Triptides: Starlight (2023)

 Triptides’ 10th full-length finds the band returning to its fuzzy ‘60s psych-pop vibe, after the rustic So Many Days and, despite boasting perhaps the most boring album cover in their entire discog, this is a most fantastic set. Triptides does not make bad records, and ranking them is pointless, but I will say that this is a top-tier record and is precisely what I hoped for from this band.

Meat Puppets: Sewn Together (2009)

 Album #12 was their second after Cris Kirkwood’s return to the band. For an album that was so tossed-off (as Curt Kirkwood insinuated) this is a remarkably solid and well-produced set, full of outstanding songs and killer harmonies.

King Buffalo: Regenerator (2023)

 Album #5 for King Buffalo is their most recent and (as far as I can tell) their best. The third release in a pandemic trilogy, Regenerator ramps up the vigor and has an immediacy to it that wasn’t always present before. The band’s playing is phenomenal throughout. This trio has gotten super tight in their time together. I look forward to seeing what they do next.

King Buffalo: Acheron (2021)

 King Buffalo’s fourth full-length was literally recorded in a cavern and features four long tracks that follow the band’s brand of heavy space rock, in a bit of a more expansive form. Once again, the cover art is phenomenal and perfectly suited to the music. This album had to be so much fun to make.