Top 5 Jazz Albums of 2015
Lea DeLaria, “House of David” (Ghostlight)
Cécile McLorin Salvant, “For One to Love” (Mack Avenue)
Fred Hersch, “Solo” (Palmetto)
Vijay Iyer Trio, “Break Stuff” (ECM)
Keith Jarrett, “Creation” (ECM)
—Robert Rodi
Top 5 Jazz Clubs of 2015
The Green Mill
Jazz Showcase
Constellation
Andy’s Jazz Club & Restaurant
Untitled Supper Club
—Robert Rodi
Top 5 Concerts of 2015
Mozart, “Requiem,” Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Benefit for Marty Grebb, Arcada Theatre
Ars Viva Farewell Concert, Alan Heatherington
Ramsey Lewis 80th Birthday Celebration, Ravinia Festival
Boulez Complete Piano Music, Symphony Center Presents
— Dennis Polkow
Top 5 Rock (etc.) Albums of 2015
Joan Shelley, “Over and Even” (No Quarter)
Twerps, “Range Anxiety” (Merge)
Courtney Barnett, “Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit” (Mom+Pop)
Joshua Abrams, “Magnetoception” (Eremite)
Eleventh Dream Day, “Works for Tomorrow” (Thrill Jockey)
— Robert Loerzel
Top 5 Rock Albums of 2015
Low, “Ones and Sixes” (Sub Pop)
Bully, “Feels Like” (Columbia/Star Time)
Circuit Des Yeux, “In Plain Speech” (Thrill Jockey)
Tame Impala, “Currents” (Interscope)
Wilco, “Star Wars” (self-released)
—Craig Bechtel
Top 5 Shoegaze Albums of 2015
Westkust, “Last Forever” (Run For Cover)
Static Daydream, “Static Daydream” (Saint Marie)
No Joy, “More Faithful” (Mexican Summer)
A Sunny Day In Glasgow, “Planning Weed Like It’s Acid / Life is Loss: Pop Songs 2015” (self-released)
Swervedriver, “I Wasn’t Born To Lose You” (Cobraside)
—Craig Bechtel
Top 5 Hip-Hop Albums of 2015
Kendrick Lamar, “To Pimp A Butterfly” (Top Dawg/Aftermath)
Vince Staples, “Summertime ‘06” (Def Jam ARTium)
Doomtree, “All Hands” (Doomtree)
Mick Jenkins, “Wave[s]” (Cinematic/Good Years)
ProbCause, “Drifters” (Lowtemp)
—Craig Bechtel
Top 5 Unjustly Overlooked Records of 2015
Frank Turner, “Positive Songs For Negative People” (Interscope)
The Very Best, “Makes A King” (Moshi Moshi)
Anti-Flag, “American Spring” (Spinefarm)
Pale Honey, “Pale Honey” (Instant Records)
Whitehorse, “Leave No Bridge Unburned” (Six Shooter)
—Craig Bechtel
Top 5 Festival Sets of 2015
Swirlies at West Fest
First Aid Kit at Lollapalooza
Doomtree at Riot Fest
Tenacious D at Riot Fest
The Julie Ruin at Pitchfork
—Craig Bechtel
Top 5 Best Music Venues
Lincoln Hall
Schubas Tavern
Constellation
Empty Bottle
The Hideout
—Craig Bechtel
Top 5 New Chicago Bands
Clearance
Varsity
Meat Wave
WHITEGOLD (now known as SUPERMAGICAL)
Swimsuit Addition
—Craig Bechtel
Top 5 Musical Anticipations for 2016
Naked Raygun new album
The Wedding Present new album
Lush reunion tour and new EP
Husker Du reunion at Riot Fest (hope springs eternal)
Long awaited Monsters of Swee Tour from Sweden’s Labrador label
—Craig Bechtel
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