playing I’ve heard in a long time. I mean if John Frusciante is recognizing you as great player you know it’s legit! Hanson stacks riffs into riffs and then adds incredible melodies over the top of these songs to fully pull you in to a chaotic world of duelling guitars and blown out amps. I love how dynamic this record is, mixing slowed down country vibes of Ghost Ship with the jagged and warped guitar work on Horsebait Sabotage. If you like guitars this record is a must – Alex Henery
The Lemon Twigs – Everything Harmony
This is a beautiful record. Full of unbelievable song writing that transports you back in time but still with a slight modern twist. I truly believe there are classic songs on this record that would have topped the charts back in the 60’s. The lads in The Lemon Twigs have somehow created a timeless sound that has brought me much joy as I listened to this record on repeat over the summer – Alex Henery
Citizen – Calling The Dogs
They are a work horse. They hit it out of the park with this one. Each Citizen record is unique, yet a familiar jump off from the last. I have to be honest here, I like them more and more each record they release. The sound is amazing. In fiddlehead, we are always critical of pacing our record, these guys are just masters of this. “Headtrip” perfectly launches you right into the album. “When I let you down” is my favorite track and best example of how dancy, poppy yet focused and serious this record is. They even got their own “lay low” mid way thru : ) Love them, and are forever inspired by them – Alex Dow
Diztort – Vengeance is Mine
Just released on Advanced Perspective and I love the album. The familiar sounds of so many bands I’ve loved for majority of my life now, yet it’s not redundant, it’s uniquely Diztort. It’s metallic hardcore with no frills, think like, 25 ta life and Obituary, but songwriting that stands on its own. It is as mosh friendly and head banging as it gets, so be sure to catch them live. “Shallow misery” and What binds me” are the stand out tracks. A sound perfectly matched with cover art by a favorite tattooer of mine, Chad Chesko. I can’t wait to see my copy in the flesh – Alex Dow
