Welcome to the second annual Bacon Awards(, where we look back on the past year of music and say, “Wait… That came out this year?” I know, I couldn’t believe it either. Anyways, let’s answer the question that’s on everybody’s mind: Who’s bringing home the Bacon?
Best Music Book – Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk by Kathleen Hanna
If you were to ask me what figure in music should write a memoir, Kathleen Hanna would have been on the shortlist. Any opportunity to take in the wisdom of the Riot Grrrl herself should not only be welcomed, but celebrated. I’m sure writing it was not the easiest, as reading it is not always the easiest, but I think I speak for a good deal of us when I say I’m glad she did.
Best Music Film – Beatles ‘64, directed by David Tedeschi
When I first heard a new documentary covering The Beatles arriving in America was coming out, I rolled my eyes. Really? Telling this story again? But I can admit when I’m wrong. the depth of this documentary really surprised me. To simply describe it as “The Beatles come to America” doesn’t do it justice. It does a great job of really capturing their cultural impact, and just what a seismic sea change they represented.
Best Archival Release – Electric Lady Studios – A Jimi Hendrix Vision by Jimi Hendrix
For decades Hendrix fans have been fascinated with what would have been his fourth studio album. So having this, a three disc collection of some of the last recordings and mixes Jimi ever did in the last months of his life is really invaluable. You also get a good sense of just how restless Jimi’s creativity was, and how him owning his own recording studio really allowed him to indulge in it.
Best Live Release – Live at Montreux Jazz Festival by RAYE
This is the type of live album that can make a newcomer a fan. I know this because that’s what happened to me. I just so happened to see a rerun of SNL where RAYE was the musical guest and I enjoyed her on there, and by coincidence this came out that same weekend so I listened to it. I think it would be damn near impossible to listen to this amazing performance and not become a fan.
Most Ambitious Release – No Name by Jack White
This release is ambitious not because of the music on it, but because of the way he released it. How often does an artist actually pull off a stealth release these days? And not only that, but a vinyl exclusive stealth release? Jack White set out to bring back that sort of bootleg mystique from back in the day. Giving away free vinyl, letting word of mouth spread the news, and encouraging fans to share files of rips of the album, did just that. And then the tour where he took a page out of Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue playbook with short notice surprise shows only added to this.
Most “What the Fuck” Release – “Taylor Made Freestyle” by Drake
I feel like this was the moment that Drake forfeit his beef with Kendrick Lamar. The fact that he used an A.I. Snoop Dogg and Tupac on a diss track is just plain stupid. Showed how, even with all of his ghost writers, he’s just not clever enough to go toe-to-toe with an artist like Kendrick. He needs a gimmick to use as a crutch.
Now, onto the main events.
Song of the Year:
5. “Please Please Please” by Sabrina Carpenter
Is this bubblegum pop? Sure. But by God, it is catchy as Hell. I really think this is the better song between it and “Espresso.”
4. “Archbishop Harold Holmes” by Jack White
Cult leader Jack White is the best Jack White.
3. “Friend of a Friend” by The Smile
This song is absolutely gorgeous. It sounds like Radiohead writing a Beatles song, but in the best way possible.
2. “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan
One of the best things this year was the meteoric rise of the people’s pop star, Chappell Roan. Another one of the best things this year was this song.
1. “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar
I mean, come on. Could it be anything else? This is the one song that, no matter how hard you tried, you could not escape it. That’s probably a deterrent for some, but I never got sick of it. It was my most played, and enjoyed, song by a mile. Long live King Kendrick.
Album of the Year:
5. Only God Was Above Us by Vampire Weekend
I feel like this album has kind of gotten lost in the shuffle on a lot of year end lists, probably because it was released early in the year and sandwiched between two super high profile albums. But it’s so damn good.
4. Cutouts by The Smile
Honestly, either of The Smile’s two albums from this year could have made this spot, but I liked Cutouts just a little better. To my ears it has a little more variety and life to it.
3. GNX by Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar’s victory lap after what has been a ginormous year for him. He’s having fun here, and you can’t help but have fun with him.
2. No Name by Jack White
Jack absolutely killed it with this album. Everything from the music on it, to the way it was released, to the tour. Everything is great.
1. COWBOY CARTER by Beyoncé
This album is monumental. The music is spectacular, but it’s more than that. The history lesson it gives is very important. The race divide in American music is due in large part to record labels and the arbitrary genres they created for marketing purposes. Back in the 30s, both black and white artists were doing Blues, but black artists were labeled Blues, and white artists were labeled Country. We saw this sort of marketing segregation again in the 50s with R&B and Rock n’ Roll. This album is very much a commentary on that. In fact, her whole ongoing Act project is a commentary on that, and I love the conversations it’s starting. But again, even without the history lesson, musically it’s just amazing. One of Beyoncé’s finest.
So, there you have it. The second annual Bacon Awards. I’ll be mailing all of the winners their awards, which is just a slab of bacon. Hope it doesn’t get too warm in transit. We’ll be back next year. Same time, same Bacon.
