Top 10 Albums of 2018: Uncontrollable Urge

Uncontrollable Urge

Four releases from England, five from bands fronted by women, and lots of post-punk sounds encapsulate this year. Angelique Kidjo’s cover of the Talking Heads masterpiece, ‘Remain in Light,’ rivals the original, like a great remake of a classic film. Tracey Thorn’s album of outstanding biographical sketches is the perfect Sunday morning listen. Hollie Cook, daughter of Sex Pistol, Paul Cook, creates outer-space dub on her ‘Vessel of Love.’ And Shopping’s ‘The Official Body’ is excellent post-punk for the 21st century.  

Interrobang’s self-titled record also fits the post-punk bill, with two members of Chumbawamba still angry and continuing to fight as they get on in years. The band’s longtime Dutch conspirators, The Ex, make challenging political music on ‘27 Passports.’ Scottish favorites, Belle and Sebastian, always deliver great pop music, while ‘Mating Surfaces’ by Lithics is tense, sharp and repetitive. The Fugazi rhythm section, joined by a jazz guitarist, prove that instrumentals rock on ‘The Messthetics.’ And Sloan’s latest full-length shows that the band continues to create the best power pop around. 

Belle and Sebastian / ‘How to Solve Our Human Problems’ / Matador

The Ex / ‘27 Passports’ / Ex Records

Hollie Cook / ‘Vessel of Love’ / Merge

Interrobang / ‘Interrobang’ / All the Madmen

Angelique Kidjo / ‘Remain in Light’ / Kravenworks

Lithics / ‘Mating Surfaces’ / Kill Rock Stars

The Messthetics / ‘The Messthetics’ / Dischord

Shopping / ‘The Official Body’ / Fat Cat

Sloan / ‘12’ / Yep Roc

Tracey Thorn / ‘Record’ / Merge

Listen to Uncontrollable Urge with bobEE Sweet to hear music from every decade and genre on Wednesdays, 12 - 2 pm.