Albums that made 2015 according to Foliage
What do you get when you ask the members of Foliage about what caught their ears in 2015? A weird mix of shoegaze, indie folk, classic jazz and noise.
Perfect. Let's move on to the picks of the year.
Mike - Bass, Synth
My choice is John Coltrane's A Love Supreme. I don't listen to full albums as much as I used to, but this is one I played from start to finish several times this year. It turned 50 years old in 2015, so it was a good time to revisit this classic. I'm amazed by how fresh and urgent it still sounds. Although I doubt I'll ever approach the skill of the musicians in Coltrane's band, their passion, spiritual depth, and musical curiosity is an inspiration.
Chris - Drums
My favorite was Fantasy Empire by Lightning Bolt. It kicks you in the face with how much it rocks. There's just the right amount of controlled chaos.
Morgan - Guitar, Keys/Synth
The album that I've spent the most time listening to in 2015 is probably Loveless by My Bloody Valentine. It's not new and doesn't have any significant connection to the year. It was remastered in 2014. Somehow, I had missed the band entirely - lumping them in with some other less favorable acts (Coheed & Cambria, My Chemical Romance) both which are different but both I have no interest in hearing. When I found Loveless, it had the perfect mixture of texture and attentiveness in songwriting and it was just exactly what I wanted to hear.
That, or The Monster Mash. Seriously, there was a "non-Halloween" day where I listened to nothing but Monster Mash.
Lauren - Vocals, Guitar
I listened to Bon Iver's self-titled album over and over again this year. I was so sour on it when it first came out because when I heard Torches by Foster the People (which also came out in 2011) I was so in love with it and was so convinced that it would win the Grammy for Best New Album. When Bon Iver took the award, I was like, "WHAT IS THIS CRAP??"
My taste in music has changed so much since then and listening back to Bon Iver, it's so moody and moving and beautiful. I definitely didn't get it in 2011 but it struck a chord with me this year, for sure.