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David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Mar 1

Made it through the month! So happy I got to jump back in on MWE this year. Thank you as always to @imgarysuarez.bsky.social, a joy to discover so much great music and the perfect reason to finally dust off this Bluesky account 🤗

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David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Mar 1

#MWE Day 28

Immediately a top 3 Radiohead album for me. Such fascinating arrangements and weird little choices throughout, mixed with some of the most devastating lyrics Thom has ever sung. Love the way they use choir/backing vocals so sparingly but effectively, this band never stops experimenting.

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David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 28

#MWE Day 27

Being mostly familiar with Pink Moon, it was interesting to hear him play accompanied. Some of the arrangements really suit his playing style and wistful melodies, while some of the busier ones bury him a bit too much. Still, a lovely collection of songs from a talent taken far too soon

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David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 27

#MWE Day 26

Glo herself is so dynamic and fun to listen to, her pen is strong and her delivery is even stronger. This album is a great showcase for her, so it’s a shame that she’s mostly backed by such dull and lifeless production. The beats and samples are so formulaic, but she’s a star for sure.

3

David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 26

#MWE Day 25

The title of this record is a better description than I could give. A great mixture of Cajun, Blues and Folk music sung beautifully. The incredible group of session players bring such a rich texture to each song, and you can feel every bit of the twisted road Rusty took to get here.

Cajun in the Blues County by Rusty Kershaw

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David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 25

#MWE Day 24

It’s 2025 and we’re stripping Pop songs down to their skeletons! Some great songs on this, and a lot of really interesting synth melodies that skew from Club to quasi-Baroque, and everything in between. Her chip-tuned vocals sound like 100 gecs on Valium (complimentary). Cool sounds!

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David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 23

#MWE Day 23

Another classic Fania album from the time when nearly everything they put out was. If Willie Colón has ever done a bad arrangement, I’ve never heard it, and Ruben’s vocals fit perfectly. Ruben’s lower register brings his own personality to this without sounding like a Lavoe knockoff.

Siembra by Rubén Blades and Willie Colón

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David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 22

#MWE Day 22

Heard my first LB record doing MWE so this felt right. Great reunion album, they hold on to what makes them special: Phonte and Pooh keep their dynamic strong, the skits are really funny, and the songwriting is sharp as ever. 9th Wonder is missed, but production is still really great.

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David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 21

#MWE Day 21

I try to avoid repeating artists for this but Alchemist has too much power, and he gives the perfect production here for Roc’s laid back but still menacing delivery. He’s one of the most consistent rappers working, and this is a great listen if you like post-Cuban Links mafioso rap

The Elephant Man’s Bones by Roc Marciano & The Alchemist

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David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 21

#MWE Day 20

Beautiful listen that is staggering in its artistry and slight in its presentation. Mostly just Paul and some acoustic instruments, letting the curious, thoughtful and sometimes funny lyrics carry each movement. Rare to hear such a bold statement so late in a long career. Excellent.

3

David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 20

#MWE Day 19

A little bit Euro Club, some Soul, and a whole lot of “oh yeah, I remember 1998”. Flows pretty well throughout, though the constant multi-layered falsetto vocals did get a bit grating after a while. Has maybe the happiest-sounding track I’ve ever heard a member of Flatbush Zombies on?

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David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 19

#MWE Day 18

Started and stopped this one a couple times in the past but it finally clicked this time. Really interesting to hear such clear pop hits deconstructed down to just their skeletal framework. Lots of interesting sounds, and he has a great voice that pierces straight through the speaker.

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David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 18

#MWE Day 17

Funny that by this point Little Richard was considered an oldies act, he sounds vibrant as ever. Supposedly this was recorded in one evening, I can feel that in the intensity of his delivery. Lots of this sounds Otis inspired, full circle since Otis was clearly inspired by Richard.

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David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 16

#MWE Day 16

Less familiar with later career Joni, which is a shame because this album easily stands up next to her classics. Really beautifully written, mostly more narrative songs that are also a great showcase for her guitar playing. Wayne Shorter adds some really nice textures too. Just lovely.

2

David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 16

#MWE Day 15

A loud screeching guitar symphony much like Daydream Nation before it. Thurston and Lee’s guitar layering leads to such dense tracks that feel like they need to be picked apart, but Kim always steals the show when she’s singing. Really feels like a lost relic of early 90s angst

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David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 15

#MWE Day 14

Such a fun listen. He just slides over every beat he’s on, he could sound great over anything but I like that he stays really close to his Texas roots. Usually not a fan of skits, but the ones here are all really funny and a great framing device for his music. Great features here too.

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David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 14

#MWE Day 13

Definitely what you’d expect from a Griselda tape (complimentary): dusty looping samples, lyrics balancing the grimy with the luxurious, expensive-looking cover art, it’s all here. Boldy has an all-timer rap voice and great flow. Fun listen, but too many long skits for a 22 minute album

3

David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 13

#MWE Day 12

I’ve heard the hits, but this album is all bangers and any of these songs could have easily been the hits if they swapped places. Such great sparse synth production on each track. Love that each sister has their own tone and brings a slightly different energy to each song they lead.

2

David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 12

#MWE Day 11

I try to avoid live albums for this but it’s just how things worked out. Immediately a top 5 Dead set for me, especially due to Branford Marsalis adding such a perfect layer with his sax. The Dark Star they do here goes full on Coltrane, and Bird Song is the best it’s ever sounded here.

Wake up to Find Out: Nassau Coliseum: Uniondale; NY 3/29/1990 (Live) by The Grateful Dead

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David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 11

#MWE Day 10

I’ve always thought 2 Chainz was one of the most versatile rappers of the last decade, and I’m glad this album exists as proof. He sounds as natural over Alchemist beats as he does sparring with Wayne. Larry June is a great foil for him, and production is excellent, no surprises there.

Life Is Beautiful by Larry June, 2 Chainz and Alchemist

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David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 10

#MWE Day 9

Easy to see why this is a classic Punk record. Blistering songs, great shout-along choruses and some seriously hilarious song titles. Lee Ving is the real star of the show here though, he screams and snarls better than anyone and even does some crooning in a few places. So much fun.

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David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 8

#MWE Day 8

Fun hearing Bob go country, especially with the murderers row of incredible Nashville players he with him. I do think something is a bit missing from the simpler country cosplay tracks, compared to the more lyrically free flowing stuff like Lay, Lady, Lay which is more in his wheelhouse.

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David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 8

Also whatever money The Black Keys have paid his estate, it isn’t enough.

David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 8

#MWE Day 7

Great showcase of his unique playing style, which has a droning, cyclical sound to it that’s as much in company with African players like Ali Farka Touré and, more recently, Mdou Moctar, as with American Blues. Less gloss than many other revival albums, lets the music speak for itself

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David C @awnothimagain.bsky.social · Feb 7

#MWE Day 6

Simply put, one of the prettiest albums I’ve ever heard. Enamored with her voice and the way she creates a choir effect by layering it on several songs. Love the wind and string arrangements and the Baroque melodies at play here, which all support such sharp songwriting. Just incredible.

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