It’s that time of year where every asshat wants to spew their “Best of whatever year” list like someone out in the ether really gives a flying fart. These lists can be dumb, but I have discovered new music from them too. So I decided to join the fray! Here are my top biscuits, shows with Rhode Island borders, and favorite Christmas songs at this precarious moment. Now pass the damn eggnog!
Best Albums
Lookers – Deeper (Almost Ready Records)
This local supergroup served up a hypnotic platter of indie dance. My favorite jam on this one is “Body Bag” which I’ve listened to on repeat. It might be my favorite banger of the year!
Craig Finn – Always Been (Tamarac Records)
The Hold Steady frontman’s solo albums are more stripped down with the songs hanging on Finn’s storytelling. Always Been has an interesting narrative in that several of the songs revolve around a preacher who didn’t believe in God. My favorite track is “People of Substance.“
Guided By Voices – Thick Rich and Delicious (Rockathon Records)
I’ve given up on buying new music from Guided By Voices and all of singer Robert Pollard’s many side projects more times than I can count. Much like the mafia though, GBV keeps revealing me back in. My favorite jams here are “Lucy’s World,” and “Our Man Syracuse.
Blood Feeder – Watching The World
Hailing from New Bedford, Watching The World was probably one of my most listened to albums of the year for me, by virtue of being the only CD I kept in my car in this otherwise digital age. Blood Feeder are all things punk and rock ‘n’ roll. My favorite tracks are “Don’t Go,” and “I Want You.”
Throwing Muses – Moonlight Concessions (Fire Records)
It is amazing to think that Newport legends Throwing Muses have been around since 1981 and still create some of the rawest, tension-fueled rock ‘n’ roll today. My favorite tune is probably “Drugstore Drastic,” but Kristin Hersh’s vocals on the second part of “Albatross” are so sadly beautiful.
Atlantic Thrills – III (Almost Ready Records)
Atlantic Thrills dropped another bomb of garage rock tinged with surf psychedelia. They took the show on the road, bringing their Ocean State madness to the masses. My favorite tracks are “One and Only,” and “Fucked up Things.”
‘92 Winona – Hello, Hello
This is another local supergroup of sorts that play ragtag rock ‘n’ roll. I love “24-Hour Pharmacy” and “Heroic Dose.”
Supersuckers – Liquor, Women, Drugs & Killing
This is a throwback of sorts to the rowdy rock ‘n’ roll of the glory days of the Supersuckers. I love the western swing of “Unsolvable Problems,” and the humour of “Volunteer.”
Bob Mould – Here We Go Crazy
I feel lucky that, with the Earth being 4 billion years old, I am alive at the same time as Bob Mould. Here We Go Crazy is another testament to the power of melody and electric guitar that has defined Mould’s work through Husker Du, Sugar, and his solo career. My favorite tracks are “Lost or Stolen,” and “Sharp Little Pieces.”
Paz Lenchantin – Triste (Hideous Human Records)
Stepping out of the shadows of playing bass for Pixies and A Perfect Circle, Lenchantin has created a beautifully weird sonic diamond. Triste manages to have elements of Lenchantin’s past bands while sounding nothing like either of them. My favorite nuggets are “Wish I Was There,” and “In the Garden With the Devil.”
Mark Cutler – Murder of Crows
Local legend Mark Cutler dropped a collection of tunes powered by Stones-styled guitars that feel warm, like the burning embers of a firepit. My favorite tracks are “Man On the Moon,” and
“Remembering Wrong.” For the love of God, can we finally put this man on the Newport Folk Fest stage?!
The Hives – The Hives Forever Forever The Hives
The Hives might be the best band going today, just ask them. The new biscuit is another speedball of garage rock anthems. My favorite tracks are “Legalize Living,” and “Hooray Hooray Hooray.”
Crash Space – Space Mom
This new electronic duo was one of my favorite discoveries of 2025. They were performing more of an acoustic set when I first caught them, but this album is like electronica Carole King. My favorite cuts are “They Say,” and “Shake Me Awake.”
Counting Crows – Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets!
I know Counting Crows aren’t cool, but they’re so good! Whatever, you can take my punk rock card and burn it. My favorite tracks are “Spaceman In Tulsa,” and “With Love, From A-Z.”
The Callouts – Victory Lap
The Callouts wage war with infectious pop-punk hooks that will keep one dancing for days. The Callouts recently played their last show in Providence — unless they change their minds — just putting it out there. My favorite bangers on this are “Calling Out,” and “Matchstick.”
2025 Best Concerts (non-festivals):
- Providence Payback 2025 at The Met Cafe
- Belly at The Greenwich Odeum
- Craig Finn/ Mountain Goats at Fete
- Bob Mould at Greenwich Odeum
- Amazing Royal Crowns and Soapbox Saints at Nic-A-Nees
- An Evening of Lucinda Williams Songs and A Screening of Finding Lucinda at POP.
- Deer Tick / The Quahogs at The Ocean Mist
- Tommy Stinson at POP
- Lightning Bolt at The Met Cafe
- The Darts and The Evil Streaks at The Parlour
- Lucero and Jessica Lea Mayfield at Fete.
Best Christmas Songs / Favorite Version
- The Pogues – ”Fairytale of New York”
- James Brown – “Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto”
- The Dogmatics – “X’mas Time (Sure Doesn’t Feel Like)”
- Electric Six – “Don’t Shoot Me Santa Claus”
- Deer Tick – “Light Up Reindeer.” Honorable mention to the other Deer Tick Christmas tunes, “Christmas All Summer Long,” and “Holy Shit it’s Christmas”
- Joey Ramone – “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”
- Hanoi Rocks – “Dead by Xmas”
- Midnight Creeps – “Christmas Hit List”
- Amazing Royal Crowns – “One More Christmas (To Put Up With You)”
- Ramones – “Danny Says”
- Descendents – “Christmas Vacation”
- Bruce Springsteen – “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town”
- The Raveonettes – “The Christmas Song”
- Low – “If You Were Born Today”
- The Primitives – “You Trashed My Christmas”
Email music news to mclarkin33@gmail.com