What a lovely write-up, Mark! I have thought for decades that Eric D. Johnson is the most underrated or unsung artist around. I mean, he seems to be doing well for himself, so I won't feel bad for him, and his status allows me to go see him at more intimate venues, which is always a plus. But seeing his creative output laid out the way you express it here makes me probably have to agree with you on the artist of the decade question. I feel like you/we could have made that case for the past 2 or 3 decades. I actually didn't know about one of his Fruit Bats albums, so this was doubly great.
It's so funny about the Smashing Pumpkins cover album, as I heard him talk about that on a podcast recently (I can't remember which one) where he talked about his love for SP and Billy Corgan. I hope he does more cover albums, as not only is he a wonderful songwriter, but he's also a fabulous interpreter.
There's something about Eric's voice that seems to tap straight into some emotional core, he has no pretense or affectation. I feel similarly about Jason Lytle of Grandaddy. Even if Jason often adds effects to his voice, it's always to serve the song and the emotional truth.
I don't keep very good records of what my favorites of the past decade have been, and the task of trying to scan through the mess of the past decade to create a list like yours (it was nice to see Joan as Police Woman and Nation of Language in your short list), is a bit overwhelming.
But I'll spitball and say that I might pick King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard as band of the decade, simply because they have released so much music, that even if some albums are hit and miss, with 19 (!!!) releases since 2016, I could pick at least 8 of them that stand the test of time (albeit a shorter time, limiting to a decade) and which I still play on the regular.
I will be honest and admit that I found the original article a bit boring with all the picks that felt like pop-culture markers rather than truly musically innovative, standout releases/artists. But I did find it bold that Kevin picked Wussy! He introduced them to me and sold me on their greatness last year.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments Steve, I appreciate your kind words. I do feel blessed to have been able to see Bonny Light Horseman at a small venue in London. Standing room GA venue. Got there very early (much to my wife’s chagrin) but that meant I was front row center stage for the entirety.
I agree with you about the cover album. I loved his interpretation and would love to see him do some more. And I also very much agree about his voice. That’s a large part of his appeal for me, it really impacts me emotionally.
I’ve never really listened to Grandaddy but I’ll check them out now based on your comment. On the King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, I did try with them but definitely not on every album. I have to admit, I find it very hard to get into prolific acts like that (GBV is the obvious one that comes to mind).
Kevin was certainly the breath of fresh air in that discussion as I felt like I could’ve read the other takes on just about any mainstream pop culture website. Also, it felt extremely tone deaf to have a bunch of white guys opining on music. The lack of diversity bothered me.
This is an awesome list and thank you for the kind words and signal boost! Anymore, if a record moves me, or gets me to move, I wanna hear it. Distilled down, that’s pretty much my rubric for rating anything. 😀
Thanks Kevin. That’s pretty much it for me as well nowadays for anything. Does it move me? Do I like/love it? Doesn’t really matter what the “tastemakers” and gatekeepers have to say anymore
I'm not one to give a proper assessment or comment on artists from this decade (2015-2025), as I listen to so much, and, if I'm honest, a lot of older music is in my regular diet. However, I would definitely agree on the two Lady Blackbird albums! I am astonished she is still relatively unknown here in the States. Both of her records are gorgeous!
I don’t know 99% of these artists or records, but I’m all for rabbit holes that keep us awake at night (or on the edge of our seat on a train). Now go get some rest!
Love the Bonny Light Horseman albums and have more Fruit Bats than I realised in my collection. A good choice. For me, I’d have to go with Adrienne Lenker for her work with Big Thief and solo - believe she is a truly generational talent.
Yes, although her music has been a little hit and miss for me over the years, Adrienne Lenker’s a great choice. Thanks for reading and commenting Mark!
Love, love, LOVE The Fruitbats and frequently play them on my radio show.
I would also throw Deer Tick into the mix.
Thanks for reading Mark! Are you a fan of Bonny Light Horseman’s work? I’ve never heard of Deer Tick, will check them out
Wow. Just wow.
