Hardly Credible Music Reviews with Kieran

     Mindful is too kitschy of a word, so to summarize my music listening this year, I'll describe it as: picky, yet broad. I listened to 39 albums this year that released this year, which is more than usual, but I wasn't just listening to whatever I stumbled across (a bad habit I held long ago). This year, I was far more intentional about what new music I consumed, and I think the answers speak for themselves. I usually struggle to name my top three albums of the year, but this year I've got ten, plus some honorable mentions! Please note that being intentional and mindful does not equate to original: all but one of these albums you are about to see are either recommendations from Rate Your Music or Anthony Fantano. If you recognize either of those names, there are no surprises to be found below. I like to think I enjoy these albums regardless of how well they've been received by others, but only time will tell how much of a Fantano/RYM fanboy I am. HONORABLE MENTIONS E...

     In my ever so amateurish taste, I rarely come across an album that I flat out do not like. There have been plenty of albums I listened to this year that I simply didn't care for, but even then I just admit that I must not being trying hard enough to like it, or  more likely I'm just not in the target demographic for the album. Ignore Grief  by Xiu Xiu may have been too scary for my taste, and Wallsocket by underscores may have had vocals that I found annoying, but for this year, there was only one album that really took the cake for worst album of the year, and that's due in large part because I'm in the target demographic. Read any interview the band did about this album and you'll find the same: THIS ALBUM WAS MADE FOR ME! Without further ado: drumroll please. And the worst album of 2023 goes to... The Beautiful Letdown (Our Version)  – Switchfoot      Why? Why does this album exist? In an interview with Billboard , Jon Foreman (you kn...