The Best Records of 2023

I open this thread where we can report the new releases of the most interesting albums of the year 2023. Anyone who wishes can leave a short comment on the album and/or comment on the quality of the recording of the medium (vinyl, CD, streaming)
I start with:
Steven Wilson - the harmony codex, his seventh solo album.
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Natalie Merchant - Keep Your Courage
The ten songs that make up the album confirm Merchant’s strongly folk-oriented melodic and musical talent. Very well orchestrated album and absolutely worth listening to. Very refined arrangements. Very well recorded.

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My GF was able to hold a perfect plank for 19 minutes. That was my favorite “record” so far in 2023. :grinning:

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I applaud SW’s versatility and sound quality but this album does not do it for me. I have seen SW live 3 times and the show is electrifying. Adam’s keyboard work is tops. I am more of the SW of The Raven

My favorite recent album (sorry its 2022) is Marillion’s An Hour Before Its Dark

This album gave me a few immersive and emotional evenings… this year.

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Kirsten Edkins Shapes and Sound is probably worth mentioning to this crowd. It might be this crowd that mentioned it to me. Kevin Gray, Cohearent, etc.

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I agree. A good one. Also, while not a single album, everything I’ve gotten so far from Deutsche Gramophone’s The Original Source vinyl reissues have been worth listening to. Highly recommended.

One of the reasons I truly dig the music threads in this forum is the occasional new discovery. Just ordered Kirsten’s LP after a preview of the album on-line. Judging from the sonics alone, as best I can tell from an on-line video, Shapes & Sound is a winner. Also want to support Cohearent Records.

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To be released soon (December 2023), and if past is prelude to future, then Steven Wilson’s project - Porcupine Tree - Should ‘touch’ yet another rather high ceiling, creativity and production (SQ).

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Pictures or it didn’t happen.

:wink:

[Just kidding - and no actual lechery intended.]

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Why is this discussion under audio components and not music?

Nope. She’s shy

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David Crosby & the Lighthouse Band Live at the Capitol Theatre
Listening gives you a total transport into the universe, out of time, in which David Crosby has always been lord and master.
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Blur - The Ballad Of Darren

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Brad Mehldau - Your Mother Should Know. Brad Plays the Beatles

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