I have to admit. This one took me by surprise. Not the award; the EP itself. It totally came out of my left-field and smacked me in the face. And, I wasn’t the only one down here at YabYum that reported this strange phenomena…
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2018 Office Favorite: ‘Pleb’ by The Echo Bombs
What album got more airtime at YabYum HQ this year than any other? It was, without a doubt, The Echo Bombs’ April release, Pleb. These ten-tracks of turbo fueled disappointment provided us with some of our favorite singles of the entire year, but the best way to listen is from start to finish and then all over again…
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The Double Whammy: Playboy Manbaby
So, when Playboy Manbaby came up at the staff radio show the day after Xmas last year, we were all in agreement that yes, the band deserved an award for their auditory efforts this year. Then, when we moved on to which album stood out more for us, we were at an equal divide. Writer turned on writer, editor on editor, basically, the furies of hell broke loose…
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Best Live Band 2018: TOSO
The best live band to see in 2018 was hand’s down, absitively, posolutely, TOSO. If you missed catching just one of their 12,000 shows this year then you missed out. BIG time…
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Sophomore Swingers: ‘0% Fun’ by Fairy Bones
Uh, let’s get something clear right from the start, I like Fairy Bones, but as I’ve mentioned (in writing) before, their debut album left me wanting....
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Best Reprisal: ‘Ugly Spiral: Lost Works 2012-2016’ by AJJ
AJJ is a PHX institution and a YabYum staff favorite so it’s no surprise they’re popping up on our end of the year favorites. Except, this year, the band released a collection of “Lost Works” which seemed like it might just be a random smattering of dusty B-sides and perhaps even, dear gawd, lofi live tracks. But, as tried-and-true AJJ fans, we dismissed our doubts with faith that this folk/punk (not folk-punk) act would not let us down with some commercial stint. No, no, not AJJ…
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Best Punk Album: ‘It’s Fun To Be A Nothing’ by Shovel
The rowdy PHX two-piece known as Shovel has been making their way around the Valley punk circuit for some time now, but their latest release, It’s Fun To Be A Nothing, has captured the attention of listeners well beyond our dusty desert…
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The Dynamic Duo Award: The ExBats
Inez McLain (drums/vocals) and Kenny McLain (guitars/vocals), the father-daughter duo behind The ExBats, definitely hit that dynamo status in 2018 by making the feistiest music in the border states…
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Most Intense Aural Experience: ‘DEATH SPELLS’ by HOLY FAWN
As you prepare to embark on the totally encompassing experience that is HOLY FAWN’s 2018 album, DEATH SPELLS, I suggest you ask yourself, “Am I in a good space, emotionally speaking?”
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Best Show of 2018: CRISPYFEST at The Trunk Space
Okay, so there were a lot of really wonderful live events that happened in the Valley throughout last year, but the surprising standout was definitely CRISPYFEST at The Trunk Space. Sadly, the event was to celebrate the end of Exxxtra Crispy; a local favorite of party rockers everywhere…
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Best Indie Pop Album: ‘Super No. 1’ by Asian Fred
The exquisitely crafted indie pop of Asian Fred has taken our staff, if not yet the world, by storm. The Tucson band’s debut EP, Super No. 1, was released in September and quickly became a favorite of our editors before spreading like wildfire through our audio team and radio show hosts…
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Best Americana Album: ‘May Your Kindness Remain’ by Courtney Marie Andrews
When it came time to choose our favorite Americana album of 2018 the answer was a no-brainer: May Your Kindess Remain from Courtney Marie Andrews simply slayed the competition…
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