Best of the Month is decided by a number of different variables; voter counts from preceding posts, reader reaction ratings, gut feelings, and lots and lots of heated discussions.
Album of the Month
May had a lot of great new projects and unexpected releases, but there was no project more surprising than Paramore’s first new album in over four years. The way in which they were able to reinvent and reinvigorate their sound was a pleasant surprise that cut through the crowd. It was a bright, bouncy album that wore it’s 80’s era pop influences on it’s sleeves and fully committed to the new direction. While their production sounded wildly different than their previous works, their punk ways still shone through in Hayley’s songwriting, creating a strange dichotomy in their music that somehow worked to brilliant effect.
Runner-ups
Trailer of the Month
Say what you will about the actual movie itself (that’s a discussion for another day) but there’s no denying the incredible job the trailer for It Comes At Night did at building hype for it’s theatrical release. It was extremely well cut, giving away just enough to get us intrigued without spoiling the story and the amazing score sent things over the top. It was full of beautiful cinematography and a palpable tension reminiscent of genre classics like The Thing and Cabin Fever. It’s been quite some time since a trailer for a “horror” movie had us this hyped, so that alone made it deserving of the title for Best Trailer of the Month.
Runner-ups
Video of the Month
This was a close one as there were a number of deserving videos this month, but it was impossible to pick against the absolute cultural classic that is “Tiny Dancer.” Dropping out of left field, it’s hard to believe that it’s taken this long for it to get an official video. But 45 years later and it’s here and it did not disappoint. The video is just as moving a tribute to the City of Angels as the song itself, with various shots of the city’s many denizens from all walks of life going through their daily lives all while John croons in the background. So simple, yet so perfect, and the month’s most pleasant surprise. Hold me closer tiny dancer!
Runner-ups