No no no. I think it’s good that location still matters in what music we are exposed to, and which feels important.
What a lovely write-up, Mark! I have thought for decades that Eric D. Johnson is the most underrated or unsung artist around. I mean, he seems to be doing well for himself, so I won't feel bad for him, and his status allows me to go see him at more intimate venues, which is always a plus. But seeing his creative output laid out the way you express it here makes me probably have to agree with you on the artist of the decade question. I feel like you/we could have made that case for the past 2 or 3 decades. I actually didn't know about one of his Fruit Bats albums, so this was doubly great.
It's so funny about the Smashing Pumpkins cover album, as I heard him talk about that on a podcast recently (I can't remember which one) where he talked about his love for SP and Billy Corgan. I hope he does more cover albums, as not only is he a wonderful songwriter, but he's also a fabulous interpreter.
There's something about Eric's voice that seems to tap straight into some emotional core, he has no pretense or affectation. I feel similarly about Jason Lytle of Grandaddy. Even if Jason often adds effects to his voice, it's always to serve the song and the emotional truth.
I don't keep very good records of what my favorites of the past decade have been, and the task of trying to scan through the mess of the past decade to create a list like yours (it was nice to see Joan as Police Woman and Nation of Language in your short list), is a bit overwhelming.
But I'll spitball and say that I might pick King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard as band of the decade, simply because they have released so much music, that even if some albums are hit and miss, with 19 (!!!) releases since 2016, I could pick at least 8 of them that stand the test of time (albeit a shorter time, limiting to a decade) and which I still play on the regular.
I will be honest and admit that I found the original article a bit boring with all the picks that felt like pop-culture markers rather than truly musically innovative, standout releases/artists. But I did find it bold that Kevin picked Wussy! He introduced them to me and sold me on their greatness last year.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments Steve, I appreciate your kind words. I do feel blessed to have been able to see Bonny Light Horseman at a small venue in London. Standing room GA venue. Got there very early (much to my wife’s chagrin) but that meant I was front row center stage for the entirety.
I agree with you about the cover album. I loved his interpretation and would love to see him do some more. And I also very much agree about his voice. That’s a large part of his appeal for me, it really impacts me emotionally.
I’ve never really listened to Grandaddy but I’ll check them out now based on your comment. On the King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, I did try with them but definitely not on every album. I have to admit, I find it very hard to get into prolific acts like that (GBV is the obvious one that comes to mind).
Kevin was certainly the breath of fresh air in that discussion as I felt like I could’ve read the other takes on just about any mainstream pop culture website. Also, it felt extremely tone deaf to have a bunch of white guys opining on music. The lack of diversity bothered me.
This is an awesome list and thank you for the kind words and signal boost! Anymore, if a record moves me, or gets me to move, I wanna hear it. Distilled down, that’s pretty much my rubric for rating anything. 😀
Thanks Kevin. That’s pretty much it for me as well nowadays for anything. Does it move me? Do I like/love it? Doesn’t really matter what the “tastemakers” and gatekeepers have to say anymore
I'm not one to give a proper assessment or comment on artists from this decade (2015-2025), as I listen to so much, and, if I'm honest, a lot of older music is in my regular diet. However, I would definitely agree on the two Lady Blackbird albums! I am astonished she is still relatively unknown here in the States. Both of her records are gorgeous!
thanks for reading Michael. Those Lady Blackbird albums are both phenomenal aren’t they! It is surprising that she hasn’t hit it bigger.
I don’t know 99% of these artists or records, but I’m all for rabbit holes that keep us awake at night (or on the edge of our seat on a train). Now go get some rest!
Thanks for reading Andy, and for the restack!!
Love the Bonny Light Horseman albums and have more Fruit Bats than I realised in my collection. A good choice. For me, I’d have to go with Adrienne Lenker for her work with Big Thief and solo - believe she is a truly generational talent.
Yes, although her music has been a little hit and miss for me over the years, Adrienne Lenker’s a great choice. Thanks for reading and commenting Mark!
Really great to see another Eric Johnson appreciator in the wild!