A Few Of My Favorite Things, 2022 Edition – Part Two: The Singles, EPs, Live, Compilation, and Reissues

 By Henry Lipput

Part Two of my 2022 year-end review is for the singles, EPs, a live release, a compilation, and reissues that I've enjoyed over the course of the year. I hope you've enjoyed what I've been writing about throughout the year and I encourage you to buy a download, a CD, or a record to support indie music.

SINGLES

Peter Hall, "In Plain Sight" (Bandcamp)

Peter Hall continues to amaze and “In Plain Sight” is pop of the highest quality. It’s also included in his latest (mini) album About Last Night (Subjangle).

The Bablers, "You Are the One for Me" (Big Stir Records)

“You Are the One for Me” is a banger of a power pop track. It’s one of the songs from an album by this Finnish band yet to be released in the US.

The Boo Radleys, Keep On With Falling (thebooradleys.com)

“Keep On With Falling” is the second single and title song from the band’s first album since 1998. (The band is releasing a new album in June!). It’s a great, joyous slice of the Boos led by Sice’s always welcome vocals.

EPs

Theatre Royal, Beneath the Floor (Bandcamp)

Although “Ship Beneath the Floor” had a video made, “Talking to Tracey” is my favorite song from the band’s terrific Beneath the Floor EP. Reworking tracks not finished for 2020’s wonderful Portraits album plus another new track. Favorite track: “Talking to Tracy”

The Black Watch, the neverlands of spoken things (ATOM Records)

On the EP, with the title track of the black watch’s new album (to be released in March), John Andrew Fredrick and company are again plugged in and ready to bring on the fuzz and the crunch to the melodies. Favorite track: “the neverlands of spoken things”

The Magic Es, Talk in Tongues (Bandcamp)

I’ve been enjoying the indie rock sounds The Magic Es have been making since I reviewed their first album, It Goes On, back in 2017 for CoolDad Music. On their new EP they are back to being a trio and with songs like “Gone” are still making sounds I enjoy. Favorite track: “Gone”

LIVE

Silver Haar, Live (Bandcamp)

Silver Haar’s Light’s Out EP was a 2021 favorite for me and they’ve followed it up with a live set with many of the songs from that EP. Adding an extra guitarist they’re expanded their sound and also expanded the length of songs to bring new elements to the mix. Favorite track: "Lights Out"

COMPILATION

Various Artists, Have Yourself a Merry Indie Christmas (Bandcamp)

In 2021, the Welsh journalist Kevin McGrath but together, V4Velindre: Charity Mixtape for the NHS, an amazing 50-song collection of indie artists to raise funds for Cardiff’s Velindre Cancer Center. Last year he went even further and assembled a two-volume, 108 song mixtape to raise funds for Crisis, a UK-based charity the helps the homeless. Favorite track: “Snowboardin'” by The Pearlfishers

REISSUES

Blake Babies, Sunburn (American Laundromat Records)

One of the great things about reissues (if they’re done well) is that you hear things you didn’t hear before and that’s the case with this marvelous release. This reissue is for more than long-time fans of Sunburn; it’s a must-have for lovers of great pop music and is the first time the album has been available on vinyl for over 30 years. Favorite track: “Train”

Jon Brion, Meaningless (Jealous Butcher Records)

When is a reissue not a reissue? Jon Brion’s brilliant album Meaningless was released in 2002 only in CD and digital formats. Yeah, the CD has been gorgeously remastered and counts as a reissue, but the vinyl wasn’t available in ’02 which makes this an even more important release.  Favorite track: “Hook, Line and Sinker”